Prime Montgomery Aug 2011

PrimeAugust 2011 F R E E

nSavannah's Got It All nSnapper for Supper

nWonderful Water GardensnYour Unclaimed Treasure

nDVD Reviewsand more!

INSIDE

Sugar-coatedMemories

RiverDragons

in WeatherRich

MontgoMery

Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

August 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com2

www.primemontgomery.com | August 2011 3

PrimeMontgoMery

Celebrating Midlife and Beyond!

Features

12 DRAGONS ON THE RIVER A festival/fundraiser/race combine to bring fast-paced, paddle-powered fun to Riverfront Park. By Jennifer Kornegay

9 THINGS WE ATE AS KIDS...! Remember candy cigarettes and Necco Wafers? Your sweet trip down memory lane begins here, with the first in a series. By Tom Ensey

18 IN THE EYE OF THE STORM Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods -- Rich Thomas has seen it all during 30 years at WSFA-TV Montgomery. By Lenore Reese Vickrey

22 A BON ADVENTURE IN SAVANNAH Whether searching for history or hauntings, art or architecture, Georgia’s oldest city offers all this and more. By Bob Corley

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ust 2

011

The entrance to Savannah’s BonaventureCemetery, made famous in the novel“Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”by John Berendt.


Financial

29 OFF THE BEATEN PATHFor success in the field start training your bird dog in the backyard. By Niko Corley

Entertainment

10 A GRACIOUS PLENTYYour grilled snapper will get snapped up!By Patsy Smith

Lifestyles

28 YARD ‘N GARDENYou’ll never have to water this garden.By Ethel Dozier Boykin

Health/Medical On the COver

Meteorologist Rich Thomas. Photo by Bob Corley. Story page 18.

26 LOST TREASUREYou may have assets you didn’t realize you had. Here’s how to find out. By Alan Wallace

34 PRIME DIVERSIONSReviews of these recent DVD releases: Limitless, Arthur, and Rango. By Mark Glass

11 IN EVERY LIFELike everything else in our lives, our eyes change as we age. Protect, don’t neglect them.By Arlene Morris

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17 INVESTMENT SECURITYProtecting your retirement funds from unscupulous con artsits. By Joseph Borg

14 SOCIAL SECURITYDon’t be SCAMMED out of your money. Learn the warning signs.By Kylle’ McKinney

27 MOVING FREE WITH MIRABAIYou’re in the water to cool off, why not exer-cise? Here are three you can do anywhere.By Mirabai Holland

16 AROUND MONTGOMERYFind this WEB and you could win a gift certificate to a lo-cal restaurant. Plus: FOUND July. By Jake Roberts

15 CATARACT AWARENESS MONTHIf you’re in a high-risk group to develop cataracts, take action by learning the warning signs, risk factors, and treatment options.

21 MARCIE’S MEDICARE ANSWERSUnderstanding Advanced Beneficiary Notices,or “waivers of liability.”

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PrimeMONTGOMERY

Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

August 2011, Volume 2, Issue 5PUBLISHER

Bob Corley, [email protected]

EDITORSandra Polizos, [email protected]

ART DIRECTORCallie Corley, [email protected]

WRITERSBob Corley, Tom Ensey, Jennifer Kornegay,

Lenore Vickrey

CONTRIBUTORSJoe Borg, Ethel Boykin, Mazie Bryant,

Tina Calligas, Niko Corley, Mark Glass, Mirabai Holland, Kylle’ McKinney,

Arlene Morris, Jake Roberts, Patsy Smith, Alan Wallace

PHOTOGRAPHERSMazie Bryant, Bob Corley, Heath Stone

INTERNMazie Bryant

SALESBob Corley, 334-202-0114,

[email protected] Crompton [email protected]

Prime Montgomery7956 Vaughn Road, #144

Montgomery, AL 36116 • 334-202-0114www.primemontgomery.com

ISSN 2152-9035Prime Montgomery is a publication of The Polizos/Cor-ley Group, LLC. Original content is copyright 2011 by The Polizos/Corley Group, LLC., all rights reserved, with replication of any portion prohibited without written permission. Opinions expressed are those of contribut-ing writer(s) and not necessarily those of The Polizos/Corley Group, LLC.

Prime Montgomery is published monthly except for the combined issue of December/January. Information in articles, departments, columns, and other content areas, as well as advertisements, does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Prime Montgom-ery magazine. Items relating to health, finances, and legal issues are not offered as substitutes for the advice and consultation of health, financial, and legal professionals. Consult properly degreed and licensed professionals when dealing with financial, medical, emotional, or legal matters.

We accept no liability for errors or omissions, and are not responsible for advertiser claims.

When our children were young and bad weather threatened, my husband would hastily clear out the closet under the stairs. That’s where we’d hold up, four family members and an 85-pound black Labrador, for minutes or hours, depending on the length and veracity of the weather threat. If the alarms sounded in the dead of night, Bob and I would shake the kids to rouse them before they stumbled downstairs, pillows-in-hand, settling un-comfortably into the tight closet quar-ters. (“Never clean out more closet space than necessary” is the unspoken rule at my house, and it applies to no area more than under-the-stairs.)

On far more occasions than I care to recall our family waited out the weather there, amidst old super 8 movie projectors, vacuum cleaner attachments, Christmas decorations, and outdated stereo speakers that were larger -- and older -- than our children. We’d shut the closet door and listen -- radio or TV blaring through the closed door barrier -- until the weather announcers beckoned us out with an “all clear” notice. We’d tell jokes, poke fun at one another, laugh at how horrible a wet dog smells, and collectively complain about life in a small, enclosed space. It was miserable, but also comforting. Just being together made us feel safe from the gusty weather outside.

Not as secure as a proper shelter, our improvised “safe place” was as pro-tective an area as we could create. Like many of you, I shudder to think what would happen in storms as big and angry as the ones that ravaged Ala. last spring. But what makeshift shelter could protect anyone from monster torna-does that even lift sidewalks from the ground?

None of us will forget the faces of the TV weather folks who provided the live tornado coverage last April, and the dread and anticipation that was so palpable.This month writer Lenore Reese Vickrey profiles one of those broad-casters, 30-year veteran meteorologist Rich Thomas in In the Eye of the Storm (page 18). As the 2011 hurricane season looms before us, Rich ruminates on weather past, present and future, and shares insights into the ways weather forecasting has improved since he first appeared on the radar of Montgomeri-ans in the early 1980s.

It’s August, and dragon boats are back! In this month’s Dragons on the River(page 12) Jennifer Kornegay reports that the boats’ return engagement is cre-ating even more excitement than last year’s event. These popular races take their name from an old Chinese tradition and provide a fun sport for observ-ers as well as the cleverly named crews that will compete to raise money for two deserving area non-profits. With more than twice as many competitors as last year, the event has the definite appearance of an adopted Montgomery tradition-in-the-making.

Remember the candies and treats we used to eat as children, but that can no longer be found in stores? Writer Tom Ensey certainly does. This month he looks back at some of those anything-but-healthy treats, in his own nostalgic, tongue-in-cheek style. Don’t miss Tom’s Things We Ate as Kids...(page 9), a very entertaining look at snacks we enjoyed all those years ago.

It’s a fabulous issue. Enjoy!

EDITOR’S NOTE

If you’re 50+ and on Facebook, become a fan of PRIME Montgomery!


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How Can I Tell if my Memory Problems are Serious?A memory problem is serious

when it affects activities of daily liv-ing. If you sometimes forget names, you’re probably okay. But you may have a

more serious problem if you have trouble remembering how to do things you’ve done many times before, getting to a place you’ve been to often, or doing things that use steps, like following a recipe. Another difference between nor-mal memory problems and de-

mentia is that normal memory loss doesn’t get much worse over time. Dementia gets much worse over several months to several years. Some memory problems may be due to medications or depression. Talk to your family doctor about any concerns you may have. nMemory problems that aren’t part of normal agingnForgetting things much more often than you used tonForgetting how to do things you’ve done many times beforenTrouble learning new thingsnRepeating phrases or stories in the same conversationnTrouble making choices or han-dling moneynNot being able to keep track of what happens each day

Coffee Cuts Prostate Cancer RiskHarvard researchers have discov-

ered that men who drank six or more cups of coffee a day were almost 20 percent less likely to develop prostate cancer than those who drank no coffee. And they were 60 percent less likely to develop prostate cancer that was fatal or metastatic. Metastatic can-cer is cancer that spreads to other areas of the body. Men who drank less coffee – one to three cups a day – were almost 30 percent less likely to develop fatal or metastatic prostate cancer. Researchers are looking at the antioxidant proper-ties of coffee to explain why coffee consumption reduced the risk of developing prostate cancer. It didn’t matter whether the men drank caffeinated or decaffeinated cof-fee. (The Journal of the National Cancer Institute)

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Patients With Metastatic Melanoma For patients with advanced mela-noma, which is the most lethal type of skin cancer, the results of a large clinical trial show that a vac-cine com-bined with the immune-boosting drug Inter-leukin-2 can improve response rate and progression-free survival. The findings of the study were published in the June 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medi-cine. This marks the first vaccine study in the disease and one of the first in all cancers to show clini-

cal benefit in a randomized Phase III clinical trial. Therapeutic cancer vaccines, unlike typical vaccines that prevent infections, are meant to jump-start the immune system to help it battle existing tumors.

