Featured Stories
In This Issue
Discover Medieval Fantasy On the Italian Coast
Imagine a Medieval town overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, like a fantasy setting for the “Game of Thrones” (except brighter and with less blood). Imagine five of these towns and you have Cinque Terre, Italy — literally, five “lands” in English.
Finding Caring Homes For Older Pets
Organizations across the country are working to provide homes for pets whose owners have died and why it's important to include pets
in your estate plan.
Do Your Heirs A Favor
Decide now what you want to do with the family home after you
are gone and then write it down and update as necessary.
Getting Rid Of "Stuff" Is Hard
It’s hard because we have an emotional/sentimental attachment to our things. They remind us of people we’ve known and places we’ve been and sometimes those memories can be bittersweet.
Is a Reverse Mortgage Right For You?
Learn why a RM may be right for you.
Screening For Colorectal Cancer May Save Your Life
Regular screening, beginning at age 45, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer. Learn more at PMGMD.
Ask Larry: "Should I Use An Online Bank?
If your traditional bank is offering less than 3.00% interest on your money, it may be time to consider online banking.
Looking for independent senior living?
Check out Chateau-Cupertino in Cupertino, CA starting at $3,400 per month. Home-life environment with meals included.
Letting Go Of Past Possessions
Takes a little bit of time and work but it's possible to declutter your life and make extra money at the same time.
Be Kind
Let me know what kind of stories you prefer to read in The Scoop,
the leading digital publication for boomers and seniors in the SF Bay Area. Please feel free to forward this issue to your family and friends. Subscribe today. It's FREE!
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Finding Caring Homes for Older Pets
Organizations across the country are working to provide homes for pets whose owners have died and why it's important to include pets in your estate plan.
Joey and Mary Jane, two older cats with panda-like patches, once lived the good life with their owner, a pet sitter. Then the unthinkable happened: the woman fell ill and died, landing the two in a shelter. Lucky for them, their owner's friends and clients donated enough money to send the siblings to Blue Bell Foundation for Cats, a
Laguna Beach, California cat retirement home.
Facing a terminal illness, Sabrina's owner flew her out and stayed several weeks with her to ease the transition into her new permanent home at Blue Bell, a retirement home for senior and special needs cats.
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"Cinque Terre"
Discover Medieval Fantasy On The Italian Coast
By Don Mankin, Travel Writer
Imagine a Medieval town overlooking the Mediterranean Sea like a fantasy setting for the “Game of Thrones” (except brighter and with less blood). Imagine five of these towns, and you have Cinque Terre, Italy — literally, five “lands” in English.
In October I visited Cinque Terre, along with my wife and a friend, after spending nine days in the urban turmoil of Rome, five hours south.
Don’t get me wrong, Rome was great but after a few days of traffic and noise I was ready for something different. I wanted to wash away the tumult of Rome with views of land and water rather than views back in time. I craved scenery rather than antiquities.
The five “Lands” of Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and national park, is a string of five centuries-old fishing villages on the northwestern coast
of Italy. It’s a place from another world, another time.
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Your morning Joe will taste a lot better in a funny coffee
mug from John Donaghue, an award winning creative art director and creator of Under Cardiac Arrest Comics. On sale for $12.71 at Zazzle. Nice gift idea.
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Screening For Colorectal Cancer May Save Your Life
March Is National Colorectal Cancer
Awareness Month
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is observed in March to highlight the importance of screening for colorectal cancer as well as to promote healthy lifestyle habits that can decrease a person’s risk of developing this type of cancer.
Screening is the process of looking for cancer or pre-cancer in people who have no symptoms of the disease. Regular colorectal cancer screening is one of the most powerful tools for preventing colorectal cancer.
From the time the first abnormal cells start to grow into polyps, it usually takes about 10 to 15 years for them to develop into colorectal cancer. With regular screening, most polyps can be found and removed before they have the chance to turn into cancer. Screening can also find colorectal cancer early when it's small and easier to treat.
Regular screening, beginning at age 45, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer. If you’re 45 to 75 years old, get screened for colorectal cancer regularly. If you’re younger than 45 and think you may be at high risk of getting colorectal cancer or if you’re older than 75, talk to your doctor about screening.
Colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer don’t always cause symptoms, especially at first. That is why getting screened regularly for colorectal cancer is so important. Several screening tests can be used to find polyps or colorectal cancer, including some that you can do at home.
Each test has advantages and disadvantages. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of each test and how often to be tested.
Physicians Medical Group of San Jose is the largest independent physician’s association in Santa Clara County. We have been part of the community for 40 years with more than 1,000 doctors in 460 offices plus we speak 30+ languages. Call 888-988-8682 or visit pmgmd.com for more information.
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Ask Marilyn
"Is a Reverse Mortgage Right
For Me?"
With over 15 years experience right here in Silicon Valley, I can help answer your questions about reverse mortgages.
Will the bank own my home?
