prime montgomery feb 2014

February 2014 | www.primemontgomery.com

10044 Chantilly Parkway • 334-281-3911www.charlesanthonysatthepub.com

Monday-Thursday 4:30-9:30 pmFriday and Saturday 4:30-10:00 pm

ForValentine’s Day,

or any day...

contentsPrime/February 2014

www.primemontgomery.com | February 2014 33

on the cover

contentsPrime/February 2014

The River Region is full of fun things for couples to do, whether for a Valentine’s Day celebration, or just because we all deserve an occasional treat. It doesn’t have to be Val-entine’s Day to enjoy what the region offers, from picking through an antique/junk shop, to live theatre, to a cozy B&B. (page 18)

Editor’s Notes

Quick Reads

Yard ‘n GardenWinter Color in the Garden

A Gracious PlentyHeirloom Tea Cake

In Every Life Health By the Numbers

Money Wi$e Prevention or Cure?

Medicare in 2014 What’s New, What’s Different

Social Security Info for Your 2013 Taxes

Tinseltown Talks “Twilight Zone’s” Rod Serling

Treats for Two Fun in the River Region

Crossword & Sudoku

Panama Canal at 100 Expansion to Complete in 2015

Prime VintageWine Reviews For The Rest of Us

Moving Free Find Your Target Heart Rate

Prime Diversion DVD Releases for February

Your New Driver’s LicenseRequired by 2017

Calendar of Events

Off the Beaten Path A Place on the Wall

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Pistachios and cholesterol (page 7), wine reviews that make sense (page 26), finding fun in the River Region (page 18), one man’s search for the perfect Tea Cake recipe (page 10), and the unrivaled master of creepy science fiction (page 16).

February 2014 | www.primemontgomery.com44

River Region Senior LivingJust Got Better!

CaraVita Village

For information/schedule a tour call Tonya or Jodi • 334-284-0370e-mail [email protected] www.alcco.com/location/caravita-village

4000 Fieldcrest Drive • Montgomery , AL 36111

• Restaurant-style dining (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks)• 1 & 2 Bedroom & Studio Apartments (Regular & Deluxe)

• Housekeeping, Laundry Service, Fitness & Activity Centers• Pool, Beauty/Barber Salon, Transportation to Area Events/Activities

• Pets Welcome (some restrictions)

Comfort and Luxury in aGated Community

Independent Senior Living


EDITOR’S NOTE

If you’re 50+ and on Facebook, become a fan of PRIME Montgomery!

PrimeMONTGOMERY

February 2014 Vol. 4, Issue 10

PUBLISHERBob Corley, [email protected]

EDITORSandra Polizos, [email protected]

ART DIRECTORCallie Corley, [email protected]

WRITERSKristi Gates, Andrea Gross

CONTRIBUTORS

Tina Calligas, Niko Corley, Mark Glass,Mirabai Holland, Blake Jeffcoat,

Kylle’ McKinney, Bob Moos, Arlene Morris, Christine Shoup, Nick Thomas,

Alan Wallace, David White

PHOTOGRAPHYHeath Stone, Bob Corley

SALESBob Corley • 334-202-0114,

[email protected] McFarland, • [email protected]

Prime Montgomery7956 Vaughn Road, #144

Montgomery, AL 36116 • 334-202-0114www.primemontgomery.com

ISSN 2152-9035

Prime Montgomery is a publication of The Polizos/Cor-ley Group, LLC. Original content is copyright 2014 by The Polizos/Corley Group, LLC., all rights reserved, with replication of any portion prohibited without written permission. Opinions expressed are those of contribut-ing writer(s) and not necessarily those of The Polizos/Corley Group, LLC.Prime Montgomery is published monthly except for the combined issue of December/January. Information in articles, departments, columns, and other content areas, as well as advertisements, does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Prime Montgom-ery magazine. Items relating to health, finances, and legal issues are not offered as substitutes for the advice and consultation of health, financial, and legal professionals. Consult properly degreed and licensed professionals when dealing with financial, medical, emotional, or legal matters. We accept no liability for errors or omissions, and are not responsible for advertiser claims.

At eight years old, The Twilight Zone was my favorite show on television. Not that Andy Griffith, My Three Sons, and Make Room for Daddy didn’t thrill me, but I lived for Friday nights, in an-ticipation of how I’d be scared witless by Rod Serling’s latest installment.Growing up with an older brother, I

was introduced to science fiction at an early age. Remember WSFA’s Shock Theater on Saturday nights? We were frequent viewers. Five years my senior, Vic lived and breathed science fiction. From the early Tom Swift series to the Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, and Ray Bradbury paperbacks he later devoured, my brother adored the genre and relished sharing that love with me. Not that I wanted him to. He delighted in my wide-eyed fright as he retold story after story he’d just read. In the late 1950s and early 60s, science fiction and horror movies were

everywhere, an unsettling sign of the times. TV and movies mirrored societal fears. Our neighbors could be Red spies! Who knew what we’d find after landing on the moon? The atmosphere was thick with the threat of nuclear annihilation. We even practiced “duck and cover” in school, low-tech prepara-tion for surviving an atomic bomb. Learning to grab our heads and hide under the desk would certainly save us. (Seriously? I wonder who thought up that plan.)All those fears played out before our eyes when The Twilight Zone began its

multi-year run in the late 50s. The series definitely scared us, but we clamored for more. The perfect mix of yin and yang, each week’s show made us queasy, but we were always entertained. And Rod Serling was cute, clean and – admit it – just a little creepy.Albeit a young instrument, TV had never brought us programs like this –

thought-provoking science fiction, top rated actors, unexpected twists and turns in each episode. Every installment seemed to pack a moral punch. The shows made our young brains consider scary, big ideas. Each week. Each year. For five years, from 1959 to 1963.Vic and I loved The Twilight Zone so much we (emphasis on Vic) even wrote

a story for the series. The Odyssey of Room 9 was about a group of children – misshapen atomic survivors – who lived in a classroom at the end of a hall where most people never ventured. Except, of course, for viewers of The Twi-light Zone. (See where “duck and cover” led? I knew it was a bad idea.)Don’t miss February’s feature on Rod Serling’s iconic TV series by local

writer Nick Thomas (page 16). If you, too, were a fan of the series, there are thousands of Facebook pages and websites dedicated to all aspects of the show, including the names of actors who appeared, most memorable pro-grams, and opportunities to cast your vote for the best Twilight Zone episode. The show retains a very loyal following with multiple TTZ marathons on the SyFy channel and thousands, perhaps millions, of fans across all social media platforms.Have a wonderful February. Haven’t we had enough cold weather for one

winter? I’m done with it. Bring on spring.


QUICK READS

Hope for Age-Related Memory LossA protein deficiency in the brain (officially

termed protein RbAp48) was found to be a major contributor to age-related memory loss, memory loss that is reversible. In a recent study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, Nobel Laureate Eric Kandel, M.D. of Columbia University, announced that this memory loss is not related to Alzheimer’s and is in fact a syndrome in its own right.

Kandel and his colleagues say “senior moments” - amnestic difficulties - may actually be caused by a drop-off of this protein, which is found in the brain’s hippocampus region. Researchers are now working to find ways to re-store the protein and with it, hopefully, a person’s faulty memory.

– Johns Hopkins Health Alert

Balance Work and Life: Exercise!

A forthcoming study in Human Resources Management found that exercise plays a role in how individ-uals feel they can manage conflicts between work and their personal life. Such conflicts can be catego-rized in two ways: 1) job-based pressures interfering with family,

either time-wise or psychologically; 2) personal issues competing with work time.

“Individuals who exercised regularly were more confident they could handle the interaction of their work and home life and were less likely to be stressed at work,” said Russell Clayton, lead author on the paper. “The idea sounds counterin-

tuitive. How is it that adding some-thing else to our work day helps to alleviate stress and empower us to deal with work-family issues?”

Researchers concluded exercise is a way to psychologically detach from work, both physically and psycholog-ically, suggesting employers can help employees with work-life balance by encouraging them to exercise.


Cholesterol-Busting FoodsResearch increasingly shows add-

ing certain foods can lower choles-terol levels.

A 2011 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found people with high cholesterol who ate a diet rich in plant sterols, soluble fibers, soy protein and nuts, lowered their low-density lipopro-tein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol levels almost 14%, compared with a diet low in saturated fat.

Plant sterols and stanols are compounds structurally similar to cholesterol.

They partially block absorption of cholesterol from the small intestine,

lowering “bad” cholesterol without adversely affecting high-density li-poprotein (HDL or “good”) choles-terol.

