Category Archives: Imperial Plaza

28

Feb. ’16

Busy, Busy, Busy

I have neglected putting out my blogs for good reasons. It is not because I am lazy (some may argue that is the case but I’ll never waver) but have been busy with my MPP (Mighty Pen Project) classes and with the board of the MPP. I am also getting together (finally) the website for the MPP that will give much more information than I could give to you here. As you know, it is geared to all active duty military, ex-military and the families and/or friends of each service. To go further, in case you have not read my other blogs, it is for writing. These papers can be for memoirs, books or just plain getting things off your mind. The course is a once a week, ten week class taught by an instructor from a college, university, etc. In other words, this is a free college level course Who can argue with FREE?

How can this be free? That is where the Virginia War Memorial come in. With their help and guidance, we have come a long way. Now we have our own board and is attempting to function (some day) on our own. I have the task of setting up the website and keeping it running. A daunting task, to say the least. I hope to premiate myself by accomplishing this in a very expeditious manner. Wish me luck and the fortitude to carry on.

As far as Brookdale’s Imperial Plaza is concerned, it is slowly but surely moving right along… making people angrier and angrier along the way. The director (I should say “ex”) is no more. She was fired (she say she left on her own) but the rumor mill is really humming. I strongly believe the rumor mill (I have my sources). I will not say what those rumors are because, if wrong, I could be charged with slander. There is enough going on that I don’t want to be in the middle and end up on the wrong end of the spectrum. I have not seen nor met the lady that’s holding down the fort until a new director is named but I hear she is nice. I don’t remember her name but I do know she is from another facility that is in the Brookdale family. And, I want to add, people are not happy with the changes at the Magnolia Room or any of the dinning rooms, to be exact. Like I said before. People are always against change, whether good or bad. It doesn’t matter.

I am also a member of the grounds committee and, just think, I am suppose to be retired. I am doing more now than when I wasn’t retired. I guess being busy does not give you time to think about your age. I think about it every now and then and cringe. Personally, I think the two guys that do all the grounds work does not need anymore supervision or oversight than they already have. They do a fantastic job. I’m one that believe in the saying “if it’s not broken, don’t try to fix it.” I am told that I am expected to attend the different building gatherings in order to get their input about what they want done on the grounds. NOT!!! If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it plus I don’t have the desire or time to commit to such an endeavor.

Anyway, I’ll try to keep the blog going. I have so much coming up. A trip to Puerto Rico, a cruise, a trip to Colorado and, of course, the casinos. Add to that the MPP and I should finish my classes by the end of March. I forgot the Neighborhood Watch program, I am committed to that also. In order to be a good neighbor, commit your services to the neighborhood. If we all did a little, crime would be at an all time low.

Until next time…be kind to your neighbors because you’ll never know when you’ll need them. Also, insure your words are soft and sweet, you’ll never know when you’ll have to eat them. BYE!!!

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11

Oct. ’15

Fall is Here

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It’s that season again. Is it HOT or is it COLD? Mother Nature can not make up her mind and we humans pay the price for it. I even check the outside temperature before I dress, or get a long sleeve shirt, or get a jacket or even venture outside. Once outside, is the wind cool or warm; once outside, will it rain, be sunny or stay cloudy? Even the weather people, on TV, can’t get it right. But, I love spring and fall because it is not the extreme of anything. Then, why complain? There is nothing anyone can do about Mother Nature and what she have in store for whomever gets in the way. All I can say is watch the weather and don’t be hardheaded and dress wrong for the weather. We are not getting any younger and will suffer harder and longer for being foolish. When the leaves change, your clothing should change.

New carpeting have been laid on the first floor of Dogwood, at Imperial Plaza, is pretty. There was some moaning and groaning, as usual, about the inconveniences while putting in the carpet but the inconvenience was worth it. There are people that will complain about everything, just to be complaining. These are the people that will be given a pot of gold coins and they will complain that a coin is missing.

I’ve been told that approval was given for the art work to be done on the windows for Christmas but, to my understanding, there are to be no cartoons. I can live with that. The bottom line is the drawings can be done. This should make a lot of people very happy. It almost came to a riot when it was disapproved last year. For those that have not seen the Christmas drawings being done, when it starts, go by, sit and watch. A lot of people sit and watch the free hand drawings going up window by window. And, may I add, they are beautiful.

I’m making this blog a little short this week. It’s been quiet and I’m not sure if that is a good thing or not but I can’t see behind the scene. All I can do is wait just like everyone else. Until next time, keep reading and drop a comment on me.

