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Clubs in Tacoma and Seattle are curling’s local hotbeds

Who hasn’t used a broom or pushed a stone, right? But how many people have done both as part of a sport? Answer: The million-plus people worldwide and a fraction of that in the U.S. and the Puget Sound region who are into curling for glory or just for the fun of it.

For everybody else, curling is the quirky Olympic sport that gets its most attention during the Winter Games. In teams generally of four people, players slide granite stones (also called rocks) on a frozen surface toward a target of four concentric circles. Sort of like shuffleboard, but on ice, and with other differences. Teammates use a curling broom, or brush, to help smooth the stone’s path. Friction from the high-energy sweeping melts the surface enough to cause a thin layer of water for the heavy (44 pounds) stone to glide along. Points are scored for the stones that stop closest to the center of the target, or “house.”

The sport’s origin dates to 16th-century Scotland, where the first recorded match was played in 1541 and the sport’s international governing body, the World Curling Federation, is based today. According to the federation, curling has 1.5 million players worldwide, 90 percent of them in Canada, the hotbed of the sport. The U.S. has about 16,000 players, and most of them are registered with 165 curling clubs.

Washington has produced some prominent curlers. Sean Beighton, an Edmonds native, was introduced to the sport at Granite Curling Club in Seattle on his way to becoming coach of the United States team in the 2022 Winter Olympics. He’s also a past U.S. national champion.

The Seattle club is non-profit and holds competitions and classes for all ages at its rink in Seattle.

In Tacoma, the Rainier Curling Club (RCC) offers competition for experienced players and classes for novices at Tacoma Twin Rinks, located at 2645 S. 80th St. To get involved and find out more, go online at psicesports.com or call 253-272-7825.

Stephanie Betts, RCC’s commissioner, said the club has drop-in curling sessions on Monday nights and a “Learn to Curl” program that started last October and “is great for all ages, including seniors.”

Some experienced players are 55 and older “and are more than excited to help teach new players. We have all the equipment needed, so there’s no need to purchase any of the curling gear,” Betts said, adding that the club plans to get some specialized sticks “to help throw the rocks from a standing position for those who have a hard time getting low to the ice.”

Betts is also director of female hockey at Tacoma Twin Rinks, which includes adult and junior hockey and skating among its programs.

After giving some pointers, instructor Mike Schiebe watches as a new curler puts them to use in a scrimmage at Tacoma Twin Rinks.
srmedia by — March 1, 2023 in Spotlight
Grace period for unpaid tolls almost up

The state’s suspension of fees, penalties and other actions on unpaid bridge and highway tolls will end March 1, making it time for motorists to start paying as usual.

While a new automated “Good to Go” payment system was being installed last July, the state Department of Transportation provided a grace period for the public to adjust to the changes.  About 90 percent of drivers have been paying their tolls, but those that haven’t will be subject to late fees that have remained unpaid after an initial toll bill was sent when the temporary suspension of fees ends.

People who have an unpaid toll bill will receive a second bill with a $5 reprocessing fee. If the second bill remains unpaid, a $40 civil penalty will be assessed for each unpaid toll. If the civil penalty isn’t resolved, DOT will ask the state licensing department to put a hold on the vehicles of non-payers. Motorists can prevent those actions by paying before penalties return in March, officials said.

DOT wants to collect outstanding tolls to help pay “for important transportation investments,” said Edward Berry, who oversees the state’s tolls. “We want to work with customers to resolve unpaid bills, avoid fees, and help them lower their bills.”

More information is available from DOT at 1-866-936-8246 and mygoodtogo.com.

The state’s suspension of fees, penalties and other actions on unpaid bridge (like the Tacoma Narrows Bridge) and highway tolls will end March 1.
srmedia by — February 22, 2023 in News
Free help with IRS tax filing

Free assistance filing federal tax returns is available from non-profit groups. The help includes:

  • Tax-Aide, offered through the AARP Foundation at public libraries, community centers and senior centers, and open to anyone, especially people 60 and older and anyone with low to moderate incomes. More information is at aarpwa@aarp.org, org/taxaide,and 888-227-7669.
  • VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is also offered at locations such as public libraries, churches, and senior centers. Some locations have limits on taxpayers’ incomes. Information and appointments are available by dialing 2-1-1 or going online at irs.gov/vita.

April 18 is the deadline for filing tax returns for 2022.

AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide offers appointments with Internal Revenue Services-certified tax volunteers at 111 sites. In addition to in-person tax preparation, Tax-Aide is providing free assistance with filing returns online. The assistance includes free software. Information is available at https://taxaideqa.aarp.org/hc/en-us

Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest all-volunteer tax preparation service, according to AARP Foundation. In 2021, 23,000 Washington residents were among 820,000-plus taxpayers nationally who used the service.

srmedia by — February 22, 2023 in Personal Finance/Consumers

By Monte Butler

Bob (not his real name) was diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia, an excruciatingly painful condition caused by damage to the 5th cranial nerve. After all non-surgical treatments failed to relieve his agony, Bob located a neurosurgeon who specialized in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Bob’s surgery was a success, but then he received a surprise bill for $74,973.

The problem was that Bob’s surgeon was an “opt-out provider.”  According to Medicare rules, his surgeon was allowed to set up a private payment contract with Bob. In the contract Bob agreed that, “if your insurance company does not cover all billed charges for services such as consult and/or surgery, you will be balance billed.”  The contract also included a hand-written note that Bob’s “Out-of-pocket & Deductible Payment” was be “$2,315.” Was Bob only obligated to pay the $2,315 or did he have to pay the additional $74,973?

We are talking about Medicare rules here, so you won’t be surprised when I tell you that the answer is a little bit complicated.  Bob’s surgeon was an opt-out provider in Medicare. Opt-out providers are different from participating and non-participating providers in three very important ways.  First, opt-out providers are required to have special signed private-pay contracts with patients before providing any services.  Second, the patient is responsible for 100% of the bill from an opt-out provider.  Medicare pays nothing (0%) – unless the care was provided in an emergency situation.  Third, there is no limit on what the opt-out provider can charge.  You are likely used to Medicare placing limits on what providers can charge you (“limiting charge”), but there are no such limits for opt-out providers (see “Types…” box for more detail).  So, what did this mean for Bob?  Did he have to pay the additional $79,973 or only $2,315?

Well, in Bob’s case, the answer was that he only had to pay $2,315 to his surgeon.  Why?  The contract used by the surgeon did not follow Medicare rules designed to help Bob understand the financial obligation he was taking on. Under Medicare rules, this nullified the contract.  Also, the surgeon broke several other opt-out provider rules.  After these rule violations were pointed out, the surgeon gave Bob a clean financial bill of health – “$0.00” due.

So, what does this mean for you?  First, if you decide you want the services of an opt-out provider, remember that you are responsible for the entire bill – 100 percent.  No help from Medicare.  No help from your Medigap policy.  Second, Medicare does not limit what the opt-out provider can charge you.  You need to make sure that the cost of the service is within your budget and you should ask that the cost of the service be included on your signed contract.  Third, if you get a surprise, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (www.shiphelp.org; 877-839-2675) or the Senior Medicare Patrol Program (www.smpresource.org; 877-808-2468) for help.

 

Monte Butler is a professor of social work and social ecology at Loma Linda University in San Bernardino, Calif. This article is adapted from an original piece he wrote for the Journal of Gerontological Social Work. 

 

srmedia by — February 22, 2023 in Health & Fitness