It is a warm and humid Friday night and the news is filled with weather and updates about Memorial Day celebrations. Some folks have already taken off for vacation destinations.
Here in New Jersey we take so much for granted. If you live in the Kittatiny mountains of the Delaware Water Gap area you probably go to the shore for your vacation. If you live along the shore, you might want to go to Wild West City and Lake Hopatcong for a change of pace. Both family friendly options are within a day's drive.
New Jersey has more millionaires and more horses per square mile than any other state in the Union. I guess it follows that we have thoroughbred horse racing at Monmouth and Meadowlands, standardbred racing at Freehold and the Meadowlands and marinas full of yachts all along the Jersey shore. And then of course there is the luster and luck of the Atlantic City casinos.
We have many baseball farm teams all the way from the Skylands to AC. The Meadowlands is home to both the Jets and Giants and soon to be the site of the Superbowl francise. And then there is hockey, basketball, soccer...
As I lay out plans for this weekend, I see that there are specials in most of the grocery stores. I plan to take advantage of the fresh watermelon, corn, strawberries and other goodies. Hot dogs and relish are also on sale so even cooking for a crowd does not need to break the bank.
I can hardly wait for the fun to start. Millhouse had their barbecue today and the weather could not have been more cooperative. Even if there is a shower or two in the outlook for the weekend, most of the parades and celebrations should go off without a hitch.
The closest parade is in Hamilton Township and there will be lots of horse entries. I know a couple of riders who are going to be participating so I think that I may end up holding a horse when they take their breaks. The route is along Nottingham Way and starts at 10:30 am.
The Trentonian has a listing of the observances for the holiday and the Lone Bugler is going to be playing at many locations throughout our area. In years past, I remember putting red geraniums and American flags at veterans' graves which now include my brother and my dad. For me, Memorial Day is rounded out with those final mournful notes of Taps as they drift over the wooded cemetery hills.
Have a safe and memorable holiday. Hope to see you all this weekend.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Springtime Field Trip at the Nursing Home
My Mom is in a nursing home. I have put off sharing because it is tough to talk about it.
Put yourself in her shoes. Ninety some years of age. Imagine the sense of loss, of dislocation, because your husband of over 50 years has passed, you have outlived a son, your home is now just a memory in a photo album, your heart still beats and chocolate pudding is one of the few things you recognize on your dinner tray.
Imagine:
...That you have not felt the touch of sunshine on your skin in over a year, in part because your meds have made you light sensitive.
...One of the first things that your caregivers did was take away your hearing aid so it did not get lost, and then your glasses, because you spend so much time in bed.
...Your partial bridge is missing and no one can account for it. When trying to replace it, the dentist exclaims, "No one makes a Maryland bridge anymore!"
...You tried to get up to go to the bathroom, like you did at breakfast, but this time an attendant rushes into the room and yells,"Don't you ever try that again! You are not to get up out of bed by yourself." And then puts up the bed rails with the result that you become incontinent.
These are, generally speaking, how you become oriented to the ebb and flow of a nursing home. Heck, how are you supposed to watch TV or respond to someone coming into the room? Not surprisingly, you hear the comment, "She doesn't seem to respond to visitors so she must have sundowners."
It seemed to me that any resident protests or complaints were disregarded by staff once a diagnosis of "dementia" was in the record. This is where I became involved. Mom and I had experiences with many doctors, three hospitals, and five rehabilitation/nursing home facilities since the time she first found herself hospitalized and I can tell you that the elderly do need advocates.
Back in 2005, my Mom drove herself nearly twenty miles to her regular doctor's appointment. He picked up on something serious enough to admit her to the hospital, called us to let us know what was going on, and she never saw her home again. Now that takes courage.
Eventually we found that Mercer County had more services that rural western New Jersey, so we managed to find her a place in the Trenton area. Her first nursing home had been perched on top of a rural mountain, twenty minutes from emergency care, so it was not too hard to justify the decision to move her here. One of her nurses later confided to me that Mom cried herself to sleep every night. That almost broke my heart.
Presently she is in residence at the Millhouse in Trenton. At first glance, the immense brick old mill building seems imposing. But, as we found out, the care and caring of the staff and administration is like macaroni and cheese on a cold winter night...warm, wholesome and satisfying.
The older style of building must have resonated with my Mom because she seems to be more relaxed in her surroundings. For my part, I welcomed the Staff's ready answers to my questions, the down to earth approach to my Mom's care. I think I relaxed more too.
Being out of the mainstream of regular city life might be boring for someone living as a shut in, but the Millhouse has found several solutions to this. I visited with my Mom during some of the church programs...complete with drums, horns and keyboard. Baptists came with greeters who lavished attention and hugs on residents and real affection flowed through the hall bringing tears to my eyes. My Methodist Mom does not miss any church services and has even taken communion from the Roman Catholics. I think there is a splendid ecumenical lesson here, because she has become superbly tolerant in her old age.
Residents drift outside for smoking privileges at the front stoop, but for the most part are engaged in activities inside the building. Regularly Millhouse schedules shopping or field trips to engage those who physically up to it. Everyone is still talking about one of these recent outings.
Last Thursday, some of the Millhouse residents and staff visited the Golden Corral. Not only was it a trip out but it was also dinner out. A change of scenery does wonders for the appetite.
Residents were enjoying themselves hugely at their meal, when suddenly they were approached by a fellow diner. From his hesitant demeanor, some folks thought he might have physical issues himself.
Nontheless, he reached out to them. He chatted for a bit and then asked what was going on. You know when you are having a heck of a good time, it can be contagious.
After they explained what they were doing and answered his questions, he seemed impressed by the "fun time". Then, to everyone's surprise, he donated a one hundred dollar gift card to the group!
No kidding. People like that just make you smile.
People rock!
Put yourself in her shoes. Ninety some years of age. Imagine the sense of loss, of dislocation, because your husband of over 50 years has passed, you have outlived a son, your home is now just a memory in a photo album, your heart still beats and chocolate pudding is one of the few things you recognize on your dinner tray.
Imagine:
...That you have not felt the touch of sunshine on your skin in over a year, in part because your meds have made you light sensitive.
