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First screened in movie theaters during the early 1920s, the "Our Gang" film series was produced for another two decades and featured an ever-changing cast of children, showcasing their comedic neighborhood antics. Throughout the series of some 220 short films created by producer Hal Roach, about 40 child actors appeared regularly beginning in 1922's silent era and continuing through 1944. Sidney Kibrick is one of the last surviving "Our Gang" cast regulars. Kibrick, 95, appeared in more than...
When people come to see me for the first time, they are usually emotionally prepared to deal with the unpleasant question of what happens to their stuff when they die. I mean, really, nobody schedules an appointment with an estate planner to have a will or trust done, and is shocked to be asked that question. That’s why you’re there, right? What they are not always prepared for is a follow-up question: What happens if any of your children has died before you? Some people are ready for that one...
Q. Is there a computer-friendly way to organize the notes I take when planning a trip? A. There are apps designed to collect separate bits of information from different sources and organize them into meaningful groups. Chances are pretty good you already use at least one. A word processor like Google Docs can be a decent notebook. Websites like Pinterest (www.pinterest.com) can be used effectively to organize disparate ideas if they are on Pinterest already. But these tools have limitations. They are good for collecting bits of information,...
This is the first in a series of interviews with Alaskans who have continued to work years beyond the usual age of retirement. In this article, Anchorage resident Ken Helander discusses why he worked into his 70s and why he was finally forced to retire. We chatted in a local Anchorage restaurant July 11, 2023. When and why did you come to Alaska? I came in 1981 from Colorado. I was married, had two boys, and I worked for a community mental health center in Fort Collins. The programs began to be...
July marked National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about mental health conditions currently prevailing among diverse groups, however we should take care of our mental health every month. The aim is not just to shed light on these issues' gravity, but also to break down the stigma walls surrounding mental health in these communities. In recognition of this, I want to share and discuss findings from a report released at the 2022 Alzheimer's...
Ambulances are a critical resource in transporting patients to and from medical facilities, like hospitals. Ambulances are medically equipped and staffed by professionals like paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). Emergency transportation Medicare Part B covers emergency ambulance services. Medicare considers an emergency to be any situation when your health is in serious danger, and you cannot be transported safely in another way. There are certain requirements you must meet for...
Q: Lately, I’ve been experiencing hand tremors and it’s been quite puzzling for me. Would you have any insights? A: Hand tremors can be a concerning and disruptive condition, causing uncontrollable shaking or trembling in one or both hands. While a slight tremor is normal, an excessive and persistent tremor can significantly impact activities of daily living. Let’s explore a few causes, treatment, and management of hand tremors, for you and other individuals seeking relief from this condi...
Today, it seems like we get more emails and phone calls from scammers than we do from our actual family and friends. These contacts pose a very real threat to people of all ages but particularly the seniors who can least afford to lose what they have been able to save. I hope to provide some sage guidance to help you safeguard yourself from online scams. All it takes is one mistake for half of a second and you can lose all of your personal data, your finances, or your social media account. Stay...
My son, Patrick, proposed to his girlfriend of three years, Brandi, on March 30, and of course she said yes. It was a shocking surprise to all involved because of his insistence that he would never marry again after the devastating end of his first marriage in 2011. But, Brandi made him happy and he realized that he would be foolish not to "put a ring on it." Brandi is a very loveable, family oriented woman. During the phone call telling of their engagement, she asked me if I had anything from...
Before he became well-known around the country, one of America's most famous prison inmates dug gold nuggets out of a mine in Juneau during 1908. But justice proved swift and sure after he killed a man on Jan. 18, 1909. A coroner's jury convened the evening of the murder, and after hearing testimony from the various parties, returned its verdict that Charles F. Damer met his death at the hands of the rival suitor for the affections of a woman named Kitty O'Brien. The jury included O'Brien as an...
Currently traveling the U.S. on the 2023 "Happy Together Tour" with classic pop acts such as The Turtles, The Cowsills, and Little Anthony (see www.happytogethertour.com ), Gary Puckett never tires of performing the songs made famous with his Union Gap bandmates. The hugely popular five-man pop-rock group, remembered for their string of late 60s hits including "Woman, Woman," "Lady Willpower," and "This Girl is a Woman Now," now features all new members but retains one of the most distinctive mu...
Two months ago in this column, I wrote about the new Corporate Transparency Act. Don’t worry, you don’t need to dig that issue out from the bottom of the birdcage, I’ll summarize it here. Starting next year, nearly every Limited Liability Company (LLC for short) and corporation, other than the really big ones, will have to periodically file reports with the federal government, showing among other things the ownership of the entity. They exempted the big companies, but not the small ones. If yo...
Q. I want to gift someone an online photo frame and update it myself remotely. Is that possible? A. Yes, it is possible, but you will need luck and perhaps some patience. The frames that I have experience with are from a company called Nixplay (nixplay.com), and I recommend them without reservation. Online photo frames require wireless internet, obviously. Make sure the recipient already has a Wi-Fi network. Whenever connecting a new device to Wi-Fi, there is always a chance that it will not...
