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Edited by
Laurel Baer
Produced by
Carmen Salas
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| VILLAGE PROGRAMS |
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Register for these programs by calling 773.248.8700 or
Village Members receive registration priority. Payment confirms your registration and is due in advance.
Let the Village office know if you need a ride!
As the Village grows, from time to time events with limited attendance are fully subscribed with a waiting list. If you wish to participate in any event, please sign up early. You can do so by calling the office at 773.248.8700 or e-mailing [email protected]. |
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SUGGESTION BOX
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Lincoln Park Village welcomes any comments, suggestions, or concerns that our members have.
Please
click here to fill out our form to give the Village office your feedback. Thank you!
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FEBRUARY EVENTS
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Memoir Writing I with Beth Finke
Thursdays, ongoing.
February 16 - March 30
2:00 - 3:30 PM
&
Memoir Writing II with Beth Finke
Mondays, ongoing
February 20 - April 3
2:00 - 3:30PM
Members-$60 for the 8 session series & guests-$90 (Memoir Writing II series only)
Participants write short pieces and share their writing on various topics, exploring events in their lives. Sessions are led by Village member Beth Finke, an award-winning author, teacher, journalist, and NPR commentator.
Silver Screenings:
Cinderella (1950)
Sunday, February 19
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
The Admiral at the Lake
(929 W. Foster)
Members & guests - free
Join us for the continuation of the film series, "Big and Beatiful: Big Screen Color Films of the Fifties". Cinderella was nominated for three Oscars and was Disney Studio's greatest commercial and critical hit since 1937's Snow White. Named by AFI as one of the ten greatest animated films ever made.
Scrabble
Sunday, February 19
2:00-4:30 PM
Host: Jackie Zevin
Members only-free
Join this fun and friendly word game. Both novice and skilled players are welcome and invited to bring a snack to share.
Fall Prevention & Balance Workshop
Saturday, February 25
10:30 AM-12:00 PM
Balance Chicago
(1 E. Erie)
Members-free & guests-$10
Join Balance Chicago experts to learn all about your body's balance system! This workshop will include a short lesson about how balance works, a fall prevention check-list for your home and a mini balance assessment. You will leave with things you can do right away to decrease your fall risk, improve your stability and/or prevent future issues.
Apple Store Tutorial: Introduction to iPhone 7
Sunday, February 26
8:30-10:00 AM
Apple Store-Lincoln Park
(801 W. North Ave.)
Members-free & guests-$10
Join us before store hours to take a dive into the world of the iPhone while enjoying a quiet atmosphere. The Apple experts give you a full tour of the device, from its hardware features to its operating system. In-between, they will help you navigate and edit your home screen, make and receive phone calls, organize your contacts and keep a calendar.
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FAVORITE PASTIME GROUPS FOR VILLAGE MEMBERS
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Basic Meditation
Join this group, hosted by
Ellen Stone Belic, to learn and practice basic meditation techniques. This is a great opportunity to start or renew your practice - and to experience the joy and multitude of benefits of meditation. The next session will be led by
Sandra Kirmeyer on Saturday, February 18. Arrive at 9:45 AM for setup, meditation is from 10:00 - 11:00 AM. If you would like to attend or receive notices of upcoming sessions, e-mail Ellen at
[email protected].
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Bridge
This group regularly meets on
Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM in members' homes, usually with three tables. The next meeting will be hosted by
Laura McCormick on a
Wednesday, February 22. If you are interested in joining, please contact
Laura at
[email protected].
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Just Restaurants
Our vibrant restaurant group takes advantage of all our great food city has to offer. From BYOB to BBQ, French to fusion, seafood to steak--we try them all. If you want to receive information about these outings, please contact Helene Stoffey at [email protected].
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Knitting for a Purpose
The knitting and crocheting group meets most Wednesdays from 3:00 - 5:00 PM at Sister Arts Studio (721 W. Wrightwood). Beginners and experts are welcome to join. The group will be making hats, scarves and mittens for the Night Ministry. Bring your needles and yarn, maybe even some coffee or tea. Sister Arts Studio will be happy to supply needles and/or yarn, patterns, and tips.For more information, please contact Beth Hickey at [email protected].