...One of the first things that your caregivers did was take away your hearing aid so it did not get lost, and then your glasses, because you spend so much time in bed.
...Your partial bridge is missing and no one can account for it. When trying to replace it, the dentist exclaims, "No one makes a Maryland bridge anymore!"
...You tried to get up to go to the bathroom, like you did at breakfast, but this time an attendant rushes into the room and yells,"Don't you ever try that again! You are not to get up out of bed by yourself." And then puts up the bed rails with the result that you become incontinent.
These are, generally speaking, how you become oriented to the ebb and flow of a nursing home. Heck, how are you supposed to watch TV or respond to someone coming into the room? Not surprisingly, you hear the comment, "She doesn't seem to respond to visitors so she must have sundowners."
It seemed to me that any resident protests or complaints were disregarded by staff once a diagnosis of "dementia" was in the record. This is where I became involved. Mom and I had experiences with many doctors, three hospitals, and five rehabilitation/nursing home facilities since the time she first found herself hospitalized and I can tell you that the elderly do need advocates.
Back in 2005, my Mom drove herself nearly twenty miles to her regular doctor's appointment. He picked up on something serious enough to admit her to the hospital, called us to let us know what was going on, and she never saw her home again. Now that takes courage.
Eventually we found that Mercer County had more services that rural western New Jersey, so we managed to find her a place in the Trenton area. Her first nursing home had been perched on top of a rural mountain, twenty minutes from emergency care, so it was not too hard to justify the decision to move her here. One of her nurses later confided to me that Mom cried herself to sleep every night. That almost broke my heart.
Presently she is in residence at the Millhouse in Trenton. At first glance, the immense brick old mill building seems imposing. But, as we found out, the care and caring of the staff and administration is like macaroni and cheese on a cold winter night...warm, wholesome and satisfying.
The older style of building must have resonated with my Mom because she seems to be more relaxed in her surroundings. For my part, I welcomed the Staff's ready answers to my questions, the down to earth approach to my Mom's care. I think I relaxed more too.
Being out of the mainstream of regular city life might be boring for someone living as a shut in, but the Millhouse has found several solutions to this. I visited with my Mom during some of the church programs...complete with drums, horns and keyboard. Baptists came with greeters who lavished attention and hugs on residents and real affection flowed through the hall bringing tears to my eyes. My Methodist Mom does not miss any church services and has even taken communion from the Roman Catholics. I think there is a splendid ecumenical lesson here, because she has become superbly tolerant in her old age.
Residents drift outside for smoking privileges at the front stoop, but for the most part are engaged in activities inside the building. Regularly Millhouse schedules shopping or field trips to engage those who physically up to it. Everyone is still talking about one of these recent outings.
Last Thursday, some of the Millhouse residents and staff visited the Golden Corral. Not only was it a trip out but it was also dinner out. A change of scenery does wonders for the appetite.
Residents were enjoying themselves hugely at their meal, when suddenly they were approached by a fellow diner. From his hesitant demeanor, some folks thought he might have physical issues himself.
Nontheless, he reached out to them. He chatted for a bit and then asked what was going on. You know when you are having a heck of a good time, it can be contagious.
After they explained what they were doing and answered his questions, he seemed impressed by the "fun time". Then, to everyone's surprise, he donated a one hundred dollar gift card to the group!
No kidding. People like that just make you smile.
People rock!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
ART ALL NIGHT 2010
Preparations are going full steam ahead for this year's ART ALL NIGHT. This is one of the most fun and exciting venues I have ever experienced. There will be twenty four hours of art, music, demonstrations and food. What makes this so amazing is that it is free, anyone can participate, and it puts Trenton on the map.
I missed the first year which was held at Art Works. We live next door to the antique factory building that housed the activities the second year and we have showed every year since then.
Participants range from toddlers to one of my students who was a cheerful hundred and two years of age. The music runs from belly dancers to jazz. Demonstrations change every year and could be silver smithing, welding, pottery, etc.
I remember "happenings", "hippies", and Pop Art as a product of the 60's. I studied under Roy Lichtenstein and we trekked cross-town to see Andy Warhol, Alan Kaprow, Ray Bradshaw, and lots of other artists teaching in New Brunswick at the time.
I remember painting classes with Roy, perched on a stool, sharing stories with me about his Morgan car (my boyfriend was driving a Jensen at the time) and commenting on my painting. During one evaluation, he asked if he could keep one of my charcoal drawings because he wanted to keep it "for the day" when I became famous. He didn't do that with everyone...did I let him down?
Back in the seventies, visiting my sister-in-law in Chicago, we found ourselves at the Chicago Art Institute. There as an enormous exhibit of Lichtenstein. I was sharing some of his design theories, marketing philosophy and even some start up techniques before he landed on pop art. Suddenly we realized that we were the middle of a group of twenty or so people who thought I was a tour guide. That was so fun.
One or more of these artists bringing their work in to this show may even turn out to be the next Lichtenstein...or Warhol.
Trenton Rocks!
I missed the first year which was held at Art Works. We live next door to the antique factory building that housed the activities the second year and we have showed every year since then.
Participants range from toddlers to one of my students who was a cheerful hundred and two years of age. The music runs from belly dancers to jazz. Demonstrations change every year and could be silver smithing, welding, pottery, etc.
I remember "happenings", "hippies", and Pop Art as a product of the 60's. I studied under Roy Lichtenstein and we trekked cross-town to see Andy Warhol, Alan Kaprow, Ray Bradshaw, and lots of other artists teaching in New Brunswick at the time.
I remember painting classes with Roy, perched on a stool, sharing stories with me about his Morgan car (my boyfriend was driving a Jensen at the time) and commenting on my painting. During one evaluation, he asked if he could keep one of my charcoal drawings because he wanted to keep it "for the day" when I became famous. He didn't do that with everyone...did I let him down?
Back in the seventies, visiting my sister-in-law in Chicago, we found ourselves at the Chicago Art Institute. There as an enormous exhibit of Lichtenstein. I was sharing some of his design theories, marketing philosophy and even some start up techniques before he landed on pop art. Suddenly we realized that we were the middle of a group of twenty or so people who thought I was a tour guide. That was so fun.
