MATURE ARKANSAS is a monthly publication about activities, health, consumer issues and advocacy for those over 50.
MATURE ARKANSAS is a monthly magazine for and about older Arkansans, celebrating their achievements and focusing on health, culture, consumer tips, activities and positive retirement.
MALL WALKERS—what keeps walkers coming back to the mall? Erica Sweeney explains the advantages in MATURE ARKANSAS’ September issue. Includes the number of laps that make a mile at Park Plaza Mall and McCain Mall and how to sign up for extra benefits. On newsstands today.
3 WAYS TO GET HEALTH INSURANCE. The new healthcare law offers 3 ways to get health insurance:
1.Through your job or your spouse’s job. This option means you don’t have to do anything else. The healthcare law will not change your coverage (unless the employer changes the coverage he offers). However, any employer with fewer than 50 full-time employees is not required to offer health insurance.
2.Purchase it from a private insurance company on your own.
3.Throught the newly established Marketplace. In Arkansas, it is called the Arkansas Health Connector and it offers 4 easy ways to compare insurance plans: In-person, by phone, by mail, or on-line (arhealthconnector.org) All you need is your Social Security number and household income information (pay stub, W-2 form or wage/tax statement) to determine if you qualify for financial help. There are trained and certified health connectors to help you.
All Americans are required to have health insurance by January 1, 2014 or pay a penalty. An estimated 95% of Arkansans will qualify for financial help to pay their premiums. Sign up after Oct. 1, 2013 to get the help you’re entitled to and avoid paying a penalty.
A VILLAGE WE ALL WANT, by feature writer Cal Wasson, tells what happened to the thriving African-American community in Hot Springs and who felt the real brunt of integrating the high schools. Exclusively in MATURE ARKANSAS, on newsstands TODAY.
BUSINESS LEGACIES--five Little Rock companies that employ family members tell what it’s like to work alongside your parent or child, how they handle conflicts, and why it works so well. MATURE ARKANSAS’ cover feature for September, on newsstands Thursday.
THE 10 ESSENTIALS are healthcare services required by the new healthcare law. These 10 essential services must be covered by all health insurance policies, starting Jan. 1, 2014.
1. Outpatient services, including Dr. office visits, outpatient diagnosis and surgery, and physical and occupational therapy
2.Emergency services, including emergency rooms, ambulance, observation services, and after-hours clinics or urgent care centers
3.Hospital services, including Dr. visits in the hospital, inpatient surgery, and organ transplant services
4.Maternity and newborn care
5.Mental health and substance abuse services
6.Prescription drugs including immunizations
7.Rehabilitative care
8.Laboratory services
9.Preventive and wellness care and chronic disease management
10.Child health including vision and dental services.
NEED TO CURB YOUR SHOPPING ADDICTION? Try shopping in high heels, according to new research from Brigham Young University. When a shopper is focusing on balance, their shopping habits are more balanced, and they seem to purchase less or make less expensive choices. The same behavior was also documented in shoppers after a yoga class or even riding as escalator.
GLUTEN-FREE IS OFFICIAL. People with celiac disease can now have confidence in the meaning of a "gluten-free" label on foods. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a final rule that defines what characteristics a food has to have to bear a GLUTEN-FREE label. The rule also holds foods labeled "without gluten," "free of gluten," and "no gluten" to the same standard.
This rule has been eagerly awaited by advocates for people with celiac disease, who face potentially life-threatening illnesses if they eat the gluten found in breads, cakes, cereals, pastas and many other foods. This level is consistent with those set by other countries and international bodies that set food safety standards. There is no cure for celiac disease. The only way to manage the disease is to not eat foods containing gluten.
MORE DOCTORS ACCEPTING MEDICARE PATIENTS. The number of physicians accepting new Medicare patients rose by one-third between 2007 and 2011 and is now higher than the number of physicians accepting new private insurance patients, according to HHS. Physicians have complained about Medicare payments and new paperwork requirements. And while many older doctors have opted out of Medicare, many more younger primary care physicians are entering the Medicare program. 90% of office-based physicians accept new Medicare patients, a rate similar to those who take private-insurance patients.
BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU RENEW. Some health insurers are urging their policy holders, and businesses who offer health insurance to employees, to renew their current coverage by the end of December 2013—ahead of the official launch of the new healthcare law (Affordable Care Act). Some are even trying to get renewals before the state health insurance marketplaces begin on Oct. 1, 2013.
If they renew early, then the insurer can delay implementing the Affordable Care Act’s reforms for up to 12 months. Consumers may not understand all the new benefits they could forfeit if they renew early. Also, consumers renewing before Oct. 1, 2013 would not have the chance to compare their current plan with new marketplace options.
Insurers are offering healthy and younger individuals and small businesses favorable rates to renew their policies in 2013 instead of 2014. Some states have banned early renewals but not Arkansas. Arkansas is requiring insurance companies to use established notification requirements to help consumers understand all their options. The Commonwealth Fund warns that these rules may not be enough to prevent discriminatory marketing practices that encourage younger, healthier, and male policy holders to renew early.
Arkansas Times Publisher Alan Leveritt announced this afternoon that MATURE ARKANSAS, a monthly publication which began in November 2011, will cease publication after the September issue.
Leveritt in a note to staff said: "We have tried everything I know to make Mature work financially. It has had a nearly 100% pick up each month and has been successful editorially. But we have not been able to sustain enough advertising to keep the publication in the black."
One job will be lost, that of Editor Anne Wasson. She's been working with us in the Times' newsroom and has been a valuable resource, particularly on the state's adoption of new health care programs, a vital interest to her readers. For 24 years before starting Mature Arkansas, she was the editor of Aging Arkansas.
-Reprinted from max Brantley's Arkansas Blog, which, incidentally is now available for $9.99 a month. Contact the Arkansas Times at 501-375-2985 for details. In addition to 4 blogs, there are other interesting benefits to membership.
LEARN HOW TO RESEARCH MILITARY RECORDS is the subject of a workshop on Aug. 24 at the MacArthur Museum of Ark. Military History, 503 E. Ninth St., Little Rock; 10:00 AM to noon; FREE; 376-4602. Learn techniques to use with military records from the Civil War forward.
FREE PROSTATE SCREENING, Arkansas Urology, 1300 Centerview Drive, Little Rock; 5:00-8:00 PM, Tuesday Aug. 27; call for appointment 219-8900. FREE to any man over age 50 and to men over 40 if they have a family history of prostate cancer or are Hispanic or African-American.
MY FIGHT FOR EQUAL PAY AND FAIRNESS is the subject of a lecture by Lilly Ledbetter, advocate for fair pay and namesake of the federal Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act; FREE, Aug. 22, 6:30 PM, Main Library’s Darragh Center, 100 Rock St., Little Rock. Reception and book signing; reservations appreciated but not required. RSVP to [email protected] or call 918-3009.
WHERE WERE YOU? On Aug. 14, 1945, President Harry Truman announced that Japan had surrendered to Allied forces, bringing World War II to an end. Where were you and what were you doing when you heard this news?
AUGUST 16TH marks the anniversary of ELVIS PRESLEY'S death. What’s your earliest Elvis memory? Favorite Elvis song? Where were you when you heard about “the king’s" death?
SAVE $$ ON THE REP THEATRE TICKETS ALL SEASON. Buy advance tickets to any show at The Ark. Repertory Theatre, 6th & Main, Little Rock, and save $5 per ticket. Offer ends on opening day. Here’s the show schedule: Sept. 6-29-“Pal Joey,” a Rodgers & Hart 1940 classic; Oct 25-Nov. 10-“Red,” artist Mark Rothko bio-drama; Dec. 6-29-a musical “Because of Winn Dixie”; Jan. 24-Feb. 9-“Clybourne Park,” a funny & provocative new play; Apr. 29-May 11-“Happily Ever Laughter,” from the Second City Comedy troupe, and June 6-29-“Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged),” a condensed and hilarious spoof on Shakespeare. 378-0405.
