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The NormanrThanscript

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

SENIORS/LIFESTYLES

Simplified smartphones are available for boomers and seniors

ear Savvy Senior, Are there any smartphones specifically designed for seniors that you know of? I'm interested in getting one, but at age 69, I want to find one that's easy to see and use. Semi-Smart Senior

Dear Semi-Smart,

There are actually several manufacturers who are now megapixel camera. But what making simplified smartphones makes this phone ideal for with features designed primarily seniors is its Easy Experience for older users who have limited mode which provides a simple, experience with modern gadclean home screen with large getry. Here's a rundown of what's fonts, clearly marked icons and currently and soon-to-be availquick access to the phone's most able. essential features your phone, camera, messages, menu, Web, Pantech Flex: One of the contacts, along with shortcuts to best and most affordable ageyour favorite apps. friendly smartphones on the It also offers convenient market today is the Pantech features like voice dialing and Flex (see pantechusa.com/ voice commands, and SwiftKey phones/flex), sold through technology that predict the next AT&T for only $1 with a twoword you want to type to make year contract. texting faster and easier. This Android-powered touch Individual monthly service screen phone has a bright 4.3plans for AT&T start at $30 for inch screen, with a fast 1.5GHz 200 minutes of talk time (for dual-core processor and 8 customers 65 and older), $20 for

Doro PhoneEasy 740: If you don't mind waiting, the Doro PhoneEasy 740 Jitterbug Touch: Offered by (dorousa.us/experience) is GreatCall Wireless the same another excellent option, but it company that makes the Jitterwon't be available in the U.S. bug big-button cell phone the until later this year. Touch is actually a Kyocera This Android slider phone Milano smartphone that's been has a 3.2-inch touch screen and rebranded and loaded with a numerical slide-out keypad GreatCall's simplified user with raised buttons for easy interface software. Samsung Galaxy Note II: If operation. It also offers a largeIt offers a 3-inch touch screen, a bigger screen is the most text, clearly labeled menu to and a full slide-out keyboard with desired feature, the Samsung frequently used features like the raised, backlit buttons that Galaxy Note II (samsung.com/ phone, email, messages, makes it easier to type messages. galaxynotell) has a huge 5.5Internet, photos, games and And when you turn the phone on, inch touch screen display and apps. you get a simple menu list with can be used with a stylus, which Expected to cost around $99, large fonts that let you access makes it easy to see and maneu- other age-friendly features often-used features like the ver. include a 5 megapixel camera phone, camera, messages and It also offers an Easy mode which can double as a magnifypictures, along with your contacts feature which simplifies the ing glass, and an emergency call and apps. home screen providing access button that will dial and text five This Android phone also offers only to key functions like the preprogrammed numbers when voice dialing, a 3.2 megapixel phone, messaging, Internet, pressed. camera, and optional features like contacts and your favorite apps. medication reminders, SStar Available through AT&T, Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, personal security service, a live Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile and Norman, OK 73070, or visit nurse service to answer your U.S. Cellular for $300 to $370 SavvySenior.org . Jim Miller is a health questions, and more. with a two-year contract, the contributor to the NBC Today Available at greatcall.com or monthly service plans for talk, show and author of "The Savvy 800-733-6632, the Touch sells for text and data start at around $80. Senior" book.

unlimited text messaging and $20 for 300 MB of data.

$149 with a one-time $35 activation fee, no-contract, and calling plans that cost $15 per month for 50 minutes, up to $80 per month for unlimited minutes, text messages, operator assistance, and voicemail. And their data plans run between $2.50 per month for 10 MB up to $25/month for 500 MB.

Poole has not let age related health issues sidetrack his creative mind
By David L. Boeck
For The Transcript

I've known 0. Gail Poole for quite a few years. Not the whole time I've been here, but as I have gotten involved in the Norman community after graduation and starting my professional career, I've gotten to know a number of the local artists either at local galleries, the Fire House Art Center, the Santa Fe Depot or just from having coffee in different venues around town. Gall fits into the gallery and coffee category. I had never really talked to him other than at a social level. It seemed, as I have gotten to know him better in the last four to five years, that I really enjoyed the discussions and his outlook on things. I saw him at Panera one Monday morning and it occurred to me that he might have a lot to say about art and aging here in Norman. I wasn't disappointed. We met after his weekly "think tank," which is in the 10 to 11 slot on Mondays and Fridays. I started by asking him all the standard questions

0. Gail Poole self portrait

like "How old are you?" and, "Where were you born?" "What directed you toward being an artist?" and other

encing how we turn out. My dad and mom were teachers, and all five of us children are teaching or have taught. Come to find out, Gall's dad was an artist There was that connection. Just because his dad wasn't around after the age of 4 doesn't mean he didn't influence Gail. He painted murals at the public schools before he left and left a legacy for Gail to live around in the small Oklahoma town of Bradley. Gail did a stint in the Army, thinking that might be his life's ambition, but that didn't happen. Instead, he studied art here at OU under the likes of Gene Bavinger, Joe Taylor and Jim Hinkle. Some artists are focused on a specific style or subject matter of art. Gall has never done that. That didn't mean he didn't try. He said one of his goals was to develop a distinctive style but it just never happened. When you look at Photo Provided his website and see the variety of styles and subject matquestions like that. ter, it is easy to see he is comWell, I am a firm believer fortable using whatever style in the influence of family, that is needed to get his ideas good or bad, or both, in influ- across.