The American Heart Association recommends people unsuccessful in lowering their cholesterol through lifestyle changes, boost their intake of soluble fiber to 25 grams/day. Good sources of soluble fiber include peas, beans, oats, barley, carrots, apples and prunes.

Nuts are high in fat, but the fats are predominantly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated, which are known to decrease “bad” cholesterol levels.

Nuts shown to help lower LDL cholesterol levels include almonds, walnuts, peanuts, pecans, macada-mias and pistachios.

– Johns Hopkins Health Alert

Good sources of soluble fiber include peas, beans, oats, barley, carrots, apples and prunes.

Skin Aging, Sleep Deprivation LinkedA first-of-its-kind clinical trial found sleep

quality impacts skin function and aging. The recently completed study at University Hos-pitals (UH) Case Medical Center, commissioned by Estée Lauder, demonstrat-ed that poor sleepers had increased signs of skin aging and slower recov-ery from a variety of environmental stressors, such as disruption of the skin barrier or ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Chronic sleep depri-vation has been linked to medical problems such as obesity, diabetes, cancer and immune defi-ciency, but its effects on skin function have been unknown. Skin functions as an impor-tant barrier from external stressors such as environmental toxins and sun-induced DNA damage. The research team set out to deter-mine if skin function and appearance is also impacted by sleep quality, which is vital to the growth and renewal of the body’s immune and physiological systems.

Exercise Decreases Pain, Improves Mobility It’s never too late to reap the benefits of exercise. An

exercise program consisting mainly of chair-based exercises and beginner yoga classes offered in New York City senior centers by Hospital for Special Surgery instructors has helped decrease pain, improve mobility and enhance the overall health of many participants.

Nearly all respondents were females age 65 or older. In the survey, many participants reported that their pain inten-sity dropped and interfered less with their quality of life. The most noteworthy results are: n 83% more participants could bend, kneel or stoop n 69% more participants could climb several flights of

stairs after the programn 50% more participants could lift/carry groceriesn 48% fewer participants had pain on a daily basis after

completing the programn 39% of participants felt the program reduced their

fatiguen 30% participants felt that the program reduced their

stiffness


YARD ‘N GARDEN

Daphne odora or winter Daphne is a winter-flowering shrub that can

withstand our fickle weather that may be balmy one day and downright cold the next. With its irresistible fragrance and sweet nosegay-type flower clusters, this plant brightens the winter landscape. But be warned: the plant’s foliage is poisonous.

Winter Daphne is an attrac-tive, sparsely branched evergreen shrub, reaching about three feet in height and spread. It’s grown for its wonderful fragrant tubular flowers and glossy foliage. The most common cultivar, ‘Aureomarginata’, has leaves with a narrow, irregular yellow margin. The plant pro-duces terminal clusters of small flowers in February to early March that are crystalline white inside and deep purplish-pink outside.

The flower of winter Daphne is highly regarded for its strong scent, possibly the most delightful scent of any flower. The flower clusters keep well in water, allowing one to appreciate the scent indoors. In the landscape, winter Daphne is best located near a well-traveled path or an outdoor courtyard where its fragrance can be best appreciated.

Winter Daphne can be challenging to grow. It does not tolerate soils with poor drainage. Root rot dis-eases associated with poorly drained soils are likely the major cause of failure in the landscape. Ideally, a deep, well-drained woodland soil with plenty of hu-mus is best for this shrub. Plant in slightly raised beds or amended soil to ensure adequate drainage.

Winter Daphne can tolerate full sun, but does best in a protected area providing moderate shade. The plant needs to be irrigated during periods of drought, but is considerably tolerant of drought episodes. It does not heal well from cuts into mature wood so it is best to avoid pruning. However, “pinching” or taking cuttings from the tips of long shoots on the current year’s growth makes the plant fuller and more floriferous.

(Courtesy, North Carolina Extension Service)

Become a Master Gardener The Montgomery County Extension Office is offering

the Master Gardener Volunteer Program beginning in Feb-ruary. Each of the classes is held at the county extension office off the Atlanta Highway, with applications accepted through January 24th. Master Gardener classes begin Thursday, February 13 and runs through May 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Master Gardener Program is a nationwide Exten-sion Education Program designed for non-professionals with interest in increasing their gardening skills and helping others with the knowledge they gain. The pro-gram consists of 13 weeks of class and hands-on training. After completing the courses, Master Gardener interns are expected to give 10 hours of service to the Master Gardener Helpline and 40 hours of volunteer service to the Extension and/or their communities.

The courses on gardening will be taught by specialists, county agents, and veteran Master Gardeners on subjects such as: Soils and Plant Nutrition, Plant Physiology, Plant Propagation, Care of Landscape Plants, Landscape Design, Lawn Care, Weed Identification, Vegetable Gardening, Wa-ter Gardening, Herbs, Composting, and many more.

There is a class fee of $125 and lunch is provided. Con-tact the Montgomery County Extension Office at (334) 270-4133 for an application.

Christine Shoup is a member of the Capital City Master Gardener Association. For information on becoming a master gardener , visit the website, www.capcitymga.org or e-mail [email protected].

Blooming and Fragrant in Winter


$20 Heart Screenings on

Love Your Heart Day at Baptist.

Love Your Heart DayFebruary 22nd

Call 273.4304 to register

BaptistHeartHealth.com

Wouldn’t now be a good time to learn if your heart is happy and healthy? For one day only on February

22nd, Baptist South is offering heart screenings for only $20. We’ll test your cholesterol, blood pressure

and resting EKG, and assess your risk for heart trouble. It’s all part of Baptist’s Love Your Heart Day, and

includes a free light breakfast after your tests. So join us February 22nd for your heart screening. And show

your heart just how much you love it.


A GRACIOUS PLENTY

The first two or three years of my life I lived in northwest Pike County, at the end of a small dirt

road that ended three-quarters of a mile off the main dirt road. An elderly couple, Whit and Edie Ann Merritt, lived at the intersection of these roads on the main dirt road. Known as an overall good cook, Edie Ann had one specialty all the Jeffcoats appreciated – tea cakes. Her wood-fired stove produced many batches of tea cakes, but these were not dainty little confections. These were six-inch diameter, half-inch thick cookies.

Edie Ann’s recipe was simple – flour,

eggs (from her hens), butter (home churned) and sugar. They were loaded with butter, and the brown bags she put them in were always stained with grease.

We moved to the main dirt road when I was about three, a half-mile from the Merritts. One day I went missing and was found headed down the road to Edie Ann’s. When asked where I was going, I simply replied, “To Edie Ann’s for tea cakes”. When Edie Ann passed away, her recipe went with her, as I’m sure there was no “recipe.”

For years I searched for a tea cake that resembled Edie Ann’s in taste and

texture. Nothing I found compared with the one from my past. I tried and tried to replicate those tea cakes, but invari-ably failed. My mother, also a good cook, tried too. No dice. In the 1970’s my late aunt, Mary Amy Bundrick, gave me a recipe she found and suggested I try it. I have no idea where she found it, but it was close, very close, to those of my memory.

I tweaked it here and there and finally got it to where it was almost the same – same taste, same texture. The first real test was carrying a batch to a Jeff-coat Reunion where many of my cousins

were present. Like me, they had all grown up on Edie Ann’s teacakes. Their comments were unanimous – I had it down pat.

When I found my clients also have memories from their past of a grandmother, aunt, or fam-ily friend who made tea cakes, I started making tea cakes for them. (Any good business person knows the value of doing little things for their clients to let them know they’re appreciated.)

I’ve made tea cakes for clients in Montgomery, Alexander City, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, New Or-leans and Puerto Rico. And now, the tradition continues, as my son Stuart is doing the same for his clients in Georgia.

Thanks, Edie Ann!

Pike County native Blake Jeffcoat lives in Montgomery. He is a Senior VP in the full-service consulting, de-sign, construction and operations firm CH2M HILL, serving as the Americas Operations Director covering both N. America and Latin America for the firm’s Water Market.

Searching for Tea Cakes

By Blake Jeffcoat


BLAKE’S TEA CAKES

Ingredients:n 1 cup of butter – real butter

n 2 cups of sugar n 4 eggs – med to large

n 4 cups of plain flour

n 1 teaspoon of baking soda

n 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar

Directions:Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cream sugar and butter together

Add eggs - one at a time - mixing each

well before adding the next

Combine dry ingredients - flour, bak-

ing soda, and cream of tartar and sift

together Add flour mixture a little at a time to the

batter - again mixing well after each

addition. This will make a sticky dough -

may clog your beaters - so be careful

Place dough on a heavily floured pastry

sheet. Sift lots of flour on top of dough.

Remember that the dough is very

gooey and sticky. Then you need to

knead the dough. Be sure to flour your

hands. You will continue to knead and

knead until the dough is workable and

you can pinch of balls of dough easily.

