The Social Security Administration (SSA) and Parker Financial LLC are sponsoring Social Security 101 a free workshop for all ages on March 15, at the Silverdale Beach Hotel from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

“We’re very excited to have Kirk Larsen come speak about social security. He’s very knowledgeable and will help shed some light on how social security works,” said Jason Parker, president of Parker Financial LLC.

Larson is the Western Washington Public Affairs Specialist for the SSA. He has worked with the agency for over 17 years in both technical and managerial roles. Kirk has presented Social Security information in both the Seattle and San Francisco Regions. read more »

While it may be changing shape along the way, healthcare reform will continue moving forward — and this means significant impact on employers sponsoring health plans. Healthcare reform is clearly an important issue that moves beyond Human Resource departments. A recent survey conducted by Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc. of nearly 50 Washington State employers from a variety of industries with an average of 100-500 employees found 88 percent of respondents holding strategic discussions on the management and/or board level regarding how to prepare for healthcare reform. read more »

When Gordy and Mary Jo Monten’s first set foot in Sun City West, Ariz., it didn’t take long to be sold on the idea of spending some of their retirement days there. Their friends, who had a retirement home there for more than 10 years, had been trying to convince the couple to visit for a long time.

“Mary Jo and I would say, why would anyone want to go back to the same place year after year? It didn’t take us more than a day (during the first visit) to change our minds,” Gordy Monten said.

The Belfair couple now own a home in that resort-like, unincorporated city that is home to about 30,000 residents. read more »

When Connie Renz retired from a 32-year teaching career in 2000, she wasn’t ready to transition to a slower pace. She substitute-taught and tutored in her home for a while. After moving to a new community on the Key Peninsula in 2003 with her husband, Vic, Renz found some volunteer opportunities to keep her busy — she became involved with her local nonprofit community newspaper. Still, she missed one thing: working with young kids. At first, the grandmother of five would get so restless close to the start of the new school year, she would take her grandchildren shopping for their supplies. read more »

Gig Harbor’s Lodge at Mallard’s Landing is a facility that lives true to its name. The resort-like atmosphere includes a warm, lodge-style décor with open spaces, cozy seating areas and wood décor. A grand staircase leads to the second floor that includes amenities like a small movie theater and a lounge with a wet bar read more »

Can any hearing aid offer the ability to hear in background noise? Will I ever be able to hear in a restaurant or at the ball game with all that excess noise? These are questions asked by most every patient I have had the pleasure to help hear better” says Dr. Megan Nightingale of Peninsula Hearing Inc. “I have asked myself that question many times because I wear hearing aids too. Then, last April I tested out a pair of Oticon Agil Pros and the difference is astonishing. However, my experience with them started out a bit rocky. read more »

At age 61, working full-time out of a home office, Sharon McIntyre can become quite absorbed in her work. But she makes sure to balance it out with all sorts of activities, from regular skiing and clogging to walking outdoors and gardening.

“I work at a computer by myself and therefore I need a release, and my release is dancing, skiing and socializing with people,” she said.

In addition to being a release and a social outlet, those activities are keeping her fit. Clogging especially is like an aerobic workout, since McIntyre is one of those dancers who like to pounce energetically to the upbeat music. read more »

Following a procurement process that began in June 2010, the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) has awarded the contract to broker Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) services for three “Regions,” to Bremerton-based Paratransit Services. The contract area includes nine counties, in Western Washington — Pierce (Region 5); Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, and North Mason (Region 6A); and Grays Harbor, Pacific, Thurston, Lewis, and South Mason (Region 6B). read more »

Stafford Healthcare at Ridgemont, a nursing home in Port Orchard formerly known as Ridgemont Terrace, added a Transitional Care Unit in February. The 21-room TCU was half-full within less than a week, and Administrator Annette Crawford expected the rest of the beds to be filled shortly after.

The wing previously housed 20 assisted read more »