Migraine ReliefBariatric surgery can lead to total or partial alleviation of migraines in nearly 90% of morbidly obese patients diagnosed with migraine headaches, according to a new study presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Over an average follow-up of three years after gastric bypass surgery, more than 70% of patients never had another mi-graine. More than 18% had partial resolution, with migraine attacks dropping from five to two per month. These patients also expe-rienced less painful migraines and

took fewer medications. Nearly 11% of patients had no change in migraine status. The researchers noted that while gastric bypass generally improved or resolved mi-graine headaches among all study participants, those who developed their first migraines after becom-ing obese experienced the most improvement.

Artificial Disc a Viable Alternative to Fusion for 2-Level Disc Disease When two adjacent discs in the low back wear out, become com-pressed and cause unmanageable pain, numbness or other symp-toms, replacement with artificial discs can be a viable alternative to standard fusion surgery, based on two-year post-surgery data from a randomized, multicenter trial recently published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. The study


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was designed to meet FDA crite-ria comparing overall results from a disc replacement patient group with those of a fusion group. Over-all, 24 months after surgery, pa-tients in both groups had less pain and were able to reduce their use of medication, but the percentages were higher in the disc replace-ment group. Seventy-three percent

of disc replacement patients met the study’s pain improvement cri-teria, compared with less than 60% of the fusion patients. Of these, only 19% in the disc replacement group continued to need narcotics for pain, compared with 40% in the fusion group. Also, more disc re-placement patients said they were satisfied with their outcomes and

would choose to have the surgery again. The article reported that disc replace-ment op-erations were quicker and resulted in less blood loss,

hospital stays were shorter and patients experienced more rapid improvement.

Olive Oil in Your Diet May Prevent a Stroke A new study suggests that con-suming olive oil may help pre-vent a stroke in older people. The research is published in the online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. “Our re-search suggests that a new set of dietary recommendations should be issued to prevent stroke in people 65 and older,” said study author Cécilia Samieri, PhD. “Stroke is so common in older people and olive oil would be an inexpensive and easy way to help prevent it.” After considering diet, physical activity, body mass index and other risk factors for stroke, the study found that those who regularly used olive oil for both cooking and as dressing had a 41 percent lower risk of stroke compared to those who never used olive oil in their diet. Olive oil has been associated with po-tentially protective effects against many cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes, high blood pres-sure, high cholesterol and obesity.


FEATURE

We Baby Boomers came of age during a golden era of weirdness in the manufacture and distribution of confections, crackers

and more-or-less edible doo-dads that were none too tasty and in some cases, just wrong. But we babysat and mowed lawns, saved our allowances, bought this junk and ate it. Why would we do that? We were kids. What are you gonna do? But do you ever wonder whatever

happened to:Candy CigarettesCylinders of chalky sugar

tipped on one end with red food coloring to simulate

the glow of a burning cigarette. The packs they came in were re-markable recreations of

those that contained mom and dad’s deadly, adult treats. Candy cigs are all too easy a target for gleeful ridicule,

but on the other hand, damn!Here was the marriage

of sugar and tobacco, two of the most unhealthy, legal addictive substances known to

man, precursors of a multitude of diseases, marketed and sold exclusively to

kids. Small wonder a 2010 web hoax announcing that candy cigs had

been banned in the U.S. was bought hook-line-and-sinker by a number of blogs and online publications. But that was just a pipe dream.

While candy cigs and their bubblegum and chocolate counterparts have been outlawed in a handful of countries, here in America, they’re legal as milk and available 24-7-365 via the Internet.

Fire up the computer and puff some nostalgia in bulk

at: www.blaircandy.com.

Necco® WafersThese multicolored, quarter-sized,

rock-hard disks were available in packs you could buy over the counter at drug stores and smuggle onto the school bus to pop in your mouth and enjoy surreptitiously in the dark corners of math class when Teacher turned her back to write on the board.

Was it worth the risk? Not if you got the black-colored, licorice one. Ugh. The other flavors ranged from weird purple (clove) to hot pink (cinnamon) to almost-not-awful brown (chocolate).

These candies are among the oldest in U.S. history, manufactured since 1847 by Chase and Company, which eventually became the New England Confectionary Company (hence, NECCO).

Made possible by a stamping machine used originally to manufacture medicinal lozenges, the wafers were, ac-cording to some sources, included during the Civil War in rations of Union soldiers as a source of quick energy. Maybe it worked. They won.

Since the wafers are all but indestructible, won’t melt or crush in shipping and last roughly for eternity, they also were included in the knapsacks of the victorious Allies in World War II. They accompanied Admiral Byrd to the South Pole and Donald MacMillan to the Arctic.

NECCO, based in a massive warehouse in Massa-chusetts, also manufactures Clark Bars, Mary Janes and Sweethearts – those chalky heart-shaped deals stamped with lovey-dovey messages that you see every Valentine’s Day. People who have tried them divide sharply into two camps.n You find them delightful, or n You’d rather eat a poker chip, for which they can

serve as a reasonable facsimile.You can order five pounds, enough to last for several

generations, for $24.98 at www.candyfavorites.com.

Ed.’s Note: Next month, Tom Ensey continues his irreverent three-part look back at Boomer childhood treats, in “Things We Ate As Kids”, Part 2.

By Tom EnseyPhotos courtesy Gelato Baby, Zombieite

Things We Ate as Kids...!(Part 1 of 3)


Billy and I just finished supper, the one you see here: broiled snapper, grilled asparagus, and new potatoes with

Greek yogurt and dill. A great, quick, nutri-tious meal for the middle of the week, and one that we love.

People ask me if I really cook this way for my family on a regular basis. I do. I am one of those who believes that you treat company like family, and family like com-pany. A family meal should be a celebration of sorts. A treasured time when we gather

back in, share the events of the day, and talk about what’s impor-tant to us.

Our dinner conversations lately have been focused on my commitments and the increasing constraints on my time. Last week we actually had a meal from a can and a meal from a box. Not fun for one who loves to cook and one who loves to eat. Billy’s not complaining, but neither is it fair.

My husband and I are both happy that I found energy at 58 for projects and work I’ve wanted to accomplish. Other wonder-ful things are on the horizon. Praise you, God. But some things simply have to be pared away. Writing this column is one of the things that I will have to let go. Regretfully, this column you are reading will be my last. I will miss the time I share with you.

But I encourage you: enjoy the snapper. It’s simple. It’s delicious. Way better than something from a can. And plan to take time to

enjoy dinner conversation with someone you love. Life doesn’t get any better!

Blessings, PatsyPatsy Smith is a Montgomery native and author of two cookbooks,

A Cookbook for My Southern Daughter and A Southern Daughter Entertains. They may be purchased at Capitol Book and News, Rosemont Gardens, Southern Homes and Gardens, Jo’s Hallmark, Richardson’s Pharmacy, and other fine book and gift stores, or through her website at southerndaughtercookbooks.com.

A GRACIOUS PLENTY

Patsy Smith

A Gracious Plenty

BROILED SNAPPERYield: 2 servings2 snapper fillets

1/2 stick of butter or margarine, meltedJuice of 1 lemonSalt or Mrs. DashDash of paprika

Spray broiler pan with Pam with Ol-ive Oil. Wash snapper fillets and place on the broiler pan.

Place butter in Pyrex measuring cup and microwave for 30 seconds, or until butter melts. Squeeze the juice of one lemon and add to melted butter. Pour half the lemon/butter mixture onto the fillets. Sprinkle fillets lightly with salt or Mrs. Dash, then sprinkle with paprika.

Place the pan in the oven about 6 inches from the broiler element

(this is my second rack.). Broil for 2-3 minutes or until fillets starts to brown. Remove pan from oven and turn the fillets over. Pour remaining lemon/but-ter over fillets and place back under broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until fish begins to flake. Remove pan from oven and gently turn fillets once more. Drain drippings from broiler pan into measuring cup and pour over fillets. Broil an additional minute until lightly browned.

Serve with additional lemon slices.

Photos by Margaret Ann McGregor


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IN EVERY LIFE

Arlene Morris

Changes in vi-sion occur in most people

with aging, although not all. Common changes include decrease in ability to adapt to light, darkness, or glare; to focus on near objects (presbyopia), to produce adequate amounts of tears, or to view upward and peripheral visual fields. Some individu-als develop cataracts, while other may develop age related macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinopathy, or other eye disor-ders. Additionally, some systemic disor-ders can influence vision (i.e., diabetes, hypertension).

Although each of these eye or systemic diseases can be treated, it is very chal-lenging to manage visual decline from overlapping processes. For example, if a person experiences some of the common age-related changes, develops both a cata-ract and glaucoma, and has a high risk for diabetic retinopathy, a cataract removal is unlikely to enable the person to regain full vision.

Cataracts are the fifth most common chronic condition in adults older than age 75 (Capezuti, Zwicker, Mezey, & Fulmer, 2008), and cataract removal is currently the most frequently performed surgical procedure among Medicare beneficiaries in the US at an annual cost of over $3 bil-lion (Congdon, 2001)!

