HERE - The American Boomer

s
’
y
a
d
To
Vol. 5 No. 2
Chicago Auto Show 2016
Yes!
Financial
Resolutions
for the New
Year Do
Work
Smart Muscle for
Boomer Consumers
Healthy
Eating:
Spring
Time
Sofrito
Hale
Roasted
Kale
Boomer
Travel: 25
Things to
Do in New
York
This
Spring
The
Retirement
Generation
Gap: What
Separates
Plans for
the Future
Old Enough
for Sex:
Boomer
Everything Consumer
You wanted Watch: Your
Guide to
to Know
Going out
about
without
Orgasm
Going Broke
and Aging
Social
Security:
Filing
Taxes
Just Got
Easier
F– Being Old: “SOSS” Save Our Social Security
Today’s BoomeR
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2 Today’s BoomeR
This Issue
March / April 2016
Volume 5, Number 2
Boomer Travel
5
25 Things to do in New York this Spring
The Retirement Generation 10
Gap
Boomer Consumer Watch
12
14
Everything about Orgasm and Aging
Social Security
16
Filing Taxes Just Got Easier
Brains to Braun
Chicago Auto Show 2016
17
Boomer Healthy Eating
20
Hale Roasted Kale and Sofrito
New Blog: F-Being Old
22
Editor-In-Chief: Alexandra Maragha
Contributing Writers :
Bob Trotter: Social Security
Chef Eben Atwater: Healthy Eating
For Letters to the Editor, articles and feedback
as well as advertising inquiries email
Alexandra@TheAmericanBoomeR.com
TheAmericanBoomeR.com
John Vardallas
CEO/Founder Professional Speaker
Business/Lifestyle Strategist
Boomer Sage and Blogger
JohnVardallas@TheAmericanBoomeR.com
(608) 577-8707
Alexandra Maragha
Founder & Editor-In-Chief Today’s BoomeR
Alexandra@TheAmericanBoomeR.com
Today’s BoomeR Vol.5 No.2 Today’s BoomeR is published
“SOSS”-Save Our Social Security
B2B Marketplace
Founders: John Vardallas & Alexandra Maragha
Advertising: Team
Going out Without Going Broke
Old Enough For Sex
’s
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a
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To
23
Business 2 Boomers Marketplace
six times (Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/ June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct,
Nov/Dec) a year by The American BoomeR.com
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The American Boomer
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Today’s BoomeR 3
EDITOR’S LETTER
’s
Today
Spring Awakening
This issue allows Boomers to be able to spring into better elements of health,
wealth and relationships. Our feature review of the Chicago Auto Show once
again this year brings the best of American muscle machines that Boomers
bring from their youth. In having the buying power and influence, boomers
are now able to relate and relay their sentiments into the production lines
with auto makers reflecting the desire of those models to stay preserved,
with bits and pieces of technology to reflect progress, bringing smart cars
and the once favorite show “knight Rider” to life.
(feature)
Boomer Healthy Eating brings from Boomer Chef Eben smart super foods
with
p. fresh
10 Kale and Sofrito relish. Our travel hits the “Big Apple” with 25
things to do in New York this spring and we put some spring into your step
on the way to the bedroom with our “Old Enough For Sex”. Smart savings In
your pocket can come with our Boomer Consumer Watch on ways to go out
without going broke and we examine the generation gap between how
Boomers and Millennials plan to retire. Johnny V once again presents the
urgency for all Boomers to take a stand and save the institution of Social
Security, as it is threatened from political influence and government action
where it could disappear.
As spring continues, take the time and relax and set your mind and self on
the smart path to enjoy the boomer age and aging process along with the
influence and voice that being part of this generation offers and holds.
Awaken your senses and sense of self to all around you. Enjoy!
p. 12
4 Today’s BoomeR
Alexandra Maragha
Editor-In-Chief
Send Letters and Feedback to: Alexandra@theamericanboomer.com
25 Things to Do in New York
This Spring
Fodors.com
BOOMER TRAVEL
Whether your sights are set on a botanical garden or a beer garden, there's no lack of fair-weather fun to be had
in New York this spring. The Tribeca Film Festival anchors a season of cultural musts that span from highbrow art
exhibitions worth screaming for (Munch paintings, anyone?) to come-as-you-are music festivals in Brooklyn. And
with the crack of the bat at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, New York is back in the ballgame—and buzzing with
these 25 things that are essential as flowers blooming this season. —Zachary Laks
Theater
In a town where all Broadway talk mentions Hamilton, this season welcomes a few new players on the scene that
are set to mix up the buzz. Looking particularly at the play revivals heading to the Great White Way, anticipation is
running high for Ivo van Hove’s quick return to Broadway (after recently closing A View From The Bridge in
February) with a new production of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible (running now through July 17) starring Saoirse
Ronan, Ben Whishaw, and Sophie Okonedo. Summoning the ghosts of family tumult and addiction, Eugene
O’Neill’s masterpiece, Long Day's Journey Into Night, returns to the boards on April 3 in a new production
anchored by Jessica Lange and Gabriel Byrne.
