January 2013 Baltimore Beacon Edition by The Beacon Newspapers

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Civil rights stories finally heard

JANUARY 2013

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By Carol Sorgen It was a happy “accident” that John and Shirley Billy met in the first place. A member of a black doo-wop group, John was performing at a local club in Baltimore in 1955 when he was given a note that a young woman wanted to dance with him. He approached a table with two young women, and as luck — or fate — would have it, danced not with the woman who had written the note, but with her friend. Fifty-seven years later, John, who is African American, and Shirley, who is Caucasian, are still together. That they have remained so is a testament to their love, of course, but also to a change in both a 275year-old law and social mores. “When we were married in 1958, interracial marriages were against the law,” recalled John, now 77, a retired truck driver and also a lifelong musician who performed with the recording artists the Honey Boys. Shirley, now 76, is retired from a career with Bank of America. Though John and Shirley married in Washington, D.C., where such unions were legal, the City of Baltimore and State of Maryland, where they lived, did not recognize the marriage at the time. (A law repealing the ban on interracial marriages was passed in Maryland in 1967.) Shirley was arrested and imprisoned. Their first-born child was taken from them and put up for adoption, but fortunately, the Billys were able to find him in South Carolina and get him back before the adoption was finalized. So intent was the government on upholding the law banning interracial marriages that John was drafted into the Army in an effort to keep them apart. “That didn’t work either,” John chuckled. “We survived it all. It’s sort of a miracle.” John was born in Washington, D.C., and moved to Baltimore at the age of 6. Shirley, born in Arkansas to an Irish and English father and Irish mother, moved to Baltimore at the age of 4. Though they never met as children, they both grew up on the east side of town where they say they never encountered racism. “We all came up together, played together and, for my part, I sang in White night clubs,” said John. “Neither one of us had

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Reveling in New Orleans’ eclectic charms; plus, cruising down the Rhine River page 22

When Shirley and John Billy married in 1958, interracial marriage was illegal in Maryland. They tell — and enact — their story of arrest, imprisonment and worse in “For All the World to Hear: Stories from the Struggle for Civil Rights,” an oral history and performance project sponsored by UMBC.

ever experienced anything like what happened to us after we were married.” The couple has written a book about their experience, entitled Flavor: Faith, Love and Victory over Racism.

Giving voice to history The Billys’ experience is just one of the compelling stories audiences can see and hear in “For All the World to Hear: Stories from the Struggle for Civil Rights,” an oral history, performance and digital humanities project of the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture (CADVC) at UMBC (University of Maryland Baltimore County). Through the project, a dozen older adults from the Baltimore area tell, write, perform

and digitally publish personal stories of their involvement in the struggle for civil rights. The first part of “For All the World to Hear” brought seniors from interracial and interfaith backgrounds together for a series of oral history interview meetings. With guidance from local oral historian, dramaturge and performance director Harriet Lynn, their written accounts have resulted in a script that they will perform throughout February (Black History Month) before intergenerational audiences in the Baltimore area. The second half of the project involves the same group of individuals, each of whom will See CIVIL RIGHTS page 20

ARTS & STYLE

Cirque Eloize’s daring and dazzling show comes to the Lyric; plus, Baltimore stages abound — and confront growing pains page 26 FITNESS & HEALTH 3 k Robotics may assist the blind k Foods that fight prostate cancer LAW & MONEY 14 k Advice on looming tax changes k Save money on a new car VOLUNTEERS & CAREERS k Help for those who need it

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JANUARY 2013 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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To be or not to be… As we approach the New Year, our ences in this world (such as my visits!). thoughts are generally forward-looking: But no, he said, that’s not what he meant. He was referring to all the We think about New Year’s medical conditions, pills, docresolutions, wonder what tor visits, hospital stays, losschanges the coming year will es of mobility and independbring, and think about what ence and the like that afflict we have to look forward to. those blessed with long life. On the other hand, we also I guess it was his way of are likely to see the popular image of Old Father Time saying what Bette Davis once passing on the baton to the said and Art Linkletter popunewborn New Year. The larized: “old age is not for image suggests, as does sissies.” much of our culture, that FROM THE For those who have missed those who are aged are “on PUBLISHER my earlier columns about my the way out,” while the future By Stuart P. Rosenthal parents, I should mention belongs to the young. that each of them has faced Many of you have read about my father some of the common health issues that afon these pages over the years, and though fect those of us on the other side of 50. he’s now 92, I hope to have the opportuniNo matter how well we take care of ourty to continue to write about my visits to selves, setbacks will occur — from acute see him and my mother for years to come. episodes like infections, falls and broken But my last couple of trips to Texas to bones, to chronic conditions like arthritis, see them have featured some significantly to debilitating or even terminal illnesses. What was most interesting to me about more sober conversations than usual with my Dad, and I’m wondering how wide- my father’s line of thought was that he spread his feelings are. A few months ago, seemed to be viewing his recoveries from he began talking about “how hard it is to various setbacks as a “failure to die” rather than “success at surviving.” die.” Isn’t avoiding death the whole point of At first, I thought he was saying how much he loved life and would find it diffi- modern medicine? Don’t we want our doccult to let go of all the beautiful experi- tors to fight every infection with antibiotics

