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The November 20, 2008 column is Lorraine Cronk's last submission, due to failing eyesight. We appreciate her contributions and know our readers will miss her observations and information. We are accepting applications from other freelance writers interested in issues of concern to senior citizens in north Snohomish County.
--Editor editor@northcountyoutlook.com
Senior Daze
by Lorraine Cronk
11/20/08
Plan for the holidays and stormy weather
Holiday preparations are under way, of course. Time to start shopping, or perhaps you have finally resorted to the easy method: one trip to purchase gift certificates. An even simpler solution can be a five or maybe a ten dollar bill in a card. I have discovered the younger crowd loves this – they enjoy shopping with their own money.
Now that the election is finally over, your mailbox may be stuffed with advertising from the insurance companies trying to get us seniors to sign up with them. I wrote about this recently, and it won’t quit until the end of December. It is amazing to see how many of these companies are competing for those prescription dollars. Remember, if you get good service with your current carrier, why change?
What are your holiday plans? If you do not have family close by, you might want to think about helping out at a mission or a church that is hosting a dinner for the homeless. There is more need than there has been for many years. One report I heard was that unemployment has reached a higher count than for the past 24 years. That is scary. So if you will be alone for Thanksgiving, you might want to check your church bulletin to see if they are looking for people to help, or watch for items in the newspapers.
We must all be cautious about the weather as well. Another flood watch is being broadcast as I write this, which means driving will be dangerous. Watch for water on the roads and clogged storm drains, which are very dangerous through this stormy season. Be very careful of water standing on the roadways or running across the driving surfaces. It is very hard to anticipate where danger is, so being careful is the best way to avoid problems.
I have heard some talk of having a green Christmas, so I think I will do a little research and see if any of that makes sense to me. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
11/06/08
Don't be fooled by scams
In these days of economic uncertainty, one thing we don’t need is to have someone cheat you out of funds with some phony scheme.
I received a notice via e-mail this morning from the County Clerk’s office that a jury duty scam is going around again. The caller tells you that you had jury duty and didn’t show up, but he can keep you out of trouble if you will just verify your info. He then proceeds to quote your information and wait for your verification.
In a previous version of this scam, the caller had names and addresses only and asked victims for their social security number. The current caller apparently has this information and all you have to do is agree, and then they will use it to get into your bank or whatever. In any case, the county never calls citizens about jury duty--they only contact you by mail. So hang up if you get a call like this. It is a scam.
This morning’s e-mail had another interesting message for me. It came from an individual I had never heard of, and when I read it I was astounded to read that she was holding a million dollars I had won. If I would call a certain company she named, and pay them $250, they would deliver it in cash to me. Now, doesn’t that sound nice? The e-mail did not sound as if it was written by an American, and of course anything like that is illegal for us to play.
I wish I could get them to stop. But if any of you get a notice like that, please ignore it, because it is just a scam to get a little money out of us.
Something else currently going on is the open enrollment for Medicare Plan D. There is a lot of advertising on TV and through the mail right now. Some of it is misleading, trying to sound like you have to sign up with a particular carrier. What they are trying to do is sell you their insurance policy, which is not required.
To protect yourself, you should start by calling your current Plan D carrier and ask if your coverage with them will change in 2009.
The most likely changes will be in which medications they will cover, or in their monthly fee. They know exactly what meds you get regularly, so it is very easy for them to check it for you. If you want to shop around and see if you can save money with another company, call any of them and get their quote.
When I called my carrier, I was told there would be no changes, and since I have had good service, I told them I was happy with their company and would not change. Remember, they are just insurance companies, and they appreciate customers who stay put. So if you are getting good service and there is no monetary reason to move, this advertising is just that--a sales pitch, not something you need to do.
So be careful, and enjoy the lovely fall weather while it lasts.
10/23/08
Winter’s approach requires action by seniors
Getting ready for winter again? Gee, how did fall zip by so fast? Anyway, it sure did. But there are a couple of things we need to take care of without delay.
First and foremost, the influenza season is upon us. I haven’t heard the usual chatter of vaccine shortages or outbreaks, so I called my doctor’s office and was told they weren’t going to handle it this year. Whoops, off to get information in a hurry, so I figured the best info would probably come from the Snohomish County Health Dept. They were very helpful, as I have always found them. So here is flu 2008 information:
There is plenty of serum this year for everybody. They are not restricting it from anybody, so the best suggestion by county health officials is to follow what your MD has told you to do in the past. This is a new ‘strain’ of germ, so it is important to get a vaccination, following the usual instructions from your M.D.
