Author Archives for Herb Weiss

Pawtucket Arts Festival Has Attractions for Both Young and Old

Published in Pawtucket Times on September 1, 2003

The Pawtucket Arts Festival – it’s all about arts and culture.

For aging baby boomers and seniors, the city’s three-week arts festival, from Sept. 5-21, can be a great get away to take the kids or grandkids for some great family fun.

On Friday, the Pawtucket Arts Festival, formerly part of the Convergence International Arts Festival, will kick off its 2003 season with a mega-Opening gala at the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center, 175 Main St. For just $2, dinner is provided to you by more than 40 local restaurants. The youngsters will love the sound of the French-Canadian band. “Le Vent Du Nord.” They’ll even enjoy watching a tango demonstration presented by Providence tango.

Also, at the Opening Gala, you can get an education about art by meeting the artists and viewing a mixed-media art exhibit by members of the Pawtucket Arts Collaborative. In addition, you can see more than 100 photos (many from local schoolchildren) entered in the City of Pawtucket’s fifth annual photo contest, organized by the Camera Werks of Providence, “People, Places and Things in Pawtucket’s Neighborhood.”

Also at the opening gala, you’ll have the opportunity to meet the sculptors at the “Traditions in Sculpture,” exhibit opening. This figurative sculpture exhibit is presented by Pawtucket-based Kane Sculpture studios.

Last year, thousands of people came from all over Rhode Island to attend the opening gala. This popular event is expected to again by filled to capacity. Call (401) 724-2200 to get instructions about purchasing your admission ticket. Of course, this ticket can be purchased at the door.

For family activities, courtesy of the Pawtucket YMCA, arts and crafts, face painting, a rock-climbing wall, and a bouncing obstacle course will be featured in the parking lot right across from the fire station on Roosevelt Avenue. At  8:30 p.m. a film, “Harry Potter & the Chamber of  Secrets,” will be shown at the Veterans Memorial Amphitheater.

On Sept. 6, experience Chinese culture by attending the Pawtucket Arts Festival’s fourth annual Dragon Boat Race at the School Street pier. Mayor James Doyle challenged all the cities and towns of Rhode Island to participate in this unique race – the boats are 38 feet long, manned by a crew of 18.

Next Saturday, you will see boats sponsored by the cities of Pawtucket. Providence, Cranston and Cumberland race to compete against each  other in the festival’s Public Servant Challenge Race.

Also included in an amazing musical and dance program provided by the Taiwanese government. At the same time on the other end of the pier. Chris Kane from Kane Sculpture of Pawtucket will demonstrate of art of sculpture with a “mental pour.” Results of these “pourings,” metal trivets commemorating the Chinese Dragon Boat Races, will be available for sale at his event.

On Sept. 7, take a trolly tour of artists studios in six mill properties to see dazzling artwork produced by hundreds of Pawtucket artisans. It will be a great opportunity to both young and old  to learn the art of papermaking, painting, photography, woodworking and pottery, to name a few.  Many of these studios offer classes all year long.

Bring the 60s to your children and grandchildren by attending the first “Stone Soup Folk Fest” and fine arts show  at Slater Memorial Park on Sept. 13-14.

Visitors can browse and shop at numerous vendor booths and also listen to a great line up of well-known folk music musicians.

On Saturday, Sept. 13, you can listen to Paul Geremia, Jack Hardy Band, Suzzy & Maggie Roche and Luch Kaplansky. On Sept. 14, come see Brooks Williams, Cliff Eberhardt, Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem and Vance Gilbert.

For bagpipe lovers, listen to the enchanting sounds of the Rhode Island Professional Firefighters Pipes & Drums, and storytelling by Melodie Thompson.

From Sept. 10-15, the 2003 Pawtucket Arts Festival also includes a six-night film festival, with internationally-known filmmaker Michael Corrente attending, on Sept. 10.

On Sept. 18, come listen to a poetry reading and meet nationally-acclaimed poet Norah Pollard, daughter of legendary Pawtucket jockey John “Red” Pollard, who is immortalized in this year’s blockbuster movie hit “Seabiscuit.”

