To drive or not to drive—that is the question.  When to give up the keys?  How to find other means of getting where we want to go?  These are among the hardest decisions we have to make –for ourselves as well as for a loved one.

Let us be clear, we are not talking about aging per se, but about disabilities that may strike us at any age but are often encountered in our later years.  As we all know, driving a car involves not only our personal safety but that of others.  It is a serious matter and worthy of careful consideration.

Giving up driving is usually a gradual process.  Many of us find that driving at night is difficult. The lights in back of us, as well as those facing us, are distracting.  So night driving is often the first thing we decide to forgo.  Many of us are comfortable driving about our own town – to the market, to church, to a friend’s home.  But we do not feel confident driving out of town, so we surrender that task to others.  How to tell when it is time for us to give up driving altogether?  Or that the time has come to take the keys from our loved one?

The fender-benders and parking mishaps are clues that all is not well.  Of course, we can make excuses but something basic is happening and we ignore these incidents at our peril.

Before the accident happens a good place to start is with your long-time physician   He (or she) can be dispassionate about the situation, knowing the factors that contribute to accidents.   Do we suffer from diminished mobility, poor eyesight and/or hearing?  Can we react to dangers in sufficient time?   Hopefully he will not be moved by our excuses and alibis but will recommend the appropriate solution:  that we stop driving.

Does the physician know what alternatives for transportation exist?  Unlikely.  He may have heard of “Dial-a-Ride” but we do not have that program in Plumas County.   There are limited rides with the Senior Transportation ( Phone 283-3546 in Plumas County, 257-2113 in Lassen).  Besides the trips to and from the nutrition sites, there are some shopping stops.  Out-of-town doctors’ appointments can sometimes be arranged.   But let us look elsewhere.

If your spouse or elderly parents are the ones who must give up driving, you will want to assure them that you will be available to drive them; and if you, personally, can’t, that you will make arrangements for a responsible driver on a regular basis.   I emphasize responsible and regular basis because otherwise your loved ones will be bereft –a big part of their lives cut off.

From my own experience, I can tell you it is not an easy decision.  My husband had an enviable record of safe driving but there came a day when he made numerous errors in judgment.  It was obvious to me that he should no longer be driving.  So my son and I made ourselves available to do the driving.   It was often a bother and he was not happy with the arrangement but –imagining all the wrecks that were avoided- I have no regrets.

One more personal note:  I passed the driver’s written test on my 90^th birthday (in record time with only one error!)  I was given a 5 year renewal–much to my surprise.  Two and a half years later I am not driving and although I find it annoying and inconvenient I can live with it.

I am fortunate to live with my son who has agreed to take me wherever I need to go. But I know that such arrangements are not always the case.

So I advise you to have a plan if and when the time comes for you to give up the keys to your car.  Is there a friend, relative, or neighbor who will be willing to take you where and when you need a ride?   I believe a business arrangement is preferable.  Their time and their gas are worth paying for.   And you need not feel that you are taking advantage of anyone or become terribly indebted to them.  Giving up driving may seem like the end of the world, but believe me, you will survive and be the healthier for it!

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The decision to choose a reverse mortgage is a big one and one that should come with careful consideration. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) offers  help for older adults who wish to examine their home equity options in an effort to stay at home.

A reverse mortgage allows homeowners aged 62+ to convert a portion of their home equity into cash while they continue to live at home for as long as they want and are able. In order to apply for a reverse mortgage, applicants must first get counseling from a government-approved agency. The National Council on Aging’s Reverse Mortgage Counseling Services Network is one of four national counseling organizations approved by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development.

Their counselors are exam-qualified aging services professionals who can help individuals:
* Evaluate the pros and cons of a reverse mortgage for your situation.
* Apply for public and private benefits that can help you pay for needs like home energy, meals, and medications.
* Find services in your community that can help you stay independent longer.

To schedule a counseling session, call NCOA toll-free (800) 510-0301. There is no fee unless you choose to apply for a reverse mortgage. The NCOA also waives the $125 counseling fee for older adults who:
* Are facing financial challenges such as foreclosure.
* Have modest incomes — under $20,000 for single homeowners and under $30,000 for couples.

The NCOA also offers a free booklet you can download outlining the pros and cons of reverse mortgages on their website at www.ncoa.org where a wealth of information for senior citizens on a variety of subjects can be found.

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Ever had the impulse to say “What a great idea!  Glad somebody thought of that!”  Well, that was exactly what I said when I learned about HICAP.  The initials describe what it does – Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program.

MediCare, MediCal, Medicaid, Medi-gap, Medicare  supplement , Medicare Advantage–these are not words we learned in school.  And that is where HICAP comes in.  Its sole purpose is to  help seniors  cope with the complicated and confusing world of health care insurance.  HICAP has no axe to grind, it is non-partisan and non-political.  And best of all – it is free!  In Plumas County the toll free number is 1-800-434-0828. In Lassen County call 530-223-0999. In Sierra County call 1-800-434-0222.

HICAP holds regular informational meetings but you do not have to wait for one.  If you have a question call the toll free number.  When you call HICAP you will be referred to someone who can answer your question –or, if you like, will set up an appointment with a HICAP volunteer who will sit down with you and explore your various options.

HICAP  volunteers not only know the basics, they are always up to date on any changes which have been made.  These men and women are adept at searching the internet,  They can compare insurance policies — what they will cover and what they won’t cover, as well as their premiums.  They can show you which drug companies  operate in our area and which pharmaceuticals they cover.  HICAP can help you determine if your income qualifies you for help toward your Part B deductible  (2009 legislation  added $562.5 million to the program.)

Are you one of those seniors who have health care coverage through retirement?  In most cases this is better than purchasing a plan  as an individual.  But you still may have  questions which HICAP will be happy to answer.

When it comes to drug plans you are entering an area that is extremely complicated.  Not only are there different companies but each company may offer an array of different plans, a different list of which prescription drugs it covers, with varying prices and varying co-pays. HICAP has helped many seniors get the drugs their doctor thinks best for them, when earlier denied.

Perhaps you are one of the healthy seniors who has no need for a drug plan at this time.  But there is a penalty for those who do not opt for a drug plan when they are eligible to do so –HICAP can point out your options.

HICAP is especially valuable for those seniors who are thinking about assisted living facilities or long-term care.   HICAP not only has a list of facilities in our area, the volunteer can show you their costs,  their state rating, what complaints, if any, have been made against them .

HICAP is dedicated to fighting fraud and abuse and has won court cases where seniors have been over-charged  or charged for services they did not receive.  But we as consumers have responsibility, too.  We need to be alert in protecting ourselves.  Keeping a record of all our medical appointments makes it easy to check all bills as to the dates and procedures listed.   Hopefully, we have asked all providers for their fees ahead of time, so we will not be surprised when we get the bills!