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27

Sep. ’15

The Constitution and BIP

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We are Americans who live by The Constitution, Bill of Rights and Common Laws. As a resident of Brookdale Imperial Plaza I have an apartment like any other place that have an apartment. At any place that a person reside, they are afforded the right to have guests at anytime that they may choose, as long as it is peaceful. I say this because it have come to my attention that a former employee of Brookdale Imperial Plaza have received a certified letter saying they can not come onto the property, even if requested or with a resident. I will have to look real hard at the law books on this one. Personally, I don’t think this is right unless a person have broken the law or something to that effect. If the letter is not legal, then it’s another case of a person trying to input their own policies.

Do not be afraid of people’s scorn, nor fear their insults. Sorrow and mourning will disappear,and they will be filled with joy and gladness. I, yes I, am the one who comforts you. So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear? (Isaiah 51:7, 11-12)

Like the information about the ex-employee, I received another e-mail with the above Bible passage. It is from a blog I follow and it says what I feel. Why be afraid of people’s scorn… Like it have many times before, it will all come together in the end. That’s twice in a row I have received a Bible verse that directly reflects on what I am thinking at the moment.

This blog is much shorter than my others because I want my point to be clear. These are not the sixties and before that. People can go where they want and say what they want without fear of retribution. LEGALLY!!!!!

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08

Aug. ’15

Double Parking

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I have decided to forgo my usual Faith In God Ministries article this week and do another Retirement article instead. The reason being, one of my favorite people have left Imperial Plaza, the Activities Director. From what myself and others have seen, she has a good head on her shoulders and she ran a smooth operation. I don’t know of anyone that does not like her but, on the other side of the coin, there is many more than a few that are sad for her leaving. Like I said in last week’s article, there is no replacing her because she is a one of a kind, a super hard worker.

We had a party in her honor last month and another this past Friday. At work or out in the public, she never changed. I just hope and pray that we at Imperial Plaza do not lose anymore of our longtime beloved people, full time or part time. This is our home and our house can not withstand anymore departures and remain the same. Long term experience is more than hard to replace nor our love for them. They do not get the thanks nor appreciation that they should but the majority of us do care and we are watching.

That remind me of another incident that has happened here. A woman said some derogatory things to our female bus driver that was totally uncalled for and she was also assaulted. The punishment was and is unacceptable. There are people that have done less and received more punishment than that. On the street, that could result in jail time. First charge, curse and abuse. Second charge, assault. When I was a cop, I have arrested people on those charges and age, mental state and health condition did not matter.

As the photo show below, double parking needs a little work (smile). No laughing matter because, as I said in a previous article, driving here leaves a lot to be desired. My wife and I look for dents and scratches on our two cars all the time and there are some. Her passenger side got all scratched up a couple of weeks ago and there were scratches on the rear. The side view mirror doesn’t count because that is also a normal thing around here. People park on the line, take two parking spaces, park at an angle and use the center of the roadway. Don’t let your auto insurance expire. I still remember when my wife and I had lived here only a month or two and a woman rounded the corner at the end of the building and kept straight to take out two or three cars. I used to park in that area but I don’t anymore. I acquiesces because there is not a parking lot that is safe. By law, private property is private property and outside traffic laws do not exist. If it did, there are more than a few cars that would either be ticketed or towed. And, I haven’t even gotten into expired tags and/or inspection stickers.

One last thing that I want to mention, which I alluded to in my article last week, are things to do in the area. I just attended the Filipino Fest and there are at least two other events in the area. There is the Watermelon Fest and there is the Jazz Festival. There are probably more smaller festivals and parties going on that I don’t know about but they are listed in the paper every week. Go out, have fun and don’t just sit around and mope. There is plenty to do, at Imperial Plaza and outside, have at it.IMG_20150805_141430458

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19

Jul. ’15

A Little Of This, A Little Of That

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When I was on the radio I had a closing saying at the end of each and every program. “Be kind to your neighbors because you will never know when you will need them. Also, ensure your words are soft and sweet because you will never know when you will have to eat them”. Since I have been at Imperial Plaza I have met many people that have had interesting lives and people that have been or still are of importance. The other day I met a gentleman that was a squadron commander for an aircraft maintenance unit in the air force. We had an interesting conversation and not once did we speak badly about anyone or even turn our nose up at anyone. It was as if we have known each other for years. Yes, I was in the air force but not as a commander or anything like that. That is why a person should not assume anything of anybody until you get to know the real inner person.