RadioLoveFest
5 of
A three-day tribute to all things public radio, RadioLoveFest returns for its third year to theToday’s
BrooklynBoomeR
Academy
Music (March 10–12). A convention for listeners of WNYC
throughout the city, the festival brings the station’s most prized
lineup of programs to the stage, including live tapings of the shows
Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!®, Death, Sex & Money, and The Moth.
Pending a schedule that has yet to be announced, fans of the
station can expect plenty of ancillary events throughout the
festival that will include live music, film screenings, and talkbacks.
activities, and flower-centric seminars.
More information and a schedule of
events will be announced sooner to the
opening of the festival on macys.com.
Baseball Games
Regardless of where your allegiances lie,
the city is batting a thousand with two
St. Patrick's Day
state-of-the-art baseball stadiums: YanBagpipes sound off as New York City brims with toasts to the Irish kee Stadium and Citi Field. Upgrading
and their many admirers on St. Patrick’s Day. The city continues its their dining options from the classic hot
annual holiday parade up Fifth Avenue from 44th Street all the
dog and pretzel, the two parks surprise
way to 79th Street, featuring plenty of Irish marching bands, step with top-notch food stalls by way of Mardancers, and even a few chance encounters with a leprechaun. If
io Carbone and Rich Torrisi’s Parm and
you’re looking for a truly authentic night at an old-time Irish pub,
Brother Jimmy’s BBQ at Yankee Stadium,
make your way down to the McSorely’s in the East Village where
and Shake Shack and Blue Smoke at Citi
its timeless charm has endeared since 1854.
Field. The Yankees' season begins April 4
at home against the Houston Astros, with
The Met Breuer
the Mets' home opener on April 8 against
A banner moment for New York’s most iconic institution of art and the Philadelphia Phillies—though when
culture, The Metropolitan Museum of Art will unveil The Met
the food’s this good, does it really matter
Breuer, its new satellite space in the shell of the old Whitney Mu- who’s playing?
seum, on March 18. An unprecedented extension of the Met, the
Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival
Marcel Breuer–designed building was acquired to further expand
New York’s Easter Parade and Bonnet
The Met’s contemporary and modern collection. Expect doorbusting crowds in the museum’s inaugural season with high-profile Festival celebrates the spring holiday in
openers that include Unfinished: Thoughts Left Visible, a provoca- grand fashion, harkening back to a 19thtive collection of unfinished works of art spanning from the Renais- century tradition of well-heeled women
who brought their “A-game” to Sunday
sance to the present day, along with a monographic exhibition of
church. Outrageous and festive bonnets
Indian artist Nasreen Mohamedi.
bob up and down on the heads of women
Macy’s Flower Show
and men as the annual pageant returns
Bedecking one of the world’s largest stores in petals, Macy’s con- on March 27. The parade route only spans eight blocks on Fifth
Avenue from 49th Street to 57th Street, which means curbside
tinues its annual Flower Show this spring (March 20–April 3).
spots go quickly. Make sure you plan to arrive early.
Attracting gawkers by the droves, New York’s top shopping destination showcases native flora found across the country in playful
New York Philharmonic
creations that relate to this year’s theme, America the Beautiful.
Special events throughout the two weeks include live music, kids' Cultural influences harmonize at David Geffen Hall this spring, as
the New York Philharmonic ushers in new talent while continuing
its repertoire of standbys. The orchestra’s Spanish Nights (March
30–April 5) program is a standout this season, with the return of
29-year-old piano virtuoso Joyce Yang infusing a Latin energy into
the hall with gypsy tunes and flamenco beats. And for the old
guard, Bernard Haitink conducts Mahler’s final masterpiece, Symphony No. 9 (April 14–19).
Ramp Season
The city’s frenzied obsession with ramps, a leek-like vegetable only
found in the wild, is sure to return this season as insatiable gourmands scour the city for this treat. With a short growing season
6 Today’s BoomeR
and supply coming from foraging, ramps tend to be in short supply
at the city's farmers’ markets, gourmet grocery stores, and restaurants. Craving the chance to taste the rare cousin to the onion? A
quick Google search will tell you where to find them on menus, but
know that Mario Batali’s restaurants tend to feature the ingredient
every year, and the East Village restaurant OIJI even serves pickled
ramps.
Tribeca Film Festival
Prime time for fans of New York’s sophisticated film scene, the
Tribeca Film Festival (April 13–24) infiltrates lower Manhattan with
a roster of flicks destined for greatness. Now in its fifteenth year,
screenings fill up fast for events that range from independent film
screenings with Hollywood A-listers to documentaries and shorts.
This year’s festival opens with The First Monday in May, a documentary that looks at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's mostattended Costume Institute exhibition in history, China: Through the
Looking Glass.
Brooklyn Folk Festival
Stripped bare of Auto-Tune and overamplification, the Brooklyn
Folk Festival (April 8–10) is now in its eighth year. The three-day
festival features 30 music performances and events that include
square dancing, swing dancing, film screenings, and the banjo-toss
contest where frustrated musicians vie to throw a banjo farthest
into the Gowanus Canal. Music lovers can expect plenty of folk,
blues, and bluegrass throughout the festival, with a few traditional
Irish and Balkan music sets as well.
