GARFIELD COUNTY SENIOR PROGRAMS

Volume 9, Issue 2

February, 2018

Food safety 2

Feb. birthdays 4

Upcoming events 5

Recipe 6

Yearly stats 7

Word search 8

Inside this issue:

Senior Program Connection is a publication of Garfield County, Colorado, and is an open record for purposes of the Colorado Open Records Act., § 24-72-201 C.R.S., et seq. All content is expressly for communications, and is for informational purposes only. Garfield County assumes no responsibility of any kind or type for errors contained herein. Connection is not to be construed at any time as the official statement of Garfield County, Colorado, with respect to the resolutions, motions, policies, or decisions of the Garfield County Board of County Commissioners. © 2016, all rights reserved. This newsletter may not be redistributed or reprinted, in whole or in part, without the express, prior, and written permission of Garfield County, Colorado. For permission, please contact the Garfield County Communications Department at 970.945.1377, ext.1466.

In the know: becoming a better shopper

Follow these safe food-handling practices while you shop:

Carefully read food labels while in the store to make sure food is not past its “sell by” date.

Put raw packaged meat, poultry, or seafood into a plastic bag before placing it in the shopping cart, so that its juices will not drip on and contaminate other foods. If the meat counter does not offer plastic bags, pick some up from the produce section before you select your meat, poultry, and seafood.

Buy only pasteurized milk, cheese, and other dairy products from the refrigerated section. When buying fruit juice from the refrigerated section of the store, be sure that the juice label says it is pasteurized. Purchase eggs in the shell from the refrigerated section of the store.

(Note: store the eggs in their original carton in the main part of your refrigerator once you are home). Caesar salad dressing and home made ice cream are two products that use either shell eggs that have been treated to destroy Salmonella by pasteurization, or pasteurized egg products. When consuming raw eggs, using pasteurized eggs is the safer choice.

Don't let bad weather stop you from exercising. There are lots of options for

exercising indoors. Give one of these activities a try:

1. Going to a gym or fitness center and using the treadmill, elliptical

machine, stationary bike, or rowing machine

2. Swimming laps

3. Joining a water aerobics class

4. Dancing

5. Performing martial arts

6. Bowling - Provided by GO4LIfe

EXERCISE OF THE MONTH

FOOD SAFETY, CONTINUED

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Never buy food that is displayed in unsafe or unclean conditions.

When purchasing canned goods, make sure that they are free of dents, cracks, or bulging lids. (Once you are home, remember to clean each lid before opening the can).

Purchase produce that is not bruised or damaged.

• Buy only pasteurized milk, soft cheeses made with pasteurized milk, and pasteurized

juices that have been otherwise treated to control harmful bacteria.

If your recipe calls for raw eggs, purchase pasteurized, refrigerated liquid eggs.

Food Product Dating

Types of Open Dates:

Open dating is found primarily on perishable foods such as meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products.

A“Sell-By” date tells the store how long to display the product for sale. You should buy the product before the date expires.

A “Best if used by or before” date is recommended for best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.

A “Use-By” date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. The date has been determined by the manufacturer of the product. “Closed or coded dates” are packing numbers for use by the manufacturer. Closed or coded dating might appear on shelf-stable products such as cans and boxes of food.

Transporting Your Groceries

Follow these tips for safe transporting of your groceries:

Pick up perishable foods last, and plan to go directly home from the grocery store.

Always refrigerate perishable foods within two hours of cooking or purchasing.

Refrigerate within one hour, if the temperature outside is above 90 °F. In hot weather, take a cooler with ice or another cold source to transport foods safely. - Provided by www.fda.gov Did you know that the postage rate increased to 50 cents on January 21? Remember, Forever Stamps cover the full cost of the new postage rate and future increases.

Iron: It was good enough for Iron Man, it’s good enough for you! By Drew Schelling, R.D.

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.

What is Iron? Iron is a mineral that carries oxygen in hemoglobin (a protein) in your blood. Iron is an essential nutrient that helps your body distribute oxygen, so that cells can make energy for function. Anemia? When iron levels are low in your body, you could be anemic, meaning, your red blood cell count is low. When this happens, your body has a difficult time making normal red blood cells to carry oxygen properly. Signs and symptoms of anemia may in-clude fatigue, difficulty maintaining normal body temperature, weakness, pale skin, pale fingernails, dizziness, headache, and potentially an inflamed tongue. How much do I need? Your body is usually very good at absorbing iron based on bodily needs. Your needs vary, and are dependent on gender, age, and overall health. However, it is important to pay attention to recom-mended levels and RDAs (recommend dietary allowances), because it is also important not to con-sume too much iron. Talk to your doctor or registered dietitian if supplementation is necessary. The RDA for males 19 years and older is 8 mg per day. The RDA for females 51 years and/or post-menopausal is 8 mg per day as well. For women, it is important to be aware that pre-menopausal women need more iron due to menstruation and the recommendation is much higher at 18 mg per day. Heme iron versus non-heme iron? Heme iron is only found in animal sources like meat, seafood, and poultry, but animal products, such as milk and eggs, also provide non-heme iron. The benefit of heme iron is that it is better absorbed by the body. Non-heme iron is also significant in plant sources, including leafy greens, beans, en-riched grains, and fortified cereal. To help with the absorption of non-heme iron, a diet rich in vitamin C is beneficial. Foods that contain high amounts of vitamin C may include, but are not limited to, broccoli, bell peppers, berries, and citrus. - Kohn J. What is Iron? Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Website. Review 2018. Accessed on