HICAP offers the following advise:  Don’t give out personal information to marketing representatives.  Don’t give out your Social Security/ Medicare Number over the phone. Insurance agents are prohibited from calling before 8: 00 A.M. or after 9:00 P.M.  If you get repeated unsolicited calls from an agent you can tell him that he will be reported for using improper methods.  Do not pay an agent to find the wheelchair, bath chair or commode you or your loved one may need.  Such items are handled by certified suppliers of durable medical equipment and may be reached directly.

There’s more to HICAP than I can cover in this space so I urge you to keep those numbers handy and call them when you have a question.

Nancy Lund is the Chair of the Plumas County Commission on Aging.
She represented this area in the California Senior Legislature from 1984 to 92 and served on the California State Legislative Committee of the AARP.

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The mission of the Enloe Volunteer Musician Program is to serve Enloe Medical Center through the service of trained volunteer musicians who provide live music at the hospital. Training includes the general volunteer orientation as well as training specific to this very special placement. The program is part of Enloe’s Planetree approach to offering patient-centered care in a healing environment. Planetree is an internationally recognized not-for-profit organization that connects hospitals with tools and ideas for demystifying and personalizing the health care experience for patients.

The Volunteer Musician Program is one of several ways that Enloe has enhanced the hospital experience with music. Others include partnerships with Chico Performances and the Chico State Music Department as well as a new music system that pipes in relaxing, recorded music through areas of the medical center.

For more information, visit http://www.enloe.org.

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Sources: USDA Department of Health and Human Services, Oregon Donor Awareness www.organdonorawareness.org

Publish printable donor card if recommended. CALL FIRST FOR OK!!!
888-275-4772 EASTERN TIME

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If you’ve been thinking about your current weight, it may be because you’ve noticed a change in how your clothes fit. Or maybe you’ve been told by a health care professional that you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol and that excessive weight could be a contributing factor. The first step is to assess whether or not your current weight is healthy.

One way to begin to determine whether your weight is a healthy one is to calculate your “body mass index” (BMI). For most people, BMI is a reliable indicator of body fatness. It is calculated based on your height and weight.

To calculate your BMI, see the BMI Calculator. Or determine your BMI by finding your height and weight in this BMI Index Chart or visit their website for an online calculator.

* If your BMI is less than 18.5, it falls within the “underweight” range.
* If your BMI is 18.5 to 24.9, it falls within the “normal” or Healthy Weight range.
* If your BMI is 25.0 to 29.9, it falls within the “overweight” range.
* If your BMI is 30.0 or higher, it falls within the “obese” range.

“Underweight”, “normal”, “overweight”, and “obese” are all labels for ranges of weight. Obese and overweight describe ranges of weight that are greater than what is considered healthy for a given height, while underweight describes a weight that is lower than what is considered healthy. If your BMI falls outside of the “normal” or Healthy Weight range, you may want to talk to your doctor or health care provider about how you might achieve a healthier body weight. Obesity and overweight have been shown to increase the likelihood of certain diseases and other health problems.

At an individual level, BMI can be used as a screening tool but is not diagnostic of the body fatness or health of an individual. A trained healthcare provider should perform appropriate health assessments in order to evaluate an individual’s health status and risks.

Courtesy USDA Center for Disease Control. For more information visit their website: /www.cdc.gov/healthyweight

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Naturally, if you have long-term-care insurance, this is the time to access it. These policies vary greatly in their usefulness and application. If you encounter problems, call the California Insurance Dept. (1-800-927-4357), or consult an elder-care lawyer.

Meanwhile, here are some immediate suggestions: contact the Senior Lunch and Transportation programs in your area. (283-3546 in Plumas County, 257-6670 in Lassen County) The lunch program is a real life-saver for many frail elders. No shopping, cooking or washing up! Plus, a well-balanced meal in the company of your peers can make a difference for both the caregiver and the ailing spouse. No longer driving? Transportation to the lunch program is available. Home-delivered meals are the ticket for both spouses when one is house-bound. Persons aged 60 and over are eligible for meals and transportation. There are suggested donations for these services: $2.50 for lunch, $1.50 for round-trip to the Nutrition Site.

Plumas, Lassen and Modoc counties are currently investigating means of providing transportation for medical appointments. At this time, there is very limited transportation to medical appointments (Call 283-3546 in Plumas County, 257-2113 in Lassen County).

The Veteran’s Offices offer some transportation for medical appointments (283-6275 in Plumas county, 251-8912 in Lassen county). While in touch with the VA, you may look into another program they administer—“Aid and Attendance.” This is a program to provide war-time veterans and surviving spouses with help toward expenses.

Next, I want to emphasize how important it is to work with your physician to access services that exist but that he or she may not suggest. For instance, you may ask if physical therapy (invaluable in restoring and/or maintaining mobility) is appropriate. Ask also about “Home Care,” a Medicare covered service which can only be accessed on order by your physician. Under Home Care, a specialist will come to the home and evaluate what is needed. Do you need a walker and a chair for the bath/shower? Will a commode that sits over the toilet provide you with the hand-holds you need? Does the bed need to be raised so it is easier to get in and out? Some of this is paid for by Medicare and some is not.

Under home care, there are a limited number of visits by a nurse to monitor your “vitals”, take blood for lab testing, and help with bathing. This can be essential while you explore other resources.

Respite care can make the difference between being overwhelmed with stress and fatigue or your ability to function! Respite care is designed to give the care-giving spouse a regular break so he/she can take a nap, go shopping, or go for a walk. (In Plumas County call 898-6637, in Lassen call 229-0878)

Plumas Rural Services (283-3611) has two programs which can be helpful: Respite Care and Community Connections. The respite program has a list of providers and operates on a sliding scale based on your ability to pay. Community Connections is a network of volunteers who do a variety of household tasks in exchange for “credit” later, when they may need it

IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services) is a federal, state program that provides non-medical services (house-keeping) for low-income seniors. (283-6350 in Plumas County, 251-8128 in Lassen County). Unfortunately, because of California’s budget woes, eligibility for IHSS is projected to be severely cut this year.

Finding reliable housekeeping workers is not easy, but they are out there. Run an ad in the local paper and don’t overlook the possibility that your neighbors, your church or people in your social club may know of someone who is looking for work and whom they can recommend.

Most of us are proud of our independence and are reluctant to ask for help. We may even feel that in some way we are at fault—that we should be able to cope. Let me assure you; you are not alone. The first step is to ask! There are many caring people around; people who — like you — want to stay in this beautiful, peaceful area. Just ask! You will be surprised!

Nancy Lund is the Chair of the Plumas County Commission on Aging. She is a former California State Senior Senator and served on the AARP State Legislative Committee. nedlund5@frontiernet.net

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Source: USDA Center for Disease Control.