One or more of these artists bringing their work in to this show may even turn out to be the next Lichtenstein...or Warhol.
Trenton Rocks!
The Governor Backs Down on PAAD
The word is out that the Governor is backing down on PAAD and Senior Gold.
Governor Christie is going to speak at the AARP meeting at the Marriott today. I was scheduled to go but just did not feel up to it. There was going to be a presentation of the Governor's excuses that led to the very hurtful and controversial increases in prescription coverage for seniors, namely the PAAD and Senior Gold programs, and the battle plan was well laid out by AARP and its members to counter this.
Here is some background on this matter:
May 5 of this year, I emailed the AARP legislative laison here in Trenton and tipped him off to April's extra monies coming into the Casino Revenue Fund which were supposed to be dedicated to senior programs. Given the climate in the Governor's Office, I was concerned that they would be diverted to other areas in violation of New Jersey's Constitution.
Senator Shirley Turner's office told me that senior programs in NJ were not entirely covered by the Casino Revenue Fund and extra monies were coming out of New Jersey's General Fund. If that was the case, and they did not send me the info to back that up, then it is not a stretch to imagine the Governor glomming onto our Casino monies.
With this in mind, today's news is very welcome. In fact, according to the Trentonian, he has incredibly found enough monies that the deductibles may now be only five dollars.
Hoot. Snicker. You think?
There is no mention at this time that the transportation part of the Casino Fund directive has been addressed. The Casino Revenue Fund is dedicated to the senior and disabled transportation needs, prescription drug programs, property tax rebates and tax freeze issues. We have yet to hear how that is going to be handled.
During the Mayoral Meet and Greets here at Pellettieri, I presented each candidate with written concerns about senior transportation dilemmas. I guess I should tackle the Governor's Office next.
Now if Governor Christie can just hook up to those 16000 millionaires and get them to agree that "it's only going to be 10 percent and you've got all that money and these old folks will vote nice" just maybe the millionaires tax will mean that property taxes will not make seniors lose their homes.
If the aging population in New Jersey is permitted this life line, the economic impact will be felt across the board. Taxing millionaires is perfectly respectable, neat and tidy, and will employ many accountants. Every senior homeowner, who can retain his dignity and lifestyle, will continue to support local businesses. Every displaced person, funneled off to assisted living or a nursing home, is a loss to the community.
I wonder what the Marriott is serving my AARP buddies for lunch. Shucks. Wish I could have been there. Especially to expound on "Could Derivatives Lead to Murder"....lol.
Have a great day.
Governor Christie is going to speak at the AARP meeting at the Marriott today. I was scheduled to go but just did not feel up to it. There was going to be a presentation of the Governor's excuses that led to the very hurtful and controversial increases in prescription coverage for seniors, namely the PAAD and Senior Gold programs, and the battle plan was well laid out by AARP and its members to counter this.
Here is some background on this matter:
May 5 of this year, I emailed the AARP legislative laison here in Trenton and tipped him off to April's extra monies coming into the Casino Revenue Fund which were supposed to be dedicated to senior programs. Given the climate in the Governor's Office, I was concerned that they would be diverted to other areas in violation of New Jersey's Constitution.
Senator Shirley Turner's office told me that senior programs in NJ were not entirely covered by the Casino Revenue Fund and extra monies were coming out of New Jersey's General Fund. If that was the case, and they did not send me the info to back that up, then it is not a stretch to imagine the Governor glomming onto our Casino monies.
With this in mind, today's news is very welcome. In fact, according to the Trentonian, he has incredibly found enough monies that the deductibles may now be only five dollars.
Hoot. Snicker. You think?
There is no mention at this time that the transportation part of the Casino Fund directive has been addressed. The Casino Revenue Fund is dedicated to the senior and disabled transportation needs, prescription drug programs, property tax rebates and tax freeze issues. We have yet to hear how that is going to be handled.
During the Mayoral Meet and Greets here at Pellettieri, I presented each candidate with written concerns about senior transportation dilemmas. I guess I should tackle the Governor's Office next.
Now if Governor Christie can just hook up to those 16000 millionaires and get them to agree that "it's only going to be 10 percent and you've got all that money and these old folks will vote nice" just maybe the millionaires tax will mean that property taxes will not make seniors lose their homes.
If the aging population in New Jersey is permitted this life line, the economic impact will be felt across the board. Taxing millionaires is perfectly respectable, neat and tidy, and will employ many accountants. Every senior homeowner, who can retain his dignity and lifestyle, will continue to support local businesses. Every displaced person, funneled off to assisted living or a nursing home, is a loss to the community.
I wonder what the Marriott is serving my AARP buddies for lunch. Shucks. Wish I could have been there. Especially to expound on "Could Derivatives Lead to Murder"....lol.
Have a great day.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Trenton-Ewing Tax Exempt Issues
Guess what?
Ewing's Mayor Jack Ball is reported to have asked Governor Christie, while schmoozing at the Governor's Mansion, if they could have State Aid in lieu of taxes because twenty percent of Ewing was occupied by tax exempt properties. A mere twenty percent? Extraordinary, my dear Mr. Ball, please wait your turn. The City of Trenton is home to seventy percent of all Mercer County non-profit tax exempts. Fifty percent of our city assets are tax exempt. If this is a competition, Trenton wins hands down.
Of course, we could join forces and lobby the Governor for attention together. That might be the best and most obvious course of action. And it is possible that someone has thought of this, but if so, I have not heard of it.
I personally have found Mr. Ball to be a singularly uncooperative individual. Aside from the terrible animal shelter kill policy that brought animal lovers to their feet, his refusal to send Farmers' Market vendors to our senior location presented me with some unnecessary challenges.
Some casual background: The Federal Government gives money to Agricultural Programs. Some bright light figured that these millions could do double duty if laundered through the country's senior citizens first. As the money was used by seniors, upgrading their access to fresh vegetables and fruits, it would eventually reach the farmers as originally intended. Thus the voucher program was born.