The health department received the serum and started giving injections on October 1, so call and make an appointment ASAP. There is lots of the stuff, so you can get it for your teenagers if you wish to, or if your doctor recommends it.
Now for the other fall activity that comes due at this time – signing up for energy assistance. This may be a little different. I looked up the phone number in my Senior Resource Book we get free every year, but when I dialed, I was surprised to hear an automatic computer voice tell me that number was no longer in service! To try and get as much information as possible, we checked with PUD directly and was told that the Energy Assistance office would not be open until November 15. In regards to the phone number, they did not know if the old one would be reactivated, or a new one connected.
With people getting laid off of their jobs because of the strike, as well as the economic situation, there may be many new people eligible for these benefits than have been in the past, so I suggest you watch the newspapers for articles about eligibility.
Most people don’t realize that there are many small shops machining little parts for Boeing, and with Boeing shut down, these little shops are going out of business, leaving all those hundreds of families with no source of income. As a consequence, the PUD bill to keep warm and cook food is going to be a problem for many. Part of my family got caught in that, and because the wages paid in those shops is about half of what Boeing pays, they don’t have a big savings account to fall back on. When this energy office opens up, it will probably be very busy and have waiting lists for appointments.
On the brighter side, gas prices have gone down some, which helps, and even more optimistic is the knowledge that by the time this is printed and distributed we will nearly be at the end of these campaign ads and slogans. One opinion that the commentators all seem to share is that our current economic woes aren’t going to vanish quickly. We all could figure that out.
While we work on the turkey, maybe we will get some new holiday ideas to share.
10/09/08
Time to start making gifts of love from grandma
It truly is “Goodbye, summer,” but where did it go? Our gardens didn’t seem to produce the abundance we usually enjoy – or maybe I was just not paying as much attention? Hard to say, but one thing is sure: It is fall, and time to think a change is at hand.
So what do we plan as a follow up to Halloween? There is always Thanksgiving, but that doesn’t really involve a lot of planning, does it? In our clan, we have a tendency to get into some heavy planning for Christmas. If you enjoy interacting with grandchildren or great-grandchildren, a lot of fun can accompany Christmas preparations.
The first thing that must be watched is the age level and the individual interests and abilities of the young ones. I have done this with each generation I have watched grow up. The current generation of “greats” was quite a challenge last year for me. The boys were eight and ten years old and very interested in yards, gardening and a house they had just moved into. Their combined interests entailed finding a library book they liked, and getting to work. They chose to build small hanging planters they saw in the book. It went pretty well, including planting starts of spider plants and Charlies that root so easy in water. Their assembly of dried small branches, tied with fishing line, completed the project. The pride they feel in the accomplishment is well worth the effort it takes.
This also has a reciprocal benefit to it. When they remember how they felt, they also learn to appreciate special efforts that grandparents make.
One of the most popular little gifts are some I made. I believe they are called ‘loungers’ in the clothes ads. They are flannel or warm soft cotton and great to hop into after an evening shower to watch TV or that favorite family movie. The biggest recommendation is that they are so simple to cut out and stitch up – the patterns are all listed as EASY and they really are.
Fabrics come with wonderful prints of sport heroes, athletes, book characters and almost any hero son or Dad can hope to find. So browse through your local fabric store and you very probably will find a print that will be perfect for some father-son matching ‘scuzzies’ that they can curl up in and enjoy together.
I hesitate to go any further with this. If you have the time and energy, a camp shirt is always popular, and PJs are fun, but there are some good sales on now that will please them.
I think the bottom line is that if Grandmother made it just for them, it is very special and will be cherished as long as they hold together. Meanwhile, have a Happy ‘Witch Day’ and dig out that umbrella – fall is here!
9/25/08
Phone helps people with hearing loss
Every once in a while we discover something and wonder why we didn’t know about it a long time ago. This resource is one of those. A poor imitation is available on the commercial market, at a rather high price; the genuine device that really does the job is available at a good price, if you can qualify.
What I am talking about is a telephone that functions well for someone with a hearing deficit, obtainable from the Washington State Health Dept. in Olympia. I have just received one, and am delighted with it. The LARGE lighted dial is easy to use, and the sound volume adjustments are easy to reset while you are talking on the instrument. And the wonderful dial eliminates mistakes and accidentally getting wrong numbers.