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In Chester, Quincy and Susanville, you will find the most amazing volunteer organization called Hospice. It is the mission of this group to give end-of-life aid and support to terminal patients and their families. Like me, you may have wondered how this name came about? In Europe, during medieval times, hospices were way stations where those traveling could receive care and shelter when needed. Today, this concept has been extended to those who are close to the end of their lives. We now celebrate Hospice month each November.

These trained volunteer groups offer unique health care in the form of coordinating practical, psychological, social, and spiritual support for individuals and families. In this way, patients can live out the rest of their lives in the environment of their choice.

I was pleased to be able to speak to Doreene Wood, the administrative Coordinator of Plumas Community Hospice in Quincy who gave me a little deeper insight into what volunteering for Hospice means. All the local Hospices train those who wish to help in any way. After the training, volunteers who choose to work with patients are matched to specific patients and families. They journey with the patient in whatever way is needed. You might call them, “trained friends”. They can run errands, drive the patient to the doctor, offer respite care for the family caregivers, act as a sounding board for concerns of the patient and family, coordinate health care from the patient’s doctors and caretakers, and support the patient and family through the dying process. Hospice is not a religious organization and volunteers serve everyone, no matter what their belief system. They are very special, caring people.

Those volunteers, who choose not to work with patients, help support the organization in many other ways. Right now, for example, the Plumas Community Hospice is looking for people with computer skills. Other ways to help include being on the board of directors, being a patient care coordinator, helping at the thrift store or at fundraising events. In Quincy, Dr. Jeff Kapple, from North Fork Family Medical supports Hospice with concerts in the Town Hall Theater where he plays guitar and promotes the talent of local youth including his three daughters who sing with him. This year’s concert will take place on November 8 with all proceeds going to Plumas Community Hospice. This Hospice serves the Quincy, Crescent Mills, Greenville, Bucks Lake, Greenhorn Creek area and Feather River Canyon. You can reach them at 394-7228.

Sierra Hospice serves the Chester, Westwood, Clear Creek and Lake Almanor Basin and surrounding areas. This group offers many other services besides patient care. The Forget-Me-Not Thrift Store not only serves the community with high quality used goods, but also supports Hospice financially. Other services include Camp Hug, a free bereavement camp for ages 8-18, and Camp Big Hug for those 18 and older which is held at Camp Ronald McDonald at Eagle Lake. They also offer a 6 week free cancer support group led by volunteers who are either cancer survivors or in the health services.

Karron White, the director of Sierra Hospice can be contacted at the office at 150 Brentwood Dr. in Chester or by calling 258-3412. Or you can view information on their great website at www.sierrahospice.com.

Honey Lake Hospice in Susanville offers many of the same services as Sierra Hospice. Historically they have trained with Sierra Hospice beginning in 2004. Training will again take place in the spring of 2010 and will be announced in the newspapers. Their coordinator, Andria Cuypers noted that they work closely with the patient’s physicians and with Quincy Home Medical Services in caring for patients. This Hospice serves Susanville, Janesville, Milford, Herlong, Doyle and the Eaagle Lake area. Honey Lake Hospice is located at 2930 Riverside Dr. Susanville or call 257-3137.

Special Fundraisers

All of these Hospices have fundraisers to help support their program. One of Sierra Hospice’s projects is a special dinner and auction event. This year thanks to very generous contributors from both the art community, who donated art, and from those who gave generously to purchase the same, Art From the Heart netted over $10,000 to help Sierra Hospice continue their most important service to the community.

Each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, a tree lighting ceremony is held at Wildwood in Chester which commemorates loved ones who have died. Lights may be bought at Plumas Bank in honor of these people and cost $10 per light or 3 lights for 3 different people at $25. This year’s ceremony begins at 6 pm and includes the reading of names which are also printed in a book, a candle-lighting ceremony in their memory, beautiful music including a special solo, and homemade refreshments.

Honey Lake Hospice also has two main fundraisers. They have an afternoon tea in the spring and a tree lighting ceremony the weekend before Thanksgiving. At Eagle Lake Village, an assisted living community on Paul Bunyan Road, Honey Lake Hospice has planted a tree which is decorated with dye cut doves in memory of loved ones who have died. These doves sell for $10 each while a perpetual acrylic dove is available for $100. These doves may be purchased at either Margie’s Booknook or Plumas Bank in Susanville.

All three Hospices offer a tremendous service to their respective communities. Part of hospice care includes bereavement services. These Hospices have libraries of books and videos about specific diseases or death and dying issues, brochures and handouts. Hospice volunteers are available for bereavement and grief counseling, either one-on-one or through workshops, and are also available for sudden death intervention.

To be eligible for Hospice, a patient must be in the final stages of a terminal illness, be a patient of a primary physician, have a caretaker available for ongoing care in the home, and live in the service area of the Hospice. All three Hospices are listed in the Yellow Pages of your phone book under Hospices.

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As my husband and I watched our youngest boy drive away that 4^th of July morning, the Jeep Wrangler loaded to capacity, it was a bitter sweet feeling. It was exciting, but at the same time fear and worry took over my thoughts as I struggled to hold back tears. Soon the jeep was out of sight, with my little boy at the wheel, driving himself to college in Colorado.

The “empty nest” syndrome is a very real psychological condition not to be taken lightly. It refers to the feelings of depression, sadness and grief that parents experience when their children leave home for college or to get married. It most often affects the mother and can likely come at a time when women are also going through other life changes, such as menopause or caring for their own elderly parents.

It is very normal and natural to feel sad when your last child moves out and there is no longer that need for day to day care. It’s also natural to want to have a good cry over it, so don’t be ashamed of those feelings. Experts say it is important to monitor your feelings and reactions however, don’t hesitate to seek counseling or professional help if your sadness overwhelms you. Severe symptoms include excessive crying, feeling like your useful life has ended and/or no longer wanting to go to work, go shopping or even being with friends.

Netdoctor recommends these helpful tips to ease this time of transition for empty-nesters:

Keep in contact with your child – schedule weekly phone chats

Email your son or daughter with current happenings at home

Mail your child small “care packages” with grocery items or house wares for their new place

With the extra time and energy now, take up a hobby or spend it on leisure activities or even a career

Lean on your friends for their support, especially those that have been through this empty nest syndrome

If you’re a parent facing the empty nest syndrome, you will get through it. It was a long six months before we met our son at the airport to bring him home for Christmas. The tall young man who came running up to hug me is still my little boy, but an adult as well.

At this time of adjustment you and your spouse may have totally different ideas on how to spend your time or how to use that extra space in your home. Communication and compromise is the key. If finances allow, take a trip – just the two of you and rest, relax and enjoy!

Sources: MedicineNet, provided by Psychology Today

Netdoctor

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We should all take time now and then to thank the special seniors in our lives for all the timeless traditions we so often take for granted. Myths and legends, tall tales and lullabies, nursery rhymes, secret recipes and core family values are all slowly woven into the fabric of our children’s lives with threads left trailing behind from our ancestors of long ago. My great great granddaughter, whom I will most likely never meet, might just bake my German Chocolate Cake someday, if I take time to teach my granddaughter to make it when she visits next summer.

