Whistlestop Express

E PRESS

Continued on page 11

The Leading Information Resource for Marin's Active Aging MovementOCTOBER 2010 thewhistlestop.org

Whistlestop, Marin County’s leading center for older

adults for more than 50 years, is partnering with the Pacific Sun, the county’s premiere arts and entertainment weekly, to provide more readers than ever with monthly news and activities of interest to older adults and their families. The two prominent Marin institutions begin their partnership next month when copies of the Whistlestop Express (formerly the Silver Express) will be inserted into the Pacific Sun. The Sun has a readership of 80,000 throughout the county each week. The Whistlestop Express will appear inside the Sun in the last issue each month. The Pacific Sun’s print publication, started in 1963, is available for home delivery by paid subscription and is distributed free to more than 400 locations throughout the county. The Sun has won

numerous awards for excellence over the years and in 2010 won first place for Lifestyle Coverage in the California Newspaper Publishers Association (CNPA) competition. The Whistlestop Express was started as the Silver Express in July 2008 and was preceded by various publications dating back to the 1950s. Joe O’Hehir, CEO of Whis-tlestop, said this partnership allows Whistlestop readers to continue to receive the Express free and on a monthly basis. He added that residents who still want the Express mailed can donate an annual sub-scription fee of $10. O’Hehir went on to say, “We are excited about our new partnership with the Pacific Sun.

"They are Marin’s premiere news weekly and they have the publishing expertise we need. They are providing us with a cost-effective solution that allows us to continue to deliver a valuable monthly information resource to Marin’s older adult community.” The new Whistlestop Express will be printed on less expensive paper and will not

Whistlestop Teams Up with Pacific Sun; New Express Hits the Streets in November b y J O H N B O W M A N

Whistlestop

Zucchini is

served at The

Mystic Table.

page 6

Join us at the

Oktoberfest!

page 9

Discover the

Bird's side of

Marin.

page 12

Best in ShowPHOTO CONTEST WINNERSReception November 2nd at 6pm

Best in Show winner in the second annual Whistlestop Photography Contest was this shot of mysterious Race Track in Death Valley, by Keith Marsh, 60, of San Anselmo. See all winners, pages 4-5.

2 The Whistlestop Express October 2010

In the December, 2009 issue of the Silver Express, I shared with our readers the nancial

challenges we face publishing a monthly newsletter, and mailing it to over 30,000 households with residents 60 and older in Marin County. During the past 10 months, our staff has been exploring options so that we can continue to provide you with a high quality, monthly newsletter that has become the leading information resource for Marin’s Active Aging movement. We are happy to announce that we have entered into a business partnership with the Paci c Sun that will allow us to continue on a monthly basis, in a more cost ef cient manner. The Paci c Sun weekly newspaper was founded in 1963, and is available for home delivery by paid subscription and distributed free at over 400 locations throughout Marin County. The Sun also produces an e-mail product that contains information about Marin people, news and events, and restaurant and lm reviews. Our staff will continue to develop the relevant news and editorial content that our readership wants on a monthly basis. The Paci c Sun will design, print and distribute our newsletter to their locations along with their newspaper. We will be offering a paid subscription option

if you want our newsletter mailed to your home. In addition, the Sun will be handling all aspects of our advertising. Our second annual readership survey yielded over 300 responses and 76% of you told us you want a monthly publication. Distribution of our newsletter in the Paci c Sun will allow us to reach more families in Marin, including many who have older adults as members of their households. We are hearing from

more and more children of older adults wanting information on services for their parents, so that they can help them age successfully in their homes. I have

personally experienced this recently because I needed to nd home health services for my 80-year-old parents in Florida. It would have been very helpful to have a Whistlestop Express to identify and locate programs and services for them in their community. We help older adults in Marin get around, eat well, keep connected, and stay active in the community. And, we know that the demand and need for our services will continue to grow given the 65 and over population growth projections. That’s why we are committed to continue to provide this essential information. Joe O’Hehir is Whistlestop’s CEO.

