An estimated $60 billion is lost each year around the country to Medicare fraud. And whether you’re on Medicare or not, everyone pays the price for healthcare fraud, errors and abuse with higher insurance payments and costs for medical services and equipment.
Because healthcare fraud is such an important issue, the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Medicare Assistance Program is hosting a series of free events to help seniors fight scams. Experts will talk about the many different types of fraud targeted at seniors.
Here are three things you can do now to prevent Medicare fraud:
1. Protect Your Information
There are numerous schemes used to steal from you and Medicare. But no crook can succeed unless he has your Medicare or Social Security number.
• NEVER give out your Medicare or Social Security number to strangers even if they claim to be with a doctor’s office, medical supply company or Medicare.
• REMOVE your Social Security number from your checks. You can replace it with a driver’s ID number.
• DO NOT CARRY your Medicare card in your purse or wallet. Carry an “In Case of Emergency” card instead.

2. Check Your Medicare Statements
Always check your Medicare Summary Notices (MSN). These statements come in the mail and are marked “This is not a bill.” This notice tells you what services were paid for by Medicare. It is your responsibility to make sure the charges are correct. Check for:
• Duplicate payments for the same service
• Dates of service on the MSN compared to the dates you received the service
• Items or services you did not receive
• Billing for medical equipment or services your doctor did not order
3. Report Any Concerns
If you find discrepancies on your MSN, or you suspect fraud when someone offers or gives your free services or equipment, report it immediately.
• Call the company or doctor first to question the charge and ask them to correct it with Medicare.
• Contact your supplemental insurance company. If Medicare overpaid, your supplemental carrier likely overpaid too.
• If you don’t feel comfortable contacting the provider, call the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Medicare Assistance Program at 1-800-763-2828.
The Senior Fraud Conferences will have more information on common scams targeting seniors. We encourage you and your loved ones to attend. These free events will be held in cities around the state from May to June.
For a list of locations and to register online, visit map.oid.ok.gov or call 1-800-763-2828.

Kindness and dedication – LPN helps each day to count for residents

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Jun 16, 2015

ash street — Tammy Williams, LPN and director of nursing at Ash Street Assisted Living Center and owner Joe Chappell provide services for the elderly with their independence in mind.