Cataracts can be hereditary, from an in-jury or medications, or arise as a process of aging. Cataract formation occurs as the lens of one or both eyes become clouded, gradually but progressively occluding vision. Research-ers have investigated pos-sible prevention strategies, including controlling body-mass index (weight); dietary intake of antioxidants such as lycopene, vitamins A, C, E, riboflavin, niacin, and carotenoids; use of sorbinil, pyruvte, aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, but results have been incon-clusive. However, avoidance of smoking and ultraviolet-B light have been shown to be important, cost-effective prevention strategies. Other prevention practices that have shown promise are management of diabetes and judicial use of medications

that have side effects that contribute to cataract formation (such as steroids) Studies continue to be conducted world-wide to identify factors that could lead to cataract prevention, including identify-ing the effect of other medications on cataract development and identifying genes associated with the various factors that contribute to lens opacity (Robman & Taylor, 2005).

Routinely scheduled eye examinations allow early cataract identification and monitoring. Discussions with an ophthalmologist can guide planning for extraction. When removal is indicated, prevention of infection will likely include eye drops before and fol-lowing the surgery. Plan-

ning can be beneficial for another person to help instill the eye drops if self-adminis-tration is not desired or possible. Ad-ditionally, following surgery, an eye patch will be in place. If vision is impaired in the non-surgical eye, another person may be desired to help ambulate safely during the recovery period.

In caring for your vision, prevention strategies include avoiding smoking and bright sunlight, eating a healthy diet to maintain an appropriate weight, managing diseases such as diabetes and hyperten-sion, and discussing possible side effects of medications with your healthcare provid-er. Prevention continues to be important prior to, during, and following extraction to avoid infection or falls.

Arlene H. Morris, RN, Ed.D. is a Distin-guished Teaching Associate Professor in the Auburn Montgomery School of Nursing. Email her at [email protected].

References: Capezuti, E., Zwicker, D., Mezey, M., & Fulmer, T.

(2008). Evidence-based geriatric nursing protocols for best practice (3rd ed.). New York: Springer.

Congdon, N. G. (2001). Prevention strategies for age-related cataract: Present limitations and future possibili-ties. British Journal of Ophthalmology, 85, 516-520.

Robman, L., & Taylor, H. (2005). External factors in the development of cataract. Eye, 19, 1074-1082. doi: 10.138/sj.eye.6701964

“... avoidance of smoking and ultraviolet-B light have been shown to be important, cost-effective prevention strategies.”

Vision for the Future


Sleek, multi-colored dragons fly along the edge of downtown Montgomery locked in battle. Each holds at least 20 people. Townsfolk watch trans-

fixed from the banks of the river as the beasts chase one another, fiery breaths push-ing the temperature above 90 degrees. An onlooker screams: “Go Chics Ahoy! Faster!”

Okay. So, they’re not actu-ally dragons. They’re dragon boats. And it’s not a chase, but a race. And the high temperatures? Well, that’s August in the capital city. It may not be as dramatic as some medieval epic, but it’s every bit as exciting and way more fun (nobody dies). It’s the Montgomery Dragon Boat Festival, scheduled to thrill and

entertain the city for the second year on Aug. 27.For those who missed the inaugural event, here’s a dragon

boat primer. Teams of 25 people (pad-

dlers, a drummer to time the rowing, and several alternates) “buy” a dragon boat for the event. A portion of the money goes to the two benefitting charities. The teams choose a catchy name (some print t-shirts and hats) and on Festival day race each other along a stretch of the Alabama River adjacent to Riverfront Park. Heats lead up to a final race to determine the overall winner.

Dragon boats are 44-foot-long, canoe-like fiberglass and wooden structures with 10 bench-

FEATURE

The Tunnel at the Georgia Aquarium The Tunnel at the Georgia Aquarium The Tun-nel at the Georgia Aquarium

Dragons on the RiverStory by Jennifer Kornegay

Photos by Heath Stone, Stone Images Photography; Montgomery Dragon Boat Festival.

A Dragon Boat team practices at Riverfront Park prior to the 2010 race. Cadence and precision paddling can be more important than brute strength.


es. They’re adorned with brightly colored scales on the hulls and ornate dragon heads and tails affixed to the bows and sterns.

This innovative fundraising event was the first of its kind in Alabama and proved to be a major success last year with 27 teams (725 participants) and hundreds of spectators packing the riverfront area. This year prom-ises to be bigger and better, according to Fes-tival Executive Director, Andrew Szymanski.

“This year, we are pushing the bar as high as it can go, given the space at the riverfront and on the river,” he said. “We’ll have 60 teams, so that’s over 1,500 participants, not including spectators. The biggest difference is that we are increasing the number of teams racing per race, so there is a little more ac-tion each time.”

“It’s a blast,” said Szymanski, “but of course the real reason behind it is to benefit two local non-profit organizations, Rebuilding To-gether and Bridge Builders. Last year, the two split over $75,000 thanks to the Festival, and we feel like we’ll have much bigger financial impact for both groups this year.”

Rebuilding Together provides no-cost home repairs and modifications to hom-eowners in need, particularly seniors, those with disabilities and families with young children. It organizes volunteers to work, and raises funds to purchase materials, supplies, insurance, etc.

Bridge Builders works with students from public, private, parochial and home schools to develop future leaders who will lay aside individual, social, economic and cultural differ-ences and work for the benefit of all.

Joe and Lucie Lee Lanoux paddled last year and are participating again. The couple is split between competing teams, Joe again rowing for Blazing Paddles, with Lucie Lee pretty and perky in pink again on the all-female team, Chics Ahoy.

“It was just so much fun,” said Joe. “There is a lot of camaraderie. It’s a great way to get to know others on your team. You’re down at our beautiful riverfront. It’s just great fun.”

“It’s great to get to see the city from the water,” chimed in Lucie Lee. “It’s a whole new perspective.”

The Festival is not just focused on the races. The family-friendly event is free for spectators, and there will be food, a kids’ village with water inflatables and other diversions, and the Splash Pad.

“It is such a unique event, and that’s what’s so cool,” said Szyman-ski. “Even the boats themselves are so amazing looking. It is for everyone, and we’ve gotten such a

huge cross section of Montgomery involved.”Last year teams from the fire and police departments raced

teams from area churches (the Episcopaddlers and Holy Rowers were two) as well as local business teams and teams made up of friends.

“We have high school kids, teams of folks in their mid-thirties, several with most members over 50, and a lot of teams with a good mix of all ages,” Szymanski said.

“The excitement of the competition, the teamwork and trying your best, is what I love,” said Joe Lanoux, a former tri-athlete who remains active. “Racing is always a big thrill and it is even more so with a group and for two really good causes. Almost anybody can do it. You just do the best you can, and there are 20 of you, so yours is just a small part.”

“The nice thing about dragon boating as sport,” agrees Szymanski, “is that really any body, any age can do it. It is not really a strength thing. It is more a finesse and rhythm-based activity.”

It’s a bit physically demanding, said Lucie Lee Lanoux, but nothing that would stop her from doing it.

“It doesn’t last long, and it is more fun than it is hard,” she said, her favorite part being fellowship with teammates. “Chics Ahoy is an adorable group of girls, and we had a great time.”

The Lanouxs had so much fun they couldn’t stop talking about it months later.

“We had friends from Alexandria, Louisi-ana, visiting in October,” said Lucie Lee, “and we went on and on about the Festival so much, they went home and organized one in Alexandria. They raised $100,000 for a local museum.”

When asked whose team would finish bet-ter this year, the Lanoux’s competitive spirits emerged.

“I’m not sure which of our teams did bet-ter last year,” Joe said.

“Chics Ahoy did better,” said Lucie Lee, “because we had the most fun!”

“I bet they won for the most talking,” quipped Joe. “And this year, I don’t know how Blazing Paddles will do, but I do know we’ll beat Chics Ahoy.

“Not so fast!” Lucie Lee shot back.

So the lines are drawn, the gaunt-let (or paddle) tossed down in a spirit of friendly competition.

Across the River Region boat crews prepare to once again fly their dragons across the water.

Szymanski at one of his favorite spots in Montgomery.

The Lanouxs will compete against each other again this year. Below, Lucie Lee’s Chics Ahoy teammates with the Mayor.


FINANCIAL

These days, everyone needs to be cautious of scams – Internet, mail, even phone scams – which can

damage your credit score and pocketbook. Anytime someone asks for your personal information, be wary. Particularly cruel are swindles who target Social Security beneficiaries.

Recently, Social Security became aware of a scam targeting beneficiaries in the Southern California area, with scammers telephoning beneficiaries to tell them they were due a “stimulus payment.”

The scammer offered to deposit the payment to each benefi-ciary’s account once the personal and bank account information was provided. The scammer then contacted Social Security by phone to request the benefits be deposited into a new account – the scammer’s account, to steal the payments. A similar version of this criminal ploy has scammer call the beneficiary to “con-firm” their personal and financial information. As a rule of thumb, Social Security will not call you for your personal information such as Social Security number or banking information. If some-one contacts you and asks for this information, do not give it.

Never provide your Social Security number or other personal information over the telephone unless you initiated the contact,

or are confident of the person to whom you are speaking. If in doubt, do not release information without verifying the validity of the call by contacting the local Social Security office or Social Security’s toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Another way to protect yourself is to keep your Social Secu-rity card and other important documents locked away in a safe place. Do not give personal information to just anyone.

