today's boomer vol.3 no.2 march/april 2014
DESCRIPTION
This issue is to take time and relax during this time of year that invites a lull between the start of a new year, and before the warm weather of summer invites another shift of busy schedules to take place. We provided tax time tips to help you get your taxes done in a more efficient way and included information about care in your retirement and how to prepare so you can enjoy not only the benefits but most importantly, the time. With business aside, we took time to enjoy the beauty of fifty, with the Mustang celebrating 50 years at the Chicago Auto Show, and a glance at Hollywood celebrities who are fabulous at and past turning the big 5-0. And it can't be spring without a great trip in mind, so we offer a tour of Ireland and complimentary cooking in our boomer healthy eating to take some time to appreciate the sights, smells and with a little Irish luck, wonderful tastes to savor. We thank you for your time with us and encourage you to slow down, and make each moment count.TRANSCRIPT
Today’s BoomeR
Today’s
Vol.3 No.2
Featuring The Only B2B Featuring The Only B2B Featuring The Only B2B ---Business 2 BoomeR Marketplace!Business 2 BoomeR Marketplace!Business 2 BoomeR Marketplace!
Reap the Fruits of Your Labor in Your Retirement
Boomer Boomer Healthy Eating Healthy Eating Corned BeefCorned BeefCorned Beef : : : New England New England New England Style Style Style
Social Security: Prep is Key for Your Retirement
Cars and Stars that celebrate 50 Cars and Stars that celebrate 50 Cars and Stars that celebrate 50 years of greatness and are still years of greatness and are still years of greatness and are still
going strong!going strong!going strong! 106th Chicago Auto Show: 106th Chicago Auto Show: 106th Chicago Auto Show:
A Boom for Boomers A Boom for Boomers A Boom for Boomers
Boomer Travel Boomer Travel Tracing Irish Tracing Irish
RootsRoots
Fabulous @ 50!Fabulous @ 50!Fabulous @ 50!
Tax Time Tips: Keeping Your Taxes Due Down
2 Today’s BoomeR
Up Coming Cruises-
Book Now!
A Tulip Time River Cruise
“Credit Union Success Symposium”
April 5-April 12th, 2014
Alaska Voyage of the Glaciers “Credit Union Volunteers Forum”
June 20-June 27th, 2014
Viking to Czars A Scandinavia/Russian Voyage
“Credit Union Winds of Changes Symposium”
August 1-August 13th, 2014
Cambodia & Vietnam Riches of the Mekong
“Credit Union Survival to Thrival Forum”
August 19th-September 3, 2014
Today’s BoomeR 3
Founder John Vardallas & Alexandra Maragha
Editor-In-Chief Alexandra Maragha
Contributing Writers :
Karyl Richson: Social Security
Chef Eben Atwater: Healthy Eating
Advertising: Team
For Letters to the Editor, articles and feedback
as well as advertising inquiries email
The American BoomeR.com
John Vardallas
CEO/Founder Professional Speaker
Business/Lifestyle Strategist
Boomer Sage and Blogger
(608) 577-8707
Alexandra Maragha
Co-Founder, Editor-In-Chief Today’s BoomeR
Today’s BoomeR Vol.3 No.2 Today’s BoomeR is published
six times (Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/ June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct,
Nov/Dec) a year by The American BoomeR.com
769 North Star Drive (Suite 207) Madison, WI 53718 All rights
reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission
is prohibited.
The American Boomer
@American_Boomer
Today’s
This Issue
March/ April 2014
Volume 3, Number 2
Social Security 5
Preparation is key for your retirement
Boomer Travel 6
Tracing Irish Roots
Tax Time Tips 8
7 Most Missed Tax Deductions and Credits
Tax Time Tips 9
5 Things That Could Trigger a Bigger Tax Bill
Planning for Retirement 10
Reap the fruits of your labor
Chicago Auto Show 12
106th show, A boom for Boomers
Fabulous After 50 16
Boomer Healthy Eating 17
Home Cured Corned Beef
B2B Marketplace 19
Business 2 Boomers Marketplace
4 Today’s BoomeR
(feature) p. 10
p. 4
p. 12
Slow down and take time
EDITOR’S LETTER
Today’s
Alexandra Maragha
Editor-In-Chief
Send Letters and Feedback to: [email protected]
The world is a busy place and it seems that time is never slowing down and
always speeding up. Work, commitments, and even family obligations can
create a chaotic atmosphere with little time to stop and appreciate the small
things that make up each part of any day.
This issue is to take time and relax during this time of year that invites a lull
between the start of a new year, and before the warm weather of summer
invites another shift of busy schedules to take place.
