silver magazine march issue

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Content

Editor Camey Maldonado806-231-9822

Sales Eric Muehlhausen806-433-6289

Contact Information806-231-9822

6 - RV Museum10 - Calendar12 - 5 Truths about Grief 16 - Natural Remedies19 - Chef Bud20 - BBB22 - Directory of Services

Volume 3 Issue12March 2012

To Advertise Call

806-231-9822

Editor for Silver Magazine

For millennia, sages from the Buddha to Yogi Berra have been advising us to tame our wandering minds and focus our attention on the present. The reason is obvious: The past is history, the future nothing but a dream. All we really ever have is now.

Great advice, but not so easy to follow, especially in our hi-tech, device-ridden world where the tools of distraction are multiplying like ants at a Fourth of July picnic. Here are seven strategies to help you smell the peonies, be present with your loved ones, and savor each moment of your day.

Make it a priority. As anyone who has ever sat down to meditate will tell you, the mind is a devil-ish, unruly beast prone to fretting over what hap-pened yesterday and what might happen tomorrow. By deciding to focus on the present moment, you are taking the first step toward actually experienc-ing that moment. Avoid the M-word. Multitasking. Nothing kills the moment faster than texting and programming your GPS while driving down a highway. Less poten-tially lethal but equally insidious is Googling something online while talking on your Smart-phone and setting a recording on your DVR, when you’re supposed to be spending quality time with your partner. One thing at a time.

Discover the sacred pause. This can take many forms: meditation, yoga, prayer, a walk in the woods, even sitting on the front porch and observ-ing the passing clouds. How long you pause mat-ters less than making the sacred pause a regular

part of your life. As with strengthening any muscle, learning to live in the moment takes daily practice.Tune into your body. Taming the mind is only part of the equation. Every thought triggers a physical sensation, and our bodies can be our best teachers if we pay attention. The knot that arises in your stomach when you consider changing jobs or spending more than you can afford on a summer vacation is telling you something important.

Do something out of the ordinary. There’s nothing like doing something new to capture your attention. Learn a foreign language. Travel someplace you’ve never been. Try your hands at pottery or your feet at tango. You don’t even have to leave your house to shift your focus. Forget your to-do list. Most of us, when we start to pay attention to the ramblings of our busy minds, are shocked to realize just how much time we waste constructing our to-do lists, then berating ourselves for not getting everything done. The secret here is to realize that your to-do list is infinite. You will never get to the end of it. Be patient. Though living in the moment may be the key to happiness, it takes time and ten thousand baby steps to begin to wrangle the often fearful, restless mind. Give yourself credit for practicing. As you become increasingly adept at opening to the present without trying to change it, you’ll discover that whether the moment is difficult or joyful, it will pass in a flash followed by the next moment and the next.

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Camey

When most people think of museums the thought of reconstructed dinosaur bones, priceless paintings, and stone sculptures comes to mind. Jack and Trent Sisemore however, have another take on museums, one that is more unique and fun than the typical museum. Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum in our own Ama-rillo, Tx is the newest addition to the city’s slew of attractions that make our area one of a kind.

The RV Museum is a dream of over 25 years that came to fruition January 14th, 2012. In 1963, Jack Sise-more borrowed $2400 from his grandmother to open Jack Sisemore’s Standard Service Station at 3318 S. Western. Following his success in the service station industry, Jack began renting a Winnebago in 1974 for what seems like nothing today, $250/week plus $0.10/mile. That rental then grew to 6 rentals and a year later, Jack Sisemore obtained a Champion Motor Home franchise that began as a 180’ X 200’ piece of property. Over the next 2 decades, Jack Sisemore Traveland would grow from that small piece of property to a 6 ½ acre giant that has become a standard for area residents in the market for an RV.

In 1988, Jack had the idea about starting an RV museum that would house some of the most unique and rare RV’s to ever be produced. It was then that Jack began collecting and restoring antique or unusual RV’s to prepare for this gallery of recreational history. In 1996, when his son Trent came onboard, the RV Museum became his vision as well, and over the following 15 years, Jack Sisemore Traveland would come to accu-mulate an impressive assortment of vehicles that chronicle RV history.