If you’ve fallen victim to fraud or identity theft, be sure to file a report with the local police or the police department where the identity theft took place, and keep a copy of the report as proof of the crime. Information on how to prevent scams and protect yourself can be found at www.ftc.gov/idtheft.

You can also read Social Security’s publication, Identify Theft And Your Social Security Number, available online at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10064.html and Your Social Security Number and Card, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10002.html.

Be alert when dealing with people who want your personal in-formation, such as your bank account number, date of birth, and Social Security number. By using a little caution, you can protect yourself from scams.

Learn more about Social Security at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Kylle’ McKinney, SSA Public Affairs Specialist, can be reached in Montgomery at 866-593-0914 Ext. 26265, or [email protected]

Social Security SCAMS

Kylle’ McKinney


FEATURE

Cataracts is a clouding of the lens in the eye. Most are related to aging and can occur in either or both eyes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other.

Although most cataracts are related to aging, there are other types:

1. Secondary cataract can form after surgery for other eye problems, such as glaucoma, or in people with other health problems such as diabetes.

2. Traumatic cataract can develop after an eye injury, sometimes years later.

Congenital cataracts can occur in infants or develop in childhood.

3. Radiation cataract can develop after exposure to some types of radiation.

4. The lens of the eye is mostly water and protein, with the protein precisely arranged to keep the lens clear and let light pass through. As we age, some protein can clump together and cloud a small area of the lens, form-ing a cataract which can grow over time.

Cataracts can occur in your 40s and 50s, though most are small and don’t affect vision. It’s after age 60 that most cataracts begin to affect vision, and the risk increases as you age. Other risk factors include:

1. Certain diseases such as diabetes.

2. Smoking and alcohol use.

3. Prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Common cataract symptoms include:1. Cloudy or blurry vision.2. Faded colors.3. Headlights, lamps, or sunlight may appear too bright or

have a halo.4. Poor night vision.5. Double vision or multiple images in one eye.6. Frequent prescription changes in your eyeglasses or

contact lenses.Wearing sunglasses and a brimmed hat to block

ultraviolet sunlight can help reduce cataract risks. If you smoke, stop. Researchers also believe good nutrition plays a role in reducing the risk of age-related cataract, particu-larly consumption of green leafy vegetables, fruit, and other

foods with antioxidants.If you’re 60 or older, have a comprehensive dilated eye

exam at least once every two years. In addition to cataract, your eye care professional can check for signs of glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and

other vision disorders.The symptoms of early

cataract may be improved with new glasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses, or magni-fying lenses. If these measures don’t help, surgery is the only effective treatment.

Surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. This is one of the most common op-

erations performed in the U.S., and also one of the safest and most effective types of surgery.

In about 90 percent of cases, people who have cataract surgery have better vision afterward.

It is beyond the scope of this article to detail the surgical options, risks involved, and recovery period. Check the Resources Section for more information, and discuss the details throughly with your eye-care professional before undergoing surgery.

1. A number of studies are focusing on factors associated with the development of age-related cataract. These include:

2. The effect of sunlight ex-posure, which may be as-sociated with an increased risk of cataract.

3. Vitamin supplements, which have shown varying results in delaying the progres-sion of cataract.

4. Genetic studies, which show promise for better un-derstanding cataract development.

For eye health information visit the National Eye Insti-tute website, part of the National Institutes of Health, at www.nei.nih.gov/health.

Information provided by the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health, a federal government agency for vision research that leads to sight-saving treatments and plays a key role in reducing visual impairments and blind-ness.

August is Cataract Awareness Month

Normal vision

Simulated vision with cataracts.

August 2011 | www.primemontgomery.com16 27

AROUND MONTGOMERY

Find this location and you could win a Gift Certificate to Mr. G’s!This is definitely not the Web our children and grandchildren surfeveryday. This web is rooted firmly in the past, being firmlyl attached

to a bit of Montgomery’s theatrical history, suspended, as it were, within a stones throw of the seat of city government. Find this August mys-tery, snap a photograph of yourself there, and send it to me. You’ll be entered in a drawing for a $20 Gift Certificate from Mr. G’s Ristorante. Deadline for receipt of your photographs is August 16. E-mail photos and information [email protected]. That’s a one, not an ‘el’ in my e-mail address.

August’s Mystery Spot

In the park across from the RSA Tower are a series of statues, one of which was July’s Mys-tery location. Thanks to Mila Thomas for find-ing it and providing this photograph. She won the drawing for the Mr. G’s Gift Certificate.

July’sFound Montgomery!


Every day our citizens are bombarded

with negative news about a continuing national recession and debt problems. Also, interest rates on savings are at a historic low. Here are seven basic tips to help senior

Alabamians make more informed invest-ment decisions and protect themselves from securities fraud during turbulent economic times.

1. Check out the person touting the investment. Alabama law requires most se-curities and the people selling them to be registered. Do this BEFORE YOU INVEST.

2. Beware of high-pressure tactics. Say “no” to any person who presses you to make an immediate investment decision. Take time to do your own research and

understand a financial product offer be-fore you invest.

3. Don’t be a “courtesy victim.” Con artists will not hesitate to exploit the good manners of a potential victim. When a stranger asks for your money, you should proceed with the utmost caution. You are under no obligation to stay on the telephone with a stranger or allow them in your home. If you are lonely and in need of companionship, don’t make the mistake of seeking it from someone whose real interest may be to get their hands on your money.

4. Watch out for salespeople who prey on your fears. Recent news concerning long term recession and national debt can make you afraid of running out of money. Swindlers commonly pitch their schemes as a way to eliminate your financial fears for the future.

5. Monitor your investments. Insist on regular written reports/statements and look for signs of excessive or unauthor-

ized trading of your accounts.6. Report suspected investment fraud

or financial abuse immediately. Despite any embarrassment or fear you may feel, immediately call the Alabama Securities Commission, Enforcement Division (con-tact information below).

7. Beware of “reload” scams. To recoup their losses, victims sometimes invest in another scheme (a “reload”) in which the con artist promises to make good the original loss and may offer new, higher returns. Often, the result is only more losses.

Joseph Borg is Director of the Alabama Securities Commission. The ASC promotes financial literacy through presentations, free information and access to financial literacy and education material. Call for your FREE “Safe & Wise Investing Kit”, 1-800-222-1253, or visit the website www.asc.alabama.gov.View personal finance and investor educa-tional materials and read about those caught and punished for cheating Alabamians.

Seven tips to protect your investmentsFINANCIAL

Joseph P. Borg

Tickets go on sale August 1.WWW.ASF.NET 334.271.5353

facebook.com/alabamashakes twitter.com/alabamashakes

ALABAMA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

Dracula · A Christmas Memory · In the Book Of... · The 39 StepsTravels with My Aunt · The Merry Wives of Windsor · Henry VIII

A Midsummer Night’s Dream · NANTA Cookin’ ShowThe 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Announcing the

2011-2012 SEASon


FEATURE

Rich Thomas has been living and breathing the weather since the third grade when his teacher in

Sheffield Lake, Ohio, assigned the class a project: Go home and make a weather instrument.

He made a barometer. The project earned him a “C.”

Undeterred, nine-year-old Thomas was bitten by the weather bug and the science of forecasting. He staged make-believe forecasts for his parents, became the National Weather Service’s youngest cooperative observer for Ohio at 13, and did weather casts for fellow high school students.

August 3rd marks his 30th year at WSFA, where he has been bringing central and south Alabama viewers their highs and lows and weather warnings since 1981.

“It’s an awesome responsibility,” says Thomas, whose boyish looks belie his 55 years. “I understand that I’m an ambassa-dor for the station, and it’s part of my job. People rely on you.”

Thomas began his broadcast career in his 20s after graduating from the Uni-versity of Southern Mississippi in broad-cast communications, and later studying meteorology at Mississippi State. In 1977 he was working as a disc jockey at WHSY-AM in Hattiesburg, a sister station of WHHY in Montgomery, when WHHY’s Larry Stevens hired him away.

Thomas worked as a deejay and in news and weather from 1977 to 1981.

“I was the go-to guy because there was only me (on the air) when there was bad weather,” he said.

His reporting skills caught the ear of Carl Stephens, then program manager of WSFA, who asked if he’d considered working on TV.

“And that was the only thing I wanted to do!” Thomas auditioned, but he didn’t think it went well. But he’d no sooner returned home when the phone rang, and he was told he had the job of weekend meteorologist.

“Back then, [forecasting] the weather was not sophisticated, “ he said. “All we had was the Teletype machine and color

radar. The skywatch/warning map was very simple. There was just an outline of the state, with dots for the cities. If there were severe weather, the dot would be blinking. If the dot was steady, it was under a watch. If it wasn’t on, you were OK.

“We’d talk about the nation, then go to the chroma key (also known as blue or green screen technology which makes it appear as if the weather forecaster is

standing in front of a map, but he’s actually in front of a blue or green screen).

“ Nowadays we don’t talk about the nation, we talk about what’s going on here. The style has changed, and so has the technology.”

He uses software to prepare his forecast and create maps.