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The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Baltimore area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Howard County, Md., Greater Washington DC and Greater Palm Springs, Calif. Subscriptions are available via third-class mail for $12 or via first-class mail for $36, prepaid with order. MD residents add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. • Publisher/Editor ....................Stuart P. Rosenthal • Associate Publisher..............Judith K. Rosenthal • Vice President, Operations........Gordon Hasenei • Director of Sales ................................Alan Spiegel • Assistant Operations Manager ..........Roger King • Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben • Contributing Editor ..........................Carol Sorgen • Graphic Designer ..............................Kyle Gregory • Advertising Representatives ............Steve Levin, ........................................................................Jill Joseph

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (410) 248-9101 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 31 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions. © Copyright 2012 The Beacon Newspapers, Inc.

and every illness with hospitalizations and IVs and multiple medications and surgeries? And when these actions succeed and return us to our homes — perhaps somewhat drained, and sometimes even jaded by the many indignities imposed on us in the process — don’t we nonetheless feel relieved and happy to be back? My father has been suggesting recently that, well, maybe not entirely. Surviving to fight another day means having to face that next fight. And, at least in his recent experience, each fight is a bit harder fought than the last. So I told him I thought what he was finding so difficult was not dying, but rather choosing to live by fighting death. It takes energy, sometimes an indomitable spirit, to bounce back and take another crack at life. I reminded him how hard he worked at painful physical therapy to regain the strength to walk unaided; the effort he made to learn how to crush his medica-

tions and feed himself through a stomach tube. These things bespeak his very strong will to live, and they are an inspiration to me and to others, I said. It’s been a few months since that original conversation, and I think he has gradually been regaining his long-time optimistic outlook. I was visiting my folks again recently, and this time, though Dad made a passing reference to dying, he spent much more time complaining about some of his doctors. “You come in with an aide or family member, and they talk about you to the other person as if you’re not there,” he said. He wanted to grab the doctor by the collar and say, “I’m the patient. Talk to me!” My dad’s no sissy. Seems to me he’s ready for another bout.

Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or e-mail to barbara@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Dear Editor: Your Social Security piece (“The time is ripe,” From the Publisher, December) is the clearest explanation I’ve read on the program. The “save the Social Security” crowd is not being helpful. Richmond Davis Columbia Dear Editor: Mr. Rosenthal’s December 2012 editorial on Social Security contained a very misleading statement. He said that because the Social Security trust fund is invested in U.S. government debt obligations, “it is wrong to say that Social Security does not contribute to the deficit.” First, this confuses the current deficit with the national debt. In no way does Social Security contribute to the current deficit. Second, while trust funds securities are a form in which the national debt is held, Social Security has not contributed to the debt. To say so is like saying that if you borrow from your IRA to buy a car, saving for retirement contributes to your personal indebtedness. In fact, the contrary is true. From the adoption of the Unified Budget in 1969 until 1990, the Social Security surplus directly hid at least some current deficit spending. It is most probable that the 1983 Social Security overhaul he referenced was designed as much to balloon the Social Security surplus to hide part of the deficits created by Reagan’s tax cuts and defense

build-up as it was to ‘save’ Social Security. It is likely that the current concern to solve projected, far out-year Social Security shortfalls has as much to do with restoring a Social Security current surplus to hide the current deficit as it does ‘saving’ Social Security. James Kelly Ellicott City The publisher responds: In response, I simply would like to quote the following from Dr. Charles Blahous, Trustee of Social Security, recently printed in the Washington Post: “Statements that Social Security does not add to the federal deficit are unequivocally incorrect. In 2012, Social Security adds roughly $165 billion to the deficit as its benefit expenditures exceed its tax income by that amount. This gap is filled entirely by revenue that the federal government borrows. Social Security is indeed financed from separate trust funds, but these receive revenue from several sources, including borrowed money. There is understandable confusion about the interest payments the trust funds receive from the general fund, which add to the federal deficit. But there ought to be no confusion about the roughly $220 billion in additional debt purposefully issued to Social Security from general revenues in 2011 and 2012. See LETTERS TO EDITOR, page 31

BALTIMORE BEACON — JANUARY 2013

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Health Fitness &

FEED YOUR PROSTATE Tomatoes, broccoli, garlic and soy may help reduce prostate cancer risk DO YOU GET DIZZY? Those who feel dizzy upon standing are sought to test a new drug A PAIN IN THE NECK Neck and shoulder pain has many causes; varied treatments provide relief HERBS TO KEEP ON HAND Stock your medicine cabinet with essential oils, echinacea and usnea

Robotics can help the blind to navigate By Helen Knight Technologies that help machines navigate are being adapted to help blind people find their way around. Robots need help navigating their surroundings and use sophisticated location systems to keep track of their position. Now the same technologies are being adapted to help blind people navigate indoor and outdoor spaces independently. One such system, being developed by Edwige Pissaloux and colleagues at the Institute of Intelligent Systems and Robotics at the Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris, France, consists of a pair of glasses equipped with cameras and sensors like those used in robot exploration. The system, unveiled at a talk at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology this spring, produces a 3D map of the wearer’s environment and their position within it that is constantly updated and displayed in a simplified form on a handheld electronic Braille device. It could eventually allow blind people to make their way, unaided, wherever they want to go, said Pissaloux.

“Navigation for me means not only being able to move around by avoiding nearby obstacles, but also to understand how the space is socially organized — for example, where you are in relation to the pharmacy, library or intersection,” she said.

