The Fair will be held at the Queen of the Valley Hospital (Oakwood Room), 1115 S. Sunset Ave. in West Covina.

Attendees seeking more information on this event should contact Kim Millwee at 626-332-3344.

The Closeness of the Horizon is the story of 40-something year old Paul Lewin, who must reconcile the person he once was with the man he has now become.  Paul flashes back from the ’90s to the music, mischief and iconic moments that defined a 1969 cross-country road trip playing pick-up games of basketball with high school friends.  This dramedy explores the fragile nature of friendship and is inspired by true events.

There will be a show preview May 17, but the show actually runs May 18-June 24.  Show times are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 2:00 pm.  Tickets are $25 on Thursdays and Fridays, and $30 on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Odyssey Theatre is located at 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in Los Angeles, 90025.  For more information, please call 323-960-1054 or go to www.plays411.com/horizon.

Enter to win FREE TICKETS to this production, other show tickets, Books Without Borders, and other special promotions.  Email contact@nbynews.com with your Name, Address, Phone Number & Birthdate information, and let us know the contest(s) you’d like to be considered for.

Here are the tips from said article by Ms. Perez:

1. Create an Emergency Fund. There are at least nine reasons for an emergency fund, including the ability to offset a costly vet bill should your beloved animal need expensive treatment.  This savings account can keep a potentially traumatic experience from creating financial hardship.
2. Don’t Skimp on Food. Food is most likely the most expensive necessity next to vet visits, but that doesn’t mean you should opt for low price over quality.  By purchasing quality food, you’re enhancing your pet’s quality of life and ultimately saving yourself from costly vet bills later.  To help with cost, purchase discount gift cards to PetSmart and other stores from sites such as GiftCard Granny.com for savings.
3. Consider Pet Insurance. If you’re the type of pet owner who will spare no expense for veterinary care, consider signing up for pet insurance.  In the last decade, the number of pet insurance carriers has increased dramatically, and most offer several coverage levels to provide options of care.  Check out www.PetInsuranceComparison.org for information on available policies, reviews, and questions to ask providers.
4. Take Advantage of Clinics. Some veterinary practices offer FREE  clinics once or twice a year, waiving appointment fees that compound the cost of annual visits.  Why not schedule check-ups and vaccinations during these times?  If your vet doesn’t offer this service, check with your local Humane Society or animal control unit for recommendations.
5. Research Your Options. When facing a large vet bill, you might think your only option is to charge the expense onto a credit card and pay the bill over time.  However, there are other sources for financial aid, including state programs and breed-specific organizations.  Consult the Humane Society for more information.
6. Buy Discount. For pet beds, bowls and toys, try shopping discount retailers like TJMaxx and Ross – there are some great deals to be found here!
7. Be Loyal. PetSmart and PetCo each have FREE loyalty programs that offer discounts and, in the case of PetCo, 5-percent cash back on purchases.  You should also sign up to receive email notifications about upcoming sales and exclusive discounts, and stock up during these specials to tide you over until the next promotion.
8. Order Medicine Online. Most pet owners know that medicine purchased directly from the vet’s office come with a high price tag.  Unless it’s an emergency, request the prescription information and shop online at sites like 1800PetMeds.com and receive discounts on generic alternatives.
9. Fix for Less. Neutering or spaying your pet is crucial to avoiding the exponential expense of caring for a litter down the road.  The average cost of the service from your local vet ranges between $200-$300, but many organizations offer this service for less to curb the number of homeless animals.  Consult ASPCA’s Low Cost Spay/Neuter Programs page to find a provider near you.
10. DIY [Do It Yourself]. Several pet services can be done at home to save yourself money, such as brushing, ear cleaning and nail clipping.  Your vet will happily share with you the best techniques for at-home care, as they’d much prefer to spend time on more specialized services.

These tips were taken from the article on page 10 of the March issue of “Not Born Yesterday!”, written by Kendal Perez.  Ms. Perez is a frugal fashionista and bargain shopper who helps fellow shopaholics find hassle-free ways to save money.  As the marketing coordinator for Kinoli Inc., she has the resources to be an extreme couponer but prefers a less complicated approach to staying in-budget.  Kendal has been quoted in such media outlets as CNN Money, FOX, ABC, NPR, TIME Moneyland and Kiplinger Personal Finance.  For savings tips and more information, visit HassleFreeSavings.com.

Two separate Expo events will take place: The first will be Saturday, April 21st at the Pomona Fairplex (1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768) from 10 am to 3 pm. The second will be Saturday, June 9th at the Hollywood Park Casino (3883 W. Century Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90303) from 10 am to 3 pm.  Both Expo dates feature the following:

• FREE Admission & FREE Parking
• FREE Health Screenings
• A Mini Job Fair
• Entertainment & Fun Activities
• Speakers & Workshops
• Antique Appraisals
• Door Prizes
• AND MUCH MORE!

