All Posts in "Month: March 2019"

‘Put country and community first’

At a divisive moment in our nation’s history, you may be wondering how average citizens can help bring about friendlier politics.

Experts suggest that it starts with finding common ground among those whose opinions differ from you. Ira Shapiro, a former ambassador, recently authored “Broken: Can the Senate Save Itself and the Country?” in order to explore the state of U.S. politics and its future.

Of the U.S. Senate, his area of expertise, he says, “America is deeply divided. But the men and women of the Senate should not mirror — or worse, inflame — the nation’s divisions. Their job is to overcome them, finding common ground to take collective action in the national interest.”

Citizens can apply this principle in a number of ways, according to Shapiro:

• Get involved. Attend city council meetings and town hall meetings. Join the PTA. But don’t just show up — make your voice heard. Make friends on all sides of the issue. Be a coalition builder. Discover where your beliefs overlap with others before debating about the issues on which you disagree.

For instance, the League of Women Voters of Tacoma-Pierce County has sponsored a series of public forums on issues related to civility, incivility and civil disobedience. The goal of League officials was to “move beyond snarky Twitter exchanges and engage in civil conversation” by “encouraging civility and demonstrating the power of conversation.” Specific focuses included civility in politics and public discourse, assuring the role of a free press in problem-solving, and getting Democrats and Republicans “to actually talk to each other.”

• Get in touch. From petitions to postcards to calls and texts, there are numerous ways to contact your elected officials at every level of government. Encourage your representatives to work constructively with their colleagues in an effort to de-polarize politics and ultimately be more effective at their jobs.

• Speak out. Organize or attend a rally. Raise money for a political cause that mattes to you. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Take advantage of the channels available to you.

“The best remedy of all, on both the national and local levels, is to support candidates who are problem-solvers and consensus-builders, not partisan warriors. Look for the candidates who put the country, or the community, first — above party allegiance or personal aggrandizement,” said Shapiro, who also serves as a trade law and global policy consultant (www.shapiroglobal.com).

Shapiro believes that the Senate is in trouble, but it can be saved. Likewise, everyone, including average citizens, can be a champion for a climate of healthier politics, whether it’s around the dinner table, on a social media thread or at a city council meeting, he said.

Source: StatePoint and Senior Scene

srmedia by — March 27, 2019 in Lifestyles

The Life Insurance Policy Locator — launched in Washington by state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) — has helped consumers track down and receive policy claims worth more than $7 million in the past two years. 

The national association created the free national locator service in November 2016 to make it easier to connect consumers with lost life insurance policies or annuities. A total of 459 beneficiaries in Washington have been matched with $7.3 million in claims between November 2016 and November 2018.

According to NAIC, consumers can have a hard time finding misplaced policy documents, especially when assisting an elderly relative or helping settle an estate. The search is complicated if an agent or company holding the policy has changed.

“The response we’ve received to the policy locator has been greater than anyone could have anticipated,” said Kreidler, the elected head of Washington’s office of the insurance commissioner. “State insurance regulators saw there was a need for a national service like this to help consumers. This tool connects consumers with lost policies and possibly money they’re owed.”

In its initial two years, the locator has matched nearly 25,000 consumers with policies, totaling $368 million nationwide, officials reported.

Additional information is available at insurance.wa.gov (state insurance commissioner) and eapps.naic.org (NAIC).

srmedia by — March 27, 2019 in News

Bonaventure Senior Living is building a new facility near Puyallup that will have 174 units — 73 of them for independent living, 63 for assisted living, 28 for memory care, and 10 cottages.

The complex, Bonaventure of Puyallup, is at 14503 Meridian E. The main four-story building will include an in-house pub, a full-service bistro, a theater, a bowling alley and a styling salon. Transportation and exercise programs will be available.

Other features include patios and balconies for all independent-living residences, computer work stations, a garden and hobby center, and housekeeping and linen service.

Two-bedroom/two-bathroom and one-bedroom/one-bathroom suites are planned for independent and assisted living.

Information is available at 253-256-1150.

Bonaventure Senior Living, which has a home office in Salem, Ore., operates communities in Oregon, Colorado and Washington. The latter’s locations include Spring Creek in the South Hill area, near the new Bonaventure of Puyallup.

srmedia by — March 27, 2019 in Personal Finance/Consumers
Never too old to be strong and fit

Chris Lunn is dedicated to making sure folks of all ages can remain active and healthy throughout their lives.

Lunn is 81 years old, but to watch him in action, you would never know it. He is in great shape himself and passionate about his students.

Years ago, he stumbled upon Pilates to lose some weight and get back into shape.

“My back had gone out and my work required a lot of driving, walking and carrying a heavy backpack, and I joined the YMCA,” he said. It was there during a strength and stability class that Lunn learned slow and methodical movements. When the leader of the class moved on and the class was in danger of being canceled for good, Lunn took over.

“When that happened eight years ago, I told the Y, ‘I can teach that class,’“ he said.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Lunn took over the Strength and Stability class at Korum YMCA in Puyallup and three years ago began leading a class for seniors at Willow Gardens, a nearby retirement community.

The workout at Willows Gardens focuses on better breathing and balance. “We work a lot on balance. A lot can be done to make people’s lives better in a retirement situation,” said Lunn.

Marianne Tobin has been taking Lunn’s class at Willow Gardens for two years.

“I saw my doctor and he gave me an exercise band and told me to use it,” she said.

Classes at Willow Gardens meet twice a week and are free to residents. Lunn begins with a 15-minute warmup and deep breathing, leading the group with lots of gentle guidance and information, always offering bits of encouragement. “Open your chest. That makes you taller,” he said at a recent class.

Participants use bands and remain seated for most of the class. As they progress through their workout, Lunn encourages everyone to go slow for the best results, while always keeping a close eye on the group and emphasizing proper form and safety.

At Korum YMCA, the Strength and Stability class has about 20 participants standing and working on the floor. They know the drill, and as they come in, they put mats on the floor, grab their water bottles and get ready to work.

Ron Smith, a retired Boeing employee, said he has been taking Lunn’s YMCA class for about five years.

“It is a good way to end the week,” Smith said.

Again, Lunn does an excellent job with the YMCA group of explaining what will come next, leading them through their moves, always focusing on form and safety.

Class participants are enthusiastic and grateful for the class and the slow, deliberate movements, and they say they notice a marked improvement in their life with regular attendance.

Valerie True, a nurse who works two 12-hour shifts a week, finds the class helps her with aches and pains after the long workdays.

“I’ve been coming for two months, and it has really helped my back,” she said.

Strength and Stability meets at Korum YMCA every Friday from 11:50 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Lunn leads a busy life, focusing on seniors staying active through his classes. Two months ago, he started leading a stretch and stability class at Metro Parks Tacoma’s new Eastside Community Center on Thursdays at 11:30 a.m.

He also has a background in music. In 1969, he founded Victory Music, a non-profit music-education organization that offers open-mic sessions and other showcases and workshops for musicians. It started in Bonney Lake and now is based in Seattle.

Joan Cronk, who wrote this article, is a freelance writer from Puyallup.

Joan Cronk by — March 27, 2019 in Spotlight