Now updated! The year 1958 was perhaps the most important of Elvis Presley’s life — not because the Memphis Draft Board forced him to have hassenpfeffer and black pumpernickel for chow, but because of his mother’s untimely passing. Could any one person, even his mother, have affected his The King so deeply? Yes, and as this latest in a series of Elvis histories shows, her passing accomplished what the rest of the world could not. Read more about the year 1958 in Elvis Presley’s personal and professional life here.

The Elvis Years: 1958 originally appeared on About.com Oldies Music on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 22:12:21.

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Did you know that falling down is the leading cause of injury death in adults over age 65? Here are a few statistics about falling, courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control:

• Falls increase the risk of early death.
• Of people who fall, 20 to 30 percent suffer moderate to severe injuries including hip fractures and head injuries.
• Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries.
• After a fall, older adults develop a fear of falling, which can limit their enjoyment of life and sense of living independently.

Unfortunately, the frequency of preventable injuries among people age 65 and older–especially injuries caused by falling down–has increased dramatically over the past several years.

No matter what your age, you can reduce your risk of falling by following four simple steps.

Another way to reduce the risk of falling is to improve your strength and balance. These lower body exercises include safety tips for older adults, and there’s no need to join a gym: all of these exercises can be easily done at home.
_{Photo by Kenn Kiser}

Simple Steps to Prevent Falling originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 18:42:43.

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OFFICIAL RULES

THE LKCM (RANCH) RADIO GROUP

NATIONAL ANTHEM HOMETOWN HERO

At TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Dates:  March 6^th and March 28th, 2010

1. ELIGIBILITY:

The national Anthem Hometown Hero contest is open only to legal residents of the United States of America who are eighteen (18) years of age at the time of entry.  Employees, officers and representatives of the LKCM Radio Group, Texas Motor Speedway (aka TMS) and their respective related companies, as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible.  This contest is subject to all federal, provincial, state and local laws and regulations.  Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries.  Void where prohibited by law.

1. SPONSOR (S):

LKCM Radio Group, 115 West 3rd Street, Fort Worth, TX  76102

Texas Motor Speedway,

Prize Sponsors:

The Ranch Radio Group, 115 West 3^rd Street, Fort Worth, TX  76102

Texas Motor Speedway

1. AGREEMENT TO OFFICIAL RULES:

By participating in the contest, each Entrant fully and unconditionally agrees to and accepts these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding in all matters related to the contest.

1. CONTEST DESCRIPTION:

2 winners will receive the opportunity to sing the National Anthem before the crowd at Texas Motor Speedway during one of the race dates of April 4 or June 6, 2009

LKCM Radio Group Will Provide:

Execution of contest on 10 radio stations in North Texas & Southern Oklahoma.  Stations conduct a search for talent to sing the National Anthem for The

 O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 and 

ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards April 16 & 17.

• • Weekends (or a weekday if appropriate) between 3/6 - 3/28, station promotional teams hold auditions at designated locations inside the station coverage area.  Host locations to be retail outlets or restaurants determined by radio stations - not to conflict with Official TMS Sponsors.

• • Auditions will be open for 3 hours and judged by two people designated by the radio station.  Contestants will sing the National Anthem a cappella style.  At the end of the audition period, judges will select the best performance and call one winner (semi-finalist) to advance to the finals. If the winner is unavailable to perform on the date of the finals, a runner-up will be selected.

• • Semi-finalists will advance to the final auditions held at Texas Motor Speedway Saturday, April 10^th . Contestants will perform the National Anthem before a panel of judges (number TBD).  LKCM Radio Group to provide at least one judge.   The highest scorer from all four competitions that does not qualify for one of the four SORC entrants will qualify as our fifth entrant.  Singers may compete at each event to improve on their score.  The top five scorers will be posted on our web sites on Monday following each event.

• • Two winners will be selected on April 10^th , 2010:
    • One to perform at the race April 16^th
    • One to perform at the race April 17^th

• Recorded and live promotional announcements over 6 weeks 2/15 - 3/28. Approximately 252 Live and recorded announcements per station (average 42x per week) = 2,520 live and recorded promotional announcements

• Professional audio production from digital state of the art studios

• Minimum 20 three-hour auditions in March.

