5 Ways to Celebrate National Senior Citizens Day

In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5847 declaring August 21 as National Senior Citizens Day.  In his Presidential Proclamation, he said:

“For all they have achieved throughout life and for all they continue to accomplish, we owe older citizens our thanks and a heartfelt salute. We can best demonstrate our gratitude and esteem by making sure that our communities are good places in which to mature and grow older — places in which older people can participate to the fullest and can find the encouragement, acceptance, assistance, and services they need to continue to lead lives of independence and dignity.”

Here are some great ways to celebrate the seniors in your life:

1. Spend Time With Your Senior Loved Ones - The best thing you an do to thank and salute the seniors in your life is to spend some time with them.  Take them out to lunch or just stop by for coffee and conversation at their home.
2. Get a History Lesson - Take some time to interview your senior family members and let them tell you about their parents and grandparents and what it was like when they were growing up.  Record the interview so you’ll never forget the anecdotes they share with you.
3. Make a Phone Call - If visiting isn’t feasible, simply picking up the phone to say “hello” is a great way to let your senior friends and family know you are thinking of them.
4. Visit a Senior Center or Nursing Home - If you don’t have any special seniors in your life, take time to visit a senior center or a nursing home.  Volunteer your talents to teach a class or help with projects. Sit and read to a senior or make time to chat – it can mean the world to those who don’t get many visitors.
5. Say “Thank You” - National Senior Citizens Day was created to give older adults the thanks and gratitude they deserve so show some appreciation for all that your older friends and family members have done for you and others throughout their lives.  

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Texas Sales Tax Holiday is August 7-9

It’s almost time to be thinking about Back-to-School shopping so that must mean it is time for the Texas Sales Tax Holiday.  For 2015, the dates for tax-free shopping will be August 7-9.

The Sales Tax Holiday includes pretty much anything your child needs to head back to the classroom.  Here’s a brief rundown of what’s included (and what’s not):

Clothing & Footwear – Includes most clothing, hosiery items and shoes priced at $99 or under.  Excluded are special clothing items made exclusively for athletics such as golf cleats, football pads, etc.  Swimsuits and generic athletic clothing, however, are included. Lesser know fact:  Diapers qualify as clothing and are exempt so if you have a little one, it’s a great time to stock up.

Backpacks – Backpacks under $99 are included.  Excluded are luggage, briefcases, framed backpacks, and purses.  Lesser known fact:  Messenger bags are also considered a “school bag” and are tax-free.

School Supplies – Basically anything you need for school priced at $99 or less. Laptops and other electronic devices are excluded as are textbooks.  Lesser know fact:  Lunch boxes are a school supply so you can save the tax on those as well.

Many retailers will also have big sales to attract your business during the Sales Tax Holiday so take advantage of that.  There are usually good end-of-summer clearance deals to be had as well.  And let’s face it – we can wear those summer clearance clothes for months to come here in North Texas. 

And one more lesser known fact for you – Items placed in layaway during the Sales Tax Holiday weekend are eligible for the exemption so if you need to pay out your back-to-school purchases, you can do that and still save the tax.

For the full list of what is exempt and what isn’t, visit the Texas Sales Tax Holiday website.

Happy Shopping!

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Things to do in Arlington: UTA Planetarium

If you’re looking for a way to keep the kids entertained this summer and stay cool at the same time, the Planetarium at the University of Texas at Arlington is just the place.

From Big Bird to Pink Floyd, the UTA Planetarium has something for everyone.  With their 60 foot dome screen and Digistar 4 system with DLP projectors, the Planetarium offers an immersive experience.  Shows are approximately one hour in length and feature 30 minutes of stargazing followed by a 30 minute pre-recorded video.

Their current schedule is as follows:

Sunday
01:30 pm    Secret of the Cardboard Rocket
03:00 pm    Spacepark 360: Infinity

Tuesday
02:00 pm    Texas Stargazing
03:30 pm    Spacepark 360: Infinity

Wednesday
02:00 pm    Dynamic Earth
03:30 pm    Spacepark 360: Infinity

Thursday
02:00 pm    One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure
03:30 pm    Spacepark 360: Infinity

Friday
02:00 pm    Stars of the Pharaohs
03:30 pm    Spacepark 360: Infinity

Saturday
01:00 pm    One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure
02:30 pm    Cosmic Colors
05:30 pm    Stars of the Pharaohs
07:00 pm    Pink Floyd

The Planetarium is located in the heart of the UTA campus at 700 Planetarium Place. Free parking is available at the Short Term Retail Parking lot in front of the College Park District. Visitors may park in this lot for up to 2 hours and walk 2 blocks to the Planetarium. Lot S47, on the corner of West St. and W 4th St. , is available for free parking on Saturdays and Sundays only.  Parking is also available in the Maverick Parking Garage at the rate of $2.50 per hour (maximum charge $9.25).