We provided tax time tips to help you get your taxes done in a more efficient
way and included information about care in your retirement and how to
prepare so you can enjoy not only the benefits but most importantly, the
time. With business aside, we took time to enjoy the beauty of fifty, with the
Mustang celebrating 50 years at the Chicago Auto Show, and a glance at
Hollywood celebrities who are fabulous at and past turning the big 5-0.
And it cant be spring without a great trip in mind, so we offer a tour of
Ireland and complimentary cooking in our boomer healthy eating to take
some time to appreciate the sights, smells and with a little Irish luck,
wonderful tastes to savor.
We thank you for your time with us and encourage you to slow down, enjoy,
and make each moment count! Spring forward!
Today’s BoomeR 5
Social Security:
IN IDITAROD AND RETIREMENT, PREP IS KEY
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, held each March in Alaska, is
one of the harshest, most challenging races known to man (or
dog). Mushers embark on a race from Anchorage to Nome that
takes between 9 and 15 days. Contestants bear sub-zero
temperatures with gale-force winds that can cause wind chills
as low as negative 100 degrees Fahrenheit! It takes endurance,
preparation, and careful planning to make it from start to finish.
The same can be said for your race toward retirement and
Social Security. No one would hit the trail without being ready
for the challenges. Similarly, no worker today should be
navigating toward retirement without a little bit of preparing,
planning, and stick-to-itiveness.
Choosing your steps is as important as selecting the right sled
dogs. Your first step in planning for a comfortable retirement is
to look at your Social Security Statement, which you can do
online easily with a my Social Security account. The online
Statement is easy to use and provides estimates you should
consider in planning for your retirement. It provides estimates
for disability and survivors benefits, making the Statement an
important financial planning tool. Your Statement allows you to
review and ensure your earnings are accurately posted to your
Social Security record. This feature is important because Social
Security benefits are based on average earnings over your
lifetime. If the information is incorrect, or you have earnings
missing from your record, you may not receive all of the
benefits to which you are entitled in the future. Visit
www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount to set up a my Social
Security account and get started.
Before heading into the snowy terrain, you want to make sure
you have prepared for a number of different possible obstacles
on the trail. For retirement planning, you’ll want to test out the
Retirement Estimator to see how changes in your income,
retirement age, and other variables may change your overall
plan. Use our Retirement Estimator, where you can get a
personalized, instant estimate of your future retirement
benefits using different retirement ages and scenarios. Visit the
Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.
Out in the cold, you’ll be thankful for the provisions you’ve
brought along. In retirement, you’ll understand why it was so
important for you to save early on. The sooner you begin your
financial planning, the better off you will be. Social Security
replaces about 40 percent of the average worker’s
pre-retirement earnings, but most financial advisors say that
you will need 70 percent or more of pre-retirement earnings to
live comfortably. You also will need other savings, investments,
pensions or retirement accounts to make sure you have
financial security to live comfortably when you retire. Visit the
Ballpark Estimator for tips to help you save. You’ll find it at
www.choosetosave.org/ballpark.
Use our online library of publications as your trail map or
guidebook to help you when it comes to planning for
retirement. Check out When To Start Receiving Retirement
Benefits. It and many other useful publications can be found at
www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.
As you mush, mush, mush toward retirement, remember that
it’s not about the destination, but all about the journey.
Spending a little time to prepare along the way will make all the
difference when you cross the finish line into retirement.
By Karyl Richson , Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
6 Today’s BoomeR
B
OO
ME
R T
RA
VE
L
BO
OM
ER
TR
AV
EL
By Carla Waldemar
“With 50 million Irish in America,” declares our guide, “we should be the 51st state.” Plus, 23 U.S. presidents claimed Irish blood. And that doesn’t include O’Bama.
The story of Ireland is a story of migration. Galway was a prime departure point. Columbus stopped here to study a map of an earlier crossing, on view in St. Nicholas Church.
Dan O’Hara made the journey, too. His cottage is preserved at Connemara Heritage and History Centre, a tribute to the farmer evicted during the potato fam-ine of the 1840s—the Holocaust of Ireland—forced to migrate on those notorious coffin ships.. Dan’s wife and children died en-route.
Overseer Martin lends his tenor to “The Ballad of Dan” aside the cottage’s turf fire, then pours a drop of the gut-blazing moonshine called potsheen. He shoulders a spade to demonstrate how Ireland’s peat is cut into turf logs for fuel.
Today’s BoomeR 7
A turf fire welcomes us to Renvyle House, once site of a powerful Celtic chieftan, and host to more modern potentates—politician Churchill, poet Yeats, writer Joyce—aside the pewter-colored sea. Borrow a bike, golf club or kayak before heading on.
