Boomer Years - 10 Tips for a Creative Retirement
Baby boomers don’t just want to retire. They want a creative retirement. After years of working for someone else, toiling 40 hours a day or more, baby boomers look forward to being able to pursue some of their own passions and create a unique personal retirement to fit their needs.
Planning for your creative retirement is a must or you’ll find yourself sitting around like the kids saying “I’m bored. There’s nothing to do.”
Here are 10 retirement ideas to help get your creative juices flowing. Before you start reading, give a few minutes thought to what your own goals are for retirement then get a notebook and jot down any thoughts that occur to you while going over the list.
10 Tips for a Creative Retirement
1. Get a retirement job or work part time - do something you find meaningful without having to think about your pay check. This retirement job will help you stay active and you can meet new people. Consider what you know and like to do and see if a business idea pops into your mind.
2. Start a home business – Many baby boomers are online. Find a cool product to promote. A network marketing business can be done online or off.
3. Volunteer – When you were working didn’t you used to wish you had time to volunteer at your favorite charity? Nonprofits always need volunteers to give time to the projects and you’ll find that volunteering does more for you than those your are helping.
4. Join an exercise and fitness program – Now you finally have time to exercise and it’s never been more important than your retirement years. You can set up your own program at home or join the local YMCA or rec center program. Most have special programs for seniors which also help you make friends.
5. Take up a hobby – Do you already have a hobby you didn’t have time for when you were working or perhaps something you’ve always wanted to try? There are hobbies out there for every interest imaginable.
6. Teach a class – If you have an area of expertise from your working life or perhaps you’re already an expert at some hobby, try giving a class at the local community college or rec center or maybe mentor at your church or a youth group. Someone out there wants to benefit from your experience and you can make a little money too.
7. Take a class yourself – Learning new things keeps the mind healthy and active and you may discover new passions and interests that you never had time to pursue before retirement.
8. Start your own blog or website and write about your passions. Become an expert in your niche. If you monetize your blog or website, you can even make money or you could write an ebook and sell it on your site.
9. Organize a club or group around an interest you have – get people together for discussions on books, travel, or a hobby. You can gather and share thoughts and ideas, get guest lecturers in to speak and make new friends.
10. Check out your community and see if there is a need for service. Join the local city council or school board. Get active in your community. Chances are there is a big need for your time and interest and those who are retired have much to give. Many small towns have more than one political volunteer position that goes unfilled.
The most important thing about a creative retirement is that it is unique to you – you can at last do whatever you want to do to find fulfillment. But it’s also very important that you keep your mind and body active and engaged in life. Make new friends, try new things, get up every day with a sense of purpose and loving life.
Your retirement can indeed be the best years of your life.
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Boomer Years - Reduce the Risk of Osteoporosis
What Is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease most often affecting older people. Bones become porous and thin and weaken from calcium depletion. There are usually no early symptoms of osteoporosis and the first sign may be a broken bone.
Causes of Osteoporosis
Up until about age 20, our bodies are constantly building bone mass, but after age 30 or 40, this process stops and total bone mass begins to decrease with age. If this loss of bone mass becomes severe enough, osteoporosis may develop.
For men, the average yearly loss of bone mass is small, and up until menopause, estrogen protects women from bone loss. After menopause, bone loss in women accelerates to an average of 1% to 2% a year.
Family history also plays a part in whether or not you are at risk for osteoporosis.
How Do You Know if You Have Osteoporosis?
See your doctor for a bone density test which will tell you what your bone mass is and if you are at risk for osteoporosis. If tests show that you are at risk, your doctor may prescribe medications as treatment for osteoporosis.
What Can You Do to Prevent Osteoporosis?
Baby boomers are very proactive about their health and healthy lifestyle choices can help protect your from osteoporosis.
Exercise
Weight bearing exercise strengthens your bones. Walking, dancing, gardening, playing tennis, a weight training program, aerobics – all of these help to prevent bone loss. Exercise also strengthens muscles, which in turn, protect your bones. Exercise at least 30 to 40 minutes several times a week.