The Metropolitan Opera
Spectacle and theatrics summon the awe of 4,000 operagoers
nightly at the ever-regal Metropolitan Opera. Representing one of
the most refined and consistent evenings of culture in the city, the
Met stage is home to the world’s best singers. Under Peter Gelb’s
much-touted reign, productions continue to impress with their
heightened dramatics, luring directors from Broadway and HollyToday’s BoomeR 7
wood. This season marks the return of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly presenters at the fourth annual Collective Design fair, May 4–8.
(select dates through Apr 12), in a much-lauded production by the An amalgamation of art and design sourced from internationally
late Anthony Minghella.
renowned and emerging galleries, the fair takes over an expansive
70,000 square-foot event space in West SoHo. Plan to spend the
Artexpo New York 2016
better part of an afternoon meandering through the various interHovering over the Hudson River on Pier 94, it’s sink or swim for
national exhibits, designed to inspire viewers through interactive
artists who descend from around the world to showcase their
programming in addition to being a world-class exhibition of modwork at Artexpo New York (April 14–17). Billed as the world’s larg- ern luxury living.
est fine-arts marketplace and now in its 38th year, hundreds of
Frieze New York
contemporary painters, sculptors, and illustrators enter into the
juried expo in addition to selling their pieces on the main floor. A Importing one of the United Kingdom's most prestigious art
magnet for the art industry and homeowners looking to invest in events stateside, frieze magazine continues its art-fused transfornew décor, the expo expects to welcome more than 25,000
mation of Randall’s Island Park for a third year during Frieze New
attendees this year.
York (May 5–8). Gathering some of the art world’s most boldfaced names, the weekend-long festival is an amalgamation of
New York City Ballet
curated work, site-specific creations, installations from galleries
New York City Ballet sources a string of greatest hits from its rep- both local and abroad, and a few standout restaurants from New
ertory this spring season at Lincoln Center. Moves (April 22–May York (including Frankies Spuntino, Roberta’s Pizza, El Rey, and
5), a revolutionary silent dance piece choreographed by Jerome
Cosme) serving their greatest hits from stalls. While staged with
Robbins in 1959, returns this season. Running in rep with Moves, the intent of selling work, Frieze New York has emerged as a culsettle in for a night of inspired movement at Alexei Ratmansky’s
tural event, attracting thousands of visitors to browse the expanPictures at an Exhibition, a piece created for the ballet in 2014
sive collections and pop in to the event’s lauded talks.
that fuses ten dancers with projections of Wassily Kandinsky’s
Five Boro Craft Beer Fest
Color Study Squares with Concentric Circles and Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition piano score.
Tapped as New York’s premier beer fest, the Five Boro Craft Beer
Fest (May 6) highlights the best of the local craft beer scene.
Sakura Matsui Cherry Blossom Festival
Come prepared for a marathon day of suds as a select group of
Celebrating 35 years of annual blooms, the Sakura Matsuri Cherry forty or so small-batch breweries tout over a hundred craft beers
Blossom Festival (April 30–May 1) at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden at The Well in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The perpetually sold-out
returns this season. Sixty events and performances fill out the two event goes for an all-inclusive approach, with unlimited 2-oz.
-day festival, marking the end of Hanami, the Japanese seasonal
tastings of the beers, high-end bites from local restaurants and
tradition of blossom appreciation. The pink-and-white petals set
food trucks, and a 5-oz. souvenir tasting glass.
the scene for favorite events that include a cosplay fashion show,
Manhattan Cocktail Classic
Japanese folk dance, and origami demonstrations.
Riding the ever-rising wave of craft-cocktail popularity, the Manhattan Cocktail Classic (May 15–19) returns after last year’s hiatus
Arguably the best way to explore the city, biking is now more than to crown 2016’s ultimate drink. The annual event keeps the spirits
ever an integral part of New York's transportation system. It’s
flowing for five days with plenty of parties, workshops, and dinner
estimated that 200,000 cyclists take to New York City’s 1,000
pairings intended to education and entertain. For those looking
miles of bike lanes daily—a staggering number, considering 485
for the true toast of the festival, the Opening Night Gala welmiles have been added since 2007. Among the many events New comes more than 3,000 revelers to a three-hour cocktail bacchaYorkers partake in to celebrate National Bike Month in May, TD
nal, as interactive mixing stations, live music, plenty of small bites,
Five Boro Bike Tour (May 1) remains a highlight on the first Sunand cocktails of every variety imaginable line the room.
day of the month. The largest charitable bike ride in the country,
The Frick Collection
upwards of 32,000 cyclists revel in the cordoned-off streets for a
joy ride that connects all five boroughs.
The stately, stunning Frick Collection remains a must for any surBike Month
Collective Design
Whether you prefer clean lines or bursts of color, there’s bound
to be something to please every eye among the more than 20
8 Today’s BoomeR
vey of the city’s art scene, especially this spring as a new exhibition, Van Dyck: The Anatomy of Portraiture, is unveiled. Running
March 2 through June 5, the showcase is being billed as the most
comprehensive exhibition ever organized on Anthony van Dyck
(1599–1641), with more than 100 works spanning the portraitist’s career.
shells, eggshells, and books of his own poetry.