My own grandfather was certainly one of my heroes and most profound teachers. He was a very gifted poet who always inspired and encouraged me, and all his own children, to write. Not just to write but to open our souls on the paper so our work would be gripping, naked and true. Go real or go home was his basic, though sometimes abrasive, outlook on the world. I guess I also owe him some thanks for pulling my once young head out of the clouds. I was fascinated by this little old man that seemed to know how to do and fix everything. My own children later looked at my own father with admiring eyes and spent many a summer afternoon weaving their threads into the tapestry of knowledge with Grandpa. Those are moments we all treasure and the ones that matter most in the end, for it is what we share of ourselves that survives for generations.

If you wonder what it was like back in the days before television and video games, ask your grandfather. If your grandson can’t see past the end of the latest gadget attached to his head or hands, take him outside to toss the ball around and share some tales from back in those days. Maybe even take him fishing or teach him the difference between cricket songs and croaking frogs on a warm autumn evening; you know, the things that were sewn into our tapestry by older relatives like that vanishing parental command “Go outside and play”. Wonder to yourself now and then just what may be lost if YOU fail to share it. Spin the threads you will leave trailing with mindful intent. Share your treasured songs, memories and traditions with all those you love. They will shine for generations in your special family tapestry of knowledge.

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By Melissa Wynn

In this new millennium, the Senior Community is a much more health conscientious and active crowd than their grandparents were. Sixty-five is the new forty-five and 100th birthdays are common these days. Today’s senior citizen is on the move and often driving in the fast lane trying to catch that little old lady from Pasadena.

California Department of Motor Vehicles reports that by 2030 one in five drivers will be 65 or over. Today in California more than 5.5 million drivers are over 55 and over 2.5 million are over 70. Granny is cruisin’ the strip and still quite able to do so. Unfortunately, the natural effects of aging eventually catch up to us, and sometimes force some changes in our driving habits. Contrary to what many believe, there is no special age set by law or the DMV that requires one to report to DMV and prove they are still “spry” enough to drive. Anyone can be summoned for reexamination to keep their driving privileges but age alone is not among those reasons. California DMV wants everyone to enjoy driving for as long as we are safely able. Medical complications such as vision issues, side effects of medication, arthritis and diabetes are a few reasons that the mature may start to drive differently. Self monitoring is the best way to keep driving safely for a good long time. Know your limitations and work around them. You know best if night driving has become a challenge or if that right knee is just getting too stiff to hit the brake quickly in an emergency. Better to keep ourselves in check than to hear the dreaded speech from our children or family doctor.

Even with physical limitations, DMV makes allowances to keep you on the road. Although there may be restrictions, if you are certain your ability to drive is still intact, the California DMV will work with you to fill your driving needs. Next time your license is due for renewal there are a few things you can do to be as ready as you can be. A visit to your eye doctor for an eye exam will let you know if new glasses are in order before DMV lets you know. It also can’t hurt to read the latest drivers’ handbook in case a written exam is needed for your renewal. Making an appointment by calling the number below can save you a long wait in a long line. I think the wait might just be the worst part. If you’re afraid that your driving skills may be a bit rusty, there are several Mature Driver Improvement Programs available to help you brush up before the big day. More information on these programs and a self assessment quiz are available online at www.dmv.ca.gov. You can also obtain senior driving information by mail by calling California Department of Motor Vehicles at 1-800-921-1117. Keep Cruisin’ safely Mountain Valley seniors; those Sierra Mountain roads are gorgeous this time of year and you don’t want to miss a thing.

Facts and stats courtesy of www.dmv.ca.gov

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AGING IN PLACE

Aging in place is a beautiful concept– and for many of us, aging here in Plumas and Lassen counties is our choice. We are enthralled by the air, the water, the relaxed pace. This is where we plan our retirement; we weatherize the cottage where we have spent so many happy summers, or we find the ideal spot to build our retirement dream home.

We are all set, living in these mountain valleys — and then the unexpected happens. One of us suffers a stroke, or comes down with a debilitating illness. Have we a plan that covers that eventuality? Perhaps we are not the ones facing this crisis but it is our elderly parents, or other family members. While they may be living independently today, we wonder if they are prepared for the time when one of the couple may require more care than the other can provide.

Twenty years ago a doctor would advise a couple to get a divorce! The cost of nursing home care would eat up all the couple’s assets, even their home. That was because then – and still true today – Medicare does not pay for long-term nursing home care. It is classified as “custodial” not “medical” care.

Today, under California and Federal Medicaid law, there is a way for the ailing spouse to get the care he (or she) needs, while the spouse at home is protected from losing everything. But it is not automatic. It is accomplished by legally dividing the couple’s assets. The ailing spouse becomes eligible for MediCal, which does cover nursing home care, while the spouse at home keeps the house, one car, a monthly stipend of up to $2739 and savings in the amount of $109, 560.

This protection is neither automatic nor simple. Even for a couple with minimum assets and income based on Social Security and a pension, it is a time-consuming process. For them, the county’s Social Services Department can provide the necessary forms, and in most cases, guidance through the process. If there are obstacles, help may be available for PLUMAS COUNTY seniors through Legal Services of California (1-800-822-0109 ) and in LASSEN COUNTY through Legal Services of Northern California (1-800-822-9687).

For couples with more complicated finances, an appointment with a lawyer, trained in “elder law” is advisable. A word of warning : “estate planning services” – coming from highly publicized, out-of-town outfits that offer seminars followed by individual consultations – are of doubtful value. For example, couples have been told that setting up a “trust” will protect them from a MediCal claim on their home. Not true. Far better to schedule an appointment with a local lawyer, trained in estate planning/elder law issues, who will be there later if issues arise.

What about alternatives to nursing home placement? For my next column I will discuss what is currently available and what to look for in the future, Happy retirement!

Nancy Lund is Chair of the Plumas County Commission on Aging. She is a former California State Senior Senator and served on the California State AARP Legislative Committee. Nedlund5@frontiernet.net. Plumas County Senior Adviser : 283-0809

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“Everybody needs beauty as well as
bread, places to play in and pray in,
where nature may heal and give strength
to body and soul.” John Muir

Michael Muir, great grandson of John Muir has lived with multiple sclerosis since he was 15 years old. Refusing to be daunted by the relentless course of his disease, Muir believes in challenging the limits of disability. In 2001, he led an international team of people with disabilities, driving wheelchair accessible, horse drawn carriages on a 3,000 mile, ten-month journey across America to Washington DC. The extraordinary experiences of that journey have led to the founding of the non profit group ACCESS ADVENTURE.

The group enriches the lives of people with disabilities and under-served youth by providing outdoor recreation, environmental education and open space access, using unique wheelchair accessible, horse drawn carriages.