A Calcium Rich Diet
Calcium helps build bones and slow bone loss. Calcium Requirements for baby boomers:
Men up to age 65 need 1,000 mg of calcium day
Men over age 65 need 1,500 mg daily
Women, before menopause - 1,200 mg daily
Women, after menopause - 1,500 mg daily
What type of calcium supplements are the best?
Calcium citrate is most easily absorbed. Look for a supplement which also has Vitamin D and magnesium, which also aid absorption.
Many foods are now calcium fortified, like orange juice. Other good dietary sources of calcium are dairy products, whole grains, leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale, and broccoli, and sardines with bones.
Vitamin D and Osteoporosis
Experts have recently increased the recommended dosage of Vitamin D to 1,000 mg of D3 daily. Vitamin D aids in absorption of calcium as well as offering other great health benefits. As many as 39% of Americans are deficient in Vitamin D.
Magnesium
Magnesium also helps calcium absorption. The recommended daily requirement of magnesium is 300 to 400 mg. Nuts, whole grains and legumes are foods high in magnesium.
Other healthy living habits to build strong bones
Avoid smoking, alcohol and excess caffeine and sodium as these all contribute to bone loss and increase the risk of osteoporosis.
If you have a family history of osteoporosis or if you have concerns, see your doctor for a bone density test.
Try This 30 Day Financial Freedom Plan to Thrive in Any Economy
If you watch the news, you see endless talk of the bad economy and financial crisis. Now, I see stories too about how the bad economy is causing health problems as stress takes its toll. Worry, depression and stress can wear you down, no matter what the cause and finances are a part of our lives, let’s face it. What you need is a 30 day plan to financial freedom. Many people thrive in this and any economy and here’s how many of them do it.
Instead of worrying about economic crisis, try this 30 day plan to financial freedom:
1. Start by evaluating your financial situation to see if there is something you can do to put yourself on a sounder footing. I would recommend reading Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker. This book will give you a new, no-nonsense way of planning your finances so you, too, can be a millionaire, no matter what the current economy is.
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth
2. Keep a gratitude journal – To keep your spirits up and focus on more positive things, there’s nothing more uplifting than realizing you have much to be grateful for. Instead of dwelling on economic crisis, think of all the good in your life. “What you focus on expands” so what do you want more of in your life?
3. When your mind turns to negative thoughts, and it will just out of habit, return to your gratitude journal. Reach for a better feeling thought. Remember, it takes 30 days to break a habit and for many people, negative thinking is just a habit they can break. Focus on positives to create more of that in your life.
4. Resist the urge to TALK about how bad things are. Take any action you may need to take to better your personal situation but nothing is gained and much is lost by dwelling on negativity with friends and relatives.
5. Picture yourself in a great economy! Your customers are spending money on your products, they are visiting your website and liking what they see, money is flowing in and YOUR economy is in an upturn. If you need to make extra money to fill in your budget, during these tense economic times, many people are looking for extra income and work at home opportunities. Maybe you’re a person who wants their own business. If so, start working at it on the side. Marketing your business opportunity in a bad economy is actually easier than it is in a perceived good economy when things are going well for people.
6. Rent uplifting or funny movies. Watch The Secret, if you haven’t already. Other good movies, The Peaceful Warrior, What the Bleep Do We Know? and Louise Hay’s You Can Heal Your Life. What sort of comedies to do you like? Go rent some today and watch them frequently.
7. Read books on the law of attraction: Any book by Ester and Jerry Hicks, who also have a new book on the law of attraction and money), or read books by Dr. Wayne Dyer. If you go to Amazon and look for “law of attraction” dozens of titles will pop up. If you don’t want to purchase them, try the library or discount book stores. Read a chapter a day.
8. Avoid stress – Take care of your health - get plenty of sleep and exercise to relieve stress and make sure you’re eating right. Stress lowers the immune system and you don’t want to get sick.
Remember, you can CHOOSE to think better thoughts, to see the positives in your life instead of worrying about financial crisis. “Nothing is good or bad. But thinking makes it so,” said William Shakespeare. I read that in a positive thinking book years ago and I think of it often. It isn’t what happens to us in life that is either good or bad, it’s how we interpret it with our thoughts and how we choose to act on it.
