Category: October – November 2011

Message from the Editor – Oct/Nov 2011

One year and counting…

It’s hard to believe that it’s already been one year since we revived Generations Magazine and brought it back for you—our readers. Our goal continues to be to publish a resource magazine that is of great value to you, your families and friends. Please continue to share each issue with your neighbors and relatives, as everywhere I go I get requests for more copies. I know we are appreciated when we receive new subscribers each month—thank you.

In celebration of our first anniversary, we want to share a few happenings with you. First, by the time this issue is published, we will have a totally new Web site. Please visit us at www.generations808.com. Secondly, we will restart our Generations Magazine radio show on Oct 25th. On KNDI channel AM 1270, we will air “live” every Tuesday and Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. The radio show is partnering with the state’s Executive Office on Aging and other county agencies to air important news and events. We will also have special guests, so tune in and call in with your questions.

As we wrap up this issue, I’d like to send out two big special mahalos to the magazine’s art director Wilson Angel and editorial consultant Aimee Harris. Without their hard work and diligence, Generations Magazine would not be the resource magazine that it is today. Thanks also go to our photographer Brian Suda, and Sherry Goya who handles our distribution and advertising sales. Many more thanks go to our contributing writers who offer their expertise and provide such real life and useful information. And lastly, to our advertisers—thank you! We cannot print without your confidence in us.

As always, please feel free to send us stories, events and pictures you’d like to see in the magazine.

My sincerest thanks to all of you for your support of our mature community!

Live Well!

Percy Ihara, Editor/Publisher

One year and counting… It’s hard to believe that it’s already been one year since we revived Generations Magazine and brought it back for you—our readers. Our goal continues to be to publish a resource magazine that is of great value to you, your families and friends. Please continue to share each issue with your…
What is Fair in Coins & Collectibles?
So, what’s your money worth? Well, after 40 years of participating in coin & collectibles conventions, I’ve learned that the answer lies with whom you ask.

Recently, buyers have offered a few hundred dollars for exceptional items worth $10,000. What happens when buyers are unaware of the rarity and value of an item? And, what if sellers are willing to take any offer they can get? In either event, I believe that it’s prudent to price and compare, seller beware.

If you are a seller, below are a few tips of the trade:

If the buying-selling environment intimidates you, bring someone with you who’s quick with writing and calculating.

Bring your calculator, pen, paper and device with Internet access.

Do not give the air or attitude of complete trust or that you don’t care!

Before you walk in, make a list of what you intend to sell. If you’re selling precious metals or gemstones, note the karat or fineness of each piece and make it obvious to the buyer.

If you don’t know the karat of your piece, then write down what karat the buyer says it is.

When your item is placed on the scale, have your pen ready and actually look at what the scale says (don’t be shy) and write it down. (On the scale, ask to see the gram weight).

Before the buyer does an acid test, ask how they can tell what karat your piece is before they start. Write down what color the cap is on each acid tube they use for your piece. Keep it for future reference.

For the current price of gold, visit the Web site called, KITCO and click onto “Live Market Quotes.” If you don’t have Internet access, ask the buyer to find out what the price of gold or silver is at that moment and write it down. If the buyer is unwilling to get that information for you, be very suspicious because the price of gold will determine how much he/she will offer you.

If you have done all these, then you will be ready to figure out if what you are offered is fair.

How to Calculate What’s Fair

Step 1: Take the weight in grams and divide it by 31.1. That will give you the actual Troy ounce (the weight of precious metals) of the piece.

Step 2: Figure out the amount of pure gold or silver. Times the Troy ounce amount by the karat or fineness. To find the karat value, divide the actual karat by 24 (for example, 18 karat divided by 24=0.75).

Step 3: Multiply the amount of pure gold by the current price of gold. That ending figure is the actual and true pure value of your piece of jewelry.

Example: If your piece is 33 grams, 14 karats (14 divided by 24=0.583) and gold is at $1,800 per ounce, the calculation would be: 33 divided by 31.1=1.061 X .583 X $1,800= $1,113.41 in pure value.
So, what’s your money worth? Well, after 40 years of participating in coin & collectibles conventions, I’ve learned that the answer lies with whom you ask. Recently, buyers have offered a few hundred dollars for exceptional items worth $10,000. What happens when buyers are unaware of the rarity and value of an item? And, what…
Your Mind & Body: Prostrate Problems
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that forms part of the male reproductive system. The prostate is located just below the bladder, where urine is stored. The prostate also surrounds the urethra, the canal through which urine passes out of the body. It is common for the prostate gland to become enlarged as a man ages. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. It affects more than 50% of the men over age 60. Testosterone and other hormones may play a role.

