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In the city of Houston, an innovative program is addressing two critical issues: reducing fire hazards and supporting vulnerable community members. Spearheaded by a creative use of the United States Department of Forestry's Wood Innovations grant, the program has not only mitigated the risk of wildfires but also provided essential firewood to seniors, veterans, and disabled residents. The program's origins stem from a pressing need to address the threat of beetle-killed trees, which pose a...
First and foremost, I want to thank our readers for your responses to our recent survey. Your wonderful suggestions are being considered for future editions. One of my first assignments as a young lieutenant was with a Cold War era PATRIOT missile battery that utilized state-of-the-art technology for the day. However, the publicly available industry standard was dial-up modem technology. Having experienced 50 years of computer evolution, I understand the obsolescence argument for newspapers. The sheer volume of information managed by the...
To help Anchorage residents protect their properties against wildfires, the Mayor’s Office, Anchorage Fire Department Wildfire Division and Solid Waste Services (SWS) are partnering together to open the local wood lots for free to Anchorage residents clearing their properties this spring and summer. From March 29 to Sept. 30, no Anchorage residential loads of woody debris will incur fees. “I live in South Anchorage, so I know firsthand our need to prepare for wildfire risk. People want to take action, and they want to contribute to the effort,...
Q: What are general recommended daily supplements, nutrition guidelines and dietary needs for a person aged 65 to 75 years old? A: It's great to see your interest in health and wellness as you navigate this vibrant stage of life. Proper nutrition and the right supplements can make a significant difference in maintaining overall health, energy, and vitality. Here are some tailored recommendations for individuals aged 65 to 75 years old: Daily supplements 1. Multivitamin: A once-daily...
Spring is such a lovely time of year with sunny days, blooming flowers, budding trees and birds chirping. But millions of Americans suffer from seasonal allergies and suffer from wheezing, sneezing, runny noses, itchy eyes and other indignities. Even staying inside won’t necessarily cure the problem because indoor irritants such as pet dander, mold, dust mites and scented cleaning products can all trigger allergic reactions. Your nasal passages and the entire mechanism of the lungs (from the large bronchial tubes to the alveolae, which are t...
There are a variety of keyboards that can make accessing a computer or tablet easier. The Logickeyboard large-print keyboard provides an oversized, high-contrast print on each key, ensuring a clear, easy-to-read interface. These large-print keyboards are ideal options for those with visual impairments and low vision. Large print and high-contrast keyboards a couple of examples of keyboards that make computer use more accessible. This column is brought to you by ATLA (Assistive Technology of...
Personally, I'm one for three in the mix. I am 78 so I have been on Medicare for years, but so far (knock on plywood-I'm in my home office) I have not had to sign up for SNAP or Medicaid. I have been very lucky in that my personal resources have been enough. But who knows what the future holds for us as individuals or for the programs as a whole? Suffice it to say that at this point on the program side it is not looking too rosy. Here's the big picture, and I'll just editorialize that we...
Dear Savvy Senior: My local Social Security office was recently shut down because of staff layoffs and large-scale downsizing by the Department of Government Efficiency. All this disruption makes me very nervous, as I’ll be applying for my Social Security retirement benefits later this year. My question is, how are we supposed to get help with our Social Security questions or problems now that our office is permanently closed? What can you tell me? –Anxious Aaron Dear Aaron: I’ve been getting a lot of questions on this very topic. The Socia...
Shaquil Aribuk was born and raised on the island of Palau, where his childhood was filled with the simple joys of fishing, hunting, and playing basketball. However, the limited opportunities on the island prompted Aribuk to pursue a new life in the United States, where he joined his family in Alaska. Tragedy struck when Aribuk contracted a rare bacterial infection known as necrotizing fasciitis. After suddenly collapsing, he was rushed to the hospital, where he spent 10 days in a coma. When he...
Taking the drug Ozempic and other drugs in this class may help you live longer. With GLP-1 drugs dominating headlines for their impact on weight loss and metabolic health, new discussions around their potential role in extending healthy lifespan are emerging. Dr. Christoph Westphal, co-founder and general partner of Longwood Fund, said the biotech industry is partnering with physicians and the result is rather remarkable. “Within three or four or five years, if we can prove that with GLP-1s y...
RurAL CAP's AmeriCorps Seniors Program includes the Elder Mentor and Senior Companion Programs, which provide volunteer opportunities for people 55 and better. RurAL CAP partners with schools, Head Starts, local governments, and health agencies to set up volunteers host sites. Volunteers get training, support, and a small stipend as a thank you for I never expected to become an Elder Mentor. One of the teachers at our school called me and asked if I would volunteer. At the time, I wasn't...
Community members are invited to join the Mother’s Day Tea on Saturday, May 10, at 11 a.m. at Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc., 1301 S. Century Circle. This elegant gathering will raise funds for Meals on Wheels while celebrating mothers and loved ones with an afternoon of tea, delicious treats, and great company. Seating is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot soon! An online auction will run from May 6–10, allowing supporters to bid on unique items and experiences to further benefit WASI’s senior nutrition programs. Tickets for the tea are $...
We were a group of eight ladies sitting in a circle in the living room of the Colony House Museum, gathered for our annual docent meeting in May 2024. The Colony House Museum features all things relating to the 1935 United States government New Deal project that brought 203 families from Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin to the Matanuska Valley to create an agriculture community. The phone rang during the middle of our brainstorming discussion about how to recruit desperately needed...
