Rita Moreno, 81, is in full promotion
mode. She has been on talk shows, news
shows, in print media such as the Orange
County Register, on the radio and doing a
book tour. She was born in Puerto Rico
and came to New York at the age of five.
Moreno went on to be the first Hispanic
to win an Emmy (1977), a Grammy (1972),
an Oscar (1962) and a Tony (1975). In 1985,
she won the Sarah Siddons Award for her
work in Chicago. Rita holds the listing in
the Guinness Book of World Records for
being the only female to have achieved
winning the four most prestigious show
business awards.
May creates confliction as I reflect on the
significance placed on the 1st day of the
month and the 31st day of the month. Both
are captured by flowers for two totally
different reasons.
While the first of May is actually
celebrating Spring with May Day. Bringing
memories for some of us of May Pole
Dances and picnics and gatherings and lots
of flowers. The tradition includes tying
flower baskets on all your neighbors front
doors.
Yet on the last day of May we take
flowers with us to gravesites in tribute to
those that have passed away as we
remember them on Memorial Day.
Such distinction utilizing the same type
of adornment. It is fascinating that the
only change is intention and perspective.
Neither of these traits are quantifiable, yet
both are profound in their own right.
In my world today, I must confess, the
latter of two occupy my time in May. Yet,
this year, I will make an attempt to - at the
very least - acknowledge Spring with some
sort of flower tribute. Maybe even May
Day flowers will be shared with complete
strangers.
Please note that on May 4th, the
American Diabetes Association will be
holding their annual conference at the Los
Angeles Convention Center from 10:00 am
to 4:00 pm. Admission is Free, $15 for
parking. West Hall H & J, 1201 South
Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
If you or someone you know is affected
by diabetes, please share this with them.
Call 1-888-DIABETES x7503 or visit
www.diabetes.org/laexpo for more details.
Sponsors are CareMore, United Long
Term Care Workers, Takeda and
Walgreens. Stop Diabetes - One Lifestyle
at a Time.
I moved to Beverly Hills a few months
ago. I am 55 and was surprised to learn
that at my age, I am qualified for some
senior benefits here.
I guess if AARP is for 50 and over, well, I
am heading in the senior direction. I called
my sister in New Hampshire and told her
that I am now officially old. We both
laughed. Growing up, I did not look
forward to something like that. Now that
the time is here, I am proud of it. I earned
it. I don’t feel old. In fact, I feel great.
Life does get better with age. I have
been reading Not Born Yesterday! every
month since I got here.
Thank you for a wonderful paper. It is
inspiring and has so much. While I was
‘not born yesterday’, I do look forward to
the years ahead. Your paper will be a part
of that.
Submitted by: GEORGE V.H.
AGELESS in ATTITUDE and ACTION: Martha Meyer
Martha Meyer’s path to working with
seniors was an unexpected one. The San
Clemente resident spent 23 years as a
restaurant executive before owning a
successful women’s fashion boutique in
Laguna Beach. In 2000, she and her
husband moved to a community with a
large elderly population. “I always loved
helping the people in the neighborhood,” she
recalls. “I would help them with their
gardening, pick up their groceries, take them
to lunch and organize little get-togethers.”
When Meyer sold the boutique and was
considering her next move, a friend told
her about a job opening at Del Obispo
Terrace Senior Living. “I never really
considered it as a career but realized it
would give me an opportunity to do
something truly meaningful,” she says.
This leap of faith proved to be the best
move for her and the 70-plus residents at
Del Obispo Terrace.
If you know someone who is an example of aging with an attitude,
please contact us at 1-562-691-2509 or nbynews@juno.com or fax the
following to 1-562-691-3261: Person’s name and contact information
with a brief description of why you believe he or she would fit the
profile of an individual over 60 that is aging successfully. We will
feature 12 individuals in 2013, one each month and it is okay to
nominate yourself. Please include a picture, either via email in a
digital file (300 dpi jpg) or a good quality photo we can scan (will not
be returned). Age will be printed - Growing older proud and loud.
The staff at Not Born Yesterday! wants to thank everyone for their
help in promoting the newspaper and using the goods and services of
our advertisers. We treasure each one of you and your participation
and feedback. We commend you for making a difference in your own
communities and want to share your efforts with our readers.