By Randal C. Hill  Chances are that few of us grew up having to worry about life-threatening dangers on the streets where we lived. Not so, though, for Malik and Eric, two 12-year-old boys in Chicago who live in poverty in an area redolent with problems.   In “We Grown Now,” both Malik (Blake Cameron James) and Eric (Gian Knight Ramirez) live in the notorious Cabrini-Green housing project. Ratty and rundown and noisy as the apartments may be by 1992—when this story takes place—the cramped rooms inside Cabrini-Green represent safe havens from the harshness outside. Here families ..read more

By Fred Cicetti  Q. Episodes of depression seem to be common over several generations in my family. Is depression genetic?  There is substantial evidence that depression is a hereditary disease. A depression gene known as 5-HTTLPR has been found.  The World Health Organization reports that more than 120 million people worldwide suffer from depression. At least 10 percent of people in the U.S. will experience major depressive disorder at some point in their lives. Two times as many women as men experience major depression.  In 2011, Dr. Srijan Sen, a professor of psychiatry ..read more

By Lisa Bekiaris, The Blarney Scone Homestead Bakery & Farm   Selling at a farmer’s market can be a rewarding and profitable venture for seniors. These markets provide a unique opportunity to connect directly with customers, showcase your passion, and build relationships within the local community. Whether you’re a farmer, artisan, or food producer, participating in a farmer’s market can open doors to meet new people, build customers, and help grow your business and social life.   Benefits of becoming a farmer’s market vendor  One big advantage of selling at a farm ..read more

By Patricia Horwell  Food. It tickles all the senses.   Certainly, food can be hearty and robust, but there is a reason why Omar Khayyam wrote, “A jug of wine, a loaf of bread and thou beside me…” Sharing sumptuous, tantalizing goodies with your lover can positively set the stage for romance, whether you are on the sofa, in bed or on a bearskin rug in front of a blazing fireplace. Food as foreplay! Flavors, colors and textures all play a part. Juicy, drippy finger foods, like fruit, are often the sexiest. Involving all five senses during foreplay can enhance your sexual exp ..read more

By Michele D. Baker  Adapted from an article of the same name in the March 2024 AARP Bulletin  In January, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a state program to import prescription meds from Canada, where the prices for many drugs are far lower than in the U.S. The approval allows Florida’s health agency to begin implementing a process for some state programs.  “The FDA approval is evidence that efforts to allow states to safely import prescription drugs from Canada are moving forward,” said Leigh Purvis, AARP prescription drug expert. “This is part of a growing lis ..read more

By Michael Berkhahn, CFP® According to GoBankingRates, Tampa residents who saved $1 million for their retirement will run out of money in 18 years, four months, and 7 days on average. Couple that with a recent Charles Schwab Survey which revealed that the average worker believes they need $1.8 million to retire, and we begin to see a stark contrast when comparing that number to the latest Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances, which reports a median retirement account balance of just $185,000 for Americans aged 55-64. Inflation has always been a threat to one’s retirement savings, but ..read more

By Kathy A. Megyeri  Book Review: “The In-Between, Unforgettable Encounters During Life’s Final Moments,” by Hadley Vlahos, RN  If there are angels among us on Earth, they are probably hospice nurses. Death is a difficult topic for us all, and it takes a person with empathy and a caring nature to work daily with those who are dying and their grieving family members. The outcome is never going to be a joyful time of family celebration, but as Hadley Vlahos, author of this ground-breaking book says, “I’ve never met someone 100 or older who still wants to be alive. I want us to try to m ..read more

The Social Security Administration celebrates Financial Literacy Month (FLM) every April to promote financial education and well-being in the United States. FLM also serves as a reminder that Social Security is a vital part of any financial plan. Our online tools are here to help you understand your potential Social Security benefits and how they fit into your financial future.   You should periodically review your Social Security Statement (Statement) using your personal my Social Security account at www.SSA.gov/myaccount. Your Statement is an easy-to-read summary of the estima ..read more

By Evelyn B. Kelly PhD  After spending the night in Cairns (pronounced “Cans”), we were ready for some Australian fun in a hot air balloon. We would fly over the Outback, a remote inland area with large farms; although the vegetation looks scrubby, farming still occurs.   Hot Air Balloon  Sitting in a clearing was a vast straw-colored basket about six feet tall with a wide rim. The basket was tied to the ground by ropes ending in a spike, and the balloon had a huge yellow and blue world map.   The height of the basket was a challenge to climb, but we were helped ..read more

By Michele D. Baker  The Great North American Eclipse is a total solar eclipse that will occur on April 8, 2024. The path of totality will stretch from Mexico, through the United States (from Texas to Maine), and into Canada (from Ontario to Newfoundland). Time and Date has lots of great details — including a countdown clock! — but here are some key details:  Duration of totality: Up to 4 minutes and 27 seconds, almost double that of the Great American Eclipse (August 21, 2017).  Start time in the US: In Texas at 1:27 PM CDT.  End time in the US: In Maine and Florida at 3 ..read more