Coney Island
Neue Galerie
Coney Island's Luna Park (home to The Cyclone) kicks the sumLocated on New York’s Museum Mile, the Neue Galerie specializ- mer fun into gear early this year as the park opens its gates for
es in early 20th-century German and Austrian art. The gallery is
the first thrills of the season on March 20. Continuing on weekhoused in an architectural work of art, the ornate Louis XIII-style ends through Memorial Day weekend, thrill-seekers are sure to
William Starr Miller House on 86th Street and Fifth Avenue. Built meet their match with a turn on the surprisingly forceful Electro
for industrialist William Starr Miller, the estate was repurposed
Spin coaster, amping up for the 90-degree vertical drop into a
as an art gallery by Ronald Lauder (son of Estée Lauder), opening 100-foot vertical loop on the park’s newest signature roller
to the public in 2001. Garnering early praise, Munch and Expres- coaster, Thunderbolt. Independently owned yet interwoven with
sionism (now through June 13), provides an in-depth look at
Luna Park is Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, keeper of
Edvard Munch’s influence in German and Austrian culture—and the great Wonder Wheel Ferris wheel built in 1920. The ride
of primary importance, the opportunity to see The Scream (1895) offers a choose-your-own-adventure premise, with white cars
in person.
offering a calm rotation while red and blue cars swing freely on a
curved track in the wheel—a classic Coney Island charm.
Museum of Modern Art
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) kicks off the spring season
with Edgar Degas: A Strange New Beauty (March 26–July 24), a
retrospective on the French artist best known for portraying ballerinas in their natural surroundings. The exhibition arrives as a
highlight of the museum's lineup, featuring approximately 120
rarely seen monotypes as well as dozens of related paintings and
sketches of urban life. For something a little more unconventional, Marcel Broodthaers: A Retrospective continues through May
15, showcasing the Belgian poet-turned-artist’s eclectic span of
work through 200 pieces—most notably repurposing mussel
Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit
Anchoring the heart of Greenwich Village on Memorial Day
weekend and the week following (with a similar schedule over
Labor Day, as well) the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit
(May 28–June 5) sets up on University Place. A more enriching
and sophisticated event than the city’s usual street fairs (no mozzarepas or complete bedding sets found here), stroll among the
hundreds of exhibitors ranging from NYU students to local stalwarts with plenty of paintings, photography, jewelry, woodcraft,
and sculptures for sale.
Today’s BoomeR 9
The Retirement Generation Gap
What separates the two different
generation's retirement plans?
By Kelley Holland
Few milestones in life are as laden with dreams and
fantasies as the day when a person retires. Will it be a
slow downshift into a life of travel and time with
grandchildren? A chance for gradually increasing
immersion in a lifelong hobby? Perhaps it will be all of
the above.
Or perhaps future retirees' experience will be more in
line with the reality of retirement as depicted in a new
report by the Transamerica Center for Retirement
Studies. The study found that two-thirds of workers
aged 50 or older expect to work past 65, at least part
time, but the median age at which current retirees left
the workforce was 62.
Not only that, two-thirds of those who did leave the
workforce did so because of work-related reasons like
job loss, a reorganization, or a buyout. And only 5
percent of retirees actually are working in retirement.
?
explain
why their
worries about retirement tend to
relate to outliving their savings.
They are also nervous about not
being able to support their families or maintain access to reasonably priced health
care.
Retirees tend to be less worried about running out of
money and more concerned about experiencing
cognitive decline and being unable to find meaningful
ways to spend their time, the study found.
But a sizable minority of both groups is worried about
paying off debt, with 18 percent of workers aged 50 or
older and 13 percent of retirees saying that paying
down credit card or consumer debt is a key priority.
"Working longer and retiring at an older age seems like
a sensible option for workers to earn money and bridge
savings shortfalls," the report concluded, but "many
retirees retired sooner than expected, before age 65,
"So many workers want to work longer, or transition
for employment–related reasons, including job loss,
into retirement, yet very few say their current
reorganizations and others. The variables in the
employers have practices in place to facilitate this,"
said Catherine Collinson, president of the Transamerica equation simply don't add up."
Center. Many, she said, "are ill prepared for life's
Millennials, by contrast, appear to be doing more to
unforeseen circumstances."
prepare for retirement. Some 68 percent are currently
Many 50-somethings
have only limited retirement nest eggs: the
center found just
$135,000 in median
savings in retirement
accounts for that age
cohort. That may
10 Today’s BoomeR
saving for retirement, according to a recent study by
the Insured Retirement Institute and the Center for
Generational Kinetics. That is an improvement on the
64 percent of workers aged 50 or older who told the
Transamerica Center surveyors they were doing so.
Then again, only 29 percent of millennials are actually
planning for retirement, the IRI survey found, and 15
percent listed winning the lottery as an element of
their retirement strategy. In addition, more than half
of millennials think they will never retire or will not
be able to retire when they want to.
Millennials also demonstrated a skewed perception
of the cost of living in retirement. Some 70 percent
thought they would spend less than $36,000 per year,
but according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
annual spending by people aged 65 to 74 in 2013
averaged $46,757.
The millennial generation "is largely not on track to
attain financial security in retirement," the IRI
researchers concluded.
One reason for boomers' and millennials' skewed
view of retirement finances may be their shifting
financial circumstances. Boomers in their 50s are
more likely than current retirees to have little or
nothing in the way of pension income, for example.