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Saturday Afternoon at the Movies
For the second Saturday of each month, Kathy Sauer and Mel Washburn will recommend a film currently showing at the Landmark Century Theater at 2828 N. Clark Street just north of Diversey. After watching the film, members are invited to join Kathy and Mel in the Landmark Century's bar for a selfhosted beverage and a lively discussion of the film. The next date for the film screening will Saturday, March 11. Check back on the Pastime section for the name and time of the film. If you would like to be added to the email list for this group, please email
Mel Washburn at
[email protected].
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MARCH PREVIEW
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Strength Training + Nutrition = A Winning Combination
Wednesday, March 1
8:00-9:00 AM
CityWide SuperSlow
(1915 N. Clybourn-Suite 201).
Members-free & guests-$10
Join Village sponsor CWSS and Dr. Jessica Hehmeyer, who leads the Functional and Clinical Practice at Aligned Modern Health, to hear results from the latest studies supporting the benefits of doing slow consistent strength training. You'll learn 5 bodyweight exercises you can do on your own at home or at the office to build strength and ways to optimize wellness through nutrition.
Tech Help with Walter Payton Students
Friday, March 3
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Tutoring
12:00 PM - Lunch with the students
Walter Payton College Prep
(1034 N. Wells)
Members only - free
Students at Walter Payton are dedicating an entire day to serve the community and have inted the Village to take part. They wish to share their expertise to help with your technology quetions, and are able to provide one-on-one assistance. Come with your own laptops and/or mobile devices or use the computers provided at the school. Following the tech help you are invited to join the tech tutors for a pizza lunch.
Religion in East Asia
Tuesdays, ongoing.
March 7-28
2:30-4:00 PM
Center for Life and Learning
(126 E. Chestnut)
Members-$45 & guests-$55
Join Timothy Gutmann, PhD candidate in religion at the U of C, on this 4-week course focusing on the traditions of religious thought, practice, and philosophies of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Concluding with how Asia's encounter with modernity radically changed these legacies in thought and practice. Registration and payment should be done through
CLL website.
The Power of Support: Let's Talk
Tuesdays, ongoing.
March 7-April 11
1:00-3:00 PM
Host: Linda Randall
(Oakdale & Sheridan)
Members only-$60 for 6-week series
This small like-minded group of women will address the complex struggles that we face as we age. By sharing we find comfort in being understood, having mutual concerns, and the power of the group process. Come and share your joys, fears, and sorrows. Led by member Linda Randall, who has been practicing therapy for over 30 years.
Backgammon Party
Wednesday, March 8
5:00 - 8:00 PM
Host: Susie Kealy
(Kingsbury and Grand)
Members only - free
New member Susie Kealy is looking forward to learning backgammon and meeting new friends. All levels are welcome and soup and snacks will be served. Backgammon boards and beverages most welcomed.
Tour of Art AIDS America Chicago Exhibit
Thursday, March 9
11:00 AM
Alphawood Gallery
(2401 N. Halsted)
Members & guests - free
Self-hosted lunch following at The Bourgeois Pig.
Join Village members and guests for a tour led by the Gallery's Director of Exhibitions, Tony Hirschel. This groundbreaking exhibition underscores the deep and unforgettable presence of HIV in American art. It introduces and explores the whole spectrum of artistic responses to AIDS, from the politically outspoken to the quietly mournful, surveying works from the early 1980's to the present.
Uber & Lyft Tutorial
Saturday, March 11
2:00 - 3:30 PM
Village office
(2502 N. Clark)
Members - free & guests-$10
Rideshare applications for smartphones are becoming increasingly popular and convenient ways for people to get around. Bring your questions and concerns regarding the apps and you will be given a tutorial on how to use them. Note: we ask that participants download each of the apps onto their smartphones ahead of time. If you need assistance in doing this, please call the Village office.
Victory Gardens Theater:
A Word In My Soul
Sunday, March 12
2:15 PM - Pre-reception and discussion with artistic staff
3:00 PM - Performance
Victory Gardens Theater
(2433 N Lincoln Ave.)
Village, Ridgeland Block Club Association members - $33 &
guests - $43
Self hosted dinner to follow performance, nearby location to be determined.