The bank does not take ownership of your home; they simply extend
a loan to you. You continue to own and live in your home and are responsible for payment of property taxes, required insurance and if applicable, HOA fees.
Do my children/family members lose their inheritance?
No, a borrower may designate an heir of their choosing.The heir(s) will inherit the home after the last surviving borrower passes away
and may then choose to keep (by paying off the amount of reverse mortgage balance) or sell the home. Should they choose to sell, any remaining equity after paying off the loan (minus interest and fees) would be theirs.
What is the lending limit of the HECM reverse mortgage?
As of January 1, 2023, it increased to $1,089,300. Which means it's very likely you can qualify for more money.
To learn more about reverse mortgages, feel free to call me today.
408.722.0010.
Marilyn Brown Ross Branch Manager & Reverse Mortgage Professional NMLS #453436/1221981
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Do Your Heirs a Favor
Decide now what you want to do with the family home after you are gone and then write it down and update
as necessary.
Francesca Maresca, 54, of Highland Park, New Jersey, had spoken in passing to her father, John, about whether he had an updated will. It was only when he died at 89 of congestive heart failure in September 2020 that she and her sister, Catherine, learned that he kept their late mother's name on the deed to the family home and they, rather than their stepmother, had inherited the house.
The sisters sold their childhood home soon after the deed was transferred to them. "There was no squabbling over things," Maresca said. "I recognize that's rare."
Indeed, homeowners who die before they decide and document what they want to do with their property can leave their relatives with a legacy no one wants: a protracted legal fight over what to do with the family home and the possibility of a substantial tax liability.
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Discover Chateau-Cupertino
Senior Independent Living Community With a Flair
Senior living doesn't get any better than living at Chateau-Cupertino whether you're in retirement or just ready for the next great phase of your life. Enjoy a home-life environment in your own senior apartment with three fresh served home-style meals daily.
Housekeeping and laundry services, all basic utilities, great activity programs, game rooms and transportation--all included starting at $3,400 per month.
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Cupertino is one of the best places to live in CA--home to world famous Apple company.
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"Letting Go Of Past Possessions"
By Evelyn Preston, The Money Lady
Here’s proof that I practice what I preach. Recently I managed to seriously declutter, discover a new way to make extra money and enjoy a unique experience, all within two days.
It started with one of those large, shiny ads via mail, always eye-catching but usually tossed into the recycle bin. This time I thought twice and read the small print; I checked the photos, the prices and the “Instant Cash” temptation. Hmmmm.
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"Getting Rid
Of Stuff Is Hard"
By Cindy Hofen, President,
Q: Why did you start a business
at age 54?
I started Managing Moves & More when I was 54. My inspiration came from helping my husbands’ parents in Kansas to downsize
and relocate from their home of 65 years into a senior living community. They were in their late 80’s and knew they could not manage the move themselves so I volunteered to help.
It was a difficult process, especially for my mother-in-law but it was so rewarding as she shared stories about her life while sorting through her treasures of a lifetime. When she walked into her new home, she started crying and said, “it looks just like home.” It was such a great feeling to help someone in such a profound way!
Q: Why is it so hard to get rid of stuff?
It’s hard because we have an emotional/sentimental attachment to our things. They remind us of people we’ve known and places we’ve been and sometimes those memories can be bittersweet. For many of us, it makes us more keenly aware of the passing of time and what might have been.
It’s hard because we don’t want our things - “our memories” to be tossed in landfill. We think, “it was a gift, it’s my families’ heirlooms, I might need it, it might be valuable, I spent a lot of money for it, someone else can use it, I want it to go to someone who will appreciate it”…
This ongoing argument within ourselves often leaves many of us exhausted and unable to move forward.
Changing our mindset can be very helpful. Be grateful you have been able to enjoy your things and think about the joy they can bring to others. And ask yourself if it’s worth your time to try and sell things. Most of us know the market for “stuff” is very soft. As we age, time is our most valuable commodity.
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ASK LARRY
--Larry Hayes, A050 Publisher
“Should I Switch To Online Banks To Get Higher Savings Rates?
Online banks such as Discover, Ally and others offer significantly higher rates on savings accounts. If your bank offers less than 3.00%, it may be time to consider online banking.
Seven reasons to consider online banking
• No monthly fees. Most traditional banks charge monthly maintenance fees to keep your checking and savings accounts
open
• No ATM fees
• No foreign transaction fees
• Earn higher interest on your money
• No balance requirements
• Free budgeting and savings features
• They're safe
Online banks are generally federally insured which means that the U.S. government will protect your money in the event of a financial crisis. In most cases, your deposits will be FDIC-insured up to $250,000 at most online banks--the same level of coverage you get
at traditional banks.
Got a Question? Ask me anything. If I don't know the answer, I'll ask someone who does. Ask Larry is written by Larry Hayes, CEO/Publisher of A050. Email: larry@activeover50.com. Visit: ActiveOver50.com
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