Roughly three-fourths of the boomers in the
Transamerica Center survey said they wished they
had saved more consistently and been more
knowledgeable, since for them, it will matter more.
As for millennials, many are contending with heavy
student debt burdens. The Institute for College
Access and Success found that among the 69 percent
of students who graduated from public and nonprofit
colleges with debt in 2014, the average amount owed
was $28,950.
There are reforms in the works to improve retirement
security in the future. For example, the Treasury
Department in November announced the creation of
the myRA, a type of retirement account that Collinson
believes could prove quite helpful to part-time
workers and people just starting out in the workforce.
In addition, a number of states are considering or
implementing state-based retirement plans to help
those without retirement programs at work put
money away.
Still, for now the disconnect between boomers' hopes
for remaining in the workforce and the age when
retirees step out is cause for alarm, Collinson said.
"The red warning lights are flashing. We are facing
major issues up ahead and the sooner we can
recognize them and address them, the better
positioned we are societally to solve them."
Today’s BoomeR 11
BoomeR ConsumeR Watch:
A Guide to Going Out Without Going Broke
By Maria Lalonde
After a long week at work, come Friday you may be aching Find a Designated Driver
to unwind with a nice dinner and maybe a martini or two. Cab rides and ride sharing can be one of the most
expensive parts of going out. Look out for both your
But nights on the town can be an expensive indulgence.
Dinner, drinks and Uber rides can add up quickly, taking a safety and wallet by finding a designated driver who can
drive you and your friends to and from the bar. Of course,
big chunk of money out of your hard-earned paycheck.
it's not always easy to convince a friend to be a
That doesn't mean you have to spend your nights at home
designated driver – try arranging an alternating system
alone, watching Hugh Grant movies with a box of wine
with your friends, where one person agrees to be the
and a sleeve of Thin Mints. With a solid plan of action, it's
designated driver each week.
possible to paint the town red without going broke. Learn
more by checking out our guide to going out on a budget: Start at Home
Withdraw cash for the night. Decide how much you can
afford to spend on your night out beforehand. Withdraw
the amount of cash you've allocated for the night so you
won't lose track of how much you spent later on. When
your wallet is empty, you'll know it's time to stop
spending.
12 Today’s BoomeR
You can save money by starting your night at home. Invite
your friends over to share a few beers, and you'll end up
spending less money on drinks when you're out. Drinks at
a restaurant or bar can cost upwards of $8, but a six-pack
from your local grocery store can cost as little as $6.
premium spirits, so it's a good idea to be specific
about your house alcohol preferences to avoid being
On restaurant deal sites like Restaurant.com, you can
charged top-shelf prices.
purchase gift certificates to local restaurants at more
than 50 percent off. Simply plug in your ZIP code and
Finish at home. Instead of staying out late and
you'll be presented with a variety of deals for
shelling out more money at the bar, consider
restaurants in your area. You can also check out
bringing the party back to your house. You can
discounted gift card sites like Raise and Cardpool to
continue to enjoy each other's company (and
score gift cards to popular chains at a discount.
continue to drink) in the safety of your own home –
Split Meals
where the drinks aren't marked up, you don't have to
Many restaurant dishes fall well beyond the range of tip and there's never a cover charge.
Hunt Down Restaurant Deals
the USDA's recommendations for sodium, fat and
calories. Splitting a meal is not only a healthy choice,
it's a cost-conscious one. Consider ordering a salad
and a main course to share with a friend. Pack up
leftovers, and you'll have lunch taken care of
tomorrow.
Stay In
Stick to Beer
Remember just because you stay home doesn't
mean you can't enjoy yourself. Take the time to relax
with a bubble bath, cook a delicious dinner or read
that book you've been meaning to finish.
Your friends won't be devastated if you turn down an
invitation to go out every once in a while, and they're
likely to be understanding if you explain your
reasons. Next time your friend asks you to come out,
try saying something like, "I've really had fun going
Look for Specials
out with you before, but I can't make it tonight. I'm
Once you're finished with dinner and ready to hit the really trying to stick to my budget." Everyone can
identify with wanting to be more responsible with
bars, do a bit of homework beforehand to find out
which bars have the best drink specials. Search local their spending habits. By deciding to stay in one
night, you allow yourself a little more wiggle room
event guides to find listings of promotions and
next time you go out. You're bound to enjoy your
specials, and plan your night accordingly. At a bar,
next night out much more when you're not pinching
don't be shy about asking the bartender if they're
pennies.
running any drink specials you might have missed.
Cocktails, wine and shots are typically marked up
anywhere from 350 to 500 percent at bars. With
beer, you often get the best value for your
money – especially if you can buy beers on tap
or by the pitcher.
Avoid Brand-Name Liquors
If you prefer liquor to beer, make sure to
specify that you would like the house alcohol
rather than the brand-name in your mixed
drinks. Many bars will charge more for
Today’s BoomeR 13
Old Enough For Sex:
Everything You Ever Wanted To Know
About Orgasm And Aging
By Renee Fisher
Life in the Boomer Lane is many things to may people:
wife, mother, grandmother, friend, cousin, niece,
Marshalls and TJ Maxx shopper, and now orgasm expert.