We pass Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain where Patrick, its patron saint, spent 40 days fasting and praying. But no fasting in Westport, our destination. Winner of Ireland’s Tidy Town award, the streets glisten with newly-painted storefronts, including the rimson of Matt Molloys. Matt, of Chieftans fame, frequently plays here while bartenders pour the best Guinness to be had.
We don our Wellies at Ballycroy National Park to tramp the panoramic blanket bog. “How’re youse?” inquires Denis at the Visitors Centre where Winnie, via video, explains her childhood’s cookery—churning butter, butchering pigs. Then Denis takes us walking the bog itself—like slogging on a soggy trampoline.
Then on to the wild moors and majestic cliffs of Achill Island, also victim to the infamous famine. In abandoned village of Slievemore, we scramble among tumbling stone cottages, burnt by absentee landlords to evict tenants unable to meet rent. Then on to Addergoule and its new Titanic Memorial.
Why here? Because, in the famine’s aftermath, there were no jobs. So 14 of its sparse populace booked steerage on the
Titanic in search of a better life. Eleven perished. But this is more than just another Titanic story. As guide Alex Nolan explains the tragedy, men without jobs, couldn’t marry. Girls faced spinsterhood. Today the church’s stained glass win-dows depict the disaster and its bell tolls every April 15. The new park hosts bronze figures of those emigrants.
Foxford Woolen Mills is more than just a gorgeous shopping op; it’s also a symbol of a turnaround in Ireland’s fortunes. Here a nun, sent to teach those in misery, put first things first: jobs for the hungry. She envisioned harnessing the river to power a woolen mill to employ townfolk, and strong-armed even wary Protestants into making it happen. Today, the mill offers an interactive history tour as well as delights for home and body.
Foxford’s blankets grace Mount Falcon, a gorgeous estate-turned-hotel that’s Eden for outdoors types: clay pigeon shooting, golf, water sports, and my tamer choice, fly fishing. Afterward, relax in the spa.
Then off to Dublin to trace Ireland’s history at Glasnevin Cemetery, where 1.5 million lie buried—everyone from the heroes of The Rebellion to New York’s Mayor LaGuardia. To salute them, we retire across the street to Gravediggers’ Pub, where it’s “Howya? How ya keepin’?” as we lift a final pint.
For information check www.discoverireland.com Photo credits: Courtesy of Tourism Ireland
8 Today’s BoomeR
Tax deductions and credits can save you money at tax time, but
many taxpayers miss them because they don't realize things
they do in their everyday life can give them more money back.
One thing you
should know is tax
deductions and
credits help your tax
situation in two
different ways: Tax
deductions can save
you money by lowering your taxable income. Tax credits direct-
ly reduce the taxes you owe, and if you qualify, you can claim a
credit whether you itemize your deductions are not.
Here are seven of the most-missed tax deductions and credits
you don't want to overlook:
1. Charitable contributions
Our lives are busy, and taxpayers may forget what donations
they gave last year may get them a bigger refund. If you
cleaned out your bulging closet and dropped off clothing or
household goods at your favorite charity, don't forget this may
be deductible on your tax return.
2. Tuition and fees deduction
Taxpayers taking a full course load and working toward a de-
gree can receive education benefits through the American Op-
portunity Tax Credit for college expenses, but those who took
even just one class to further their career may be able to take
the tuition and fees deduction. With this credit, you can deduct
up to $4,000 for tuition and fees, books and educational sup-
plies for you, your spouse or dependents. This tax deduction is
especially important to remember if you qualify because the
offer expires after tax year 2013.
3. State and sales tax deduction
Taxpayers can deduct state income taxes, but what about peo-
ple who live in states that don't have a state income tax? The
state and local sales tax deduction is useful for those who
don't pay state income tax because they can deduct sales tax
paid on purchases. Even people who live in states that pay
state income tax can benefit if they paid more sales tax due to
large purchases. This is another tax that is going away after the
2013 tax year, so don't miss out on this one.
4. Earned income tax credit
The earned income tax credit is a refundable tax credit given to
filers who earn low- to moderate- income from their jobs. The
credit can be worth up to $6,044, depending on income and
how many dependents you have, but one in five tax filers over-
look this opportunity, according to the Internal Revenue Ser-
vice. You have to file your taxes in order to get it, so even if
you make less than $10,000 (the IRS' minimum income filing
requirement) you should still file your taxes.
5. Job searching
If you were looking for a job last year, you may be able to de-
duct costs related to your job search – even if you didn't secure
a new one. Job search expenses such as preparing and sending
resumes, fees to placement agencies and even travel related to
searching for a new job can be included.