It’s easy for Joe Chappell to say what he admires about his nursing staff.
“I just admire how compassionate they are,” he said. “You’re only as good as your staff.”
The Chappell family also owns the Golden Age Nursing Center across the street from Ash Creek Place, Willow Creek Care Center in Guthrie and the Golden Oaks Village assisted care living center in Stillwater.
Ash Street Place Assisted Living Center in Guthrie strives to keep its residents at a high quality of life, said Tammy Williams, LPN and director of nursing.
“She doesn’t leave this building at 4 p.m.,” Chappell said. “This building goes home with her on nights, on weekends. She gets phone calls if someone falls. She doesn’t live close. She lives in southern Logan County and I get phone calls from her on a Saturday night at 10 p.m. and she’s here because someone has fallen.”
If someone falls, Williams come up with a plan of correction. She constantly is thinking of ways if something happens to a resident to keep it from happening again, Chappell said.
She knows about challenges people face after an injury.
“Years ago I had been in a car wreck and had my leg broke,” she said. “I was 9 years old. I got out the day after my birthday. And the way the nurses treated me and took care of me made me tell my parents, ‘I’m going to be a nurse.’”
Williams’ talents go beyond nursing, Chappell said. She is also a counselor. Quality nurses are scares and can work anywhere they chose, he said.
“It takes a special nurse to care for the elderly I think,” Chappell said. “You have to have a heart for it because if you didn’t you’d be working somewhere else.”
Williams could work in a doctor’s office and leave at 4 p.m., but she’s attached to her residents at Ash Creek Place.
She can often be seen working crossword puzzles with residents, who tell her stories about how Guthrie used to be.
“I think it needs to be a home environment. You need to love the residents and be able to talk to them,” said Williams who likes to spend her leisure time caring for people.
“I go home and take care of my grandkids,” she said.
At Ash Creek she knows her goal is to keep residents as independent as possible, Williams said. Many times Ash Street Place accepts residents who have been in a nursing home but have become dependent on the assistance they received at a nursing home.
“We have to transition them, kindly, to independence again, because they are expecting more help than we want to provide for them, because our goal is to keep them independent,” Chappell said.
Chappell explains to every resident who moves to Ash Street Place that assisted living means they must be able to self-transfer and get to the dining room. They can do that with an electric cart or a wheel chair, but they need to be able to get out of bed and into the wheel chair to get there, he said.
“We certainly will provide skilled care for someone who gets sick. We may have someone who temporarily can’t get out of a chair for a couple of days, or we don’t think they’re safe walking to the dining room.”
Williams’ expertise is seeing they can provide the appropriate level of care for each resident by doing assessments to ensure the facility can meet their needs. She is on the phone with a doctor when she notices subtle changes in a resident’s health.
“She’s dedicated to it. I never have to worry when an inspection comes in,” Chappell said.
Williams has worked for the Chappell family for 12 years since earning her nursing degree at Francis Tuttle Technology Center. For the last six years she has assisted the residents at Ash Street Place.
Chappell’s grandfather, Leo Chappell, bought the Golden Age Nursing Center when Joe was 5 years old in 1961. Joe’s father had talked him into purchasing the nursing home.
“My granddad bought the building. My dad rented the building from him and owned the business,” Chappell said. He has always said you can walk through Golden Age and see the evolution of the nursing home by going from wing to wing.
Construction is adding 12 rooms to Golden Age today to add to the privacy of its residents, he said. They will be licensed for the same amount of residents, he explained.
“We already have a state-of-the-art gym designed for senior citizens with 16 different machines that are air-pressure powered,” Chappell said of providing a complete workout. “We’re also open to anyone over 50 to work out there free.”
The new wing will also provide a pool in the basement for water therapy and recreation.
A pre-k class will also open four 4-year-olds to attend school in the same manner as what already occurs at Willow Creek and at Golden Oaks.
This intergenerational type of program is growing across the U.S. Children learn tolerance and connectivity to other generations in a time when extended families no longer live together for the most part.
“Not only do the kids entertain the residents, but the residents entertain the kids,” Chappell said. “It puts a spark in the eye of the people that live in the nursing home.”

April & May AARP Drivers Safety Classes Offered

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Jun 16, 2015

Date/ Day/ Location/ Time/ Registration #/ Instructor
June 16/ Tuesday/ Edmond/ 1:30 -3:00 pm/ 210-6798/ Palinsky
AARP State Office – 126 N. Bryant Ave. “WNTT (We Need To Talk) Seminar Free”
Jun 27/ Saturday/ Moore/ 9 am – 3;30 pm/ 735-9638/ Palinsky
1st Methodist Church – 201 W. Main
July 2/ Thursday/ Okla. City/ 9:30 am – 4 pm/ 951-2277/ Palinsky
Intergis 3rd Age Center – 5100 N. Brookline
July 10/ Friday/ Okla. City/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 951-2277/ Edwards
S.W. Medical Center – 4200 S. Douglas, Suite B-10
July 10/ Friday/ Okla. City/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ / Palinsky
Brand Senior Center – 501 E. Main
Aug 6/ Thursday/ Okla. City/ 9:30 am – 4 pm/ 951-2277/ Palinsky
Intergis 3rd Age Center – 5100 N. Brookline
Aug 8/ Saturday/ Moore/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 799-3130/ Palinsky
Brand Center – 501 E. Main St.
Aug 13/ Thursday/ Norman/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 440-8802/ Palinsky
Norman Regional Hospital – 901 N. Porter Ave.
Aug 14/ Friday/ Okla. City/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 951-2277/ Edwards
S.W. Medical Center – 4200 S. Douglas, Suite B-10
Aug 18/ Tuesday/ Yukon/ 9 am – 3;30 pm/ 350-7680/ Edwards
Dale Robertson Center – 1200 Lakeshore Dr.
The prices for the classes are: $15 for AARP members and $20 for Non-AARP. Call John Palinsky, zone coordinator for the Oklahoma City area at 405-691-4091 or send mail to: [email protected]