Join members and guests for a pre-reception and discussion with the artistic staff in the Victory Gardens lobby. Told through music, poetry, and dance, this play looks at one neighborhood's evolution through the eyes of two best friends who own a beauty salon together and their lifetime of friendship.
Stradivari Society Presents:
Kristóf Baráti
Wednesday, March 22
6:00 PM
Historic Women's Athletic Club
(626 N. Michigan)
Members only-$10 for concert only; $50 for concert & dinner
All are invited to this unique concert at this historic, private club. Dedicated to the preservation and pursuit of excellence in classical music by identifying the world's most promising young artists, the Stradivari Society presents one of the most important Hungarian violinists of his generation. Reception at 6:00 PM, followed by concert. Optional dinner follows at 7:45 PM.
Finding Gratitude and Meaning in Family Caregiving
Wednesday, March 22
6:30 PM
Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center
(303 E. Superior St - Baldwin Auditorium)
Members & guests - free
More than 43 million Americans are currently estimated to be serving in caregiving roles, and that number is expected to rapidly increase each year. Though caregiving is undoubtedly difficult, Dr. Barry Jacobs and Dr. Julia Mayer say that with the right mindset-the role can not only be manageable, but deeply rewarding. The presenters will share their own stories and the stories of many featured in their new AARP Meditations for Caregivers, inspiring attendees in ways to reframe caregiving into a positive experience of real personal growth, increased family closeness, and above all, greater meaning.
Click here
to learn more and register online.
Art Gallery Discovery Tour
Saturday, March 25
11:00 AM-12:30 PM-Tour
12:30 PM-Optional lunch
LOCATION CHANGE:
Kavi Gupta Gallery
(835 W. Washington St.)
Members-$5 & guests-$10
Self-hosted lunch at The Allis (113-125 North Green St.)
Former arts journalist, current Senior Editor of New Art Examiner and Village Member Tom Mullaney will guide members and guests through 3 unique art galleries, Kavi Gupta Gallery, Thomas McCormick Gallery, and Rhona Hoffman Gallery, followed by a self-hosted lunch at The Allis.
Reinventing Yourself At Any Age With authors and aging activists Meredith Maran and Elaine Soloway
Wednesday, March 29
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Sulzer Regional Library
(4455 N Lincoln Ave)
Members & guests - free
See details on the right side of this Newsletter
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WAYS TO STAY FIT
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Village Yoga Program
Mondays, ongoing
November 14 - 28
3:00 - 4:30 PM
Yoga Circle
(401 W. Ontario)
Special yoga program led by Village member Donatella Santoro and her colleague, Cheryl Hurst, both taught and inspired by Gabriel Halpern's yoga technique, will bring a self healing approach to yoga. See
www.yogacircle.com
for a list of prices and packages.
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NIA
Eight-session series
:
Thursdays, Ongoing
10:30 - 11:30 AM
Church of the Three Crosses
(333 W. Wisconsin)
Members - $64 for the series of 8 sessions, or $10 per session;
Guests- $15 per session.
Join in anytime! For more information about NIA, click
here.
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Pilates
Eight-session series:
Tuesdays, Ongoing
10:00 - 11:00 AM
Studio 1002
(1002 W. Diversey)
Members Only - $160 for the series of 8 sessions
Payment goes directly to
Lincoln Park Athletic Club.
SPECIAL OFFERS
Check out these special offers for Village members to stay active.
Chicago Athletic Club
Contact the Village office for information on obtaining a one-month free trial membership.
XSport Fitness
Contact the Village office for information on obtaining a 7-day trial membership.
See flyer on discounted member rate.
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Board of Directors
Kathleen Kologdy, President
Mary Ann Schwartz, Vice President
David Baker, Vice President
Nancy Felton-Elins, Vice President
Joan Goldstein, Secretary
J. Dirk Vos, Treasurer
Donald M. Bell
John A. Bross
Charles G. Cooper
John Craib-Cox
Hollis Hines
John Holton
Bruce Hunt
Beth Joosten
Joe Lane
Alan T. Lougée
Ann Rusnak
Leatrice Berman Sandler
John Simonds
Mary Ann Smith
Lois Stuckey
Dick Sullivan
Karen Terry
Mel Washburn
Advisory Council
Neelum T. Aggarwal, MD
Robyn L. Golden
Joanne G. Schwartzberg, MD
Michael Spock
Immediate Past President
Ruth Ann Watkins
Dianne S. Campbell
Founding Executive Director
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PARTNERS
The Village uses an asset-based approach to identifying first-rate resources for members, leveraging existing strengths within our communities. This approach has led to the formation of strategic partnerships with two organizations chosen for the breadth and depth of their capabilities and their recognized expertise in the health and well-being of older adults.