Federal monies of Aid to Agriculture are split up among the States. New Jersey's share is a couple of million dollars and is directed to senior citizens in the form of checks or "farm vouchers" which can only be used at farm markets, farm stands or directly at the farm. New Jersey vouchers are presently handed out by WIC and are income qualified. (By the way, I am told that income exempt WIC is in Ewing, Mr. Ball). Before Mercer County decided that WIC would be involved "for efficiency", vouchers were not supposed to be income qualified. The only requirement I recall in those days was that you had to be a senior citizen. I repeat, the main purpose of this bill was to aid farmers. The senior aspect was the "two birds for one stone" and would make for good political hay.
Seniors in the Trenton area have transportation issues. Since they have trouble with getting out to shop, the trucks delivered to us. We had no problem when the Farmer's Market first came out. The following year timing of delivery and selection of produce was not as desirable and sales dropped.
The next year Mr. Ball told me to get lost. I could not accept that and contacted the 4 H kids from Trenton. They were happy to come out and set up their striped canopy in our tree shaded car park. They had watermelons and lots of veggies that they grew themselves. We enjoyed their visits and invited them back but 4 H funding was cut back in 2009 and they were unable to deliver.
I was at the Farmers' Market one day in June. One of the vendors who had brought his truck out previously asked me why they were not invited back. I related that Mr. Ball had squelched the idea. The farmers got together among themselves and told me they would be pleased to come to us. The upshot was that we had a summer schedule of visits, we could tell our friends and families, and the trucks were almost always sold out. No thanks to Jack Ball.
I think the Trenton Mayoral runoff election is set now between Tony Mack and Manny Segura. Both candidates have had their medical issues so that concern is not uppermost in my thinking. Segura's office told me that Manny did not take a paycheck from the taxpayers the whole time he was a councilman and would turn his monies back into the treasury. If this is indeed the case, then electing Segura means an automatic saving of Six Hundred Thousand Dollars over four years. Holy smoke!
I wonder how Tony can top that. I have not seen a sky banner since my last trip to Long Beach Island and wonder how much it costs to hire one to fly over the city. I am sure that Tony got the best deal because he is in training to watch our finances.
Trenton needs a strong representative to present our issues to the Governor's Office. The next Mayor must be focused. If we do not get all our Capital Aid, we are going to have to take a hard look at all tax exempt assets in the city...
Seniors rock.
Ewing's Mayor Jack Ball is reported to have asked Governor Christie, while schmoozing at the Governor's Mansion, if they could have State Aid in lieu of taxes because twenty percent of Ewing was occupied by tax exempt properties. A mere twenty percent? Extraordinary, my dear Mr. Ball, please wait your turn. The City of Trenton is home to seventy percent of all Mercer County non-profit tax exempts. Fifty percent of our city assets are tax exempt. If this is a competition, Trenton wins hands down.
Of course, we could join forces and lobby the Governor for attention together. That might be the best and most obvious course of action. And it is possible that someone has thought of this, but if so, I have not heard of it.
I personally have found Mr. Ball to be a singularly uncooperative individual. Aside from the terrible animal shelter kill policy that brought animal lovers to their feet, his refusal to send Farmers' Market vendors to our senior location presented me with some unnecessary challenges.
Some casual background: The Federal Government gives money to Agricultural Programs. Some bright light figured that these millions could do double duty if laundered through the country's senior citizens first. As the money was used by seniors, upgrading their access to fresh vegetables and fruits, it would eventually reach the farmers as originally intended. Thus the voucher program was born.
Federal monies of Aid to Agriculture are split up among the States. New Jersey's share is a couple of million dollars and is directed to senior citizens in the form of checks or "farm vouchers" which can only be used at farm markets, farm stands or directly at the farm. New Jersey vouchers are presently handed out by WIC and are income qualified. (By the way, I am told that income exempt WIC is in Ewing, Mr. Ball). Before Mercer County decided that WIC would be involved "for efficiency", vouchers were not supposed to be income qualified. The only requirement I recall in those days was that you had to be a senior citizen. I repeat, the main purpose of this bill was to aid farmers. The senior aspect was the "two birds for one stone" and would make for good political hay.
Seniors in the Trenton area have transportation issues. Since they have trouble with getting out to shop, the trucks delivered to us. We had no problem when the Farmer's Market first came out. The following year timing of delivery and selection of produce was not as desirable and sales dropped.
The next year Mr. Ball told me to get lost. I could not accept that and contacted the 4 H kids from Trenton. They were happy to come out and set up their striped canopy in our tree shaded car park. They had watermelons and lots of veggies that they grew themselves. We enjoyed their visits and invited them back but 4 H funding was cut back in 2009 and they were unable to deliver.
I was at the Farmers' Market one day in June. One of the vendors who had brought his truck out previously asked me why they were not invited back. I related that Mr. Ball had squelched the idea. The farmers got together among themselves and told me they would be pleased to come to us. The upshot was that we had a summer schedule of visits, we could tell our friends and families, and the trucks were almost always sold out. No thanks to Jack Ball.
I think the Trenton Mayoral runoff election is set now between Tony Mack and Manny Segura. Both candidates have had their medical issues so that concern is not uppermost in my thinking. Segura's office told me that Manny did not take a paycheck from the taxpayers the whole time he was a councilman and would turn his monies back into the treasury. If this is indeed the case, then electing Segura means an automatic saving of Six Hundred Thousand Dollars over four years. Holy smoke!
I wonder how Tony can top that. I have not seen a sky banner since my last trip to Long Beach Island and wonder how much it costs to hire one to fly over the city. I am sure that Tony got the best deal because he is in training to watch our finances.
Trenton needs a strong representative to present our issues to the Governor's Office. The next Mayor must be focused. If we do not get all our Capital Aid, we are going to have to take a hard look at all tax exempt assets in the city...
Seniors rock.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Why Not Free TV?
A couple of weeks ago, I read that Governor Christie's budget cuts included our New Jersey Public Broadcasting. It does not even get a ripple here in Trenton, but the Newark Star Ledger has been covering it because the privatizing of New Jersey News is not to be taken lightly. The State contribution to NJN's local coverage is only $11, 000,000 but all the network employees have been given notice to update their resumes.
