june 2009 thrive nyc

8/14/2019 June 2009 Thrive NYC

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June 2009

Hot Fun

In TheSummer!

Easy, Breezy

Staycations

Summer Camps

For Seniors

Cool Drinks

That Sizzle6

5

3 John Glover:Getting GodotPier 64:

Country Parkland

On The Hudson

The Benefits Of "Om"


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2009

JUNEPAGE 2

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4/32

2009

JUNEPAGE 4

By Emma DeVito

Now that the dust has settled in Albany, theres just one word that describesthe impact of the recently adopted new state budget on long-term care:Devastating.

No one argues that the state faced a considerable financial crisis thatdemanded a responsible response by the governor and state lawmakers.Unfortunately, thats not what we got.

The dire state of the economy notwithstanding, for most of this decadeannual state budgets were pasted together with various resources, some ofwhich, regrettably, were not of the recurring type. This was the year, everyoneknew well in advance, when it would be time to pay the piper for thespending structure that had been built on a foundation of singular revenues.Of course, no one foresaw that economic turmoil that has beset the state,nation and world.

But then, to take it out on the wrong people? A good share of what wasdone this year balances the states budget on the backs of the poor.

Im talking about frail older adults with chronic disabilities and personsliving with HIV/AIDS, individuals who particularly rely on Medicaid to pay

for the long-term care they need. They are black men and women, women inparticular. Hispanic men and women. They are men and women who havegrown old never having a lot of resources, including those who now live ina city thats one of the costliest in the nation. Seniors with no place to turn.They are people with HIV infection whose already difficult treatment regimenis complicated by substance abuse and mental health issues.

That is the face of those in need. And that is exactly whom the statesbudget cuts impact most drastically and dramatically.

The state targeted long-term care this year for significant cuts, couchingthose reductions in the language of reform. What has occurred, however,achieves very little in the way of true reform, while cutting deeply intothe resources of providers who care for the most needy and frailest of oursociety.

This isnt over. More government cutbacks may yet be in store as the yeargoes on. Meanwhile, a new nursing home pricing method based on regional

costs that will be developed over the coming months is likely to be a bluntinstrument being used by the state to further curtail residential care spending.And, unless legislators by some miracle have second thoughts, nursing homerates for AIDS facilities such as Village Cares Rivington House will lose aMedicaid reimbursement factor that has traditionally been employed by thestate to help facilities address the complicated needs of patients who are HIVpositive. These are all individuals who are among the most frail, and thepoorest, with complex care needs.

Its time to say, enough is enough!Enough harm has been done to the poor.Enough has been taken away from frail seniors.Enough has been eliminated from the care of those with AIDS.More than enough.

We all want reform of care. Village Care has for more than a decade taken

on the mantle of reform, creating care for seniors and persons living withHIV/AIDS that is primarily community-based and which offers individuals themost opportunity and independence while giving them high quality services.

Village Care is not alone. Throughout the long-term care field, it has beenthe providers who have tried to move from a system that shifts from a heavyreliance on costly institutional care and addresses care and cost from theperspective of patient need first.

Just a few days ago, I was in Albany to attend a reception honoring CarlYoung, who has headed the New York Association of Homes and Services forthe Aging for the past 20 years, and who will soon be retiring.

Carl talked about the way the term special interests is used so much thesedays in a disparaging way. Special interests are bullied around as the cause ofour financial woes, Carl said. He went on:

If special interests means frail seniors who need quality care and servicesif special interests means making sure that persons living with HIV/AIDS have

the care and treatment they needif special interests means making sure thatpeople have access to rehabilitation and home care, allowing them to continueto live at home, in the community

If thats what special interests means, where do I sign up?

(Ms. DeVito the president and chief executive officer of not-for-profitVillage Care of New York.)

Cutting Care; Enough is Enough!

Letter

from theEditorA

round my house, June means just one thing: the beginning of summer.Its the season of graduations, transitioning from one phase of life

to another. Its time to garden, planting and watching beautiful springblossoms bloom into flourishing flowers.

And, around the city, its time to plan your escape! New Yorkers like noth-ing better than to hit the Jitney to the Hamptons, Amtrak to Connecticutbeaches or the Thruway to head Upstate. Yes, its time to plan a vacation.

For those who cant get away this summer, we propose three fun stayca-

tions in our feature, Daytrippers." Youll be amazed at what awaits a quickferry ride from the tip of Manhattan. Or, hop MetroNorth for a ride along theHudson to spend the day reliving the past.

But then again, you might stroll along Manhattans two newest outdoorwonderlands, both of which are in the Chelsea area and open this month. Pier64: Country Parkland On The Hudson promises to be a bit of English gardenand rolling lawn jutting out into the river, a great respite from heat and noisein the citys gray canyons. Meanwhile, a couple blocks away, you can take thehigher road. Check out our story, Park In The Sky for details on the wildside of the new High Line.

But our summer fun package doesnt end there. We visit five SummerCamps for Seniors and present some of the citys Coolest Cocktails for HotSummer Nights.

Beyond adventure, Thrive NYC this issue offers up ways to relax in TheBenefits of Om, keeping insect-free in Bug Zappers, and a look at Kerouacin You Dont Know Jack, Really.

Also, meet Tony-nominated actor John Glover in God, Godot, Glover &Tony, and get his insightful take on the difficult role of Lucky.

Make plans, have fun, read and relax. Happy Summer!Janel Bladow

Editor

THRIVEPHOTOBY PATRICK HEDLUND

The first of Chelseas three waterfront pier/parks just opened to the public, marking the culmination ofmore than 20 years of work by local advocates.


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PAGE 5nyc

BY PATRICK HEDLUND

The first of Chelseas trio ofwaterfront parks, Pier 64,recently opened to the public,

marking the halfway point for con-struction of the 5-mile-long HudsonRiver Park.

The Michael Van Valkenburgh-designed pier, between 24th and 26thSts., features an extended mall juttinginto the Hudson River with open seat-ing, sloping lawns and English oak treeslining the length of the 500-foot pier.

Each addition to Hudson RiverPark makes this magnificent treasure aneven greater gift to our city and state,said Diana Taylor, chairperson of theHudson River Park Trust, the city-statepublic authority that oversees construc-tion of the park, in a statement. It isthrilling to witness the continued con-struction progress as the park becomes

a beautiful finished product.Pier 64 is one of three that will makeup the Chelsea section of Hudson RiverPark, also known as Chelsea Cove.Two others, Piers 62 and 63, are cur-rently under construction and sched-uled to open next year. When complete,

For sunbathers and

samurai, Pier 64makes grand debut

Pier 64 is oneof three that

will make up...Chelsea Cove

PIER 64, continued on page 6 THRIVEPHOTOSBY PATRICK HEDLUNDRobert Trentlyon shows some original renderings for the Chelsea park and piers dating back to the 1980s.


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2009

JUNEPAGE 6

Chelseas waterfront parkland will mea-sure more than 9 acres in total.

Robert Trentlyon, founder of theChelsea Waterside Park Association,has spent more than two decades work-ing to realize the piers redevelopment.Ahead of Pier 64s official opening,he took us on an April 23 walkingtourthe date of his 80th birthday,no lessreminiscing on the manyyears he spent advocating for publicopen space on the waterfront.

I said, Where can we put apark? Trentlyon explained, remem-bering the time in the mid-80s whenChelsea had only 7.5 acres of totalparkland, and the city started explor-ing what could be done with thewaterfront after abandoning a plan forthe West Side Highway.

So, he set out with likeminded advo-cates Edward Kirkland and DorrisCorrigan, and elected officials State

Sen. Franz Leichter, AssemblymemberRichard Gottfried and District LeaderThomas Duane.

All of us have been working on thissince 86, Trentlyon noted. (Indeed,more than 20 years later, Leichter isnow a member of the Trusts Boardof Directors, Gottfried still holds hisAssembly post, and Duane is the dis-tricts state senator.)

Back then, Trentlyon ran into land-scape architect Thomas Balsley, wholater designed the Chelsea WatersidePark. They spent time brainstorming

on what could be done with the water-front space, and Balsley would comeback with renderings based on whatTrentlyon and the others were consider-ing.

I instantly fell in love with thelanguage of landscape architects, saidTrentylon, who was then editor-in-chiefof the community paper The Chelsea-Clinton News. We had fun.

Former State. Sen. Fred Orensteinthen recommended to Governor MarioCuomo that Trentlyon be appointed tothe West Side Task Force, which hadbeen set up to address what could bedeveloped in place of the failed WestSide Highway project.

They agreed that there should be apark on the West Side, he said. Therehad been a lot of discussion of apart-ment houses on the piers.

Later, Trentlyon and others wouldfight to get the community board andthe Hudson River Parks governingbody to agree that the massive shed

covering Pier 64 needed to be removedfor construction, but they eventuallywon support to develop the pier as pas-sive space.

Reflecting on the landscape hehelped create, Trentlyon referenced anold movie by acclaimed Japanese film-maker Akira Kurosawa, in which themain character realizes his dying wishto turn a rundown cesspool into a chil-drens playground.

I think theyve done a beautifuljob, he said of the finished product.

Hows that for a birthday present?

PIER 64, continued from page 5

Rob Popolow practices his sword skills at dusk on the piers lawn.

Looking east from the end of the pier


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PAGE 7nyc

BY MARCIA PASSOS DUFFY

Traveling often brings out ourmost distracted and frazzledside as we struggle to catch

our connecting flight, fumble with ourpassports and itineraries, precariouslybalance our coffee, cell phone, laptop,

wallet or purse.You can bet that thieves watch

this kind of behavior. Distractionmeans easy pickings.

