What's up | How we're living well after 50

Shake it up, baby

Something for the whole family Thanksgiving evening as Paul McCartney and Beyonce star in back-to-back one-hour specials on ABC Thursday night. Beyonce starts it off at 9 with a concert taped over the summer in Las Vegas. Sir Paul's concert at 10 includes songs from his July concert at Citi Field in New York City — directly adjacent to Shea Stadium, where the Beatles first rocked America's world. There will be archival clips shown during the show. Airs on WFTS-Ch. 28.

It's time for Medicare Part D — review your options online

If you missed the special LifeTimes report on Medicare Part D that was published in October, you can read the stories and review the various charts on our Web site. Among the features:

• An overview of the various "Parts" of Medicare, A, B, D — and Medicare Part C, Medicare Advantage.

• A step-by-step guide to navigating the Medicare.gov Web site if you want to enroll online.

• Detailed charts in downloadable PDF formats showing costs and coverage of various health plans and stand-alone drug plans and also PFFS (private fee for service) plans.

The signup period for Medicare Part D ends Dec. 31. For our report, go to lifetimes. tampabay.com.

Are you unwittingly impaired?

Driving under the influence — of prescription medications? We know not to drink alcohol or take illegal substances that would impair our ability to drive, but some prescription medications may affect us. More than three-quarters of folks 55 and older may use one or more prescribed medications, but only a third are aware of potential driving dangers, according to a new survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Patients and health care practitioners must discuss side effects from drugs like ACE inhibitors, sedatives and beta blockers. For details, go to www.aaafoundation.org.

Better living through indoor gardens

There are only so many slippers, lap blankets and teddy bears you can — or should — give your grandma in the nursing home. Residents feel happier and healthier when they can influence their communal surroundings with choices in artwork and plants, say researchers at the University of Exeter in England, along with Ambius, a commercial interior landscaper. It's about having some control at a time when so much is out of their control. "Residents in a senior living home who believe that it is within their power to make a difference to the appearance of their living space should feel more empowered, thus leading to more positive feelings toward their fellow residents, the caregivers in the home, and the home itself," said researcher Craig Knight.

'Miracle' on Beach Drive

Enjoy a classic Christmas film and give the grandkids a little fresh air and room to stretch out in North Straub Park in downtown St. Petersburg Friday night. The 1947 film Miracle on 34th Street will be shown outdoors, set up adjacent to the Museum of Fine Arts across from Parkshore Grill. Bring a blanket or chair and settle in. Showtime is 7 p.m. There's also a showing of Babes in Toyland on Saturday night, same time. Friday night bonus: Mayor Rick Baker flips the switch on the holiday lights. Refreshments available.

Next LifeTimes is Dec. 16

Please note that the December publication date has moved up to Dec. 16. Look for us then.

Compiled from staff and wire reports by LifeTimes editor Mimi Andelman