Visitors to the RV Museum can see some of the first RV’s ever produced like a 1936 Alma that had been sitting in a barn since 1955, and upon inspection, actually didn’t need restoration, just some cleanup. The 1937 Kozy Kamp was one of the first mass production tent trailers and the one on display is actually a one owner, held for over 70 years by the same family until its placement into the RV Museum. A 1953 Fleetwood Travel Trailer on display boasts being the oldest Fleetwood Travel Trailer in exis-tence and took the Traveland team roughly 2 years to restore. The 1975 Itasca Motorhome on show was Itasca’s first motorhome ever built, literally, serial number 1, and served as the exact prototype for all Chevrolet motorhomes to come; it is almost brand new, with only 6000 original miles. Not only does the museum have a host of other impressive antique and classic RV’s on exhibit, but it also has a Hollywood celebrity! The 1948 Flxible Clipper driven by the Gornike family in the Robin Williams classic “RV” is a bus that even prior to movie notoriety, was a very popu-lar find among classic car and RV enthusiasts.

Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum prides itself as being one of only two RV Museums in the world, with

the other being in Elkhart, Indiana. In addition, Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum is the only one of the two museums that is free of charge to any visitors that may wish to peruse the historical compilation of trailers and motorhomes.

For more information about Jack Sisemore Traveland or the RV Museum, visit them online at www.sisemoretraveland.com or www.rvmuseum.net. Find them on Facebook under Jack Sisemore Traveland or give them a call at 806-358-4891. You can also pop in and check out the museum at 4341 Canyon Drive, just behind the Jack Sisemore Traveland’s main building.

Are You Hosting

Billionsof Germs in Your House?

Even the tidiest house hosts multitudes of unwanted guests. You can't see the microscopic moochers, but your next sneeze, sniffle or full-fledged stomach flu might come courtesy of the bacteria and viruses growing by the billions on surfaces you touch every day. Here are 12 top spots where germs lurk and some suggestions for wiping them out. (Hint: Your dishwasher is your new best friend.)

Kitchen spongeThe sponge you use to clean with is the germiest thing in your house. It's a happy home for bacteria because it's wet, moist and you're always picking up food with it as you wipe up crumbs and spills. Tuck sponges into the dishwasher before you run it the heat will kill the salmo-nella and E. coli hiding within. Another option: Pop your wet (nonmetal) sponges and dishrags in the microwave for about two minutes. Be sure to allow them to cool before retrieving them.

Kitchen sinkThere's usually more fecal bacteria in your kitchen sink than in your toilet bowl after you flush. Whereas many people clean the toilet regularly, they only rinse out the sink. But because your sink is often wet, bacteria from uncooked meat products grow quickly there. Stainless steel sinks should be scrubbed daily with disinfecting cleanser. For ceramic or cast-iron sinks, use diluted bleach (1 tablespoon of water in a gallon of water).

Cutting boardsRaw meat and even fresh produce can carry E. coli and salmonella, so cutting boards need to be sanitized after each use. Run plastic boards through the dishwasher and clean wooden ones with diluted bleach.

The faucetWater that has been sitting in a pipe all night can become a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause respiratory or stomach illnesses. Run the water for a minute every morning before you shower or fill a glass.

TV remotes, telephones and video game controllersWhat do you do when you're sick? You jump in bed with the TV remote. Clean these regularly with a disinfectant wipe to banish flu and cold viruses.

Coffee tablesLike to put your feet up after a long day? Odds are you're sprinkling salmonella, campylobacter and other fecal bacteria on your coffee table. So consider leaving your shoes at the door.

ToothbrushesThese are a triple whammy: They're contaminated with the cold and flu bugs found in your mouth, and they're often put away wet in a glass or other bacteria-friendly microhabitat. Plus, if they're stored near the toilet, they'll collect aerated fecal bacteria each time you flush. Clean brushes in the dishwasher regularly and stock up. That way, one is always at the ready. (And don't forget to sanitize the slime-collecting toothbrush holder by running it through the dishwasher.)