6. Retirement saver's credit
This credit is often overlooked and
seldom talked about, but if you
have an income up to $29,500
($59,000 for married filing jointly)
you can save for retirement and
get an tax credit worth up to
$1,000 for individuals and $2,000
for couples if you contributed to a
qualifying retirement plan such as
an individual retirement account
or 401(k). The retirement savers
tax credit is a win-win situation since contributions to your IRA
may also be a deduction from income.
7. Gambling losses
Taxpayers who weren't so lucky gambling last year should
know that their losses can be deducted if they itemize their
deductions. However, your amount of losses cannot surpass
your winnings, which must be reported as taxable income. For
example, if you have $2,000 in winnings and $4,000 in losses,
your deduction is limited to $2,000. Make sure you have docu-
mentation such as receipts, tickets and other records to sup-
port your losses.
By Lisa Greene-Lewis
7 Most Missed Tax Deductions and Credits 7 Most Missed Tax Deductions and Credits
From job search expenses to gambling losses, don’t From job search expenses to gambling losses, don’t
overlook these ways to reduce your tax billoverlook these ways to reduce your tax bill
Today’s BoomeR 9
The last thing anybody wants come April 15 is an unexpectedly
large tax bill. But if you didn't have enough money withheld
from your paychecks or you didn't plan for certain activities
that affect your taxable income, you might have an unpleasant
surprise in store. Here's a look at five factors that could trigger
unexpected taxes as well as strategies for planning around
them.
1. Self-employment income
If you had income from freelance or consulting work and didn't
have taxes withheld, your tax liability might catch you off-
guard. Self-employed taxpayers are responsible for their own
contributions to Medicare and Social Security, as well as the
contributions that would have been made by an employer (also
known as "self-employment tax"). When someone sets up a
business, "they get this big shock when they owe self-
employment taxes," says JeFreda Brown, CEO of Brown Ac-
counting Solutions in Birmingham, Ala. One way to avoid this
end-of-the-year surprise is to pay quarterly estimated taxes as
money comes in so you don't spend the money in other ways.
Taking deductions for eligible business expenses can help lower
your tax bill, Brown adds.
2. Unemployment benefits
For some, it's a cruel irony that unemployment benefits are
taxable. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ex-
empted the first $2,400 of unemployment benefits from feder-
al taxes, but that provision has since expired. One way to avoid
a huge tax bill is to have federal taxes withheld from your un-
employment checks (however, you may still owe state income
tax) or set aside the money yourself so you'll have the money
to pay taxes. "With a married couple, if one person goes on
unemployment, maybe the working spouse would [increase]
their withholding," says Neil Johnson, a partner in The Dolins
Group, a financial planning firm in Northbrook, Ill. If you item-
ize deductions, you might also offset some taxes on unemploy-
ment benefits by deducting eligible job search expenses such
as travel or lodging.
3. Forgiven debt
If you had debt forgiven by a credit card issuer, mortgage or
student loan lender, or other financial institution, it may create
"phantom income" that's taxable. Under the Mortgage For-
giveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, borrowers are exempt from
taxes on forgiven mortgage debt (short sales, foreclosures or
loan modifications) up to $2 million on a primary residence.
This expired at the end of 2013, but Congress may still extend
this tax relief. If your debt doesn't fall under MFDRA, don't des-
pair. You may still be exempt from taxes if you fall under the
Internal Revenue Service's insolvency
exclusion -- meaning your debts sur-
pass the value of your assets. "When
people have forgiven debt, they
shouldn't automatically think they're
going to be taxed on that income,"
says Andrew Schwartz, founder and
managing partner of accounting firm
Schwartz & Schwartz in Woburn,
Mass. "If somebody's debts exceed their assets, that 1099-C
[the tax form for forgiven debt] isn't taxable."
4. Distributions from a retirement account
Withdraw money from a retirement account such as a 401(k)
before age 59½, and you're typically subject to penalties and
taxes. Some financial institutions will withhold federal taxes
before distributing your money, but it may not be enough to
cover your federal tax liability and you may still owe state in-
come tax on distributions. "I see this snowball effect where you
lose your job and you tap your IRA, but then you don't have
the money to pay the tax," Johnson says. "Now you're dealing
with the IRS on some sort of installment agreement." If you
truly need the money in your retirement account, Schwartz
suggests opting for a 401(k) loan if you're still with that em-
ployer and your plan allows it. "With a 401(k) loan, you don't
pay taxes, and you pay yourself back plus interest," he says.
"Another thing to do is to stop contributing to the 401(k)
[temporarily]. That'll free up some cash flow."
