Mary Crescenzo is a master teaching artist, public speaker, and art consultant for community organizations. She is a pioneer in the field of community arts and an advocate for creating awareness of the benefits of art for all ages. Mary is also an author, whose latest book “The Planet Alzheimer’s Guide: 8 Ways the Arts Can Transform the Life of Your Loved One and Your Own” is invaluable either in personal use or in medical facilities. Mary shares: Don’t miss out on the beauty of a spirit not gone.

www.marycrescenzo.com

Jarod Munzer is the director of the Cougar Mountain Zoo, home to a great variety of special animals and birds. And of great importance at this time of year, Santa’s reindeer! The largest herd of Siberian reindeer in the country call Cougar Mountain Zoo home. Among them, a little male born a year ago who, having been bottle fed, is more comfortable with human company and makes special appearances around the zoo. The annual Reindeer Festival, a treat for visitors young and old, runs December 1-30. Santa will be on site on that stretch until the 23rd, the zoo is closed Dec 24/25. This festival is a great time for making special memories, and a membership to the zoo could make for an equally delightful gift.
www.cougarmountainzoo.org

Dr. Jae Oh, MBA, is a Medicare Expert, Certified Financial Planner, and author of “Maximize Your Medicare: Qualify For Benefits, Protect Your Health, and Minimize Your Costs”. In this 2nd chapter conversation, Jae pivots to the Affordable Care Act, currently in its open enrollment period. Jae knows we all need medical coverage; the ACA offers that at all wage brackets, with some low income earners qualifying for no fees, and persons nearing retirement might find affordable health care prior to reaching Medicare qualifying age. His website provides podcasts, online videos with valuable information, and a newsletter you can sign up for, containing regular updates.

www.gh2benefits.com

Jae Oh MBA is a Medicare Expert, Certified Financial Planner and author of “Maximize Your Medicare: Qualify For Benefits, Protect Your Health, and Minimize Your Costs”. Autumn is open enrollment time for Medicare, and important time to assess updates to your coverage. Jae immerses himself in the changes, in particular advocating for retired persons, or those nearing retirement to be aware of their needs. His website provides podcasts and online video training that continues to prove useful.

www.MaximizeYourMedicare.com

Dr. Frank M. Sorrentino has served as Chairman of the Department of History, Political Science and Social Studies at St. Francis College in New York, where he has taught for over thirty years. He’s also a well-respected author; his latest release is “Presidential Power and the American Political System”. As well, he writes a regular blog, searchable on his website, where he discusses current political and historical trends. He joins us to talk about voting, ahead of Tuesday’s all-important midterms.

www.drfrankmsorrentino.com

Kwame Alexander is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author with 35 books to his credit. His new book “The Door of No Return” might be listed as a young adult book. Reallt, it’s for all ages, a family read destined to change the way we think about pre-colonial Africa. Kwame has spent the last decade traveling to Ghana, becoming a member of the community, and a major proponent for literacy, building a library in that country. You can meet Kwame in person, Friday Nov 4, 7pm at Hugo House in Seattle, an event sponsored by Elliott Bay Book Company.
www.kwamealexander.com

Dr. Dan O’Neill is an Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Psychologist who has great concern about the health crisis with our youth. High obesity, diabetes, the very fact they’re the most unfit generation. In his new book “Survival of the Fit: How Physical Education Ensures Academic Achievement and a Healthy Life”, he addresses the need for daily physical activity. The importance for schools to include daily phys ed classes, and its link to healthy brain development. He states the case for our having turned the world upside down with all our latest innovations–technology and high processed foods, and it’s time to get back to the basics.

www.survivalofthefit.net

Brenna Ramos is Director of Children and Family Services for Hand in Hand Kids, based in Everett, and serving family needs in the surrounding area. With the holiday season looming, many activities are going on for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. And with this, the call is out for communities to pitch in with volunteering and support on behalf of those families in need of a little extra help.

www.handinhandkids.org

Dr. Carrie James is a sociologist and longtime researcher of young people’s experiences. Along with her coauthor,Dr. Emily Weinstein, a social scientist, and both are Principal Investigators at Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Together they have written this very important book: Behind Their Screens: What Teens are Facing (and Adults are Missing). Based on years of research with over 3500 teens, they provide good insights into what our youth are feeling and thinking, and help guide having productive conversations that include good listening.
www.behindtheirscreens.com

Aubrey Zoli is the Senior Development Manager for the American Cancer Society, leading the challenge for the annual ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer’ walk. Zoli speaks about the event, a non-competitive walk in celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It will take place Saturday morning, Oct 22 at Seattle’s Gas Works Park. There will be booths for education, and an opportunity to honor those who have survived. The goals are simple: to shine a spotlight on this major health issue. And to boost the society’s fund-raising, supporting ongoing research, awareness toward regular mammograms and screening, and increased accessibility, such as rides to appointments, for those with challenges.
Site: www.makingstrideswalk.org/seattlewa