Complimentary Hearing Screenings Offered by INTEGRIS Health

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Jun 16, 2015

Per the Journal of the American Medical Association, hearing loss is one of the most common chronic health conditions and has important implications for a person’s quality of life. However, hearing loss is substantially undetected and untreated.
At INTEGRIS Health we believe everyone age 55 and older should have their hearing checked every year as part of their overall wellness.
In recognition of National Speech and Hearing Month, the INTEGRIS Cochlear Implant Clinic will offer complimentary hearing screenings for individuals who have not yet been diagnosed with a hearing loss. If you currently wear a hearing aid or have been diagnosed with a hearing loss, a screening will not be sufficient.
The doctors of audiology at the INTEGRIS Cochlear Implant Clinic can help determine if you have a hearing loss and what treatment options they can offer you. The screenings are available by appointment only.
For more information or to schedule an appointment for a complimentary hearing screening, please call the INTEGRIS Cochlear Implant Clinic 405-947-6030.

National Survey Reveals We Take Dear Ol’ Dad for Granted

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Jun 16, 2015

Speak-Up, Dad!

Dads have too much pressure yet keep quiet about their needs

Father’s Day traditionally takes a backseat to Mother’s Day but a new national survey reveals we owe Dad special attention on his big day this year. The survey reveals that more than half of adult children (52%) sometimes feel they take their dads for granted! Why?
1) Families expect so much from Dad (be the breadwinner, romantic husband, caretaker for children, athletic supporter, handy man,)
2) Dads aren’t as vocal about their needs and accomplishments
3) Mom seems to get all the attention!
The national survey of 300 men and women was commissioned by Visiting Angels, one of our nation’s largest in-home senior care companies with more than 500 offices throughout the country.
DADS GET SLIGHTED ON FATHER’S DAY
Nearly ½ of those surveyed (44%) say they have felt dads get slighted on Father’s Day because…
1) Moms get more attention on Mother’s Day
2) Dads don’t expect as much on Father’s Day so they can get overlooked
3) It can be hard to find a good gift for Dad
ARE WE GIVING GIFTS DAD WANTS?
Americans spend half as much on gifts for Father’s Day than they do on Mother’s Day, according to the National Retail Federation. While Mother’s Day is the third largest spending-holiday in America, Father’s Day ranks number six on that list, behind Valentine’s Day and Easter.
What gifts do adult children plan to give Dad this year?
• Top gift: a card
• Second: quality time with the kids and family
• Third: gift cards
When Dads were asked what they REALLY want for Father’s Day, they said:
• Top gift: quality time with the kids and family
• Second: gift cards
• Equally tied for third: retreat to the man cave and a card
Turns out, we are giving Dad gifts he really wants! By the way, only 10% of dads say they really want a new tie for Father’s Day! And, only 13% say they want those “world’s greatest dad” gifts.
WHY VISIT DAD ON FATHER’S DAY?
Three out of four (76%) adult children say they plan visit their dad on his special day because…
• 86% say they love him and want to spend time with him.
• More than ½ (58%) say they want to set a good example for their kids.
• 1 in 5 (20%) say it’s one of the few times they get to see him each year because they’re so busy.
“It’s no surprise the survey reveals adult children adore their dads and want to visit them in-person on Father’s Day because they don’t get as much time with their aging parents as they would like,” said Larry Meigs, CEO of Visiting Angels, one of our nation’s largest in home senior care companies, with an office in our area. “On Father’s Day and every day, our caregivers go into seniors’ homes to provide companionship, light housekeeping, meal preparation and transportation. When you can’t be there for Dad, we’re here to help.”
Visiting Angels is the source for this survey and this online survey was done by a third party and commissioned by Visiting Angels.
Survey participants (150 men, 150 women) have no affiliation with Visiting Angels.