For more information on this event, please visit www.GoldenFutureSeniorExpo.com.

On April 28, the Quartermania & Lunch Event will be held at the Orange Senior Center (located at 170 S. Olive Street in Orange, 92866). Entry is $15 per person, includes lunch, and the maximum bid per item is only four quarters! Vendors of all types will bring items for patrons to bid upon. Come join the fun!

Proceeds from both events benefit the Orange Senior Center. For more information on these events, plesae contact the Orange Senior Center directly at 714-538-9633.

Actress and longtime co-host of the Tournament of Roses Parade Stephanie Edwards will provide this year’s keynote speech, entitled “Act Three: A New Bloom”.  Ms. Edwards has been astonished by her new enjoyment of life at the very time she didn’t expect it and will share her candid thoughts about looking at the past, the future, and the FACTS.

This year’s Conference features FREE wellness screenings and workshop topics such as Health & Wellness, Managing Finances, Social Security & Health Care Reform, Dating After 50, a “Going Green” cooking demonstration, and Senior Living Options.

For further contact information, please email info@pasadenaseniorcenter.org or psisson@cityofpasadena.net.

Typically related to aging, Cataracts are the opacification of the normally clear lens of the eye; the lens must be kept clear in order for the retina to receive an image which is sharp.  Warning signs include poor night vision, blurred cloudy vision, glare or halos around light sources, vision with brownish tint, and double vision.  Treatment may include a low saturated low-fat diet, UV blocking sunglasses, drinking lots of water, and other remedies.

Glaucoma is a wasting of the optic nerve which can result from high eye pressure, injury, low blood flow to the optic nerve, and perhaps certain chemicals that contain glutamine.  The most common form is Open-Angle Glaucoma, and does not present noticeable symptoms at first.  Warning signs include loss of peripheral vision, light sensitivity, headaches, nausea, cloudy or haloed vision, one eye larger than the other, vision loss, and excessive blinking.  Eye doctors have many tests and treatments for Glaucoma, however, including eye drops, oral medications, or surgery.  The ultimate goal in Glaucoma management is to preserve the optic nerve, and people 45 years and older (or who have a family history of glaucoma) are encouraged to get an eye checkup every two years.

Macular Degeneration is the loss of retina receptors in the center of the retina (called the macula).  Since the macula is the most reactive part of our body, it is constantly bombarded by light.  The most common is the dry form, which is treated with nutrition and vitamin supplements.  Sunglasses and plenty of sleep are also recommended.  Warning signs of Macular Degeneration include occasional blurred or fluctuating vision, difficulty reading or driving, flickering lights, and the need for additional light while reading.  While peripheral vision is typically satisfactory, central vision is often affected.  However, some patients with dry AMD may not experience visual symptoms at all.

Jan recommends all seniors to visit their doctor for annual eye checkups, taking care to make more frequent appointments if family history places them at higher risk for such conditions.

For more information on vision and eye care you might want to visit www.johnhopkinshealthalerts.com/vision.

Excerpts taken from Jan Fowler’s column “Senior Moments: Preserving Our Vision”, found on page 6 of the March issue of “Not Born Yesterday!”.

Call the box office at 1-562-531-9580, or check your local newspaper listing to find out what is playing.

Sydney currently leads classes on sleep disorders, saying that by the end of the sessions you will be able to get a sound night’s sleep.  She welcomes new students to her Monday morning classes, held at 10:00 a.m. where she reveals the formula for a lifestyle you can control through Diet, Exercise, Accessing Brain Reserves, Rest and Restoration (the D.E.A.R. model) to a healthy way of living.  This group bases procedures laid out from the book by Dr. Fordanasce.

A high energy woman with an engaging, self-depreciating style that compels you to listen with an open spirit, Sydney is truly an amazing woman as she helps others, volunteers and gives back to the community, and continuously shares her gifts and talents as a responsible member of society.  Find Sydney at Dr. Fordanasce’s office, located at 665 W. Naomi, Suite 201, Arcadia. She can be reached at 1-626-807-7792.

March headliners include Maureen McGovern (Now – March 10) and The Diamonds (March 13 – May 20).  Ms. McGovern is a Grammy-nominated artist making her long awaited Follies debut.  Her first hit was “The Morning After”, from the film The Poseidon Adventure, which earned her an Oscar and a Gold Record.  The Diamonds are famous for their 1957 release of “Little Darlin’”, which became an instant million-seller and was followed by “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” and “The Stroll” (the latter becoming a national dance craze on American Bandstand).

The Follies is housed in downtown Palm Springs’ historic Plaza Theatre – a charming, neon-encrusted old movie house.  Tickets are available by calling the Box Office at 760-327-0225 or online now at www.psfollies.com.