The 33rd Alaska Legislature concluded its first year of the two-year session on May 18—one day after its 121-day constitutional regular session limit. The governor called a special session, asking the legislature to agree to a balanced budget funding state services and permanent fund dividends (PFD) for fiscal year 2024 beginning July 1, 2023. The budget impasse during the regular session focused on the size of the PFD. The Senate Majority favored a 25/75 split of the annual 5% Percent of Market Value (POMV) draw of the Permanent Fund E...
In this edition, we present the second in our new series on safety, written by City of Houston Fire Chief Christian M. Hartley. He brings wisdom from years of experience working in safety and emergency management and this month he writes about being safe while enjoying the summer outdoors. Let’s face it, regardless of age, there are always new surprises and lessons to be learned. Earlier this month, I was heading out for a bicycle ride and realized at the last moment I’d forgotten my water bottle. Too rushed (or lazy), I told myself I’d be fi...
Q: I will be moving to a smaller apartment soon and am not sure if I should take my dog with me. What do you think? A: Our relationship with animals is an interchangeable one, as they can provide a source of comfort and support for us, and we give love and attention in return. They create opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities, better cognitive function in older adults, and more occasions to socialize with others. Research has found that animals reduce our stress and anxiety, and the...
Medicare includes Part D, the prescription drug benefit, offered through private health insurance companies. Each prescription drug plan meets federal requirements as managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Insurance companies enter into agreements with both drug manufacturers and drug distribution networks. Some of the costs associated with Part D drug coverage are: Premium: The monthly amount that you pay to your Part D plan for coverage. Premiums vary by plan, and the...
Staying active is crucial for physical and mental health. Walking is a low-impact exercise that provides numerous health benefits. As we all head outdoors for our walks, we need to take every chance we can to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. Know your route Like going on a drive across country, a walk across the neighborhood means first picking the right route. Use well-lit paths and trails. Look for routes with pathways separated where possible and stick to the main routes so you...
Whether you've played a racquet sport in the past, or are new to pickleball, hitting the ball without thinking about what kind of shot you're hitting is a typical mindset of the amateur player. Focusing on hitting high percentage shots is the way to move from a beginner to a more advanced player in the sport. What are high percentage shots? They are what they sound like: those shots that have a high likelihood of staying in bounds. That's it. Not ones that your opponent can't return, not hard...
One spring morning during breakfast, back in 2003 when we lived in Slana, my husband Gary said, "I turned the oil stove on out in the greenhouse. Let's move plants today." "Fine," I replied, glad to get the seedlings in the upstairs room and the front porch out of the house. This was our second season to have a garden and greenhouse in Slana. The greenhouse was his domain and the vegetable and flower gardens were mine. We didn't plan it that way; it just happened. When I was a kid growing up in...
If you have ever traveled to Seattle you may have visited its iconic Pioneer Square, which once was the heart of the Washington city. During the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1890s, Seattle was the center for travel to Alaska. A group of businessmen decided it would be a great idea to connect Seattle's city center to its neighbor to the north by displaying an icon that was uniquely tied to Native culture. Their plan included enlisting one of the most well-known steamships of the day and a bit...
Fans of Donny Osmond won't have to travel to Las Vegas to experience the singer's long-running popular stage show currently headlining at Harrah's Casino. The 70s teen idol begins his summer tour in July, his first in almost seven years (see www.donny.com for cities and dates). "I'm taking it across the country for people who can't get to Las Vegas," said Osmond from Las Vegas. "I'm bringing the entire company – singers, dancers, musicians, and a full video production. I'm really looking f...
Some years ago I had a meeting with a woman who had created a trust, using another lawyer, a few years earlier. She had questions about the trust, which I was able to answer, and it turned out that it still did what she wanted. But when I asked her whether everything was in the trust that needed to be, she looked puzzled. So I turned to my computer and pulled up the property records. Both her home, and her rental property, were still in her own name. As were, apparently, all of her accounts and...
Q. I would like to get back into playing PC games. Where should I start? A. The universe of high-quality “traditional” computer games is bigger than ever. Online storefronts for computer-based games fall into two major groups: mobile games for handheld devices like tablets and smartphones, and traditional games for desktop and laptop computers. Where you start depends on the device. For PCs probably the most popular game store is Steam. Steam is a digital distribution platform operated by Valve Corporation. It is one of the most popular and...
For countless Americans, summer signifies a major transition in their lives. Whether it’s graduating from high school or college, starting a new job, or receiving that highly anticipated acceptance letter, summer is the busiest time of year for movers. In 2022, 40% of all business inquiries on BBB.org for moving companies occurred from May through August, and over 5,300 complaints were filed with BBB against moving companies throughout the year. Additionally, consumers reported to the BBB Scam Tracker more than $1.2 million lost to moving s...