3D tactile maps Two cameras on either side of the glasses generate a 3D image of the scene. A processor analyses the image, picking out the edges of walls or objects, which it uses to create a 3D map. The system’s collection of accelerometers and gyroscopes — like those used in robots to monitor their position — keeps track of the user’s location and speed. This information is combined with the 3D image to determine the user’s position in relation to other objects. The system generates almost 10 maps per second, which are transmitted to the handheld Braille device to be displayed as a dynamic tactile map. The Braille pad consists of an 8-centimeter-square grid of 64 taxels — pins with a shape memory alloy

spring in the middle. When heat is applied to the springs, they expand, raising the pins to represent boundaries. The Braille version of the map is updated fast enough for a visually-impaired wearer to pass through an area at walking speed, said Pissaloux. Seth Teller, who develops assistive technologies at MIT, called the work exciting and ambitious. This is not the only robotics project to be re-purposed. Software that predicts how far a robot has traveled based on information from its on-board sensors is being modified to track a person’s movements based on their stride length. The low-cost system, being developed by Eelke Folmer and Kostas Bekris at the University of Nevada in Reno would help blind people navigate around buildings using just a smartphone. The new system uses freely available 2D digital indoor maps and the smartphone’s built-in accelerometer and compass. Directions are provided using synthetic speech. To help the smartphone calibrate and adjust to a user’s individual stride length,

the user must initially use touch to detect the landmarks in their environment, such as corridor intersections, doors and elevators.

Virtual assistants A virtual assistant can help blind people explore their surroundings. Developed by Suranga Nanayakkara at the MIT Media Lab, EyeRing consists of a ring equipped with a camera, and a set of headphones. The user points the ring at an object they are holding and uses voice commands to say what they need to know — the color of an item of clothing, say, or the denomination of paper money. The ring takes a picture of the object, which is transmitted wirelessly to a cellphone, where software analyses the image. The required information is then read out by a synthesized voice. It was presented at the Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems in Austin, Texas, in May. — © 2012 New Scientist Magazine. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

Aspirin improves colon cancer survival By Marilynn Marchione Aspirin, one of the world’s oldest and cheapest drugs, has shown remarkable promise in treating colon cancer in people with mutations in a gene that’s thought to play a role in the disease. Among patients with the mutations, those who regularly took aspirin lived longer than those who didn’t, a major study found. Five years after their cancers were diagnosed, 97 percent of the aspirin users were still alive versus 74 percent of those not taking the drug. Aspirin seemed to make no difference in patients who did not have the mutations. This sort of study can’t prove that aspirin caused the better survival, and doctors say more research must confirm the findings before aspirin can be recommended more widely. The study wasn’t designed to test aspirin; people were taking it on their own for various reasons.

Inexpensive treatment Still, the results suggest that this simple medicine might be the cheapest gene-tar-

geting therapy ever found for cancer. About one-sixth of all colon cancer patients have the mutated gene and might be helped by aspirin. And aspirin costs just pennies a day. “It’s exciting to think that something that’s already in the medicine cabinet may really have an important effect” beyond relieving pain and helping to prevent heart attacks, said Dr. Andrew Chan of Massachusetts General Hospital. He and others from Harvard Medical School led the study, which appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine. Cancers of the colon or rectum are a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. More than 140,000 new cases and 51,000 deaths from them are expected this year in the United States. Several studies suggest that aspirin may help fight cancer, especially colorectal tumors. It is often recommended for people who have colon cancer and others at high risk of developing it. But it’s not advised for wider use, or for cancer prevention, because it can cause serious bleeding in the stomach and gut.

What has been lacking, doctors say, is a good way to tell which people might benefit the most, so aspirin’s risks would be justified. Chan’s study suggests a way to do that. It involved 964 people diagnosed with various stages of colon cancer who were among nearly 175,000 participants in two health studies based at Harvard that began in the 1980s. Every two years, they filled out surveys on their health habits, including aspirin use. Most had surgery for their cancer, and many also had chemotherapy. They gave tumor tissue samples that could be tested for gene activity. Researchers focused on one gene, PIK3CA, which is involved in a key pathway that fuels cancer’s growth and spread. Aspirin seems to blunt that pathway, so the scientists looked at its use in relation to the gene. In those whose tumors had a mutation in that gene, regular aspirin use cut the risk of dying of colon cancer by 82 percent and of dying of any cause by 46 percent during the study period of about 13 years. Only two of the 62 regular aspirin users

whose tumors had the mutated gene died within five years of their cancer diagnosis versus 23 of 90 non-aspirin users with such a mutation. The results are “quite exciting,” said Dr. Boris Pasche, a cancer specialist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham who wrote an editorial that appears with the study in the medical journal. Half a dozen drugs are used to treat colon cancer, but only one of them meaningfully extends survival in people whose cancers have not widely spread, he said. “Now we may have aspirin. That’s why it’s a big deal,” Pasche said.