Dont be left with an empty walletwhile traveling. Stay alert, limit theamount of cash you carry, and followthese tips for keeping your moneysafe while traveling:

1. Dont make it easy. You dontneed to be paranoid, but do assume thatthieves may be watching you, particu-larly if you are traveling abroad. Dontmake it easy for pickpockets by draping

your purse casually from your shoulder,or placing your bulging wallet in yourback pocket. Instead, put your pursein front of you; put your wallet in yourfront pocket.

2. Hide your money. The best wayto do this is to put excess cash ina money belt under your clothing

there are different money beltsthat can be used around your neck,waist or leg. You can then carry the

equivalent of $50 to $100 in a wal-let (preferably a cheap-looking one)in your pocket. Carry only as muchmoney as you need for the day.

3. Be discreet. Dont flash a lotof money around in public. Alwayspay for items with small denomina-tions of the local currency taken

from an inexpensive-looking wallet;keep change in your pocket for smallpurchases. If you must carry aroundmore money, credit cards or yourpassport, tuck them away in yourmoney belt. If you need to get morecash from your money belt, go to arestroom stall and take it out while

you are hidden.

4. Get a hotel safe, or leave valu-ables at home. Go to the front deskof your hotel, preferably when it isnot crowded, and give your valu-ables to the staff for safekeeping.Dont bring along anything that youwill not need while traveling: leaveyour social security card, member-ship cards, jewelry or other valu-ables at home.

5. Protect your credit cards. Limityour credit cards you carry to just

two: one credit card and one debitcard. Before you leave on your trip,call the issuers and let them knowthe dates and destinations of yourtravel otherwise the card can be puton hold if the issuer starts to seecharges from overseas destinations.To prevent theft in a restaurant orstore, make sure that you card is

returned to you after it is swiped,and check to see that it is indeedyour card since one scheme involvesold or invalid cards returned to you.By the way, make sure you knowyour spending limit on your creditcards and dont exceed them; insome countries you can be arrested

for this mistake!

6. Be careful where you convert.Don't exchange money at the airportwhere conversion rates are unfavor-able, plus, thieves are most likely tohang around these exchange desks.Dont convert money with anyone oranywhere except a reputable currencyexchange center in a bank or a hotel.

7. Keep a list. Make two photo-copies of all the documents in yourwallet or money belt, such as yourplane ticket, passport, and credit

cards. Make sure you also take downthe numbers of the credit and debitcards in case they are lost and sto-len (put these numbers in anotherplace away from the cards). Leaveone photocopy of your documents athome or with a business associate;another pack in a separate placeaway from the documents.

WATCH YOUR

WALLET!Tips for keeping your money safe while traveling

Assume thatthieves may be

watching you,particularly if

you are travelingabroad


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2009

JUNEPAGE 8

BY STANLEY MIESES

Unlike the summer camps ofyour youth, camps catering toadults do not hold color wars,

trumpet Reveille early in the morningor force you to sleep in uncomfortablewooden bunks. Theres no summer-

long commitment, no auditions, andno complicated packing to do, either:Programs range from long-weekendbursts to weeklong stretches, and insome cases can be repeated a numberof times throughout the summer.

Adult summer camp promises:The chance to meet like-mindedfolks with a common focus in acomfortable country setting thattakes you away from what youknow. There are several summer-time camps for adults serving awide range of interests near NewYork City, and we have chosen fivefor their well-devised programs,

recommended accommodations andexpert supervision.

NOTHING BUT NET

At Total Tennis, in the foothillsof the western Catskill Mountains,in Saugerties NY, players arematched with students of com-parable skill under the watchfuleyes of house pros, who offervideotape instruction and privatelessons for each half-week of timebooked. Total Tennis has 11 redclay, seven all-weather and twosynthetic grass outdoor courts,

as well as five cushioned indoorcourts for year-round play. Ohyes, and there are six separatelodges situated on 73 acres dottedwith magnolia and lilac trees andbounded on one side by the activeBeaverkill Stream. Many of therooms have decks or porches withunobstructed views of the HudsonValley; what is now a fulltime ten-nis camp was once a 1920s moun-tains resort and the grounds retainthat flavor. There is daily maid ser-vice, on-premises massage-therapyrooms and gourmet dining. Prices

range from $395 per person fora mid-week two-night visit and$950 per person for a weeks staybased on double occupancy. Callreservations to negotiate rates forsingle rooms). The Elder Tennispackage (Sunday, September 13to Thursday, September 17) costs$495 per person based on double

occupancy, and includes 17 hoursof group instruction, round rob-

ins, free play, and three full mealsper day.

Total Tennis1811 Old Kings Highway,P.O. Box, 28Saugerties, NY 12477Phone: (800) 221- 6496or (845) 247- 9177

Web Site:http://www.totaltennis.com

AN APPETIZING SCHOOL

Enrollees in the Culinary

Institute of Americas BootCamps will leave tired but nothungry. A gourmet breakfast isserved at 6 AM and class begins anhour later. Next, culinary cadetsreceive a cooking lesson and workwith other students to prepare alavish lunch. Stove-side instruc-tion then resumes until late after-

noon. After a break at your hotel,students waddle back to the CIAs

Hyde Park, NY campus for din-ner at one of the four renownedstudent-run restaurants. The two-day Barbecue Boot Camp (July1-2, 29-30, August 13-14; $850)teaches brining, marinating andsmoking techniques, and even howto create grilled desserts. The four-day Italian Cuisine Boot Camp(August 18-21; $1695) promis-es a gastronomic tour of Italywith a different regional cuisinetaught each day. Tuition includesall meals, as well as two competechefs uniforms. Accommodations

cost extra, but several area B&Bsoffer discounts to CIA students.

The Culinary Institute of America1946 Campus Drive,Hyde Park, NY 12538-1499Phone: 800-788-7850

Web Site:http://ce.culinary.edu

A GRAPE TIME WILL BE HAD BY ALL

Four days of tasting, toasting

and tutorials covering every aspectof winemaking and wine-tasting iswhats on tap at Wine Camp onthe North Fork of Long Island.The joke the folks who run WineCamp like to tell in their pitch is:Pack your bags for camp socks,toothbrush, corkscrew. But oeno-philes take their wine seriouslyand Wine Campers go beyond theSideways experience. Eight of theareas wineries participate in theintensive program, which featureswinery tours, wine-making classes,tasting lessons, al fresco lunches

amidst the grape vines, dinner atthe acclaimed North Fork Tableand Inn and a climactic five-coursepairing dinner at the renownCastello di Borghese winery inCutchogue, NY. Available datesare June 15-18 and July 20-23.Included in the $829 per person(based on double occupancy for

Not YourGrandchildsSummer Camp

PHOTOCOURTESYOF TOTAL TENNIS


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PAGE 9nyc

three nights) package is a case ofwine from the participating wineries.

Long Island Wine CountryB&B Group, Inc.Phone: (631) 495-9744E-Mail: info@longislandwinecountry-

bandb.comWeb site: www.winecamp.us

THE ART OF RELAXATION

The Omega Institute for HolisticStudies, located on 195 acres in bucolicRhinebeck NY is more than a well-ness and yoga retreat and more than acontinuing ed campus for the spiritu-ally inclinedthough it has been all ofthat since 1977. During the summer,Omega offers Drawing on the RightSide of the Brain (June 28-July 3, alsoAugust 30-Sept 4), a workshop thatchallenges conventional thinking aboutthe process of drawing and packs asemester-long art course into five days.

Instructor Lynda Greenberg, MFA, adisciple of Betty Edwards (the authorof the book on which the workshop isbased), will lead the lectures and studioexercises that are meant to encouragepeople of all skill levels and perceivedlevel of talent to participate. Tuitioncosts $535, not including on-site lodg-ing fees. Camping with your own tentcosts $315, including three meals perday. A small private dorm room withshared bath is $440 including the mealplan. A private room with private bathcosts $1085, including meals.

The Omega Institute for

Holistic Studies150 Lake DriveRhinebeck, NY 12572-3252Phone: 800-944-1001

Web Site: www.eomega.org

FLY THE CO-OP

At Elderhostels Birding andHistory on an Ocean Island (Class #:11716RJ) held on the Isles of Shoalsoff the coast of New Hampshire, youcan learn birding skills from the groundup. Topics of study include species clas-sification, banding, the use of mist nets,bird photography and the handling

of live birds. There are special boattrips (to visit the Cornell Bird BandingStation) and ample opportunity tolearn the topography of the islands,which were once used as a hideout byVictorian-era pirates and a retreat forwriters such as Nathaniel Hawthorne.From August 29-September 4 (withprices starting at $686 per person fora double room with shared bath basedon double occupancy), this naturalseaside flyway should be fluttering withactivity. The price includes accommo-dation, all meals, activities, insuranceand transportation to the islands by

boat. Elderhostel, the nations largesteducational travel organization primar-ily for adults, can match singles with aroommate upon request.

ElderhostelPhone: 800-454-5768

Web Site:http://www.elderhostel.org/programs

PHOTO COURTESYOF CULINARY INSTITUTEOF AMERICA/KEITH FERRIS

COURTESYOF OMEGA INSTITUTEFOR HOLISTIC STUDIES

Lynda Greenberg teaching "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain," a drawing camp at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY.


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2009

JUNEPAGE 10

In these difficult times, we needan independent, honest leader likeMike Bloomberg to keep New Yorkmoving forward.

Join Mike Bloombergs Team. Volunteer today.