The program offers several styles of telephones, as well as TTY equipment, signaling devices and even text displays that connect to your phone. So here is the information to get you started.
First, you will need to meet certain income criteria to qualify, as fees for the equipment are based on a sliding scale. Different levels of hearing loss are recognized, as well as the combination with some vision loss. A healthcare professional must verify your need for the special equipment. The program is managed by the state’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
To get started, you should call the Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program, and ask for Kelly Robison at 1-800-422-7930 or write to TED, P.O. Box 45301, Olympia WA 98504, and request an application. I must comment that once you fill that out and have your doctor sign it, results happen quite rapidly.
My phone was delivered very quickly, and was as simple as plugging it into the phone jack in the wall. The state also provides technicians and trainers who will come to your home and get you set up right, but the first phone call can get you going. The cost is adjusted according to your income, and in my case they have specified that when I no longer need it, it is to be returned to the state office.
The department also sends you a list of organizations that might be of assistance to you, including different combinations of communication difficulties. I am amazed at the resources that are available, including potential higher education opportunities, and even possible business assistance.
So if you are a senior adjusting to a different circumstance in your life, or if you have a younger relative that this would help, don’t hesitate to get started and see what is out there. All of these aids are available at low cost or even no cost, related to your income level. Washington State is known for helping disabled residents and this is another example of it.
Well, time to get busy with the Halloween costume, so have fun.
9/11/08
Political research can pay off in November
Well, we have heard the political shouting and the promises, and now we can settle back and hear them all over and over, a million times it seems, with a little mud thrown in here and there. And as we listen and analyze the promises, we ask ourselves if those are the things we really want to see happen. As November 4 gets close, we wonder if either one of the presidential candidates will really try to do what is being promised or are we getting what they think we want to hear – just to get elected?
This is not only a different election than we have ever had before, but some of the candidates are comparatively new to us, so it’s harder to figure out if those promises are just campaign rhetoric. Or are they really serious, and have staff lined up to make it happen?
There is a way we can get information on what these newcomers have done so far, and it too is a freebie!
Many registered voters have received a pamphlet in the mail, published by the League of Women Voters, entitled “They Represent Us.” This publication lists the names of all our elected representatives, along with their addresses and phone numbers. I use mine all year, mainly to leave messages for my senator or representative about something I like or dislike. I always get an acknowledgement by telephone or mail.
You can also find contact information from the League of Women Voters’ Web site at http://www.lwvwa.org/who_represents.html. The U.S. Senate also offers a robust Web site that lists members’ voting records at www.senate.gov.
I am going to use that contact information now to find out what these people have done in the Senate in “the other” Washington. It is all recorded there, although the candidate in Alaska might be a little harder to figure out because she hasn’t been involved on our national scene yet.
The phone numbers are free, and operators will guide you to the info you’re seeking. If you have specific issues that you are curious about, it might be best to ask about them rather than too general a topic. The Senate covers a lot of ground every year they are in session, but not all proposed legislation is voted on.
There are several issues that will be brought up over and over for the next two months. I think all of us have at least some items that we are concerned about, so if you can find out what each candidate has done about your particular concerns, rather than what they are promising for the future, it might be an eye-opener.
If you have been listening to some of the speeches this summer, you probably have noticed that some new speech writers have been hired, and it is going to be more noticeable as time runs out. That is why I want to see how they voted on issues in the Senate for the last couple of years. That is going to tell us what they are likely to do when they get elected.
I have always voted, because I considered it my duty. If I want to grouse about things, I’d better vote or keep quiet. We have some very big issues facing our country at this time, so maybe this bit of research can help us to vote the way we most want things to be handled. Good luck and good hunting.
8/14/08
Seniors suffer during hard economic times
We read in magazines and newspapers about the economy and how it will reflect on all of us in the US. However, Washingtonians, particularly the elderly on fixed incomes and people with disabilities, should pay particular attention to what is happening to them.
A couple of current examples: The farmers’ market discount vouchers for low-income seniors and the disabled were structured this year to be as difficult as possible. Up until this year, the vouchers were mailed to those who were eligible for the program. But now you have to personally go to certain locations to get them. This is, of course, if you have extra money to buy the gas. Since many seniors may not be driving anymore anyway, this presents an additional problem.