Muir brought his group with volunteers to Lassen county in June. The clip clop of horse’s hooves blended with laughter as 45 campers from Camp Ronald McDonald were taken on wagon rides through the pine scented forest near Eagle Lake. Two carriages, one an Amish built Thorn lea carriage with a solar/battery powered lift accommodated wheel chairs and seated riders. One part of the group’s program is to offer such multi-day accessible camping trips to remote, scenic locations throughout California.

While in Lassen County, Access Adventure volunteers enjoyed camping near Papoose Meadow for two days. Local author and historian Richard Surrill informed and entertained the group with stories and songs around the camp fire. They also enjoyed Goumaz Campground and two days of driving on the Bizz Johnson Trail. Negotiating the steep, narrow section of trail beneath the Highway 36 bridge provided a scene right out of the old west, as the able bodied riders walked up the hill to save the horses.

Michael Muir drives the team and provides inspiration for all. In 2001 he spent ten months on a carriage ride that took him to Washington D.C. His message, “Just because you are disabled your life doesn’t have to be over.” He is fond of saying, ” The worst disability is a bad attitude.” He shares his passion for horses and the outdoors with the disabled community and others fortunate enough to know him.

Other components of his program involve youth and disabled carriage driving training, a horse breeding program to supply stock for Access Adventure and raise funds for the non profit organization and outdoor education. Access Adventure has teamed with Solano Land Trust and has its headquarters on Grizzly Island Road near the Suisun Marsh at an historic stock and grain ranch.

Access Adventure events are free to people with disabilities or mobility challenges. Volunteers are welcome as are donations to the program. See the website’s special events calendar for 2009 for upcoming events and additional information at www.access-adventure.org.

Photos By Grayson Sorrels‏

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What’s that stuff about lazy summer days? Summer is all about having fun in the sun. You can keep it the best time ever by making it the safest time ever. Here are some tips to help your family have a fun and safe summer.

• Keep Hydrated. Playing or exercising outdoors in the summer can lead to heat stress or even to heat stroke, which can be fatal. You can reduce the intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more when the temperature and humidity are high.

• Talk to coaches of organized competitions and practice to ensure proper hydration and activity levels are understood and strictly enforced.

• Before prolonged activity, be sure you and your children are well-hydrated. Drink water every 20 minutes during activity. Wear light-colored, lightweight clothing.

• Know the Rules of the Road. Serious injuries from bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates and scooters are one of the main reasons for emergency department visits. Insist that your child wear a helmet and set a good example by always wearing one yourself. Insist on properly fitting wrist, elbow and kneepads. Use proper hand signals when turning or stopping.

BE SAFE IN THE WATER!

• Always supervise children in or near water.

• Learn to swim and be sure your children know how to swim.

• Inflatable swim aids should not be substituted for approved life vests.

• Stay within arm’s length of infants or toddlers in water.

• Children should always wear well-fitting life vests on boats or near water.

• Children should know how to put on a life vest.

• Always extinguish cigarettes and shut down motors, fans and heating devices before fueling a boat.

BE SAFE AROUND FIRE!

Like a Boy Scout, Be Prepared.

• Always use a flame-retardant tent and set up away from campfires.
• Use only flashlights or battery powered lanterns inside tents.
• Build campfires downwind of tents. Clear vegetation and dig a pit surrounded by stones for campfires.
• Use liquid fire starter, not gasoline, to start campfires. Store starter away from fire and tenet.

Teach your children these summer safety tips and enjoy the months of sunshine. If you do need Emergency Services, Banner Lassen Medical Center’s Emergency department is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in Susanville.

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As the baby boomers are entering their golden years, the number of households including both grandparents and teenagers is on the rise. Those of us in the middle of these two generations often find ourselves worried that the kids spend too much time with their video games and that our parents aren’t getting enough physical and mental stimulation. It turns out that the Nintendo Wii can broaden our horizons. Senior communities across the country are buying these interactive video games to host bowling, tennis and other tournaments, and they are having amazing turnouts. Even if your at home seniors are wheelchair bound, as long as they can work the t.v. remote sized paddle, they can bowl, play tennis, be in a boxing match, play golf or participate in a wide variety of other activities. It’s much more fun than routine physical therapy exercises and incorporating your teenager to help them get familiar with the new-fangled thing is a great way link the two generations on common ground. Nintendo Wii also has puzzles and fishing games that are great for mental stimulation and give the grandparents a forum where they can still participate in a favorite sport and really have some fun with teenagers and other family members.

There is such a wide spectrum of game choices it is very easy to select a game for everyone that will keep each individual interested and give everyone a chance to be the champ and shine. We have all heard that if you don’t use it you will lose it, and I can’t think of a better way to keep all the generations using their bodies and minds than to get together for some great fun everyone can enjoy. The game box costs around $250 and games run $35-$50. Both are available at most department stores and online. The family that plays together stays together so encourage your teenagers to teach their grandparents to Wii. Let’s fish with Grandpa in the living room and get Grandma bowling like she used to, while engaging our teens in their kind of play.

Source: www.aarp.org

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I sat in the waiting room at University of Washington Medical Center, absorbing long awaited rays of sunshine being warmly welcomed by Seattle’s normally sun-deprived residents. Several patients gathered for a pulmonary exercise class while others arrived for one on one care. One patient, Zachery Lysedt, strolled by in sort of a hanging apparatus, accompanied by two therapists, one before him and one behind him. He is doing his best to learn to walk again. As the therapist behind him guides his foot into a step, the one in front receives the foot enabling the whole process to begin again. He is slowly making his way around the waiting room and down the hall. It is easy to tell he is eager to try, and determined to become his old self again. He is already talking again, though his slow speech and heavy concentration shows his limited ability in that area.

His spirits are great and according to his mom; he has the drive and will to get better and he knows he can do it as these are simple feats he has performed all his life. It is now a matter of his brain not communicating with the rest of his body. His young age is an asset in his healing, his mom told me. Zachery is 16 years old.

He is what some may call the poster child for safer school sports and his message warns how vital it is for the schools to provide adequate medical staff at school sporting events, staff that can properly identify a concussion. It was just a few months into Zak’s eighth grade year and his first year (which would be his last) on the football team.

It was an ‘away game’ and his dad sat proudly in the stands. He soon made a tackle which would send his own head slamming to the ground. He was immediately pulled to the sidelines and examined by coaches and other school staff. He would sit out of the game for a short while until his offense and defense capabilities were needed by his team. He willingly sailed back into the game, soon taking more of the regular slams associated with the game of football. By the end of the game, it was evident that Zackery was more severely injured than had previously been noticed in the coaching staff’s earlier examination. Zackery’s brain had began bleeding but no one noticed until Zackery started losing his balance near the end of the game. When Zackery told his dad he was unable see him, the paramedics were called in.