Paid for by Bloomberg for Mayor 2009, Inc.

www.mikebloomberg.comVolunteer today. Log on to

This election is really important. Thats whyIm volunteering for Mikes campaign, and youshould too. Danielle Harrington, Manhattan


11/32

PAGE 11nyc

BY ROBERT DOWNES

As a backpacker who has trav-eled through some of the mostexotic countries on earth,

Ann Taylor has enjoyed the kind ofadventures that would give IndianaJones a run for his money.

Delicately inquisitive, with atwinkle to her eyes and a Britssense of decorum, Ann is a retiredhospitality specialist from Leeds,England who didn't start travel-ing seriously until she was in herlate 50s. I met her in southern

India while backpacking around theworld in 2007.By that time, Ann was 64, she had

journeyed throughout Asia, Russiaand Africa sometimes going italone in Third World countries.Her experiences included riding thetrans-Siberian railway twice (onceon a bunk beneath a strapped-incomatose drunk who vomited fortwo days straight), and traveling allaround southern Africa and easternEurope. We spent two weeks travel-ing together around southern India,after which she headed on for threemore weeks in Rajasthan.

Not what you'd expect from yourtypical 64-year-old!

And yet it's not unusual to meetolder travelers on the internationalbackpacking trail these days, espe-cially since there are now manycompanies which cater to seniorsinterested in adventure travel.

In the case of our trip throughsouthern India, for instance, Annand I were participants in a tour ledby Intrepid Travel of Melbourne,Australia. The company offers small-group tours for up to 11 backpack-ers at a time, relying on local trans-portation, native hotels and home

stays to provide authentic travelexperiences on some 300 differenttrip options. It's not unusual to findtravelers in their 60s sharing rideson camels, rickshaws or elephantswith their 20-and-30-somethingcounterparts on an Intrepid trip.Plus, you meet like-minded adven-turers from all over the world Australia, England, New Zealand,France people who may becomelife-long friends.

ON THE RISE

In 2000, the London Times

reported that the median age ofadventure travelers and internationalbackpackers is on the rise. Maturetravelers often have more money andleisure time to journey abroad, andmany of us still have fond memoriesof our college days, vagabondingaround Europe with a backpack anda railpass.

Perhaps this isn't surprising,because although persons 65 andolder account for just 12.4 percentof the population (according to thelast U.S. census), they tend to travel

more than younger Americans, aver-aging more than three trips per year.

I myself turned 55 during mysolo trip around the world. My tripincluded cycling 700 miles acrossIreland, England and down theDanube to Vienna. Then, donatingmy bicycle to a hostel in Prague,I traveled on with only a smallpack and a half-sized guitar throughEgypt, India and Southeast Asia,fulfilling a lifelong dream to travelaround the world. My wife met mefor two weeks in Thailand, wherewe enjoyed the tropical islands of the

Andaman Sea, along with elephantrides in the jungles of Chiang Mai.I met numerous travelers my age

or older who were still filled withthe joy of adventure travel: Whilecycling across northern England, Ispent the night in a hostel with agroup of bicyclists in their 60s and70s who were making the 225-mile

coast-to-coast ride on the C2C BikeTrail, over the Pennine Mountains.

In Prague, I met an Americantoxicologist in his 60s who wascycling the backroads to Budapest in

Hungary. It was his dream to cyclethroughout East Europe and he'dalready seen much of the regionon previous trips. In Malaysia, Imet a rehab physician from theNetherlands, who like me, was trav-eling around the world. His dreamwas to retire to Uganda, where hehad already spent time doing mis-sion work.

Other older travelers met on thebyways of the world included law-yers, three investment bankers, anda gourmet chef from Australia. Infact, at times it seemed as if the

older adventurers outnumbered thecollege kids traveling abroad on their"gap" year.

YOU'VE GOT OPTIONS

Fortunately, you don't have to bean "Indiana Jones" to travel as a back-

Go Packing!Seniors take to a younger style of international travel - backpacking

GO PACKING, continued on page 12

PHOTOBY ROBERT DOWNES

One of the highlights of backpacking through southern India for Ann Taylor, 64, was visiting the Orphanage of the Little Angels in Mamallupuram. That's her atright, pictured with fellow backpacker, Florence Bancel, an investment banker from France who also participated in a small-group tour for adventure travelers. Ann

was the life of the party, teaching the kids how to do the "Hokey-Pokey."

The median ageof adventuretravelers andinternational

backpackers ison the rise


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2009

JUNEPAGE 12

COURSES THAT FIT INTO YOUR SUMMER PLANS

The New Schools summer courses run from three to nine

weeksso you can learn a lot in a little time. Take

classes on a noncredit basis or earn credit toward

your college degree. Study on campus in the heart of

Greenwich Village or online from wherever the summer

takes you. What could be smarter than that?

Choose from hundreds of courses in

Bachelors Program for working adults at

www.newschool.edu/ba133.

View summer course offerings and register online, as of

To order your FREE course catalog, call 800.319.4321 x34

or visit us online.

www.newschool.edu/summercatalog

New York is SMART

THE NEW SCHOOL is New York

The New School is a leading university in New York City oering some o the nations most

distinguished degree, certifcate, and continuing education programs in art and design,

liberal arts, management and policy, and the perorming arts.

packer on a budget these days. On mytrip, I was worried that I'd be rejectedby hostels because of my age. I waspleasantly surprised to find, however,that older travelers are welcome atmost hostels around the world (withsome exceptions, such as Germany).Most hostels also offer single-roomoptions if you don't care to sleep ina dormitory bunkbed with anywherefrom four to 10 other wayfarers.

And, as noted above, there are ampleresources for mature adventurers, withinformation only a web-surf away:

Small-group adventure compa-nies welcome mature travelers andoften offer a "comfort" option ofbetter hotels and transportation thanthose used by younger clients. Somenotable companies include IntrepidTravel (www.intrepidtravel.com);Toronto-based G.A.P. Adventures

(www.gapadventures.com); andCalifornia-based Mountain TravelSobek (www.mtsobek.com).

These companies may charge farless than the typical "seniors" guidedbus tour or cruise because they relyon native transportation and hotels.And the sense of adventure is unpar-alleled: you may find yourself ridinga camel through the Sahara, diningon BBQ up near the Mongolian bor-der, sailing the Nile on a felucca, vis-iting the Hanoi Hilton in Vietnam, orbunking with a Bengali family on the

second-class "sleeper" trains of India all of which were experiences Ienjoyed with small-group adventurecompanies.

Elderhostel offers nearly 8,000tours in the U.S. and 90-plus coun-tries for travelers 55 and older.Elderhostel also offers an intergen-erational option where you can bringyour grandkids along. The tours havean educational component, suchas exploring ancient ruins, hikingthrough the Swiss Alps, cookingclasses in Tuscany, cycling throughFrance; discovering the opera ofItaly and scores of other options.For information, check out www.elderhostel.org .

Volunteer options are on the risefor seniors who'd like to experiencea foreign culture, short of joining thePeace Corps. Want to spend a weekon a chocolate farm in Costa Rica?

For a few hours work each day, youget room and board and a fascinat-ing experience shared with travel-ers from other lands. Check outVolunteer Latin America (www.vol-unteerlatinamerica.com); UniversalGiving (www.universalgiving.org) oryour local church group for vol-unteer and mission opportunitiesoverseas.

Going solo. Why not? You'vegot age, experience and possiblyeven a little extra cash on yourside. I traveled around the world at

the age of 55, purposefully seekingout experiences that would bringme close to other cultures. I freelydeclared myself to be an Americaneverywhere I went even (andespecially) in the Muslim countriesI traveled through, and for the mostpart, found a friendly welcome atevery turn.

Speaking of going solo, the lasttime I saw Ann Taylor, she wasso enthralled by our ride throughKerala, India on a dirty, old, clunk-er-junker bus that it made her vowto accept a five-month positionteaching English in southern China,despite the wishes of her stay-at-home husband. The bus driver'sseat looked like it was held togetherwith chicken wire and he was try-ing to stay awake by chewing amild narcotic known as khat, mixedwith tobacco leaves. Meanwhile, aTV screen was blaring a film in theHindi language at rocket-volume

level and our packs were piled upin the dust at our feet. What wasthere about that bus ride that madea 64-year-old woman want to keeppushing further into the unknown?The spirit of adventure a qualitythat knows no age.

Robert Downes is the author of"Planet Backpacker: Across Europeon a Mountain Bike & BackpackingOn Through Egypt, India & Southeast

Asia -- Around the World." TheWandering Press, 2009.

GO PACKING, continued from page 11

Older travelersare welcome

at most hostelsaround the

world


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PAGE 13nyc

BY JANEL BLADOW

Every once in a while every New Yorker, nomatter how much they love the Big Apple,needs an escape. Even if its just to another

borough, a quick getaway might be just the answerfor the summertime blues. And, in this economy, aday trip might be the best break for your pocket-book. These three staycations two within the cityand one two hours away by train are great ways

to relax and enjoy.

HISTORIC HYDE PARK

This group of historic buildings is operated bythe National Park Service and includes Springwood,the home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, hisTop Cottage retreat, the Eleanor Roosevelt centerat Val-Kill Cottage, the FDR Museum & Libraryand the Vanderbilt Mansion historic site. There isso much to see and do here that you might wanteven want to make two trips! In addition to thehistoric buildings and grounds, visit the many res-taurants and local shops nearby.

On Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., insix concurrent sessions throughout the day, the

FDR Presidential Library hosts the Sixth AnnualRoosevelt Reading Festival. Twelve authors whoused the library archives for their research will talkabout their books, have a Q & A session and booksigning. Copies of all the books are available at theNew Deal Book Store in the Henry Wallace VisitorCenter, which also houses Mrs. Nesbitts Caf.