There are many people at Imperial Plaza that assume things without getting to really know what is going on or the person that they are talking to. False assumptions cause many, many problems that could have been avoided if a softer approach was acquired and an unassuming mind was vacated. Living here are people from many walks of live and may know many people that are more powerful than you, me or they are. Speak kinder and be unassuming. That way you will have a better life because there are no repercussions from something you have said or have assumed.

The singing and dancing at the White Squirrel last Tuesday was fantastic. The party was on! A bug with a rumor have whispered in my ear that the party may move. Wherever it moves to, I hope there is quick access to the same food and drink as there is now. That is a large part of the party because, like me, people eat their supper during the party. I have been told that the White Squirrel make more money on Tuesday than it does all week, that is why. I know the place is small and can’t hold everyone that come but I hope long, hard thought was in play before there was a decision to move. I will bring this up at the Activity Committee meeting tomorrow for opinions. I may be missing something and I am not always right, far from it (my wife tells me, LOL), but, in this case, I think I am right.

One last thing before I close. At the last Town Hall Meeting, last month, we were told the tree trimmers were working and to not enter the taped off areas. I walk the area and never saw the areas but I have seen a lot of dead tree limbs in the trees. In fact, where my wife and I park our cars is where a lot of work need to be done. There is one tree that is half dead and, when I leave my car, I duck my head. If tree work is being done, it’s sparse or invisible. I choose invisible because, after two years, it is still the same. I can tell you when the work will get done. When this place is sued because of tree damage. It’s coming.

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05

Jul. ’15

Driving And Parking

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There are times, when you are retired, that you will just sit in the shade, watch the things around you and think. The other day, while doing this, I was thinking about what I wanted to write about when I noticed the traffic and a lady trying to park her car. I then recalled the article I wrote for an on-line publication last year dealing with inattentive drivers and another on seniors and driving. I don’t want to rehash those articles so I will write about the traffic around Imperial Plaza, a gated senior community.

One would think the traffic would not be really bad here because, although the place have a little size to it, a caring person would naturally drive slowly. Wrong….speed is the name of the game and speed and/or stop signs go unseen, mostly. It is getting to be worst and worst with an accident expected any day now. I have sat and watched vehicles go through stop signs as if it wasn’t there and other traffic, not at that moment, coming from the other direction and never slowing down or come to a stop in order to see if the intersection is clear. I have watched vehicles coming from the front gate toward the Dogwood building and never slowing down before going around vehicles doubled parked before entering the blind curve to go to the rear of Dogwood. There will be an accident and it’s coming soon.

I sometimes sit on the benches at the rear of Dogwood and it’s rather funny how people park. There are more than a few vehicles with the sides scared with another vehicle’s color embedded within the long scraping dent(s). I don’t know if these dents come from happenings here at Imperial Plaza or elsewhere but, from the closeness of the parking of some vehicles, I can see how it may have happened here.

Thinking about the parking, I have seen people pull in and out of a slot three or four times and still the vehicle is not in straight or even in the center. Some of these people could not park correctly if their lives depended on it. I have seen where they would pull in correctly and redo it with an ending being positively wrong. I watched one lady, driving a new Cadillac, try to park on the end where there was a side curb. It wasn’t pretty and she never got it in straight, like the other vehicles. When she took out her walker and hobbled up the walkway, I understood why she was driving the way she did.

I can’t think of a solution to this problem although I have sat and sat thinking about it. I remember a gentleman telling me how mad he was that the doctor insisted he stop driving. There should be more of that or a lot of people are going to injure themselves, someone else or worst. As far as the speeding is concerned, all I can think of are many speed bumps, especially at the stop signs. This is private property and anything can be done, within reason, and should before someone gets hurt.

Getting off the topic, here is something that have come to my attention a few days ago. Remember when I first started writing about the troubles we are having here at Imperial plaza? When I wrote about the turnover of a lot of loved and experienced personnel? Well, it’s still going on, full steam ahead. Our head of Activities have resigned and we will miss her. I wish her well and hope to see her again. I do not know the reason she resigned but when frustration sets in, there is no recourse but to go elsewhere. I’m afraid we have not seen the end of this yet because I know of a couple more people that are thinking of doing the same thing.

Well, I guess I will sit and think and, maybe, I will come up with solutions to the many problems around here. Anything can be fixed with clear, thoughtful thinking, instead of jumping before you think about it. That is done far too often and that is why things are the way they are. With that I will stop and remind you to read my spiritual blog also ( faithingodministries.net ) every other week and comment/follow them. Both blogs appear on my Facebook page (in part) and all you have to do is click “read more”, which will take you to the blog’s site automatically.