HOT SPRINGS CONCERT BAND will perform their final summer concert on Aug. 19, 6:00 PM, Whittington Park, Hot Springs; FREE. Check website after 4:00 PM on the 19th to find out if location has changed due to rain or extreme heat hotspringsband.org
FREE ADMISSION TO CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY in honor of Pres. Clinton’s 67th birthday, Sat. Aug. 17; 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM, 1200 Pres. Clinton Ave., Little Rock.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOCIAL SECURITY, 78 years of fighting poverty and providing America’s most popular safety net. SS has been a proven way to substantially reduce poverty among older Americans. It is consistently one of the country’s most popular government programs. However, if you’re planning on retiring on your SS benefits alone, that won’t be enough.
NO VACATION THIS YEAR? Head to Murray’s Dinner Playhouse for a trip to the SOUTH PACIFIC, playing on stage through Aug. 31; 6323 Col. Glenn Road, Little Rock. Dinner at 6:00, curtain at 7:45 PM; call 562-3131 for reservations.
ARGENTA ARTWALK this weekend in the Argenta section of downtown North Little Rock—the 300 to 700 blocks of Main Street. Lots of open houses at galleries and other venues, plus lots of great restaurants; 5:00-8:00 PM; FREE; 993-1234.
SKIPPING BREAKFAST INCREASES RISK OF HEART ATTACKS—27% higher risk of heart attacks and heart disease—according to a large, 16-year study just published in the Amer. Heart Assoc. Journal “Circulation.” Researchers also learned that breakfast skippers have higher risk of one or more other dangerous health conditions: diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, that can contribute to your chances of heart disease.
A RETIREMENT CELEBRATION honoring The Rev. Eugene Brannon, Presiding Elder of the Little Rock District, Ark. Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church will be held Aug 10-11. Banquet will be held on Aug. 10, 5:00 PM, Doubletree Hotel, Markham & Broadway; $100 per person, call 838-9332 or 554-9699. A worship experience on Aug. 11, 4:00 PM, Bethel AME Church, 815 W. 16th St., Little Rock. brannoncelebration.com website.
TONIGHT on the PBS NEWSHOUR (AETN, Channel 2) a special report about "Aging in Place," how you can continue to live independently in your own home and the organizations that are helping people avoid institutional living. It offers 7 simple repairs that will help you continue living at home as you age.
SECOND FRIDAY ART NIGHT, tomorrow evening, 5:00-8:00 PM at downtown Little Rock art galleries and museum open houses, and restaurants; FREE. This is a relaxed, interesting, no-agenda way to wind down your week. Carpool with friends or come on your own and make new friends.
CONVERSATION WITH ASTRONAUT BUZZ ALDRIN, Aug. 14, Robinson Center Music Hall. Doors open at 5:30, lecture at 6:00 PM. FREE but reservations required by contacting [email protected] OR call 683-5239.
LIVE AT LAMAN presents The Big John Miller Band, Aug. 8, 7:00-8:00 PM; FREE. Enjoy your favorite R & B, soul, and rock classics; at the Laman Library, 2801 Orange St., North Little Rock. Call 771-1995 for more information.
YOU HAVE SOME GOOD CHOICES for long-term care needs. Call the Div. of Aging and Adult Services’ Information Line about your choices—information and assistance with nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home care, counseling, help with applying for benefits—it’s all available FREE by calling 866-801-3435 or visit www/.choicesinliving.ar.gov
HEAT RELIEF CENTER OPENT TODAY AND TOMORROW. The heat index is expected to reach 105 so the Heat Relief Center at North Little Rock Community Center, 2700 Willow Street, NLR, will be open from noon to 5:00 PM. This is a cool place for NLR residents to cool off during the day. They are encouraged to bring their own food, drinks and entertainment (books, cards, games, etc.). Vending machines are available to purchase items and a water fountain is available. Call 791-8541.
FACE LIFTS DON’T HELP MUCH, is the conclusion of a study that tried to objectively estimate how much “improvement” was achieved for women who had facelifts. Study participants looked at before and after photos of fully healed, face-lift patients and rated them on age and attractiveness. The raters found an insignificant increase in overall beauty. And, true age minus the age the raters guessed was just 3 years! Save your money; you’re beautiful at any age.