FDR PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY

Daytripper!Want to get away just for a day?Take one of these short hops for a fun getaway

PHOTOBY PETER AARON

Admirals Quarters in Governors Islands Nolan Park.

DAYTRIPPER!, continued on page 14


14/32

2009

JUNEPAGE 14

All the homes are open throughout the summerto tour. Springwood, the lifelong home of FDR,is a 35-room mansion on a hill overlooking theHudson River. It also houses the FDR PresidentialLibrary and Museum. Self-guided tours of themuseum are also available or your can stroll thegrounds, gardens and trails of this 300-acre pre-serve. The site is open and free to all, tours of thebuildings have a minimal charge.

Over at Val-Kill Cottage, Mrs. Rooseveltsescape, you can tour both the home and lovelygardens. A new film Close to Home, describesher life here.

The nearby Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic

Site gives visitors a great escape to another time anda totally different lifestyle. Modeled on the Englishcountry house, it is one of the few of these grand

estates to still stand. Tour the house but be sure tospend plenty of time walking through the 211-acresof park land featuring more than 100-year old treesand the beautiful Italian Gardens, and stunningHudson River and Catskill Mountain views.

To Go: Take MetroNorth from Grand CentralStation to Poughkeepsie and taxi from there tothe Wallace Center. Trams and shuttle buses areavailable between historic locations. Open dailythroughout the summer. Grounds open dawn todusk. Details: http://www.nps.gov/hofr/ or call1-800-FDR-VISIT.

GOVERNORS ISLAND

Skip the crowds in Central Park. If you want a

relaxing getaway without leaving the city, take aquick hop on the subway, jump a ferry for a shortride and spend an afternoon on Governors Island,

which reopened to the public Memorial Day week-end. Only 800-feet from Lower Manhattan, theisland sits in the heart of New York Harbor, at thetoes of the Statue of Liberty. For nearly 200 years,the island was a military base, home to the USArmy and Coast Guard. In 2003, NYC bought the172-acre island from the federal government for adollar and plans are underway for open space, edu-cational, non-profit and commercial facilities. Butbefore then, stroll the grounds around the formermilitary station or take a picnic basket and baskin the shade of beautiful old tree. While you enjoythe peace and serenity of this pastoral island, youcan look across the water to the majestic views ofLower Manhattan, Brooklyn and New Jersey.

To Go: The Governors Island Ferry departs fromthe Battery Maritime Building located adjacentto the Staten Island Ferry in Lower Manhattan.

DAYTRIPPERS! , continued from page 13

PHOTOBY ANDREW MOORE

Colonels Row house at Governors Island.STATEN ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY,

Basket weaving at Richmond Town.

STATEN ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY,

Wool cleaning at Richmond Town.


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PAGE 15nyc

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The ferry terminal is accessible bysubway: #1 to South Ferry, #4 & 5 toBowling Green on weekdays, R trainto Whitehall St. Station. Details:www.govisland.com.

RICHMOND TOWN

Staten Island, which maybe bethe citys most overlooked borough,has some great sights tucked awayfor those seeking something differ-ent for a day. Take a walk throughNew York history with a visit toRichmond Town. First establishedas a crossroads for nearby farmers,Richmond Town grew into a gov-ernment center in the 1700s. EarlyDutch, English and French settlersmade up the area farmers, black-smiths, shoemakers, shopkeepers inthis mill town. During the AmericanRevolution, British troops were bar-

racked here and in the next century,the 1800s, wealth New Yorkersbuilt estates and resorts as theisland because a popular vacationdestination.

Today, you can tour the historicvillage and museum complex, andexplore life in America from itscolonial roots. The village of 15

buildings on 25-acres of the 100-acre site includes homes, commer-cial and civic buildings. Visit shopsfilled with local crafts and dine intasty restaurants. Theres alwayssomething fun to do in the summer.

Revolutionary War Weekend is

Saturday and Sunday, June 13 and14, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., when soldiersof the First & Second New JerseyRegiments will perform drills andyou can join in the fun. Join thedrills for an on-the-spot look at lifeon the battlefield. Or if a passionatediscussion of politics is your inter-est, join the debates at the localTavern while savoring the delectablearomas of colonial cooking.

Sunday, June 28, 10 a.m. to 5p.m., is Yankee Peddler Day whenmore than 150 vendors will gatherfor a flea market and crafts fair ($2

admission).

To Go: Historic Richmond Townis a 30-minute ride on the S74 bus

from the Staten Island ferry termi-nal. Get off at Richmond Road andSt. Patricks Place. Admission is $4

for seniors. Visit: www.historicrich-mondtown.org.

PHOTOBY ANDREW MOORE

Aerial view of the Nolan Park area at Governors Island


16/32

2009

JUNEPAGE 16

BY JANIS TURK

Water has perfect memory, writesMaya Angelou, and here in theSouth Pacific, I know she is right.

Its only a Tuesday, everywhere else, but in TheCook Islands, the sea breezes are magical. And asblue waves constantly rinse, lather and repeat, it isthen that I recall Ms. Angelous words. The sea hasperfect memory, and it asks me to listen.

Unlike Ulysses, I dont believe in sirens whocall young sailors to crash on rocky strands; no,it is water that calls us. Stand on any shore, and asense of nostalgia, childhood dreams, songs fromour parents, and stories of ancient explorers willcome in waves.

Id never been to the South Pacific before, andall I had of it was a vague sense of Polynesianpromise of banana-leaf hats, flower necklaces,fire dancers, coconut bras and grass skirts, Mutinyon the Bounty, and Some Enchanted Evening ina Rodgers and Hammerstein musical.

The Cook Islands are 15 tiny white-sand pearlsof paradise scattered in the sea spread out over amillion square miles in the South Pacific. To theeast is Tahiti. The Cooks share a close friendly tiewith New Zealand, even though the largest one,Rarotonga, is still 3-hours away by air.

Tall, green, vine-covered mountains fill the cen-ter of tiny Rarotonga, a land lush, dense and tropi-cal. The sun shines daily, and the people are warmand welcoming. They speak with ease both English

and Maori, their native tongue. The islands lie sofar south that June brings winter, and temperaturesare a perfect sunny 77F todaywarm enough toswim, but not too hot for dining outdoors.

Rarotonga is the only Cook Island with an inter-national airport, and I flew to Los Angeles beforetaking a pleasant direct, non-stop flight there onAir New Zealand.

British explorer Captain James Cook passedthrough the region in 1773 and 1777, and todaythese islands bear his name. Europeans explorersfirst landed here in 1814, and by 1821, missionar-ies arrived. Island natives, believed to be related toNew Zealand Maori and the Maohi of the SocietyIslands in French Polynesia, may have come here asearly as 500 AD. The land was divided among six

tribes, each one headed by a tribal king, called anAriki; today, these tribes remain. People here havea strong sense of their history and tribal culture, allapparent in their love of native song, dance, andfood. Dancers don costumes made of fibers fromthe wild hibiscus tree, as well as bark cloth, flow-ers, pandanus leaves, shells, feathers and coconutleaves. And yes, I was greeted upon arrival with agarland of fresh, fragrant white gardenias.

I chose The Cook Islands for my South Pacificescape because Id heard an interesting factthegovernment just announced that the nation hasofficially decided not to take part in the world-wide recession, according to Minister of Tourism,

Wilkie Rasmussen. As one local newscaster here

put it, The recession is not the boss of me. I hadto agree. I was unwilling to give up travel altogeth-er, and I wanted a vacation that promised value formy limited travel dollar.

The Cooks came through.This clever marketing approach means that,

while the rest of the world is drowning undertremendous economic pressures, this island oasisis still afloat with a steady growth in tourism, busi-

THRIVEPHOTOSBY JANIS TURK

A Bounty of MemoriesThe Cook Islands offer the perfect antidote to worldwide recession

The slender slivers of white beaches

make room for vast ocean vistas andthe bluest waves Ive ever seen


17/32

PAGE 17nyc

IF YOU GO:

Lodging:Crown Beach Resort, Rarotongawww.crownbeach.com

Pacific Resort Aitutaki

www.pacificresort.com

Flights:Air New Zealandwww.airnewzealand.com

Dining:Tamarind House Restaurant & Barwww.tamarind.co.ck

Tours:Tangaroa 4x4 Tours www.tangaroa4x4.co.ck

For more information on The Cook Islands, visitwww.recessionfreeoasis.com and www.cooksislandtravel.com

ness and offshore investments. It isalso the source of the highly valuableblack pearl. And for U.S. travelers,all that translates into reasonableprices and a great exchange rate withthe New Zealand dollar. Air NewZealand got on board with the reces-sion-free idea by partnering with thetourism board and local businesses tohelp bring affordable fares and value-driven vacation opportunities to theIslands, too.

And so I spent the first day onRarotonga doing absolutely nothing.The slender slivers of white beachesmake room for vast ocean vistas andthe bluest waves Ive ever seen.

Perhaps the most tranquil andmost beautiful of the Cook Islandsis Aitutaki, with great snorkeling anddiving spots along its coral reef. TheCook Islands are the epitome of allthings laid back, not a place wherecollege kids drink Coronas and playloud music. Its ideal for couples, for

families, and seasoned travelers who

want to hike up the hill and see theviews before visiting the villages andwalking on the beach.