Bone and Joint Hospital at St. Anthony to offer FREE Shoulder Pain Lunch-and-Learn FREE Shoulder Pain Lunch-and-Learn

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Jun 16, 2015

Are you experiencing pain and stiffness in your shoulder? Have movements such as reaching and throwing become more difficult? Join us for a FREE Shoulder Pain Lunch-and-Learn Thursday, June 25, at noon, with Zak Knutson, M.D.
Dr. Knutson is an orthopedic surgeon on staff at Bone and Joint Hospital at St. Anthony. He received his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma, College of Medicine. He completed his residency at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, and his fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery, Department of Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery in New York.
The lunch-and-learn will be held in the Education Center at Bone and Joint Hospital at St. Anthony, 1111 N. Dewey Ave., Oklahoma City. The luncheon is FREE, but space is limited. Please call (405) 979-7814 to register.

June 15th, 2015: Meet Paul Scheie, The Science Guy

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Jun 16, 2015

Story and photo by Mike Lee, Staff Writer

At 82 years young, Paul Scheie is having a ball teaching kids science.
But it’s not in a classroom. He spent nearly 40 years doing that.
These days – actually two days a week, four hours at a time – you can find Scheie roaming the wide open spaces at the Science Museum of Oklahoma.
The pay is great, he says, noting his annual volunteer salary of zero dollars and zero cents doubles every year.
But Scheie’s not in it for the money. No, he’s in it for the wonder.
“I’m enjoying it. I’m having a ball,” Scheie said. “People ask me if I work at the museum and I tell them ‘No, I play at the museum.’”
Scheie moved back to Oklahoma in 2001 after retiring from a career teaching physics.
“We thought ‘Gee, what are we going to do with all our time,’’’ Scheie said. “That was a foolish question at the time.”
Living in Bethany, Scheie and his wife saw an advertisement from Putnam City Schools to help students an hour a week in Math and English.
The program lasted one year before Putnam City phased it out and the Scheie’s were left adrift again.
A science teacher for nearly 40 years, Scheie spied another ad, this time one to volunteer at Science Museum of Oklahoma.
It peaked his interest, but not as much as the tour the volunteer coordinator gave of the Science Museum of Oklahoma.
“I saw all these toys I had worked with for the last 40 years and I thought this was an institution for learning,” he said.
Things like centripetal force, magnetism and electrical current were on display through hands-on displays.
Some of those displays quite literally could make a child’s hair stand on end.
“At home, all their hands are on are knobs on a computer or TV,” he said. “You see that all the time here. I don’t think they know which end of a screwdriver to use. I think they should experience those things.”
“When I was a kid we had all sorts of things we could learn to use. Sometimes it was the hard way … but the kids need to experience things before they can start thinking about why something works.”
Scheie’s teaching career began at Oklahoma City University. He finished his degree and moved on to Penn State University and eventually Texas Lutheran.
His teaching career at Penn State coincided with the hiring of the legendary Joe Paterno, who would eventually become a college coaching icon and a mainstay in Happy Valley for some 45 years.
Scheie and wife Mary Anna have now been married for 52 years. When he heads to the museum, Mary Anna goes to her knitting group.
So what does Scheie see as his job description?
“To have fun,” he says with a laugh. “You learn so much from kids. Sometimes I just stand so I can watch the kids do things. It’s interesting the things they do and their reactions to things.”
Scheie and the museum are busy preparing for their next big exhibit.
CurioCity funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, will open to the public Father’s Day – June 21.
CurioCity, pronounced “curiosity”, is 21,000 square feet and features eight unique spaces exploring basic science as well as promoting creativity.
“Neighborhoods” such as the Spark Park, Wunderground and Tinker Works will introduce science in unexpected and entertaining ways.
Museum officials worked with Roto, an Ohio-based exhibit design firm that has worked on projects around the world.
It’s an exhibit Scheie is excited about but then again it’s just another day at the state’s only hands-on science museum and, with over 350,000 square feet, one of the largest science museums in the nation.
With a mission of enriching lives by revealing the wonder and relevance of science, Science Museum Oklahoma demonstrates the relationship between the physical sciences and everyday experiences.
The museum influences how Oklahomans learn about science through the medium of interactive exhibits, discovery-based activities, astronomy shows, Science Live! demonstrations, educational outreach efforts and special events. The museum’s clear mission and firm focus on science literacy encourages families to develop and build upon a strong foundation in the sciences.
And it’s a great place for grandparents to take their grandkids or, in Scheie’s case, a great place to teach science.