Towels, linens and pet bedsUp to 30 percent of people unknowingly carry staph bacteria on their bodies, and a portion of those carry a drug-resistant and sometimes deadly strain called MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Don't share hand towels. All linens should be washed weekly in hot water and dried in a hot dryer. And don't forget a high-heat cycle in the dryer for the family pet's bed, which is also a hotspot for MRSA.

NightstandsNightstands can be a breeding ground for bacte-ria. Some people eat in bed and the spilled crumbs, along with irregular clean-ing, give bacteria the time and food they need to flourish. Other people may be wiping down the night-stand with the germy sponge used to clean the bathroom. Clean night-stands frequently with a clean, damp cloth.

CarpetsBacteria thrive in moist environments, so why are there a lot of microscopic critters in carpet? Germs such as E. coli flourish there, thanks to the crumbs that make up an endless food supply. Regular vacuuming will help.

Computer keyboardsTurn your keyboard over and shake it. Is there a shower of crumbs? If so, you've likely got millions of patho-gens, including MRSA, observing each and every keystroke. Shake the keyboard regularly, and disinfect it with a wipe.

Bar soapYou thought you were cleaning your hands, but in fact, you may have been picking up more germs, since bacteria can survive and grow on bars of soap. Liquid soap in a disposable dispenser is a better option and be sure to recycle when you're finished.

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WEDNESDAY MARCH 78:00AM-6:30PMUIL ORCHESTRA AMARILLO CIVIC CENTERMULTIPLE ROOMS

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8:00PM“RUMORS”AMARILLO LITTLE THEATREMAINSTAGE

$17.00 PER PERSON

FRIDAY MARCH 93:00PM-8:00PMTHE PEDDLER SHOWAMARILLO CIVIC CENTERNORTH EXHIBIT HALL

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Losing a husband or wife is a devastating experience that many of us will have to face. About 40 percent of women and 13 percent of men who are 65 and older are widowed, according to latest census figures. Until recently, very little sound research existed about how we live on after a loved one has died. But in the past decade, social scientists with unprecedented access to large groups of widows and widowers have uncovered five surprising truths about losing a spouse.

We oscillate. For years, we’ve been told that grief comes in five stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depres-sion and acceptance. If we were to diagram those stages, the emotional trajec-tory would look some-thing like a large

capital W, with two major low

points signifying anger or depres-sion, and the top of the last upward leg of the

W signifying acceptance; vast fluctuations occur from one day to the next. A widow might feel anxious and blue one day, only to feel lighthearted and cheerful the next. In other words, we don’t grieve in stages at all, but oscillate rapidly. Over time, those swings diminish in both frequency and intensity until we reach a level of emotional adjustment.

Grief is not forever. One of the most important new findings has shown that for most of us, grief is a severe but self-limiting condition, not a permanent state. In one study of older men and women who had lost spouses, it was found that the core symptoms of grief, anxiety, depression, shock, and intrusive thoughts had lifted by

six months after the loss for 50 percent of the partici-pants. Smaller groups took up to 18 months or three years to resume normal functioning. Loss is forever, but thankfully, acute grief is not.

Loss is harder for men. For years, clinicians have been operating under the assumption that women grieve harder and longer than men. In 2001, psychologists Wolfgang and Margaret Stroebe (a husband-and-wife team) decided to examine all the existing research and came to the surprising conclusion that, after taking into account the higher rate of depression in the overall female population, men actually suffer more from being bereaved. We might be under the impression that widows despair more, but that’s because there are many more widows to observe.

You don’t necessarily need counseling. Often, well-meaning friends and relatives will urge you to attend a support group, or go to see a grief coun-selor. Although taking such steps might make you feel better, it’s certainly not a requirement for healing. According to a 2008 survey, most grief seems to go away on its own. Counseling can

be helpful, however, for people whose grief has already lasted a long time and who are likely suffering from a condition called "complicated grief."