• Rules and Regulations

• Presence 2/15 - 4/10/09 on station websites where available (KYBE, KVSO, KRVA have some website limitations) to include:
  • Link to www.texasmotorspeedway.com ,
  • Pictures and / or name of weekly semi-finalists,
  • Pictures and/or video of overall winners
  • Complete contest details, rules & regulations

• Periodic blog entries on TMS website regarding contest

Texas Motor Speedway Will Provide:

• VIP credentials and privileges for 4 people (winner + 3 guests) on Race Day April 16 and 17.

• Assistance with arrangement of two "celebrity judges" at final auditions 4/10/10

• Beverage for judges, finalists and guests on April 10.

• Staging area, all audio equipment, technical personnel & videographer for final auditions, April 10^th .

• Pair of tickets to each semi-finalist who audition Saturday, April 10^th , Texas Motor Speedway will provide a pair of tickets for each of the semi-finalists to attend the Dallas Morning News Qualifying and ARCA Racing Series presented by Re/Max & Menards race, April 16 and the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 Nationwide Series race, April 17^th .

• Will provide all contestants +1 guest pace car rides April 10^th .

• VIP seats and privileges for LKCM Radio Group personnel on race days

• Texas Motor Speedway will make every effort, depending on schedules, to appear at a minimum of 10 different audition locations - 1 per day each Saturday & Sunday 3/5-3/28.

• Collateral to be distributed by radio stations at each weekly audition - up to 20 auditions

• Content on www.texasmotorspeedway.com and social networking sites to promote contest.

1. QUALIFICATIONS:

Each contestant must be 18 years of age by date of audition.

Competitors must be on site for the audition

Each competitor will be asked to sing the entire National Anthem

1. CONTEST DATES AND SCHEDULE:

Week 1:  March 6, 2010

Week 2:  March 13, 2010

Week 3:  March 20, 2010

Week 4:  March 27th, 2010

Finals     April 10, 2010

20-25 Winners from each weekly contest will advance to the final competition

On Saturday, April 10^th .

1. JUDGES:

_____ Judges will be on site each week.  Judges are selected by LKCM Radio Group and TMS

1. VOTING METHODS:

Overall results will be determined by a variety of methods including by not limited to:

1) Judges determination and 2) LKCM Radio Group and TMS have the ultimate decision as to who the winners are in case of a tie or unclear circumstances.

A representative of LKCM Radio Group will announce the weekly winner.

The final two winners will be announced following the finals on April 10^th .

LKCM Radio Group and TMS, or any parties affiliated with them, are not responsible for any error in registration and or in the voting process.  All decisions on prizes and winners are Final and are not subject to review based on allegations of voting error, improper voting, and/or level of attendance during time of performance.  LKCM Radio Group and TMS have the right to refuse anyone entrance into the contest.  Contest will last 4 weeks.

1. NOTIFICATION:

The Sponsor’s decision as to the administration of the Contest and the selection of the winner are final and binding.  The promotion will take place on Saturday March 7th, 2009 through Saturday, March 28, 2009 at locations TBD.  The Contestants most comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules.  The actual award of the Grand Prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements (including the Winner executing the Release, Waiver, and Assumption of Risk and the Publicity Release (collectively the "Release’.)  To receive the Grand Prize, the Winner must sign and return to the Sponsor an Affidavit of eligibility and the Release within two (2) days of the date of notice.  If the Winner cannot be notified within a five (5) day period, or fails to sign and return the Affidavit or Eligibility and Release within the five (5) day period, the Winner shall forfeit the Grand Prize.  In the event that the Winner is disqualified for any reason, the Sponsor will seek to award the Grand Prize to an alternate Winner by conducting additional drawings until the Grand Prize is awarded.  The Grand Prize will be awarded subject to the terms and conditions of these Official Rules.

1. PRIZES:

Texas Motor Speedway will provide both National Anthem winners:

• • 4 Victory Lane Club suite tickets for the Samsung Mobile 500 race weekend
    • Friday, April 16: The Dallas Morning News Qualifying for the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series & the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/Max and Menards race.
    • Saturday, April 17, O’Reilly 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race
    • Sunday, April 18, Samsung Mobile 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race
    • Sunday, April 5, Samsung 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race

GRAND PRIZE:

Two (2) awarded.  One individual each will perform the National Anthem prior to the start of the April 16 or June 17, 2010 races at Texas Motor Speedway.

Entrant has not yet won the Grand Prize and entry into the Sweepstakes does not guaranty that such Entrant will be the Winner.  No purchase is necessary to enter the Sweepstakes or to win.  Overall odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.  Only one Grand Prize shall be awarded.  Void where prohibited by law.