Regular use, not dose, key In the study, the dose of aspirin — baby or regular — didn’t seem to matter, just whether any aspirin was regularly used. The test for the gene is not expensive and is simple enough that most cancer centers should be able to do it, Chan and Pasche said. See ASPIRIN, page 4

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How your diet affects prostate cancer risk By Sharon Palmer “It seems nearly all men will develop prostate cancer if they live long enough,” said Karen Collins, a registered dietician and nutrition advisor for the American Institute for Cancer Research. Thus, scientists have been searching for lifestyle measures that can help stack the odds in your favor. Promising research reveals three important diet strategies that can help you mount a defense: A plant-based diet, moderate dairy consumption, and maintaining

a healthy weight. Focusing on a predominantly plantbased diet, which includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, is key to prostate cancer protection, according to Collins. This style of eating means that you fill up at least three-fourths of your plate with whole plant foods, such as beans, lentils, whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. Plant foods are rich in thousands of nutrients and compounds. “A variety of vegetable and fruit choices

is especially encouraged, because some choices may provide unique protective effects,” said Collins.

Foods to eat more of Here are a few plant foods recently being researched for their role in prostate cancer prevention: 1. Tomatoes. Tomatoes and tomato products, such as canned tomatoes and pasta sauce, are rich in carotenoids that impart red, yellow and orange colors. The most abundant carotenoid is lycopene, which studies have linked with cancer protection. The lycopene from processed or cooked tomatoes is more bioavailable than that of fresh tomatoes. While lycopene is found in other fruits such as watermelon and guava, tomatoes account for 80 percent of our consumption. There’s a body of evidence to show that tomatoes are associated with lower incidence of prostate cancer. Britt BurtonFreeman, Ph.D., director of the Center for Nutrition Research at Illinois Institute of Technology, reviewed 86 studies related to tomato and lycopene intake and prostate cancer, and concluded that there is a protective relationship between tomato and tomato-based foods and prostate cancer. “An important distinction is that re-

Aspirin From page 3 The National Institutes of Health and several foundations paid for the study. One of the 17 authors consults for Bayer, a leading aspirin maker. Pasche has been a paid speaker for two companies that make cancer treatments and has two patent applications under review related to cancer treatment.

search provides greater support for consuming tomatoes as part of a healthy diet, but does not support the use of lycopene supplements to reduce risk of prostate cancer,” said Collins. 2. Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, and bok choy, are good choices to include regularly, although we need more research to confirm how much impact their glucosinolate compounds — naturally occurring compounds that appear to have anti-cancer effects — have on prostate cancer, Collins said. 3. Garlic. Some preliminary laboratory and animal studies suggest that the compounds in garlic, such as the organosulfur compounds, may help slow the development, and reduce the risk, of prostate cancer. 4. Soy. While there is only limited scientific support for soy in prostate cancer prevention — laboratory studies suggest protection, but human studies have shown mixed results — soy clearly offers other health benefits, such as reduced heart disease risk and enhanced bone health. So, it may be a good idea to include more whole soyfoods, such as soymilk, tofu, soybeans, and edamame, in your diet. See PROSTATE CANCER, page 5

Researchers warn that aspirin may not be responsible for the improved survival seen in this study. Differences in how the patients’ cancer was treated could have played a role. For that reason, they say the next step should be a study where some people with the mutated gene are given aspirin and others are not, so their cancer outcomes can be compared more directly. — AP

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Some research indicates that excess consumption of dairy products may increase prostate cancer risk. The EPIC Study, published in the European Journal of Cancer in 2010, found that dairy consumption above 27 grams of dairy protein and 880 milligrams of dairy calcium per day (the amount found in more than three cups of milk) was linked to increased risk. However, those who consumed moderate amounts — equal to about 1-½ to 2-½ cups of milk— showed a non-significant increase in risk. Collins said, “The bottom line at this point

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5. Green tea. Polyphenols found in green tea arrest the growth of prostate cancer cells in laboratory studies, but more research is needed before recommendations can be made to drink green tea for prostate cancer protection. However, many other benefits, such as heart health and immune system support, are linked to this plant-based beverage. 6. Pomegranate. One clinical trial showed that drinking pomegranate juice may slow the progression of prostate cancer, but “other human studies are seriously lacking,” said Collins. “We just don’t have enough data on which to base any recommendations about pomegranate juice.”

Enjoy Your Favorite Foods Again

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From page 4

is that men who want to consume dairy products need not be afraid that moderate consumption puts them at risk of prostate cancer. However, excess consumption should be avoided. Two or perhaps three standard servings per day appear safe. “Men who consume dairy products should be cautious about foods that are highly fortified with calcium. Also, adding calcium supplements is not recommended, especially if it brings total calcium intake beyond the 1,200 mg./day that is the highest RDA for men, unless they are personally advised to consume more by their physician.” A standard dairy serving is one cup (8 ounces) of milk or yogurt, two cups cottage cheese, or 1 ½ ounces of hard cheese. One of the key strategies to lower cancer risk is to reach and maintain a healthy weight. “Obesity is only weakly linked to prostate cancer incidence, but obesity is linked to increased risk of dying from prostate cancer,” said Collins. The most effective way to achieve a healthy weight is to increase physical activity — which on its own is linked with a 10 percent lower risk of prostate cancer — and increase the nutrient quality of your food choices. Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC. 800-829-5384. www.EnvironmentalNutrition.com. © 2012 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

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Prostate cancer

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Health Shorts

tion has been taken as prescribed. Made by Proteus Digital Health, the small pill is made primarily of silicon and embedded with a microchip sensor no bigger than a grain of sand. When activated by stomach acid, the sensor transmits a signal to a skin patch that indicates that a medication has been swallowed. The patch sends the information to a smartphone app, along with the wearer’s heart rate, temperature and activity level. The battery-operated patch must be changed weekly.

