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MY SUN DAY NEWS

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News & Features Columnists Editorials Hang Your Hat Obituaries My Huntley News

October 7, 2010

Columnists

Ask the Woodchucks: Smoke Alarms

All Sun City homes are equipped with smoke alarms. They are connected to the house’s electrical power, and they contain a nine volt battery so that they will work during a power outage.

Tax Planning Tips, Part 3: What’s new in 2010?

The last few years have seen a number of changes in the Federal tax laws. It has become more of a challenge to anticipate the deductibility of expenses or availability of tax credits from one year to the next.

Laughter by Paul: September 23, 2010

John was out bicycling one day with his eight-year-old granddaughter, Carolyn. He got a little wistful. “In ten years,” he said. “you’ll want to be out with your friends and you won’t go walking, biking, and swimming with me like you do now.”

Laughter by Paul: September 9, 2010

A man was sitting quietly reading his paper when his wife walked up behind him and whacked him on the head with a magazine. “What’s that for?” he asked.

Ask the Woodchucks, Tip 2: Clothes Dryer

In the last issue, we warned about the hazards of the hoses on your washing machine. We told you to replace those old rubber hoses with metal and to be sure you turn off the water after every use. In this issue, we will discuss the other half of the laundry appliances, the dryer.

An amazing tale of “Amazing Grace”

You might think that being lashed to a ship’s mast during a raging hurricane wouldn’t be the most productive work environment, but it was just such a moment that provided the inspiration for “Amazing Grace,” one of the most recognizable songs in the English-speaking world.

Tax Planning Tips, Part 2: Deductions for Charitable Contributions

It’s that time of year in our household when we clean out the closets and identify those clothes that don’t fit anymore.

Who is the best guitarist of all time?

If you’re looking to start a fight, go to any gathering of guitar music fans and ask the question, “Who is the best guitar player of all time?”

Laughter by Paul: August 26, 2010

A clergyman was walking down a country lane when he saw a young farmer struggling to load hay back onto a cart after it had fallen off. “You look hot, my son,” said the minister. “Why don’t you rest a minute, and then I’ll give you a hand.”

Tax Planning Tips, Part 1: What to do if you get a notice from a taxing authority

I often hear comments from friends that one of their greatest fears is getting a notice from the IRS or Illinois Department of Revenue. They fear that they will owe penalties, interest, or go to jail. Some of them fear tax notices more than motor vehicle tickets!

Ask the Woodchucks: Washing Machines

Today’s tip is one that could save you tens of thousands of dollars, and many people are not aware of this potential hazard. It involves your washing machine.

The forgotten healthcare benefits for Vets

For many years, I believed that the healthcare benefits offered to U.S. veterans were limited to those who made the military a career and completed 20+ years with a branch of military service. In a casual conversation one day, I learned that a friend was getting his medications at a very low cost from the VA Healthcare system.

Geezer Moments: July 15, 2010

Virtually all of us Sun City folk have at least one thing in common. I call them “Geezer Moments.” You know what I mean, those sometimes hilarious things we do throughout the course of a day.

Choosing which turn to take at the Crossroads

On June 26, famed guitarist Eric Clapton hosted the third Crossroads Guitar Festival at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois. Joining him on the stage were an army of the best blues guitar players in the world—Albert Lee, BB King, Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin, Jeff Beck, Jimmie Vaughan, John Mayer, Johnny Winter, Jonny Lang, Keb’ Mo’, Robert Cray, Susan Tedeschi, Steve Winwood, Vince Gill, and ZZ Top, to name a few.

Laughter by Paul: July 15, 2010

Did you hear about the banker who was recently arrested for embezzling $100,000 to pay for his daughter’s college education?

Never pay full fare for travel or lodging

I used to travel quite a bit in the ‘70s and ‘80s and would rely heavily on travel agencies to schedule and book my airline, limo, hotel, and rental car arrangements. As a business traveler, I had a frequent traveler profile with my travel agency. They knew my travel preferences: favorite airlines, hotels, and car rentals. The convenience was wonderful.

Just take a walk down Lonely Street

When the well-dressed young man checked into the hotel in Miami, nobody knew who he was. That would not have been unusual. In a city as large as Miami in 1955, almost anybody you met on the street would be a stranger.

Huge savings through radio shopping

Not long ago, I stumbled on to a channel that offered a much different venue. “Call in and save up to 60% on purchases of advertised services and products” said the announcer. I thought it was a commercial or a gimmick, but he was convincing enough to get my attention.

A star by any other name, from A to Z

For whatever reason, many of our favorite artists once wore a different moniker. See if you can match these famous musicians with their original names.

Your Credit Card: “Don’t leave home without it!”

The first bank credit card was issued in 1946 by a New York bank, and Americans never looked back. Today, approximately 80% of American households have one or more credit cards. Over half of those card holders carry a balance on their cards. The average debt per credit card holder exceeds $5,000.

Laughter by Paul: June 17, 2010

At her grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary, Emily was looking through a photo album of their marriage ceremony. “Grandma, so many of these styles have come back over the years,” Emily commented.

Do you still have any S & H Green Stamps?

I can remember sitting at the kitchen table with my Mom licking S & H Green Stamps and helping her paste them into redemption booklets. Mom would get the stamps from the grocery store, and Dad would only buy gas at stations issuing Green Stamps. Our toaster, can opener, blender, and coffee maker were all acquired with Green Stamps.

Laughter by Paul: June 3, 2010

My aunt’s neighbor in New York had a beautiful black cat named Felix, who spent his days outside and came indoors at night. One cool October evening, Felix disappeared. The neighbor searched for him in vain. The following spring, Felix reappeared, looking healthy and clean. She figured the he’d been sowing his wild oats. Everything was back to normal until that fall, when Felix disappeared again.

Separating “mojo” fact from fiction

But what exactly is a mojo? If your only knowledge of the word comes from an Austin Powers film, in which the nerdy international man of mystery tries to regain his confidence after his “mojo” was stolen from him, you might be a bit surprised.

Laughter by Paul: May 20, 2010

A golfer is playing a round of golf with his friends. On the sixth hole, a hole over water, he proceeds to flub eight balls into the water. Frustrated over his poor golf game, he heaves his golf clubs into the water, and begins to walk off the course.

Top 5 questions to ask about long-term care insurance

According to current trends, 50% of us will require long-term care at some point in our lives. For seniors over age 65, the likelihood is 70%. Medicare and Medigap health coverage do not cover nursing home care. Medicaid pays for long term care after we have used practically all our assets. So how do we pay for the costs of long-term care?