She acquired this last moniker when she was called by
two friends yesterday evening, who each got on the line
to "ask her advice about something." Because LBL gives
advice freely, whether or not she is familiar with the
subject matter being asked about, she was ready with
answers. But when her friends wanted to know if she
was alone in the room first, she became concerned. Her
thoughts went immediately to one of several topics:
assume that their ability to orgasm is off the charts.
Senior Planet had an article about older women and
orgasm. The following is one of the issues they
responded to: "My husband and I are in our late 60s. I
still have a strong libido and love having sex at least
twice a week. My problem is that these days, I take so
long to orgasm. I take bioidentical hormones and we use
lubricant, so sex is comfortable. I feel sexy and eager,
but I just can't "bring it home" in a reasonable amount of
time. This morning it took an hour!"
While LBL can certainly relate to the issue of delayed
response time to climax, she has personally chosen to
 anything immoral
use her time to better advantage. She expends a much
shorter time attempting to achieve results. If she fails,
 a political analysis of the results of the Nevada
she moves on to more lucrative pursuits. During the time
primary
that this woman was diddling away, LBL can do several
It turns out that both friends were calling with questions loads of laundry, write a blog post, and discover that she
regarding orgasms. Each was experiencing physical pain is out of microwave popcorn.
when orgasming. The pain was located in different areas
PsychCentral has reported in a study in which the
of their bodies, other than at the actual site of the
median age was 67, that "... the likelihood of sexual
orgasm. LBL, although no stranger to orgasms, was a
activity declined with increasing age. But more than
complete novice at giving advice about them. She wasn't
two-thirds of the sexually active women reported that
able to help them, unless to ask "Did you Google it?"
they achieve orgasm most of the time or always.
Since that call, she has realized that, she, herself is
Interestingly, the youngest and oldest women in the
capable of Googling "orgasm" and using what she has
study reported the highest frequency of orgasm
learned for the edification and enjoyment of her readers.
satisfaction."
So here goes:
Now we have something to chew on. Assuming that the
According to Woman's Day, "Orgasm becomes easier
span of ages went from 50+ to 80+, there are some
with age ... As an example, while 61 percent of women
mighty happy 80-year-olds out there. Of course, this
ages 18 to 24 experienced orgasm the last time they had
doesn't help the friends of LBL any more than the other
sex, 65 percent of women in their 30s did and about 70
studies have, because their issue isn't not achieving
percent of women in their 40s and 50s did." This should
orgasm and they are not yet 80-years-old.
comfort many of LBL's readers. And, as LBL's friends are
Spine-health reports the following issue from a reader: "I
20 years older than the women surveyed, she can

anything illegal
14 Today’s BoomeR
have had intensifying back pain for 10 years. I have two
disc bulges and an extra lumbar vertebra. Recently I've
started having pins and needles in my legs and yesterday
morning when I started having an orgasm the pain was
so intense in both legs and feet that I almost wanted to
call it off."
something to improve her dreams.
Everyday Health has a quote from Shoe Designer to the
Stars, Christian Louboutin. Louboutin told British
newspaper The Sunday Times that high heels and
orgasms have a lot in common. "What is sexual in a high
heel is the arch of the foot, because it is exactly the
position of a woman's foot when she orgasms," he said.
LBL had to read this several times. How does one call off
"So putting your foot in a heel, you are putting yourself
an orgasm? Wouldn't this be akin to calling off giving
in a possibly orgasmic situation."
birth when the labor pains became too severe? Or
calling off the fall as one went hurtling off a cliff? While LBL won't even touch this one. She invites readers to
appealing in theory, LBL isn't sure how this would work share their own experiences.
in reality.
Express.co.uk, in an article commemorating National
WebMD reports "I had the same phenomena happen to Orgasm Day, says a lot of stuff that doesn't matter
me last year. Now I do not experience the symptom
because the only important thing here is that there is a
anymore but my curiosity is still not sated. I first realized National Orgasm Day.
I was having painful orgasms when I awoke from a
Word to those of you who don't have orgasms or who
dream having an orgasm that was quickly infiltrated by a
have pain with orgasm, or who have any number of
painful painful (sic) cramping sensation in my pelvic
disturbing, unsavory associations with orgasm: Just get
region. I kept my body as stiff/still as I could to ride out
yourself a box of chocolates, a pair of really high heels,
the pain."
and a dildo. Throw the dildo out the window. If the
LBL has never dreamt of having an orgasm. Most of her shoes bother you, throw them out the window, as well.
dreams are about getting lost. Then she wakes up and
Just don't toss the chocolate. Eat it. LBL promises you a
goes about her day, getting lost. She has to do
stellar, pain-free orgasm.
Today’s BoomeR 15
Social Security:
FILING TAXES JUST GOT (A LITTLE BIT)
EASIER
By Bob Trotter, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
Now that it’s March, your annual tax filing deadline is fast
Create an Account.” Once you are logged in, select the
approaching. If you receive Social Security benefits, one of
“Replacement Documents” tab to obtain your replacement
the documents you need to file your federal income tax
1099 or 1042S benefit statement. You can also use your
return is your Social Security Benefit Statement (Form SSA-
personal my Social Security account to keep track of your
1099/1042S).
earnings each year, manage your benefits, and more.