CJE SeniorLife™
Rush University Medical Center
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CALL US! JOIN US!
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| Joining Lincoln Park Village
Membership is available to people 50+ living in Chicago's north side communities from River East to Edgewater and beyond. For your convenience, you can click on the membership application below, or if you prefer, call the Village office for other options. A reduced-rate program, Member Plus, is available for those on limited fixed incomes.
After becoming a member, we will welcome you and connect you to the specific people, activities and services that fit your unique interests and needs. Our goal is always to help you explore possibilities and support your choices so you can live the life you wish to live.
Download Membership Application Download the form to pay via auto-withdrawal through your bank account |
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What is Lincoln Park Village?
Lincoln Park Village is a leader in the nationwide Village movement. It is an innovative, nonprofit membership organization, shaped by its members to create possibilities and choices for our lives. As a volunteer-based community, we provide stimulating, challenging activities and programs, help if it is needed, a sense of belonging, and opportunities to contribute and build for the future. Our
Member-Plus program enables all neighbors regardless of income, to join and integrate fully into Village life.
By leveraging the talents, wisdom and skills of older adults, we have become an important asset to our communities and to each other. Together, we are helping invent a different future for older adults in America.
Serving Chicago's North Side neighborhoods from South Loop to Edgewater and beyond, our Village is a unique resource--professional yet neighborly and close-by--valuable to you right now and as your needs change.
Call us! Join us! 773.248.8700 2502 N. Clark Street Chicago, IL 60614 p. 773.248.8700 f. 773.248.8181 www.lincolnparkvillage.org [email protected] |
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"Life expectancy is ballooning just as science and technology are on the cusp of solving many of the practical problems of aging. What if we could not only have added years but spend them being physically fit, mentally sharp, functionally independent, and financially secure? At that point, we no longer have a story about old age. We have a story about long life."
- Laura L. Carstensen, A Long Bright Future
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Dear Neighbors,
Happy birthday, Alex!
This month marks a milestone--our first Village member celebrating 100. (See his and wife Marion's story below).
Our youngest member is 50--quite an age span. Yet for all of our members, the Village exists to support each of them as we navigate together the new longevity and all of the opportunities and challenges that are a part of it. Whether it's looking for rewarding work; or seeking the right opportunity to make a difference; or being the ally for a loved one, the Village and its multi-faceted community are here for you.
The reality is that long life brings change - some good, some not so good - but the important thing is that we have formed a community to navigate these years together through connection, engagement and support.
One of the questions I am most frequently asked is to explain exactly how the Village helps people "age in place" - what do we do to make it possible for members to stay in the home or community they love. Keep reading and you will see Paula Weiner's story that explains how we do it.
It happens thru the Village in lots of ways.
Dianne S. Campbell
Founding Executive Director
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NEW & RETURNING MEMBERS
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The Village welcomes these new and renewing members. Thank you all!
Click here
to view new and renewing members.
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The New Longevity
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We are the new longevity.
Those of us who are living beyond our 70's, into our 80's, and 90's have been given an unexpected gift - a bonus of 20 or more years of life. At 65, we can expect to live into our middle 80's, and today's newborns into their 90's. Cynthia Hutchins Director of Financial Gerontology for Bank of America Merrill Lynch,
called the longevity bonus "unprecedented in the broad sweep of human history" and said it is "redefining the world around us in a host of different ways."
We refer to this unprecedented and widespread longevity as "new" because it produces life situations that many have never encountered or even thought about. Longevity in our everyday lives brings an array of things - both good and bad.
For some ...
... more years with children, grandchildren, even great-grandchildren and with friends.
... the opportunity to actually act on life's lessons learned.