Why? Remember the $30 car tabs that all the wealthy people voted for? We were told it would make the government agencies budget better to keep the roads up. Only now we know what is really happening: The low income people driving older cars are now finding their license tabs costing two or three times as much, while the wealthy people who can afford new cars are still getting the cheap fees. I know of several people who cannot get food from the food bank because they can’t afford to license their cars. This causes problems in getting the farmers’ market discount vouchers, also. Does it make sense to deprive people of getting nutrition they need?
All the while, the watch salesman from Mukilteo is still collecting his $90,000 annual salary, supposedly to make government cost less. Of course it costs less, because they are taking it away from people who need these programs to stay healthy.
It is too bad that a lot of low-income citizens in Washington didn’t stop and think about this a little more thoroughly. Let Tim go out and work for a living again. If people can afford $40,000 or more for a fancy new car, why can’t they afford to get a license for it? Voters should start paying more attention to what is happening, and letting our governor and senators know how we feel about having to give up our cars. While you’re at it, let them know how it feels to be unable to afford healthy food, and to have to apologize to our grand- or great-grandkids when we can’t afford to get them a small gift for their birthday.
The only suggestion I can make is to use those numbers in Olympia to let the governor know that we still want to eat, and that forcing us to buy more gas or to pay these new increased license tab fees is not the answer. If enough of us leave messages for our representatives, they will begin to listen because their salaries come out of the fees we pay. Unfortunately, it may take a while to sink in.
Meanwhile, watch your pennies…and good luck.
7/31/08
Visitor centers provide resource for travel planning
Snohomish County residents are very fortunate to have the variety and convenience of local destinations for personal recreation. But where do we find the necessary information to make these adventures viable and affordable to us? We actually have “one-stop shopping” right here to give us complete information and suggestions for our enjoyment.
Let us pause briefly to reminisce a bit: Remember when we would pull into a gas station and ask the attendant to ‘fill-er-up’ on a Sunday morning? While he cleaned the windshield and lens on the headlights, one of us adults would stroll inside and check-out the rack of road maps. These, of course, were free, and were usually of good quality. Most of the employees lived close by and were familiar with local fun opportunities. How could you lose? Unfortunately, those days are long gone.
However, today we have a great resource in our local Chamber of Commerce and visitors’ information centers. The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce is located just off I-5 at 88th Street in the Quil Ceda Village shopping area; the Arlington-Smokey Point Chamber office is off Smokey Point Boulevard just south of the 172nd St. exit (Exit 206). Travelers as well as local residents can walk in, seven days a week, and either ask for a map to help find a destination, or just ask “What is going on in our area?” and get all sorts of material. Brochures about what is happening in the coming weeks, lists of places to stay, even coupons for admissions or family discounts, special activities for children or adults and, of course, road maps of all kinds, from state maps to small details about a special area.
I recommend you stop by some day when you have some spare time, and get acquainted with what is available, because there is such a great selection, you won’t be able to pick your best material unless you have done a little research before you have a need. Yes, I am one of the volunteers who greet you when you stop in at the Marysville office, but I am still finding pleasant surprises, and I have used some of the materials because they are among the best available.
And one more thing I almost forgot to mention: These materials are all free – there is no charge for any of the information or for the personal help. That sounds like a good resource to me, particularly when we want to get the best value out of our gas expense at today’s prices.
Have a question? Most communities have a chamber office or tourist information center and you can find their phone number easily located in local listings. I happen to be most familiar with the one serving the Marysville-Tulalip area, which I am pleased to say has the reputation of being among the best in the USA. The phone number is (360) 659-7700 and online information is available at www.marysvilletulalipchamber.com.
So happy exploring! You will probably be delightfully surprised at what you find right here close to home.
6/05/08
Patient bill of rights offers protection
Goll-ee, where did May run off to? We had our big wedding, all went as planned, including the weather. However, as always happens, well…something happened.
I may have mentioned that I am acquainted with more than one member of our local medical community. On the day after the big celebration, I felt the need to visit the ER--yes, I mean the Emergency Room. Somehow one of my lower extremities (legs to us) had gone to sleep. Deep sleep.
I knew what this symptom meant, and was very concerned until I heard that the M.D. on call that day was one of my very favorite people. So a happy ending, indeed.