You will have to frequently add more

flour as you knead and knead.

Grease the cookie sheets - I use Crisco

Pinch off balls of dough about the size of

golf ball, put on cookie sheet and lightly

press down to about 1/2-inch. Separate

the balls by about 2 to 3 inches. Note:

you can make the balls smaller or larger

as you see fit. Bake about 13 minutes or so - you have

to watch carefully or the bottoms will

burn (probably due to all the butter).

The tops should be a light brown when

done - but watch the bottoms so they

do not burn.


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IN EVERY LIFE

You need to be directly in-volved in your

health promotion and disease prevention ef-forts. In collaboration with your healthcare provider, you can use various tests to track your progress to determine trends in your body’s function.

Knowing what your test numbers mean, and what questions to ask, is a good beginning.

Height and WeightThese measurements seem routine, but

can indicate skeletal changes, fluid loss in intervertebral padding. metabolic or hor-monal changes, fluid retention or other situations, any of which may indicate the need for further tests. A basic height-weight comparison to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) is an easy method of estimating percent of body fat, which may also indicate a need for further investiga-tion. (See Resource Box: BMI)

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recommends consider-ing waist circumference and level of activ-ity to help inform risk for heart disease or diabetes: waist circumference above 35 inches for women or greater than 40 inches for men may indicate an increased risk. A higher than recommended BMI and/or waist circumference, and low phys-ical activity level, must be considered in conjunction with blood pressure, choles-

terol, triglycerides, blood glucose(sugar), family history, and smoking to evaluate your risk level. (See Resource Box: Weight/Health Risks).

The NHLBI cautions that BMI elevation can increase risk for hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea/respiratory problems, as well as endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon cancers. They suggest a 5-10% weight loss may decrease risk.

Cholesterol/TriglyceridesCholesterol is made by the liver and

stored inside fat. Increased triglycer-ides and LDL cholesterol contribute to atherosclerosis, an accumulation of fatty material along the lining of blood vessels. (See illustration). Blood tests offer a wealth of information. A complete fasting lipid (fat) panel blood test determines

triglyceride and cholesterol levels. The lab calculates total cholesterol based on three categories: high density lipoprotein (HDL=desirable); low density lipoprotein (LDL=detrimental); very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) (See Resource Box: Cholesterol Levels, Know Your Numbers)

In Nov. 2013, the American College of Cardiology and the America Heart As-sociation updated the recommendations for treatment based on cholesterol levels. Discuss your numbers with your health-care provider -- BMI, waist circumference, triglyceride, HDL, LDL, VLDL, blood pres-sure levels -- and how the numbers are trending, in order to assess the risks and potential benefits of various treatment plans based on your history and lifestyle.

We cannot control family history or genetic makeup, but we can be more involved in tracking our numbers, increas-ing physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and adhering to a specific diet or medication if indicated. Knowing how our numbers trend can increase our motiva-tion.

Arlene H. Morris, EdD, RN, CNE is Professor of Nursing, Auburn Montgomery School of Nursing. Reach her at [email protected].

Triglycerides:n Less than 100 – Optimaln Less than 150 – Normaln 150-199 – Borderline Highn 200-499 – Highn Over 500 – Very High

Cholesterol:n HDL – 60+ (may provide some pro-

tection against heart disease)n HDL – less than 40 for men, 50 for

women (may increase risk of heart disease)n LDL – less than 100 optimaln LDL – 100-129 near optimaln LDL – 130-159 borderlinen LDL – 160-189 highn LDL – 190+ very highTOTAL (HDL+LDL+20% of triglyc-erides) – 240+ (2X risk of coronary heart disease compared to less than 200)

Know Your Numbers

BMI – www.cdc.gov (search BMI) Weight/Health Risks – www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose

Cholesterol Levels – www.heart.org (search Cholesterol)

RESOURCE BOX

Arlene Morris


Bou Coudancewear & a whole lot more!

In The Courtyard2101 Eastern Blvd.

(behind Starbucks)

(334) 239-0655www.boucou.net

MONEYWI$E

A corollary to “A stitch in time saves nine” is the aphorism: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound

of cure.” This expression is particularly apropos since we are looking this month at how early detection and treatment of medical conditions can save money or even your life.

You likely have known people whose qual-ity (or length) of life was adversely

affected when they ignored or failed to detect a medical condition or health issue that could easily have been identified. With the availability of gener-ally high-quality medical care today, it is unfortunate that people too often fail to take advantage of the opportunity to avoid problems or address them early.

A friend of mine, who evidently was not getting regular checkups, had an EKG as part of a life insurance exam a few years ago. After the EKG showed an abnormality, he had heart surgery that probably prolonged his life. On the other hand, my Dad seemed quite healthy in his late 80’s. Someone asked him on his 88th birth-day how he felt, and he replied, “Twice as good as 44.”

A little over a year later we discovered that he had colon cancer, and three months later he was gone. Unbeknownst to me, he evidently had not had routine colonoscopies, an evalu-ation which is recommended first at age 50 and then every 10 years thereafter.

Here are some steps to consider that might save you seri-

ous money on medical treatments and could add years to your life or improve its quality.

Get routine physical exams every year or two, as well as routine dental care and eye exams. A physical will usually in-clude lab tests on your blood and urine, as well as a chest X-ray, EKG, and blood pressure check. Women (including

those who are post-menopausal) should have a pap smear every 3 years, a mammogram every 2, and a bone mineral density test every few years. Men should have their prostate checked and those with a his-

tory of smoking should be checked for abdominal aortic aneurysms.

In particular, those over 50 should pay attention to their risk of hyperten-sion (high blood pressure), elevated

cholesterol, and diabetes. These condi-tions may exist for some time without producing symptoms that you notice. Being

overweight often contributes to all three conditions.

Depression is a common condition facing the elderly. Be sensitive to this

and talk with your medical professional about it if you think this could be an issue

for you.Get the recommended colonoscopy at age 50 and

every 10 years thereafter, unless conditions indicate that you are at risk and should have this procedure more frequently.

Take advantage of vaccinations to reduce the risk of con-tracting avoidable diseases. Three of these are pneumonia, flu and shingles. A serious case of flu that I had in 1979 motivates me to get an annual flu shot. I would rather pay the few dol-lars and have a sore place on my arm than be laid up for days, or possibly worse. The vaccine may not be completely effec-tive, but it improves your odds of staying well.

Prevention and early action can help you avoid some big expenses. Those who ignore difficulties when they are minor, perhaps hoping that they will go away or improve on their own, often find they have grown dramatically, requiring more time, effort and money to remedy them. And in some cases they reach the stage where they cannot be resolved at any cost. Whether or not you become an avoidable medical statis-tic is up to you.

Alan Wallace, CFA, ChFC, CLU is a Senior Financial Advisor for Ronald Blue & Co.’s Montgomery office, www.ronblue.com/location-al. He can be reached at 334-270-5960, or by e-mail at [email protected].

A Stitch in TimePart 5

Alan Wallace


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MEDICARE

No Change in Part BThe best news for 2014 is that there are no changes in

Medicare’s Part B premium and deductible. The standard pre-mium for the part of Medicare that covers your doctor visits and outpatient hospital care will stay the same – $104.90 per month. Over the past three years, the premium has remained unchanged or turned out lower than first projected.

A small number of people with Medicare – about 4% – pay surcharges on their Part B premiums because their annual in-comes exceed $85,000. They, too, will see no increase in their premiums for physician visits and outpatient services.

The Part B deductible for 2014 is also the same as last year – $147. You pay that out-of-pocket for doctor appointments and outpatient care at the beginning of each year before Medicare kicks in and helps cover costs.

Price Breaks for “Doughnut Hole”If you have a Medicare drug plan and reach the coverage

gap, you’ll receive bigger discounts on generic prescriptions – 28% in 2014, compared with 21% this past year. You’ll also continue to get about 53% off your brand-name drugs.

The price breaks are adding up. More than 60,100 Alabama residents with Medicare have saved $52.7 million on their prescriptions in the coverage gap this past year – an average of $876 per person. The discounts will continue to grow until the doughnut hole disappears in 2020.

Switch Back to Traditional MedicareIf you’re dissatisfied with your private Medicare Advantage

health plan, an annual “dis-enrollment” period allows you to return to the traditional fee-for-service Medicare program between January 1 and February 14. You can also pick a drug plan to go with your new coverage.

A word of caution here: There are a few things you can’t do during the six-week dis-enrollment period. You can’t switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another. Nor can you switch from the traditional Medicare program to an Advantage plan. Most people will need to wait until the annual enrollment period in the fall to make either of those changes.