I took an open-air Land Roverexpedition with Tangaroa tours,which traveled down Ara metu, anancient road in Rarotonga, to visitsacred maraes (tribal meeting places)and to see the vine-covered ruinsof ancient palaces. After the tour,they served lunch from a traditionalearthen oven, or umu, and we atemata (ceviche) rukau (taro leaves)and meat wrapped and baked inbanana leaves. At night, native danc-ers entertain us at dinner. By day, I sitby the water with a good book or visitwith other travelers under thatchedroof huts. I listen to their stories. IIhear the prayers of the local peoplebefore every event, every meal. Thereis thankfulness in their voices, hopein their smiles.

And all the while, water surroundsus.

Perfect memory, indeed.


18/32

2009

JUNEPAGE 18

Cool New Cocktails

Heat Up SummerNights

Lets slip out of thesewet clothes and into a

dry martini.-- Robert Benchley

THE CENTRAL PARK

Created especially for each of New York Citysboroughs, mixologist Alex Ott started out withCalifornia-made, ultra-smooth New AmsterdamStraight Gin. These two cocktails will kick off yourcity tour.

2 oz. New Amsterdam Straight Gin3 drops vanilla extract

4 oz. tomato juice1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juicePinch of cayenne

Whole vanilla bean for garnish, optional

Combine all ingredients in a shaker, shake veryhard, and pour contents over ice in a highball glass.Garnish with a cherry tomato speared with a wholevanilla bean.

THE BIG APPLE

2 oz. New Amsterdam Straight Gin1 whole starfruit (carambola)2 oz. apple juice

1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice

Cut the starfruit into small pieces, reserving oneor two whole slices for garnish. Blend the pieceswith 1 cup water and 5 teaspoons sugar to makea juice mixture. In a shaker, combine oz. of thestarfruit juice mixture with remaining ingredients,shake vigorously, and strain into a chilled martiniglass. Garnish with reserved starfruit slices.

RED SQUARE COSMO

It doesnt get more Russian than vodka, and thisisnt your everyday Cosmopolitan.

2 oz. ZYR Russian Vodka1 oz. Chamomile Citrus Berry AperiTea

oz. CointreauFreshly squeezed juice of half a lime oz. grenadine syrupFresh flowers for garnish

Combine all the ingredients in a shaker, shakethoroughly, and pour into a chilled martini glass.Garnish with fresh flowers or slices of lime ifdesired.

BY ROWANN GILMAN

Blame it all on Carrie Bradshaws Cosmopolitan,the irresistible refresher Sex and the Citymade famous. It launched what has become

the new school of bartending, better known thesedays as mixology.

In the creative department, mixologists aresharing center stage with many of the citys mostinnovative chefs. Some have even been spottedwearing professional chefs whites as they addintrigue and imagination to traditional cocktails.The result? Cocktail hour: a sexy, elegant, utterlycivilized rite that now sports a new age profile.

Retired are the staid long-timers behind the bar(think Screwdrivers and Manhattans). Inventivenew alcohol blends and fruit juice combinationshave taken over, with natures gifts in mind.Cocktail creators are experimenting with dozens ofnatural ingredients, reaching out to teas and chais,honey, milk, fresh flowers and herbs; even freshly

ground peppercorns and pomegranate seeds. Withthe appearance of never-before seen labels on manycocktail liquors, the possibilities know no bounds.Yet little black-dressy as it all seems, these newcocktails can be easily made at home. Get yourarms in shape for plenty of vigorous shaking, stockup on ice, and start with a few of these.

PHOTOANDRECIPECOURTESYOF NEW AMSTERDAM STRAIGHT GINWWW.NEWAMSTERDAMGIN.COM

PHOTOANDRECIPECOURTESYOF NEW AMSTERDAM STRAIGHT GINWWW.NEWAMSTERDAMGIN.COM

PHOTOANDRECIPECOURTESYOF MIGHTY LEAF TEA/APERITEA


19/32

PAGE 19nyc

SUMMER SCENTSATION

Theres a special ingredient in this cool delight, but no one will ever guesswhat it is.

1 oz. Mount Gay Eclipse Gold Rum3 or 4 generous chunks of fresh, seedless watermelon

oz. Lavender Syrup* oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice

In a large glass, muddle the watermelon chunks well. In a shaker filled withice, add the remaining ingredients. Shake vigorously, then double-strain andpour into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with watermelon wedges spearedonto toothpicks or bamboo skewers.

*Lavender Syrup: Boil 2 cups water. Add 2 cups sugar and cup driedlavender. Remove from heat and let steep until cool. Drain and refrigerate.

MARGARITA TANTEO

Heres the real thing: Mexican tequila hand-infused with jalapeo pepper,but balanced just right. Its not too, too hot, but its not so innocent either.

1 oz. Tanteo Jalapeo Tequila oz. Grand Marnier

1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice oz. agave nectar4 lime wedgesAdditional limes and lemons for garnish, if desired

Use a muddler to mash the lime wedges and agave nectar. Add remainingingredients and ice to a shaker. Shake vigorously and strain through a finesieve. Serve in a chilled, salt-rimmed margarita glass, or over ice in an on-the-rocks (double Old-Fashioned) glass. Garnish with citrus slices if desired.

RIVIERA

A truly lovely summer seducer. Beware!1 oz. Dubonnet Rouge oz. Grand Marnier1 oz. freshly squeezed blood orange juice

Add the ingredients to a shaker half-filled with ice. Shake thoroughly andstrain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a slice of blood orange.

PHOTOANDRECIPECOURTESYOF MOUNT GAY RUM/WWW.MOUNTGAY.COM PHOTOANDRECIPECOURTESYOF TANTEO TEQUILA/WWW.TANTEOTEQUILA.COM

PHOTOANDRECIPECOURTESYOF DUBONNET ROUGE/WWW.DOYOUDUBONNET.COM


20/32

2009

JUNEPAGE 20

BY JERRY TALLMER

P

OZZO: Think, pig! Stop! Forward! Stop!Think!

LUCKY: Given the existence as uttered

forth in the public works of Puncher and Wattmannof a personal God quaquaquaqua with white beardquaquaquaqua outside time without extensionwho from the heights of divine apathia divineathambia divine aphasia loves us dearly with someexceptions for reasons unknown but time will telland suffers like the divine Miranda with those who

for reasons unknown but time will telland 641 words later (for a total of 709 words)

Lucky is still at it, jiggling, joggling, slobbering,drooling, convulsively delivering the most con-founding monologue in all of theater since play-writing first began.

I dont even know if I can learn it, John Gloverhad said over the phone to his friend Nathan Lane,

the Estragon-elect of the then upcoming Studio54 Roundabout production of Samuel BeckettsWaiting for Godot.

Dont worry, said Lane, if you go up blowyour lines nobody will ever know.

Glover was at that moment in Los Angeles,where hed come across a beautiful ad in TheNew York Times for this Godot redux starrngLane as Estragon (or Gogo), Bill Irwin as Vladimir

(or Didi), John Goodman as Pozzo, and DavidStraithearn as Lucky the slave, under the directionof Anthony Page, whod triumphed with a similarlyrevisited Godot at the Royal Court in London.

I was jealous, Glover says today. And then

my agent called to tell me that David Straithearn--an incredible actor [and never more so than as theEdward R. Murrow of George Clooneys GoodNight, and Good Luck] had had to drop outbecause of a badly sprained ankle.

The agent thought Glover should try for thepart.

But I had seen and read Godot and had neverunderstood that role. To me it was three pages ofnonsense, and on the phone I made up three differ-ent excuses why I shouldnt do it.

My agent hung up. But then he called back andsaid I was a fool.

Then Nathan called and said: Were all hopingits you.

The upshot: In a long, meandering opening -night review in The Times, that unsure fool wouldreceive just precisely one word of appraisal:

Superb. And would become the only memberof that high-powered four-man cast to receive a2009 Tony Award nomination which, if he shouldwin, John Glover, at age 64, could place beside the1995 Tony he took home for his performance(s)as a couple of twin brothers in Terrence McNallys

Love! Valour! Compassion!Glover began preparing bracing himselffor

his performance as Lucky with three-mile morn-ing hikes through the mountains adjoining LosAngeles, He had been too young and far away to

have seen Alvin Epsteins remarkable Lucky inthe 1958 Broadway Godot of Bert Lahr, E.G.Marshall, Kurt Kasznar, and Epstein.

I had played Estragon [the more intellectual ofthe two tramps] in the summer of 1965, when Iwas a kid of 21, at the Barter Theater in Virginia.But, says the keenly intelligent actor who (likeEpstein) has never stopped working in films andon stage from that day to this, I had no idea whatGodot was all about.

And now? Has it become clearer? What isLucky talking about?

Thanks to Anthony Page, its become muchclearer. Too many people treat it like a sacred text.This piece of great literature. But its really a very

human story. I think Luckys talking about whatPozzo says:One day, is that not enough for you, one day he

went dumb, one day I went blind, one day we'll godeaf, one day we were born, one day we shall die,the same day, the same second, is that not enoughfor you? (Calmer.) They give birth astride of agrave, the light gleams an instant, then its nightonce more

God, Godot,Glover & TonyNominated for a Tony Award, actor John Glover ponders his part

PHOTOBY JOAN MARCUS

Pictured (l-r): John Glover, Bill Irwin, Nathan Lane, John Goodman in "Waiting for Godot."


21/32

PAGE 21nyc

Glovers voice breaks briefly intoa stammer his own stammer, notLuckys.