Within hours Zackery would undergo brain surgery on one side of his brain to relieve the pressure of the blood which was filling his head. When the surgery was done, Zackery’s parents were notified that the surgery would now need to be performed on the other side of this brain too, as the swelling was increasing there. During that surgery, his brain moved over two centimeters, resulting in chaos when Zackery’s brain tried to communicate with the rest of his body. He was in a coma for 30 days. He was just 13 years old. The past three years has carried him across several hurdles of healing, with many more still before him.

The lesson for young athletes, parents and coaches: you don’t need to be “unconscious” for a concussion to be serious. Any of these symptoms – headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, memory loss, inability to concentrate – require a trip to the doctor before getting back in the game.

One of the biggest accomplishments since his traumatic accident is the introduction of a bill into the Washington State Senate which requires adequate medical services on site at all sporting events. His mom told me they were awaiting the governor’s signature on the bill. The bill is being backed by various sporting institutions including the Seattle Seahawks.

The brain is like a master computer for your child’s body. It controls thinking, learning, language and memory. A child’s ability to move, breathe, see, speak, hear and feel is also controlled by the brain because it sends signals to other parts of the body. It even affects a child’s emotions and personality. Protecting your child’s brain from an injury may be the most important thing that you can do as a parent. Brain injury is the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes; It is the leading cause of disability among those who survive. Brain injury is the most frequent cause of disability and death among children and adolescents in the United States. It also is vital that kids wear properly fitted helmets when riding bikes, scooters and skateboards.

Sources: Brain Injury Association of America, Zackery’s mom.

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Even adults and old friends avoid and ignore these sweet ladies, seemingly embarrassed to stop and say hello. So many of us choose to believe that illness and old age are good reasons to leave folks alone to enjoy “the quiet life.” On the contrary, if Grandma enjoyed a house full of children and loud music before her stroke or 90th birthday, chances are she still does. No one wants to feel like they have disappeared. I know my little ladies light up like Christmas when any small child says hello or flirts from behind a chair in the Dr. office. I also notice their sadness when someone they know passes by like they were invisible.

As the baby boomers enter their senior years, more families are choosing in-home care. Therefore the elderly will once again be a large part of the public crowds that we and our children encounter every day. Let’s help them bridge that generation gap. Talk to your children about the effects of aging, dementia and stroke. Encourage them to say hello and get their cheeks pinched by that little old lady in the Dr. office. They will learn that she is not to be feared and she will have a brighter day. If you have a family member in long term care, take the kids along for your next visit. The smiles they bring may be contagious to the entire facility. Also remember that the elderly are a fountain of knowledge and many have plenty of time to spin a tale for the youngsters. Let’s reunite our babies with our elders. Bridge the Generation Gap and everybody wins!

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Since the beginning, Hempel has been researching every thing she could find on her daughters’ disease and even solicited the help of scientists and even winners of the Nobel prize have taken the time to assist this woman in her cause. From private research to pleading with drug companies and trying to buck the system, one mom has proven that the medical world has some serious set backs. The major problem for this mom was the bureaucratic nonsense that follows research teams. She found no balance and check system in place for research surrounding new drugs being tested by scientists for separate causes. It seems one hand never knew what the other was doing. She made an amazing discovery.

Her research has led her to a sugar based compound, Cyclodextrin, which has extended the lives of mice affected by NP-C, the very disease that was stealing her children away. These findings sent her searching even harder until her search led her to the work of Dr. James Hildreth, a noted HIV/AIDS researcher who was also working with Cyclodextrin. Hildreth believes that the protein responsible for NP-C disease also plays an important role in HIV/AIDS. His previously published work showed the compound appeared to inactivate the HIV virus and prevent it from replicating. He wants to distribute a vaginal cream (at about 10 cents a dose) that could be used during labor and delivery. He believes this process could wipe out the spread of AIDS in Africa.

After meeting with Hildreth, Hempel contacted the National Institute of Health’s AIDS research department to tell them about Hildreth’s findings, a call Hildreth said a scientist would not have made. A mom, however, did make that ever so important phone call. Who would have ever thought a low cost, non toxic, stunningly simple sugar compound made from starch may hold answers for those with (NP-C). This compound, found in toothpaste, salad dressing and butter, is really beginning to look like it could even hold answers to a cure for HIV/AIDS.

Hempel also arranged a meeting for Hildreth with two Nobel prize winning scientists interested in NP-C. With shared findings on Cyclodextrin, they presented their case to the FDA for the approval needed to inject the girls with the compound. In the end,, they were granted the approval needed to administer the drug on an experimental basis.

This mom is credited with the persistence, the common sense and the drive to bring scientific findings from different areas of research (uncommonly together) for a common cause. It is obvious to many that without her coordination, such findings may have never have been shared.

It was sadness in the eyes of two little local girls who happen to be the cousins of Addi and Cassi Hempel, that prompted a a story for the March, 2008 edition of Mountain Valley Living, one of the first in the media to publish the girls’ story. The writer added this note, evidently worth repeating:

1. This writer notes that miracles really do happen. Experts studying when and how they happen, see genuine concern, compassion and true faith, from common people, not necessarily just from those sitting in pews and behind pulpits. What if every Dad and Mom, Grandma and Grandpa who read this, tough and strong, weak and weary, every laborer, every executive, young and old, rich and poor, wise and foolish, all understanding and bearing the same compassion for this family; what if we all said that prayer with true faith, remembering of course, that Miracles Happen Every Day! ….thanks

Since MVL ran the initial story last March on this rare diagnosis, the family has appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America, several news programs and The Doctors, a division of Dr. Phil’s nationally aired programs. They made the cover of The Scientist magazine and have been featured in other national media who seem to be keeping an eye on this mom’s moves. We asked for your prayers and good wishes then and thank you now as we have to believe your thousands of prayers have helped move the cause. Again, more that ever, these girls can use some more prayers and this time with thanks for what has taken place so far.

When we checked back with Mom’s blog after only a few injections, she felt she had seen improvement, as the girls were once again putting sets of words together to form statements, a feat they had not been able to perform for some time.

You can find out more about this research and leave wishes for the twins at addiandcassi.com.
Sources: Wall Street Journal, KTVU Channel 2 SF/Oakland,
addiandcassi.com, photo by Dad, Hugh Hempel

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Here’s something to contemplate over your morning fruit juice. A few years back, doctors discovered the “grapefruit effect”—the fact that drinking grapefruit juice affects the way certain blood pressure medications work. Doctors have since found that more than 40 different medications can have their effects magnified by grapefruit juice.

Now, the story has gotten a bit more complicated. Orange juice and apple juice could also interfere with some medications. And depending on the drug you’re taking, the effects of your treatment could be either be blocked or boosted. This could stop the drug from helping you, or put you at risk of an overdose.

In a new study, researchers looked at healthy volunteers who took a drug called fexofenadine. It’s an antihistamine, used to treat allergies.

