Topics

SkyView Just open and point to the sky (indoors or out) and this app identifies constellations, planets, random space debris (satellites) and the International Space Station. It even has cool space music.

Pinterest Whenever I’m at a thrift store and see interesting items, I use this app to figure out what I can do with them.

Health If you don’t feel like dropping cash on a Fitbit, this app comes with newer iPhones. It keeps track of your steps and monitors other health information. You can download similar versions in the App Store if you have an older phone.

Venmo This is a great way to easily de-cash yourself. The app allows you to send money from your bank account to a friend’s. It’s great for splitting checks at dinner or sending grocery money to a needy college student you know.

TuneIn Radio Listen to any radio station in the country, live, any time of day. I love listening to sports talk radio. This makes it easy.

History Here Ever wonder what cool thing happened somewhere you’re passing through? The app pops up and tells you what you’re missing and why you should stop. The Sky’s the Limit From Stars to Sushi, Favorite Apps Point the Way Who doesn’t love a good cell phone app? Below are a few of the editor’s free favorites for iPhone.

Podcasts It’s the app for insomniacs, from the TED Radio Hour to America’s Test Kitchen Radio to The Moth storytelling podcast. I’ve spent hours (really) from 1 to 4 a.m. listening to smart people talk about interesting things.

Twitter By following local and national news sources (Washington Post, Fox 8 News, CNN, etc.), I get lots of news from my Twitter feed. And I’m just nerdy enough to love the Earthquake Alerts feed (@QuakesToday), with its real-time earthquake reports.

We’ve all met them: people who seem stuck in a rut. The older they get, the deeper the rut.

Habits are tough to break, especially when they’ve been honed over decades. In this issue we’re celebrating the anti-rut. “Discover” means to find something unexpectedly. Think about that for a moment; what was the last thing you discovered?

If you can’t think of anything, then you may pick up some suggestions from this issue. Why not start with hiking? Our region has terrific hiking spots for people of all ages and abilities. Sore knees? Lace up some sturdy boots and head to a flat trail along a lake or riverbed. Up for a challenge? We’ve got plenty of ledges and steep trails to explore, too. Our story on page 26 might spur you into discovering our parks and cities by foot.

Motorcycling is big with the over-50 crowd. I prefer to discover areas at a slower pace with my coaster-brake bicycle (which continues to be my all-time favorite gift from my husband). Yet I’m envious of motorcyclists who zip by, loaded with gear on a getaway trip. You’ll like our story about taking a quick trip by motorcycle to the Niagara region. If you haven’t seen the Falls since you were a kid, you’re in for a treat. The area is rich with wineries, great restaurants, boutique shops and natural beauty. It looks even better when experienced from the back of a motorcycle. Our story is on page 12.

Urban farming has taken off throughout the region. If you’re looking for a new hobby (and one that helps the environment), then consider beekeeping. We’ve got a profile of a couple who wanted to give their gardens a boost with better pollination. Find out what they discovered by reading our story on page 14.

SURPRISE. SURPRISE.SURPRISE!

Remember when we had to get up to change the TV channels? Here are the top shows of 1965 your family might have watched in order of popularity: “Bonanza,” “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.,” “The Lucy Show,” “Red Skelton Hour,” “Batman,” (the newest episodes), “The Andy Griffith Show,” “Bewitched,” “The Beverly Hillbillies,” “Hogan’s Heroes,” and “Batman,” (the old season).

HIGBEE’S

Higbee’s department store at 100 Public Square got an elegant remodel — a block-long main aisle lined with crystal chandeliers. The downtown stalwart was a “dress up” destination for thousands of shoppers. The 10th floor housed The Silver Grille, Winter Garden Restaurant and The Pronto Room.

AND THE BEAT GOES ON…

Tiger Beat magazine debuted in 1965. Did you save your babysitting money to buy it? Did you tape the posters to your bedroom walls? Did you think The Beach Boys just might want to relocate to Northeast Ohio? Yes. yes and yes.