WhistlestopPERSPECTIVE b y J O E O ' H E H I R

Table ofCONTENTS

Readers Write In

Photo Contest Winners

Mystic TableMark Lindsay

Recipe of the Month

At Whistlestop

Whistlestop Activities Calendar

The Bird's Side of Marin Richard Pavek

Financial Nuggets Jeff Stoffer

Grand Mom Audrey Mettel Fixmer

Puzzle/Survey Results

34/5

6

78/91012

13

14

15

New Partnership MeansContinued Monthly News

Marin Senior Coordinating Council, Inc.930 Tamalpais Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901Chief Executive Officer, Joe O’Hehir

Board of DirectorsPresident, Dennis ThompsonVice President, Terry ScusselChief Financial Officer, Jeff StofferSecretary, Michael Hingson

The Whistlestop ExpressSenior Coordinating Council, Inc. A 501 (c) 3

The Mission of Whistlestop:

information and referral services, and an activity

Whistlestop Contact InformationMain Number 415-456-9062Whistlestop Fax 415-456-2858www.thewhistlestop.org

Information & Referral [email protected]

The Whistlestop Express Editorial, Art Direction & SalesJohn & Val Bowman Editors916-751-9189

Missy Reynolds Art [email protected] Black 415-485-6700, Ext. 306The Whistlestop Express is printed on recycled paper

The Whistlestop Express, please call 415-456-9062, ext. 141. Or send an email, with your request, your name and address to [email protected].

76% of you told us you want a monthly publication.

www.TheWhistlestop.org 3

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Almost every day between 7:30 and 8:30 am, on doctor’s orders, I wake up to my alarm, groan myself out of bed, throw

on my madras shorts or pants, support bra and camisole, and slather BioFreeze gel on my feet. I down a couple of ibuprofen along with my fizzy vitamin drink, do a few Jane Fonda warm-ups, don my sunglasses and straw hat, grab my water bottle, and go run. In my soul, I am a runner. I walk the half block down to the marsh at the edge of San Pedro Bay. Then I run — a very slow jog, maybe a slightly fast walk, but in my mind I am a runner. I make the one-mile loop around the levee as fast as I can. At first I feel like the Tinman from the Wizard of Oz, creaking and jarring on rusty joints, but after a while, I adjust to the morning pangs and roving aches of my overweight, over 60-year-old body. I chant Thich Nhat Hanh words:

“Breathing in, I calm my body.

Breathing out, I smile.

Dwelling in the present moment,

I know this a wonderful moment.”

On many mornings, the wind has just swept the fog away across the bay and the sky is light blue and bright. The breeze keeps me comfortable, and I’m grateful for it. I hear the cry of the Clapper Rail hiding in the reeds on the far side of Gallinas Creek. Mockingbirds sing and doves softly coo. I see the peak of Mt. Tamalpais to the west and Mt. Diablo to the east over the water. I try not to stop, but when I see a Snowy Egret gliding over the water channels in the marsh, I watch it float slowly down and gracefully alight. The ease of its flight is a contrast to the gravity that pulls at my feet and tries to keep me pinned to the ground. We are both nature’s creatures, moving on the earth, breathing the fresh morning air with the sun on our heads. I sense our connection. It’s a good day.

ReadersWRITE IN b y P A M E L A W I L D I N G

At One with Nature On an Almost Run


Photo ContestWINNERS TRAVEL CATEGORY PEOPLE CATEGORY

SECOND PLACE

Moroccan Camel Driver,

Ann Rivo

FIRST PLACE East Meets West, Linda Leach

THIRD PLACE Puerto Montt, Chile, Steve MoreyFOURTH PLACE Antarctic Ice, Al Gufstason

SECOND PLACE Peruvian Man from Pisac, Keith Marsh

Dark rocks crawling their way across the floor of Death Valley were

irresistible for San Anselmo photographer Keith Marsh. He endured a long February night of freezing temperatures to capture the photo that was named Best in Show in the second annual Whistlestop Photography Contest. More than 80 photos were entered and Marsh’s photo also won first place in the Nature category. Winning photographers will be honored at a 6pm reception November 2, co-sponsored by Whistlestop and Marin Acura. Marsh, 60, took the photo with a Nikon D70 at f/11 at 1/400

second, at Race Track in Death Valley, on a dry lakebed located in a part of the park accessible only by a 28-mile washboard road. Marsh said, “These rocks fall from the hills at the south end of the lake and move across the mud flats, leaving trails. It is a mystery as to how and why they move. Experts believe that when it rains, the mud becomes very slippery and high winds move the rocks.” Other winners were: Nature Category: 2nd George Cunha, Zen Moment at Yosemite; 3rd Ann Rivo, Jellyfish at Monterey Aquarium; 4th Al Gustafson, Antarctic Guardian. People: 1st Marilyn Bagshaw, The White Hat; 2nd Keith Marsh, Peruvian Man from Pisac; 3rd Pat Wall, Girl in Red; 4th