Your Social Security benefits may be taxable. This includes
You can also obtain a replacement benefit statement by
monthly retirement, survivor, and disability benefits. About
calling us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday
one-third of people receiving Social Security benefits must
through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or by contacting your
pay taxes on some of these benefits, depending on the
local Social Security Office. If you live outside of the United
amount of their taxable income. This usually happens if you
States, please contact your nearest U.S. Embassy or
have other substantial income — such as wages,
Consulate. But by going online you can print your
self-employment, interest, dividends, and other taxable
replacement benefit statement immediately and not have to
income that must be reported on your tax return — in
wait to receive it in the mail.
addition to your Social Security benefits. You will never have
With a my Social Security account, gathering your Social
to pay taxes on more than 85 percent of your Social Security
Security information for tax season has never been easier.
benefits, based on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules.
Open your own personal my Social Security account today at
To find out if you must pay taxes on your benefits, you will
www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
need your Social Security Benefit Statement (Form SSA-
Your Questions Answered
1099/1042S). You should automatically receive it in the mail
each January. It shows the total amount of benefits you
Question:
know how much Social Security income to report to the IRS
I'm retiring early, at age 62, and I receive investment income
from a rental property I own. Does investment income count
as earnings?
on your tax return. The benefit statement is not available for
Answer:
received from Social Security in the previous year so you
people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), as
SSI payments are not taxable.
Whether you file your taxes early or wait until the deadline,
Social Security makes it easy to obtain a replacement benefit
statement if you didn’t receive one or misplaced it. You can
get an instant replacement easily by using your secure online
my Social Security account. If you don’t already have an
account, you can create one in minutes. Follow the link
below to the my Social Security page, and select “Sign In or
16 Today’s BoomeR
No. We count only the wages you earn from a job or your net
profit if you're self-employed. Non-work income such as
annuities, investment income, interest, capital gains, and other government benefits are not counted and will not affect
your Social Security benefits. Most pensions will not affect
your benefits. However, your benefit may be affected by
government pensions earned through work on which you did
not pay Social Security tax. You can retire online at
www.socialsecurity.gov. For more information, call us toll-free
at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
Chicago Auto Show:
Brains to Braun for
Boomer Auto Consumers
By John Vardallas www.TheAmericanBoomeR.com
Today’s BoomeR 17
Seems like the new year is
racing along faster due to
a mild winter in the
Midwest and has us
itching and ready for
Springtime-- which means
getting excited about
hitting the road for many
of us boomers.
Even though this is the
Year of the Monkey in the
Chinese Calendar, baby
boomers are not
monkeying around when
it comes to new car
muscle mindset and spending.
My annual pilgrimage to the Chicago Auto Show
was anything but ho-hum and featured a wide
array of kool and innovative foreign and domestic
rides.
down for 2016. There was plenty of ramped up
Chevy, Ford and Mopar Muscle for all cruising the
exhibits. The Ford GT, Chevrolet Camaro, and the
Dodge Boys SRTs showcased over the top
horsepower that permeated all pavilions.
The Chicago Auto show exemplified the excellent
convergence of vehicles and buyers. The US Auto
Industry had a record year in 2015 for vehicle sales
(17 million) and the CAS is the preeminent voice of
the auto buying consumer.
The CAS is the largest and oldest auto show in the
USA and has been showcasing America s new
vehicles since 1901. Held at McCormick Place, it
boasts the largest square footage of cars under one
roof on earth.
This year’s show did not disappoint. For baby
boomers like yours truly, there was plenty of new
retro horsepower as well as new muscle bling on
display.
The Big Three Detroit automakers as well as some
overseas manufacturers showcased some of the
coolest rides ever and won’t be letting consumers
18 Today’s BoomeR
Foreign hot muscle cars Jaguar, BMW, New Lexus
and Mercedes Coups in addition to the Alfa Romero
and the James Bond Astin Martin DB were all very
cool standouts.
environmentally friendly features such as recycled
dash materials and wood trim into their cars.
Increased fuel efficiency and boosting performance
across a wide range of engineering protocols was
an overall theme shown by all manufacturers.
In addition to In Car Connectivity lifestyle
enhancements (smart phone/wi-fi/smart link apps)
over the top safety features stood out. Utilizing
new technologies from sonar and radar, the
driverless ride is coming. Safety features for this
year s vehicles include: Adaptive Cruise Control and
Headlights, Automatic Emergency Braking,
Autopilot, Backup Collision Intervention, Forward
Collision Avoidance and Warning, Lane Keep and
Park Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.
These autonomous features will make driving a
little less fretful and a whole lot safer.
Needless to say despite seeing carbon matt
finishes, double moon roofs and retro green,
yellow and purple and orange auto colors on
In contrast, this year s also show highlighted an
almost all body styles, the Chicago Auto Show gave
amazing number of tricked out Trucks and SUVs
(now the most popular) in America. The Crossover thousands a look into the automotive future and
Revolution and New Automotive Environmentalism the best Rx for breaking the winter blues!
is here as well as the first Ford Explorer accessible
van to allow for mobility and freedom for those in
wheelchairs to really get behind a wheel. The
midsize sedan is no longer America s most popular
vehicle type. SUVs are now consumers favorite
rides (more than 2 million sold in 2015).