Humor can heal. In 2008, psychologist Dale Lund of California State University surveyed 292 recently bereaved men and women 50 and older, and he found that 75 percent reported finding humor and laughter in their daily lives, and at levels much higher than they had expected. Other research has shown that being able to draw on happy memories of the deceased helps you heal those who are able to smile when describing their relationship to their husband or wife six months after the loss were happier and healthier 14 months out than those who could only speak of the deceased with sadness, fear and anger. As hard as it might be, try to focus on good memories and feelings about your relationship, as it is the positive emotions that can protect your psyche and help you find serenity.

5 Surprising Truths about Grief

How do I get started?You should apply three months before you want to start collecting. Sign up online or call 1-800-772-1213. Here are some documents you may have to produce: your Social Security card or a record of the number; your birth certificate; proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status; military discharge papers if you served before 1968; and last year's W-2 tax form or tax return if you're self-employed.

How is my Social Security benefit calculated?Benefits are based on the amount of money you earned during your lifetime – with an emphasis on the 35 years in which you earned the most. Plus, lower-paid workers get a bigger percentage of their preretirement income than higher-paid workers. In 2010, the average monthly benefit for retirees is $1,172.

If I remarry, can I still collect Social Security benefits based on my deceased first husband's record?You can, subject to several rules. In general, you cannot receive survivor benefits if you remarry before age 60 unless that marriage ends, too, whether by annulment, divorce or death of your new husband. If you remarry after age 60 (50 if disabled), you can still collect benefits on your former spouse's record. After you reach 62, you may get retirement benefits on the record of your new spouse if they are higher.

My husband and I are getting a divorce. He wants the settlement agreement to say I will not get his Social Security benefits. Can he do that?No, he has no control over your future benefits. You can qualify for a divorced spouse's benefits if you were

married at least 10 years, are now unmarried, are 62 or older, and if any benefit from your own work record would be less than the divorced spouse's benefit.

Do my Social Security contributions go into a personal retirement account for me and earn interest?Although many people think so, the answer is no. Social Security operates under a pay-as-you-go system, which means that today's workers pay for current retirees and other beneficiaries. Workers pay 6.2 percent of their wages up to a cap of $106,800; employers pay the same. The money that younger people contribute will pay for our benefits when we retire.

I have a pension from the Army. Will that affect my Social Security benefits? It will not. You can get both your Social Security benefits and your military pension. If you served in the military before 1957, you did not pay Social Security taxes, but you will receive special credit for some of that service. Special credits also are available to people who served from 1957 to 1967 and from 1968 to 2001.

I didn't work enough to qualify for Social Security. My husband gets it, but he is ill and may not live much longer. Will I be able to collect benefits?Yes, but your benefit will depend on your age and situation: If you are at full retirement age or older, you'll get 100 percent of your deceased husband's benefit. A widow or widower between 60 and full retirement age receives a reduced benefit.

Top 12 Social Security

Questions

I am about to turn 62 and plan to file for Social Security.

I began drawing Social Security at age 62 in 2006, but I'm still working. Since I'm still paying Social Security taxes, will my benefits increase?If your latest work years are among your highest-earning years, the SSA refigures your benefit and pays you any increase due. This is automatic, with new benefits starting in December of the following year. Can I collect Social Security and unemployment compensa-tion at the same time?Yes. Unemployment benefits aren't counted as wages under Social Security's annual earnings test, so you'd still receive your benefit. However, the amount of your unemployment benefit could be cut if you receive a pension or other retire-ment income, including Social Security and railroad retire-ment benefits. Contact your state unemployment office for information on whether your state applies a reduction.

I am 63 and collecting Social Security. If I work, will my benefit be cut?It depends on your income. Between age 62 and the start of the year when you reach full retirement age, $1 in benefits is withheld for every $2 you earn above a limit, which is $14,160 in 2010. In the year you reach full retirement age, $1 is withheld for every $3 above another limit, $37,680 in 2010. In your birthday month, the limits go away — and your benefit will be recalculated upward to compensate for the money that was withheld.

I'm 50. Will Social Security be there when I retire?The Social Security trust fund, where accumulated assets are held, currently contains about $2.5 trillion. According to the system's board of trustees, that money and continuing tax contributions will allow payment of all benefits at current rates until 2037. After that, there still will be enough tax revenue coming in to pay about 78 percent of benefits. Congress is being urged to make financial fixes to Social Security to ensure it will be there for you.