Help for Non-Medicare RecipientsIf you have Medicare, you don’t need to do anything about

the new Health Insurance Marketplace. But if you, a spouse or another family member are too young for Medicare and lacking insurance, this new way of buying coverage may be for you.

Health plans sold through the Marketplace will provide you with affordable and comprehensive coverage. Insurers can no longer deny you coverage, or charge you more, because of a pre-existing medical condition. Enrollment continues until March 31.

You can shop and sign up online at healthcare.gov or by phone at 1-800-318-2596. You can also sit down with a trained counselor and enroll. For a list of counselors in your community, visit localhelp.healthcare.gov or call the 1-800

customer service number.Individuals with incomes to $45,960, and a family of four

with an income to $94,200, may qualify for tax credits to reduce premiums. Some applicants may also qualify for help with deductibles, co-payments and other out-of-pocket costs.

Access to Personal Health InformationHaving ready access to your Medicare claims data gives

you a better understanding of your health information and greater control. It also makes it easier to share your medi-cal history with your doctors, caregivers or anyone else you choose.

Visit mymedicare.gov to use Medicare’s “blue button” today. You can download 12 to 36 months of claims information for Medicare Parts A and B, and 12 months of claims information for Part D to your computer or mobile device.

This was a quick look at Medicare’s more noteworthy changes. The “Medicare and You 2014” handbook you re-ceived in the mail recently has a complete summary. You can also visit medicare.gov and download a free digital version of the handbook to your e-reader.

Stay informed to make the most of your Medicare benefits.

Bob Moos is Southwest public affairs officer for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

What to Know about Medicare in 2014


SOCIAL SECURITY

Take advantage of the winter months indoors to prepare for tax filing season. Whether you’re a small

business owner, retiree or new parent, these tax tips may help.

Are Social Security benefits taxable? Yes, for some people with higher incomes. About one third of those receiving Social Security benefits must pay taxes on some of their Social Security benefits, depending on the amount of their taxable income.

On-line resource: www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/taxes.htm.Will I get a tax form for my Social Security benefits? Yes.

Beneficiaries should receive their Social Security Benefit Statements (Form SSA-1099) for tax year 2013 on or before January 31, 2014. If you receive Social Security and don’t receive your 1099 by the end of January, request one online at www.socialsecurity.gov/1099.

We had a baby in 2013. Does our child need a Social Secu-rity number? Yes. Most people apply for their baby’s Social Se-curity number while still in the hospital at the same time they register for the birth certificate. But if you didn’t, you’ll need to apply for your child’s Social Security number before you file your tax return in order to claim the child as a dependent. You’ll also need it if you ever apply for government benefits on behalf of your child or your family. On-line resource: www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.

I changed my name when I got married last year. Do I need to report it to Social Security? Yes. If you’ve legally changed your name due to marriage, divorce, court order, or for any other reason, make sure you change your name with Social Security, as well as with your employer. If you change with one source but not the other, it could cause your earnings to be improperly recorded and you may not get all the benefits you are entitled to when you become eligible for Social Security in the future. Failing to change your name on your Social Se-curity record could also cause a delay in receipt of any federal income tax refund. On-line resource: www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.

I own a small business. Can I report employees’ W-2s to So-

cial Security electroni-cally? Yes, and we encour-age you to do just that at www.socialse-curity.gov/bso. Filing W-2s electronically is free, fast, and secure! Plus there’s an added bonus: when you file electronically, you receive an extra month to file because electronically filed W-2s aren’t due until March 31. You’ll also receive an electronic receipt. And when you enter your W-2 information online, you can simultaneously print out W-2s for your employees. On-line resource: www.socialsecurity.gov/employer.

Does Social Security have tips for those filing their taxes? Yes. We encourage you to carefully check: your name, Social Security number, and all data on your W-2s; your online Social Security Statement; and your Social Security card to make sure they all match. If you don’t have access to your card or Statement but know your Social Security number, make sure the number and information is correct on your W-2s. A mis-match could delay your tax refund and cause problems with your Social Security benefits in the future. Such errors are much easier to fix early on. If you do notice an error, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or if the information on the W-2 is incorrect, notify your em-ployer.

General on-line Social Security resource: www.socialsecurity.gov.

Kylle’ McKinney, SSA Public Affairs Specialist, can be reached in Montgomery at 866-593-0914, ext. 26265, or by e-mail at [email protected].

6912 Winton Blount Blvd.Montgomery, AL 36117

334-281-8400www.allearscenters.com

all EARSHearing Centers

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Preparing for Tax Season

Kylle’ McKinney


TINSELTOWN TALKS

It’s been called one of the most influential programs in the history of television drama. “The Twilight Zone,” an anthology series

that aired in the early 1960s, was created by Rod Serling (1924-1975), a veteran of radio and World War II. Both influenced his career as a writer.

“When he returned from war in the Philip-pines, he went to college and wrote for the campus radio station,” daughter Anne Serling recently recalled. “He later wrote plays for com-mercial radio, then television. He said writing was a way to get the war trauma ‘out of his gut.’”

During the show’s five year run, Serling was executive producer and chief writer, penning more than half the some 150 episodes. But he’s best remembered as the program’s stone-faced host, whose foreboding narrations introduced the show each week. In biographies after his death, the master storyteller of chilling sci-fi and fantasy tales was often described as dark and depressed, inaccuracies that led Anne “to set the record straight” in her own book about her father.

“He was described as a tortured soul, but that wasn’t my father at all,” said Anne, who published As I Knew Him: My Dad, Rod Serling in 2013. “Although the war left scars, he was

also a very positive, fun, down to earth person. My friends adored him and any apprehension they had about meeting him would instantly dissolve because he could make anyone feel at ease. He was brilliantly funny at home, a great practical joker, and was always at the dinner table each night.”

As a child, Anne had little knowledge of her father’s career.

“I knew he was a writer, but didn’t know what he wrote about until I was about 7. Some mean boy on the school playground asked if I was ‘something out of the Twilight Zone,’ but I had no idea what that meant because I wasn’t allowed to watch much TV during the week – my mother’s rule! A few years later, we watched ‘Nightmare at 20,000 Feet’ together, the episode where William Shatner sees a gremlin on an airplane wing. I remember looking at my father and thinking ‘this is what you write?’ It was a bit scary.”

Praised for his original fiction writing, Serling was also highly respected for raising social is-sues in some episodes although controversial topics were subject to the censors’ whim. So he frequently concealed his intent in fantasy.

“He famously once said he could have aliens say things that Democrats and Republicans couldn’t,” Anne recalled.

The Real Rod SerlingBy Nick Thomas


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Several Twilight Zone actors also shared vivid memories of Serling.

Theodore Bikel is well-known to fans of “My Fair Lady” as Henry Higgins’ rival linguist, the nosey Zoltan Karpathy. In July, 1960, Aus-trian born Bikel appeared on a Hollywood TV talk show, “Caucus with Backus,” and was verbally assailed by fellow guests – glamorous silent film actress Corinne Griffith and beloved character actor Adolphe Menjou.

“We were talking politics and they said I had no right to open my mouth because I wasn’t born in this country,” recalled Bikel.

Appalled, Serling appeared on a later program defending Bikel’s right to freedom of speech.

“I will never forget how Rod came to my defense. I later ap-peared in the Twilight Zone episode ‘Four O’Clock,’ in 1962.”

Ann Jillian and Mariette Hartley were teenagers when they first met Serling.

“I was 13 when I starred in the episode, ‘Mute,’” Ann re-called. “I was very excited about doing the popular show. Mr. Serling made me feel at ease and didn’t talk down to me.”

After seeing him on TV, a gutsy 14-year old Mariette Hartley telephoned Serling and asked him to speak to her Connecticut high school drama club.

“He said he would be de-lighted and I can still see him sitting in the teacher’s desk at the front of the classroom talking to us,” Mariette said. “Years later, when I started working in Hollywood, I met him again when his limousine pulled up as I was walking out of the studio. He re-

membered coming to my class. I told him I was looking for

work and within a couple of months he gave me the wonder-ful gift of working in ‘The Long Morrow’ episode.”

Today, Serling continues to inspire other moviemakers. J.J. Abrams, director of the new Star Trek films, has called “The Twilight Zone” a big influence on his career, and reportedly has secured the rights to adapt Serling’s last, never-produced script, “The Stops Along the Way.” Until then, Rod Serling’s work is still available for your viewing pleasure, almost nightly, on classic TV cable channels in... The Twilight Zone.

Nick Thomas has written features and columns for more than 350 magazines and newspapers. He can be reached at his blog: http://getnickt.blogspot.com

Charleston Heston (L) chats with Serling on the set of Planet of the Apes. Below, daughter Anne Serling with her father, 1970s.