Technology can tell if you’ve taken a pill Figuring out who’s taking their pills is about to get easier. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved a “smart pill” that can tell whether a medica-

JANUARY 2013 — BALTIMORE BEACON

With about 50 percent of people not taking their medications properly, U.S. doctors are excited about the potential of this technology, particularly in diseases where medications are vitally important to survival or the prevention of serious side effects. It is also expected to help doctors refine dosages and measure benefits. Another smartphone technology helps identify if the right pill is being taken. There are thousands of prescriptions in pill form, but few colors and shapes to choose from, which can lead to dangerous mix-ups, especially in hospitals. To help prevent such errors, Jesus Caban at the U.S. National Institutes of Health and colleagues have developed software that can identify a pill from a phone camera image. Websites such as Drugs.com and WebMD also have tools to help distinguish between pills, but you have to type in a description, making these services time-con-

suming to use. Caban’s software extracts the shape, color and imprint of a pill from its image and identifies the drug with 91 percent accuracy in less than a second. Future accuracy will be improved when the system learns to recognize a pill from a wider range of angles. The technique is also simple enough to work as a smartphone app so could be used at home. The team tested the system on images of 568 of the most commonly prescribed pills, taken from different angles and in a range of lighting conditions. — Harvard Health Letter and New Scientist

Think younger to feel younger Stuart Burney, 72, teaches and practices karate. “I feel 25,” he said. “Sometimes I See HEALTH SHORTS, page 7

BEACON BITS

Jan. 11

FOR SENIORS LOSING VISION

BCASCO (Baltimore County Association of Senior Citizens Organizations, Inc.) will host a Forum for Seniors Losing Vision at the Towson United Methodist Church, Dulaney Valley Rd. and Hampton Lane, Beltway exit 27B, on Friday, Jan. 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information, call (410) 484-6866.

Jan. 23+

FREE BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPS

For anyone mourning the death of a loved one, two community bereavement groups will soon begin. A group sponsored by Jewish Community Services (JCS) and the Jewish Community Center (JCC) begins on Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave. (the Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC). A second group, sponsored by JCS and Seasons Hospice, begins on Thursday, Jan. 24, at 5750 Park Heights Ave. in Baltimore. Both groups meet for eight weeks and are free of charge. Pre-registration is required. For more information, schedule and registration, call (410) 466-9200.

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Health shorts From page 6 feel 13.” Aside from hearing more “sirs” and noticing his thinning hair, Burney never really thought of himself as 70 — until he went to an audition and was paired with a woman who reminded him of his 90-year-old mother. “I didn’t realize that’s my age group,” he said. Burney’s feelings are hardly unique. A trio of studies in Psychology and Aging suggests that we often resist seeing ourselves as old for good reason. Common ideas about old age — weakened bodies, loss of mental faculties — become ingrained in our psyches when we’re still young and spry. When we (ineluctably) age, we risk conforming to our own low expectations and using stereotypes as excuses. “I skipped the gym today because I’m tired” becomes “I skipped the gym today because I’m old.” But while aging is unavoidable, succumbing to long-held stereotypes about what that means is not. People who have the most pessimistic views about old age are, in fact, the most likely to resist seeing themselves as elderly — an attitude that can help stave off the very things they fear. University of Zurich researchers found that older adults who psychologically distance themselves from their own age group feel younger and perceive their future as more open-ended. Diane Rodriguez, 58, said she and her

husband surround themselves with friends in their early 40s, which helps them act — and feel — “younger than some people [who are] younger than we are.” No one wants to be lumped into an unappealing stereotype. “There’s a lack of a sense of the older person as a full human being, even though our bodies change considerably more than our personalities,” said Andrew Scharlach, a professor of aging at the University of California-Berkeley. “It’s important to focus on individual differences,” agreed University of Zurich psychologist David Weiss, “not to view oneself as just part of this elderly group.” For many seniors, the illusion of youth is not harmful or misguided — it’s protective. “They think: ‘I’m not old — old people are old!’” said Weiss. “‘I’m the exception.’” — Psychology Today

Patients overestimate value of chemo Most patients getting chemotherapy for incurable lung or colon cancers mistakenly believe that the treatment can cure them rather than just buy them some more time or ease their symptoms, a major study suggests. Researchers say doctors either are not being honest enough with patients, or people are in denial that they have a terminal disease.

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The study highlights the problem of overtreatment at the end of life — futile care that simply prolongs dying. It’s one reason that one quarter of all federal Medicare spending occurs in the last year of life. For cancers that have spread beyond the lung or colon, chemo can add weeks or months of life, and may ease a patient’s symptoms, but usually is not a cure. This doesn’t mean that patients shouldn’t have it, only that they should understand what it can and cannot do, cancer experts say. Often, they do not. Dr. Jane C. Weeks at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and researchers at several other Boston-area univer-

sities and hospitals led a study of nearly 1,200 such patients around the U.S. All had been diagnosed four months earlier with widely spread cancers and had received chemo. Surveys revealed that 69 percent of those with lung cancer and 81 percent of those with colorectal cancer felt their treatment was likely to cure them. Education level and the patient’s role in care decisions made no difference in the likelihood of mistaken beliefs about chemo’s potential. Hispanics and blacks were three times more likely than whites to hold inaccurate beliefs. — AP