It’s springtime. In the Municipality of Anchorage, that means it’s election season. The last day to turn in your mail-in ballot or vote in person is Tuesday, April 1. The municipal election includes the Anchorage Assembly, the school board, and a slew of bond propositions. The Anchorage People Mover is free all day on Election Day … Alaska Pacific University is hosting an outdoor gear swap. The event is Saturday, April 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at APU’s Mosely Sports Center, 4400 University Drive. The sale is a fundraiser for the APU outdoor gea...
The Anchorage Museum will host artworks by famous American artists through a partnership with the National Gallery of Art for the National Gallery’s “Across the Nation” program, which brings key works of art to regional museums across the United States this year and next. Through this loan, the Anchorage Museum will receive three works of art: They are Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Winter Road,” 1963, oil on canvas; Nancy Graves’ “Consequence,” 1982, oil on canvas; and Mark Rothko’s “Untitled,” 1958, oil on canvas. The works are on view April 4, 2025...
The Klondike gold rush, a pivotal moment in Alaska's history, is often associated with tales of hardship, adventure, and the pursuit of fortune. But recent research has uncovered a lesser-known aspect of this era: the prevalence of practical jokes among the prospectors and settlers-and not only on April Fools' Day. Practical jokes and pranks were a common way for miners and settlers to find amusement and pass the long hours of toil and hardship. The monotonous routine of mining life and the...
Over the past year, I have received numerous text messages from my bank indicating issues with my account. Surprisingly, some of these messages were from banks where I do not even hold an account. When I checked my accounts, I realized these texts were bank impersonation scams. In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that business and government impersonation scams accounted for nearly half the reported scams. The losses from these scams topped $1.1 billion last year, more than three times what consumers reported in 2020. In that...
This newest volume, titled “Pioneers From Alaska’s Past,” is filled with a cast of characters so colorful they may outshine the Northern Lights. This captivating collection of short stories and historical photographs follows in the footsteps of the five previous volumes as it brings to life many colorful personalities who helped shaped Alaska's history shortly before, during, and just after the gold-rush era. Stories include those of: Swiftwater Bill Gates: A master of outrageous spending and spectacular cons. This Klondike magnate could teach...
There is a funny scene in a British sitcom called “The IT Crowd,” in which woman is trying to explain to her nerdy, clueless co-workers — both men — that she is having her monthly menstrual cycle, by using the euphemism “Aunt Irma has come to visit.” They, of course, don’t get it, so she tries others, my favorite being “I’ve fallen to the Communists” (to which one co-worker grudgingly admits that “they do have some strong arguments”). As a biological male I have never had to experience that part...
Q. I am going to retire soon and I plan to write a book. Is there an app that will help me create an outline? A. There are so many apps that fit the criteria of your question that it is difficult to recommend a “best” one. Most word processors can generate outlines. There are also dedicated outliners. If you use a Mac, there are a number of excellent dedicated outliners, the best of which is OmniOutliner from Omni Software (omnigroup.com). For some reason, a great outliner app has never appeared on Windows. Search online for a Windows out...
The nonprofit Road Scholar celebrates 50 years with new tours, as well as free armchair travel. Offering a wide selection of destinations for avid travelers, it also keeps in mind those who can no longer travel or cannot afford to. "For 50 years, Road Scholar has empowered older adults to explore, learn and connect with the world around them," said James Moses, CEO of Road Scholar. "Beginning with our first program at the University of New Hampshire in 1975, we have partnered with thousands of...
The Social Security Administration has updated recently announced measures to verify the identities of recipients and applicants. In-person identity proofing for people unable to use their personal my Social Security account for certain services will be effective April 14. “We have listened to our customers, Congress, advocates, and others, and we are updating our policy to provide better customer service to the country’s most vulnerable populations,” said Lee Dudek, the agency’s acting commissioner in a media statement. “In addition to extend...
American women accumulate at least $1 million less than men over a typical 40-year work career, according to research conducted by the Investors Observer research team. Key findings of the study show that the average male worker in the United States accumulates $2.73 million in portfolio wealth, assuming average retirement contributions are invested in an S&P 400 index fund. By comparison, an average female worker investing her savings under the same conditions accumulates $1.75 million in portfolio wealth, resulting in a $1 million gap. This...
By the time you read this, Mount Spurr, an active volcano 80 miles from Anchorage, might have erupted. Then again, its rumblings might just be a preview of what's to come. In any case, now is the time to prepare for this possible emergency and take stock of your readiness to confront other emergencies, such as earthquakes and wildfires. Scientists say the volcano is showing signs that an eruption is likely. In mid-March, they announced that the chances for Mount Spurr to go off "within the next...
I’m struck by the number of men and women who show up at the YMCA Anchorage to lift, swim, bike, and sweat who are well beyond me in age. Many of my fellow morning gym-goers are well into their 60s, 70s, 80s, even 90s. There is even a well-known woman who swims regularly there. She is 102 and has a special parking place as close to the front door as possible. Another regular is there five days a week, walking on the treadmill at a steep incline and hanging out with her friends. She recently told me she felt her gym friends had helped bring h...