Follow this 30 day financial plan and see what inspirations come to you. You will begin to see ways to improve your financial situation. It’s your thoughts, moment by moment, which create your future. Control your thoughts and feelings NOW, in this present moment and these, in turn, create a better financial future for you and your family.
Coconut Oil - Recipes and Tips for Use
Here are some tips for using coconut oil and you’ll find a few great coconut oil recipes to get you started.
Tips for Using Coconut Oil in Recipes
- You can substitute coconut oil for other types of oil in cooking or baking. Melt the coconut oil to liquid and simply use the same amount called for in your recipe.
- Make sure your other ingredients have been warmed to room temp. If you add cold ingredients to coconut oil in a recipe, it will return to solid form.
- To use coconut oil instead of shortening in a recipe, combine the coconut oil with an equal amount of butter.
- You can use less coconut oil in a recipe than you would shortening. Simply reduce the amount of coconut oil by one quarter of the amount of shortening called for. For instance, if the recipe asks for one cup of shortening and you want to use coconut oil, you can reduce the amount of coconut oil to 3/4 cup.
Olive oil is an extremely healthy oil and I use it for salad dressings and any recipe not requiring heat but olive oil used in high heat cooking is prone to damage which reduces the antioxidants. Coconut oil is stable enough to remain unchanged when cooking or sauteeing over high heat.
Coconut Oil Recipes
Coconut Oil Granola Recipe
Ingredients
5 cups old fashioned oatmeal
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 cup non-fat dry milk
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 1/2-2 cups any type of dried fruit, chopped into small pieces
1 cup organic flaked coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts, peanuts or almonds-better yet- mix several kinds of nuts
3/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1 cup honey
Combine all dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Meanwhile, over low heat, stir coconut oil and honey together in a small saucepan until melted. Then slowly pour mixture over dry granola ingredients.
Mix well.
Spread the mixture on oiled baking sheets.
Bake granola at 300F for about 10 minutes, then turn granola over and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes.
Once the coconut granola is cooled, store in an airtight container.
Coconut Chicken Recipe
2 tbs melted coconut oil
2 tbs garlic, minced
3/4 onions, diced
8 chicken breasts, boned, skinned, pounded to 1/2″ thickness
1/2 cup coconut milk
Directions
Set coconut milk aside. In a heavy skillet, saute the onions and garlic, then add chicken, cooking until browned slightly. Make sure your garlic doesn’t overcook.
Garlic Chicken Sauce Ingredients:
3/4 cup white vinegar
2 1/2 cups water
1 chicken bouillon cube
2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp paprika
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp ground bay leaf
1/2 cup soy sauce (low sodium)
1 1/2 tbs sugar
Combine all ingredients using a blender, then add this mixture to chicken in the skillet. Cover and simmer until chicken is tender, stirring occasionally.
Add 1/2 cup coconut milk to simmering chicken and cook for an additional 20 minutes.
Place on serving plates and ladle extra sauce over it.
Makes 8 servings.
Superfood Coconut Muffins
Oats and blueberries make every superfood list, making these coconut muffins a great way to start your day.
Ingredients
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup organic sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1/4 cup coconut oil melted
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup blueberries, peaches, coconut, jam or (frozen fruit may be used if thawed first)
1/4 cup flaked coconut
12 muffin cups (paper)
Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Line muffin tin with paper liners.
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, oats and salt in a large mixing bowl.
Whip together one egg, the milk and oil in a smaller mixing bowl, making sure the egg is at room temperature to keep your coconut oil from returning to solid form.
Chop up fruit for filling and set aside.
Make a small hole in the middle of the dry mixture and pour the egg mixture into the hole. Blend until well until all ingredients are combined but leave a little lumpy.
Add fruit and coconut and blend slightly. Pour the muffin mixture into muffin papers, filling them to about 3/4 full.
Bake for 20 minutes.
Makes one dozen muffins.
Benefits of Coconut Oil for a Healthy Diet
Other Benefits of Coconut Oil:
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Boosts your immune system health
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Provides an immediate energy source
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Protects skin from premature aging, skin cancer and blemishes
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Aides proper thyroid function
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Reduces risk of cancer and other degenerative diseases
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Helps prevent bacterial, viral, and fungal (including Candida yeast) infections.