Right before my Dad died, inJanuary 2002, soon after 9/11,Glover says, he started having notAlzheimers but his brain became akind of cobweb. Words came out in akind of gibberish

The actor pauses, takes a breath,then says: The earthWere prob-ably going to destroy the planet. Theair, the earth, the sea, the earth. Thisabode of stones, where humanity willprobably not be here anymore andthis guy Lucky has figured it out

Suddenly I hear William Wellborne,my boozy, insightful GreenwichVillage friend and fellow Godotapostle of fifty-plus years ago, explod-ing from (very probably) the grave:Sweet mother earth! Thats whatGogo hollers as he clutches the earth,and thats what Beckett is telling us.

Anthony Page, who had won his

own Tony Award a couple of seasonsago for his direction of Ibsens ADolls House on Broadway, spentone full hour working alone withGlover on Luckys monologue beforerehearsals of Godot began each day until we found a way to do it.

It was also Page who taught thecast to say GOD-oh instead ofGo-DOUGH, the way I and every-body else in this country has beensaying it for fifty-plus years. When Icame home from seeing the show atStudio 54, I called Barney Rosset,the firebrand American publisher ofWaiting for Godot and much else

of Becketts, and asked him how hisfriend Sam had pronounced Godot.

Not the way I do, said Rossett.Beckett pronounced it: GOD-oh.So Page is right, and for fifty-plusyears the rest of us including JohnGlover have been wrong.

Of course that puts a pretty directGod spin on the play that has, atleast in its earlier years, baffled somany. May this witness to its earlieryears merely note that, whatever thepronunciation, he saw God in it fromthe very first, and said so in the publicprints.

John Glover, Jr., the actor son of

Jack and Cade Mullins Glover, wasborn August 7, 1944, in Kingston,New York, and grew up in Salisbury,

Maryland, where his father was a sales-

man and distributor for Philco.We had the first TV and the firstcolor TV. I was the most popular kidon the block.

At Towson State Teachers Collegehe was training to be a teacher, butalong came theater, and that was that.

He describes himself as ambidex-trous or bicoastal, with footholdsdivided between California and anapartment in the Flatiron district ofManhattan. He and his partner, sculp-tor Adam Kurtzman, are now in their16th year together.

Coming up after Godot: a nicefat part opposite Rosemary Harris in

George S. Kaufman and Edna FerbersThe Royal Family, not so looselybased on the Barrymores: Ethel, John,and Lionel.

Meanwhile we have Lucky, at theend of his rope the one connect-ing his neck to Pozzos slave-drivinghand. John Glover says he has seenthree and a half Waiting for Godotsin his lifetime. I walked out of onein Vancouver. He does not thinkanyone will walk out of this one, nordo I.

WAITING FOR GODOT. BySamuel Beckett. Directed by Anthony

Page. A Roundabout presentationthrough July 12 at Studio 54, 254West 54th Street, (212) 719-1300.

But I hadseen and read

Godot and hadnever understoodthat role. To me itwas three pages

of nonsense

Refreshing

Change ofPace.Zagat

Damn good!Village Voice

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22/32


23/32

PAGE 23nyc

BY AMY PATUREL

Bug season is around the corner and peskyinsects are gearing up to itch, bother andburn. But todays insects are more than just

an annoyance; theyre a major public health concern.Mosquitoes carry deadly diseases including Malariaand West Nile a fatal virus infecting approxi-mately 3500 Americans annually. With suchhigh stakes, its important to protect yourself,and should you fall prey to a bloodsucking sieve,handle the bite appropriately. To help you get throughsummer unscathed, Self tracked down experts to dispelthe myths, present the facts and offer outdoor aficiona-dos a frontline defense against the buggers.

1. READ THE LABEL

Repellents should contain at least 20 percentDEET. DEET is the only effective product, forany reasonable period of time, following asingle application, says Paula Elbirt, M.D.,assistant professor of pediatrics at MountSinai Medical Center and former medical directorof the Children's Aid Society. Mosquitoes areattracted to carbon dioxide from our skin. DEETinterferes with their ability to detect carbon diox-ide. So when they land on DEET-protected skin,they dont recognize the human blood beneath.Stick with higher concentration spray repellents(OFF! Deep Woods, OFF! Skintastic and SawyerControlled Release) wristbands only protect

a few centimeters from the band. No DEET onthe label? Look for N,N-diethyl-meta-tolumide orN,N-diethyl-3-methylbenamide.

2. GOING DEET-LESS

For all its protection, DEET is a potent chemi-cal that can eat away plastic in watches and glass-es, absorb into your skin, and make you a sticky,stinky mess and over exposure to DEET cancause skin irritation, rashes and painful blisters.DEET-free alternatives like citronella, lavenderand other plant-derived oils and Avons Bug GuardPlus may soften skin or shield you from the sun,but they offer minimal protection against bugs. Inone study, these products worked for less than 20minutes. As for garlic, another natural remedy, it

can fight off vampires (and boyfriends), but notbugs. The strong scent may mask carbon dioxide,but its relatively ineffective says Dr. Elbirt.

3. SWEET BLOOD?

It could be that you just have more of it.Mosquitoes are attracted to bigger people, saysMark Fradin, M.D., Adjunct Clinical AssociateProfessor of Dermatology at the University ofNorth Carolina at Chapel Hill, maybe becausethey have more blood. Genetic factors also playa role some people naturally give off scents thatare more attractive to mosquitoes.

4. STAY NEUTRAL

Debating what to wear to the family picnic? Stayaway from dark colors (they retain heat, drawingmosquitoes), and bright colors (bees will think

youre a giant daffodil). Wear lightcolors, and if youre worried about

ticks, be sure to tuck yourshirt into your pants, yourpants into your socks and

wear boots, not sandals.

5. BE LAZY

Activity makes you a mosquito magnet. Werelease more carbon dioxide when we sweatsays Dr. Elbirt. The hotter, stinkier and sweat-ier you are, the more likely youll be attacked.And humidity or perspiration can wash away

any repellent you had for cover.

6. AREA PROTECTION

Skip the citronella. According to Dr. Fradinany candle will provide the same benefit (mostcitronella candles dont have enough citronellato make an impact). As for electronic bug zap-pers, says Dr. Fradin, they dont work lessthan one percent of bugs zapped by thosemachines are mosquitoes. There is a new gen-eration of somewhat effective and very expen-sive zappers that emit carbon dioxide andwarmth, but these machines are hundreds ofdollars. Visit www.frontgate.com for details.

7. WATER WORKS

For mosquitoes, that is. Female mosquitoeslay their eggs in stagnant water. Remove stillwater sources from your property, turn overempty buckets and cans, and keep Buffyswater bowl indoors. If you have a pond, callyour local Health Department for mosquitofish. These fish will live in still water foryears, eating any mosquito eggs, and theyreusually free.

8. DOWN SOME BENADRYL

For a preemptive strike against a bug bite,take an over-the-counter allergy medicationlike Benadryl or Claritan an hour before goingoutdoors. A mosquito bite causes an allergic

reaction, says Dr. Fradin. Antihistaminesreduce that reaction.

9. READY, AIM, HAIRDRYER!

Ever use your hairdryer to relieve itching?According to Dr. Fradin, the hairdryer worksbecause it is a counter-irritant youre sofocused on the heat that you forget about theitch. The same applies to the nail trick (where

you make an X over the bite with your fin-gernail). The pain from nail digging blocksthe itching sensation. Both techniques actu-ally increase blood flow to the area causinginflammation. For a humane fix, apply ice orcold compresses to the welt there is no risk

of burn, no need for an outlet and they dontmake a sound.

10. NEVER FORGET THE BASICS

Cover up, avoid the magic hour of duskand put away perfumes, floral shampoos and

Bug Zappers10 things you need to know to survive bug season


24/32

2009

JUNEPAGE 24

BY JENNY STAMOS KOVACS

In your frantic daily life, taking time to meditateis like trying to cram another pair of shoes intoan already stuffed closet. However, if you learn

to unwind, meditation can help improve the healthof your mind and your body.

Before you begin, lose all your inhibitions allyour preconceived ideas about what it means tomeditate. First, meditation doesn't have to involvesitting in contorted positions for hours on end,while somehow emptying your mind and chantingwords that mean nothing to you. "There are many,many schools of thought on meditation," says Mike

Wohl, president of Bodywisdom Media, and pro-

ducer and co-creator of Yoga for Stress Relief DVD(2006)."Were no longer bound by tradition, so youcan choose whichever method work best for you."

Keep reading for more than one way to meditate,and choose whichever most resonates with you.Then check out our sidebar to learn how meditatingregularly can be good for your heart, your waistline,and so much more.

FIND YOUR OWN PRIVATE PLACE

The first step of meditation involves setting upa space just for you that evokes a mood of calm-ness and relaxation. Health psychologist StevenGurgevich, Ph.D., director of the Mind-Body Clinicin Dr. Andrew Weils Program in Integrative

Medicine at the University of Arizona College ofMedicine, and co-author of The Self-Hypnosis Diet:Use The Power Of Your Mind to Reach Your Perfect

Weight (Sounds True, 2007) suggests creating a cozy,welcoming space for yoga and meditation, stockedwith inspiring magazines, books and pictures thatmake you smile. Motivate yourself to reach the rightmindset by filling the walls with inspiring quotes ormantras and pictures that bring you to a place ofrelaxation and joy. Include pillows for lounging or

sitting in the traditional meditation position, cross-legged on the floor. You can also light candles orincense. Experiment with various scents at localstores, and find one or two that encourage you toslow down, soothe your harried mind and relax.