Savvy Senior: How to Compare and Locate Senior Housing Options

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Jun 16, 2015

Dear Searching,
There’s a wide array of housing options available to seniors, but what’s appropriate for your mom will depend on her needs and financial situation. Here’s a rundown of the different levels of senior housing and some resources to help you search.
Independent living: If your mom is in relatively good health and is self-sufficient, “independent living communities” are a good place to start. Typically available to people over age 55, this type of senior housing is usually apartments or town homes that are fully functional. In addition, many of these communities also offer amenities such as meals served in a common dining area, housekeeping, transportation and a variety of social activities.
To locate this type of housing, contact your Area Agency on Aging (call 800-677-1116 to get your local number), or use online services like newlifestyles.com and caring.com. Most of these communities are private-pay only, and run anywhere from $1,000 to over $4,000 per month.
If that’s too expensive, another option is “senior apartments,” which are often subsidized by HUD for lower income seniors. You can locate these through your local housing authority or online at hud.gov – click on “Find Rental Assistance.”
Assisted living: If your mom needs some help with daily living activities, an “assisted living facility” is another option. These facilities provide personal care (like bathing, dressing, eating, going to the bathroom) as needed, as well as meals, housekeeping, transportation, social activities and medication management. Many facilities also offer special care units for residents with dementia. Costs typically run between $2,000 to $5,000 or more per month. Most resident’s pay for assisted living from personal funds, and some have long-term care insurance policies. But, some states now have voucher plans that let you use Medicaid money.
Another similar, but less expensive option to look into is “board and care homes.” These offer many of the same services as assisted living facilities but in a much smaller home setting.
Your Area Aging Agency is again a good resource for finding these facilities, as are the previously listed senior housing locater websites. And for help choosing a facility, the Assisted Living Federation of America offers an excellent guide at alfa.org/checklist.
Nursing homes: If your mom needs ongoing medical and personal care, a “nursing home,” which provides 24-hour skilled nursing care, is the next option. To find a good one, use Medicare’s nursing home compare tool at medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare. But be aware that nursing home care is very expensive, costing anywhere between $4,500 and $11,000 per month depending on location. Most residents pay from either personal funds, a long-term care insurance policy, or through Medicaid after their savings are depleted.
Continuing-care retirement communities (CCRC’s): If your mom has the financial resources, a “CCRC” is another excellent option that provides all levels of housing (independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing home care) in one convenient location. But, these communities typically require a hefty entrance fee that can range from $20,000 to $500,000 or more, plus ongoing monthly service fees that vary from around $1,000 to over $5,000. For more information see carf.org/aging.
Need Help?
Consider hiring an aging life care expert (aginglifecare.org) who can evaluate your mom’s situation, and find appropriate housing for a fee – usually between $300 and $800. Or, you can use a senior-care advising service like A Place for Mom (aplaceformom.com, 866-344-8005) for free. (They get paid from the senior living facilities in their network.)
Some other helpful resources include the National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information (longtermcare.gov), and your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (shiptalk.org), which provides free counseling.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Retirement Plans Can Be Imperiled When Long-Term Care Needs Arise