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Coconut oil is high heat resistant, making it ideal for cooking. It hss a long shelf life, unlike other oils which can get rancid quickly.
In the past, some studies on coconut oil said it was bad for our serum cholesterol levels. These studies, however, were done on hydrogenated coconut oil, a process that alters the original form of the pure, natural coconut oil, producing trans fats. Trans fats in any form are not good for the body.
Newer studies, done on virgin coconut oil or 100% natural coconut oil, have shown that coconut oil is one of the healthiest oils on earth.
How much Coconut Oil Should you Use?
Most experts recommend 3 to 4 tablespoons of coconut oil per day to help boost the immune system and receive the many benefits listed here.
Virgin or Extra Virgin Coconut Oil?
The term “extra virgin coconut oil” is a term borrowed from the olive oil industry and there is really no such product when applied to coconut oil. Therefore look for virgin coconut oil.
Get Coconut Oil in your Diet
Use coconut oil in place of margarine, shortening, and other hydrogenated oils in your diet. To substitute coconut oil for vegetable oil, use the same amount of oil the recipe calls for. Simply melt the coconut oil to liquid form and make sure other recipe ingredients are at room temperature as cold eggs, milk or other liquids will resolidify the coconut oil.
The amount of coconut oil can be reduced by about 25%, so in a recipe that calls for for 1 cup of shortening, you can use 1/2 cup butter and 3/8 cup of coconut oil.
Coconut Oil for your Hair
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Use as a conditioner to soften and condition the scalp.
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Use coconut oil as a pre-wash conditioner to get rid of dandruff
Coconut Oil for Younger Looking Skin
- Coconut oil strengthens underlying tissues to leave skin looking healthier and younger
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Coconut oil reduces chronic skin inflammations and rashes like psoriasis and eczema
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Coconut oil has healing properties which will help wounds and blisters
Use Coconut Oil for your Pets
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Ear mites - Get rid of ear mites in your pet simply by applying warmed coconut oil very gently to your pet’s ears once or twice a day with a cotton swab. Coconut oil is antibacterial and antimicrobial so it can fight ear mites quickly. Just be sure not to put the cotton swab too deeply into the ear canal.
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Sleek and shiny coat - One teaspoon of Coconut Oil added to your pet’s food every day will help with dry skin and give them a beautiful coat.
Where to Buy Quality Coconut Oil
It’s easy to find organic coconut oil online, such as this Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil 15 oz
You can also purchase coconut oil at stores like Whole Foods or Krogers. Many health food stores also carry it.
Coconut Oil Recipes and Tips for Use
Get more info on coconut oil at CoconutOil.com
GanoBrand Products offer Tasty Reishi Mushroom Benefit
The red Reishi mushroom, or Ganoderma Lucidum, is an extremely important herb in Chinese and Japanese medicine. Known as the King of Herbs, reishi mushrooms benefit includes protecting our immunity, boosting energy and contributing to cardiovascular health and liver function. Reishi mushroom benefit also includes being is a wonderful general health tonic to help improve the overall condition of your body and increase longevity.
I’d heard about the natural wonders of the reishi mushroom from Dr. Andrew Weil’s newsletter and website so when a friend told me about GanoBrand coffee, I wanted to try it. Ganobrand coffee offers a convenient, tasty way to experience reishi mushroom benefits on a daily basis - plus they have a lucrative affiliate program which offers free sign up.
GanoBrand coffee comes in 3 flavors of gano coffee, plus Gano Green Tea, Ganoderma Hoodia coffee for dieters, Ginsing Gano with Honey and ganoderma supplements so you can get red reishi mushroom benefits in pill form if you prefer. There is also a chocolate flavor!
A box of 20 servings of Ganobrand coffee is under $10, so getting your reishi mushroom benefit is very economical.
Because of its superior oxygenation properties, Ganoderma Lucidum, or reishi mushroom often is used by mountain climbers to combat altitude sickness. This natural food supplement is also contained in many of the performance-enhacing herbal formulas used by Chinese athletes.
Andrew Weil often recommends ganoderma, shiitake and maitake mushrooms to boost defenses against infections and cancer.