These smaller fuel efficient rides (Mazda/Nissan/
Honda/Jeep) are proving perfect for the trending
single and smaller family auto buying
demographic.
The quest for Green motoring (despite the drop in
gas prices) is moving beyond MPG. General Motors
Chevy Volt was deemed the Green Car of the Year.
In Europe, BMW i division is engineering
Today’s BoomeR 19
BOOMER HEALTHY EATING:
Hale Roasted Kale and Spring Sofrito Relish
Recipes and Photos from
Chef Eben Atwater
www.urbanmonique.com
I heard a quip on NPR the other day to the effect that their listeners were fueled heavily by the ubiquitous ‘Super
Food’, kale. When even McDonalds sports a kale salad offering, things are certainly reaching a saturation point,
(granted, that salad sports more calories, fat, and sodium than a double Big Mac, so maybe the health benefits aren’t
as evident there). They will be, however, with our wonderful kale and Sofrito relish.
That said, kale does indeed stack up pretty mightily in the Good For You scale. Kale is nutrient dense, sporting copious quantities of vitamins K, A, C, B1, B2, B3, and B6, as well as trace minerals like manganese, copper, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, and phosphorus. All of that at roughly 30 calories per cup, sporting 6 grams of carbs, (2 of
which are fiber), and 3 grams of protein. What little fat kale contains is largely alpha linolenic acid, AKA Omega-3.
Kale, Brassica Oleracea, stems from the Cabbage
family, and is cousin to other great veggies like
broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens and Brussels
sprouts. All those nutrients and that family tree
point to the telltale metallic, slightly funky odor
this wonderful stuff exudes.
There’s a myriad of variants, with a range of colors
and leaf shapes from flat to quite curly. It’s pretty,
frankly, and gets darn near as much attention for
an ornamental plant as it does for human fodder.
We’re going to offer a nice option for adding this
stuff to your diet, and maybe even getting folks
who think they don’t like kale to try it. The depth
and breadth of favors here belay the simplicity of
the dish.
Here’s our take on a roasted kale and sofrito blend. It
makes a great side, or a topping for shredded pork,
beef, or chicken, or can even be used as a sandwich
stuffing. As a bonus, you’ve got a great classic sofrito
recipe; this root of many a Spanish, Portuguese,
South American, and Caribbean dishes is a star all by
itself, and the recipe below will make more than
enough to spare.
20 Today’s BoomeR
Remove from heat, transfer to a bowl, and stir the
cilantro in well.
Allow to cool.
Sofrito will keep for a couple of days, refrigerated in an
airtight container.
For the Roasted Kale
4 Cups Kale, chopped.
2 Tablespoons Avocado Oil, (again EVOO is fine)
Sea Salt
Fresh ground Pepper
Preheat oven to 350° F.
Rinse, trim ends and big stem pieces from the kale,
then rough chop.
In a mixing bowl, combine kale with oil, a pinch of salt
and a few twists of pepper; make sure the kale is nice
and evenly coated with oil.
Mix well by hand, then spread evenly onto a baking
sheet.
For the Sofrito, (makes about a cup)
1 medium Tomato
1 medium sweet Onion
2-3 small sweet Peppers, (the miniatures are best)
1-2 Jalapeño Chiles
3 cloves Garlic
1/4 Cup Cilantro
Avocado Oil, (EVOO is fine too)
Slide the baking sheet into a middle rack in preheated
oven.
Bake for about 10 to 12 minutes until kale is beginning
to crisp.
Remove from oven and low to cool, tossing once or
twice with a couple of forks.
Combine the roasted kale with 1/2 cup sofrito and toss
gently to incorporate.
Stem, seed, and fine dice the onion, tomato, peppers
and chiles.
You can add a bit more or less as you prefer.
Rough chop the cilantro.
Can be served hot, or chilled, as you prefer.
Peel garlic, mince, then add a good pinch of salt and
mash with the side of a chef’s knife.
In a heavy sauté pan over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of avocado oil and allow to heat through.
Add the onion, chiles, and peppers and sauté until soft
and the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the garlic and sauté until the raw garlic smell has
dissipated, about 1 minute.
Add the tomato, stir to incorporate.
Cover the pan with a tight fitting lid and allow the blend
to cook until the free moisture has evaporated, about 3
to 5 minutes.
Today’s BoomeR 21
F– Being Old
By John A. Vardallas Founder/CEO, TheAmericanBoomeR.com
SINCE 2016 IS THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY-- HELP ME GET THE MESSAGE
TO OUR POLITICAL LEADERS NOT TO MONKEY AROUND WITH OUR
SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM.
CALLING ALL BOOMERS TO SEND A MESSAGE TO WASHINGTON
“SOSS”
“SAVE OUR SOCIAL SECURITY”
I WANT YOU!
URGE YOUR CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
TO PRESERVE THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND!
BECAUSE TO US BOOMERS/SENIORS,
“ITS NOT AN ENTITLEMENT—ITS EARNED!”
DON’T MESS WITH SS!
YOUR NEVER TOO OLD TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Show Your Support & Take the Poll at www.TheAmericanBoomeR.com
22 Today’s BoomeR
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B2B—BUSINESS 2 BOOMERS MARKETPLACE
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Today’s BoomeR 25
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26 Today’s BoomeR