I know I can start collecting Social Security at age 62. But should I?That depends. If you're healthy and can afford it, you should consider waiting until you reach your full retirement age of 66, or even 70. Here's why. By law, the age when workers can qualify for full benefits is gradually increasing, from 65 to 67. (It will be 67 for anyone born after 1960.) If you claim benefits before reaching full retirement age, they'll be reduced. That's because the goal set by Congress is to pay the same lifetime benefits to an individual regardless of when they're initially claimed. So let's say you claim benefits at age 62 and get $1,000 a month. If you can wait until you're 66, you'll get at least 33 percent more ($1,333). And if you can wait until you're 70, you'll get at least 75 percent more ($1,750).

Sip Cider Vinegar If you struggle with heartburn, you might be hesitant to chug something acidic, like apple cider vinegar. Yet that’s what many people need to prevent heartburn from ever happening! The connection? Stalled digestion is what keeps food in the stomach long enough for it to wash up into the esophagus and cause heartburn pain. And cider vinegar contains malic and tartaric acids, powerful diges-tive aids that speed up digestion so your stomach can empty quickly. Dilute one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in an 8- ounce glass of water and drink before each meal, you’ll see noticeable improvements in as little as 24 hours. For the best results possible, pick up some unpas-teurized cider vinegar the next time you’re at a health or whole foods store.

Dawdle at DinnerIf you’re tempted to drag out a meal so you can get a break from your hectic life, do it! People who take 30 minutes to eat their largest meal of the day are 32 percent less likely to be hit with indigestion, gassiness and heartburn com-pared to people who finish in less than 10 minutes. Plus people who eat at a leisurely pace have less swallowed air, bloating, cramping and intestinal pain. If you tend to eat quickly, just slowing down could completely change the quality of your life.

Chew GumChewing gum after meals prevents heartburn by doubling the flow of saliva down into the esophagus, where it neutralizes any stomach acid that’s leaking up from your

tummy. You don’t have to chew gum nonstop. Just pop a piece in your mouth when you feel the first twinge, and chew until your heartburn disappears. Should you opt for sugar-free? That depends on how the rest of your digestive tract functions! The artificial sweeteners in sugar-free gum have an odd little quirk: They’re surprisingly good at getting the large intestines moving. That means sugar-free gum is a great option if you’re prone to constipation but bad news if you tend to get diarrhea!

Have a Glass of Peppermint TeaIt’s packed with 40 intestine-soothing natural plant com-pounds, and sipping three cups daily can reduce painful cramping and chronic bloating for up to 75 percent of women within 48 hours. Time it right by drinking 8 ounces half an hour before each meal. Peppermint tea can even prevent dyspepsia (that nasty upper-belly pain and bloating that can drag on for hours after meals). Peppermint’s plant compounds can make you less prone to embarrassing bouts of flatulence, because they break up large gas bubbles in the intestines, plus stall the formation of new ones.

Soak in the TubTaking warm, soothing daily baths can reduce bloating in as little as 72 hour. The reason: Being immersed in warm water relaxes the entire central nervous system, and when people feel more calm, cool and collected, they swallow 67 percent less air than when they’re stressed to the max!

Natural Remedies

to Prevent and

Relieve Heartburn,

Gas and Other

Digestive Woes

Munch Candied GingerNibbling two slices of candied ginger quells the queasies for up to 88 percent of people within 30 minutes. That makes this sweet, spicy treat as effective as Dramamine for easing nausea, but without this meds’ sleepy side effects. Ginger’s active ingredients (gingerols and curcumin) not only improve digestion and quell nausea fast; they also prod the gallbladder to produce more bile (a digestive aid that helps break down heartburn-triggering fats).

Eat Rye BreadAt least 15 percent of Americans, and twice as many women than men, struggle with constipation. But munching on whole-grain rye bread relieves constipation more effectively than laxatives. Plus, it prevents future flare-ups, too. The credit goes to rye’s arabinoxylan a dietary fiber that improves your belly’s ability to keep food moving at a reasonable clip.