February 2014 | www.primemontgomery.com

18

FEATURE

TwoAre you stuck when it comes to ideas for “date

night,” whether Valentines or just a Special Day? Do you find yourself returning to some version

of dinner-and-a-movie? There’s an abundance and variety of activities in the area, both new ones and old favorites you may have forgotten.

Treats forThe Spa at Montgomery Pamper yourselves with a day of relaxation at the

Renaissance Montgomery’s spa. Splurge on couples massages and enjoy access to the spa’s facilities, including a swimming pool, hot tub, indoor whirlpool and steam room. Or save and still enjoy the spa’s facilities by purchasing a day pass for $35.

201 Tallapoosa Street, Montgomery, 334-481-5210Special note: Day passes are not available on Saturdays

By Kristi Gatesphotos by Heath Stone, Stome Images Photography,

and Bob Corley

Prattville Pickers + Capone’s Pizza & Subs

Treasure hunt at one of the River Region’s largest malls with over 100,000 square feet of antiques, collectibles and house-hold goods. Once you’ve made your purchases and worked up an appetite, you won’t regret driving 20 minutes to Millbrook to try Capone’s Pizza & Subs. Capone’s is a new hot spot for authentic New York-style pizza, delicious salads, subs and calzones.

Prattville Pickers: 616 Highway 82 West, Prattville,334-730-0266Capone’s Pizza & Subs: 4145 Highway 14, Millbrook,334-285-5442

Carriage RideWhat’s more romantic than a scenic horse-drawn

carriage tour of downtown Montgomery? Drivers can provide historical facts and stories about the city, or let you appreciate a quiet, romantic ride. Winter break ends March 15, and spring hours are 6-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Tours: Corner of Commerce & Tallapoosa, Montgomery, 334-221-2336

$50/two adults (40-minute tour)

www.primemontgomery.com | February 2014

19

“Do the Coosa” For a real adventure, rent a tan-

dem sit-on-top kayak or canoe and get your thrills “Doing the Coosa.” Starting mid-March, the staff at the Coosa Outdoor Center will get you ready to experience Class I-III rapids that will satisfy beginners or seasoned paddlers. Reservations recommended.

172 River Road, Wetumpka, 334-201-5510

Tandem sit-on-top and canoe rental, $45-$55/boat

W.A. Gayle PlanetariumShoot for the stars and rediscover one of Montgomery’s hidden trea-

sures. The planetarium recently underwent a major renovation adding 22 projectors, including video projection, a new sound system and the introduction of Laser Light Shows. Public shows are offered at 3 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

1010 Forest Avenue, Montgomery, 334-241-4799$5/person; $4/seniors 65+

The Great Gatsby at theAlabama Shakespeare FestivalIf you’ve seen the recent hit movie

adaptation, compare it to the ASF’s take on The Great Gatsby. The breathtaking glamour and decadent excess of the Jazz Age from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel comes to the stage in Simon Levy’s adap-tation. January 31through February 16.

One Festival Drive, Montgomery, 334-271-5353

Standard balcony seats $24-$29; or-chestra seats $24-$49

Wind Creek State Park + Catherine’s Market

Revel in the great outdoors at Wind Creek State Park along the shores of Lake Martin. Fish, swim, boat, hike and picnic in the 1,400-acre park. On your way home, visit Catherine’s Market to pick up some tasty pastries from their in-house bakery that uses the finest natural ingredients.

Wind Creek State Park: 7 miles SE of Alexander City, Highway 128, 256-329-0845

Catherine’s Market: 17 Rus-sell Farms Road, Alexander City, 256-215-7070

Wind Creek State Park entrance: $3/adult; $1/seniors 62+


Jasmine Hill Gardens & Outdoor MuseumExperience “Alabama’s Little Corner of Greece,” with

more than 20 acres of year-round floral beauty and classi-cal sculpture. Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays start-ing March 1 until the end of June. Begin your visit at the Olympian Centre for a video of Jasmine Hill’s history and display of Olympic memorabilia.

3001 Jasmine Hill Road, Wetumpka, 334-263-5713 $10/adult; $8/seniors 65+

Rays at RiverwalkGet out to the ballgame on Saturday, March

29 to enjoy the Rays at Riverwalk. The Tampa Bay Rays will be playing an exhibition game against the Montgomery Biscuits at 2:05 p.m. This marks the first time a Minor League team has played their Major League affiliate in the capital city.

200 Coosa Street, Montgomery$28 reserved seating; $20 general admis-

sionSpecial note: Go to www.raysatriverwalk.

com for tickets and information

Horseback RidingShade Tree Riding Stables offers public trail rides through a

35 acre pasture and 86 acre forest. Get back to nature with half-hour or hour long Saturday rides on gentle, lovingly trained horses that will provide a relaxing, fun ride.

566 Thornfield Drive, Millbrook, 334-290-3727$20/person for half-hour rides; $30/person for 1 hour rides

Whippoorwill Vineyards

Just 40 minutes east of Montgomery, Whippoorwill Vineyards is a family-owned and operated farm winery, one of a few within easy driving distance. All their wines are made from grapes varieties grown in their vineyard, includ-ing muscadines and scupper-nongs, and they have a taste to satisfy every palate.

4282 County Road 31, No-tasulga, 334-257-2711

Tastings and tours free dur-ing business hours, Mon, Thur-Sat, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

www.whippoorwillvineyards.com


Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts + Café

Have you seen the Montgomery Mu-seum of Fine Art lately? Audio guides let you choose your own path through the permanent collection, and MMFA regularly brings in superior exhibitions. When you’ve finished the feast for your eyes, have a dif-ferent kind of feast with a delectable lunch at the museum’s Café M.

One Museum Drive, Montgomery, 334-240-4333

Museum admission is freeSpecial note: Museum galleries are closed

Monday, and Café M is closed Sunday and Monday

Riverboat CruiseAlways a safe bet for

a good time, cruise the Alabama River aboard the Harriott II River-boat. Open for public cruises March through November, there are a variety of ways to savor the scenery and tranquility of the river. Choose from dinner, blues and regular cruises.

Box office is located at 200 Coosa Street, Montgomery, 334-625-2100

Dinner cruise $43/person; Blues cruise and regular cruise $25/person

Bed & BreakfastRecharge your batteries with a “staycation” at a

local B&B. “Heaven on Hull Street,” The Lattice Inn, is known for its beautiful garden, hot tub and saltwater pool area. Five percent discount for seniors 60+ and a February Lover’s Special (call and ask!). The Smith-Byrd House, Prattville, has an authentic Victorian atmosphere, delighting tea lovers with afternoon tea time in the Tea Room.

Lattice Inn (Right): 141 South Hull St. Montgomery, 334-263-1414, www.thelatticeinn.com.

Smith-Byrd House: 137 N. Washington S., Prattville, 334-365-1459

$99-$130/night


Love is in the AirValentines, Cocktails, and a Gala Performance

Where The intimate black box theatre in the ballet's downstairs studio.

When Friday, February 14 at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 15, at 2:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Sunday, February 16, at 2:00 p.m.

$20 per individual, $35 per couple, $10 per child under 18 $5 military, senior, and college student discount

2101 Eastern Blvd. Montgomery, AL 36117http://montgomeryballet.org(334) 409-0522Reservations suggested

2013-14 SeasonClassical Season

Concert I • Monday, October 14 • 7:30pm Concert II • Monday, November 25 • 7:30pm Concert III • Monday, December 16• 7:30pm Concert IV • Monday, February 17 • 7:30pm

Concert V • Monday, April 28 • 7:30pm

Fellowship Series Violin, October 29 • 7:30pmCello, December 3 • 7:30pmViolin, January 19 • 2:30pmCello, February 25 • 7:30pmViolin, March 25 • 7:30pm

Cello, May 6 • 7:30pm

Montgomery Symphony Orchestra

montgomerysymphony.org / 240-4004


GAMESAcross1 Manages (for oneself)6 Snuck11 __ Moines, Iowa14 Native Alaskan15 Cowboy singer Gene16 "That's nasty!"17 Criticize gas and electric

companies?19 The Beatles' "__ Loves

You"20 Sunrise direction21 One of a D.C. 10022 Russian capital24 Roy G __: rainbow mne-

monic26 Piebald horse27 Criticize a modeling shoot

array?30 It replaced the French

franc33 Pass out35 Mudville number36 Complete, as a scene37 Tropicana and Minute

Maid, briefly38 Cheesy sandwiches39 Grounded jet40 Sworn statement42 Isaac's eldest43 Wranglers with wheels