“I build maps all day long,” Thomas says. “I know what story I want to tell, and I

By Lenore Reese VickreyPhotos by Bob Corley


of theStorm

In The

think about what graphics I need. Even with all the bells and whistles and technol-ogy, it’s important to focus my storytelling on the main elements.”

In the early 80s WSFA had only three newscasts: noon, 6 and 10 p.m. It wasn’t until the mid- to late 80s that the first PC was used in weather forecasting at the station. But it changed everything.

“We started getting images through the

computer,” says Thomas, “and by the early to mid-90s the weather map had become much more sophisticated.”

When Dan Atkinson left in 1983 for WSB-TV in Atlanta, Thomas was pro-moted to chief meteorologist. He also did commercials and co-hosted both “Young World,” and the syndicated “PM Maga-zine.”

His first big weather event was May 3,

1984, when a tornado struck about 7 a.m., killing five people on the Northern Bypass. More tornadoes struck that afternoon, with a funnel cloud even passing over the station. The power went out but the broadcast continued with an emergency generator, one camera and a light.

“We went wall to wall (continuous cov-erage),” he said. “I was 28 years old, and it was a trial by fire!” The station general

EYE


manager was so impressed with his coverage that day he gave him $100.

There were many other days of severe weather, and Thomas can rattle them off: Oct. 4, 1995 - Hurricane Opal; Sept. 16, 2004 – Hurricane Ivan; Aug. 28, 2005 - Hurricane Katrina (and tornadoes in Alabama); March 1, 2007 – Tornado in Enterprise; Feb. 7, 2008 – Tornado in Prattville.

Nothing, however, would rival the outbreak of tornadoes in April of this year. The first was Apr. 15, when 53 twisters struck in one day. On Apr. 27 the worst tornado outbreak in the U.S. since 1974 occurred, when an estimated 346 persons were killed.

“I remember saying on April 15, ‘Well, we’ll never see an out-break like that again. But 12 days later there are no superlatives to describe what happened on April 27.”

In Alabama alone there were 108 tornadoes, more than typi-cally struck in an entire year.

Thomas and his fellow meteorologists broadcast non-stop. They had been predicting potentially dangerous storms for five days before, but nothing could have prepared them for what was to come.

“I’m doing the 5 p.m. newscast and my producer tells me we have a live shot from WBRC, live from Tuscaloosa,” he recalls. “Here is this massive tornado coming and people are losing their lives….”

His eyes fill with tears as he recalls what was going through his head, but he managed to maintain his composure on-air and keep talking.

“I’m looking at this, people are screaming in my earpiece, and I know people out there are relying on my information, but I’m thinking, ‘Oh, my God. There are a lot of people dying right now.’”

“I can’t remember a weather event like that in 30 years,” he said. “You just go on automatic and you’re on adrenaline. You have to sound authoritative and not emotional. But later it hits you.”

The heavy responsibility he feels towards his viewers hit home two days later. A man who heard him on the radio (Mix 103, which simulcasts WSFA during severe weather), told him,

“Because of you guys, I’m alive today.”Producing the weather not only for TV but also for radio is

another example of how technology has improved access to weather information. Thomas is also responsible for weather reports on the digital channels, WSFA.com, Facebook and Twitter.

“There’s no spare time,” he admits, sipping a V-8 juice between taping promos and a forecast that will be shown on the Jumbo-tron at the Biscuits game.

“Most important is our weather app for your phone,” he said. “We are wherever you are. I can’t imagine where we’ll be in five years. I’ll be coming out of your toaster when you’re making toast!”

Spare time is indeed a precious commodity, and when he’s away from the station Thomas likes to travel, tinker with technol-ogy, relax with friends, grill out and walk his dog, Skyy.

Although the requests are overwhelming, he enjoys responding to children’s questions and speaking to school and civic groups.

“I happen to work at a ‘storybook’ station,” he says. “I always wanted to work in TV like this. Now how great a story is that?”

(Above) Rich Thomas, 30 years ago this month, in his videotape audi-tion for WSFA-TV. At right Thomas describes the tornado outbreak this past Spring. (Bottom). The cleanup and aftermath of the tornado that hit Tuscaloosa in April. (Photo courtesy of Drew Hoover).


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HEALTH

Marci’s Medicare Answer August 2011 Dear Marci,My provider just asked me to sign an Advance Ben-eficiary Notice. What does this form do? — Marjorie

Dear Marjorie,An Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN), also known as a

"waiver of liability," is a notice that suppliers and other medical providers are required to give you when they offer you services or items that they know or have reason to believe Medicare will determine to be medically unnecessary for you, and therefore, will not cover.

Providers are not required to give you an ABN for services or items explicitly excluded from Medicare coverage. In addition, ABNs apply only if you are in Original Medicare, not if you are in a Medicare private health plan (HMO, PPO or PFFS).

If you do not get an ABN to sign before you get the service or item from your provider, it is not specifically excluded from cov-erage, and Medicare does not pay for it, then you do not have to pay for it. You may need to file an appeal to show that you should not have to pay.

If the provider does give you an ABN that you sign before you get the service or item, and Medicare does not pay for it, then you will have to pay your provider for it.

There will be an option on the ABN to check whether or not you want your doctor to submit a claim to Medicare for the service. You should always select that you want your doctor to submit the claim to Medicare. If you do not, your doctor is not required to submit the claim. You should check this option, because Medicare may still pay for the services after all.

If you sign an ABN but ask your doctor to bill Medicare, and Medicare then denies coverage, you can always appeal.

Marci’s Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org), the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare. To speak with a counselor, call (800) 333-4114. To subscribe to “Dear Marci,” the Medicare Rights Center’s free educational e-newsletter, simply e-mail [email protected]. To learn more about the services that Medicare will cover and how to change plans, log on to Medicare Interactive Counselor at the Medicare Rights Center’s website at www.medicareinteractive.org.


FEATURE

A century after the peak of piracy on the high seas, Scotsman Robert Louis Stevenson gives Savannah, Georgia a place in pirate lore. There is scant evident Stevenson ever visited the city, but Sa-vannah’s 18th Century Pirate House has a documented history of unscrupulous captains shanghaiing pub-goers and smuggling them onto ships anchored in the nearby river.

Savannah is a timeless, elegant city, Georgia’s first, nestled in an outer bend of the Savannah River. It’s a few miles inland from the sea, before the river spreads its watery fingers around a series of marsh and sand islands -- Skidway, Wilmington, Tybee -- and emp-ties into the Atlantic Ocean.

Steeped in history, Savannah reaches back to the 1700s. Sacked by the British following the American Revolution, it was spared de-struction during and after the Civil War. But 20th century progress, not battles and cannon fire, almost proved the city’s architectural undoing. And it’s here that Savannah succeeded where so many

others failed.In the mid-1960s, as many American cities bulldozed their way

toward an ill-defined urban future, leaving a path of destroyed historic structures behind, a dedicated cadre of no-nonsense vol-unteers worked to preserve a handful of period homes then slated for demolition. Once the preservation mindset took hold, there was no turning back.

Today, spectacular homes line Savannah’s 18th and 19th Century town squares, holding offices, residences, restaurants and muse-ums. These diminutive tree- and hedge-laced squares, envisioned by City Father James Oglethorpe, define the city’s character. Within the historic district itself are 21 named squares. This doesn’t count a handful of much larger parks.

Look for accommodations within this area, roughly bounded by Water St. on the north, Park Ave. on the south, and E. Broad St. and MLK Blvd. on the east and west respectively. There’s plenty to

Midnight in theGardenGood (Food) and Evil (Spirits)

of

“...that ungodlybuccaneer with the

blue face --he who died at Savannah,

singing and shouting for drink-- had there,

with his own hand,cut down his six

accomplices.”Treasure Island.

Wall of misplaced tombstones, Colonial Park Cemetery. (Photo courtesy Jaime E. Calder.)

“...that ungodlybuccaneer with the

blue face --he who died at Savannah,

singing and shouting for drink-- had there,

with his own hand,cut down his six

accomplices.”Treasure Island.

Story and Photos by Bob Corley


by Water St. on the north, Park Ave. on the south, and E. Broad St. and MLK Blvd. on the east and west re-spectively. There’s plenty to occupy your time outside this space, but within it lie enough places of interest to keep you busy for days.

Lodging is available for almost any price range. Typically, if you’re in the historic district, which in-cludes the river, you’ll pay more. But bargains can be found. An Internet search followed by a phone call is a good way to uncover bargains.

Your visit to Savannah should start with a trolly ride. Several companies operate through-out the historic district, typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can disembark and board at any of their stops, with trollies typically passing every 20 minutes. Drivers are well-versed in city his-tory, offering an overview of places you pass that you’ll want to return to later for an extended visit.

For a good introduction to the area, board a trolly at the Visitor Center after touring their Savannah History Museum. Following a circuitous route to River Street, disembark for lunch, sightseeing and shopping, which you can also do any-where along the route. After shopping and sightseeing for a couple of hours, step back on aboard and return to the Visitor Center. Another worthwhile ride, or walk, depending on your capabilities, is a haunted tour. It’s something you’d expect from a place on the Top 10 list of haunted U.S. cities.