Cook Fruits and VeggiesIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) the most common digestive problem nationwide (at least one in five women struggle with it daily) can cause terrible bouts of pain, consti-pation, diarrhea and other symptoms. And

while a diet rich in fruits and vegetables helps ease digestive upsets for almost 60 percent of women, there’s a pretty big catch: Raw produce releases irritating hydrogen gas when it reaches the intestines, which causes nasty flare-ups for IBS-prone women. If you suspect uncooked produce could be making your belly upsets worse, try this test: Only eat fruits

and veggies that have been cooked, canned, made into soups or processed into juices. If you’re sensitive to fresh produce, you’ll see dramatic improvements in as little as one week.

Zone Out After MealsIf you’re prone to belly pain, bloating or other uncom-fortable symptoms after meals, try relaxing in a comfy chair after eating. For five minutes, sit and visualize your symptoms gradually disappearing. Spending a few minutes daily picturing a positive, pain-free outcome helps up to 89 percent of women soothe

bellyaches in as little as one week. That’s because a post-meal serenity break switches on your enteric nervous system, a specialized group of nerves that nourishes your digestive tract, plus secretes the hormones your intestines need to function at their peak.

Practice YogaDeadline looming? Company coming? Stress overloads are as tough on your digestive tract as they are on your nervous system in fact, they’re one of the leading causes of chronic digestive upsets. Spending just 20 minutes daily practicing even the most basic yoga poses can reduce your bouts of indigestion by 70 percent in one week and cut your heartburn flare-ups in half. Turns out these calming, body-bending moves act just like meditation, dramatically lowering your output of tummy-trashing stress hormones.

How the scam works? A caller impersonates a Microsoft or other technology representative and claims there is a serious virus or issue with

your computer. The caller may warn that if the problem is not solved, the computer will become unusable. To "fix" the problem, the consumer is directed to visit a website or download a program that gives the caller remote access to log in to the computer. In some cases, the consumer is then offered a preventative service for a fee.

The truth: The caller does not work for Microsoft; in fact, Microsoft warns on their website that they do not make these types of calls. If you follow the caller’s instructions, you give a stranger access to the data on your computer; putting you at risk for identity theft.

Microsoft's states on their website, "We do not send unsolicited e-mail or make unsolicited phone calls to request personal or financial information or fix your computer."

What to do: Be wary of unsolicited calls. Know that these calls are fake. They are attempts to get you to give up private, personal information. Giving up access to your computer could be harmful. The caller now has command of your computer and all of its files. They then use it to their benefit and leave you to clean up the mess. They can also access email files that can be used to send unsolicited email to your contacts that may contain viruses.

BBB Amarillo has received calls from TRIKON and Human Tech Services both claiming to be calling on behalf of Microsoft. In other parts of Texas calls have come from Softnet Communications based in California. Representa-tives from Softnet offer to clean your computer and protect it for a lifetime for a $300 fee. Those who paid the com-

pany received charges from Vertex and Phoenix Com-mand, LTD. Regardless of the name used, the scam is the same and should be avoided.

• Don’t give personal or financial information to an unsolicited caller.• Don't download attachments or trust e-mail links.• Do verify sources by contacting the company they claim to be from directly. • Do Contact a trusted tech support company if you think you have been a victim of this scam and when you need to ensure your computer is protected. • Do keep system updates, virus and spyware protection current.

Report fraudulent activity: Internet, including email fraud can be reported to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. Complaints about a specific business can be filed at www.bbb.org and scam victims can tell us about their experience at www.txpanhandle.bbb.org. The Federal Trade Commission accepts complaints at www.ftc.gov.

Remember:• Microsoft and other computer and software companies do not make unsolicited calls offering tech support.

• Do not follow the caller’s instructions. If you need tech support and don’t have a protection plan, contact a trusted computer or software company at a number you know to be valid. Contact BBB for a list of Accred-ited Businesses in this category.

• Never share personal informa-tion, such as bank account and credit card numbers, with anyone you don’t know who contacts you.

Janna Kiehl Executive Director / CEO

The Better Business Bureau®

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