“Nunsense” is a musical comedy featuring nuns and some clerical humor, thus the name. The photo here shows the cast during rehearsal, a week before their first show. Tacoma Musical Playhouse offers an opportunity to participate in theater programs designed especially for mature individuals (i.e. seniors) through the Young at Heart Players. This program offers a performance-based workshop and culminates in a fully staged musical. “Nunsense†is the second-longest-running Off-Broadway show in history.
The June 2 tour on the Lake Union Ice Cream Cruise
Linda Finch
Traveling Cougars
Well, it took awhile but we finally found the sun while sightseeing on Lake Union. The “ice cream boatâ€, the MV Fremont Ave, was great fun and the sun came out to make our day. Our Captain gave an interesting and comical narrative as we cruised past the “Sleepless in Seattle†houseboat, under the University Bridge, close to Gasworks Park and back to our dock next to the Virginia V.
The Mystery Trip went out to the little town of Rainier to the Monarch Sculpture Park. This is truly a hidden jewel; 10 acres of natural beauty with over 125 works of art sprinkled in amongst the trees and bushes. We just might do this another time for a picnic and a slow walk.
In the middle of June we rented The House at River Run, in Winthrop, the heart of the Methow Valley. With 6 bedrooms, a large kitchen, spacious living room with gas heat stove and an indoor pool, we were more prepared to just stay in rather than explore. But, explore we did: fields of wildflowers, the North Cascade Highway, which recently opened but remained high with snow, Rocking Horse Bakery and oh so much more.
Next month I will tell you about the Cannon Beach trip and the International Sand Castle competition, which came right on the heels of the Winthrop trip.
In July we start off with a trip on the Chehalis Railroad. We’ll take a ride on a 1916 logging locomotive as it chugs through the Chehalis River Valley. Later on in the month, we’ll drive the Mountain Loop Highway through the Mt. Baker-Snoqualamie National Forest on 55 miles of back roads. We’ll end the month with a Lake Washington Cruise on board Queen of Seattle, the largest steam powered paddle wheeler wet of the Mississippi, including a “Live Klondike Cabaret Showâ€.
Remember, we are still taking reservations for the New England/Canada Princess cruise in October ‘11; Copper Canyon in Nov ’11; Panama up close and personal in February ‘12; Eastern Caribbean with Princess in early April ‘12’; Panama Canal with Celebrity for late April ’12.
Don’t have someone to travel with…. we always help find roommates. For reservations or further information contact Linda Finch at (253) 927-8207 or get on the email list at linda.finch@gmail.com.
Do you place a high value on education? Have you ever considered how you might leave a legacy at your favorite college, university or high school foundation and at the same time provide access to a post secondary education to students regardless of their economic circumstances?
If you are like most of the people with whom I work, you would answer yes to these questions. And your following question would likely be, “but how?â€Â With just a little planning and some good advice, you might be surprised that it is often not difficult nor does it always require a significant current contribution of assets.
It is true that the most common way to provide access to higher education and to fund it over with current gifts over a period of a few years. But not everybody can make such a commitment of current resources. Many people are surprised to learn that smaller annual contributions backed up with a gift through their estate plans can provide important scholarship support to students while honoring the life and the legacy of the donor.
For example, the Erickson’s recently inquired about creating a scholarship in memory and in honor of Mr. Erickson’s father, who had recently died. However, $5,000 a year for five years was a bit more that they could afford. I suggested that they contribute $1,500 a year and include the named scholarship as a recipient of their estate for a minimum of $25,000. They agreed and the result is that each year the $1,500 is awarded to a student who meets the established criteria and at their death the Erickson Endowment will be funded through a generous bequest! They are thrilled when they hear from “their scholar†each year and meet her or him at the annual scholarship reception. They are so thrilled with this arrangement that they are even considering creating a second scholarship in honor of her mother–but to do so while she is living so she will also enjoy knowing that students are able to pursue their dreams as a result of their philanthropy.
Doug Page is Senior Development Director in Gift Planning at Pacific Lutheran University. Please consultant a qualified estate planner before making a gift in your will.
Medicare covers a number of preventive care services. You have the right to receive Medicare-covered preventive services whether you are enrolled in Original Medicare or a Medicare private health plan (Medicare Advantage). Starting in 2011 you will not have to pay a coinsurance or deductible for preventive services that are recommended by the U.S. Preventive Task Force if you are in Original Medicare.
Our January article for the “Senior Scene†newspaper listed those preventive services and is reprinted below as a reminder. You can review “Preventive Services Checklist†on p.45 of your “Medicare and You 2011†book and read details on pages 29 through 44. Talk with your doctor about which preventive services Medicare will cover for you.
From listening to SHIBA clients, we have learned that sometimes the doctor’s office charges the patient inappropriately for preventive services. Check with your doctor so that the correct coding for the services is used. Then Medicare (or your Medicare Advantage plan) will be billed correctly.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening–a one-time screening ultrasound for people at risk.
Osteoporosis Screening-Bone Mass Measurements. Helps to see if you are at risk for broken bones.
Heart Disease Screening–blood tests that help detect conditions that may lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Colon Cancer screenings – these tests help find precancerous growths or find cancer early when treatment is most effective.
Diabetes Screenings–these tests are covered if you have any of the following risk factors: high blood pressure, history of abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels, obesity, or a history of high blood sugar.
Vaccinations: Hepatitis B (for those at medium to high risk), flu, and pneumonia shots.
Glaucoma tests- if at high risk for this eye disease.
HIV Screening–for anyone with Medicare who asks for the test.
Mammogram–x-ray to check women for breast cancer.
Medical Nutrition Therapy–if you have diabetes or kidney disease.
Pap Tests and Pelvic Exams–checks for cancer in women.
Physical Exams–Medicare covers two types of physical exams
“Welcome to Medicare†covered within the first 12 months you have part B of Medicare.
Annual “wellness†visit–If you have had Part B for longer than 12 months, starting January 2011, you can get a yearly wellness visit to develop or update a personalized prevention plan based on your current health and risk factors.
Prostate Cancer Screening–Prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. PSA checks for cancer in men.
Smoking Cessation (counseling to stop smoking)
Each preventive service has an appropriate time frame (frequency). Ask your doctor to create an individualized screening schedule for the next 5 to 10 years.
The publication “Your Medicare Benefits†can by yours by calling the SHIBA HelpLine 1-800-562-6900 or locally 253-596-0918. Leave your request for the publication and give your name and address.
The SHIBA Program needs more volunteers to help people in Pierce County. Helping people with their health insurance questions is very rewarding work. Training is provided.
Kitty Custer, SHIBA Program Coordinator 253-798-4422 kcuster@co.pierce.wa.us
“Nunsense” is a musical comedy featuring nuns and some clerical humor, thus the name. The photo here shows the cast during rehearsal, a week before their first show. Tacoma Musical Playhouse offers an opportunity to participate in theater programs designed especially for mature individuals (i.e. seniors) through the Young at Heart Players. This program offers a performance-based workshop and culminates in a fully staged musical. “Nunsense†is the second-longest-running Off-Broadway show in history.