I love public broadcasting. I do not use or pay for freaking-expensive cable TV. Aside from saving money, one of the benefits of being an antenna viewer is that I get a variety of PBS stations and programs. When lunchtime PBS on cable features that purple dinosaur or TelliTubbies, I can flip to the next PBS and watch Hamlet, sports, or even a cooking show. I get roughly thirty channels, broadcast in English, Spanish, Hindi, Italian, Greek...etc. It is a rich brew, this stuff of PBS, and I could not access it if limited to cable.
I got so sick and tired of Comcast deliberately nipping back coverage in order for my favorite programs to be available only as add ons, that I went to PC Richards and got myself an "Analog-Digital" combo. My set has a built-in internal switch that lets me receive and view both types of signals. I know that sounds naive, but the upshot is that I do not have to face a huge monthly bill for TV. Most of my friends are coughing up $60.00 or more every thirty days and, when they opened their envelopes last night, there was even a two dollar increase for May.
If you are on a fixed income and the Governor has increased your PAAD deductible, your Trenton City taxes have increased by almost a third because of the Capital City controversy, your insurance co-pays have increased in knee-jerk reaction to the Obama Medical Bill, this latest Comcast move is the last straw.
I recently got a request to respond to a News 12 survey. They promised that it would not take more than a couple of minutes. However, when I answered the first question, what cable, dish, satellite or "other" service I used and I said "antenna"...suddenly the survey was over.
PBS is a terrific source of local news. I watch two Philly PBS stations, which I could not do if Cable TV filtered the ones for my viewing area, and then go to NJN for my New Jersey legislative updates. I get such a kick out of watching televised hearings because it is obvious that most of the people around me rely on what other people report.
I submit: If you want to make constructive and informed contributions to your elected officials, please do not repeat what someone else has told you. Watch and listen for yourself. This opportunity for first hand observation and reporting will not be possible if public broadcasting goes off the air.
As Comcast/Time Warner keep gobbling up venues, I am concerned that there will no longer be enough options to keep information unbiased. Their programming emphasizes the entertainment aspect of their product. I look for the news. I do not give a hoot what News 12 thinks we want to know. I want to see and hear what is happening and what is real. Forget the graphics. Forget the sound bites. Lets get real.
Just a thought...the Trentonian is going full tilt on video clips. Some of them are kooky, some are gritty, some are really good news. Who needs cable?
Comcast? Humbug!
I love public broadcasting. I do not use or pay for freaking-expensive cable TV. Aside from saving money, one of the benefits of being an antenna viewer is that I get a variety of PBS stations and programs. When lunchtime PBS on cable features that purple dinosaur or TelliTubbies, I can flip to the next PBS and watch Hamlet, sports, or even a cooking show. I get roughly thirty channels, broadcast in English, Spanish, Hindi, Italian, Greek...etc. It is a rich brew, this stuff of PBS, and I could not access it if limited to cable.
I got so sick and tired of Comcast deliberately nipping back coverage in order for my favorite programs to be available only as add ons, that I went to PC Richards and got myself an "Analog-Digital" combo. My set has a built-in internal switch that lets me receive and view both types of signals. I know that sounds naive, but the upshot is that I do not have to face a huge monthly bill for TV. Most of my friends are coughing up $60.00 or more every thirty days and, when they opened their envelopes last night, there was even a two dollar increase for May.
If you are on a fixed income and the Governor has increased your PAAD deductible, your Trenton City taxes have increased by almost a third because of the Capital City controversy, your insurance co-pays have increased in knee-jerk reaction to the Obama Medical Bill, this latest Comcast move is the last straw.
I recently got a request to respond to a News 12 survey. They promised that it would not take more than a couple of minutes. However, when I answered the first question, what cable, dish, satellite or "other" service I used and I said "antenna"...suddenly the survey was over.
PBS is a terrific source of local news. I watch two Philly PBS stations, which I could not do if Cable TV filtered the ones for my viewing area, and then go to NJN for my New Jersey legislative updates. I get such a kick out of watching televised hearings because it is obvious that most of the people around me rely on what other people report.
I submit: If you want to make constructive and informed contributions to your elected officials, please do not repeat what someone else has told you. Watch and listen for yourself. This opportunity for first hand observation and reporting will not be possible if public broadcasting goes off the air.
As Comcast/Time Warner keep gobbling up venues, I am concerned that there will no longer be enough options to keep information unbiased. Their programming emphasizes the entertainment aspect of their product. I look for the news. I do not give a hoot what News 12 thinks we want to know. I want to see and hear what is happening and what is real. Forget the graphics. Forget the sound bites. Lets get real.
Just a thought...the Trentonian is going full tilt on video clips. Some of them are kooky, some are gritty, some are really good news. Who needs cable?
Comcast? Humbug!
Monday, May 10, 2010
A Language of Their Own
The plaintive mewling from under my window was so gut-wrenching that I got out of bed to investigate. My cat sat right up to the edge of the window screen, not moving a muscle, tail hanging straight down, as we listened to the soft, almost human sobs coming up from the bushes. I bent over and rested my cheek on my own furry friend as we kept watch together with the sad little fellow far below.
I recalled earlier that evening watching one of our residents lead her elderly Puerto Rican dog out for his usual walk. He was a typical apartment sized dog, a bit larger than a Chihuahua but smaller than a beagle. He was never aware of his dimunitive stature and carried his curled tail like a banner. In spite of arthritis, he never walked, he pranced.
Sometime during his evening strolls, he had acquired a buddy, a stray cat from one of the parking lots, who took a shine to him. We were never able to explain it. It was extraordinary to see how these normally antagonistic species became such fast friends.
The black cat was shiny sleek and must have been a pretty good hunter because he was well filled out in spite of sleeping in culverts. He lurked under the bushes at the entrance of our building, waiting for the first sight or sound of his little black and white canine pal, then he would spring out to play.
They were more than casual aquaintances. Picture the dog on his leash, preoccupied with finding a place to take a leak or pooh, and the black cat pouncing and dancing in front of him. There were lots of kisses on the greying muzzle from the frisky feline, but no nonsense, and without breaking stride the unlikely pair would continue their way to grass, or mulch, or tree. Every so often they touched noses, but just kept going until out of sight.