Besides being a tasty and nutritional reishi mushroom product, GanoBrand coffee also offers a great affiliate program. Here are some reasons GanoBrand might make a great affiliate choice for you:
1. GanoBrand offers you a free affiliate website.
2. GanoBrand Coffee pays you 20% on each retail sale you make.
3. Retail sales of coffee is about $9.2 each year and there are over 108 million coffee consumers in the United States - these coffee drinkers make a terrific market for GanoBrand coffee.
4. The health & wellness industry was a $68 billion business in 2004 and dietary supplement industry sales total $20 billion-a-year - these consumers are also a great market for GanoBrand.
Gano Brand combines the best of these top grossing industries into one Nutritious, tasty Cup of Coffee! The healthy coffee affiliate program also offers a back office for tracking your earnings, free banners and links to market your business.
Learn more about the GanoBrand affiliate program.
The Best Anti Aging Product is Antioxidants
Ok, now you know you need antioxidants, where do you find them?
Fruits and veggies are the number one best source of antioxidants to keep you healthy as you age. It may be getting old to hear that you need 5-9 servings of fruits and veggies but it is important - now you know why! Supplements like vitamin e and C are also antioxidants and can be taken as supplements.
AntiAging Product Should be Packed with Antioxidants
If you really want to increase your antioxidants on a daily basis, to me the best anti aging product will be easy to use, high quality and economical. I’ve used several of these concentrated, whole food nutritional products and the best one I’ve found is made by Nuriche called Live
Click Here for more Information
This antiaging product is packed with fruits and veggies, 176 ingredients in all, many of which make every superfood list, like blueberries and acai. Live contains 3 Antioxidant Rich Fruits & Berries plus 3 powerfully nutritious greens and veggies. Here are some of the whole food ingredients in Live:
· Pomegranate
· Raspberry
· Purple grapes
· Elderberry
· Cranberry
· Blueberry
· Apple
· Mangosteen
· Acai berry
· Gogi berry
Here are some of the antiaging, antioxidants greens and veggies contained in Live:
· Barley Grass juice powder
· Alfalfa Leaf juice powder
· Wheat Grass juice powder
· Carrot
· Oat Grass juice powder
· Kelp
· Spinach
· Beet
· Klamath Lake Algae
· Spirulina
· Broccoli
· Tomato
· Cabbage
· Brussels Sprouts
· and much more!
Nuriche has a new program for customers who simply want to order these antioxidant-filled, antiaging products. If you’d like a 30 day supply of Live , you can receive 20% off the retail price by choosing to have your products shipped to you automatically each month. That way you never run out and you save money too!
If you’d like to build a great stream of income with this quality product, become a Nuriche distributor for just $9.95, which allows you to purchase Live online at discount. You also receive several free websites to help you start your business.
Check out great Nuriche products here
A Balance Exercise Program Prevents Falls & Builds Strength
A Balance Exercise Program Prevents Falls & Builds Strength Here’s a great video with yoga master Rodney Yee explaining why a balance ball routine is important and how to do one:
As a baby boomer, you may already know that as we age, our sight, hearing, muscle strength, coordination and reflexes all change, which weakens our ability to balance. Certain health conditions and medications can also affect balance. However, by following a simple balance exercise program, we can actually improve our body balance as we age and decrease our chance of falling and experiencing a fracture. This is an important aspect of healthy aging.
Did you know that impaired balance can triple the risk of hip fracture in older people? Recent studies have found that 37% of all hip fractures could be avoided if patients had better balance.
Balance Improving Exercise is Easy
These body balance exercises can be done any time, no matter where you are. They don’t require any costly equipment.
1. Practice standing on one foot. If you need to practice at first by holding onto a chair, don’t worry, you’ll become stronger over time. Focus on centering yourself, stand on one foot and then the other to the count of 30 each. When you are ready, do this exercise with your eyes closed. You can do this while brushing your teeth or waiting in line someplace.
2. Sit in a chair and practice getting up without using your hands. Sit down and get up several times.
3. Walk heel-to-toe. Walk like you’re on a tightrope, putting one foot right in front of the other. Your heel and toes should touch or almost touch. After taking 10-20 steps forward, reverse and walk backwards toe to heel along the same imaginary line.