45 Folk music's Kingston __46 Criticize stage shows?48 Former Bears head coach

Smith50 Be in debt51 Sea near Stockholm53 Prefix with pass55 Become enraged59 World Cup cheer60 Criticize awards?63 Gen-__: boomer's kid,

probably64 Invalidate65 On one's toes66 Fist pumper's word67 Trotsky and Uris68 Pack animals

Down1 Lose color in the wash2 "On the Waterfront" direc-

tor Kazan3 Loch with a monster4 Brit's trash can5 Sault __ Marie6 Batman's hideout7 Wreck completely8 And so on: Abbr.9 Vacate the __: eviction

notice phrase10 Big name in chicken

11 Criticize college subjects?12 Bounce in a 6-Down13 Depict unfairly18 Invitation letters23 Bouillabaisse, e.g.25 Practitioner: Suff.26 Kept in, as hostility27 Criticize farmers?28 Bodysuit for a tiny tot29 "__ Marner": Eliot work31 Speak with a grating voice32 Chooses33 12 inches34 Open a bit38 Doctor's profession41 Owl's cry43 A boxer may have a glass one44 They're attractive to look at47 "Footloose" co-star Singer49 "Myra Breckinridge" author Gore51 Like the Honda Element52 Away from the wind53 Really surprise54 Web addresses, briefly56 Beehive State natives57 Little more than58 Repair co. proposals61 __-cone62 Sheep's call (c) 2014 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, INC.

Crossword and Sudoku answers on page 29.


FEATURE

I'm standing on the deck of a 24-passenger catamaran, watching the sun rise over the

Pacific. Yes, that's right. The sun is rising over the Pacific. Here, in the Central American country of Panama, positioned between two continents and two oceans, I can see a bit of the Pacific that juts to the east, poking into a portion of the Atlantic. So when the sun rises in the east, it appears over Pacific waters.I find this intriguing but at the

same time unsettling. But then, many things in Panama force me to rearrange my mind.

The hot pink hibiscus, the bright beaked toucans, the swirling skirts of the dancers... Every-where I look the country pulsates with the psychedelic colors that inspired Paul Gauguin, and I’m on sensory overload for the first part of my trip. Then, bingo, I board the MS Discovery for my cruise through the Panama Canal. The bright colors disappear as I enter a more ordered world, one that’s muted, mechanical and often con-fined by the gray cement bricks of the locks. The right side of my brain wars with the left.

My husband and I are in Panama with Grand Circle Travel precisely because their tour offers country culture as well as Canal cruising. After all, there’s no doubt that the famed waterway has made the country a place to be reckoned with.

One hundred years ago this year, on August 15, 1914, the SS Ancon made the first offi-cial Canal passage between the Atlantic and Pacific. By eliminating the long trip around Cape Horn, the ocean-to-ocean journey was shortened by more than 8,000 miles. This feat transformed both global commerce and the country of Panama.

In 2015, after a $5.2 billion expansion is completed, the Canal will be able to handle larger ships,

By Andrea GrossPhotos by Irv Green

Celebrating100 Years of the Panama Canal


thus further fueling the country’s economy and increasing its importance.

We begin our tour in the capital of Panama, Panama City, which has morphed from a 15th century settle-ment (evident in the ruins of Panama La Viejo) to a 17th century Spanish colonial town (quickly becoming the go-to neighborhood for after-hours fun) to a 21st century metropolis that is both an international business center and a popular tourist destination. The city’s history is fascinating, the atmo-sphere electric, but still, I’m glad when we head out to the rural areas.

We stop at an agricultural coopera-tive where farmers work together to bring their produce to market, a sugar cane farm where a husband and wife have a small candy-making business, a school where youngsters perform traditional dances and their mothers serve us a homemade lunch, and a private home where the owner teaches us to make one of his grandmother’s favorite dishes. At each place our hosts talk freely, giving us insight into their daily lives. I emerge from these visits well fed and well informed.

We learn about yet another Pana-manian lifestyle when we meet the Embera people, members of one of Panama’s seven indigenous tribes. I step out of our dugout canoe to find a vil-lage of thatched huts perched on stilts, an open-air schoolhouse, a soccer

field, a meeting hall, a woman weaving baskets and an entire community of people in traditional attire.

The tribal spokesman explains that opening their village to outsiders al-lows the Emberas to earn a living while continuing to live according to the ways of their ancestors. It’s a Marga-ret Mead experience, and I love every minute.

In between people visits, we take

mini treks through the rainforest. Unlike the men who built the Canal, we’re slathered with sunscreen, pro-tected with insect repellent, and our only goals are to see a monkey, spot a toucan and track a capybara. We aren’t charged with digging a path through a thick jungle where the temperature is often above 80º and the humidity above 90%. Of the 80,000 men who worked on the Canal, more than a third died of yellow fever or malaria.

A normal trip through the Canal takes ten hours, but our tour has ar-ranged for a full daylight passage. We enter on the Pacific, head northwest through two sets of locks that raise the Discovery 85 feet above sea level, cross the Continental Divide and spend the night on Gatun Lake. The next morn-ing we go ashore to visit the Gatun Dam and take our final rainforest trek, which reminds us of the travails that went into building the Canal. Then we re-board our ship, go through the final set of locks and descend to sea level in another ocean.

I go to the upper deck and look to the west. Yes, the sun is setting over the Atlantic.

You can find more resources online at www.gct.com/pma.


PRIME VINTAGE

This democratization of wine is great," asserted Jancis Robinson, one of the world's leading wine

authorities, over coffee one recent morning. She was in Washington, D.C., to promote the seventh edition of The World Atlas of Wine, the indispensable reference book co-authored with Hugh Johnson. Robinson has spent the last four decades writing about wine, pub-lishing thousands of reviews, yet seemed excited about the prospect of consum-ers putting less stock in her opinion.

"No longer are wine critics and reasonably well-known wine writers like me sitting on a pedestal, haughtily handing down our judgments," she said. "Nowadays... [consumers] can make up their own minds. That's altogether a lot healthier."

To hear Robinson so eagerly applaud the declining influence of prominent critics was refreshing. In the optimistic future of American wine, well-informed consumers will be confident in their own preferences and eager to explore

Consumer Revolution


I’ve been coming to Montgomery Eye Physicians for 52 years for my contact lenses. The things that are important to me, like their capabilities and their competence and my comfort, were impeccable 52 years ago, and nothing’s changed since.

— PATRICIA SEAY

onlinemep.com 334.271.3804

without consulting a professional critic. We're already well on our way. Just look at CellarTracker.

In 2003, Eric LeVine, a wine collector, built a data-management program for his cellar. His friends begged him to share it online so they could catalog their wines and record tasting notes. So LeVine made his program available to everyone, for free.

The website has become extremely popular, with almost 1 million monthly visitors and 2,000+ wines reviewed each day. This means CellarTracker users review more wines in six days than Robert Parker, the world's most famous wine critic, reviews in a year. But CellarTracker isn't just used by oenophiles.

About nine in ten visitors are unregistered, regular con-sumers visiting the site for wine reviews.

This demonstrates that fewer and fewer consumers are relying on the opinions of prominent critics, some-thing wine writer Alder Yarrow (Vinography.com) recently discussed while praising the multiplicity of voices now populating the wine world.

"There are thousands of opinions... “ he said, “and people like me all over the States and all over the world are [now] accepted as critical authorities on wine."

Such "critical authorities" also share their thoughts on personal blogs, message boards, and social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Some, like Yarrow, are well-known wine writers with large audiences. But many are simply influential, local voices - the staffer at the neighborhood wine shop, the hip restaurant sommelier, the wine geek in everyone's life.

Many amateur critics, along with CellarTracker users, continue to utilize a 100-point scale to "score" wines. But as the number of wine critics increases, one can only as-sume the reliance on points will diminish. After all, tasting is subjective, and one critic's 95-point wine is another critic's swill. That's why it sometime seems as if every wine on a supermarket's shelf has been awarded 90 points or more. Such pronouncements only make sense when they're coming from a critic whose palate you trust.

"I hated it when it was the tyranny of the points," Rob-inson said. "I think it affected American retailers particu-larly badly, who for a long time gave up their own selection process and palates and just rolled over and repeated what [Robert Parker's] Wine Advocate and Wine Specta-tor said.“

More and more wine retailers are eschewing points, stocking their shelves with handpicked wines and staff-ing their business with wine educators eager to chat with customers.

And these customers are growing increasingly comfort-able dismissing wine critics who hand down judgements from a pedestal. That's why the future of wine in America is so bright.

David White is the founder and editor of Terroirist.com, which was named "Best Overall Wine Blog" at the 2013 Wine Blog Awards. His columns are housed at Palate Press: The Online Wine Magazine.