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How to increase communication, respect Dear Solutions: I love to have my grandchildren come visit, or at least I used to. I like to talk to young people and get their ideas. Now, though, when they come they’re busy looking down all the time and typing into a hand-held phone, machine, tablet or something. They never look up, and they’re busy the whole time tweeting, searching or whatever it is they’re doing, and they do it so fast and so much that I

get dizzy watching. They say, “Grandpa, we’ll teach you how to tweet and then you can do it with us.” I don’t want to do that. They think they have something to teach me. Shouldn’t they learn something from me, like how to look up and have a conversation with people? What do you think? The Grandpa Dear Grandpa: Ah, yes. There used to be something called

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conversation. Unfortunately, conversation is different culture that always looked down on my people. Now they depend now the slowest form of communication. on me for their living, so I However, there is much for pay them fairly, and when I them to learn from the “art of give them their salar y conversation,” and it is an art. every two weeks, I always Not only do you learn the use tell them to remember who of language instead of shortgave it to them. cuts, but there is also much to I figure that should make be learned from looking at them appreciate and like us someone and watching their famore and work harder. So cial expressions, listening to far it doesn’t work that way, their tone of voice, seeing their but I figure it will eventually. gestures, etc. These skills help Now my son who just got to improve understanding and SOLUTIONS By Helen Oxenberg, a master’s degree in busimaintain relationships. ness keeps arguing with Make their visits a learning MSW, ACSW me and tells me I’m inspirexperience for them. Set rules. Machines must be turned off at mealtimes. ing my workers to be resentful and While you are driving they can tweet all they work less, not more. We keep arguing about this now that want, but as soon as you get to your destination, all machines must be turned off or, he’s in the business with me. He thinks he’s a big shot now and can call even better, left in the car. Tweeting is off. Talking is on. In case the shots. Who do you think is right? — The Boss they have forgotten how to talk, have some interesting topics to help start them off. All Dear Boss: Your son is right. He is a big shot because this will not only be good for their brain, it will also be good for their hands, so they he’s calling the right shots. However, those don’t get carpal tunnel syndrome from all right shots are hitting you the wrong way. Your biggest problem here is not your that typing! relationship with your workers but your Dear Solutions: I own a company, and a few of the See SOLUTIONS, page 10 people who work for me come from a

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A list of herbal remedies for every house Dear Pharmacist: with it and apply to discolored fingernails Help me make an herbal medicine and toenails twice daily. Can dab lightly on cabinet since you have such pimples. Do not ingest. a good understanding of Neutralizing cordial: Take plants that act like drugs. this tincture by mouth. It’s — B.L. great for stomach aches, gas, Dear B.L.: diarrhea, constipation, heartSure. This will be great beburn or acid reflux. I like cause herbal remedies are usuGaia’s brand for this. ally very inexpensive, and they Echinacea: Boosts immucome with fewer side effects nity and enhances the producthan most prescribed medition of white blood cells. Also cines. Here are the must-haves: great to ward off colds, miniEucalyptus essential oil: DEAR mize allergies, prevent infecPurifies the air, and may relieve PHARMACIST tions, and protect from toxins sinus and lung congestion. I By Suzy Cohen from spider, scorpion or jellykeep a tiny bottle (similar to the fish bites. Don’t take if you’re sort that department stores keep for per- allergic to ragweed. fume samples) filled with pure eucalyptus Usnea: Never heard of this, I bet! oil. I sniff it before boarding an airplane, es- Usnea tincture is an antibacterial, antipecially if people are sick around me, and viral, anti-fungal and anti-amoebic. It kills I’ve never gotten sick during or after a flight. everything, so I’d suggest this for people You inhale it; do not ingest it. You can also di- with serious lung, staph, strep or bladder lute with a little oil and rub on sore muscles. infections. Of course, do not delay medical Lavender essential oil: Another must- treatment if you really need it. have, that you apply to your skin for minor Bentonite clay: Always in my house. burns, bites, stings, rashes, abrasions, pim- When taken internally, it binds toxins, but too ples and so forth. You can take a few deep much can cause constipation. I suggest 1/8 inhalations of this oil for instant relaxation or 1/4 teaspoon mixed in water daily, but do or to help you sleep. Rub on pulse points. not take within four hours of important medTea tree essential oil: A powerful anti- ications because it will inactivate them. Clay fungal and antiseptic. Clean cuts/scrapes can be applied to the skin to draw out poison

Missing the view? Could be Cataracts.

from stings and bites, and to dry up pimples. Bach Rescue Remedy: An energetic remedy — you take a few drops by mouth. It’s a brilliant combination of flower essences, and affects the emotional and spiritual layer of our body. People use it to help manage trauma or shock, convulsions, fainting, and even severe stress like a car crash, animal attack, or witnessing death. Interesting, huh? I suspect you want more information, so visit www.nelsonsnaturalworld.com. White willow bark or California poppy: These are used in the same way that you might use ibuprofen, aspirin or Tylenol. I rec-

ommend them as herbal tinctures. There’s a whole world out there on herbal medicine (the way it used to be!), and if you’d like more information, just visit the American Botanical Council’s website at www.herbalgram.org. This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To contact her, visit www.dearpharmacist.com.