Exercise to Improve Balance
If you have the time and money, take a body balance exercise class or a senior exercise class that incorporates balance exercises as part of the program. Most YMCA’s or senior recreation centers offer classes in tai chi, yoga, Pilates and more, which will improve your balance. Most classes include a session specifically on balance exercises. Take a class on improving your core muscles. Strong core muscles protect bones from fracture, help you hold your body upright and give you a sure, confident step.
If you don’t have access to a class or can’t afford one, get an exercise DVD or video which you can do in your home. There are many good balance exercise, yoga or tai chi DVD’s on the market. I love anything by Rodney Yee.
Strength Training Can Help Balance
Use weights or resistance bands to build muscles. The stronger your muscles are, the better your balance will be. Strength exercises help with balance while improving muscle tone, bone strength, and it helps to fight osteoporosis.
More Tips to Avoid Falls in the Home
1. Watch your footing when you are walking. Be aware of raised door sills, broken pavement and curbs.
2. Keep your home clutter free so you don’t trip.
3. Have your vision and hearing checked regularly. These can affect your balance.
4. Take medications correctly. Ask the pharmacist about possible issues with balance relating to the drug.
5. Wear shoes that have good support and soles that grip. No slippery soled slippers when climbing stairs!
6. Use a rubber matt or non skid matt in your bathtub or shower so avoid slipping.
As a baby boomer interested in healthy aging, I too am concerned about my balance as I get older. However, falls don’t have to be part of our future. By practicing a simple balance exercise program, you can be secure on your feet and decrease the chance of experiencing a fall and fractures. If you have concerns about your balance or starting a body balance exercise program, consult your physician.
Baby Boomer Fitness - What Should a Senior Exercise Program Include?
The important thing about a senior fitness program is that it can cover the basics and be sensible too. Start slowly and you’ll be surprised that, no matter what your age, building a strong body makes you feel young and vital.
I recently read that the government’s fitness guidelines have been raised, which is good to see. The old guidelines made it sound like a good fitness program was taking a stroll for 30 minutes, 3 times a week. That’s fine if that’s all you can do but when you’re over 50, you need more than that to hit the basics of senior fitness.
Five Ingredients to a Healthy-Aging Workout:
- Endurance Exercise - You can start slowly with this if you haven’t exercised in a while. Take a senior aerobics class at the Y or senior recreation center. Take your dog for a very brisk walk or go biking. Do this for a minimum of 25-30 minutes a day.
- Strength & Resistance Workout - This is weight lifting but you can start with 3-4 lb weights or resistance bands so don’t let the term scare you off. A senior Pilate’s class or senior exercise class will include some weight lifting and resistance exercises. Strong muscles keep our metabolism burning faster to keep the weight off and strong muscles also protect our bones. Keeping our core muscles strong helps protect our back as well and helps back pain if you have it.
- Stretching Exercise - This is especially important as we get older. Stretch before and after exercising to prevent injury and take a yoga or stretching class to increase flexibility.
- Balance Exercises - As we age our brain can literally “forget” how to balance us. Senior exercise programs should include balance exercises. Even standing on one foot and then the other when you brush your teeth will help your brain remember how to balance as you age.
- Meditative Exercise - Helps reduce stress, calms the mind and boosts the immune system.
As you can see, you may need more than one senior fitness program. Take an aerobics class for endurance and muscle fitness and a yoga or tai chi class for balance, flexibility and stress reduction.
Exercise keeps the body, mind and spirit healthy. It increases your stamina, boosts your immune system and helps you continue to enjoy life as you age. As we all know, aging isn’t the problem, it’s staying healthy as we age that should be our goal.
You’ll be amazed that after 6 months of following this senior fitness program, you’ll see your aches and pains diminsh, you’ll be able to climb stairs without huffing and puffing and you blood pressure and weight might well be normal again. What could be better than that?
Boomer Living - See the Newseum in Washington DC!
Newseum Washington DC
Welcome to Boomer Living Travel! I come to Washington DC with my husband about once a year and eagerly anticipated the opening of the Newseum this fall. As a writer, journalist and lover of history, I knew the Newseum would be fascinating and I wasn’t disappointed.
