All Posts in "Month: February 2016"

What a strange first quarter we have had. First it is winter and then it is spring and almost summer on occasion. It seems that this year so far has been quite a mix.
Every year in January, I try to get away and take some time in the sun. I think I have a bit of that SADS they find so much of in Alaska. I just need the sun. So off I was to Puerto Penasco (also known as Rocky Point) just 100 miles south of the boarder at Ajo, Ariz. It is a desolate drive through desert with miles of sand and nothing to see but cactus, and then you come to the end of the road and this sleepy fishing village with a population of only 57,000. There it is on the Sea of Cortez with magnificent blue waters and sandy beaches.
There were only six of us traveling this time, and we stayed at the Grand Mayan Resort, 23 miles out of the town center. This is a beautiful, full-service resort with pools, hot tubs, restaurants and a golf course. All condos have full kitchens, and we made good use of ours running into town for fresh seafood.
This is not a heavy tourist time of the year, which left us with plenty of space and no rush to reserve a lounge by the pool. The lazy river was not crowded, and the beach was open to explore and collect shells.
We took a day trip and drove to the end of the point and the village at Cholla Bay. This seems to be inhabited mostly by Americans who have beach homes along the water or nestled into the hillside.
We made the requisite stop at JJ’s Cantina, with terraces down to the beach and views to watch the sunset. On the way back, we drove through the Sandy Beach resort area of new hotels and condos. It is here that work is progressing on the Home Port cruise ship docks. Ships such as Princess Cruises will be coming here within the next couple of years. (We will have to keep track and take one of those cruises).
Into the Old Town on another day let us shop with all “tourist” stores. So many things to see with a lot of repeats and much to bargain over. There is a pharmacy on every corner and restaurants galore with color and people all over. We explored some of the older buildings, including a hotel which was established by Al Capone in the 1920s.
Our favorite restaurant was at the top of a hill with a glorious view over the Sea of Cortez and the lights of the city. We celebrated Florence Bargmeyers 99th birthday while watching the sun set.
A picnic under a palapa at the end of a very rough, sandy road turned out to be a pleasant surprise birthday for Della Troupe. Here was an oyster farm where you placed your order and then they went out to get them. You can’t get any fresher than that.
Back home again now and working on trips for others. There is still room on the Alaska cruise for May 7 on Norwegian Cruise Lines, and we have added another on July 10 with Princess. In September, we still have a few more spaces available for the riverboat trip between Paris and Prague. A couple of day trips have been added to the schedule with the Harness Races in Langley on March 16 and our annual Tulip Trek on April 12.
For information and reservations, call me (Linda Finch) at 253-927-8207 or e-mail me at linda.finch@gmail.com.

Jeanette Harris, Bob Fink, Audrey Stacy, Linda Finch, Florence Bargmeyer, Della Troup included a stop at J.J.'s Cantina in Puerto Penasco in their itinerary for a trip to Mexico.
Jeanette Harris, Bob Fink, Audrey Stacy, Linda Finch, Florence Bargmeyer, Della Troup included a stop at J.J.’s Cantina in Puerto Penasco in their itinerary for a trip to Mexico.
Linda Finch by — February 23, 2016 in Lifestyle, Home, Adventures