SECOND FRIDAY ART NIGHT IS COMING UP THIS FRIDAY. click on this link to see locations in Little Rock.
“BRITISH INVASION” is the theme of the Hot Springs Concert Band’s FREE summer concert TONIGHT at 6:00 PM in Whittington Park, Hot Springs. Visit hotspringsband.org after 4PM today for a change of location in case of rain or excessive heat.
FINDING FAMILY FACTS is a FREE beginner’s genealogy course given by the Butler Center on Aug. 12, 3:30-5:00 PM in room 204 of the Ark. Studies Institute Building, 401 Pres. Clinton Ave., Little Rock. 918-3086 for more info.
LEGACIES & LUNCH, a FREE program offered by the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies will feature Jan Davenport, historian of the Oakland-Fraternal Cemetery, Aug. 7, noon-1:00 PM, Main Library’s Darragh Center, 100 Rock St., Little Rock. Davenport will explain recent research and restoration work at the cemetery, one of Little Rock’s best-kept historical secrets, and stories about people buried there.
TRAVS PLAYING THIS WEEKEND. Friday, August 2 - Sunday, August 4: The Arkansas Travelers vs. the Springfield Cardinals, Dickey-Stephens Park, bottom of the Broadway Bridge, North Little Rock. Fri. & Sat. games start at 7:10 PM; Sun. at 6:10 PM. For tickets & more info visit www.Travs.com or call 501-664-1555.
The Official Site of Minor League Baseball
http://www.savvykidsofarkansas.com/savvyblog/celebrate-national-ice-cream-sandwich-day/
Today is National Ice Cream Sandwich Day and here are a few ways to celebrate locally. Loblolly Creamery is celebrating with an ice cream sandwich bar. Visitors can choose two cookies, either homemade gluten-free cookies or ones from Boulevard Bread Co., and one scoop of any of the eight handcrafted...
Mature Arkansas
MORE ON SHOPPING THIS WEEKEND. So many of you were interested in Thursday’s post about the tax holiday this weekend, here are the answers to your questions, from Laura Connerly, with the Univ. of Ark. Cooperative Extension Service, and an expert on how families can save money.
The exemption from taxes includes all state & local taxes. The tax-free period is from 12:01 AM Aug. 3 to midnight Aug. 4.
All retailers are required to participate but only certain items are tax exempt. For example, sneakers are exempt from taxes but specialty cleated shoes are not.
Connerly says you can save a lot more by comparison shopping so check prices at several stores before you buy.
For more info from the Co-op. Exten. Serv. about saving $$, visit arfamilies.org.money.htm
MORE ON SHOPPING THIS WEEKEND. So many of you were interested in Thursday’s post about the tax holiday this weekend, here are the answers to your questions, from Laura Connerly, with the Univ. of Ark. Cooperative Extension Service, and an expert on how families can save money.
The exemption from taxes includes all state & local taxes. The tax-free period is from 12:01 AM Aug. 3 to midnight Aug. 4.
All retailers are required to participate but only certain items are tax exempt. For example, sneakers are exempt from taxes but specialty cleated shoes are not.
Connerly says you can save a lot more by comparison shopping so check prices at several stores before you buy.
For more info from the Co-op. Exten. Serv. about saving $$, visit arfamilies.org.money.htm
IT’S RESTAURANT MONTH, throughout August, at many locally owned restaurants in Little Rock. Ask your waiter about featured food and drink specials. Or check the weekly list in the ARKANSAS TIMES or at DineLR.com before you go.
I FOUND MY THRILL, ON BLUEBERRY HILL…that thrill may be the blueberries. Eating 3 or more servings of blueberries each week can reduce the risk of heart attack by a third. Strawberries had a similar benefit. These two fruits have high levels of compounds that help widen arteries, which counters plaque buildup. Heart attacks can occur when plaque blocks flow to the heart, according the National Institutes of Health.
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