This brings me to the topic for today. There is now a “Patient’s Bill of Rights” which is given to you when you are admitted to the hospital or ER. This is great stuff, and can be a very useful tool when needed if used right.
The main intent of the document is to make the patient aware that they are entitled to all available information about their diagnosis and about what treatment is being given and/or planned. If there are choices to be made throughout your treatment plan, you have the knowledge to participate on your own behalf.
I have just spent nine days at Providence’s Colby Campus, and had a refresher course on how busy a Registered Nurse can be, particularly when we realistically only see a small portion of what they have to do. These professionals are really the ones responsible for your life and recovery. They are wholly responsible for dispensing your medications, for all of the subordinate staffers working under them, they have to make sure the hospital’s other departments do what they have been ordered to do and on time. And in their spare time, they are troubleshooting to keep the patients happy, like the ones who want ice water but only got room temperature water, and their counterparts who prefer things as natural as possible. Then, of course, if they are having a tough day anyway, if they get someone in a bad mood, they might even be tempted to snap back - - NO, NO.
But we patients do not have to allow them to tell us, “You’ll get your meds when I am ready to give them to you.”
If you come to the hospital with an accurate and legible list of the meds you take, and when you take them, you can expect to have that accommodated within a reasonable time that is not going to adversely affect the hospital routine. This worked for me when I realized I was not being given several of my important meds. Armed with the “Patient’s Bill of Rights” information, a bit of noise and a request to see someone from my doctor’s office got that pretty well straightened out--it really worked!
So if you or someone you know is dealing with a hospitalization, do read that piece of paper seriously, and if you have a valid concern that is important to your well-being or recovery, quietly ask to have it brought to the RN or your MD or a Supervisor. It will help!
That’s it from the Good News Bears for this week. Now go light up that BBQ.
5/08/08
Clinic helps seniors with vision problems
In this column, we have tried to present concerns that might help seniors as well as recreation suggestions, so this time our emphasis will be on a resource we have available. Here again, I qualify my information by stating that I am a customer of this facility, so I have not only read their advertising, I am speaking from experience!
Most of us who have reached senior status are wearing glasses, and should be having yearly eye exams. Hopefully you are also wearing “shades” in the sunshine. But many of you are finding your arms too short to read the telephone book, or the bulb in your reading lamp is not shining as bright as it used to. When this happens, get in for a check-up because that may be the first clue you have about problems to come. When you, or a relative or friend, is diagnosed with macular degeneration or glaucoma, or one of the many eye problems to which we are subject as we age, it is time to explore the assistive devices and services available at the Low Vision Clinic.
Sponsored by Community Services for the Blind and Partially Sighted, the Low Vision Clinic is listed in the Resource book for Snohomish County that is mailed to us each year. The clinic is a single facility that serves both King County and Snohomish County and is located in North Seattle. They issue a catalog that shows all kinds of gadgets to help when you no longer have 20/20 at your disposal. Magnifiers of many types, far beyond what you expect, enlarged keyboards or just a set of stickers that make your own keyboard easier to use, and little bumps you stick on special keys to let you know where you are if you have mastered touch typing. Other nifty gadgets including sewing needles that are easy to thread, specially marked measuring tapes, Monopoly games, unique playing cards, talking watches and clocks, and too many things to list. There is a store at the clinic, or you can order from the catalog.
In addition, even if you are not referred by your eye doctor, there is one at the clinic that seems to qualify you for their services. They also have a computer specialist to offer guidance, who, by the way is totally sightless himself.
A service that is very helpful is a home visit from a vision specialist to see what she can do to make life easier, like putting indicators on your dryer or washing machine, your cook stove and microwave. She can also fit you for a white cane and order one for you. When you receive it, she will come out and teach you how best to use it, and instruct you on the “White Cane Law” so you are protected and as safe as possible. I must comment, she is very pleasant to work with and very sharp at what she does.
So where is this located? Behind Marie Callender’s Restaurant right off the freeway at 9709 Third Ave NE, Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98115-2027
Phone 1-800-458-4888 or 206-525-5556 or visit their Web site at www.csbps.com or e-mail: csbps@csbps.com.
There are other things available there, like an extensive free library of informational material, and you can see many of the catalog items in the store that can be purchased off the shelf.
Note: ordering from the catalog when the item is to be covered by insurance can involve a wait of several weeks, so if you are in a hurry, cash or credit card in the store is the fastest.