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Jun 16, 2015

Savings Are Depleted Quickly If Not Properly Protected

There’s a tendency to give a silent cheer any time the average life expectancy grows a little longer.
But long life also has its downsides.
“Not everyone will spend all of their retirement years being active and doing all the fun things they planned,” says Mark Cardoza, author of the book “Positioning 4 Retirement.” (www.positioning4retirement.com) “Many people will end up needing long-term care, such as in nursing homes, and that can be expensive. How to pay for that care is a looming problem for a lot of people.”
Cardoza began learning about long-term care needs when his father became terminally ill about a decade ago. Much of what he learned was not reassuring.
The federal government knew as far back as the 1970s and 1980s that long-term care of aging Americans would become a growing issue, Cardoza says.
“They realized that the American public saw growing old and being cared for as an entitlement,” he says. “Instead of educating people and creating political trauma, they developed what we now know as ‘qualified retirement plans.’ ”
Such plans include the popular 401k plans that many employers offer in lieu of pensions these days. They are attractive because they allow people to defer taxes on the money placed in the account, and some employers offer matching funds.
But retirement savings can be vulnerable when a person needs long-term care, Cardoza says.
The cost of long-term care can deplete retirement savings pretty quickly. One option for offsetting some of the costs is to apply for Medicaid. But in some cases, unless retirement savings are properly protected, they can be considered an asset and must be spent first before Medicaid kicks in, Cardoza says.
He says there are several options for protecting your retirement savings and getting the most out of those dollars you so painstakingly set aside throughout your working years. A few options include:
• Long-term care insurance. A long-term care insurance policy, if properly designed, will provide your family with financial, physical, and emotional resources while protecting your assets. Financially, it is a way to self-insure, using assets to pay for coverage, entirely or while getting through the look-back period. A long-term care insurance policy is a disability plan. It doesn’t replace incomes as a typical disability plan would; instead, it provides income to pay for necessary services in the event of accident, illness, or aging and being unable to do everyday tasks.
• Fixed annuities. An annuity is an insurance product. Money is placed in the annuity with the insurance company’s promise to pay an amount in the future as a lump sum or in intervals over a decided period of time. Fixed annuities are designed to protect your retirement assets from financial catastrophe. They can also provide security and protect your retirement income by providing an income stream either for the rest of your life or for a defined period of time.
• Irrevocable trusts. An irrevocable trust is used to protect assets, minimize estate tax liability, avoid probate, and maintain privacy. These trusts are designed to protect qualified funds, in which taxes could be deferred, and non-qualified funds, for which tax deferrals were not allowed.
Ultimately, Cardoza says, before making any decisions it’s best to consult with a professional who understands the intricacies of retirement planning.
Mark Cardoza was born in Easton, Massachusetts and has lived there ever since with his wife Janice. Together they have raised three children who are now adults.
After graduating from Johnson & Wales College with a degree in Hospitality Management, Mark entered the corporate world. In 1994, he created Whistles Express Restaurant, a diversified restaurant concept. In 2002, Mark was asked to help a family member settle an estate and quickly learned about insurance and its role in estate planning.
In 2006, Mark sold his restaurant and began working full-time in the insurance industry. In 2011, he established M. Cardoza Insurance, Inc. He holds the designation of CLTC (Certified Long Term Care) specialist and is certified in the area of trusts and estate planning.
(www.positioning4retirement.com)

TRAVEL/ ENTERTAINMENT: Discovering Mazatlan , Mexico

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Jun 16, 2015

Photography and Text by Terry “Travels with Terry” Zinn [email protected]