Some people took the allergy pills with water, and others drank grapefruit, apple or orange juice. The juices stopped people absorbing the drug properly, meaning they got about half the dose they should have done. Grapefruit juice seemed to have the strongest effect.

Drugs that can react with orange, apple or grapefruit juice include some antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs and beta-blockers. According to the researchers, if you’re taking medications and want to drink these juices, you need to leave a gap of four hours either side of taking your pills. So if you take your pills first thing in the morning, you might want to save your breakfast glass of orange juice for lunchtime.

Here are some other things to watch for if you’re taking prescription medications.

1) Cranberry juice can increase the effects of a blood thinner called warfarin (brand name Coumadin). This could cause dangerous bleeding.

2) A group of drugs for weak bones, called bisphosphonates, need to be taken with plenty of water while standing or sitting upright. You can’t eat anything for half an hour after taking the pills.

3) Some drugs have pretty complicated instructions. People taking MAOIs, a type of antidepressant, need to avoid several foods, including cheese, processed meats and soy products.

If you’re ever unsure about how to take medications safely, consult your doctor or pharmacist .

Compliments of Consumer Reports Health.org and Philip Wilson, patient editor, BMJ Group

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On some occasions, living in the mountains makes things a bit more difficult than living in the big city. One of these occasions may be getting to specialist appointments when someone discovers they have cancer. Another is finding a support system, both medical and psychosocial, that will help bring about healing. It is often much easier to find what we need in larger population areas.
Having spent time in Chico receiving cancer treatments, I found that there were many opportunities for support close by. I was able to attend a writer’s group that dealt with cancer concerns, an acupuncture clinic just for cancer patients, and a meeting that helped me deal with skin concerns due to medications. I also noted that there were active support group meetings for cancer patients. All of these activities took place at the Enloe Cancer Center. If you are in need of support and have plans to stay in Chico for any length of time, you might search these out on the internet at www.enloe.org. Or you may call the Cancer Support Center, 265 Cohasset Road, Chico, CA (530)332-3808. Information on housing is also available through Cancer Connections.
In the Almanor Basin, there is a cancer support group available in Chester sponsored by Sierra Hospice. It meets in the Educational Building Conference room near Seneca Healthcare District, 150 Brentwood Dr. Chester, on the second and fourth Thursdays from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Participants often bring their lunches and eat during the latter part of the meeting.
There are similar support groups in many areas and research evidence shows that survival rates increase in those who attend support groups. A cancer support group also offers a setting where the newly diagnosed, those being currently treated, and those who are in remission can meet together and talk about their experiences, struggles, joys, and healing. It offers a place where everyone present understands each other’s situation. It offers a place where cancer patients and survivors can learn more about their healing and return to wellness or where others receive support in their dying process.
The Chester group begins each meeting with a check in. New members, who can join the group at any time, are introduced and given time to share their stories. We all check in by letting others know what life has been like since the last meeting. If there is a new member, the rest of us quickly re-share our diagnosis in order to help the new member become an immediate part of the group.
Then we create a sharing circle and discuss a specific topic that relates to all of us. Such topics include how cancer has affected each of our lives and the lives of our family members, our coping techniques, and our various support systems that are part of our healing, including family, friends, medical and spiritual support systems. We explore complementary and alternative medical techniques, and we take a close look at emotions that can arise in this cancer journey and how to deal with them.
During circle time, each member has a chance to talk uninterrupted. Afterwards, we talk with each other as we eat lunch, have some coffee or tea, and relax. Books and other informational items are sometimes shared and discussed. Access to the Hospice library of books is available to participants.
Members come and go depending on their family plans, health, and work agendas. Newly diagnosed members will find support for the weeks ahead. Survivors have so much to give to others going through their therapies. All are welcome.
This group recently received a note from one of its members who left for the winter. It reads: “I am a recent cancer survivor and still have some side effects that I am dealing with. I joined this group with the idea that I could encourage others. To my surprise, I have found so much support and information on emotional feelings that I didn’t even know I had. So if you want: (1) mental and physical support, (2) to learn more about cancer, treatment and side effects, (3) find what you can do to help yourself, and (4) make new friends, come join us. You will love it!”
For more information call: Jan Cox 256-2119 or Janis Davies 310-1956 (facilitators). You may also receive information from www.sierrahospice.com.
Hospice is a nationwide organization with chapters throughout many locations. Check your local phone directory for Hospice care near you. On line, find them at www.HospiceCare.com.
You can also stop by Banner Lassen Medical Center in Susanville or your local hospital for literature and information on cancer support services in your area.

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By Eileen Majors

About three years ago, I followed the lead of Montel Williams along with the rest of the watching country and registered. I was promised two years of privacy from telemarketers and it proved to be a wise move. A year ago, things changed even more for telemarketers. due to the Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007, which became law in February 2008. Now your registration will not expire. Federal law provides privacy from telemarketers in the National Do Not Call Registry provided by the California Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission. Telephone numbers placed on the National Do Not Call Registry will remain on it permanently and you can register (or unregister if you change your mind) for free on line or on the phone, easily.

You can register by phone at 1-888-382-1222 or on line at https://www.donotcall.gov.

Most telemarketers should not call your number once it has been on the registry for 31 days. If they do, you can file a complaint at the same website or phone number used to register. This process looked about as simple as registration was. If it comes down to filing a complaint, you will need the date the company called you (which must be at least 31 days after you completed your registration). You will also need the name or phone number of the company. (I can’t wait to use this on a particular company offering warranties that calls me every day on 2 out of 3 phone lines!)

The registration process on line allows you to enter up to three phone numbers and your email address. You then simply click Submit, check for errors and click Register. All that’s left then is to check your email for a message from Register@donotcall.gov. Open the email and click on the link to complete your registration.

I was able to register my cell phone, and two land lines very quickly. If you register any telephone numbers that you share with others, they will remind you that you are registering for everyone who uses these lines. For more information, visit https://www.donotcall.gov.

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Upward Bound Coordinator

Feather River College

Here in the Sierras wind blows in the month of December causing the tree tops to sway and dance. The sting of cold air chills the hands and face; however, it is the lights of the season that warm my heart and soul. December is also the month of three major celebrations. Perhaps it is also the perfect time to introduce your children to celebrations from other cultures.

Only you will be able to balance instruction about other cultures and faiths with why your family has chosen to keep certain traditions in your home, including your family’s faith. One simple way to introduce your children to other cultures is to begin with different celebrations. As a parent, one could focus, first, on how another culture’s celebration may be similar to one your family celebrates. One similarity in these celebrations is the use of candles.

Hanukkah (also spelled-Chanukkah) is the first celebration of light in December. It is a holiday which is based on a lunar calendar and therefore moves. This year it begins during the evening of Sunday, December 21. One book I like, which can be used with elementary aged children, is A Hanukkah Treasury edited, by Eric Kimmel and illustrated by Emily Lisker.