5. Getting married
If you got married last year and you and your spouse both
work, changing withholding status to married with two allow-
ances may result in more taxes owed. That's because the with-
holding tables assume one spouse isn't working. "In a lot of
cases, not nearly enough taxes are being taken out, and that's
an unpleasant surprise for the newlywed," Schwartz says.
"When somebody fills out [their withholding], single is one op-
tion or married, but withhold at the higher rate."
5 Things That Could Trigger a
Bigger Tax Bill
If you had self-employment income,
unemployment benefits or forgiven debt
last year, your tax bill might surprise you.
By Susan Johnston
10 Today’s BoomeR
Reap the Fruits of Your Labor in Your Retirement Reap the Fruits of Your Labor in Your Retirement What you need to know to prepare for your longWhat you need to know to prepare for your long--term careterm care
Members of the Boomer generation are just beginning to reap the
fruits of a lifetime of hard work by beginning their second lives -
retirement. Since most can expect to live into their eighties, they now
face a new challenge - the possibility of needing long term nursing
care as they advance in age.
Planning for long term care is not merely a luxury, but a necessity.
Even those who do not find themselves in skilled nursing care (also
known as nursing home care) may have significant medical needs which may not be covered
by Medicare. The only way to be prepared if and when the time comes is to be educated about
the planning options available and the risks of failing to utilize them.
Will You Need Care? The Numbers You Need To Know
It’s difficult to see the future, but statistics can offer a window into the probability of facing a long term care
need, as 70% of people that reach the age of 65 can expect to need some form of long term care during their
remaining years. This means that a married couple reaching age 65 together has about a 90% chance of facing
a long term care need.
These statistics suggest that such care will play a significant role in lives of a vast majority of the population.
With that in mind, any retirement or estate planning should address the issue of long term care costs.
How Much Will I Pay For Care?
A number of factors determine cost of care, and each individual has unique care needs. Some aging individu-
als need only a few hours of assistance per day in the home; others require full-time supervision in a skilled
nursing facility. Memory care facilities are an option for those with Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia.
In-home nursing care averages around $20 per hour nationally, and full-time nursing care typically costs an
individual over $200 per day. Even assisted living averages nearly $40,000 per year, so advance planning is
important, as is knowing local options.
How Will I Pay For My Care?
As the cost of long term care becomes clear, so does the need to plan for payment. By carefully considering
cost scenarios in advance, Boomers can put themselves in position to receive the care they need without los-
ing the ability to create a legacy with their estates.
Savings may be enough to cover the care Boomers need if they’ve been fortunate enough to build up a safety
net. The ability to pay with cash provides access to a wider range of options. This is called “private pay”, and
while it does not guarantee that an individual can have everything he or she desires, it does provide opportu-
By Nicholas R. Abts
?
Today’s BoomeR 11
nities for greater comfort and flexibility of care.
Commitment is key in making it possible to pay
privately. Advance financial and estate planning
combined with diligent savings habits can make a big
difference, even for Boomers getting a late start in
putting aside money for themselves.
Long term care insurance (LTCI) pays a daily benefit
that can be used to help pay for care. LTCI has the
benefit of having premiums that are partially tax
deductible under certain circumstances and payouts
that are not taxable to the insured. While LTCI
policies can fall short of the costs of care, the benefits
they provide can make a big dent in out-of-pocket
expenditures and preserve the advantages of the
private pay world.
LTCI is most effective when purchased in pre-
retirement years, when it is less expensive. The best
policies are purchased from highly rated companies
and have inflation protection, in-home care options
and returns of premium if the policy is not used.
Medicaid or Medical Assistance is a publicly funded
option for long term care protection. Medicaid is a
means-tested program, which means applicants must
meet a very low threshold of assets in order to
qualify. Medicaid varies by state in its administration,
but has federal guidelines that the states must follow
in implementing it.
Today 47 million Americans receive some sort of
medical assistance. Many also take advantage of
other means-tested programs that can be found
locally. A wide range of public benefits can be
available to those that meet the requirements, but
these can be difficult to navigate without professional
legal assistance.
Public medical assistance is not an option for every-
one. The means-testing requirement means
recipients need to “spend down” assets, which can
make leaving a financial legacy for future generations
challenging. However, state Medicaid programs allow
some assets to remain exempt from spend-down
requirements.
Careful planning is a must when utilizing public
medical assistance. Estate planning attorneys that
specialize in Medicaid planning can assist individuals
in understanding available benefits and can in some
circumstances provide options for protecting assets.
How Do I Start Planning?
