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As Paula Poundstone continues her 2024 U.S. tour, audiences can be assured of an evening of hilarity as the comedian launches into a string of humorous stories typical of most observational stand-up comics. But at some point into her routine, the sharp-witted Poundstone will seamlessly morph into her trademark banter with audience members-a part of the show fans have come to expect and adore. It's a style that evolved out of necessity. "I've been doing stand-up for over 40 years, but have a...
I love the old detective show “Monk”. The comedy/drama/mystery still delights me when I see it on the back channels, and Tony Shalhoub gave the defective detective just the right dose of humanity and humor. I always wait in eager anticipation for the “here’s what happened” moment at the end. One particular episode, titled “Mr. Monk Is At Your Service,” featured an estate planning twist. A wealthy couple each had children from prior marriages, a son in his case and two daughters in hers. They ha...
Older Americans Month is an annual celebration that serves as a platform to honor and appreciate the vital contributions that older persons play in our communities and in our society as a whole. Established in 1963, Older Americans Month is celebrated every May. It is also an opportunity to highlight aging trends and reaffirm commitments to serving the older adults in our communities. The federal agency, the Administration for Community Living (ACL), typically provides us with an annual theme. This year’s theme is “Powered by Community,” which...
Q: When I see the doctor, I give them my symptoms over and over, but they are dismissive of my pains and concerns. What can I do? A: As adults age, it is crucial to take control of one’s health and wellness. By being consistent about preventive care, prioritizing medical issues, and actively engaging with healthcare providers to avoid ageism, one can optimize outcomes and quality of life. Prioritize healthcare First, stay informed about age-related health concerns, medications and treatment o...
This month’s article will focus on how Medicare may work with health benefits for federal employees, retirees and annuitants. Employees and retired employees of the federal government are eligible for Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) coverage, subject to those positions that are excluded by law or regulation. Currently this includes employees of the U.S. Postal Service. The Office of Personnel Management administers the FEHB program. When someone becomes eligible for Medicare, most c...
A chatbot app to quit smoking Researchers in Seattle, Wash. have now developed an artificial intelligence (AI) -powered chatbot app called QuitBot to help more people successfully quit smoking cigarettes. The app is available for free on Apple and Android devices and is a comprehensive app that provides users personalized support. Developed using scientifically backed answers vetted by scientists and experienced smoking cessation clinicians, QuitBot combines evidence-based structured conversatio...
Amy Poehler said "Nobody looks stupid when they are having fun". In addition to improving your balance, coordination, cardiovascular health and strength, pickleball is fun and along the way you can make new friends and enjoy some friendly competition. But in addition to all that, who doesn't want to improve their game? Here are some basic tips for doing just that. Pick a couple of these to concentrate on in your next game. Get your serves in. You can't score any points if your serves land outsid...
Spring has sprung and the blooming flowers, buzzing bees, biting mosquitoes and trip hazards abound as you can finally get out of the house more often. With a few simple preparations, you can enjoy the summer months while minimizing potential risks to your health and well-being. One aspect of summer home safety is ensuring your air conditioning system is in good working order if you have one. Before the heat arrives, schedule a professional to inspect and maintain your AC unit. This will help...
For three days in mid May 2022, I held my seventh and final garage sale. (The first was in 1975 in Fairbanks, before we moved to California.) My husband, Gary, and I conducted all the previous ones together, but this time, he had been living in the Palmer Pioneer Home for two and a half months. Our son Patrick and his girlfriend, Brandi, flew up from Denver a few days prior to help and Patrick's long time local friends, Gary and Kim, provided help beginning in early April. Gary and Kim were...
The people of Nome were planning a grand celebration in mid-May 1926. They'd decorated their fine city, set up committees, arranged receptions and lined up wagon teams to take school children to the airfield to see the landing of the dirigible Norge N-1. Slated to be the event to top all events, Nome residents were none too pleased when they learned that the huge craft-which had left Norway to fly over the North Pole a few days earlier-had missed their beautiful town and landed in Teller instead...
Born and raised in West Virginia, David Selby's extensive film, television and stage career included prominent roles in two very different TV shows in different generations: ABC's gothic soap opera "Dark Shadows" in the 60s and the prime-time soap "Falcon Crest" on CBS in the 80s. "My mother (Sarah) loved that I was an actor," said Selby from Los Angeles, but she had no background in the entertainment world. Her upbringing in a coalmining town was a tough one, being responsible for raising her...
In the movie “War of the Roses”, a lawyer (played by Danny DeVito) mentions that he charges $450 per hour. This was in 1989, but even then, as a young attorney just starting out, the number seemed startling. “Why,” I thought to myself in the darkened theater, “do lawyers cost so much?” I learned part of the answer pretty quickly. The lawyer doesn't get to put all of that money right into his pocket. There are a lot of expenses that go with running a law office, such as rent, secretarial...