HAIR CONTROL

Anyone who wanted picture-perfect hair that could withstand a windstorm knew just the product to buy: Dippity-do. It was invented in 1965. The tub was found on bathroom counters and dressing tables everywhere. Even late rocker Eric Carr, of Kiss, reportedly drenched his hair in Dippity-do when he was a teen and pulled a stocking over his head before bed in an attempt to get his curly hair to lie flat like the Beatles’, according to a CNN program on the history of cosmetics.

CLASSIC JAZZ AND A ROOFTOP SING-A-LONG

Jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrain appeared at Leo’s Casino Aug. 19- 22, performing songs from his classic album, “A Love Supreme.” Leo’s Casino was a popular destination for R & B and Motown artists. It was located in the Quad Hall Hotel at 7500 Euclid Ave.

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“Chim Chim Cher-ee” from “Mary Poppins” won best song at the 37th Academy Awards, which honored films from 1964.

As we age, our mental abilities can begin to decline. Promising research shows that you can reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementias through a combination of healthy habits, including eating right, exercising, staying mentally and socially active and keeping stress in check.

LIFESTYLE CHOICES ARE THE KEY

Researchers are racing towards a cure for Alzheimer’s. But as prevalence rates climb, their focus has broadened from treatment to prevention strategies.

Fears about Alzheimer’s may discourage you from taking action. By identify- ing and controlling your personal risk factors, you can maximize your chances of lifelong brain health and take effective steps to preserve your cognitive abilities.

Alzheimer’s is a complex disease with multiple risk factors. Some, like age and genetics, are outside your control. However, many others are within your sphere of influence. These factors can be quite powerful when it comes to your brain health.

The six pillars of a brain-healthy, Alzheimer’s prevention lifestyle are: regular exercise, healthy diet, mental stimulation, quality sleep, stress management and an active social life.

The more you strengthen each of these pillars, the healthier and hardier your brain will be. When you lead a brain-healthy lifestyle, your brain will stay working stronger, longer.

GET REGULAR EXERCISE – AND STICK TO IT

To maximize the brain-protecting benefits of your workout, aim for at least 20 minutes of moderate intensity exercise daily. The ideal plan involves a combination of cardio exercise and strength training, but anything that raises your heart rate is a good place to start. Beginners can start with walking and swimming. Routine activities such as cleaning and gardening can count as exercise as long as they get you up and moving.

Build muscle to pump up your brain. Moderate levels of weight and resistance training not only increase muscle mass, they also help maintain brain health.

Keeping the outside of your home in good shape adds curb appeal and value while saving money on more expensive exterior fixes later.

Dozens of small, inexpensive do-it- yourself projects can revitalize outdoor areas.

Try these:

Refresh house paint. A gallon of exterior paint costs $25-$34, depending on quality. For a cheaper option, tackle this project yourself to touch up or to change the color on your trim, shutters or the front of your home.

“It’s one of the best improvements you can make in your home’s curb appeal,” says Duane Prokop, a Mentor contractor.

Change or paint your front door. If your front door is looking a little sad, replace it or repaint it. Choose a color that works with your home’s exterior.

Plant something. Noelle Akin, Petitti Garden Center’s director of communication and education, says creating flower boxes or beds are less time-consuming alternatives to painting.

Dirt, mulch, plants and a shovel are all you need for flowers beds. If you have a porch, patio, deck or courtyard, constructing or installing flower boxes will add a touch of color. Brighten curb appeal with container gardens, especially near the front door, Akin says.

“Container gardens are an easy DIY project,” she adds. “You can start with a recycled container, use inexpensive plastic containers or you could purchase something larger and more exotic, but (you) don’t have to.”

Akin suggests choosing flowers that “attract the eye, especially bright red and yellow flowers that pull the eye toward the entry way.” Pastel flowers can be used “to soften the approach” to the doorway.

Make your lawn greener and healthier You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on your lawn to make it attractive and healthy. Sometimes, all it takes is cutting grass the proper length and pulling weeds to help your lawn look good, Prokop says.

Your veterinarian can use different kinds of tests to identify why your pet is experiencing pain. Some of these tests can be performed by your primary veterinary care provider, and others require a specialist with novel diagnostic tests.