All of the options discussed in this article have one
theme in common - the earlier you start, the more
prepared you will be for long term care needs. Estate
planning attorneys can help, particularly those with
experience in the Medicaid arena. Concerned
individuals can also seek out financial professionals
that specialize in long term care protection and have
experience working with Boomers. The biggest key is
to take advance precautions and seek the assistance
of qualified professionals.
With proper planning, Boomers can age gracefully,
live in comfort and still leave behind an enduring
legacy.
Retirement Resources you Need!
http://www.ssa.gov/planners/lifeexpectancy.htm
http://longtermcare.gov/thebasics/how-much-care-will-you-need/
http://longtermcare.gov/the-basics/who-pays-for-long-term-care/
https://www.genworth.com/dam/Americas/US/PDFs/Consumer/corporate/131168_031813_Executive%
20Summary.pdf
http://www.longtermcarelink.net/eldercare/medicaid_long_term_care.htm
12 Today’s BoomeR
By John A. Vardallas, Founder/CEO, TheAmericanBoomeR.com
The February Chicago Auto Show ended on a hot note despite being held during one
of the coldest winters on record. This year s show showcased plenty of muscle keep-
ing in theme with the 2014 Chinese Year of the Horse with plenty of High Tech/Eco
Friendly accessories to accompany those power rides. Even though this boomer was
impressed by a variety of new foreign kool hot rides (BMW/Jaguar/Audi), American
Auto Makers celebrated the return of the muscle car era in style.
106th Chicago Auto 106th Chicago Auto 106th Chicago Auto Show: Show: Show:
A Boom for BoomersA Boom for BoomersA Boom for Boomers
Today’s BoomeR 13
Horsepower was
the focus for
Ford who cele-
brated 50 years
of American
Muscle with the
introduction of
the sixth genera-
tion of Mustang.
The new
smoother style of
this pony car will
impress boomers
who have been
Mustangs fans
since the model
was introduced
in 1964. While
retaining the
long hood, short
deck roomier
styling, the new
generation Mus-
tang is lower
with a wider
stance that im-
proves traction
and handling as
well as gives you room for more coolers in the
trunk. The 300-horsepower, 3.7 liter V-6 and
the 420-horsepower, 5 liter v8 will be joined by
the new 305 horsepower, 2.3 liter twin turbo
EcoBoost four cylinder. Boomers will be lining
up this fall when the Mustang goes on sale
this fall just like we did after we got our first
drivers license.
General Motors muscle was also present in a
big way in Chicago. The new Chevy Corvette
ZO6 with a 6.2 liter, 625 horsepower super-
charged V-8 is teamed with a seven-speed
manual or new eight-speed automatic will give you
plenty of hold your breath acceleration moments. The
new Vette features a wider tires and a wider stance
for optimum performance handling and more lateral
support during aggressive motoring.
Cadillac showcased its luxury again with great new
model ATS and CTS coupes and sedans. They fea-
tured high performance V sports versions with a
choice of front or all wheel drive. The new Cadillac
Elmiraj was Best of Show Concept Car.
The new car colors also reflected a retro theme wit-
nessed by all of the Mellow Yellow, Candy Apple Red,
14 Today’s BoomeR
Bright Orange and Green as well as Purple Passion
dominating most exhibits.
Here Come the Muscle Trucks!
If you are a fan of trucks, all manufacturers featured a
variety of tricked out trucks for mainstream drivers.
This boomer was totally impressed with the new Ford
F-150. Redesigned and re-engineered, the best-selling
vehicle in the industry the past 32 years went on an
aluminum diet to shed 700 pounds in order to boost
mileage. All body panels are now aluminum which cost
more than steel. No word yet on pricing. All trucks will
feature EcoBoost engines and 360 degree exterior
cameras to help navigate off road trails.
High Tech also compli-
mented new car models in
abundance. Boomers will
have to get more tech sav-
vy when looking for a new
ride. Automakers have
embraced technology by
offering a variety of high
tech accessories to com-
pliment driver motoring.
In addition to GMs OnStar
and Chryslers uConnect,
more dashboard consoles
will feature 4 G connec-
tions and music apps like
Slacker and iHeartRadio
capability.
Today’s BoomeR 15
Cars at the show featured a variety of new tech
driving accessories:
Text Buddies featuring voice to text capability as
well as readers for incoming messages
Self Park: For those who hate to parallel park.
WiFi Hot spots (pioneered by Audi and now more
wide spread applications in American automakers)
will allow your passengers to work online or for
your kids to watch a movie on an I-pad
Nav 2 Go App: Free map updates application on
some of the new Chevrolets models
Second and Third sets of Eyes: Back up Cameras
featured on Hondas, Ford and Jeep offer SUV
Systems to see in those blind spots.