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At the Louis and Phyllis Friedman Neurological Rehabilitation Center at Sinai Hospital, we’re committed to giving people like Patricia Gardner-Smith a renewed sense of hope. Following a stroke, Patricia experienced right-sided weakness, which caused her difficulty walking, talking and even swallowing, but our team of dedicated physicians, therapists and nurses helped her regain her strength and relearn functional skills such as eating and grooming. Now at home with her husband, she continues to progress every day. Learn more at lifebridgehealth.org/sinairehab.

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Health Studies Page

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Study explores medication for dizziness By Carol Sorgen If you’ve ever stood up suddenly and felt the world spinning around you, you were probably experiencing an episode of symptomatic orthostatic hypotension (SOH). Also known as postural hypotension, this condition is a form of low blood pressure that can make you feel dizzy or lighthead-

ed after standing from a sitting or lying position. SOH is often mild, and usually lasts just a few seconds to a few minutes after standing. Long-lasting or frequent episodes, however, might indicate more serious problems, so it’s important to talk to your doctor if you often feel lightheaded when

Want to Prevent Falls in the Elderly? Seeking Men and Women to participate in a research study at the University of Maryland &Veterans Aﬀairs of Baltimore to better understand balance and the prevention of falls in aging individuals. You will receive:

• Health evaluation • Balance, step, strength, and/or ﬂexibility exercises • Compensation for your time If interested call: 410-605-7179 & Mention code: LIFT at Baltimore VA/University of Maryland Gerontology Recruitment Line *You must be at least 65 years old and in good health *Participants will be seen at the Baltimore VA Medical Center and University of Maryland School of Medicine *You will attend approximately 41 visits for 1 to 4 hours each per visit

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Treating Difficulty Standing or Walking, attributed to Arthritis, Spinal Stenosis, Neuropathy, Poor Circulation or Poor Balance I am a patient who had severe foot pain for 2 years, with no relief in sight....by the end of the 4 days I was 85% pain free in both feet. I thank God for Dr. Goldman and his passion for research in healing people with foot and leg pain.

How fortunate I feel to have found a doctor who could not only diagnose an underlying problem that many specialists missed, but who has been able to find a painless and rapid method of relieving the worst symptoms.

– Alvin, Baltimore

– Susan, Baltimore

As a podiatrist with over 30 years experience, I have always focused on conservative treatment of foot and leg pain. I find that most people with foot or leg symptoms (arthritic, aching, burning, cramping or difficulty walking) , even those who have had other treatments, including surgery of the foot (or back), can be helped, usually in 1or 2 visits.

standing up, especially if you lose consciousness. Other symptoms of SOH include blurry vision, weakness, fainting, confusion and nausea. Occasional dizziness or lightheadedness may simply be caused by mild dehydration (the older you are, the more prone you are to becoming dehydrated), low blood sugar, sitting or lying in one position for too long, or heat rather than SOH. Though mild SOH doesn’t usually require treatment, more severe cases may do so, depending on the cause. Among the causes of the condition are heart disease, diabetes, and nervous system disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.

More common in older adults Your risk factor for developing SOH also increases with age and the use of medications for other conditions. Thus the condition is more common in those 65 and older. As your body ages, the functioning of special cells that regulate blood pressure can diminish. Aging also makes it more difficult for your heart to beat faster and to compensate for changes in blood pressure. Individuals taking certain medications — including drugs for high blood pressure, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and depression — are also at higher risk of experiencing SOH. Combining prescription and nonprescription drugs, as well as using alcohol, can also increase your risk.

RESEARCH STUDY PARTICIPANTS NEEDED

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The PAREXEL Early Phase Unit at Baltimore’s Harbor Hospital is currently seeking volunteers to participate in a clinical research study to evaluate the effects of the medication Midodrine versus a placebo on patients with SOH. Midodrine (marketed under the brand names Amatine, ProAmatine, or Gutron) is a vasopressor/antihypotensive agent. It was approved in the United States by the Food and Dr ug Administration (FDA) in 1996 for the treatment of dysautonomia (malfunction of the autonomic ner vous system) and orthostatic hypotension. Midodrine is taken orally. Side effects may include headache, feeling of pressure/fullness in the head, vasodilation/flushing face, confusion/thinking abnormality, dry mouth, nervousness/anxiety and rash. The study involves one screening visit, a hospital stay of up to 20 days/19 nights and one follow-up telephone call. PAREXEL is recruiting males and females between the ages of 18 and 85 who have a documented history of symptomatic orthostatic hypotension and have been on a stable dose of Midodrine for at least three months. Compensation for a screening visit (which may include blood pressure monitoring, blood testing, an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and additional tests) is $20. If you qualify and complete the study, you may receive up to $2,475 in compensation. PAREXEL at Harbor Hospital is located at 3001 South Hanover Street. For more information, visit www.baltimoretrials.com or call toll-free at 1-800-797-2448.

Solutions From page 8

The Johns Hopkins University is currently recruiting men and women for a study examining the relationship between sleep apnea and glucose metabolism. Eligible participants will receive a sleep study, blood test, EKG and other medical tests. Participants will be compensated up to $860 for their time. Subjects must be between 21 and 75, and in good health.

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Study investigates drug

Study Principal Investigator: Naresh Punjabi, M.D., Ph.D. Application Number: NA_00036672

relationship with your son — now and in the future. You evidently want him in the business, but you’re beginning to feel a loss of control as he gradually takes over. To make this work, you must stop seeing him as a competitor and start seeing him as a partner who can learn from you at the same time that you can learn from him. As for those workers, stop “rubbing it in” that they’re dependent on you. This just makes people resentful. Respect is what you want and to get it you have to give it. Pay a fair wage for a fair week’s work without the barbs, and respect will flow both ways. © Helen Oxenberg, 2012. Questions to be considered for this column may be sent to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915. You may also email the author at helox72@comcast.net. To inquire about reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684.