Pain can be a challenge to treat. Understanding the reason why your pet is in pain can help determine the best treatment options. The most commonly known treatment is pain medication. Pain medications for people may be harmful for your pet, so always talk with your veterinarian about pain medications that may be safe to use in your pet.

Therapies to treat pet pain include some you may have heard are used for people. These include acupuncture and laser therapy. The treatments Dr. Jennifer F. Johnson, a veterinary pain management specialist from Pennsylvania, explained were very convincing to me as effective options for treating specific causes of pain. Your primary care veterinarian may or may not have these specialized treatment options available, so they may refer you to a specialist.

Some tests and treatments are more expensive than you may expect, so understand how much it will cost and determine whether you can afford to pay for specific tests and treatments before you start approving them.

If your pet is experiencing pain that cannot be identified or managed effectively at a price you can afford, have a discussion with your veterinarian about whether you should consider euthanasia for your pet. It may be the  most humane choice you have. If you have a hard time thinking about euthanasia as an option for whatever reason, there are people who can help you cope with this decision.

Pet treatments continue to evolve. I recently attended a continuing education event for veterinarians that talked about recognizing pain in dogs and cats, and treatment options for pets experiencing pain.

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, more than 2 million senior citizens are affected by financial abuse. It is the number one crime committed against people age 65 and older.

These scams fall generally into the category of financial elder abuse. Seniors lose nearly $3 billion to fraud annually, according to the Senate Special Committee on Aging.

NEW SCAMS, SAME TARGETS

It seems that every day a new type of scam pops up. Originally, seniors would fall prey to official looking letters in the daily mail. These letters would promise prize winnings, free trips or money, all of which are very tempting to a senior living on a fixed income. Many required “just a small deposit” to be returned in order to secure the winnings, which of course never materialized.

Then telephone calls became popular. Maybe your mother was sitting at home watching TV when the phone rang and a friendly voice was on the other end asking how her day was going. The person becomes a friend and then asks for a loan or offers services to Mom for a fee. The money disappears, and Mom is lonely once again.

Of course, there are the schemers preying on grandparents, pretending to be a grandchild stranded in India who needs money to get home. The money is wired to a faraway destination. The grandchild was never there to begin with.

Seniors increasingly are tech savvy and are online with family and friends. The same scams as noted above can work electronically as well. Be sure you and older family members have anti spy ware, antivirus and antiphishing software security on computers to help reduce scam emails. Additionally, a secure firewall on your computer and mobile devices is a must to prevent unwelcome intrusions.

MORE THREATS

Thieves now also have sophisticated equipment that can copy credit card information from an online site or in person when paying for gas or using an ATM machine.

Know this about India Pierce Lee — she’s a hugger. Her generous embrace comes with a quick warning. Then, suddenly, you’re in a hug – and in a part of her world.

For Lee, 60, her world is one with big ideas in a relatively confined area — several struggling inner-city Cleveland neighborhoods. She works with a team of corporate heavyweights, public sector groups, community organizations, foodies, bankers and almost anyone else who can inject a positive influence in places that are distressed and careworn.

She presents an interesting dichotomy — a dynamo who juggles dozens of projects and ideas at a time while being entirely present when talking one-on-one. It’s a quality that comes in handy with her work at The Cleveland Foundation and its many interests aimed at bolstering neighborhoods with high unemployment, dilapidated housing and — until recently — waning hope.

PRACTICAL PROJECTS FOR  MAXIMUM IMPACT

Like many large cities, Cleveland’s most impoverished neighborhoods are located around some of its most prominent institutions. The Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University have well-deserved reputations as first-rate institutions. Yet, until just over a decade ago, their influence was underutilized in the areas closest to them.

A challenge for Lee and others she has worked with was to figure out the best way to buoy these neighborhoods and their residents. Central to this is The Cleveland Foundation, a nonprofit group that links donors with worthy projects throughout the city. The foundation uses its substantial endowment and connections to support a myriad of programs. Lee is the foundation’s Program Director for Neighborhoods, Housing, and Community Development.

“We used maps to show vacant properties and poor building conditions in the neighborhoods, and the Clinic, Case and UH were all within a 1.5 mile radius,” Lee says. “These neighborhoods basically were declining.