Along the route the driver cites strange, unexplained, and just

plain spooky occurrences, some specula-tive, others well-grounded in history. One

tour includes a visit to an underground autopsy lab used during the devastating Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1876. More than 1,000 Savannah residents succumbed to the plague, and according to our guide, left behind a fair number of restless spirits. (Sidebar: Our Very Own Ghost).

Most visitors make a stop at the Bonaventure Cemetery, made famous in John Berendt’s book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Fa-mous though it may be,

in the final analysis it’s just a cemetery and is, depending on the time of day, dull and

lifeless, or shadow-ridden and eerie. Less well-known cemeteries dot the city and are worth a visit.

Union soldiers encamped in the Colonial Park Cemetery during the post-Civil War occupation. They pulled up tomb-stones to make

room for tents and fires, not bothering to note which tombstone went where. After their departure, tombstones were gath-ered up and placed in rows against one wall of the cemetery, never to be reunited with their rightful owners.

Savannah has pro-duced and attracted its fair share of artists, through the Savan-nah College of Art and Design and the visual and emotional charac-ter of the city. Galleries abound and provide great shopping oppor-tunities for locally-pro-duced art of all media.

Dining can be casual or fine, wolfed down or lingered over in culinary imitation of the languor-ous nature of the city itself.

A Ghost of Our Own

Our haunted trolly tour stops at the crumbling remains of Chandler Hospital, the oldest in Georgia. It sits unused, with rusted wrought iron handrails and cor-roded columns. We’re lead to a padlocked door beside the hospital and down a few steps into a stuffy, lightless tunnel angling toward the street and the park beyond.

During the 1876 Yellow Fever epi-demic 276 people died in one 48-hour period, many of them here. Fearing panic, a tunnel was reportedly dug beneath the street to Forsyth Park where bodies were buried. Our guide claims this hasty internment was not taken lightly by those whose remains still lay unmarked and unmourned.

We enter the tunnel with flashlights, crouching in the tight quarters, moving single-file until it widens into an autopsy room. Beyond is a shorter tunnel, blocked at the end just before it passes under

the street. In the silent, damp interior the guide points out where a basin once held organs removed from corpses, and offers to douse all lights if anyone wishes to take a photo, in pitch blackness, to see if an ‘orb’ as she terms it, appears. A few of us stay behind as the others exit. We douse our lights. I point my camera toward the blocked tunnel and snap one digital frame. That single frame, taken in total darkness, shows a curved streak of light with a bulbous end. I exit quietly, ahead of our guide. Out-side, we gaze quietly at the oddly streaked frame, void of explanation.

Savannah, at least for this group, has lived up to its reputation as one of America’s most haunted cities.

Former Confederate Pres. Jefferson Davis stayed here in 1886.

Old ballast stones on River Street.


(Above) Riverboats ply the Savannah River. (Left) The home of music-great Johnny Mercer is a mu-seum. (Below) The platforms where cotton ‘factors’ graded wagon loads of cotton passing below.

BLT Salad2 green tomatoes for frying.cornmeal sap, flour, and buttermilk for coating tomatoes before frying 2 apple wood smoked bacon strips, folded and cooked with brown sugarchopped red pepper (garnish)chopped green onion (garnish) Slice tomatoes and dip in flour/cornmeal mixture and but-termilk. Fry in hot oil till they’re golden brown. Mix greens with dressing. Stack salad, layering greens with tomato and bacon. Garnish last tomato with a small amount of dressing and garnish with chopped pepper and green onion.

Buttermilk Thyme Dressing 6 cups buttermilk

4 cups mayo4 cups sour cream

2 cups milk1/4 cup dried thyme

2 tablespoons black pepper1/4 cup red wine vinegar3 cloves chopped garlic

1 tablespoon honeysalt to taste

Mix all ingredients well.

Dining In the PinkThe Olde Pink House, built in 1771, takes its name from the pink tint created by the indigenous bricks used in construction

that leached through the white plaster finish. One customer favorite is the “BLT” Salad.


WelcomeHome

Heartland VillageA Memory Care Community at Elmcroft Assisted Living

Home is Where the Heart Is

ELMCROFT OF HALCYONAssisted Living & Memory Care1775 Halcyon Blvd., Montgomerywww.ElmcroftAL.com

Call for your personal visit.

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Kynard Korner’s Reinvintage Boutique

vintage apparel & accessoriesfor every occasion

Mardi Gras • costume parties • filmsplays • proms • balls • cotillions

are in abundance, and provide great shopping opportunities for locally-produced art of all media.

Dining can be casual or fine, wolfed down or lingered over in culinary imitation of the languorous nature of the city itself. You can grab quick snacks during the day at pizza parlors and pubs, then settle in for a two hour dining experience at one of the city’s well-known restaurants. Our fine-dining choice featured crispy scored founder and crab stuff black grouper, with an un-usual, but oh-so-tasty BLT Salad (See Sidebar: Dining In the Pink, for the recipe.)

Savannah also offers riverboat excursions, horse-drawn car-

riages, and streets paved with the ballast stones of sailing ships from the 1800s.

Parallel to River Street is an odd-looking series of foot bridges over a narrow alley, viewing platforms where cotton ‘factors’, men who judged the quality of cotton as it passed below in wag-ons, graded the precious commodity. The term ‘fair to middling’ was used to indicate a good grade of cotton, and it was here where the international price of cotton was set.

Great food, beautiful historic structures elegantly preserved and in-use, riverside beauty, good shopping... what more could you ask of a city? Oh, yea. Two more days to enjoy it.

Art on Every CornerPracticing artists share more than their talent with the city in

which they live. They give residents and visitors alike a glimpse into their artistic inspiration. In galleries scattered from River Street to City Market you’ll have a chance to take home a bit of the artists’ vision as they seek to capture what makes Savan-nah unique.

Sharon Saseen’s work can be seen at Gallery 209 on E. River St., as well as in City Market. Saseen, a Savannah native with numerous awards to her credit, is also an author, book illustra-tor and teacher.

Stephen Kasun paints from his studio on Bryan St. in City Market, but doesn’t use a brush. He creates his Savannah scenes in oil paints using knives, imparting a textural compo-nent to the canvas.

Advertise inPrime Montgomery.

It’s effective & affordable.

Stephanie Crompton334-462-1240

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Bob Corley334-202-0114

[email protected]

For rates contact:


MONEYWISE

Whether it’s Treasure

Island, National Trea-sure, or the latest news about long-lost valuables recov-ered by shipwreck divers or arche-ologists a la Indiana Jones, the notion of

discovering something of value is univer-sally appealing to the human psyche.

If you are a treasure seeker at heart, you are going to like what I have to tell you.

Every year, thousands of people lose—or lose track of—valuable property. Sometimes the loss is caused by relocat-ing, even within the same community. Without a correct forwarding address, bank balances, utility deposits, rebates, items in a safe deposit box, checks for commissions, wages or tax refunds may be unable to find you.

Other times a death or memory loss can cause a person and their heirs to lose track of assets like insurance policies, stocks or bonds.

After a reasonable period of time, these

assets are turned over to the state of last known residence. To the extent possible, they continue to be registered as pay-able to the true owner. The only barrier that keeps the owner from collecting them is his failure to know that this property exists and is available to him. While someone may search diligently for something he knows is missing, who looks for things he doesn’t realize he owns?

Fortunately, Alabama, like other states, has a searchable website with infor-mation on unclaimed property.

From my experience, the Alabama site compares quite nicely to the oth-ers. All you have to do is enter a last name to get a list of what the State Treasurer is holding for lost owners. You can narrow the search by entering a first name and/or a city of residence.

I recently spent a few hours check-ing the site to see if any listed property

belonged to me, my family, or some of my friends. Although I had retrieved a couple

hundred dollars from the state a few years ago, I did find some dividends payable to my late parents which I can claim.

Moreover, I found prop-erty belonging to at least

15 friends whom I alerted by email

to collect their property. For me to find so

many people I know on the list

clearly indicates that lots of people

have unclaimed property. Everyone should check the

unclaimed property database now and every few years thereafter.The address for the Alabama site is

www.moneyquestalabama.com. In addi-tion to checking for yourself, I recom-mend that you check for other members of your family, both living and deceased. You might discover that your grandpa bought some Coca Cola® stock 80 years ago which was never distributed after he died. If you have had children in college, they may have left utility deposits or bank balances behind at graduation.

If you have lived in other states, you should also check their sites. A good starting point is www.unclaimed.org. You can check one state at a time from this location without having to track down multiple web addresses.

You can also be a friend by passing this information on to others or by checking for them yourself to let them know they have treasure awaiting them.

So, happy hunting, and may your day be better because you and your lost prop-erty are finally reunited!

Alan Wallace, CFA, ChFC, CLU is a Senior FInancial Advisor for Ronald Blue & Co.’s Montgomery office, 334-270-5960, [email protected].

On-line Treasure Hunting

8 190723 -Open HouseSun, Aug 21 5 p.m.Grace Episcopal ChurchPike Rd.

Alan Wallace


MOVING FREE® WITH MIRABAI

With this summer’s heat wave in full sizzle, it’s time to jump in the water and cool off as best you

can. Here are three aqua toning exercises you can do at the beach, the lake or the pool.