For folk music lovers, Stone Soup Coffee House, one of the oldest coffee houses in New England, begins its 23nd season on Sept. 6 at the Arts Center of the Boys and Girls Club on Main Street. Come back to Stone Soup on Sept. 13 and Sept. 20 to listen to great folk music.

One of the most anticipated and long-awaited Pawtucket Arts Festival events is a performance on Saturday evening, Sept. 20, by the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra. At the conclusion of the performance, there will be a dazzling display of fireworks.

On Sept. 21, the winners of the GreenUp Awards and the city photo contest will be announced at the City’s Visitor Center, at 175 Main St. The final event of the 2003 Pawtucket Arts Festival is the Blackstone Valley Heritage Concert Series. This event will take place at the Pawtucket Congregational Church.

Both young and old can experience the arts for three weeks in Pawtucket. There is no charge in attending the scores of events (except the film festival). Parking is free.

Online Communication Makes a Positive Difference in Families

Published in Pawtucket Times on August 11, 2003

Seniors are turning to their computer-savvy children to help learn the intricacies of using a computer, so says a recently released AARP survey.

Computers can be intimidating to older persons who may not be able to do more than just flip the “on”/off” switch.  According to the AARP survey, a growing number of seniors are calling their younger children and grandchildren for computer help.

The findings reveal that more than half of the survey respondents whose parents have a computer have been contacted for help by them at some point.

Moreover, the survey found having an older relative online has made a positive difference in the lives of 80 percent of those survey respondents who are contacted for help by their parents.

Sthe AARP survey was conducted to learn to what extent adult children provide technical computer support to their aging parents and how computers bind together intergenerational relationships.

Wirthlin Worldwide conducted the online survey for AARP among 534 respondents ages 25 to 44 who reported having a parent or older relative that frequently uses a computer and contacts the younger adults for help.

Countering America’s highly mobile society, computers can play a key role to keep generations together, the telephone survey found. Families are using computers to keep closely in touch with each other. Nearly all the younger respondents and their parents use a computer to contact each other (97 percent), most frequently with email (96 percent). 

“Families who live geography close to each other are nearly as likely to use email as those who live far apart (94 percent verses 99 percent). Those who live far apart cite long-distance phone savings, while those who live close together cite the fact that it makes it easy to dash off a quick email to let their family members know they are thinking of them,” said Christine Donohoo, associate executive director of membership.

“Not only do computers and the Internet help families keep in touch,” added Donohoo, “it can enhance older American’s quality of life.”

AARP’s survey also found that:

  • Nearly nine out of 10 (87 percent) respondents aid their parents in finding information on the Internet.
  • 43 percent of the respondent’s parents age 50 and older use instant messages to keep in touch with their children.
  • 78 percent of respondents have taught older adults computer use; 74 percent how to use email; 64 percent have helped set up a computer;
  • Older grandchildren (52 percent of respondents with kids ages 18-24 and 48 percent of the respondents with kids ages 11-17) help their grandparents with the computer of the Internet.  

AARP provides an outline resource for all generations, by creating AARP computers and technology (www.aarp.org/computers), an easy-to-use Web site.

“Helping older adults become more comfortable with computers and the Internet is the main reason we developed this area,” said Mark Carpenter, director of web strategy and operations.

The AARP site features articles that include how-to-guides and reviews and a monthly email newsletter with tips and latest news.

Carpenter said he believes the valuable area of the site is the on-line discussions board, where members share questions and solutions.

In conjunction with the release of these AARP survey findings the nonprofit announced its launch of AARP today of “Generations On-line Sweepstakes,” an initiative that recognizes the important bond between parents and their grown children.

Sthe initiative will also encourage older Americans and their children to use the Internet for fun and sharing. Parents or their children can enter to win two new Dell computers – one for each generation.

For more information or to enter the sweepstakes parents and their children can visit AARP’s computers and technology section, http://www.aarp.org/computers.