Begin building a library of DVDs on yoga, breath-ing, meditation and flexibility, says Gregory Florez,founder and CEO of FitAdvisor.com, and a spokes-person for the American Council on Exercise. Theshorter the workout, the better (around 20 minutesis perfect), he says, so that they'll be ready for eachsmall pocket of available time.

"Traditionalists meditate first thing in the morn-ing and last thing at night," says Wohl, whorecommends keeping your meditation space near

the window you sleep beside, so as not to disturbyour still half-snoozing mind by having to set upand move things around in preparation. Theresa lull between sleep and waking that you can useto your advantage for probing and understandingyour mind during the transition between sleep andwakefulness, he says.

Some people like to set a certain time and stickto it, says Wohl. This develops discipline, as youmust stop whatever you're doing and becomeaware of your present mental state. Others prefernot to tie themselves down. They meditate whenthey feel like meditatingwhen there's a brief lullin their day or when need the centering meditationprovides.

If your life is bombarded with work, you'll

likely choose to meditate whenever you can catch amoment, and for as long as youre able. As busy asour lives are, you still have plenty of opportunitiesto center yourself and to engage in brief medita-tions. For example, take 10 to 20 fully relaxedbreaths from deep within your belly as many timesduring the day as you can. "The benefits of this cannotbe overestimated both physiologically and mentally,"

Wohl says.As for a soundtrack to your meditation practice,

Wohl suggests complete silence, or, if absolutelynecessary, something non-intrusive, such as ZenDreams: Music for Harmonious Living, GeorgeNasciemento, or anything by Montgomery Smith.

The Benefits Of OmMeditation reduces stress and increases lucidity

Fill the walls withinspiring quotes and

pictures that bringyou to a place ofrelaxation and joy


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PAGE 25nyc

BODY BENEFITSWhether your goal is inner peace or outer heal-

ing, meditation may be the secret to allover health.Here's how saying "om" can benefit your body.

Your heart. Meditation may protect your heartby decreasing your risk of metabolic syndrome, astudy in the Archives of Internal Medicine reports.Researchers assessed the effects of meditation on103 people who had been diagnosed with heartdisease. Over a four month period, subjects whomeditated twice daily for 20-minutes at a timesaw a drop in blood pressure and a decrease inheart rate variability. Subjects who didnt medi-tate, on the other hand, experienced an increase.

Meditators began to respond better to insulin,tooa result that would otherwise only be expect-ed from intense exercise or significant weight loss,researchers say.

Your waistline. Reaching or maintaining ahealthy weight is easier when your body is ableto use insulin efficiently. Plus, meditation helpskeep stress levels from peaking, making it easier

for you to avoid foods high in fat, simple carbs

and sugar. Your brain. Studies show that, during medita-

tion, there is reduced activity in the stress centersof the brain and increases in brain wave coher-ence, says Robert Schneider, M.D., director of theInstitute for Natural Medicine and Prevention at theMaharishi University of Management in MaharishiVedic City, Iowa, and lead author of several studieson the health benefits of meditation.

Your skin, muscles and digestive system.Repeating a mantra, a common part of meditation,can play a huge part in helping your body cope withstress, researchers from the Veterans AdministrationSan Diego Healthcare System report. Subjectschose a personal mantra, and practiced repeating it

when they werent stressed outthe idea being thattheir brains would learn to associate the phrase withcalmness. Six months later, 83 percent of subjectshad used their mantras to help them stay calm,while 75 percent felt they'd helped to reduce stress,frustration and tension. Lower stress leads to betterskin, more relaxed muscles, better sleep and moreefficient digestionall-around positive results.

Your pain response. Transcendental medita-

tion (TM) may lessen the brain's response to pain,research from the University of California, Irvineshows. Individuals who'd been practicing TM for30 years had a 40 to 50 percent lower brain reac-tion to pain than those who didn't practice it, butafter learning the meditation style and practicingit for just five months, non-meditators' brain scansshowed a similar resilience to pain.

Your mood. In a review of 20 different stud-ies, researchers concluded that meditation can helpimprove symptoms of mood and anxiety disordersand PMS. Meditating encourages you to see yournegative thoughts as something separate from your-self, say researchers.

Your reproductive organs. Meditation reduces

the production of stress hormones while also indi-rectly boosting levels of reproductive hormones suchas follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogen andprogesterone by increasing serotonin and melatoninproduction. (Serotonin and melatonin stimulate thepituitary gland, where these reproductive hormonesare produced.) Another benefit? Better sexyoucan't orgasm unless you're relaxed.

GET INTO THE ZONE

Entering the zone of meditation isn't as difficultas you might think, says Joan Borysenko, Ph.D.,co-founder and former director of the Mind/BodyClinic at Bostons Deaconess Hospital, and co-author of Minding the Body, Mending the Mind(Da Capo Lifelong Books; Revised edition, 2007)and Saying Yes to Change (Hay House, 2005),which comes packaged with its own meditationCD. It doesn't evolve any trance or out-of-bodyexperience. In essence, meditation trains you tobe in the present, she says, to catch the negativethoughts swirling around you before they damageyour body and mind. Mediation has a much broad-er definition than many people think, Borysenkosays. All it truly means is any activity that keepsyour attention pleasantly anchored in the presentmoment." This means that meditation may be verydifferent for different people. It may mean gettinglost in music; in jogging; in picking up shells alongthe beachany activity that keeps your attentionfully in the present moment.

JUST BREATHE

If you often succumb to wandering thoughts,

you may want to start with a more traditional typeof meditation, returning to the less structured typewhen you feel able. The most basic meditationinvolves focusing on your breath, Wohl says. Thisis the entranceway, as it were, to focus on the body.There are many types of traditional meditation. Inthe hatha, or body-based tradition, meditation isthe more advanced level on the spectrum of prac-tice. First, you need to prepare your body with anasana, or yoga pose; next, you move on to regulat-ing your breath. Physiologically, your breath beginsto focus the mind and to enter a state of relaxation,slowing your heart, breathing and thoughts.

One of the best ways to stay focused in themeditation zone is with a mantra, Borysenko says,which is simply a device to keep you mind focused

on your thoughts, instead of wandering off to nega-tive thoughts and feelings. The best part of mantrasis that you can choose whatever is meaningful foryou. Several examples, depending on your situa-tion, include:

- "I am healed, whole and healthy."- "Right now, at this very moment, I am exactly

where I want to be. I feel hopeful and at peace."- I am grateful for the things, and the people,

that bring me joy each day."- "At this moment, I am filled love and joy."- "Everything is going to be okay."


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2009

JUNEPAGE 26

BY MICHAEL J. JAPPELL,

FINANCIAL ADVISOR

When Kelly Davidson, aretiree, decided she wasgoing to help fund her

grandsons college education, sheknew shed have to go about it in atax-efficient manner, one that wouldalso benefit her. She also knew that

pursuing this venture would potentiallyimpact her estate limitations, so shemet with her Smith financial advisorto develop a strategy that would helpenable her to assist her grandson.

He suggested that a 529 CollegeSavings Plannamed after the sectionof the IRS code that authorized theircreationwould be the best way tomeet Kellys education-funding goals.Kelly set up a 529 plan for her grandsonand launched a systematic investmentplan to help her potentially maximizethe accounts value. Kellys Five YearPlan was well under way, but there wasone thing she hadnt planned for: right

before she was slated to pay the school,Kellys grandson, received admission toanother institutionin London.

Luckily, Kelly had saved for hergrandsons graduate degree in a 529account, so she could use the funds atany accredited university in the world.Kellys grandson is now pursuing hisMBA at the London Business Schoolone of the top three MBA programs inthe worldand using Kellys 529 planassets to pay for his tuition and relatedexpenses.

In todays rapidly globalizing econo-my, Kellys situation is not unique. Eachyear, thousands of American students

either participate in study abroad pro-grams, or enroll full-time in collegesand universities outside of the UnitedStates. In fact, according to a recentpoll of college-bound students, 55 per-cent indicated that they are certain orfairly certain they will participate ina study abroad program, and another26 percent indicated a strong desire tostudy abroad.

In response to the high demand,many higher education institutions nowoffer a number of international learn-ing programs, ranging from semes-ters at sea to cultural immersion and

multi-city programs. However, despitethe many international programs avail-able, students (38 percent) still citehigh costs as the top reason for lackof participation in study abroad pro-grams. In addition, using financial aidfor international studies presents itsown challenges: additional eligibilityrequirementsresidency, grades, credit

hours, and age, to name a fewmustbe met, and foreign and US semesterschedules differ which can delay loansand other federal aid.

Still, there are options for those whowant to finance an education abroad,including 529 College Savings Plans.The plans allow tax-free accumulationof assets and federal tax-free with-drawals for qualified higher educationexpenses, and the features (flexibil-

ity, control, and multiple investmentoptions) which make 529 plans attrac-tive for funding stateside education arealso available when the plans are usedwith accredited foreign institutions.

HOW IT WORKS

More than 400 foreign higher edu-cation institutions are eligible under

the rules permitting federal tax-freewithdrawals from a 529 plan. Alist of eligible foreign institutionsis available in the Federal SchoolCode Lookup database on the FreeApplication for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA) website.

The test for any particularschool's inclusion is its eligibil-ity to participate in Title IV federalfinancial aid programs, says JosephHurley, founder of SavingforCollege.com. Most degree-granting four-

year schools, junior and communitycolleges, and graduate schools willqualify, as will many proprietary andvocational schools.

IS A 529 PLAN RIGHT FOR

YOU?