The Newseum, located at 555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, between N 6th St & N Constitution Ave, just opened in the fall of 2008 and is a real monument to the first amendment, freedom of speech. Some over 50 probably feel that freedom of speech has gone a little too far these days, but a trip to the Newseum can show you how important it is to defend this right.
The admission to the Newseum is $20, ($18 for those 65 and over) which, when you compare to all the free Smithsonian Museums, might seem a little steep. However, you can easily and happily spend half a day or more poking into all the exhibits at the Newseum - which I did.
I got to the Newseum early in the day, which I’d recommend. Washington DC is a popular place for school trips, God love the noisy little darlings. When you first go in, you are directed to the orientation movie downstairs. My movie was filled with middle schoolers so when I exited, and a docent asked if I’d like to see the famous 4D movie next, I replied no thanks. I figured I’d get a jump on the school kids and save the sit down movie for later when my feet gave out.
After the orientation movie, they direct you to start touring at the 6th floor. One thing I was looking forward to was the Pennsylvania Terrace, where I could view the entire capitol, overlooking historic Pennsylvania Avenue. This space offers a splendid photo op of the Capitol. You actually go out into the open air to take pictures and the October day was crisp and clear when I was there.
The Newseum building itself is an architectural wonder. I wish my architecture student daughter had gotten to see it with me. It’s all glass and open staircases and I’m sure Polshek Partnership Architects, the firm who designed it must have been justly proud.
Newseum, interior shot
The Newseum offers 14 major galleries and 15 theaters throughout and many are interactive. I spent about an hour in the Internet, TV and Radio gallery. I’ve lived through the revolution of the Internet but the historical video clips of old radio and newsreel footage was terrific. There were videos on the memorable newsreels shown in theaters in the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s, footage of events like the Hindenburg’s crash and burn, and the Lindbergh kidnapping. Some events I’d lived through, like Kennedy’s assasination and some before my time but all were fascinating.
Another thing I enjoyed was in the history of the news exhibit. There were actual newspapers dating as far back as the 1600’s and many involving famous events. There is also a 15 minute or so loop of old Saturday Night Live shows pertaining to politics. Very funny! One of the big screens is now running a montage of old campaign commercials from elections past. Not much changes on that front.
There is an actual section of the Berlin wall exhibited, as well as a piece of the melted Twin Towers. I must confess, I bypassed the movie about the challenges of covering 9-11. I know this is probably a popular movie but, having lived through the event itself, I didn’t feel up to it.
Piece of the Berlin Wall at Newseum
Other exhibits that the kids seemed to like were impressed with the car driven by Don Bolles, a reporter who was blown up while doing a story. His blackened car stands as a memorial to what reporters sometimes go through to report the truth.
Another thing I was fascinated with was the interactive 4D movie Time Travel adventure. One warning, which they do tell you about, is that if there’s a bombing on the screen (WWII scenes of Edward R Murrow’s broadcast from London), your chair will bounce like you are there. This 4D movie is so real, you feel like you can reach out and touch the characters. It’s a marvel and well worth seeing. Be prepared tho. During the Nellie Bly story, you may feel a rat scurry up your leg!
One thing that is hard to capture in photos or a review of the Newseum is the emotional response that wells up when you’re watching old newsreels, viewing that piece of the Twin Towers or the Berlin Wall, or looking at old newspapers published during the American Revolution or the Civil War. I’m a nostaligic sort and love history so these exhibits raised a good sized lump in my throat. As a journalist and writer, it really makes me appreciate all that people have gone through over time to bring the truth to others.
Info for seniors and Baby Boomers: The Newseum is fully accessible by wheelchair and even mobility scooters are available. There are elevators throughout and assistive listening devices for the 4D Movie. There are plenty of places to sit down too and watch the movie screens.
As expected, the Newseum food court (I put a granola bar in my purse before leaving the hotel) and gift shops are fairly expensive but they do have some nice gifts for the grandkids. Especially if one of them is a budding reporter.
So on your next trip to Washington, DC, don’t miss the Newseum. For more information, check out the Newseum website.