Admission is $6.00 for Adults, $4.00 for Children, Students and Seniors and $3.00 for UTA students.  Children 3 and under are free.

Photo via UTA Planetarium

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10 Ways to Fall Proof Your Home

According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults. About 1 in 3 seniors falls each year.  Many of these falls could be prevented by doing a few simple things to make our homes more “fall proof.”  Here are a few things you can do:

1.  Remove or secure anything that could cause you to trip.  Avoid leaving clutter on the floors or stairs.  Ensure that electrical and phone cords aren’t stretched across walkways or that they are secured in some way. 

2.  Install handrails and lights on all staircases.  Place non-slip strips on stairs.   

3.  Make sure that carpets are secured to the floor.  Choose rugs with non-slip backing or use double-sided tape to help keep them from slipping.

4.  Place everyday items in an easily accessible place so you don’t need to climb on a step stool or chair to access them.

5.  Make your bathroom fall resistant.  Use non-slip mats inside the bathtub or shower.  Use rugs with non-slip backing in your bathroom. Consider installing handrails in your tub or shower.

6.  Make sure your home is well-lit. Often, we need brighter light to see well as we get older.

7.  Wear shoes both inside and outside the house.  Avoid walking around in socks or going barefoot.

8.  Make sure any wet spills are cleaned up promptly.  Don’t walk on freshly mopped areas.

9.  Avoid going out in ice or snow.  See if a neighbor, friend or family member can help with shoveling walks or putting salt down on icy surfaces for you.

10.  Keep a flashlight near your bedside in case the power goes out and you need to get up.

While these tips will help you avoid falls, it is also important to stay healthy and work on your balance. Balance exercise as well as regular visits to your doctor are vital to keeping you on your feet as you age. 

For more great tips for seniors, visit our website.

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Volunteer Ideas for Seniors and Retirees

After retirement, many seniors don’t know what to do with their time.  Some become sedentary without a daily job to go to which can affect health and mobility. Many begin to feel lonely or isolated. Some become depressed.

A great way to prevent issues such as these is to volunteer.  Seniors have a wealth of knowledge and a great deal of valuable experience to share.  Volunteering can be rewarding for all parties and it is a great way to get out of the house and make new friends.

Here are a few places to locate volunteer opportunities:

AARP Volunteer Resource Center – let them know what your interests are and they will match you up with organizations where you can make a difference.

Texas Senior Corps - the leading senior volunteer service partnership for solving community problems, strengthening communities, and building the capacity of nonprofit organizations in Texas.  From their website, you can find links to some of the major volunteer programs in Texas.  These include:

• RSVP – a service that matches volunteers with opportunities that match their experience and interests.
• Foster Grandparents – volunteers give their time to schools, Head Start centers, hospitals, drug treatment centers, correctional institutions, and day care centers. They offer emotional support to children who have been abused and neglected, mentor troubled teenagers and young mothers, and care for premature infants and children with physical disabilities or severe illnesses.
• Senior Companions – healthy volunteers 55 and older are matched with other senior adults who need companionship and assistance with errands, medical appointments or personal care. 

Other places to check for volunteer needs:

• Your local public library – What better place for a bibliophile to donate time than the library?  Volunteers help shelve books, make book repairs, or greet patrons.
• Human Society or municipal animal shelters – If you’re an animal lover, contact your local shelter to see how you can help. Programs that cater specifically to senior adults, such as Arlington’s Golden PAWS, may be available.
• School districts – Retired educators, or anyone who loves to work with kids, should investigate this as an opportunity - especially for schools in economically disadvantaged areas where parent involvement may be low.  Tutoring, mentoring, reading to kids, and attending school events are great ways to be involved.
• Tax preparation assistance –  Are you a retired accountant or just great with numbers?  The IRS offers free tax assistance through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs.
• Charities or non-profit organizations – Check with your local chapters of the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society or charity of your choice.  Volunteers are always welcome in these organizations.