... encore careers; old dreams fulfilled; legacies secured - or simply life going on as it always has.
But also the potential for
... financial insecurity
... health and mobility issues
... the onset of isolation
Because in the Village we have chosen to navigate the new longevity together, we have learned from each other what new ideas, supports, activities and opportunities will best prepare us to enjoy the bonus years with a sense of well-being and connection.
Of the many life situations that arise in longevity, we have selected just three to begin a conversation on what a longer life might mean and how we can navigate it together.
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With a Little Help from Your Friends
Paula Weiner's Story
By Kathy Zartman
 It was about 5 or 6 years ago that two life-altering events occurred for Paula Weiner. She joined Lincoln Park Village; she began to have early signs of Parkinson's Disease.
Today, at age 81, she and her devoted Japanese Bobtail cat, Becky Bob, still live in her condo above Lake Shore Drive, and she credits the Village with that.
A cascade of problems descended on Paula, even as her health deteriorated. Her beloved younger brother, a doctor in California who handled all her legal and financial affairs, died at about the same time as their mother. Concurrently, a caregiver whom she trusted "
robbed me blind.
" The ensuing complexities of her business affairs were too much for her... but Village volunteers have helped her untangle the fallout from those devastating experiences. Her financial situation was dire but the Village helped her with the complexities of Medicare, Medicaid and her long-term care insurance. There is one word Paula uses over and over, "
Wonderful
!" to describe the Village assistance she has received.
In addition to practical financial help, the Village has provided many other valuable assists. Among them are: 1) drivers who help her get to medical appointments; 2) classes, particularly art classes, as well as in-house chair yoga instruction; 3) visits from members ("
Myrna Knepler studied art with me. She now comes by occasionally to talk."); 4
) meals with the Lake View Circle. In addition, she receives OT, PT and social service assistance from Weiss Memorial Hospital's home health care agency.
Paula is aware that at some point her needs will require more than this but she wants to remain at home as long as possible. As her disease progresses, her hands no longer work well and she has a terrible time with the computer. "
I try to keep busy. I don't want to give up."
Paula's story demonstrates how the Village has helped her "stay put" by supporting mobility, connection, engagement and help with finding resources as she needs them - all delivered with the warmth and sense of community the Village creates among its members. Her attitude is an inspiration, "I do love people. That's how I get along."
Ed. Note: In addition to the resources described above, the Village also can provide help with home technology, organizing and downsizing, referrals for maintenance and retrofitting --- and if a move is necessary, help with finding the right place. We also know that "knowledge is power"and provide access to education and classes as well as acting as advocates for members we refer.
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Legacies: Helping You Live with Purpose
By
Bonnie Kepplinger
 Do you want to be remembered for more than your blackberry cobbler recipe or your golf trophies? If so, you can decide what you wish to pass on to future generations by creating a personal legacy. And it can be written right now, providing goals and helping to develop strategies, vision, and motivation throughout life. Writing that legacy statement can prod you into looking at your values and "living with purpose." It might give you the impetus to take a refresher course in Spanish so you can work at a shelter, or contact an estranged family member, or become more politically active.
A legacy statement can be a reflective summation, of a life's meaningful accomplishments. You can also create a legacy that involve ideals and how you approach life - kind of an ethical will. While many think of legacies in financial terms, some legacies involve both financial and humanitarian efforts, such as the Village member who has started a small micro-lending venture in Honduras.
 I think of the Village itself and the members who work on its behalf as a legacy: those who provide rides, teach, help in the office, share computer skills, and offer their time in countless other ways - all living with purpose and contributing to a communal legacy.
How do you want to be remembered? Here are tips for creating a legacy.
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Get your thoughts down on paper. Reflect on your experience, observations, and values. (You can hone your work in a
Village memoir class.
)
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Read ethical wills to get a feel for this type of writing. Ethical Will.
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Debt: A Tool to Help Finance Your Retirement
 Life has its way of altering even the best laid retirement plans. Should the unexpected happen, borrowing may offer a way to smooth out the bumps that inevitably confront most of us. After the recession, it's understandable that many retirees may hesitate to take on debt, preferring to fund their needs and wants as well as emergencies with their retirement income, or from available assets as planned.