1. PUBLICITY:

Except where prohibited, participation in the Sweepstakes constitutes to the Sponsor’s use of the Winner’s name, image, likeness, voice, opinions, biographical information, hometown and state for promotional and marketing purposes in any media without further payment or consideration.

1. GENERAL CONDITIONS:

The Sponsor reserves the right to cancel or modify the contest if fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond the Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity of the contest, as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion.  The Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the contest or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules, or upon the Sponsor’s belief said individual is in violation of any state or federal law or regulation, or is acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner.  Any attempt by any person to deliberately damage any web site or undermine the legitimate operation of the sweepstakes is in violation of criminal and civil law, and should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to prosecute and/or seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law.  The Sponsor’s failure to enforce any provision of these Official Rules.

1. RELEASE:

BY ENTERING THIS SWEEPSTAKES, ENTRANT AGREES TO RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS LCKM RADIO GROUP, TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY AND EACH OF THEIR RELATED AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES, AND EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, SHAREHOLDERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS OR CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF PARTICIPATION IN THE SWEEPSTAKES OR RECEIPT OR USE OF THE GRAND PRIZE IN ANY RESPECT.

1. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY:

The Sponsors are not responsible for: (i) technical failures of any kind including, but not limited to, the malfunctioning of any computer, cable, network, hardware or software, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, technology outage, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of entries, whether caused by the sender or any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the contest by an Entrant, the Sponsors; (ii) the unavailability or inaccessibility of any transmissions or telephone or Internet service; (iii) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process of the contest; (iv) electronic or human error which may occur in the administration of the contest or the processing of entries; or (v) any injury or damage to persons or property including, but not limited to, any Entrant’s computer, hardware or software, which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from any Entrant’s participation in the Sweepstakes.

1. DISPUTES:

Entrant understands and expressly agrees that: (i) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this contest, or the Grand Prize awarded, other than the administration of the contest or the determination of the Winner shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the laws of the State of Texas; (ii) and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering the Sweepstakes but in no event shall attorney’s fees be awarded; and (iii) under no circumstances will Entrant be permitted to seek or obtain awards for punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages including, without limitation, treble damages, and Entrant hereby expressly waives all rights to any such

claims.  SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE FOREGOING LIMITATIONS OR THE EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE MAY NO APPLY TO YOU.  All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of an Entrant, in connection withy the contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas and the State of Oklahoma, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the State of Texas or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Texas.  In the event of any dispute or action to enforce these Official Rules, the parties agree to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue in the District Court for the City and County of Tarrant, State of Texas.

1. ENTRANT’S PERSONAL INFORMATION:

Sponsor intends to use, solely for Sponsor and Sponsor’s affiliate’s use, Entrant’s personal information for marketing, informational and promotional purposes.  All information collected from an Entrant is subject to the LKCM Radio Group Privacy Policy.

1. WINNER’S LIST:

Contest results and/or a copy of these Official Rules may be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

LKCM Radio Group

115 West Third Street

Fort Worth, TX  76102

THESE RULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANYTIME WITHOUT

PRIOR WRITTEN NOTICE

All contestants must strictly follow these guidelines.  It is each contestant’s responsibility to read and fully understand these rules because entrants may be required to forfeit prize if they fail to comply with these rules and regulations.

By signing below, contestant agrees that he/she has read and fully understands these rules.

Printed Name:  _________________________________________

Signature:  ____________________________________________

Address:  _____________________________________________

City:  ________________________________________________

State:  ________________________________________________

Zip:  _________________________________________________

DL#:  ________________________________________________

DOB:  ________________________________________________

SS#:  _________________________________________________

Home Telephone Number:  _______________________________

Work Telephone Number:  ________________________________

Mobile Telephone Number:  ______________________________

The news media often report that older Americans are adopting the Internet and broadband faster than any other age group–but it could be they just have farther to go.

According to the latest report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project, 38 percent of U.S. adults age 65 and older are online as of December 2009, compared to 74 percent of the general population and 70 percent of adults in the next oldest age group (50-64 years old). In addition, only 26 percent of adults in the 65-and-older age group have broadband access at home, compared to 60 percent of all adults and 56 percent of adults 50-64 years old.

Read more…

Percentage of Older Adults Online is Poised for Record Growth originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Monday, March 1st, 2010 at 18:28:30.