There are countless other opportunities out there – churches, community gardens, hospitals, community centers, etc.  Just figure out what you love to do and what skills you have that could help others and there will be an opportunity to help somewhere.

For more senior news and tips, visit our website.

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Fun Fourth of July Activities in Arlington

Arlington is one of the best places in the Metroplex to spend Independence Day weekend.  Not only do they host one of the biggest and best July 4th parades in the country, there are also several places to enjoy family fun and fireworks.  Here are a few fun Fourth of July activities in Arlington:

Light Up Arlington – This annual event in downtown Arlington includes food trucks, activities for kids, free musical entertainment, and fireworks. Festivities begin at 6pm on Friday, July 3rd with a fireworks show at 9:45 pm.  To get the scoop, visit www.lightuparlington.com.

Arlington 4th of July Parade – Celebrating it’s 50th anniversary in 2015, this year should be the biggest and best parade to date.  The parade begins at 9am on Saturday, July 4th in the downtown Arlington/UTA area but you’ll want to arrive plenty early to stake out a spot.  Free parking is available at UTA.  For all of the details and a parade route map, visit www.arlington4th.org.

Rally Day at AT&T Stadium – After the parade, consider heading to the home of the Dallas Cowboys.  Tour the stadium, see the Superbowl tropies, participate in on-field activities and meet the cheerleaders and former Dallas Cowboys players.  You can also have your photo taken with the Cowboys mascot, Rowdy.  Festivities run from noon to 6pm on Saturday, July 4th.  Tickets are $14.50 – $27.50 and can be purchased online by visiting http://stadium.dallascowboys.com/rallyday/.

Fireworks at Globe Life Park – What’s more American than spending the 4th at a baseball game with the family?  Catch the Rangers game against the Angels on Saturday, July 4th then enjoy a fireworks show following the game.  For tickets and complete details, visit www.texasrangers.com.

July 4th Fest at Six Flags – Six Flags is always a great way to spend some fun time with your family.  From Friday, July 3rd through Sunday, July 5th, enjoy early ride times with your season pass or by bringing a Coke can.  Spend the day at the park and stick around after the sun goes down for a fireworks and laser show beginning around 9:45 pm each night.  For tickets and all the details, visit www.sixflags.com/overtexas.

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6 Steps for Hiring a Reliable Contractor

If you’re thinking about upgrades or repairs to your home, it is important to do your homework before hiring someone to do the work.  The last thing you want is to be stuck with Here are 6 steps for hiring a reliable contractor:

1.  Get multiple bids.  Get estimates from at least 3 companies.  Make sure they give you a full description – in writing - of what will be done and what materials will be used.  It is also good to know the permit requirements and make sure the contractor will be obtaining the appropriate permits.  Beware of anyone who asks you to obtain the permit on their behalf.  The permit requester will be held responsible for work that does not meet city code.

2.  Find out if the contractor is insured.  It is good practice to ask for current certificates of insurance.  Not only do you want your property to be protected if they damage it, you also want to make sure their workers are insured.  If not, you could be held liable for any injuries that happen on your property.  You also want to make sure that contractors are licensed when necessary.

3.  Check references.  Ask for a list of at least 3 references for projects similar to yours.  Call each reference and find out how long ago the contractor worked for them, what their experience was like and if the project was completed in a timely manner.  Check with your local Better Business Bureau to find out if there is a history of complaints, advertising issues or licensing issues.  Look for online customer reviews.

4.  Read the contract thoroughly.  Make sure you understand everything.  Ask questions if something isn’t clear.  Make sure everything you have discussed is included in the contract.  Do not sign it until you are satisfied that everything is included.  Never sign a contract with blanks.  Make sure they give you a copy of everything you sign.

5.  Never pay cash.  Always use a credit card or check.  Ask about payment options.  While many contractors require a down payment, don’t pay large upfront fees.  Never pay your final payment until the project is completed to your satisfaction.

6.  Ask about warranties.  Find out if the company guarantees their work.  Make sure any warranty is included in your contract and the terms and conditions are clearly stated.

If you’re looking for recommendations for trustworthy contractors, give us a call at (817) 330-9235.  We have a list of vetted professionals that we can recommend to help you get started.

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