facebook_logo webDespite the myth that older people can’t manage technology because of cognitive deficits, seniors are flocking to social media at a rapid pace. In fact, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ (and Hangouts), Pinterest and Instagram all note higher rates among adults 65 and older ─ and see seniors as their fastest-growing audience.
Older adults who have had positive experiences on social media have reported elevated moods. An American Psychological Association study found that seniors who spend time on social media sites were more likely to participate in activities that can lead to greater health, such as cooking healthier recipes and finding easier ways to clean and maintain their homes.
The study also indicates that they have lower blood pressure and fewer instances of diabetes, and less negative health habits such as smoking, depression, or disease. This is attributed to the ability for self-education on any number of topics, and remaining in-the-know about the latest technology trends.
Facebook is particularly useful for linking up with loved ones. It makes for more frequent conversations and helps close the generation gap.
Sharing current photos allows seniors to see their grandchildren change and grow and creates a closeness and involvement that may not have existed, especially if the family isn’t living close by. Video chats also are a great way to communicate in real time. There is also the opportunity to relive fond memories or create new ones through postings of photos and home videos.
When a family lives apart, there can be stress and anxiety on both ends. Social media allows seniors and their families an easy way to check in as often as they wish.
This is especially important if the senior is living alone and may experience ill health, a fall, or may not be eating or sleeping well, taking medications, or getting any form of exercise. Family caregivers can use social media to ask critical questions that will let them know what’s occurring in their loved one’s life.
Feeling connected is very important to any senior’s well-being. Social media allows the senior to make plans with others to meet up outside of the home. It also allows seniors who are unable to leave home to socialize online to combat loneliness.
Even if a senior can’t venture out of the home – due to physical limitations, inability to drive, or inclement weather, for example – he or she can always shop online and enjoy the ease of home delivery. In addition, there are lots of money-saving coupons and online sales, which can be especially convenient and sensible for those who are penny-pinchers or on a fixed income.
Some precautions should be taken. Caregivers may want to monitor a senior’s activities to make sure that the loved one is not falling for phishing scams and the like. Caregivers may also want to make sure they are connecting with trustworthy people – especially if they are conversing in chat rooms and through blogs – and make sure they aren’t overspending on items they don’t need.
AARP’s Social Media Education Center can help you find out about how to use specific (and commonly used) social media websites, apps and blogs. Visit http://www.aarp.org/home-family/personal-technology/tek/social-media-education-center/

Source: Comfort Keepers, a provider of in-home care services. Office locations include Federal Way and Bremerton.

srmedia by — February 23, 2016 in Lifestyles

Brian Scalabrine, a former professional basketball player, is playing a much different role these days as the co-owner of a $23 million retirement community in Des Moines.
Scalabrine is part of the team developing land in the waterfront city’s downtown area where The Adriana is being built by Village Concepts. A groundbreaking was held in January for the 101,427-square-feet, five-story building. It will have 119 senior apartments, each with a washer and dryer, when it opens this fall. Plans also call for an atrium, social and media rooms, a kitchen, a beauty salon, and fitness and computer rooms.
Scalabrine, 37, already had ties to the area before getting involved with The Adriana. A native of Enumclaw, he played basketball at Highline College in Des Moines before transferring and finishing his college career at University of Southern California. In the National Basketball Association, he played as a forward for the New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls from 2001 to 2012. While with Boston, the Celtics won an NBA championship in 2008.
Village Concepts, which was founded in 1975 and is based in Federal Way, has 15 other retirement and assisted-living communities. They include Brannan Park in Auburn, Sound Vista Village in Gig Harbor, High Point Village in Enumclaw, Alder Ridge and Mill Ridge in Milton, and Covington Place in Covington.

srmedia by — February 23, 2016 in Personal Finance/Consumers

Cascade Regional Blood Services’ bloodmobiles are getting around with an eye-catching new look.
Previously painted blue with pictures of children on the sides, bloodmobiles now sport the red, black and white design that’s used by the agency in its marketing.
“We wanted a modern look that better reflected Cascade Regional Blood Services,” said Christine Swinehart, president of the organization that supplies hospitals in Pierce County and the south King County area.
Nearly 60 percent of the blood is donated at community-sponsored blood drives through bloodmobiles.
Fund-raising that began in 2013 helped pay for refurbishing the fleet of bloodmobiles and the purchase of a new vehicle. “We are so grateful to our community for its support,” Swinehart said.

The bloodmobiles for Cascade Regional Blood Services have a new look.
The bloodmobiles for Cascade Regional Blood Services have a new look.
srmedia by — February 17, 2016 in News