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Veteran newsman Tom Brokaw, who wrote a best-selling book called The Greatest Generation about the men and women who came of age in the Great Depression and fought World War II, is now using his reporter’s eye to look at their children: the baby boomers.

On Thursday, March 4 [2010], CNBC will premier a two-hour documentary called, “TOM BROKAW REPORTS: BOOMER$.” The show will air at 9 p.m. and again at 12 midnight. If you happen to miss the premiere, don’t worry. CNBC will rebroadcast the documentary on Saturday, March 6th at 7 p.m., Sunday, March 7th at 9 p.m., and Monday, March 8th at 8 p.m.

Here’s how CNBC describes the report:

“In a landmark two-hour documentary, Tom Brokaw tells the story of history’s wealthiest and most influential generation. From hula hoops to civil rights, in war and politics, Brokaw chronicles the extraordinary impact 78 million baby boomers have had on American society over the past six decades, and explores the challenges they face as they begin to approach the age of retirement.”

That sounds like a lot to cover in just two hours, but Brokaw is going to try.

Born in 1940, Brokaw is too young to be part of The Greatest Generation (a term he coined) and too old to be a baby boomer. How well Brokaw will capture the boomer experience and whether he will discover and share any significant insights remains to be seen. After all, this isn’t the first time Brokaw has reported on the Baby Boom Generation. For his 2007 book, “BOOM!,” Brokaw interviewed about 100 baby boomers, many of them famous personalities such as politicians Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich, writers Nora Ephron, Tom McGuane and Gloria Steinem, and singer/songwriter James Taylor.

Writing for The New York Times, Janet Maslin gave “BOOM!” a so-so review, but had kind words for the author: “On the page, as he is on the screen, Mr. Brokaw is a canny, perceptive interviewer with an honest interest in what other people have to say.” Brokaw and his book about baby boomers fared less well in the USA Today review by Bob Minzesheimer, who wrote: “It’s a conventional, bland, safe and predictable book about a decade that was none of the above.”

If you watch “TOM BROKAW REPORTS: BOOMER$” next week, be sure to come back to this site and leave a comment with your thoughts about the program.
_{Photo: Alex Wong/Getty}

Tom Brokaw Reports on Baby Boomers originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 at 17:11:45.

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Now updated! 1957 saw Elvis Presley move quickly from American superstar to international phenomenon — yet forces were already at work to neutralize and control the King. The year of “Jailhouse Rock,” Graceland, and “Ed Sullivan” from the waist up proved also to sow the seeds of personal tragedy and professional crises. Read more about the year 1957 in Elvis Presley’s personal and professional life here.

The Elvis Years: 1957 originally appeared on About.com Oldies Music on Friday, February 26th, 2010 at 11:35:19.

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The latest in a series of song histories based on the classic tunes in the video game The Beatles: Rock Band! John hated it, considered it a rush job only done to make Sgt. Pepper. But lost of critics (and fans) love the offbeat time signatures, the strange horns, the barnyard freakout, and the sly skewering of suburban life that is this classic. Read a detailed breakdown of “Good Morning Good Morning” in my latest Beatles fact sheet.

The Beatles Rock Band: “Good Morning Good Morning” originally appeared on About.com Oldies Music on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 at 10:50:03.

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It presaged (and some say birthed) disco, took soul to the pop mountaintop, and brought the romantics to the dance floor… it’s Philly Soul, the product of one city, several labels, and five amazing songwriter/producers.Read more about Philly Soul and its relation to other oldies music styles in my latest encyclopedia entry.

The Oldies Encyclopedia: “Philly Soul” originally appeared on About.com Oldies Music on Monday, February 22nd, 2010 at 08:16:34.

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For seniors and people with disabilities, wheelchair ramps and other home modifications can help them be more independent and stay in their homes longer.

And for many older adults, independent living–in their own houses or apartments–adds significantly to the quality of their lives.

A reader asked if Medicare would cover the cost of a wheelchair ramp. Unfortunately it does not, but I found some options that could make installing a wheelchair ramp easier or less expensive. If you need support to install a wheelchair ramp–to build it or pay for it–here is a list of resources that can help you add a wheelchair ramp to your home.

It’s not hard to make a few simple independent living home modifications that will enable seniors to stay in their homes.

So before assuming that having a disability means moving to a retirement home, see what you can do to make the current home more senior-friendly.

Independent Living May Be Easier Than You Think originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Friday, February 19th, 2010 at 18:56:57.

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