Still, debt - borrowing against assets - can be a powerful tool to help you respond to unexpected events in retirement. It can put you in a position to act quickly should an emergency - or an opportunity - arise.
Here are several options for borrowing from your assets in retirement. Your attorney, accountant and financial advisor can help guide you in decisions about how to pay for specific life events without interrupting your long-term investment strategy.
Cash Out Refinance Mortgage
Refinance your paid off house or current mortgage for an amount higher than the balance in order to put "cash" back in your pocket for things like home repair or medical costs. Payments are principal and interest for a set term. Borrowers are responsible for property taxes and homeowners insurance.
 Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
This allows the homeowner to borrow an agreed upon amount based on the equity the borrower has in their home. The lender sets the loan amount, payment schedule and term of the loan. Payments are typically interest only. Borrowers are responsible for property taxes and homeowners insurance. Principal is paid back when the home is sold or the loan term is over.
Securities Based Line of Credit (SBLC)
This is a flexible line of credit that can be collateralized by your investment portfolio (excluding IRA / Retirement Accounts) for a variety of purposes (with the exception of purchasing securities). The SBLC offers competitive rates based on the value of assets collateralized, not the loan amount, and interest may continue to accrue on the loan. The line of credit remains open for as long as you want with no expiration date, even if it goes unused. Because this option enables you to keep your money invested, you may benefit from potential market gains without disrupting your investment strategy. This lending strategy offers a simple application process compared to traditional banks loans, requiring no fees, document stamps, or recording taxes.
 Reverse Mortgage
This is a home loan for homeowners 62 years and older that allows borrowers to access the equity in their home. The borrower is able to defer the payment of the loan until they sell the home, move, or pass away. The interest from the loan is added monthly to the balance. Borrowers are responsible for property taxes and homeowners insurance. Reverse mortgages are complicated products and you should consult with your attorney, accountant and financial professional to determine if it is an appropriate solution for you and your family.
While many of us think of "debt" as a bad thing, in the right hands and circumstances it can be put to good use for a stable financial future.
Ed. Note: This article was written by a Certified Financial Planner. However, if you are considering any of these tools, you should consult with your own financial adviser, accountant or attorney to make sure they are appropriate for your situation and will meet your needs.
Village Resources to Help You Plan your Financial Future
The Village continuously seeks opportunities to surround members with resources that will both support and enrich their lives. Frequently these resources are discovered and shared by members; or are little known but important information; or something we have created ourselves. Here are examples of programs and resources about finances. If you want to be notified about future Village programs on planning for your financial future, please call the Village office, 773.248.8700.
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Living Longevity: Two Stories
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Kathy and Jim Zartman: What Longevity Means to Us.
Ed Note: Both the author and the interviewees are in their 80's.
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| (L-R) Jim Zartman, Village member Cruz Figueroa, Kathy Zartman |
After touching briefly on the broad societal implications of people living longer, our thoughts turned to what
longevity means for us.
"Health is number one," says Jim. "I know I am fortunate to have been and continue to be healthy." He and Kathy each work at that. He warns against moving too quickly to a single floor residence, that stairs are an excellent source of exercise.
They recalled a series of aphorisms that Dr. Neelum Aggarwal, Clinical Core Co- Leader of the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center and long time Village member had presented to a gathering years ago. The three lines along with Jim's commentary provide a summary of how the Zartmans think and act in their longevity.
"If you stop, you drop," Jim says; "I like to work. Maintaining a household, including regular invitations to neighbors to come by - keeps us both moving." They have scaled back on elaborate travels, but they continue to make and meet appointments, with colleagues, and family.
 "Train your brain." Writing memoirs and publishing a book to capture them was an invigorating intellectual discipline for Kathy. She acknowledges that nowadays she occasionally escapes into detective stories just to shut down the political noise. She is addressing the issue of longevity by researching it.
She appreciates the wisdom in Gawande's 2007 The
New Yorker
article,
The Way We Age Now
, and refers to it periodically.
And while we were talking, Jim had a substantial pile of legal papers in front of him
having to do with the estate of an old friend from church that Jim was helping administer.