Once I tried to get a picture with my cell phone. I had the feeling that this was a minor miracle and wanted to document it for skeptics. The cat was so shy that his instincts did not trust me to get close enough for a photo and, as it turns out, I missed my chance.
Thursday night, the little Puerto Rican dog had a stroke. We heard him crying during his trip up the elevator. When he came back down for the last time,we did not need to be told they were taking him for that final awful trip to the vet. His mistress was weeping, her daughter was crying, and soon we all were in tears watching them carry the little fellow out to the car, swaddled in his quilt. The vet did have to put him to sleep.
His mistress was known for her wonderful way with animals and some of her gentleness no doubt gave this unlikely pair the environment to become friends and blossom. Who could have guessed that this bright little spotted dog, who only understood Spanish, could have fallen in love with such a dashing streetwise feral feline? Their simple delight in each other was special and precious.
Now the desolate cat lingers by our front door, waiting for his friend who isn't there.
I recalled earlier that evening watching one of our residents lead her elderly Puerto Rican dog out for his usual walk. He was a typical apartment sized dog, a bit larger than a Chihuahua but smaller than a beagle. He was never aware of his dimunitive stature and carried his curled tail like a banner. In spite of arthritis, he never walked, he pranced.
Sometime during his evening strolls, he had acquired a buddy, a stray cat from one of the parking lots, who took a shine to him. We were never able to explain it. It was extraordinary to see how these normally antagonistic species became such fast friends.
The black cat was shiny sleek and must have been a pretty good hunter because he was well filled out in spite of sleeping in culverts. He lurked under the bushes at the entrance of our building, waiting for the first sight or sound of his little black and white canine pal, then he would spring out to play.
They were more than casual aquaintances. Picture the dog on his leash, preoccupied with finding a place to take a leak or pooh, and the black cat pouncing and dancing in front of him. There were lots of kisses on the greying muzzle from the frisky feline, but no nonsense, and without breaking stride the unlikely pair would continue their way to grass, or mulch, or tree. Every so often they touched noses, but just kept going until out of sight.
Once I tried to get a picture with my cell phone. I had the feeling that this was a minor miracle and wanted to document it for skeptics. The cat was so shy that his instincts did not trust me to get close enough for a photo and, as it turns out, I missed my chance.
Thursday night, the little Puerto Rican dog had a stroke. We heard him crying during his trip up the elevator. When he came back down for the last time,we did not need to be told they were taking him for that final awful trip to the vet. His mistress was weeping, her daughter was crying, and soon we all were in tears watching them carry the little fellow out to the car, swaddled in his quilt. The vet did have to put him to sleep.
His mistress was known for her wonderful way with animals and some of her gentleness no doubt gave this unlikely pair the environment to become friends and blossom. Who could have guessed that this bright little spotted dog, who only understood Spanish, could have fallen in love with such a dashing streetwise feral feline? Their simple delight in each other was special and precious.
Now the desolate cat lingers by our front door, waiting for his friend who isn't there.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Tax Exempts Are Killing Trenton
I have spent most of this past week sorting through the mayoral and council candidates we interviewed over the past several weeks. The elephant in the room is the huge deficit facing the Capital city of New Jersey. Now that everyone has pulled back for the weekend's frontal assault on voters, the monster looming out of the dust is that shortfall. The tax burden on the residents of Trenton is just unforgivable.
Of all the total nonprofit tax exempt assets in Mercer County, over 70 % lie in the City of Trenton. That is seventy percent of assorted nonprofits, including the Catholic Diocese of Trenton, houses converted into churches, central offices for everything from the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States, Inc. to the Woodmen of the World Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society,(really), and incidentally includes all the offices and legislative functions of the State of New Jersey Capital.
Phew!
In another day, we enjoyed the prestige attached to having an office in Trenton. As the capital city we were proud of the attention and people it attracted. However, someone has to pay for the services necessary to keep all these workers safe, clean, and able to host their respective business interests, legislative functions or otherwise. This has become an enormous, lopsided burden on the taxpayers left in the city.
Senator Shirley Turner presented a gutsy bill to the Legislature that would affect the tax exempts in the City of Trenton, especially the State owned properties. I am presently trying to determine its status. If passed, it could go into effect July 1 of this year. In the meantime, the State has stepped in and clobbered this City with an unconscionable tax increase impacting the few responsible businesses and citizens that have the courage to remain here.
Call or write to Senator Turner's office and give her your support for this David vs Goliath initiative. Her phone number is 609-530-3277 or fax her with your signatures at 609-530-3292.
I could make a case for the senior citizens victims on fixed incomes being hit the hardest, but today's circumstances are the result of many years of Capital association and affect all of us.
Don't forget that Trenton goes to the polls next Tuesday.
How much more do we have to take?
Vote.
Of all the total nonprofit tax exempt assets in Mercer County, over 70 % lie in the City of Trenton. That is seventy percent of assorted nonprofits, including the Catholic Diocese of Trenton, houses converted into churches, central offices for everything from the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States, Inc. to the Woodmen of the World Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society,(really), and incidentally includes all the offices and legislative functions of the State of New Jersey Capital.
Phew!
In another day, we enjoyed the prestige attached to having an office in Trenton. As the capital city we were proud of the attention and people it attracted. However, someone has to pay for the services necessary to keep all these workers safe, clean, and able to host their respective business interests, legislative functions or otherwise. This has become an enormous, lopsided burden on the taxpayers left in the city.
Senator Shirley Turner presented a gutsy bill to the Legislature that would affect the tax exempts in the City of Trenton, especially the State owned properties. I am presently trying to determine its status. If passed, it could go into effect July 1 of this year. In the meantime, the State has stepped in and clobbered this City with an unconscionable tax increase impacting the few responsible businesses and citizens that have the courage to remain here.
Call or write to Senator Turner's office and give her your support for this David vs Goliath initiative. Her phone number is 609-530-3277 or fax her with your signatures at 609-530-3292.
I could make a case for the senior citizens victims on fixed incomes being hit the hardest, but today's circumstances are the result of many years of Capital association and affect all of us.