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03

May. ’15

Grumpy People And Other Things

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There is a saying, “you can please some of the people some of the time but not all the people all the time”. That is a very true statement, especially around Imperial Plaza. Almost daily I talk to people that complain about a vast array of things but most just want to hear themselves speak, I imagine. I try to avoid those I know will complain about everything under the sun and I name them “grumpy”. These people also do not participate in anything but have something to say about everything. A good example is of one woman that always complain about the lousy food served in the restaurant and when asked if she have eaten there lately and the answer is “I’ve been here three years and have eaten there once. I don’t want that garbage.” There are many like her and she and others should keep there mouths shut unless they are involved with whatever they are complaining about.

There is a change that I spoke abut once before. This man ran all of our activities and is back from being repositioned elsewhere. He should never have been situated elsewhere and all I have heard is that it is great he is back. In my opinion, that was a bad move to start with. Why move the best you have and the one that really love the job? I guess the administration had to learn from a bad mistake. I just hope it does not happen again. We did not suffer while he was gone because he still did the job plus his new job. I asked him once if he got double pay since he was doing two jobs. He just smiled and said “no”.

The church is coming along slowly but surely. We still need membership but we have a lady (Evangelist) that comes and is looking for a new home. She sings and have made a CD of which she sang a couple of songs at last Sunday and this Sunday’s services. Her voice reminds me of Mahalia Jackson which put me in awe. I hope she stays. I was praying for a musician and she was sent and I am eternally grateful. The Lord said that if you wanted or needed something, all that was required was to ask. I asked and the result was last Sunday’s service. I am grateful and I am a witness of God’s word and promise. Last Tuesday night’s Prayer Meeting yielded more of what the Pastor and myself have asked for. We must now do what we have to do to finish what God have started.

The weather have finally turned to the better (warm) and, guess what, I came down with a head cold. This is the first one in two or three years. I normally don’t get colds and it normally does not last long but I feel terrible until it’s gone. I’m trying for it to not slow me down because I must keep plowing on and just keep blowing my nose as I do. Keep God in your heart and mind and I’ll holler at you the next time.

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25

Apr. ’15

Communication

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There is always something going on at Imperial Plaza. Sometimes it’s good things and then there are the behind the scenes bad things. It’s like the phrase from the Bible book of Revelations. Wars and rumors of war. From what I gather it all started when the person that volunteers to handle the packages for pick-up was asked who she worked for and she replied that she works for no one because she is a volunteer. That may be true, however, everyone work for someone. The question is what department and who is in charge of that department. Also, as far as handing out the packages that come in the mail and is too large for the small mail boxes, what department would that fall under?

Another thing….we now have, on the apartment cable system, channel 970 on which we can see the daily schedule of upcoming events, etc. It is in it’s infancy but should get better soon but I think I have a solution that will greatly improve the system and many other things here at Imperial Plaza. There should be a Communications Department. The department I am thinking of will handle the cctv, fliers, news, ads to radio, tv, and papers. The department should have at least two people (Mass Communication educated) because there will be more than enough work for the two. I know from experience that handling the daily routine of the input into the cctv takes a lot of energy and time to do it right as well as coordinating with the many individuals that have the needed information.

I can see the communications people having a desk with a computer unlike everyone else. This computer will also have graphics and formats that will expedite making the designs needed for the different publications that will go out on the cctv and all other print and video work. I can also see the constant changes that is inevitable in this type of work. There must be constant contact with the executive branch of the administration as well as the other departments in order to put out exactly what is desired to be released. A communications department is a very important arm of any large administration and I wonder if Imperial Plaza have one or is considering one?

Communication is very important for a church also. My Pastor want me to handle this and I am having a hard time getting started because I have a lot of other things that I am doing but, with God’s help, I will get it done. Most people really don’t realize how much work go into doing something like this. I have done this when I was in the military and when I was at the radio station at Virginia State University. The work at VSU wasn’t that hard because there were many people that could be called on and the equipment was at hand. There is no one to call on at the church and the equipment does not exist.

So you see, communications is needed in both places and that is only an example. These are only my thoughts, a couple of things that will hopefully get my mind in gear for a project I must complete. Wish me luck with this communication project and wish Imperial Plaza luck with whatever they are doing. Without a full-time communication department, they’ll need a lot of luck.