Ann Rivo, Old Man at Moroccan Market. Travel: 1st Linda Leach, East Meets West; 2nd Rivo, Moroccan Camel Driver; 3rd Steve Morey, Puerto Montt, Chile; 4th Al Gustafson, Antarctic Ice. Animals: 1st Marsh, Sandhill Cranes Take Flight; 2nd Cunha, Song Sparrow Singing Songs; 3rd Rivo, African Elephants; 4th Gustafson, Nest Building. Third and fourth place winning photos will be published in the November issue. Judges for the contest were two gifted Marin photographers, Mark Lindsay and Terry Scussel, Whistlesop Board Vice President. Rebecca Lack, Executive Communications Assistant at Whistlestop, managed the judging session.

Mysterious Death Valley Rock PhotoWins Best in Show in Contest

FIRST PLACE The White Hat, Marilyn Bagshaw

THIRD PLACE Girl in Red, Pat WallFOURTH PLACE Old Man at Moroccan Market, Ann Rivo


Estate Transition Services

ANIMALS CATEGORY NATURE CATEGORY

SECOND PLACE Song Sparrow

Singing Songs, George Cunha

FIRST PLACE Sandhill Cranes Take Flight, Keith Marsh

THIRD PLACE African Elephants, Ann RivoFOURTH PLACE Nest Building, Al Gufstason

SECOND PLACE Zen Moment at Yosemite, George Cunha

FIRST PLACE Race Track, Death Valley, Keith Marsh

THIRD PLACE Jellyfish Monterey Aquarium, Ann RivoFOURTH PLACE Antarctic Guardian, Al Gustafson


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All loans are subject to property approval. Certain conditions and fees apply. Mortgage financing provided by MetLife Bank, N.A., Equal Housing Lender. © 2010 METLIFE, INC. L0809052954[exp0810][All States][DC]

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I once worked with an avid gardener who, once a year, came to work with an

enormous basket of zucchini. A fussy and fastidious woman, she always delivered her produce wrapped in a lovely, blue, checkered tablecloth. “I’m sick of the stuff,” she would say. “I’ve sautéed it, grilled it, made zucchini bread with it. Now you can have the rest.” Long ago I hated zucchini and had no idea what to do with it. So when it showed up

in the checkered cloth at work I accepted it out of politeness. But then I went to Italy and learned the zucchini secrets. In an earlier column, I told a story of a cold day in a

Bolognese trattoria where I watched a hungry college student devour a plate of zucchini that was swimming in a light, savory broth with chopped tomatoes. The zucchini were

hollowed out like the skin of a hot dog and stuffed with meat. For years I’ve wanted the

recipe for that dish but found nothing quite like it. This month, I concocted a recipe that I believe comes close. This hearty, unexpected meal might get you to love zucchini as much as I do.

Mark Lindsay, MFA, is an art-ist, food writer, cooking teacher and former Whistlestop Board member. He learned to cook in Italy, studying for eight years.

The MysticTABLE b y M A R K L I N D S AY

An Abundance of Zucchini

Long ago I hated zucchini and had no idea what to do with it.


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Serves 6

Ingredients

12 Medium zucchini, as straight as possible 1/2lb Ground beef, lean 4 tbsp. Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (plus 1/4 cup for sprinkling at the table) 1 Egg 3 tbsp. Breadcrumbs Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste 3 tbsp. Extra-virgin olive oil2 cups Meat broth, preferably homemade 6 Roma tomatoes (preferably fresh; canned are acceptable) peeled, seeded and cut roughly into large pieces 6 Basil leaves, torn into small pieces