Aqua Exercises: Stand in water shoulder high with your feet at least hip width apart and knees slightly bent, breathing normally. For all exercises keep water weights or air filled water bottles submerged. If you are just getting started you can use your hands as paddles for less resistance than aqua weights or plastic bottles. Use weights with water for less resistance. Use less water for more resistance.

Rows: BACK AND ARMSKeep weights just below the surface and using the broad

side for resistance, push one slosh weight straight out in front of you while pulling the other straight back behind you. Then switch directions keeping the weights in the water the whole time.

SHOULDERS/ARMS/TRICEPS Extend arms in front of chest, palms down. Move arms straight down and extend in back of your hips.

BICEPS: UPPER ARMS/FOREARMS Arms are at sides palms up. As you hold the weights. Slowly pull

arms as you bend elbows and bring weights up to your shoulders. Then lower them back down.Mirabai Holland M.F.A. is a leading authority in the Health & Fitness industry, and a public health activist specializing in preventive and reha-bilitative exercise for women. Her Moving Free™ approach to exercise is designed to provide a movement experience so pleasant it doesn't feel like work. Send your Ask Mirabai questions to: [email protected]. Visit her website at www.movingfree.com (c)2011.

Aqua Toning:Beat the Heat and Firm Up

Mirabai Holland


YARD ‘N GARDEN

With the lack of rain this summer water is a rare sight. However, you can always have water in

view with the addition of a water garden to your landscape.

Water gardens can be very small or as large as you want. I was once involved in filling-in a swimming pool

and turning that space into a water garden.Your space will determine what’s workable.

Your garden can include simple goldfish or fancy as Koi. Frogs are a bonus, and come on their own.

The selection of water garden plants includes those that float and those that are upright, many of which bloom. Water Lilies are the first pond plant most think of, and they come in an assortment of colors; pink, yellow, white and a very expensive blue one. Several favorites from your landscap-ing will also grow in water, such as Iris & Canna lilies. Water plants multiply quickly. In a single season you’ll have excess to share with other pond owners.

If you locate the water garden near your house you’ll benefit from the sound. The water fall or stream to the pond can be soft or loud, depending on the height of the fall. If near a busy street, the pleasant sounds of water can mask traffic noise.

The pond does not need to be deep, but a three-foot pocket is advised to give fish a safe place to go in winter and to keep them away from prey, such as raccoons.

Choosing a site is the first step. Next, deter-mine the size. Pond size dictates pump size and the amount of liner, rocks and gravel needed for the project. There are a variety of kits for the do-it-yourself type, but this is one project I recommend you leave to the professionals UNLESS you have a strong back and are sure three of your best friends are willing to donate a few days hard work. Depending on soil type the digging can be a overwhelming. Plus, pond liners are very heavy and require strength to place correctly. Gravel and rocks are next, and

neither are for sissies.The placement of rock in the pond will make all the difference

as to how natural it looks when finished.There’s an art to placing the rocks.

Water plants and fish complete the project. The area around the pond is the perfect spot for a sitting area to view the fish and listen to the calming water sounds. A flagstone patio blends well with the rock on the pond, and consider adding a hammock for relax-ing after a long day. Chairs and a table for outdoor dining create a peaceful environment for any meal.

The pond gives the feeling of being in the tropics right in your yard. Add banana trees and/or palms and you can imagine yourself anywhere but your own zip code.Once the pump is plugged in, sit back and enjoy a gar-den you do not need to water.

Ethel Dozier Boykin, a Montgomery native, owns Art in the Garden, a landscape design and consulting company in the Cap-ital City. Contact her at 334-395-5949, or by email at [email protected] Ethel Dozier Boykin, a Montgomery native, owns Art in the Garden, a landscape design

and consulting company in the Capital City. Contact her at 334-395-5949, or by email at [email protected]

Creating a Water Garden“If near a busy street, the pleasant sounds of water can mask traffic noise.”

Ethel Boykin

We’ve moved!COME VISIT OUR NEW LOCATION!

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• Custom Design• Jewelry Repair• Gifts

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OFF THE BEATEN PATH

She paced back and forth, tail moving rhythmically side-to-side as she cir-cled the isolated strip of overgrown

fencerow in the otherwise ankle-high cut grain field. Head high in the air then low to the ground, her nostrils flared to pick up the scent carried by the slight breeze. Her tail movements quickened as she narrowed her search to a patch of Johnson grass at the base of a wooden fencepost.

On command she rushed in, flushing half a dozen quail hiding in a stand of weeds no bigger than a paint bucket. He raised his shotgun, picked one bird from the covey and swung, pull-ing the trigger as the bead cleared the bird’s beak and dropping it into the field. He repeated the feat with his second barrel on a bird flying straight away from him. The dog had marked the first bird and retrieved it but not the second. Upon receipt of the first he lined the Lab to where he had seen the second bird fall and sent her. A half-minute search and she returned, panting, fat quail in her mouth. He patted the dog on the head and tucked

the birds into his game bag, smiling. “Hunt ‘em up!” he said, and followed the dog to the second of several coveys that day.

When I started training Bella (our Choco-late Labrador Retriever) in 2007 I’d hunted over friends’ and guides’ dogs but never trained my own pup to hunt. Now nearly four years, countless hours of training and hunting together, and a litter of puppies later, I can’t imagine not owning and hunting a dog I trained.

As I began training Coco, one of Bella’s pups, I found myself reviewing the dog-eared

pages of the same books I read when training her mother. Coco is a German Chocolate, a German Shorthaired Pointer/Choco-late Lab Retriever cross. As I write this, my training methods

for her are mostly retriever-based but I will adapt to her hunting style as her training progresses.

While I’m not a professional trainer, I am the king of guy who is willing to put in the personal time and effort necessary to produce a good dog. Bella is not a perfect hunting dog by any means, but I’m proud of how she turned out and how Coco’s hunting career is shaping up. In subsequent issues I’ll share some of the things I’ve learned through mistakes, along with tips picked up from pro-fessional trainers kind enough to help me.

Training tips coming up in September: 1) consistency is the key, 2) make training a journey not a trip, and 3) build confidence through challenges.

Niko Corley spend his free time hunting, fishing and enjoying other outdoor activities. He can be contacted at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @coot-footoutfitters.

Backyard Bird Dogs: An Introduction

Coco & Bella

Montgomery Bridge Club

Two SessionsTuesday, Sept. 13

1:00 p.m. &6:30 p.m.

Food, Fun, Friendly People!

Montgomery Bridge Club1711 Mulberry Street To register, call or e-mail:334-244-5052 or [email protected]

Montgomery Bridge Club• FREE Contract Bridge Lesson •


(Above Left) Alex Scarborough and grandson Nicholas. (Above Right) Jim Berdeaux shows off his sauces.

OUT & ABOUTAt the Montgomery Curb Market: (below L-R) Clyde and Betty Hall with B.A.S.S. founder Ray Scott; (Right) John Grier with grandson Alex.


Eastdale Estates5801 Eastdale Drive

Montgomery, AL 36117Contact: Frank or Lynn; Wade or Rose

334-260-8911

1. Care•free (adj.) - untroubled, relaxed2. In•de•pen•dent (adj.) - self-determining3. Com•for•ta•ble (adj.) - a state of physical ease

• Studio, 1 & 2 bedroom apts. w/kitchenettes• Prepared meals, restaurant-style dining• Guest dining and lodging• Pets welcome• Library/TV media room

For more information visit www.holidaytouch.com and click on Our Communities.

De•fin'•ing Re•tire'•mentDe•fin'•ing Re•tire'•ment

• Exercise equipment• Paid utilities and cable• Daily shuttle bus• Enjoy a complimentary lunch prepared by our award-winning chef, then take a guided tour of our community

FREE SEMINAR -- “Benefits for Veterans & Surviving Spouses”Saturday August 6, 10 a.m. CALL TODAY TO REGISTER!

(Below) Singer/songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman at the Hank Williams Museum to conduct a songwriting work-shop. (Right) Cam Martindale, Bob Froese, Larry Pucket at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. (Bottom Right) Mrs. Wilma McNeill at her 90th birthday party with Marilyn McNeill Johnson and Ben McNeill. (Photo courtesy Pho-tography by the Robertsons.)

OUT & ABOUT


AUGUST CALENDARTheatre

Aug. 4-6. Union Springs. The Exact Center of the Uni-verse. Red Door Theatre. 334-738-8687. [email protected]. $. Aug. 4-7, 11-13. Wetumpka. All Shook Up. Wetumpka Depot Players. 334-868-1440. www.wetumpkadepot.com. $. Aug. 11-13, 19-20, & 25-27. Mtgy. Smokey Joe’s Café. Faulkner University. 334-386-7190. [email protected]. $.

Music Aug. 7, 3 p.m. Alabama Roots Music Society with Jerry Salley and Larry Cordle. Capri Theatre. 334-262-4858. www.capritheatre.org. $. Aug. 12, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Mtgy. Chestnut Street Opry. 2201 Chestnut Street. Play, listen sing, dance. 334-313-0843. 334-531-0054. www.chestnutstreetopry.com. Aug. 13 & 27, 9 a.m.-noon.Mtgy. Jam Sessions. Old Ala-bama Town. Bring your instrument. 334-240-4500. www.oldalabamatown.com.