While Hanukkah is probably the best known Jewish holiday, it is not one of their holiest days. It honors a revolution led in part by Judah Maccabee and the rededication of the Temple, which in turn led to the miracle of one night’s oil lasting for eight nights. The religious observance related to the holiday is the lighting of candles.

The candles are arranged in a candelabrum called a menorah, or sometimes called a chanukkia. It holds nine candles; one for each night plus a shammus (servant) at a different height. On the first night one candle is placed at the far right. The shammus candle is lit and three berakhot (blessings) are recited: l’hadlik neir, a general prayer over candles; she-asah nisim, a prayer thanking God for performing miracles for our ancestors at this time; and she-hekhianu, a general prayer thanking God for allowing us to reach this time of year. (www.jewfaq.com) This website also has other information to begin a discussion with more mature students. There are more traditions to this holiday, including fried food, my favorite are latkes, small gifts of coin called gelt, and a game of chance played with the driedel.

The next celebration of light is December 25, Christmas. While reading The Book of Christmas Folklore, by Tristram Coffin, I found useful definitions for the three types of Christmas I tend to see: Christ-mass, which is spiritual and festive; Christ-tide, which is simply spiritual; and Yuletide, which is merry and unconcerned with the religious aspects of the season. As much as I love Christmas, I learned a lot of history of the season and would highly recommend this book for any high school student.

December 25 was the date fixed “circa 320 A.D.” as the birth of Jesus Christ, known to Christians as the Son of God. Among the pagan cultures Rome conquered, the days around the winter solstice often held special significance. Local customs were used by Catholic fathers to help convert locals to Christianity.

One of the oldest customs of Christmas is the Yule log, yet few families I know of practice this custom. The log had to come from one’s own land or your neighbor’s for luck. While it burned the family would retell tales of olden times. More recently city dwelling families adopted a tree decorated with lights and sparkles. Legend says St. Boniface had dedicated a fir tree to the Christ child in an effort to counter Odin’s sacred oak. Candles and lights have been associated with “the Light of the World” since the medieval church. People carry candles to midnight mass, fires are still burned on the mountains slopes of the Alps and their smoke take ‘flight for heaven,” and in Ireland a candle was placed in the window in hopes a priest could visit them during the times of persecution to perform mass. Some of my favorite books of the season include Littlest Angel, and Christmas in the Barn, A book with a moral for the season is An Orange for Frankie.

Kwanzaa is the third and newest celebration of light in December. It is an American cultural festival, inspired by African traditions. According to Seven Candles for Kwanzaa, by Andrea Pinkey with pictures by Brian Pinkey it is not intended to be a religious holiday, nor a substitute for one. It was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga Ph.D. of Black Studies at CSU Long Beach.

The festival begins on December 26 and ends on January 1. Kwanza is a Swahili word which means “first.” The extra ‘a’ was intentionally added to give it seven letters representing the seven principles celebrated during the week.

On the first day the African- American family decorates their home. The mkeka represents tradition and is placed upon the table; it looks a bit like an elaborate straw placemat. For each child in the family muhindi (an ear of corn) is place on the mat along with apples, nuts, and yams to remember the earth’s abundance. Zawadi are hand made gifts that are exchanged. The kinara (wooden candle holder) is placed on the mkeka and is set with seven candles. One black candle is placed in the center representing the richness of their skin color, three red candles on one side represent past struggles, and three green candles on the other side represent a prosperous future. www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org Each day a family centered activity takes place to emphasize the principle of the day.

On the first day of Kwanzaa the black center candle is lit to celebrate the principle of umoja (unity). The red candle next to it is lit the second day to represent the principle of kujichaguli (self determination). The first green candle is lit the third day for ujima (collective work and responsibility). Another red candle is lit for ujamaa on the fourth day for cooperative economics, balanced on the fifth day by a green candle being lit for nia (purpose). The final red candle is lit on the sixth day for kuumba (creativity). Finally on the last day, the green candle is lit and the principal of imani (faith) is celebrated with a feast including yams and other traditional foods.

Celebrations such as these are a simple way to begin a wonderful conversation of the importance of your own family traditions. It is also a place to find common ground as your family expands to include others who grew up celebrating differently than you. May the light and blessings of the season be with all of you and your family.

Louise Biggs

Upward Bound Director

Feather River College

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LISA

In today’s tough economy, it may not be the time to quit your day job and begin launching a new career, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do what you love for fun. It may even bring you some extra good fortune, using your talents like that. I couldn’t help but snap up picture of these two, who obviously enjoy using their talents.

Lisa Weaver, a long time wheel thrower just loves throwing clay. She is passionate about what she does and it shows in the beautiful pieces of work she has been preparing for holiday sales. Recently, Lisa has been enjoying getting into her craft more than ever! She can be found at Busy Bee Ceramics at 22nd and Park Streets in Chico where she offers several class options. You can come with the kids and just enjoy a family fun day with instruction on the wheel, or you can come for a few dates to complete your own masterpieces in time for the holidays. It’s really fun to bring a few friends and make a night of it. The shop offers a giant selection of already made ceramic items for painting and firing too. There are many great projects for kids, which serve as inexpensive, yet thoughtful gifts that will stir up their artistic abilities. Many of the items are very reasonable to make. I encourage you to try your hands at the wheel. It is really fun to create something from a blob of clay. Lisa is a great teacher and great fun to work with. The shop offers all the paints and materials you will need and the cost of firing projects there is quite reasonable. So go make some fun… and maybe some gifts. Nothing is nicer than receiving something handmade, especially something as practical as a nice dish or vase you made yourself on the wheel. Visit them at 2145 Park Avenue in Chico. Call 530-892-2233 of visit them online at busybeesceramics.com.

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MARLENE

You will find this friendly lady, Marlene Kien, outside Sierra Tile, her son’s tile shop in Chester. She has come up with a beautiful use of small tiles. She makes outdoor stepping stones, bird baths and other garden decor using her favorites of all the beautiful tiles available from the shop. When I spoke with her recently, she was waiting for her assortment of glow in the dark tiles which was in a ship yard somewhere, just in from Italy. She will be happy to show you how beautifully they glow in the dark. Many of the stepping stones coordinate with each other in colors as do the bird baths and other items, although each piece is a different design and an original piece of art. Also displayed on stands for the garden, are beautiful globes made of tiles and some with mirrors. She will make virtually any color scheme, with an amazing array available including a magnificent iridescent white tile. If you stop and speak with her, I think you will appreciate her art all the more. This lady is fun, friendly and it too, is obvious in the talent she displays, that she loves what she does.

We hope you will get out your crafty ideas and share your talents with others this holiday season. With particularly tough times being experienced by many right now, it is an excellent time for everyone to get back to basics, and send beautiful, thoughtful gifts, without all the big price tags. Involve the kids if you can and bring new meaning and memories to the holiday. Your family might enjoy making the Photo Memory Boxes on our kidzview page in this edition.

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