You probably have a friend or relative who is in the process of needing some of these devices or services. Do pass this along to them. It is the only one of its kind serving our area, and while it seems quite far away, believe me – when you need some of these things to maintain your personal or residential independence, it is well worth the effort.
Enjoy our spring. Aren’t the flowers lovely this year? It’s a great time to enjoy a walk around the neighborhood. Till next issue, take care!
4/24/08
Events provide information, goodies
Those few sunny days we had really got us started into spring, but Mother Nature decided she’d give us one more blast of winter before moving on. While the sun shines I pick at a weed or two, only to find out that I am not in as good shape as I was last fall.
I have some information to share that I have been promising: The first of May is going to be busy for us seniors.
On May 1 the spring Elder Fair will again be held at the Everett Events Center. This is a freebie, unless you wish to purchase a coffee or snack. There are many, many exhibitors there. Some are assisted living places, some are informational. There is always a diabetes table and a heart table, and almost every exhibitor has something for you to take home to remember them by. We have gone home with travel cups, measuring tapes, good pens, lots of note pads, lots of telephone numbers, and there are always new things I didn’t know about.
You can sign up for drawings, and get a whole bag full of freebies to take home. And there is no charge for this! I strongly recommend it, and the girl that helps me at home just loves to go. Remember, it’s Thursday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or so.
To make the weekend complete, that is also the weekend of the Master Gardener Sale I have been talking about. The date is May 3, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Find home grown plants, from healthy starts to some magnificent full-grown plants. There are veggies, fruits, different kinds of tomatoes--one year there were even bansai planters. You can get bags of mulch, compost, and top soil at reasonable prices. Everything I have taken home in the past several years has been top quality and the plants take right off when they are planted in my yard.
The Master Gardener Sale takes place at the Washington State University Snohomish County facility in south Everett off 128th Street, in the rear of McCollum Park. The address is 600 E. 128th St., Everett, which is approximately 3 blocks east of I-5, and right behind the big public swim pool you can see from the street. One of the nicest things I have found is that you can ask questions and get good advice, for free, without having to buy anything.
Even if you just want one or two tomato plants, it’s worth the trip, but I warn you, they do sell out fast!
As I was writing this today, the weather switched from rain showers to ice and snow showers. Maybe it’s not a typical spring, but at least I am not worried about having to spend any time hanging onto the end of that “green snake” we get so well acquainted with in our summers.
That is all for this issue. I hope you can visit these events because I sincerely believe they are worth your time and effort. Bye for now.
3/27/08
Spending time with young ones
by Lorraine Cronk
Spring has sprung – that is official. Now the calendar says so, if not the thermometer, but I went out and admired my first Johnny-Jumpup blooms, and my tulips are budding, even in my shady yards. Yep – spring is here.
So this is to remind you about not getting too enthusiastic when you start your spring gardening. Do remember that over-enthusiasm usually begets trips to the chiropractor, the pharmacist, or the physical therapist. Just a word to the wise.
Garden clubs and commercial establishments are announcing their spring shows and early sales. There are many articles published, too, in this and other local papers and magazines. I particularly enjoy reading them. They usually are helpful, and frequently are tailored to the weather we are having this year.
Also, new methods are being developed, or new hybrids arriving, and they are fun to find out about. One of the things I particularly enjoy is all of the “green” methods or products that are being written about, which are not only interesting but actually can improve our surroundings.
One of my greatest joys is sharing these things with my great-grandsons. Not only do we try them out together, but the 10-year-old goes to his class and talks about what we have done and how it will help our environment. They even try to move good bugs to help get rid of bad ones, such as transporting ladybugs to rose bushes to eat the aphids.
The great-grandkids have quite a challenge this year. They have moved into a new house, at least new to them, but it has a volunteer lawn and no landscaping. They are going to begin their spring yard improvements by removing as much of the grass as they can dig up, and then laying layers of newspapers down to kill out the deeper roots. By spreading a layer of topsoil over the papers, they discourage the lower growth and make a good base for veggies or annuals to grow.
In a year or two, the papers have disintegrated and good planter beds are established, all done in an environmentally-friendly manner that doesn’t poison anything. The only negative is that it takes a little longer, but it’s good exercise for the young – giving them a great feeling of accomplishment.