Remote Interaction: Apps to start your car, unlock
your doors and check when your car needs its
next service.
The Chicago Auto Show wrapped up with the Best of Show Awards. Winners in each individual category are sure to make this car buying season for boomers exciting
and full of retro fun!
Best All New Production:
Ford Mustang
Best Concept:
Cadillac Elmiraj
Best Green Car:
Cadillac ELR
Best Exhibit:
Chevrolet
Car I would most like in my driveway:
Bugatti Veyron
16 Today’s BoomeR
Fabulous
After 50! As award season in
Hollywood has come and
gone we wanted to pause to
see our winners of
celebrities who are fabulous
after 50 years!
Today’s BoomeR 17
BOOMER HEALTHY EATING:
Well, the why bother part is because what you make at home will always, with a bit of practice and patience, be far superior to anything store bought. As for the cheaper part, I seriously doubt it, given that you can use very inexpensive cuts of meat, and the processing cost comes from your hands, not your pocket. House made provides you the luxury of not only choosing the cut and origin of meat to use, but customizing your spice/pickling/corning blend. This means that, within reason, you can control not only the amount but the kind of salt used, and furthermore avoid any other extraneous preservatives and junk that comes so often in processed meats. Just as we all have favorites for BBQ rubs, you'll develop a similar hankering for your own special spice
blends for corning. It’s also a lean and relatively healthy cut of meat, so you can eat guilt free, too. We hear a lot of questions regarding the term 'corned'; it came into common use in the 16th Century and stems from the Anglo-Saxon word for grain or granule, referring to the salt used to cure
or pickle. It's a bit of a stretch, I know, but suffice it to say that 'corn' was a catch-all term
for any local grain, and in a pinch, salt would qualify, (Sorry, couldn't resist...) The next most common question we hear is 'What's the difference between corned beef and Pastrami?' The answer is, not as much as you might think. It has to do with the most common cuts used and the curing process. While either variety can be made with brisket or round, pastrami is sometimes made from the plate cut as well. As for process, either can be made by wet brining, though pastrami is fairly often done with a dry rub in the first stage of curing, then pepper crusted and lightly smoked. These are generalizations, of course; the end product varies as widely as the fancy of the makers.
As I mentioned, I grew up in Massachusetts, so I am very fond of New England Boiled Dinner, that ethereal combination of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots, daubed liberally with fresh horseradish. If you've never tried it, you should. I also absolutely adore the Reuben sandwich, which, as blasphemous as it may sound, I make with either corned beef or pastrami. If you get interested in the art of meat curing, AKA charcuterie, you'll find a myriad of resources online and if you'd like a great reference volume to add to your cookbook library, http://www.amazon.com/Charcuterie-Craft-Salting-Smoking-Curing/.
So, all fact checking and history aside, how do you make this stuff? We'll focus on corned beef this time and save pastrami for another day.
Recipes and Photos from
Chef Eben Atwater
www.urbanmonique.com
Being from New England, I love house made corned beef and pastrami, fine examples of easy to make and highly satisfying home charcuterie. I was somewhat dumbfounded when a reader noted "Why bother? It's cheap to buy at the store?"
18 Today’s BoomeR
Put the meat into a pan just big enough to hold the cut. Cover with water to about 2" above the meat. Add another tablespoon of your pickling spices to the pot, bring the heat up to high until you reach a rolling boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until fork tender, about 2 to 3 hours. Remove the meat from the pot, set on a cutting board and allow to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Your finished product will last a good 5 to 7 days in the fridge, (As if it'll survive that long...) Time to enjoy that New England Boiled Dinner! This version is mostly steamed, which keeps a bit more of the good stuff intact and provides better flavor all around. For two, you’ll need: 1 pound Corned Beef 1 small head Cabbage, outside leaves removed 4 Carrots, peeled 4 small red or white Potatoes 1 sweet Onion Take potatoes, carrots and cabbage and zap ‘em for three minutes in your microwave. Add a couple of inches of clean water to the bottom of a large stock or soup pot. Toss in a couple bay leaves, a few pepper berries, a couple of juniper berries, an inch or so of fresh Rosemary, (Dried is fine, ¼ teaspoon), and a splash of extra virgin olive oil. Place everything in the pot with a steamer basket or other spacer such that you’ve got a good three inches between the goods and the bottom of your pot. Sprinkle a pinch of good sea salt and a few twists of pepper over the goodies. Steam over medium-high heat until the cabbage and veggies are fork tender. Transfer to plates, serve with horseradish, fresh lemon wedges, good salt and pepper, some fresh bread and a nice dry white wine.