"Attitude of gratitude" What comes through in our conversation is how grateful they are for the years they have been given together and in this place. They also can tell you how the experience of volunteering returns benefits matching the benefits of giving. Just ask Jim about being a volunteer driver for the Village.
"Focus on the locus" This is Jim's addition, and it means live in the present; pay attention to what is happening here and now. Do not be preoccupied with the past or the future. This is no anti-planning diatribe. In fact one of the areas where they have a lively family debate going has to do with how they anticipate the future. Under what conditions, might they consider moving from the locus they love. In the meantime, they are compiling what they call their "blue book" all the information the kids (and perhaps others) need to know about their circumstance and their wishes.
Many readers of this newsletter will know that Jim and Kathy were one of the Village's three founding families. It is good to know that the Village still surrounds them with connections, activities, and relationships that enrich their longevity.
Love on the Spot
by Bonnie Kepplinger
"I first saw Marion [Karczmar] when she appeared on Broadway in a Noel Coward play in the early 1940s. I fell in love on the spot," said Alex Karczmar. "She was, still is, my passion," he says, pointing to his wife of 71 years.
The couple explain their different personalities: He is a scientist; she is a poet, actress, swami and yoga teacher. He is a "show off," she is modest. He is passionate; she considers herself emotionally detached.
Marion, who emigrated from Canada to New York in the early 1940s, acted both on and off Broadway in plays ranging from Shakespeare to Oscar Wilde. Alex, who emigrated from Poland around the same time, received a degree in Zoology in 1941 and a Ph.D in Biophysics in 1947 from Columbia University. In 1956 the Karczmars moved with their two sons to the Chicago area where he served for 30 years as Professor and Director at Loyola University of Chicago Medical Center in Maywood.
Alex, who turns 100 in May, says he is "genetically engineered" for longevity. His mother was healthy when she died in an accident at 93. Moreover, he and Marion, who is 92, lead busy social and personal lives. They enjoy seeing movies with the Village (he rides his scooter and she walks alongside to the theater, which is a mile away), visiting museums, and dining out with friends. In addition, they are both writers: He is writing yet another book (he has authored, co-authored, or edited seven books already), and she writes poetry*.
Marion and Alex have always been leaders in the cultural community. Alex received a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Senior Fulbright Fellowship and has worked with many Nobel Laureates. Marion founded the Oak Park Festival Theater, where she worked with David Mamet, Robert Falls, and William H. Macy. The couple's apartment is a veritable museum of modern art, many works by Chicago artists. Their collection includes paintings and sculptures of Marion, who served as muse for the artist Maxim Elias in the 1950s. ("He was in love with her," Alex interjects.)
"Our styles are different, but our marriage is harmonious," Marion says. "In fact, we actually breathe together when we do our yoga exercises." And for once, Marion gets the last word.
* Ed. Note: The Village is trying to find the best program to translate Marion's diction into writing to facilitate her work. The Karczmar's have also been able to run errands and get out and about thanks to volunteer driver Bob Hernquist who once even assembled a new chair for them.
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Special Event: Two Authors and Friends - Moderated by Alison Cuddy
The New Old Me
is a post-divorce memoir about starting over at 60 in youth-obsessed, beauty-obsessed Hollywood and what it means to be a woman of a certain age in our time.
Soloway is Chicago based and is the author of many books, blogs, and memoirs including
The Division Street Princess
and her new book,
Bad Grandma and Other Chapters in a Life Lived Out Loud
.
The discussion will be moderated by Alison Cuddy,
former NPR news magazine host on Wednesday, March 29 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM at the Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 N Lincoln. For more information and reservations, call the Village office 773.248.8700.
 Save the Date!
Annual Members Meeting -
Monday, April 24
All members are invited to attend our Annual Members Meeting on
Monday, April 24, 5 pm at the Victory Gardens Theater, 2533 N. Lincoln - an opportunity for our whole community to be together in one room. Watch the Member Memo and your April event calendar for more information.
Save the Date!
Village 8th
Anniversary and Benefit - Monday, June 5
We're making plans for a wonderful event on
Monday, June 5, 5:00 - 8:00 PM at Galleria Marchetti.
Mark your calendar - you won't want to miss this one. More to come.
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VILLAGE SPONORS
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The featured authors are Meredith Maran, author of 
