We hope you’ve heard about the latest great Senior News on newsstands everywhere. For March — National Reading Month — we focus on “The Reading Habit,” starting with books, of course, and moving on to the great stories in Senior News itself.

Books have been on a lot of minds since the Jan. 2 fire that incinerated half a block of downtown Arcata, including its great independent bookstore, Northtown Books. Our Senior News editor, Ted Pease, sat down with Northtown’s owner, Dante DiGenova, to see how he’s doing and what his plans are. “Of course, we’ll be back,” he said (page 4). Other contributors this month include Booklegger owner Jen McFadden on connecting books and readers (page 1), Alex Stillman on her “Silent Book Club” (page 4), Peter Pennekamp on Yurok culture reflected in Amy Bowers Cordalis’s book, “The Water Remembers,” and carried by her grandmother, Lavina Bowers, 90 (page 3). And, of course, much, much more. Thanks to all our great contributors. This is a very healthy reading community!

 

Meanwhile, let’s look ahead to our next two issues:

• APRIL is Time for a Good Laugh — the month that begins with an April Fool and just gets sillier. So, it’s time for another of our occasional Humor Issues. Laughter is essential to life, I believe, and seeing the light amidst darkness is a good way to get through tough times. Send funny stories from your life, outrageous gags, knee-slappers or anything that will bring a smile. As comic Michael Pritchard observed, “You don’t stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing.” Send gags, quips, kneeslappers or stories 400-500 words (or fewer). Deadline March 12 (or sooner). Email tpease@humsenior.org.
• MAY— It’s time for our fourth follow-up appointment to check on Health in Humboldt. Last May, our “Health Care & Aging in Humboldt” issue took the pulse of medical care and health on the North Coast. It’s time to see the doctor again. Our last examination documented both what some observers consider a crisis in health care in Humboldt County, and some very bright spots. What are your medical experiences and healthcare concerns, and what needs to be done to improve healthcare in Humboldt? Send your stories, 400-500 words (or fewer) and photos, by April 12 (or sooner). Email tpease@humsenior.org.

Please send along your fine words! Thank you, gentle readers, as always, for your support of Senior News — For people 50+ and everyone who knows one or wants to be one someday.