You'll need a brine solution and a spice blend. If any or all of this seems overwhelming, go the easy route and grab a pre-blended pickling spice from one of the suppliers listed in our links; down the line, for all things pickling, you can and should do a bit of study and build your own signature blend.
The recipes here will work for a 2 to 3 pound corned beef; you can scale up or down as you like, but this is a very manageable starter size.
For the Brine: 1/2 Gallon nice, clean water 1 Cup Sea Salt, (Do not use iodized!) 1/4 Cup Dark Brown Sugar 3 teaspoons Curing Salt (AKA Pink Salt, or sodium nitrite) 2 Tablespoons Pickling Spice Set water in a saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Toss in salt, sugar, curing salt and spices and boil until all granules are dissolved. Remove from heat, transfer to a mixing bowl and set over an ice bath for a rapid cool. Once the brine has cooled to room temperature, place your meat in a glass container big enough to have it covered by at least an inch or two of brine. If you just don't have a suitable container, you can use a doubled large zip lock bag. Cover the meat with brine as noted above, at least an inch or two above the meat. If your cut tries to float, you'll need to weigh it down so it remains completely submerged. If you go the Ziplock route, squish all the air out and put the bags in a pan in case of a blowout. Put your bounty into the fridge where it will live for the next 6 or 7 days. Make a note to self to flip the meat daily, to make sure eve-rything gets a nice, even brine soaking. On the appointed day, pull your corned meat out of the fridge, and rinse it gently in very cold water.
Eben Atwater is a Chef and writer who began cooking professionally in the 1970’s in Washington State and Idaho. In addition
to a food blog he publishes with his wife and partner-in-crime Monica, Eben is an accomplished musician and instrument
maker. He lives in western Washington State where he manages a bakery-café. Visit www.urbanmonique.com
Today’s BoomeR 19
B2B—BUSINESS 2 BOOMERS
The Marketplace for Everything Boomer!
Rates 1/4 Page 1/2 Page Full Page
1 time $200.00 per ad $400.00 per ad $600.00 per ad
6 times $150.00 per ad (When paid in Full)
$300.00 per ad
(When paid in Full)
$500.00 per ad
(When paid in Full)
Advertise with us and connect
directly with America’s Baby
Boom generation!
Be apart of the
“B2B - Business 2 Boomer
Marketplace” and allow
Boomers to visit your
Today’s BoomeR storefront
direct! Become one click away
from your Boomer consumer!
For more information about how to Advertise and Subscribe
email [email protected]
Don’t Miss an Issue!Don’t Miss an Issue! Subscribe to Today’s BoomeR FREE by visiting
www.TheAmericanBoomeR.com!
Today’s
Advertise With Us!Advertise With Us!
Take Advantage of our Special
2014 Rates!
MARKETPLACEMARKETPLACE
Click on the “storefront” ad to enter each store in the B2B Marketplace!
Ask About Our
Special 1st Time Ad
Discount!
20 Today’s BoomeR
B2B—BUSINESS 2 BOOMERS MARKETPLACE
Peggy Smithson
(262) 716-4301
B2B—BUSINESS 2 BOOMERS MARKETPLACE
The Marketplace for Everything Boomer!
Today’s BoomeR 21
B2B—BUSINESS 2 BOOMERS MARKETPLACE
The Marketplace for Everything Boomer!
B2B—BUSINESS 2 BOOMERS MARKETPLACE
The Marketplace for Everything Boomer!
22 Today’s BoomeR
B2B—BUSINESS 2 BOOMERS MARKETPLACE
The Marketplace for Everything Boomer!
Advertise With Us!Advertise With Us!
Show off your Business, Event, Show off your Business, Event,
Organization, Group Product/Service Organization, Group Product/Service
to Thousands of Baby Boomers!to Thousands of Baby Boomers!
Contact Today for more information
Today’s BoomeR 23
B2B—BUSINESS 2 BOOMERS MARKETPLACE
The Marketplace for Everything Boomer!
Here is a Sneak Peak of the Here is a Sneak Peak of the Here is a Sneak Peak of the
Next Issue of Next Issue of Next Issue of Today’s BoomeRToday’s BoomeRToday’s BoomeR!!!
BoomeR Travel:
Sights for Summer
How to Retire in style
Dating Again
Healthy Eating:
Sweet Treats
BoomeR Trendz &
News you can use
And More!
Do you have something to say? EDo you have something to say? EDo you have something to say? E---mail [email protected] mail [email protected] mail [email protected] *All letters to the editor are reviewed before publication. The views expressed in such are not those of Today’s BoomeR, nor those of The AmericanBoomeR.com.
May/June 2014