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Nominate a Volunteer/Group for River Region 2014 Volunteer of the Year AwardsMultiple categories. Visit www.handsonriverregion.org for information/nomination form, or contact

Leslie Martorana, 334-264-3335, [email protected] Ceremony April 10, 3:30 p.m., Trinity Presbyterian Church

Nominations accepted until six weeks prior to the event.


In the resort town where I live, people from around the world take my classes while on vacation. During a cardio dance class I said

for everyone to “...get into our target heart rate zone”. To my surprise, this was met with blank faces and questions. It seems target heart rate-- the very thing that makes cardio exercise so effective -- has been lost in recent years with the emphasis on strength, yoga and Pilates. Everyone used to know that in order to protect and build your heart muscle, you

need at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise a day in your target heart zone. There’s a simple, and more complex, was to find your target.

One way is to exercise just hard enough to be barely able to carry on a conversation while you work out. A more complicated but truer method is one based on your age and resting heart rate. It’s called the Karvonen formula, named after its developer, Dr. M.J. Karvonen. Incorporating your Resting Heart Rate (RHR) gives a more accurate target heart rate zone. Generally, the lower the RHR the more fit the individual.

When you wake up in the morning, before you get out of bed, find your pulse at the base of your wrist or side of your neck. Count your pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by two. Once you have your RHR, the Karvonen Formula will help determine your Target Heart Rate (THR).

220 minus Age = Max Heart Rate (MHR)MHR minus Resting Heart Rate (RHR) = Heart Rate Reserve (HRR)HRR X 60% + RHR = Low End of Target HR zoneHRR X 80% + RHR = High End of Target HR zone

Example for a 50 year old: 220 minus 50 = 170 MHR170 MHR minus 60 RHR = 110 HRR110 HRR X 60% (66) + RHR (60) = 126 Low End Target HR Zone110 HRR X 80% (88) + RHR (60) = 148 High End Target HR Zone

The Target Heart Rate Zone is 126 to 148 beats per minute. Once you have your target heart rate zone it’s easy to know if

you are exercising within it. Take your pulse for six seconds and multiply by 10 for the number of beats per minute. Compare that to your target heart zone and you’ll know if you’re over, under or in the right place. You can also exercise with a heart rate monitor. A basic one costs about $50. With it, you’ll have high tech assurance you’re exercising in your target zone. In either case, you’ll learn what it feels like when you’re in and when you’re out or your zone, and its fun to know you’re in control.

Mirabai Holland, M.F.A. is an authority in the Health & Fitness industry specializing in preventive/rehabilitative exercise. You can reach her at [email protected], or www.mirabaiholland.com.

Find Your Target Heart Rate

]

Mirabai Holland

I always knew I was going to Montgomery Eye Physicians. Their reputation is second to none. After getting LASIK, I play golf, I go hunting, and I can see and shoot a lot better now. And just for normal, everyday things —everything’s clear.

— DREW WOODS

getLASIK.me 334.272.2020


PRIME DIVERSIONS

Gravity (PG-13) There have been plenty

of movies close to being one-actor tours de force with their star stranded in Spartan or hostile environs - Spencer Tracy in Old Man and the Sea; Tom Hanks in Cast Away; Sam Rockwell in Moon; Sigourney Weaver in Alien; the upcoming Robert Redford nautical solo, All is Lost, to name a few.

This one gives us Sandra Bullock as an astronaut more schooled in science than flight, finding herself alone in orbit after her vehicle and communication with NASA are wiped out by space debris. With some help from the other surviving member of her crew (George Clooney), she has to control her panic, remember her training, and figure out a way back to Earth. Her performance and the film are first-rate, with terrific special effects complementing a suspenseful screenplay, directed and co-written by Alfonso Cua-ron. Awards season beckons, as it did for several of these films.

Though Bullock was supposedly far from being the first choice for the part, she nails it. Not only does she effectively cover the full range of thoughts and emotions one might expect for her character in that extreme position of peril, but she looks like someone who attained her peak physical condition for the rigors of space travel. The latter is particularly impressive for any non-athlete in his or her late 40s.

About Time (R) This English import is a sweet little romantic dramedy that

should charm most mellow and/or mature viewers. A shy young man (Domnhall Gleeson) learns from his father ((Bill Nighy) that men in their bloodline have a limited time-travel ability. They can only go back, and within their own lifetime. It’s a closely-guarded secret, even withheld from their wives and daughters. That gives

the nerd a leg up on landing the girl of his dreams (Rachel McAd-ams), and navigating many other aspects of life. In movie terms, it’s akin to Groundhog’s Day, offering infinite chances for “do-overs” (Mulligans, for the golfers among you), but understated with a heavy dose of British reserve. The sentimental aspect of a shared father-son secret adds a bonus layer.

The screenplay meanders in places, with the last half-hour of this two-hour tale seeming excessive, and periodically bordering on maudlin. There are actually some useful life perspectives for

those of us who can only live each moment once, but those points could have been made more effectively in less time. But of all the cinematic sins we find, that’s but a minor annoyance in this gentle, pleasant bit of whimsy. Nice films like this - intimate relationships displayed without trying to milk the warm fuzzies - are often lost in the hype for all the high-profile and other big-budget action fare. This one offers a welcome change of pace and tone from most of the options at your local multiplex.

Escape Plan (R) Those who have been waiting for Sylvester Stallone and Arnold

Schwarzenegger to co-star in an action flick have finally gotten their wish. Both of you. For some, this will serve as a fine piece of nostalgia, with the guys in their mid-sixties pairing up to escape from a super-secure high-tech floating prison, designed for evildo-ers as a successor to our extreme rendition programs. Stallone stars as a specialized consultant, mak-ing a fine living by escaping from maximum-security prisons to test their weak spots. This time, he’s double-crossed when the job he thinks he’s doing turns out to be a plan for early, forced retirement. Arnold plays an inmate with ties to a master criminal who is either a terrorist or a Robin Hood. The warden’s (Jim Caviezel, ranging far afield from Jesus and other good-guy roles) main goal is to break Arnold to learn where his boss might be hiding.

The sets are top-notch, with the main action housed in a sci-fi vision for permanent incarceration. The dialog is not only reason-able, but laced with macho humor, including a nod to the huge disconnect between the Mensa intellect of Sly’s character, and everything about the way he looks and sounds. Both actors do the tough-guy thing with conviction, geared down for their ages, but still with surprising vigor.

That leads to those of us who might find this depressing. Your reviewer’s age is within a year of both stars. While I never even thought about how poorly I would have fared against either by any physical criteria in our youth, I’m stuck with realizing how the gap has widened considerably. Decades of bad movies for one, and worse politics for the other, have aged them less than my relative-ly benign lifestyle. Sigh. How I yearn for my old metabolism.

Mark Glass is an officer and director of the St. Louis Film Critics Association.

Gravity, About Time and Escape PlanRecent dvd releases

Mark Glass


For Reservations Call 334-356-46626268 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery

Valentine’s DayMenu

Mr. Gus’ RISTORANTE

$65 per couple$35 individuallyNo Substitutions

Entrees•Hand-cut 12 oz. NY Stripon a bed of sauteed spinach topped with sauteed shrimp & drizzled with Chef Scott’s Special Sauce. Greek Style Roasted Potatoes

•Grilled Blackened Chicken Breast with Fettuccine AlfredoFettuccine pasta tossed in our own special Alfredo sauce topped with New Orleans-style blackened grilled chicken breast

•Stuffed ShrimpBacon & crab-stuffed shrimp over a bed of spinach topped withAlfredo sauce & Mozzarella cheese sprinkled with lemon zest.