Don't forget that Trenton goes to the polls next Tuesday.
How much more do we have to take?
Vote.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Senior vs Treadmill
Even if you are 60 or 70ish, there is the moment of truth when you contemplate the New Jersey beach season. Your favorite suit is only three years old, hardly used, but your physique fills it out in ways its designer could not have imagined.
Remember your last trip to the mall, when shopping was more like musical chairs, judging your afternoon stroll one bench to another? It's more than reminding the doctor's assistant to use the larger blue cuff when taking your blood pressure, ('cause that tastefully tiny grey one can be guaranteed to register many many points higher); it's more than avoiding the movies because you feel crunched in the seat...it's about feeling good about yourself in the mirror.
A couple of months ago, I was fortunate to have a friend of mine donate a slightly used treadmill to us here at Pellettieri. It came with a companion "Gazelle" glider and some instructions. Residents were overjoyed and their enthusiasm, citing TV shows like "The Biggest Loser", concerned me because I didn't recall anyone of our age group being a contestant on the show. Some of those morbidly obese participants did have stress fractures, respiratory problems, and medical issues that the show glossed over for the sake of the story line.
Our exercise machines did not come with the medical information that would give us a direction for sensible senior parameters. Like any computer nerd in my situation, I googled. (I guess by now that is considered a legit verb, lol.)
I found that according to the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association, there are definite guidelines to help you improve your cardiac health without killing yourself.
This is from the AHA publication:
"If your goal is to improve the fitness of your heart and lungs, you should bring your heart rate to a range called the "target heart rate zone." When you stop exercising, quickly take your pulse to find out your heartbeats per minute, bpm (beats per minute). Figure your maximum heart rate by subtracting your age from 220. Your target heart rate zone should be 50 to 85% of your maximum heart rate. So, if your're 50 years old, your maximum heart rate is 170 and your target heart rate zone is 85 to 127." (This last number is a typo, it should be 144 for someone 50 years old and I am trying to get the AHA website to correct it.)
This is important because the heart performance range for a person twenty years younger than you is vastly more demanding and attempting to those numbers could result in a heart attack. So much for the reality show examples. As with any program where there is going to be a life style change, there must be commitment.
Things to consider:
1. Set specific but realistic goals. You can broaden them when you are successful
2. Anticipate potential roadblocks. By now you know what doesn't work.
3. Figure out how you might deal with problems. Share with your fellow gym rats.
4. Don't let yourself get discouraged by setbacks; Be flexible.
They also suggest keeping an activity log listing the date, type of physical activity, the total minutes, how you felt. Keep it for 4 to 8 weeks and then tally the results. One activity could be walking 30 minutes five times a week. Another could be taking the stairs, parking away from your store when shopping, doing flex exercises while doing house hold chores, etc.
If combined with an "eating plan",(no one uses "diet" anymore), you can enhance your physical goals and dramatically accelerate progress. My daughter just started work with a bio-med company that is trying to get a diet drug combo on the market and that brought back such frustrating memories of Slim Fast, Nutri System, Jenny.. et al. that I am not even going to comment. You know what you eat! You know who you are! Like that Pennsylvania commercial to convince tax delinquents to pay up...you will be forgiven if you face the truth. You won't gain weight if you don't put it into your mouth.
Looking at the above, it reminds me of a term I once heard applied to the astronauts. To survive "You have to be conditioned to crisis." Now those are words to live by.
Have a nice day.
Seniors rock!
Remember your last trip to the mall, when shopping was more like musical chairs, judging your afternoon stroll one bench to another? It's more than reminding the doctor's assistant to use the larger blue cuff when taking your blood pressure, ('cause that tastefully tiny grey one can be guaranteed to register many many points higher); it's more than avoiding the movies because you feel crunched in the seat...it's about feeling good about yourself in the mirror.
A couple of months ago, I was fortunate to have a friend of mine donate a slightly used treadmill to us here at Pellettieri. It came with a companion "Gazelle" glider and some instructions. Residents were overjoyed and their enthusiasm, citing TV shows like "The Biggest Loser", concerned me because I didn't recall anyone of our age group being a contestant on the show. Some of those morbidly obese participants did have stress fractures, respiratory problems, and medical issues that the show glossed over for the sake of the story line.
Our exercise machines did not come with the medical information that would give us a direction for sensible senior parameters. Like any computer nerd in my situation, I googled. (I guess by now that is considered a legit verb, lol.)
I found that according to the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association, there are definite guidelines to help you improve your cardiac health without killing yourself.
This is from the AHA publication:
"If your goal is to improve the fitness of your heart and lungs, you should bring your heart rate to a range called the "target heart rate zone." When you stop exercising, quickly take your pulse to find out your heartbeats per minute, bpm (beats per minute). Figure your maximum heart rate by subtracting your age from 220. Your target heart rate zone should be 50 to 85% of your maximum heart rate. So, if your're 50 years old, your maximum heart rate is 170 and your target heart rate zone is 85 to 127." (This last number is a typo, it should be 144 for someone 50 years old and I am trying to get the AHA website to correct it.)
This is important because the heart performance range for a person twenty years younger than you is vastly more demanding and attempting to those numbers could result in a heart attack. So much for the reality show examples. As with any program where there is going to be a life style change, there must be commitment.
Things to consider:
1. Set specific but realistic goals. You can broaden them when you are successful
2. Anticipate potential roadblocks. By now you know what doesn't work.
3. Figure out how you might deal with problems. Share with your fellow gym rats.
4. Don't let yourself get discouraged by setbacks; Be flexible.
They also suggest keeping an activity log listing the date, type of physical activity, the total minutes, how you felt. Keep it for 4 to 8 weeks and then tally the results. One activity could be walking 30 minutes five times a week. Another could be taking the stairs, parking away from your store when shopping, doing flex exercises while doing house hold chores, etc.
If combined with an "eating plan",(no one uses "diet" anymore), you can enhance your physical goals and dramatically accelerate progress. My daughter just started work with a bio-med company that is trying to get a diet drug combo on the market and that brought back such frustrating memories of Slim Fast, Nutri System, Jenny.. et al. that I am not even going to comment. You know what you eat! You know who you are! Like that Pennsylvania commercial to convince tax delinquents to pay up...you will be forgiven if you face the truth. You won't gain weight if you don't put it into your mouth.