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05

Apr. ’15

Rambling Again

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It is great to see some of the people here at Imperial Plaza taking advantage of having a small dog. Just like when the people bring the Companion Dogs around, these do the same thing. Bringing comfort and companionship to the lonely with an added sense of feeling needed. Having a small dog can do wonders for the people but it can also be a nuisance. I know you are wondering what I am talking about and why.

There is no barking or whining, that I have heard. However, what I have observed is even worst. People are walking their animals on the property grounds and letting them do the business that we all must do. Urinate and defecate. I have observed the dogs defecating and then the owner and dog walk away leaving the remains behind. I have even seen an aide with the owner and dog with the same results happening. Myself and quite a few others walk the area (across the grass) and now I guess I can expect, on occasion, walking into a surprise. I hope not but it’s like playing Russian Roulette, eventually the inevitable will happen.

Next week I will oil and tighten up my bike and start taking short rides until I build up my endurance for longer rides. The season, for me, is here and I am chomping at the bit to get out there (weather permitting, of course). Like I have said in previous articles, I am a fair weather rider. If it’s cold, rainy or dark, I do not ride and not being a racer can be added to the list also. I have only seen one other person, here at Imperial Plaza, riding but that was last year. I hope to have a riding companion, especially riding through the Bellevue community, as part of the neighborhood watch program.

Becoming a Deacon and spending a lot of time at the church leaves little time for riding although I will get it in some way. I enjoy being a Deacon even though it is a tremendous amount of work getting a new church off the ground. In order to grow involves a lot of work, at church and at home. There is always something to do and little time to do it or get it done. As written in the Bible, the Seven went out among the people converting others and they, in turn, did the same. Here it is more than two thousand years later and it is still going on. There is always work to do for the Lord. Never be angry about the work because there are those that want to do the work but can not physically do the needed work. Be thankful that you are able and not among the infirm because things could be worst.

I wish to thank those of you that are keeping up with my ramblings and haphazard writings. I had promised to do better but that was before I got really busy. I have received and started following a really religious, interesting blog. This person writes two to three times a day. I’m not anywhere close to having that amount of time to do that much writing but I do read it and it is very inspiring. There are others and I do look at them when time permits. I say to all to keep up the good work and thanks. Any questions or suggestions, drop me a line or two and it will be received with appreciation. God bless and keep all of you.

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06

Feb. ’15

Just Thinking

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“History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives”, Abba Eban 1915-2002 (Israeli Diplomat and politician).  I add this, “Things change when a lucrative job is at stake.”  It is copiously true concerning what is happening here.  Most people learn important lessons by observing others.  They will see what they do and the consequences bestowed for that action.  Then there are those that see bad actions, bad consequences and never learn that lesson.  They are of a mind that say, they can get away with it.

These actions not only occur here but have occurred elsewhere in the past and will continue into the future.  Humans are creatures of habit and creatures of “trying to get the upper hand and trying to get away with it”.  These people also think others will roll over and take it.  They don’t believe they will run into resistance and they can go about life doing whatever.  However: “Habit is necessary; it is the habit of having habit, of turning a trail into a rut, that must be incessantly fought against if one is to remain alive.” (Edith Wharton, American author 1862-1937).

This is something I have been trying to get many others to see.  Seniors are inherently resistant to change and will fight tooth and nail against it.  This living in the past is passed on from one generation to another.  Since I’ve been living here at Imperial Plaza I generally attend the live music performance.  This is when musicians play for the residents.  A couple of times modern music was featured and the attendance was very low.  When dated music was featured, there was a large attendance.  I can give example after example of things like this but some people still don’t get it.

When I think of habit, another example really caused  uproar.  Every Holiday an employee’s child freehand draw and paint pictures on the mall corridor windows.  These pictures are very pretty and the child is very, very good (plus it’s free).  Many residents will sit in the chairs, along the corridor, and watch.  We all have looked forward to it.  Now it is forbidden and no one knows why.

Habit and expectation of the habit continuing is human nature.  It is a comfort zone that humans do not want to evacuate.  The five senses kick in and a person is sent back to happy times within their life.  It’ll bring memories of things long forgotten.  As you grow older, especially if a significant other is no longer around, these memories, in most cases, are all that is left.  I and others are hard core against change without a heart to heart discussion of why it is a good thing for me.  This goes back to another article….communication, not dictated to.  I will and have changed (ask my wife) but tell me why I must before the change is made.  It’s easier to swallow and, I’ll tell you no lie, others are just like me.

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