Entrees served with•Greek Salad•Choice of Soup Minestrone Shrimp & Crab Bisque Avgolemono•Dessert: Chocolate Mousse Cake•House Wine (1 glass per entree)

A new driver’s license program, part of a nationwide effort, is being implemented to comply with Federal regulations de-signed to fight terrorism and reduce fraud. When fully imple-mented you’ll need the “Secure, Trusted, And Reliable” (STAR) ID or an unexpired U.S. passport to board commercial domestic flights or enter certain regulated Federal facilities. If born Dec. 1, 1964 or later, you have ‘til Dec. 1, 2014 to get the new license. If born prior to Dec. 1, 1964, you have until Dec. 1, 2017. Your current Alabama driver’s license will be valid until your cut-off date. Additional documents are needed to obtain a STAR ID license.I. One of these to verify ID and date of birth:• Valid, unexpired U.S. Passport• Certified Birth Certificate• Consular Report of Birth Abroad• Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card issued by Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) or Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)• Unexpired employment authorization document issued by DHS• Unexpired Foreign Passport with a valid, unexpired U.S. Visa accompanied by approved I-94 form documenting the appli-cant’s most recent admittance into the U. S.• Certificate of Naturalization issued by DHS• Certificate of Citizenship issued by DHS• A REAL-ID compliant Driver License or Non-Driver Identi-fication Card

II. One of these to verify SS Number:• Social Security card• A certified letter (letterhead) from the Social Security Ad-min. stating your name and SS Number• U.S. Military Identification Card• U.S. Military Form DD 214• Medicare/Medicaid ID Card (if SS Number is followed by the letter A)• W-2 Tax FormIII. Two of these to verify principal residence:• Voter Registration Card• Residential Mortgage Contract• Current Lease or Rental agreement for housing• Proof of payment of residential property tax (Homestead)• Previous year tax returns with applicants address• Vehicle registration with applicants name and address• Utility bill (Water, Gas, Electric) less than 90 days old• Any State or Federal Court documents indicating residence address• School enrollment documentation• Defense Department Form 214 (Report of Separation)• Sex offender registration documents• Current Homeowners insurance policy with name, address• SS benefits statements/summary mailed to physical address• U.S. or State Government check or other document mailed to applicants physical address• Military Orders documenting duty station and place of residence.For more information visit http://dps.alabama.gov/.

New Driver’s License


Seminars for Beginning Farmers Feb. 11, 6 p.m. Pike Rd. Town Hall, 9575 Vaughn Rd. Part of a series of free seminars for anyone interested in farming as a career or hobby. For information, contact Mary Catherine Gaston, 334-272-9883. A partnership of the National Young Farmers Educational Association, AL Cooperative Extension System, and Pike Road’s Agriculture and Stewardship Club.

Gardening Lunch & Learn – Feb. 12, noon-1 p.m. Elmore County Extension facility, Queen Ann Rd., Wetumpka. 2014 topics include Garden Design, Annuals & Perennials, Hydran-geas and more. For information contact Phil Easter, 334-277-2701, or [email protected]. Sponsored by Central AL Master Gardeners. Bring a lunch and learn.

Hearing Loss Support Group – Feb. 13. 4 p.m. First Methodist Church, Park Ave., Old Cloverdale. Program, re-freshments, hearing tests may be offered.

Into The Woods – Feb. 13-23. Cloverdale Playhouse. For information, 334-262-1530 or visit www.cloverdale-playhouse.org/.

Ribbon cutting for Alabama Voices – Feb. 15, 9:30 a.m. Center-piece exhibition at the Museum of Ala-

bama, AL Dept. of Archives and History. Exhibit tours, presen-tations, food, art, music, children’s activities and more. FREE.

Joe Thomas, Jr. Guitar Pull – Feb. 18, 7 p.m. Clover-dale Playhouse, 960 Cloverdale Rd. Songwriters performing original material. For information, 334-262-1530 or visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org/.

Estate and Elder Care Planning lunch/seminar – Feb. 26, 11 am-1 pm. Wesley Gardens. Attorneys Doug Vogel, Jim Zeigler. Free. RSVP by Feb. 21. Call 334-272-7917. Space limited.

Alabama Dance Theatre – Feb. 28, Mar. 1, 2. “The New Princess Stories.” Excerpts from Swan Lake, Aladdin, Poca-hontas. Tickets $15, $30, on sale Feb. 10. Purchase at alabamadancetheatre.com. For information call 334-241-2590.

Recurring Events/Meeting/Etc.

Electronics recycling – Thursdays, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. McIn-nis Recycling Center, 4341 Norman Bridge Rd. Sponsored by the Montgomery Clean City Commission. For information contact 334-625-2175, or [email protected]. $10-$15 processing fee for TVs and monitors with CRT tube.

Contra Dancing – 1st & 3rd Fri. Ridgecrest Baptist Church, 5260 Vaughn Rd. Les-sons at 7 pm, dance ‘til 9:30. $5 per person, $15 per family. For information visit www.riverregioncontradance.com.

Free Tutoring – Wed. 5-6 pm during the school year. K-12, all subjects. Capital Church of the Nazarene4450 Vaughn Rd. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. For information, 334-272-8176.

Chestnut Street Opry – 2nd Fri. Ridgecrest Baptist Church. Open to all who want to play, sing, dance or listen to acoustic instruments. Donations accepted to support local charities. Featured artist each month. For information visit www.chestnutstreet.opry.com.

Square Dance – 4th Sat. Montgomery Area Square Dance Assn. Center (MASDA), 2201 Chestnut St. 7–9:30 pm. In-struction provided. No experience necessary. $5/person. For information visit www.callerwaynenicholson.com.

American Business Women’s Association 10th Annual Bunko Fundraiser – Mar. 5, 6 p.m. Arrowhead Country Club. Finger food, cash bar. For information/tickets, contact Tracey Harris, 334-221-6787. Funds go for college scholar-ships for young women.

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OFF THE BEATEN PATH

Niko Corley

He sat quietly in his study, teeth clenched, a knot growing in his stomach. He glanced from computer screen to wall to floor, replaying the afternoon’s events in his mind. With the intensity of a forensic scientist pouring over a crime scene, he analyzed every nu-

ance, every minor detail he could recall. What had gone wrong?

When the buck stepped from the brush

into the fire lane he couldn’t believe it. He’d

tracked this buck for several seasons via game

camera photos. Many afternoons in the stand he’d watched the deer, even had him in the crosshairs once. With good genes and plenty of year-round forage, he didn’t think the buck had yet reached his full

potential. But when harvest day did come, the buck had a spot saved for him on the wall.

Dubbed Bullwinkle, the deer had first caught his eye as an abnormally wide-beamed eight-point in his third year. The next year Bullwinkle grew consider-ably, a definite shooter on any other property but this one. He showed up again the next fall, his antlers a sight to behold. But as the rut approached, Bullwinkle was nowhere to be seen, even on nocturnal camera photos. He’d become a ghost.No one saw Bullwinkle the next year, either. Like

all deer hunters who’ve watched a trophy buck over several seasons only to have him disappear, the fear crept into his mind that Bullwinkle had been taken. When word spread that a massive buck was harvested on the property down the road, he closed the file on Bullwinkle. As work and family life grew busier, there was little

time to think about deer. After Bullwinkle’s disappear-ance the year before, he’d all but hung it up, his wall already full of other trophies. The last day of the season his wife encouraged him to go, reminding him he hadn’t been hunting all year.Sitting in the familiar box stand on the fire lane, he

read for a while, but his thoughts drifted. What had really become of Bullwinkle? Had that undeserving old so-and-so down the road hung Bullwinkle on his own wall? The thought made him sick.

The light grew too dim to read, and he glanced up from his book and peered down the fire lane. Move-ment caught his eye. He strained to discern if it was a deer, or if his eyes were playing tricks in the fading light. When the buck shook its massive head he nearly came out of his seat. There, not a hundred yards away, stood Bullwinkle, more magnificent than he’d remem-bered.The buck licked at a cedar branch as he slowed raised

the rifle. Hands shaking, he ranged the shot twice. The scope’s light-gathering ability was superb, but no match for the growing gloom. As soon as Bullwinkle stepped from the brush he’d take the shot. “Come on, come on,” he whispered, as night took

over the sky.When the buck cleared the brush the scope’s cross-

hairs found the vitals and he squeezed the trigger. At the rifle’s report Bullwinkle took off through the brush. His first impulse was to jump from the stand and go after him, but he knew a wounded, pressured animal would keep running as long as possible, making tracking more difficult. Better to wait it out, let him expire natu-rally. He waited for the crash. And waited. And waited. When he could no longer see he fumbled for the

headlamp and shimmied down the ladder. He found no sign where the buck had stood -- no blood, no spoor, no tufts of hair. Slowly an old familiar feeling took over. He circled the spot for an hour on hands and knees, searching for sign, but found nothing. In his mind it didn’t end like this; there were photos, congratulations, and a startled taxidermist.He arrived home disgusted and retreated to his study.

He looked at the vacant spot on the wall. When his wife came to say goodnight, he sheepishly admitted he’d missed a shot at Bullwinkle.“You actually saw him again?!” she exclaimed.In his sullen mood he hadn’t reflected on the now-

resolved mystery that had haunted his thoughts for more than a year. The bozo down the road hadn’t taken his trophy, and Bullwinkle was even bigger than the last time he’d been seen.“That’s okay,” his wife said, “you’ll get

him next year.”He leaned back in his chair, a smile

spreading across his face.“Yes,” he said. “Yes, I will.”

Niko Corley spends his free time hunting, fishing and enjoying the outdoors. He can be contacted at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter@cootfootoutfitters.

A Place on the Wall


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prime montgomery feb 2014

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