“Travel is the truest form of education,” – Shirley MacLaine
For years I had heard of Mazatlan, Mexico, and yet not knowing much about it, I decided it was time I was educated by traveling there.
Mazatlan is a West Coast Mexican resort town, which was never planned as a resort town. It has all the qualities needed for such: a developed 13 mile Malecon, or promenade, (http://www.discoverymexico.com/mazatlan/guides/mazatlan-malecon/) along a picturesque ocean front bay, mid to upscale resorts and many dining opportunities.
My Oasis was the Pueblo Bonita Mazatlan –
(www.pueblobonito-mazatlan.com/) an all-inclusive hotel on bustling, Camaron Sabalo avenue, where the traffic competed for audio pleasure in my room with the relaxing swoosh of the surf. I would have changed my room location away from the traffic, but the view of the bay and pools were too outstanding. An all-inclusive hotel option can be your ticket to ease, but sometimes it’s popularity causes delays in seating where no reservations are taken. The popular Bonita hotel chain has a newer property slightly up north on Emerald Bay, which needs exploring. I see in the hotel newsletter there are shuttles up and back, but my stay was far too short and my itinerary was pleasantly filled with other delights.
My stay included an itinerary of many fine eateries in a variety of atmospheres but all with attentive service and with a specialty of Mazatlan fresh sea food.
Costa Marinera Restaurant –
(https://www.zonaturistica.com/restaurante/251/la-costa-marinera-mazatlan.html ), is right around the corner from my stay at the Pueblo Bonita Mazatlan hotel, and has an open air dining option overlooking the bay, with wandering musicians (singer Ernesto Sudea was a favorite) and attentive service. As with many Mazatlan restaurants they offered a variety of breaded shrimp, on a seafood platter of Lobster, Tuna, Octopus, Mahi Mahi and my favorite at all the eateries, fresh Guacamole. I was introduced to Toni Col (emobtell adori) a non-carbonated vanilla coke concoction with a distant taste of Coca Cola.
A breakfast treat at the Shrimp Bucket Restaurant – (wwwgomazatlan.com/en/restaurants/el-shrimp-bucket) was a sugar cookie type offered at the table among assorted pastries. Again outdoor eating, despite the passing traffic was enjoyable, with views of old town architecture and the picturesque dear stature. Mazatlan, I am told, means Land of the Deer. One of the off shore islands is named Deer Island. You can enjoy a slow boat ride around the bay and a stop off at Deer Island, where a casual lunch and open bar, might tempt you away from the banana boat and kayaking activities. With sand between your toes under the shade of a palapa, a cool drink in hand, and views of the Mazatlan hotels across the water, it makes for a relaxing adventure. (www.mazatlantours.org/
kolonahe-catamaran-deer-island.htm )
Panama, with several locations, was my favorite of all the dining options. Here I had a comfort breakfast of egg over easy, potato frites, a crisp Belgian waffle topped with fruit and a heavenly syrup, accompanied by iced tea – it was a satisfying wakeup. The pastries in the shop in the front of the modern clean and uncluttered dacor of the restaurant were tempting and looked too good to eat. Be sure and ask for the menu in English.
Also relatively close to the Pueblo Bonita Mazatlán hotel is the new La Mazetleca (www.lamazatleca.com) seafood restaurant. Weather permitting you can be seated at their sandy outdoor terrace overlooking the crashing surf. With a Mango Margarita, the sun, the breeze, and good company, what more do you need? I enjoyed a salmon with sunset sauce, ~ a refreshing fruity compote. La Mazetleca offers a number of exotic and visually stunning seafood dishes to explore. If outside seating is not an option, the interior has expansive windows toward the surf and video screens for passing the time.
On my departing evening my hosts arranged for a tour of the seaside night life along the coastal road after sunset aboard the signature Pulmonias. Pulmonias are an adoption of a golf cart with open air seating. The story goes that when first introduced this touristy transportation was in competition with local taxis. The taxis warned that you could catch cold or pneumonia riding in this open air motorized cars, thus the nickname Pulmonias. Pulmonias are only used in Mazatlan and have become its trademark image.
The farewell dinner was at the El Presidio –
(www.gomazatlan.com/en/restaurants/el-presidio) a gourmet restaurant in the Historic District. Here the charming atmosphere of a semi open air interior exposed brick courtyard transformed from reuse of an old house and factory, made for an exotic and memorable evening. In fact the atmosphere out did the gourmet food. The congenital wait staff followed my instructions explicitly and made me the best traditional Martini I had during my stay. It would have been easy to order another Mango Margarita but requesting a well-made simple Martini is a real test for any gourmet restaurant and El Presidio measured up.
My stay was too short, but you may also enjoy the expansive market downtown which has everything from souvenirs, table coverings, religions artifacts, fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood and leather goods among its many stalls.
Traveling is not only educational and of course enjoyable, but with a destination like Mazatlan, you may have discovered your favorite Mexican resort. There are a limited number of nonstop airline flights from a variety of United States gateways.
Explore: www.gomazatlan.com