Looking at the above, it reminds me of a term I once heard applied to the astronauts. To survive "You have to be conditioned to crisis." Now those are words to live by.
Have a nice day.
Seniors rock!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Could Wall Street Derivatives Lead to Murder?
AARP is running a cute TV ad asking us to support Congress' efforts to regulate Wall Street but this is no laughing matter. Bills, in both the Senate and House, concern transparency for derivatives trading by insurance companies. The Senate bill would impose the same transaction rules for derivative trading as the rest of the market and they would have to be listed. Banks, who have bundled these "custom" derivatives without previous scrutiny, have successfully lobbied the House Bill and continue to operate without transparency or controls.
Derivatives, up to now, were "futures" intended to lock in the price of fuel or raw materials for agriculture. These futures were bought and sold with definite dates for holders to take delivery. This is vastly different from insurance industry "exotic derivatives", where maturity dates are determined by the death of the named insured.
Derivatives are not like stocks either; they are a form of trading without anything substantial to back them up, a gambler's way of continuing to play the game without something solid behind the bet. Here are some examples:
When someone takes out a large life insurance policy, say a million dollars worth, and then changes his mind and doesn't make payments, one could expect that it would be cancelled. Not necessarily.
Aunt Millie has a million dollar policy but becomes ill. She goes to her broker to cash out four hundred to spend on her bucket list. One could expect six hundred dollars left in the policy. Is the policy over?
Or, Uncle Ed's children do not survive him and he decides, "What the heck". and decides not to make payments....you would expect that the policy is dead.
Since a life insurance policy can now be owned by someone other then the named (in order for a business to carry insurance on an executive who might be hurt in a business associated risk), a climate now exists where ownership of a life policy is possible by a totally impersonal and unrelated entity whose only goal is making a profit.
In each of these above examples, you might think there is no longer a liability for the insurance company as the policies revert to the company which will no longer need to keep reserves for these million dollar accounts. Wrong. Speculators (Banks) bundle these policies together and sell them to investors. Of course, the investors will not get a payout until the person in the policy dies, but they do have to pick up and continue the premium payments. Obviously the longer the person lives, the more payments the investor has to come up with, and the more diluted the value in the bundle.
You might ask why banks do this, but the answer is simple. Banks carry these bundles (derivatives), and make their money by charging fees to move them through the market. Congress is investigating the millions Goldman Sachs made from creating these bundles, reselling them and then trading without full disclosure. Their business practices were like a huge Ponzi scheme, with success being dependent on bringing in fresh clients, fresh money, fresh suckers at the bottom of the pyramid to support the payout to the top. If the bottom does not continue to bring in new accounts, the entire structure crumbles.
My concern is for the morality of these life insurance derivatives. The longer a person lives, the less the policy and his portion of the bundle is worth. For millions of dollars seeping away as the bundle ages, and the ongoing cost of payments to keep it viable, this could be motive for hoping for an early demise.
If I knew that someone had a life insurance policy on me, and I was about to undergo a life threatening medical procedure, I would be horrified if a decision were made to let me die just so a policy holder could cash in. It would make a terrific plot for "Castle" but it really isn't too far fetched in this "insurance derivatives market".
In my perfect world, private insurance companies would not be in the medical business anyway and definitely would not be trading life policies like North Sea Crude.
Have a good day.
Derivatives, up to now, were "futures" intended to lock in the price of fuel or raw materials for agriculture. These futures were bought and sold with definite dates for holders to take delivery. This is vastly different from insurance industry "exotic derivatives", where maturity dates are determined by the death of the named insured.
Derivatives are not like stocks either; they are a form of trading without anything substantial to back them up, a gambler's way of continuing to play the game without something solid behind the bet. Here are some examples:
When someone takes out a large life insurance policy, say a million dollars worth, and then changes his mind and doesn't make payments, one could expect that it would be cancelled. Not necessarily.
Aunt Millie has a million dollar policy but becomes ill. She goes to her broker to cash out four hundred to spend on her bucket list. One could expect six hundred dollars left in the policy. Is the policy over?
Or, Uncle Ed's children do not survive him and he decides, "What the heck". and decides not to make payments....you would expect that the policy is dead.
Since a life insurance policy can now be owned by someone other then the named (in order for a business to carry insurance on an executive who might be hurt in a business associated risk), a climate now exists where ownership of a life policy is possible by a totally impersonal and unrelated entity whose only goal is making a profit.
In each of these above examples, you might think there is no longer a liability for the insurance company as the policies revert to the company which will no longer need to keep reserves for these million dollar accounts. Wrong. Speculators (Banks) bundle these policies together and sell them to investors. Of course, the investors will not get a payout until the person in the policy dies, but they do have to pick up and continue the premium payments. Obviously the longer the person lives, the more payments the investor has to come up with, and the more diluted the value in the bundle.
You might ask why banks do this, but the answer is simple. Banks carry these bundles (derivatives), and make their money by charging fees to move them through the market. Congress is investigating the millions Goldman Sachs made from creating these bundles, reselling them and then trading without full disclosure. Their business practices were like a huge Ponzi scheme, with success being dependent on bringing in fresh clients, fresh money, fresh suckers at the bottom of the pyramid to support the payout to the top. If the bottom does not continue to bring in new accounts, the entire structure crumbles.
My concern is for the morality of these life insurance derivatives. The longer a person lives, the less the policy and his portion of the bundle is worth. For millions of dollars seeping away as the bundle ages, and the ongoing cost of payments to keep it viable, this could be motive for hoping for an early demise.
If I knew that someone had a life insurance policy on me, and I was about to undergo a life threatening medical procedure, I would be horrified if a decision were made to let me die just so a policy holder could cash in. It would make a terrific plot for "Castle" but it really isn't too far fetched in this "insurance derivatives market".
In my perfect world, private insurance companies would not be in the medical business anyway and definitely would not be trading life policies like North Sea Crude.
Have a good day.
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