Q. What is two-factor authentication? A. The most common authentication method uses an account name and a password. That has been true since the earliest days of computing. The account name/password combination is considered a single factor authentication method. The problems created by passwords are well documented, and two-factor authentication is a technique developed to enforce security in the event a password falls into the wrong hands. The second authentication factor typically requires the user to enter a second code in addition to the...
Yes, using fountain pens will make you smarter. Also, it turns out that using pencils and ballpoints will make you smarter too. However, I want to talk about fountain pens in particular because they are nostalgic, creative, fun and comfy to write with. As to the "smarter" assertion, we'll just drag in some scientific findings here. According to an article published earlier this year in Psychology Today: Handwriting stimulates complex brain connections essential in encoding new information and...
Prescription Drug Plan coverage is a valued element within Medicare. Known more commonly as Part D of Medicare, these policies are offered by privately managed insurance companies, and regulated both by the State of Alaska’s Division of Insurance along with the national Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The cost of your Medicare Part D-covered drugs may change throughout the year. If you notice that your drug prices have changed, it may be because you are in a different phase of...
Q: How do I handle rude, hurtful or condescending comments by family members or people who are part of my care team? A: In our daily interactions, we occasionally encounter individuals who seem to thrive on making demeaning and condescending remarks. These remarks can be hurtful, frustrating, and overwhelming, leaving us searching for ways to respond and maintain our dignity. Let us explore some strategies and empowering approaches to handle condescending remarks and regain control over such sit...
As the weather warms up and the days grow longer, it's the perfect time to tackle some spring cleaning around your home. This yearly tradition is not just about tidying up; it's also a good way to prepare for the upcoming wildfire season. By taking a few simple steps, you can help reduce the risks you face. First, let's start with the exterior of your home. Take a walk around your property, looking for any dead or dry vegetation such as leaves, twigs and branches. These can easily catch fire...
Back in the spring of 1992, my husband Gary and I decided we wanted to raise homegrown chickens to eat, something we'd done twice before. But this time he also wanted some egg layers, so in addition to the 25 Cornish Cross for eating, he purchased four Rhode Island Red and two Barred Plymouth Rock for egg laying. The Cornish Cross grew fast and two and a half months later were all in the freezer. The remaining chickens were happier with a less crowded coop, but of those intended for laying, four...
The seeds of Alaska's biggest city were planted in April 1915 when the federal government authorized construction of a new railroad to connect Interior Alaska to tidewater in Seward and hundreds of hopeful workers made their way north to the construction camp on Ship Creek. And although the government tried to keep a handle on illegal activities in its new railroad town, prostitution, gambling and bootlegging flourished. One didn't have to go far to find the vice of his choice in Anchorage,...
The 15th Turner Classic Movies Film Festival is scheduled for April 18-21, in Hollywood. Canceled for a couple of years due to the pandemic, no one was more pleased to attend the festival when it resumed in person two years ago than actress Diane Baker, a popular guest at many of the past festivals. "I love them!" said Baker from Los Angeles, who noted that the 2020 and 2021 events had been held virtually. The five current TCM hosts-Ben Mankiewicz, Alicia Malone, Dave Karger, Eddie Muller and...
Sometimes the near future is predictable, and sometimes it ain't. I was planning to write another column about the filing requirements which would apply to nearly all small corporations and LLCs under the new Corporate Transparency Act. But then, about a week ago as I am writing this, a federal judge ruled that the CTA was unconstitutional. I could easily write a whole column on how that works, and what the likelihood is of it being overturned, but by the time you read about it that would...
Q. I have a box of videotapes from the 80s and 90s that I would like to preserve on my computer. What do I need to make this happen? A. This is easy to do once you have all the pieces you need. The first piece is something to play the tape that has a video-out connector, such as a VCR or a camcorder. The second piece is a computer with plenty of free disk space. Video takes up a given amount of space per hour depending on its format, info that can be found with a little research. Just ask...
AARP’s mission is to empower people to choose how they live as they age. The more money you have for retirement, the more choices you have as you age. This year AARP Alaska is focusing on helping people young and old prepare to be financially fit in retirement. We want people to think about retirement, learn about Social Security, and keep the money they have saved away from scammers. In April, AARP Alaska is hosting a four-part webinar series: saving for retirement, protecting yourself from scams, retiring as a state employee and i...
Q: I care for three other people and am having difficulty tracking medical appointments and medication management for each of them. Are there any useful apps for my phone that could help me? A: In this fast-paced world, caregivers often find themselves overwhelmed with various responsibilities and tasks. Fortunately, the advancement of technology has brought forth a plethora of apps that can assist caregivers in managing their duties efficiently. These apps not only provide practical solutions,...