January 9, 2018. Accessed from http://www.eatright.org/search?keyword=iron, Watson S. Iron:

What You Need to Know. WebMD website. Accessed on January 9, 2018. Accessed from

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/features/iron-supplements#1

“WHERE YOU INVEST YOUR LOVE,

YOU INVEST YOUR LIFE.”

-Mumford & Sons

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DID YOU KNOW?

If you are interested in hosting a birthday party or special event during lunch at a meal site, contact Debby Sutherland ext. 3084 or Barbara Peterson ext. 3005 for more information.

Our birthday list is compiled from completed consumer assessments. Please accept our apology if we missed your birthday. If you want to complete an assessment, please see Judy, Barbara or Debby for a form. Thanks to everyone who turned in their 2018 assessments.

We wish each of

you a very

happy

birthday

and

a great year

ahead!

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

Carolyn Arnold Al Baker Tony Barrie Esther Bayha-Dowd Debra Bosna Helen Brezina Mildred Brockway Jay Buchanan Cyndi Burdick Lauren Chapman Mary Collen Bobbie Dungan Joann Elderkin Michelle Fite John Glass Bernita Groves Jo Guill Bart Hazelton Lois Hempstead James Hipp Linda Holloway Shirley Hunt Ruth Jennings

Geri Jewell Harriet Jones Robin King-Ferman Susan Knuth Cliff Labombard Carol Lamb Barbara Lindt Rose Martin Sara McCurdy Valentina Meyer Peggy Osbourne Roberta Paige Diane Payne Marcia Polk Martha Rakich James Rambe Maria Ramirez Rodney Richards Gene Rockwell Helen Smith Ron Steinbach Sharon Taylor Deb Trujillo

Wednesday,

February 14

Valentine’s

Day

Valley View hospital Meals on Wheels is looking for some volunteer drivers for the next few months. If interested or know of someone call Katie 970-384-6653.

Mary Warren Katherine Wear Evelyn Wells Sedigheh Zavrehi

Friday, February 1, Groundhog Day

No meals, Well & Wise classes or Traveler service on February 19

Common Grounds for Veterans CMC Rifle campus, along with Student Veterans of America, invites all students and local veterans who want to share coffee, swap information and receive support to join the social group, which meets every Friday at the campus from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. CMC provides coffee and snacks.

February 2

First Friday, downtown Carbondale, 4th Street Plaza. Live music, 5 to 8 p.m.

First Friday, downtown Rifle at Midland Arts Company. Light snacks, 5 – 7 p.m.

February 3

Ag Expo 2018, Dr. Temple Grandin keynote speaker. Education workshops, exhibits, kid’s corner, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle. For information call: 970-404-3439 or 970-625-3969. Purchase tickets at eventbrite.com.

February 4

• Ute Theater in Rifle, Pro Football’s biggest game of the year, the Super Bowl. Call 665- 6560 for more information.

February 4, 5

2nd Annual Mountain Treasure Hunts, great food, free music at 2 pm at Ski Sunlight. Ski Spree & the Taste of Sunlight on 2/4 at 2 p.m. $10 tickets. For more information, call 945-9425.

February 2, 9, 16, 23

Friday Afternoon Club at the Glenwood Caverns. Free tram ride with coupon from Post Independent to enjoy music, and beautiful lights. 4 - 8:30 p.m.

February 8

• Everyday Essential Oils for Health at Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in Glenwood. 4 - 4:30 p.m. Discover the basics of how essential oils support health and learn how to build your own essential oil kit. For more information call 945-7000.

February 9 ● Free Senior Music Jam at the First Baptist Church in Silt, 632 Grand Ave., 7 - 9 p.m. Refreshments provided and donations accepted. Call Charlie at 970-876-2493 for more information.