State Must Rethink Its Driving Policies for Seniors

Published in Pawtucket Times on August 4, 2003

Not seeing the posted sign, 86-year-old Russell Weller drove onto a street closed to traffic and mowed down 50 pedestrians with his car, ultimately killing 10, in a Southern outdoor farmers market.

Just nine days later, Louis Nirenstein, 70, plowed into pedestrians at a local farmers market in Flagler Beach, Fla., injuring six people.

Both of these accidents follow on the heels of the tragic death of longtime R.I. state Rep. Mabel Anderson, who was killed while pushing her carriage at the front entrance of the Home Depot parking lot at the Bristol Place Shopping Center in South Attleboro.

A magistrate’s hearing to determine if vehicular homicide was committed by an 88-year-old Pawtucket driver is scheduled for Aug. 14 at the Attleboro District Court.

According to a report released by the Road Information Program last month the number of older drivers – ages 70 and above – killed in crashes nationwide increased by 27 percent from 1991 to 2001.

The latest data finds older drivers have not only lost their ability to manage complex traffic situations, but are more likely to have problems making left hand turns and understanding small signage that alerts motorists to upcoming changes in traffic patterns.

The aging process guarantees your driving skills will not be as shar as you get older.  Poor vision, caused by cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, poor hearing, lack of flexibility, limited range of motion and reduced rection time make the complex tasks associated with driving more difficult for older motorists.

As older driver facilities increase and the death toll tied to older-drivers accidents sky-rocked, a growing number of states are looking at licensing restrictions as a way to delicately approach this complicated problem.

AARP and other aging advocacy groups will say not all seniors are equally affected as they age. One may lose the skills needed to drive safely at age 60, while another will not lose those skills until 90.

For many seniors, losing your driving privileges translates to the loss of independence. Meanwhile, public transportation may not be readily available.

States are grappling with this age-charged issue, not wishing to stir up the wrath of seniors. Aging advocates oppose any blanket solution to this problem, calling for licensing restrictions to be made on a case-by-case basis. They say age should not be used as a predictor of unsafe driving.

In Rhode Island, the Department of Motor Vehicles has decreased its renewal cycle from five years to two years for persons age 70 and older.  At license renewal time, some states require vision screening and road tests for older drivers.  Certain medical conditions or a succession of accidents my restrict your driving privileges in other states.

Even the limiting of driving hours or the types of roads driven on are examples of license restrictions that states can attempt to reduce age-related accidents.

The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the American Automobile Association, AARP and the National Safety Council, have recognized the thorny issues surrounding restrictive licensing and have developed special training courses to help older motorists drive more safety.

On the other hand, even if an older driver enrolls in one of these courses, they may choose not to recognize age-related limitations that impact on their driving.

With a growing age population, R.I. state officials must tackle this problem head-on. Why not consider mandating a battery of tests to examine an older drivers’ field of vision, flexibility and range of motion, reaction time, along with the person’s mental or cognitive abilities?

Intersections can be improved by widening left-lane turn lanes, adding overhead street signs and adding luminous lane markings.

Finally, street and highways can be improved by creating longer merge and exit lanes, making curves less sharp and using rumble strips to warn motorists when they are running off the road.

If the state chooses not to act, the result will allow a growing number of unsafe senior drivers on the road.

Ultimately, the burden falls on the family and physicians who must take the keys away from the driving-challenged senior.

Sometimes you just have to yank the keys away from an older family member, like my family needed to do several years ago. When my father could not stop my mother with dementia from driving, the only solution appeared to come from making a call to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TDMV) by my family.

Mother’s deteriorating driving skills were reported and as a safe measure, the TDMV officials called her in for testing – where she failed the test thy gave her three times.

As difficult as a decision this was for my family to make ultimately, my mother, who was in mid-to-late state dementia, didn’t even realize that she had lost her driving privileges and her keys.

Sadly, we will continue to read about age-related traffic accidents and the death of innocent victims until states move to tighten driving licensure of older adults.

For information about AARP’s 55 Alive Driver Program for older people call 1-888-227-7669 or write them at 601 E. Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20049.