They start spring break next week. We used to call it Easter vacation, remember? Anyway it is a wonderful opportunity to spend a little extra time with them.
Remember the first of May will bring the Snohomish Master Gardener Plant Sale. All details will be in the next column. Bye for now!
3/13/08
AARP volunteers provide tax help
By Lorraine Cronk
Yes, indeed, these sunny mornings have to mean that spring is here for real. And I have some great news, so here goes!
AARP has recently provided information on how to get the $300 special rebate from the IRS.
This rebate is called a stimulus payment, and everyone who had income of $3000 during 2007 is eligible to receive it. Whether the income was from Social Security, veterans pension, union pensions or anything else, if you got a W-2 or 1099 form and the income totaled $3000 or more for 2007, you should receive the rebate.
Social Security will send you a letter later this month reminding you to file a tax return in order to receive the rebate, which is $300 per person. Remember, this doesn’t mean you had to file a tax return last year, just that you had some income that totaled at least $3000.
AARP and the IRS trains volunteers every year to prepare income tax returns for low to moderate income people, especially seniors. They do not charge for this help – it’s free, and it’s in Snohomish County.
Here is a list of the locations with the days and hours the tax volunteers are there. Because they are popular, it is necessary to call ahead and reserve an appointment. These telephone numbers are for the location, not for tax information – just to get your name on the books for an appointment.
Here is the where, when, and how:
Marysville Library, 360-658-5000: Sat. and Tues. evenings
Stillaguamish Senior Center, 360-653-4551: Mon and Wed. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Marysville Senior Center, 360-363-8450: Tues. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Granite Falls Senior Center, 360-691-1777: Thurs. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
These times and places are valid through tax time (until week ending April 15).
I suggest you call for an appointment right away, because this free service is very popular. And be sure to write your time down so you don’t forget it because the next person is there waiting.
Now for the bad news: the scammers are after it already. They are calling and using the web to try to get your info so they can grab it from your account. So don’t talk to anybody who tries to “help” you get it faster, sooner, or even mentions rebate. Don’t give or verify any information about you or your bank or Social Security because they are just trying to steal from you.
Guess that is about all for this week. I am going out to look at the weeds challenging my crocus. Enjoy the sunny spots, and remember that we have to have the rainy spots for the flowers to open.
And let’s not forget that we always used to plant our sweet peas on Washington’s birthday.
2/28/08
Soothe spring fever with time in garden
by Lorraine Cronk
Goodness gracious – another gorgeous sunny day. Makes me want to put on my scuzzies and grab my trowel. But the early spring weather means I may still be greeted by a frosty white lawn beside the front walkway.
Yes, it is still February, not March or April yet. However, it definitely is time to look at the plant catalogs you’ve been collecting.
Here’s a little suggestion: The ads coming out now are featuring sales on seeds. Have you ever wondered how cantaloupe would do in your garden, but don’t want to spend a dollar or more to find out? I have started watching the 10-cent seed sales, and picking some of those “I wonder” items to try with them. I am well aware that serious gardeners have their favorite seed brands, but to try something new, and in the interests of economy, 10 or 20 cents isn’t going to break even my meager budget. And in all honesty, I must admit that I have had wonderful luck with those little packets!
Remember my comments about the master gardening program? This break in the weather has moved the schedule up--at least it feels that way to me. When it defrosts enough to get the weeds out, it could be warm enough to think about trying a “Spring Salad Container Garden.”
A dishpan makes a fine container for these cold weather plants. Actually I have found a freebie that is very good to use: those bath pans that you are given in the hospital. Plant two or three kinds of lettuce, some radishes and some green onion seeds. As the plants get big enough to pinch off some of the first leaves, they will taste great on a sandwich, or if you found several kinds of lettuce that have different colors in their leaves, they will be very colorful salads. Just a fun idea that is healthful, and lets us get a little jump on SPRING!
And to follow through with the subject of springtime weather, remember to wear your sun shades on these bright sunny days. All of the news recommends that we protect our eyes. Use sunglasses, even in your house if you have windows that let in a lot of the sun’s glare. Next time you have your eyes examined, ask your optometrist for any recommendations he or she may have.
The current big news out of Washington D.C. is that we seniors who do not file annual income taxes will be eligible to receive the rebate that was recently approved. Read the article in this issue for more information. If you generally file a tax return, you will get the rebate automatically.
Till next time, take care…and be happy!
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