History Aug. 6, 13, 20, & 27, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Mtgy. Half Price Satur-days, Old Alabama Town. 888-242-1850. www.oldalabam-atown.com. $. Aug. 18, noon-1 p.m. Mtgy. “Race Relations in Alabama, 1965-1968” by Jim Peppler. Dept. of Archives/History. 334-353-4726. www.archives.alabama.gov.

Arts & CraftsAug. 4-Oct. 14, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mtgy. Works by Bruce Phil-lips. Rosa Parks Museum. 334-241-8701. www.montgom-ery.troy.edu/rosaparks/museum/.

Fundraisers Aug. 13, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Millbrook. 15th Annual Millbrook-Coosada Kiwanis Golf Tournament. The Pines Golf Club. 334-285-9099. $. Aug. 19-21. Mtgy. Buckmasters 18th Annual Expo. Montgomery Convention Center, Renaissance. Admission is one can of food for Salvation Army. 334-376-2619. www.buckmasters.com. Aug. 26. United Cerebral Palsy Summer Casual Day. Buy a shirt benefiting United Cerebral Palsy of Central Alabama by Aug. 5 and wear it to work. 334-271-2280. [email protected]. $.

Other Aug. 4-5, 7:30 p.m. Mtgy. Alabama Dance Theatre’s “Stars on the Riverfront.” Riverwalk Amphitheatre. Gates open at 6 for picnicking. 334-241-2590. www.alabamadancetheatre.com. Aug. 18, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Capital City Club. Wine tasting


GAMESCrossword CluesACROSS 1 Have regrets 4 Give a speech 9 Labor leader Eugene __ 13 Poison ivy symptom 15 Meat shunner 16 Concept 17 Show courage 18 Chris of tennis 19 Haughtiness 20 One __; 1 percent 22 Hounds and hamsters 23 Medicinal tablet 24 Actress Charlotte 26 Too diluted 29 Elevator alternative 34 Oust a tenant 35 Pigsty dinner 36 __ bandage; wraparound type 37 Sausage shape 38 __ out; relax 39 Miss 40 Remain behind 41 Glow 42 Cut fancy sloping edges

43 Lurking 45 Embrace 46 Nothing 47 Melancholy 48 Mail 51 Tactfulness 56 __ so; very 57 Relative by marriage 58 __-biter; close contest 60 Existed 61 Open dislike 62 Catch sight of 63 Winter flakes 64 Hell 65 __ off; anger

DOWN 1 Get __ of; eliminate 2 “The Beehive State” 3 Shade of beige 4 Excessively 5 Live it up 6 Grew older 7 Small pie 8 Hold spellbound 9 __ rash; baby’s skin irritation 10 Actress Falco 11 Ernie’s buddy on “Sesame Street” 12 Impudent talk 14 Nag 21 Soil 25 Feel sick 26 Water sources 27 Of birds 28 Slight coloring 29 “__ Low, Sweet Chariot” 30 Scrabble piece 31 Forgo voluntarily 32 TV’s “Green __” 33 Hollers 35 Part of the leg 38 Immature 39 Relevant 41 Enjoy the slopes 42 “The Wizard of Oz” author 44 Prince Charles’ brother 45 Circus funny men 47 Stare angrily 48 Sutures 49 __ if; although 50 Fiddling emperor 52 Peruvian Indian 53 Walk heavily 54 Group of actors 55 “Egad!” 59 Corrosive alkali

©2011 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

and financial seminar. NEXT Financial Group. RSVP by Aug. 15. Call 334-532-0873 or email [email protected]. Aug.21, 5 p.m. Taoist Tai Chi Society Open House, Grace Episcopal Church, Pike Rd. Re-freshments, Tai Chi demonstration, intro to health benefits of Tai Chi. 334-832-1907. Aug. 25, 5-7 p.m. AUM Continuing Education Preview. 75 Techna Center Drive. Courses/certifi-cates offered, meet instructors and staff. 334-244-3804. www.aum.edu/coned. Aug. 27, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ABC of BATS. Mont-gomery Zoo. Advanced reservations required. 334-240-4900. www.montgomeryzoo.com. $. Aug. 27, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Montgomery Dragon Boat Race & Festival. Riverfront Park. 334-315-2358. www.montgomerydragonboat.org.

• IMPORTANT •August 12 -- Last day to register to VOTE!August 23 -- City-wide elections. 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

AUGUST CALENDAR


PRIME DIVERSIONS

Limitless • Arthur • RangoRecent dvd releases

Mark Glass

Limitless (PG-13) Those who followed the TV series LA Law may remember neb-bishy attorney Stuart Markowitz’ romantic overachievements thanks to a sexual technique called the Venus Butterfly that an even nerdier client disclosed to him as the secret to his rampant polygamy. Pop culture buzzed with speculation about what this key to dazzling women in bed might be. This suspenseful drama

serves up a likely succes-sor to that realm of fan-tasy - a pill that unleashes the full power of our brains, compared to the 5 - 15% scientists claim we function with in our current state of evolution (or semi-intelligent de-sign, depending on one’s

preferences). Bradley Cooper is a depressed, blocked writer whose lot changes dramatically when his former brother-in-law gives him one of those pills. Suddenly, he’s happy, dazzlingly bril-liant, finishing the novel he hadn’t been able to start within days. But pills wear off, and more are needed. Unfortunately, someone murders his source, and the danger part of the plot begins. Considering the fanciful premise, the plot is relatively thought-ful and coherent, with several arenas of suspense and food for thought about what “better living through chemistry” may come to mean in the near future. Cooper and DeNiro turn in com-pelling performances in this sci-fi variation on the sort of Wall Street clashes between old mentors and young wizards of the wandless variety. (6/7/11)

Arthur (PG-13)I never fully appreciated Dudley Moore’s original until I saw

what they did to it in this terrible updated remake. Perhaps the days of finding charm in the antics and misadventures of the boozing scion of a wealthy family have passed. These days we’ve seen too many victims of drunk driving or abusive conduct to see the humor in portrayals of lov-able lushes. Would Foster Brooks, who regaled us in the days of Dean Martin’s TV roasts, find work for that character today?

Besides picking the wrong time for this tale, Russell Brand camps it up like Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow, fend-ing off whatever empathy we might have developed for him; Helen Mirren can’t replace Sir John Gielgud’s droll butler, Hobson (another weird bit of slumming for one who should know better); and having Brand

fall for the blandest blond they could find makes Liza Minnelli seem like Myrna Loy by comparison. The script offers a few laughs, including some mild attempts to give a nod to Arthur’s prolonged adolescence in the climate of our current financial mess, but there are fatal shortcomings in both chemistry and context, making this one of the year’s most annoying films - especially for those who relished being caught between the Moon and New York City a couple of decades ago…when it was still fun. (6/14/11)

Rango *** (PG) Apart from the deceptive gap between the look of this animat-

ed feature and the actuality of its script, this one’s a pretty good bet for the right audience, in the right frame of mind. The char-acters are so adorable one may expect a light-hearted animal

adventure for all ages. But the story and ac-tion unfold in a more dramatic tone than the artwork indicates, making it less likely to please those under ten than one expects. With

that caveat in mind, enjoy the tale of a daydreaming city-raised chameleon who accidentally lands in a desert town in which foul play is afoot, as he unwittingly, then reluctantly, sets himself up for the role of hero - the good, the bad and the ugly of such gigs. In structure, the plot seems much like Jack Black’s recent outing in a contemporary spin on Gulliver’s Travels. This variation on the theme is less funny, but much cuter. (6/21/11)

Mark Glass is an officer and director of the St. Louis Film Critics Association.

Seton HavenAffordable Housing for the Elderly and Mobility Impaired

• Spacious 1 Bedroom Apartments• 24-hour Security• Planned Activities• Beauty Salon

3721 Wares Ferry Rd. | Montgomery, AL 36109For information call: 334-272-4000


Call 334-263-1366 for tickets/info

$9 Chicken or Pork Plate$12 Lamb Plate

Plates include Camp Stew, Slaw, Bread

Drive-Thru, Eat In, Take Out

Monday, September 5th 9 a.m. until Sold Out

__________________________________

63nd Annual

Labor Day BBQ &

Greek Pastry Sale

_______________________

Greek Orthodox ChurchCorner of Mt. Meigs & Capitol Parkway

_________________

____________

________

Only 13%of general practitioners

screen forhearing loss.

Those with severehearing loss have

unemployment ratesdouble that of their peers

who use hearing aids.

When someone in the family has a hearing loss, the entire family has a hearing problem. LET US HELP! A medicalevaluation of your hearing can best discover the cause of yourhearing loss and allow us to select the proper treatment. Whether medicine, surgery or a hearing instrument is right for you,at all EARS we providecomprehensive, physician-directed hearing services.

Call us today • (334) 281-8400“The doctor to see is an ENT.”

R.G. Love, M.D.2006 AAO-HNS BOG

Practitioner of Excellence

Michael PassineauDirector of

Hearing Instruments

Did youknow?

6912 Winton Blount Blvd. • Montgomery, AL 36117

Untreated hearing loss can cost you $30,000 in annual income.

For mild hearing loss, hearing aids can reverse income loss by 90 to 100%.

Find us on the web atwww.allearscenters.com.

Prime Montgomery Aug 2011

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