Common symptoms of BPH:

Weak urinary stream

Urgency to urinate

Leaking or dribbling of urine

More frequent urination, especially at night

How is BPH diagnosed?

Often it is the symptoms that lend to the diagnosis of BPH. A routine check up that includes a digital rectal examination may reveal BPH. To rule our cancer, a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test might be done. Other tests include urine flow study, rectal ultrasound, cystoscopy and/or biopsy.

Are lifestyle modifications effective?

Decreasing fluid intake before bedtime, moderate alcohol consumption, reducing caffeine intake, and timed toileting may help. Do not urinate in a rush; try to relax while using the bathroom. Avoid medications with anti-cholinergic effects such a Benadryl that can make symptoms worse.

What herbal remedies are available?

The best-studied herbal remedy is Saw Palmetto, which is an extract of the fruit of Serenoa repens. Also, Serenoa repens may provide mild to moderate improvement in urinary symptoms and flow measures. Beta-sitosterol is another herbal remedy that may be effective.

What is the treatment for BPH?

BPH cannot be cured. The focus of treatment is on improving the symptoms. Many medications are available such as Flomax, Uroxatral, Hytrin or Cardura. Common side effects are lightheadedness and headaches. Proscar and Avodart belong to another class of medications that gradually reduce the size of the prostate gland over months.

When is surgery indicated?

If symptoms are bothersome and affect a person’s quality of life, then a surgery called Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) is indicated. Other alternatives include laser and Transurethral Microwave Therapy (TUMT), which are less invasive and may be performed in the physician’s office.

Send in your requests of medical topics for Dr. Ritabelle to write about in future issues to Percy Ihara.
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that forms part of the male reproductive system. The prostate is located just below the bladder, where urine is stored. The prostate also surrounds the urethra, the canal through which urine passes out of the body. It is common for the prostate gland to become enlarged as a man…
How to Invest Amid Downgrades, Downturns & Slowdowns
In this economic and political environment, investors are being forced to cope with unprecedented circumstances. At the same time that our economic recovery appears to be slowing, the S&P downgrades the U.S. credit rating for the first time. Confidence that government policymakers can do anything significant to help improve the environment is low.

Here are two realities to give you an appropriate perspective on the challenges that lie ahead:

The economy is being tested, but a repeat of 2008 is not inevitable.

Recent memory can have a significant impact on investor behavior. The fall 2008 financial crisis that pushed the global economy to the brink (and contributed to a 50 percent-plus drop in the value of the S&P 500 stock index) remains etched in most of our memories. Now, as European governments (Greece, Ireland and Spain to name a few) try to manage their debt, fears grow that the U.S. may face a similar situation soon. But it is not a foregone conclusion that we’re headed for the same result as three years ago. Circumstances are different today. For instance, many of the economic problems in the last downturn were related to the housing market bubble and excessive consumer debt. Today, housing prices are dramatically lower and consumers have begun to wind down their debt. There are other challenges facing the economy today, but a “double-dip” recession in the U.S. is far from certain.

2. Market gyrations should not overtake your investment strategy.

Are you a long-term investor? Most everybody should be, at least with a portion of your portfolio. Even if you are retired or close to it, you may need to invest some of your money in stocks to help meet increasing income needs over the course of what could be a long retirement. If you are uneasy with your current asset mix, review your holdings to determine if there is a more appropriate investment for your circumstances. Keep your portfolio well diversified. Avoid putting too much of your money into a single asset or asset class. This will limit the risk of a dramatic change in its price.

Yes, there’s a lot of unnerving financial news out there, but don’t let today’s headlines overwhelm your long-term investment decisions.

For more information, please contact Michael W. Yee at (808) 952-1240.

Advisor is licensed/registered to do business with U.S. residents only in the states of Hawaii. Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients.© 2010 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.
In this economic and political environment, investors are being forced to cope with unprecedented circumstances. At the same time that our economic recovery appears to be slowing, the S&P downgrades the U.S. credit rating for the first time. Confidence that government policymakers can do anything significant to help improve the environment is low. Here are…
October – November 2011

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