Soak zucchini in a large bowl of water to remove grit. Cut both ends off and cut the zucchini crosswise into two pieces. With

an apple corer, hollow out the zucchini so they have a long tunnel cut into them lengthwise, end to end. Mix the ground beef, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, egg, breadcrumbs, a large pinch of salt and several grindings of black pepper. Mix thoroughly. The mixture should be savory and well-seasoned. You can sauté a tiny bit of the mixture to taste it if you like. Stuff the zucchini with the meat mixture. The stuffing will expand when you cook it, so leave some room at each end. Put the olive oil in a large, wide pan that can hold all the zucchini in one layer. Heat the oil over medium heat and add zucchini. Brown the zucchini on all sides. Add the broth, a large pinch of salt and several grindings of black pepper. Cover the pan tightly with a lid and cook the zucchini for about 20 minutes, turning them from time to time. Add chopped tomatoes, cover and cook for another 15 minutes, occasionally turning the zucchini. Add the basil, cover the pan and cook for another 5 minutes. Place the zucchini pieces in shallow soup bowls, two pieces per bowl. Add some broth to each bowl, sprinkle on some extra Parmigiano-Reggiano and serve piping hot with some crusty bread.

Recipe ofTHE MONTHStuffed Zucchini in Broth


515 Northgate Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903

415.233.6199

A place to celebrate each moment.“Residents are the heart of our community.”

Assisted Living | Memory Care

AlmaVia of San Rafael, an Elder Care Alliance community is cosponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas West Midwest Community & the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. RCFE Lic # 216801868.

www.almaviaofsanrafael.org

for sponsoring our second Photography Contest and doing

something good for an older adult!

Thank You

Michelle Moser, Best in Show 2009, Sunburst Forest

Learn More atWHISTLESTOPMARIN COUNTY SENIOR INFORMATION FAIR

Civic Center, Marin Exhibit Hall, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San RafaelMore than 125 booths, fl u shot clinic and moreVisit www.marinseniorinformationfair.org

LEVEL I COMPUTER CLASS

(No class on 11/23)(No class on 11/26)

Instructors: Michael Kress (Tuesdays) and Letitia Sanders (Fridays) | Fee: $60 for 6-week courseTo register: call 415-459-6700

LEVEL II COMPUTER CLASS

(No class on Nov 11 & 25)Instructor: Ed Essick | Fee: $60 for 6-week courseTo register: call 415-459-6700

BEGINNING COMPUTER/PICTURE CLASS

Instructor: Gene Dyer | Fee: $15Pre-registration required:call 415-459-6700Here’s your opportunity to learn how to share your digital photos with friends and family. Learn how to set up your computer to receive photos and how to transfer them from your camera, CD or fl ash drive onto your computer’s hard drive. Once on the computer, learn how to send and receive them with your friends by attaching them to your e-mail program.

SudokuAnswers


Scheduling Rides: 454-0964Cancelling Rides: 457-4630Eligibility Coordinator, Janet Van Rijsbergen 454-0964, ext. [email protected]

Transportation Numbers

ADVANCED COMPUTER/PICTURE CLASS

Instructor: Gene Dyer | Fee: $15Pre-registration required: call 415-459-6700An advanced class for those who have either taken the Beginners Class or already have experience with transferring pictures from their camera to the computer and sending/receiving them from others as attachments to e-mails. View various ways to display your pictures, on your computer, on your TV, and on other people’s computers using slide shows, Word or PDF documents, Power Point Presentation with text and sound and Movie format including text, fades and sound.

MOVEMENT AND MUSIC FOR THE OLDER ADULTA Universal Language

Instructor: Diane Hain | Fee: $38 for 7-week courseRegistration required: call 415-456-9062 or register at the College of MarinThis exercise class is created for older adults who have not been exercising regularly or have arthritis related problems. It moves at a moderate, comfortable (yet progressively challenging) pace to meet individual needs. Chair exercises (to tone both upper and lower body muscles) will comprise a major portion of the class. Also included: joint flexibility, muscle strengthening, balance, breathing coordination and modified Tai Chi movements, combined with relaxing music, conducive to reducing stress.

DEUTSCHE GESELLSCHAFT

Wir haben eine neue Idee in Whistlestop wo wir eine Deutsch sprechende Gruppe Zusammen bringen und wir uns in Deutsch amusieren konnen. Wir freuen uns auf Ihr kennen lernen, bitte rufen Sie fur Auskunft.

OKTOBERFEST LUNCHEON

Jackson Café | Fee: $6 for older adults, $9 for under 60Registration required: call 415-456-9062Please join us for live entertainment and a delicious meal! Menu: bratwurst with mustard and sauerkraut, German potatoes, red cabbage, soft pretzels, dessert, and raspberry iced tea.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP WITH WHISTLESTOP TAX PROGRAMWhistlestop is seeking volunteers to help low-to-moderate income people with their 2010 taxes. Volunteers commit from February through April and must participate in the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) training (held in

January) to become certified. For more information, email [email protected] or call 415-456-9062 x124.

EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION: MEDICARE AND YOU

Speaker: Suzanne Schneider, CEBS, CLTC | FreeTo register: call 415-456-9062Learn about the various changes to Medicare as a result of the federal Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, Medicare Supplement insurance, also called “Medigap” insurance, the new Obama Healthcare Reform, new Part B benefits beginning 2011, Part D doughnut hole benefits and more.

IT’S TEA DANCE TIME AGAIN!

Caboose Room | Fee: $2 to offset the cost of foodJoin Whistlestop for music and dancing at our next Tea Dance. If you missed our first dance, you won’t want to miss out again. Snacks, drinks will be provided.

EAT WELL…AGE WELL

Jackson CaféSpeaker: Doris Bersing, PhD, President and Co-founder of Living Well Assisted Living at HomeNutritious food is an important part of a balanced diet. Eating well contributes to living a long, active life and preserves your independence. A healthy diet means eating food which you enjoy, which will give you all the nutrients, and to sharing your food and meals with family and friends.

CHAIR MASSAGE

LoungeTherapist: Gail Orchier, CMT10-minute sessions on a donation basis. First-come, first-served, so arrive early to get on the waiting list.www.riverguidess.com/fluidhands.html


WhistlestopACTIVITIES This Month at Whistlestop

TIME CLASS LOCATION MISC. COST

8:45–10:45 AM English Conversation Caboose 454-0998 for info Free10:30–NOON Senior Persian Group Lounge 479-6020 for info Free11:00–NOON Computer Literacy Computer Lab Open Free11:00–12:30 PM Senior German Group Box Car Open Free2:00–4:00 PM ESL Caboose/Café Aug 16th-Dec 8th Free4:00–5:30 PM Citizenship Caboose 454-0998 for info Free

9:15–10:30 AM Exercisers Caboose Open $210:30–3:00 PM Senior Asian Group Caboose 454-1552 for info Free10:45–11:45 AM Cardio Exercise Caboose Open Free1:00–3:00 PM Spanish Class Caboose Open Free2:00–3:30 PM English Conversation Board Room 454-0998 for info Free

9:15–10:30 AM Exercisers Caboose Open $210:30–NOON Art Class Lounge Open Free10:30–3:00 PM Senior Asian Group Caboose 454-1552 for info Free12:30–2:00 PM On Site Notary Arcade Open $2/Signature2:15–3:15 PM Chair Yoga Jackson Café Open $53:00–4:00 PM Vietn.Citizenship Caboose 454-1552 for info Free

9:00–10:30 AM Tai Chi Qigong Caboose Suggested Donation $1010:00–11:30 AM Seniors' Circle Board Room Open Free10:00–NOON Computer Lab Computer Lab Open Free10:30–NOON Senior Persian Group Lounge 479-6020 for info Free11:00–NOON Corazón Latino Caboose Open Free2:00–4:00 PM ESL Caboose/Café Aug 16th-Dec 8th Free

11:00–1:00 PM Loom Knitting Caboose 1st Fri. Arts & Crafts Free1:30–3:30 PM ACASA Board Room Peer Counseling Free1:30–3:30 PM Spanish Club Caboose Open Free 2:00-4:00 PM Friday Movie Jackson Café Free Snacks/Drinks Free

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The Caboose, Computer Lab, Board Room and Jackson Café are all located at Whistlestop’s Active Aging Center – 930 Tamalpais Ave., San Rafael.

Jackson Café

LUNC

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Monday-Friday 11:30am-1:30pmLocated in Whistlestop Active Aging Center

60+ PRICESMain Entrée $3.75Turkey Sandwich $2.75Soup $1.75Hamburger $4.00Pizza $3.50Salads $2.50

UNDER 60 PRICESMain Entrée $6.25Turkey Sandwich $3.25Soup $2.25Hamburger $5.00Pizza $4.50Salads $3.50

OTHER ITEMSTuna Salad Side $1.25Fresh Fruit Cup $.75Cottage Cheese $1.00Desserts $.50Beverages $.50-$.75


be mailed free, thus reducing cost of publication significantly. The new Express will have more photos and more color than previously, at considerably less cost. The Sun will handle all advertising in the Express. Pacific Sun Publisher Gina Channel-Allen said, “The Whistlestop Express has great content readers look forward to every month. The Pacific