A 529 savings plan is one of the besttax-advantaged ways to save for highereducationwhether you plan to studyin the US or abroad. Most plans offerseveral asset allocation options, andalso allow you to contribute via lumpsum or through a systematic investmentplan such as a payroll deduction. You

should consider investing in a 529 planif you are: A parent concerned about the

rising costs of college, A grandparent who wants to

help save for your grandchildrensfuture education expenses

A retiree who would like to devel-op an existing hobby into a serious,

full-time interest An Empty Nester who is still

active in the workforce, but needs toreturn to school to remain competitive

A professional who is consider-ing going back to school to pursue asecond degree, change careers, or toenhance your professional skills

An adult who wants to help achild in your life a niece, nephew,

or godchildsave for future collegeexpensesAs more higher education institu-

tions implement international pro-grams to address the growing demand,opportunities to study abroad aremore available than they were twentyyears ago. If you already have an edu-cation plan, consider whether study-ing abroad is an option youd liketo pursue in the future. If you needhelp developing an education plan,a Financial Advisor can help you getstarted, and can even customize aproposal based on projected costs atthe schools youre considering.

Whether you plan to study state-side or beyond the countrys borders,one thing is certain: college costs areon the rise, so its important to startearly. The world is your oyster; takeadvantage of all it has to offer.

Michael Jappell, CRPC is aSmith Barney Financial Advisorand Chartered Retirement PlanningCounselorSM located in Garden City,N.Y. and may be reached at 1-800-645-8600 ext.2808 or www.fa.smithbarney.com/CoyleHubbardJappell

SEARCHING FOR ELIGIBLEFOREIGN INSTITUTIONS

Anyone can conduct a searchfor a particular school, or view alist of all eligible foreign institu-tions by querying the FederalSchool Lookup database:

Visit http://www.fafsa.e d . g o v / F O T W W e b A p p /FSLookupServlet

Select the school year fromthe drop down box, and selectSearch from the optionsavailable

In the state drop-down box,select "Foreign Country" to viewall eligible schools in other coun-tries, or if the school is locatedin Canada, Mexico or any U.S.territory, you can narrow yoursearch by selecting the appropri-ate country

A Savings Plan ForSchool AbroadHow to fund future international study for your grandchildren or yourself

55-percent ofcollege-bound

students say theyplan to study

abroad


27/32


28/32

2009

JUNEPAGE 28

permanent and temporary staff members equally, shesays, although the quality they deliver is unequal.

Experts also say, its possible that a nursing homecould pad the schedule with temporary workers beforeits annual survey and receive a higher rating.

Unlike a five-star restaurant or hotel, a five-starnursing home is not the Ritz and may have seriousproblems, others caution. We do think [the system]is useful in helping consumers quickly identify low-rated nursing homes that they should avoid, saysMichael Connors, advocate for California Advocatesfor Nursing Home Reform. But high ratings arenta guarantee of quality.

For example, in 2007-08 California issued cita-tions to 38 nursing homes for the most serious viola-tion neglect leading to the death of a resident which carries fines of up to $100,000. Yet of the 35of these homes that CMS rated, two were awardedfive stars and six got four stars under the CMS ratingsystem, according to an AARP Bulletin analysis.

In general, when nursing homes receive citations,they must file a plan of correction that must beapproved by us, CMS spokeswoman Mary M. Kahn

explains. Once that is approved, we will re-inspectto assure the corrective action was indeed taken.If a home continually shows a pattern of poor per-formance, she adds, it is put on our Special FocusFacility list, meaning that it is inspected twice asoften as other homes.

But homes placed on the Special Focus Facilitylist may still receive as many as three stars (meaningaverage) in the quality ratings on the CMS web-site, according to Rhonda Richards, a senior legisla-tive representative at AARP. In these circumstances,she adds, AARP recommends a one-star (muchbelow average) rating. CMS, however, gives SpecialFocus Facilities credit for improvement, and allfacilities get credit for scoring high on staffing or

quality measures.Mitzi E. McFatrich, executive director of Kansas

Advocates for Better Care, says her group spot-checked 10 homes and found the star ratings didnot accurately reflect the experience of residents.[Since] we started digging on this site, I haveto say we have a lot of concerns, she says. Onewell-regarded Kansas home that received two stars(below average), for example, received a PEAK(Promoting Excellent Alternatives in Kansas) awardin 2008 from the Kansas Department of Aging.Homes that provide consistent, well-trained staff,a homey environment, freedom to choose when towake up and what to eat, and regular engagementwith the outside world are not identified throughthis system, McFatrich notes.

We emphasize that the star rating does not sub-stitute for the consumers judgment about whichaspects and measures are most important to them,says Thomas Hamilton, CMS director of the Surveyand Certification Group. The star rating is intendedto stimulate thinking but not replace thinking. Weencourage consumers to print out the informationand take it with them and visit the nursing homesand get direct answers from nursing home staff.

CMS officials say they will continue to improvethe website and hope to add new information overtime, such as resident and family satisfaction rates.

Toward that end, the Pioneer Network, based inRochester, N.Y., which advocates changing the cul-ture of eldercare, is working with CMS to find waysto measure quality of life concerns that are so impor-tant to nursing home residents and families. One hasto see the five-star rating as part of a broader initiativeto encourage consumers to ask the right questions,says Bonnie Kantor, executive director of the PioneerNetwork. This is but one measure. Nothing canreplace being your own fact-finder.

First appeared in AARP Bulletin

NURSING HOMES, continued from page 27FIVE STARS IN THE FIVE BOROUGHS

The Nursing Home Compare websiteawarded the following facilities five stars:

Manhattan:ST MARYS CENTER INC516 West 126TH StreetNY, NY 10027(212) 662-1826http://www.stmarysharlem.com/jsp/

Staten Island:VERRAZANO NURSING HOME100 Castleton AvenueStaten Island, NY 10301(718) 273-1300

Brooklyn:HAYM SALOMON HOME FOR THE AGED2340 Cropsey AvenueBrooklyn, NY 11214(718) 373-1700

Queens:FLUSHING MANOR NURSING HOME35 15 Parsons BoulevardFlushing, NY 11354(718) 961-3500http://www.flushingmanors.com

METHODIST CHURCH HOMEFOR THE AGED4499 Manhattan College ParkwayBronx, NY 10471(718) 548-5100http://www.methodisthome4aged.com/

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29/32

PAGE 29nyc

Dear Marci,Does the Medicare drug benefit

(Part D) cover drugs for erectile dys-function?

Noah

Dear Noah,No. There are drugs excludedfrom Medicare Part D coverage bylaw. These include drugs for: erectiledysfunction, anorexia, weight loss orweight gain (except to treat physicalwasting caused by AIDS, cancer orother diseases), fertility, cosmetic pur-poses or hair growth and relief of thesymptoms of colds (like a cough andstuffy nose). Prescription vitamins andminerals (except prenatal vitamins andfluoride preparations), non-prescrip-tion drugs (over-the-counter drugs)and certain anti-anxiety drugs (barbi-turates and benzodiazepines) are also

excluded from Medicare coverage. Marci

Dear Marci,One of the Medicare-certified hos-

pice agencies in town is not willingto take my mother as a patient, eventhough she has Medicare. Is thisallowed?

Callie

Dear Callie,Medicare-certified hospice agencies

are not required to take your motheras a patient simply because she quali-fies for Medicare-covered hospice care.Agencies may select which patientsthey take, provided that they dont

violate discrimination laws. Whetheryour mother is in Original Medicareor a Medicare private health plan, youshould call other agencies. If she isterminally ill and her doctor certifiesthat she has fewer than six months tolive, another agency may take her as ahospice patient.

Marci

Dear Marci,Does Medicare pay for ambulance

services? Gena

Dear Gena,

If it is an emergency Medicare willgenerally cover ambulance services,as long as:

An ambulance is the only safeway to transport you (medicallynecessary); and

You are transported to andfrom certain locations.

An emergency is when yourhealth is in serious danger andevery second counts to prevent yourhealth from getting worse. If the tripis scheduled as a way to transportyou from one location to anotherwhen your health is not in immedi-ate danger, it is not considered an

emergency.If it is not an emergency, Medicare

coverage of ambulance services isvery limited. Medicare will gen-erally only cover non-emergencyambulance transport if it is the onlysafe way to transport you. Transportby all other means, including ambu-lettes, must be unsafe given yourcondition. For example, Medicaremay cover non-emergency ambu-lance services if you need vitalmedical services during your tripthat are only available in an ambu-lance, such as administration ofmedications or monitoring of vital

functions.If covered, Medicare will pay for

80-percent of its approved amountfor the ambulance service. You oryour supplemental insurance policywill be responsible for the remain-ing 20-percent. All ambulance pro-viders must accept Medicare assign-ment, meaning they must acceptthe Medicare-approved amount aspayment in full.

Marci

Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org), the nations larg-

est independent source of informa-tion and assistance for people withMedicare. To speak with a counselor,call (800) 333-4114. To learn moreabout the services that Medicare willcover and how to change plans, logon to Medicare Interactive Counselorat the Medicare Rights Centers web-site at www.medicareinteractive.org.

MarcisMedicareAnswers

June 2009

DoesMedicare payfor ambulance

services?

Sometimes, people withMedicare need medical care athome. You may have just beendischarged from the hospital;or perhaps youre dealing witha flare-up of a chronic ailment.Medicare covers care and treat-ment in your home if you meetspecific criteria:

First, your doctor must certifythat you are homebound, and thathome care is medically necessary.Homebound means that it requiresconsiderable and taxing effort foryou to leave your home. For exam-

ple, you are homebound if you needcrutches, a walker, a wheelchair orhelp from another person to leaveyour home.

Second, y

june 2009 thrive nyc

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