February 10

Founders Day Celebration at the New Castle Community Center, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

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February 16

New Castle Trails Winter Conference Movie Night at the Community Center, 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. Fee is $20 for adults, $10 for kids. 5:30 - 6 p.m. beer social, 6 - 7 p.m. Rider on the Wall, 7 - 7:30 p.m. dinner served, 7:30 - 9 p.m. Blood Road.

February 17

• Vertical Blue Autism Awareness Day at Aspen Highlands featuring a full day of festivities. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Call 970-927- 3143 for more information.

Faith Lutheran Church in Carbondale (south of Main Street on Hwy. 133) hosts a free community meal from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., for info. Call 510-5046.

February 22

Visit the Redstone Inn have dinner, and then enjoy some bingo, 4:30-8:30 p.m. Bring money for dinner and bingo. Call Carbondale Recreation Department 970-510-1290 to register by 2/15. Fee $5 for the ride.

February 22, 23, 24

• Thunder River Theater in Carbondale presents, “The Price,” by Arthur Miller. Preview on 2/22, and opening on 2/23 at 7:30 p.m. For tickets or more information call 963-8200 or go to info@thunderrivertheatre.com.

February 24

Hoot at the Ute benefit for Rifle Animal Shelter. Community event, live music. For information, call 665-6560.

February 26

• Carbondale Recreation Cooking Class Series. Salsa Making: come learn how to make fruit and veggie based salsas. Fee is $15, 6-9 p.m. Call 970-510-1290 to get registered or for more information.

February 27

• Garfield County Council on Aging meeting at the CMC Campus 1402 Blake Ave. in Glenwood 10 a.m. All seniors welcome to attend.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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RECIPE

Chocolate ladybug recipe

There is nothing better than fresh strawberries. They are not only sweet and delicious, but also loaded with vitamin C, which helps keep our immune systems strong and healthy. Strawberries are a great snack by themselves, or you can add a dose of antioxidants by making chocolate ladybugs. We use semi-sweet dark chocolate chips to create the spots on our ladybugs, which kids and par-ents go wild about! In just minutes, you have a sweet, healthy treat that everyone loves.

Directions: Cut the tops off of the strawberries and cut them in half lengthwise. With your fingers, gently push three chocolate chips into each half to create the ladybug's spots. Serve on a fun platter.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 100: Total Fat: 4.5g; Saturated Fat: 2.5g; Trans Fat 0g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 0mg; Total Carbohydrate 16g; Dietary Fiber: 3g; Sugars: 12g; Protein: 2g.

Recipe Approved by Drew Schelling, R. D. Recipe from Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Web-site: Recipes. Antine S. Accessed on January 9, 2018. Accessed from http://www.eatright.org/resource/food/planning-and-prep/recipes/chocolate-ladybugs-recipe

2017 SENIOR PROGRAM STATISTICS

2017 WELL & WISE PROGRAM

Tai Chi N' Balance MOB CM Totals # of classes 28 4 1 3 36 Class participants 260 57 11 40 368 Class graduates 141 43 9 22 215 # of instructors 6 2 3 2 9 MOB = Matter of Balance; CM = Cooking Matters; CM = Cooking Matters

209 people took a class in 2017, compared to 187 who took classes in 2016.

Ingredients 5 fresh, large whole strawberries 30 semi-sweet dark chocolate chips Serving size: 5 strawberries

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2017 SENIOR PROGRAM STATISTICS

NUTRITION PROGRAM

Sites Serving Days/Wk # Served/Year Undup Clients* Avg. # meals

Donations Rec'd. Avg $/Per Meal**

Carbondale W 1237 92 24 $ 1,153.40 $ 0.89

Sunnyside M/TH 1735 60 17 $ 3,636.10 $ 1.92

Chat 'n Chew T/F 2268 176 22 $ 5,169.66 $ 2.15

New Castle M 746 67 16 $ 1,068.05 $ 1.38

Silt W 2294 170 45 $ 3,878.01 $ 1.66

Rifle T/TH/F 8109 477 56 $ 14,369.81 $ 1.73

Parachute W 3125 205 62 $ 3,646.13 $ 1.12

Volunteer Banquet once 124 124

Overall M-F 19,638 1371 35 $ 31,767.76 $ 1.55

*Unduplicated clients at each meal site, many eat at more than one loca-tion ** Average donation per meal

914 persons ate at our Nutrition Program in 2016. 1,005 persons ate at our Nutrition Program in 2017

TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM

Municipality # Rides

Traveler Income Amount

Carbondale 177 Rider Donations $ 11,603.79

Glenwood Springs 3,946

Outside Donations $ 1,372.00

New Castle 436 Mt. Valley Devl. Serv. $13,365.00

Silt 275 Total Donations $ 26,340.79

Rifle 3,730

Parachute 0

Battlement Mesa 13

Rural Garfield County 3,064

Mt. Valley De-velopmental 1,792

Battlement Mesa included in Rural Garfield after March, 2017

TOTAL 13,433

239 persons rode on the Traveler in 2016 204 persons rode on Traveler in 2017

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WORDSEARCH PUZZLE

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If you are a senior, veteran, have a disability, or your household income is less than $50,000 per year, High Country RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) volunteers can prepare and electronically file your federal and state income taxes FREE of charge! RSVP volunteers can prepare returns that include: Form 1040; Schedules A, B, EIC (Earned Income Credit) and R; child and dependent care credits; and education credits. If you are a small business owner we can file Schedule C-EZ. (We cannot file Schedule C profit or loss from business; Schedule E for rental properties; and advanced Schedule D for capital gains and losses.) Starting February 1, appointments will be available Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the CMC Glenwood Center and at the Ri-fle Library (days and times to be determined). Call 970-384-8740

TAX PROGRAM THROUGH RSVP

Tax Time: senior exemptions, deferrals and relief programs

Colorado Senior Property Tax Exemption: This program is based on your 2017 taxes, which are billed and paid in 2018. The deadline was July 15, 2017 to get the exemption on this year’s bill. You only have to qualify one

time, not every year – your name will remain on the list, while you own your present home. You must be 65 and have owned and lived in your primary residence for 10 years. If you are eligible and have never signed up, apply by July 2018 for your 2017 property taxes. A form is available at the Garfield County Assessor’s office in the courthouse. Property Tax Deferral for Seniors: At age 65, Colorado seniors can opt to “defer” property taxes against the value of their home. The application must be filed with the Garfield County Treasurer, between January 1 and March 15 of each year. Call the Treasurer at 970-945-6382 for details and forms. Colorado property tax/rent/heat rebate (104 PTC): Rebate for a portion of property tax and heating expenses paid. Must be 65; a surviving spouse at least 58 years old; or disabled for an entire year. Single income in 2016 must be under $13,234, or a couple’s income below $17,839 annually (2017 income limits are not yet published). Contact Colorado Department of Revenue at (303) 238-7378. https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/tax/property-tax-rent-heat-credit-ptc-rebate-forms.

We’re on the web at www.garfield-county.com

The mission of Senior

Programs is to enable

independence, dignity,

health and nutritional

well-being of seniors

and people with

disabilities living in

Garfield County.

Please help us save

paper and get on our

email list for our

newsletter and menu

Garfield County Senior Program Staff Judy Martin, Senior Program Manager cell (970) 456-2295 970-945-9191, extension 3061, jumartin@garfield-county.com Debby Sutherland, Senior Program Coordinator 970-945-9191, extension 3084, dsutherland@garfield-county.com Barbara Peterson, Senior Services Aide 945-9191 extension 3005, bpeterson@garfield-county.com Drew Schelling, Registered Dietitian 970-625-5200, extension 2036, dschelling@garfield-county.com Mailing Address, 195 West 14th Street, Rifle, 81650 Traveler (970) 945-9117 or (970) 625-1366 Nutrition Program (970) 665-0041

Help us reduce our use of paper. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and our monthly menu or read them online, please visit www.garfield-county.com and choose “seniors.”

2-1-1 is a free,

confidential

information referral

service connecting

people in need to local

community resources

via the phone, web or

app.

Other county emails:

www.eaglecounty.us/

public health

Pitkin County Senior

Newsletter and lunch

menu

www.pitkinseniors.com

OUR MISSION

For more information about other senior activities call: Senior Centers Rifle Senior Center Tami Sours 970-665-6540 Bingo, bunco, pinochle, Dinner in the Valley, Concerts. Call to join us. Valley Senior Center in Parachute 970-285-7216 or Cheryl to play pinochle 970-285-9755 High Country RSVP Patty Daniells 970-947-8461 Helping Hands 970-384-8746 Tax Program 970-9451596 Medicare Counseling 970-384-8744 AARP Driver Safety Classes 970-384-8747 www.highcountryrsvp.org

Exercise Programs: If you are interested in an exercise program: Matter of Balance, Tai Chi, N’ Balance, Healthier Living Colorado and Cooking Matters please call Debby at 970-945-9191, ext. 3084, to reserve your spot. Senior Matters Diane Johnson 970-306-2587 John Hoffman 970-963-1689 www.seniormatters2@sopris.net Volunteers who will not be able to volunteer at the meal site because they are sick or on vacation should call Debby 945-9191, ext. 3084, or Barbara 945-9191, ext.3005, to let them know of their absence. Reminder To provide you with the best dining experience, please be sure to make a reservation for lunch and call ahead if you need to cancel. All meals begin at Noon.

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