Sun has a business model to provide that great content to more people at a lower cost to Whistlestop. It’s a win-win for everyone, but particularly for the readers.” Readers may pick

up Whistlestop Express at any of the 400 Sun distribution points throughout the county. In addition, extra copies will be dropped off monthly at the following locations: Margaret Todd Senior Center, Kaiser Hospital Terra Linda, Villa Marin, Drake Terrace, Smith Ranch Homes Alma Via, Marin County Commission on Aging, Goldenaires, Downtown Kaiser, Pickleweed Community Center, West Marin Senior Services, Marin General, The Tamalpais, Kentfield Rehabilitation & Specialty Hospital, Aegis of Corte Madera, The Redwoods, Marguerita C. Johnson Senior Center, Belvedere-Tiburon Library, San Rafael Library, Cardiovascular Associates of Marin and San Francisco.

continued from page 1

Experience Corps Marin Needs You!Looking for a way to share your love of reading and kids while contributing some time and skills in your community? Experience Corps Marin offers free training for volunteers age 55+ to work as early literacy tutors and mentors in K-3 San Rafael elementary classes. It’s never too late to return to school as a member of our seasoned and talented team of tutors! Find out more about participating in our free training on Wednesday, October 13, from 10am-1pm. Stipends are available for tutoring commitments of 10 plus hours a week. To receive an application packet, contact Susan Kraemer at 415-464-1767 or via email @[email protected].

It's a win-win for everyone, but particularly the readers.


Soon the Sandhill Cranes – along with Tundra Swans, White-fronted Geese, and

other migratory birds – will begin arriving at their winter feeding grounds near Lodi. Just in time for the Lodi Crane Festival the weekend of November 5 through 7. Amazing how they timed that. Smart birds! This is a great festival and easy for us Marinites to get to, being only a two-hour drive. The Cranes are captivating. Four feet tall with a six and a half foot wingspread,

these splendid birds move majestically through the air in small and large groups, their low-pitched gargling conversations announcing their approach long before they

sweep over you –taking your breath with them. For all their size, the Cranes are extremely timid. They may be feeding

half a block from the road but will start moving away just as soon as a passing car slows down. Please resist the urge to follow them; you will only drive them off further. The Festival features good

food, a popular art show, free informational programs, and an exhibit hall. Look for me; I’ll be there all three days. If you can’t make the Festival, email me and I will send you a map to the Crane area. Join my photo conversa-tions about birds and birdlife at www.RichardsBirdBlog.com. (Among the photo-posts you will find two on Sandhill Cranes and one on Tundra Swans.) Would you like an interest-ing bird photo in your in-box every weekend? Just ask me: [email protected]. Until next time,Richard

Marin fromTHE BIRD'S SIDE b y R I C H A R D P A V E K

Welcome the Cranes Back

LODI CRANE FESTIVALNov. 5-7, 2010For information, visit www.cranefestival.com or call 800-581-6150.


When President Obama took office, he referred to the Ship of State as a massive vessel needing course

correction. Likewise, our becalmed economy needs redirection. Are we headed for a “double dip” recession — a second slide following quickly on the heels of the first? The problem: the economy needs renewed strength to pull out of the current slowdown. Our options are limited in part by too much debt. At the onset of the financial crisis, the federal government spent huge amounts of money to avoid a full-blown depression. The positive impact of stimulus spending is beginning to wane. Unemployment remains stubbornly high. Consumers wanting to reduce debt are not spending. When countries take on too much debt, as Greece did, lenders become reluctant to refinance debt. They demand higher interest rates. The rising cost of borrowing makes the debt even more unmanageable. The U.S. is at historic high levels not seen since the end of WWII. How do we revitalize the economy and reduce the fiscal deficit to reasonable levels? The solutions: One: grow our way out of the problem. Economic growth would reduce unemployment and increase consumer spending. Further stimulus may be needed. The economy will be lucky to post two percent growth in the fourth quarter. However, stimulus spending increases the deficit. Two: exercise fiscal austerity: cut government spending. Fiscal conservatives view our deficit as already excessive. However, cutting government spending in a weak environment is risky. Three: increase taxes to fight the deficit. Unfortunately, this reduces demand. Navigating these choices is like trying to drive a car while applying the gas and the brakes at the same time.