So when I asked him how his creativity, goals or approach to art have changed as he has matured, I was expecting a long, drawn-out explanation of how he is more thoughtful or he has focused more on style or he has moved to try different techniques that he has never done before. I was not prepared to hear him say that he is not doing art and hasn't since some health issues have minimized his energy levels to the point where he just couldn't focus. It's not that he doesn't want to paint or has that he has lost interest in having a creative outlet That drive is still there. He is frustrated with the situation as it is and is working with doctors to reverse this situation. It has left him frustrated and impatient to figure out the issues so that they can be reversed and he can get back to doing what he loves. The bottom line is agerelated health issues can sidetrack even the most creative minds from reaching for their dreams. This is something many older adults have expressed. The

question becomes not if but when the issues can or will be reversed and a new direction established, what will the outcome be? Gail is not sitting back and passively accepting the current situation. Time will tell how successful his current path will be in allowing him to get back to what he loves most: telling stories on canvas. One thing that is clear for Gail is that success is more about the quest and not about the outcome, the search to find the way to express himself and express the visions in his head. He is a patient artist who isn't giving up on the ideal. I quote Sherrie McGraw who says, "0. Gail Poole is a maverick and is, as yet, untamed. Perhaps, he is like a volcano at rest, occasionally letting off a puff of smoke or steam, a glimmering of molten lava, waiting for the moment to fully express his passion within. I caught him in between puffs of steam."
David L. Boeck, is an associate professor of architecture at the University of Oklahoma College of Architecture.

Important Information About Reverse Mortgages

SENIOR MENUS The Cleveland County Aging Services Program, sponsored by the Areawide Aging Agency, announced meals for next week. All seniors are welcome. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance by calling 3213200. A $2.25 donation is suggested. Serving sites include the Norman Senior Citizens Center (360-1472), Rose Rock Villa (364-3710), Eastlake Church (6910339) , Moore Senior Center (793-9069) and Noble Senior Citizens Center (872-5921).
March 11-15

Monday Hobo beans, potato wedges, crackers, fruit compote Tuesday Chicken and noodles, green peas, spinach, bread, sugar cookie Wednesday Ham and cheese sauce, baked

potato, broccoli, bread, applesauce Thursday Chicken salad, tomato soup, vegetable variety salad, bread, peaches Friday Taco salad, chili beans, tortilla soup, bread pudding

home goo the way you want it.

Keep your 4
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Transcript Staff

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Vietnam Veterans Honor Dinner planned

topics will be centered toward the Vietnam veteran The Norman American of the past and present. Norman's local AmeriLegion Post 88 will host a Vietnam Veterans Honor Dinner from 3 to 7 p.m. STAY HOME! March Stay Local! 16 at the FYI Enjoy Personal Relationships! Reserve To Begin, Call Today! National Guard Armory, Interstate 35 and Tecumseh Road. The event is free for a Cleveland County veteran and one guest. Organizers ask that no children attend the event and those interested should RSVP by Sunday by calling 366-7575, 306-7111, 5278498, 202-0107 or 364-1880. The program will include several speakers whose
Organizers ask that no children attend the Vietnam Veterans Honor Dinner and those interested should RSVP by Sunday.
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Transcript Staff

Previous honor dinners can Legion Post 88 is continuing to honor Cleveland this year have been given County veterans of all pre- for WWII and Korean War vious wars. veterans and spouses.

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

EXECUTIVE LENDING GROUP 1800 N. Interstate Dr Norman, OK 73072 (405) 205-7488

NMLS #271551

STEVE GOODENOW

i14

Let the Chips Fall

Where They May
W illiiii11111111. Celebrate
NATIONAL POTATO CHIP DAY

THURSDAY, MARCH 14TH 2PM

Folks have been eating chips for over one hundred years. It's time to learn how some of Norman's best are made. Hear from Interurban and Local, two popular restaurants, about their homemade chips and special dips. Then start munching as Rivermont's own chef prepares chips right before your eyes!

at Rivermont!

KENT CARTER
President Citywide Mortgage
NMLS# 120886 9400 S. 1-35 Service Road OKC, OK 73160 kentcarter@citywide-loans.com

For more information about this complimentary event, call (405) 360-0606. Bring a friend!

-4(4" 3/..VERMONT
INDEPENDENT LIVING

(405) 794-4412
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800 Canadian Trails Dr, Norman, OK 73072

LegendSeniorLiving.com

Mission to

Serve. A Passion for Care. A Legend Senior Living Residence