Jeff Stoffer is a Whistlestop Board member.

FinancialNUGGETS by JEFF STOFFER, CPA, CFP®

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GrandMOMby AUDREY METTEL FIXMER

Remember when your kids were small and you were busy working as they played their little “pretend stories” in which

one of them had the Mama role? Suddenly that character said something like, “And don’t make me tell you that again!” (or worse) and you thought, “Ugh! I’d better watch what I say. Little Sir Echo will repeat it!” What could be worse? Well, I just found out. Broadcasting it to the world! I am immensely proud of our daughter, Elizabeth, whose first novel just came out last week. Trouble is, everyone knows that writers often base their novels on real life. In Elizabeth’s novel, Saint Training, the central character is 12-year-old Mary Clare, the eldest daughter in a big family, who is helping raise her younger siblings, while her overburdened mother does … I don’t know, lights another cigarette? Okay, everybody did it in the 50’s and 60’s! When I protested to Elizabeth, reminding her that I did all of the cooking, baking, laundry, and sewed everything the girls wore, she said, “Mother! This is fiction! Anyway, you always said it’s a writer’s privilege to embellish the truth.” She was confident that readers would not think badly of the mother. So how come, when Elizabeth was interviewed on public radio, the interviewer said he found it quite humorous, “But that mother! I was so mad at her!” Last week we were in New Jersey visiting Rob, the journalist, and his family. As I confessed my concerns, I realized that Rob was nearing retirement and was almost sure to write a novel or two. “Rob, don’t you use your talents to write bad things about me. I won’t just roll over in my grave, I will haunt you!” “Mom!” he said, “How can you say that? You have been writing about us kids all these years and embarrassed us over and over again.” “Yeah, Mom,” said Elizabeth, “It’s payback time!”

Audrey, mother of 10, has been publishing her Grand Mom column in the Madison, WI, Diocesan Catholic Herald for the past 15 years. Contact her at [email protected].

Payback Time


Easy Ways to Give toWHISTLESTOP (Most of Which Won't Cost You Anything)

SUDOKU

You can help Whistlestop do something good for an older adult in many ways. And, the effort is painless. Each month, in the

Express, we will list some of the possibilies.1. Donate a car through Car Donation Services:

888-686-4483.2. Get involved. Volunteer your time to help

us greet people as they arrive at the Active Aging Center, serve meals, prepare a mail-ing or set up for an event.

3. Come hang out at the Active Aging Center—by showing up you are helping to make the Center full of more positive energy.

4. Tell people about Whistlestop's Active Aging programs and services. Being an advocate really helps to spread the word.

5. Involve your community service organization to do a project or raise money on behalf of Whistlestop.

6. Make in-kind donations for income tax credit.

Respondents to the second annual Whistlestop Readership Survey gave

the Silver Express high grades and offered numerous helpful suggestions. Three hundred readers responded. They were asked to rank various features of the publication, with 5 being the high score and 1 the lowest in each category.Some of the results:Readability: 74% ranked us at 5 and 21% at 4 for a combined 95% approval.Looks & Layout: 65% and 27% for 92%.Useful information: 55% and 33% for 88%.Interesting stories: 51% and 35% for 86%.Readers also said they like various features. Combined 5 and 4 rankings follow: Bird’s Side of Marin (Richard Pavek), 80%; Whistlestop Perspective (Joe O’Hehir and Board President Debbie Mills); 78%; Financial Nuggets by Jeff Stoffer, 72%; Mystic Table by Mark Lindsay, 68%.

Seventy-six percent said they want us to continue publishing monthly, 13% bi-monthly and 10% quarterly. More than 200 respondents took time to offer personal comments. Some of those were: “We found an attorney to do our trust through two guest columns we liked and he was excellent!” “I enjoyed Joe O’Hehir’s article about Spirit Rock.” "It's always helpful to remind people (of all ages) about personal finances and financial responsibility." "It has been a subtle reminder to extend a hand to assist our elders." Some reader suggestions: use less expensive paper; publish more articles on spirituality; also, tips on pet care for older adults; more news about changes in laws or pending legislation that affect seniors; run the bird pictures in color; bring back the Grand Mom column; more simple recipes for one or two people; an occasional article on gardening.

Readers Give Silver Express High Grades

To solve the Sudoku, each square in the grid must contain a number between one and nine, with the following condi-tions:

E PRESSWhistlestop

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