BALTIMORE BEACON — JANUARY 2013

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Health claims often call for skepticism Q: Is it true that coral calcium is been shown effective. better for me than regular calcium Q: Is it true that beef is now consupplements? sidered heart-healthy? A: Promotional material A: Most research shows that suggests that coral calcium — frequently eating red meat, calcium supplements supposwhich includes beef, lamb and edly made from remnants of pork, is linked to increased risk Asian coral — is responsible of heart disease. This is espefor the longevity and good cially true for processed red health of people on Okinawa. meat, such as hot dogs and Okinawans do have low insausage. cidence of cancer and heart You may have heard that disease, and overall good beef can be heart healthy from health, but many things about NUTRITION recent news stories. One study their lifestyle are far more WISE of 36 adults with elevated choBy Karen Collins, likely to be responsible. lesterol, for example, compared For example, the Okinawan MS, RD, CDM a diet high in beef and low in diet features an abundance of fiber to a diet low in beef and vegetables and frequent seafood, is low in filled with high-fiber vegetables and fruits. fat, and emphasizes portion control. Fur- Both diets reduced LDL (“bad”) cholesterol thermore, people on this island are physi- equally well whether high or low in beef. cally active and maintain healthy weights. The low-beef diet in this study provided Promoters of coral calcium say that it is lean beef in amounts equivalent to about better absorbed than standard calcium car- two decks of cards (about 6 ounces) per bonate supplements, but I cannot find any week. The higher beef diet provided lean scientifically sound studies published in beef equal to about one to one-and-a-half journals to support such a statement. decks of cards (about 4 ounces) daily. According to the Natural Medicines ComThe study lasted five weeks and was fundprehensive Database, a recognized source ed by the beef industry. It is not enough to of solid, research-based information on sup- support a change in diet recommendations. plements of all types, “There’s no evidence And although the drops in lipids like LDL that calcium from a coral source has any ad- were similar, that may not be the whole anvantages over calcium from other sources.” swer for heart health, as factors like inflamFurthermore, the safety of ingesting mation play an important role. coral calcium may be an issue, since some Beef is high in a form of iron called earlier laboratory analyses reported lead heme iron. One large population study recontamination. Finally, some question the cently linked higher consumption of heme potential ecological disruption if coral reefs iron from red meat with a 65 percent inare disturbed to get this substance. crease in heart disease. For now, there appears no reason to Higher heme iron content is also thought switch from dairy products and calcium- to be one of the reasons that high red meat fortified foods to get calcium, or if needed, consumption (over 18 ounces per week) is economical calcium supplements that have linked to increased risk of colon cancer.

STUDIES ON ANEMIA Are you 65 years or older? Have you been recently diagnosed with anemia? OR Have you had anemia in the past? en you may be interested in: “THE JOHNS HOPKINS registry of older adults with anemia” • Several new research studies are being designed by researchers at Johns Hopkins University speciﬁcally for older adults with anemia. • By volunteering to join our anemia registry, you will be kept up to date on anemia research studies that match your situation.

For now, the best move for most of us for heart and overall health, if you want to include beef, is to choose lean cuts of fresh meat and to limit amounts to no more than 18 ounces per week. Q: Are the green and orange colored tortilla wraps more nutritious than regular tortillas since they are made with vegetables? A: No. So little spinach and tomatoes are used to make “spinach” and “tomato” tortillas that the nutritional difference between colored and regular tortillas is negligible. The four to six percent of daily value for vitamin A or C that may be found on labels of some of these specialty tortillas is not enough to qualify them as a good source of these nutrients.

It’s more important to choose tortillas that are made from whole grain and not refined flour, and to pay attention to calorie differences stemming from tortilla size and the amount of fat added. Make vegetables a major part of the filling, and perhaps have an extra salad to accompany your wrap to get the important nutritional value vegetables provide. The American Institute for Cancer Research offers a Nutrition Hotline, 1-800843-8114, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Courtesy of the American Institute for Cancer Research. Questions for this column may be sent to “Nutrition Wise,” 1759 R St., NW, Washington, DC 20009. Collins cannot respond to questions personally.

Do You Have Knee Arthritis and Difficulty Sleeping? Volunteers NEEDED for a Clinical Trial on New Non-drug treatment for problem sleeping Researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine are looking for volunteers to participate in a research study examining new ways of treating insomnia, in people with osteoarthritis in their knee.  To participate in this study, you must be: • At least 50 years of age OR 35 years of age and older with prior diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis • Have frequent knee pain • Interested in sleeping better  This study involves: • Sleep studies conducted in your home • Sensory testing and knee exam at Johns Hopkins • Meeting with sleep specialist to discuss ways to improve sleep • Additional optional medical tests • All examinations, parking, & tests are provided at no cost.  Compensation up to $870.00

Call us at 410-550-2113 to join the Anemia Registry today! We can conduct the study in your home. No travel is required. If you choose to come to Bayview to participate, your parking will be paid.

We look forward to hearing from you! Principal Investigator: Dr. Jeremy Walston, MD. IRB application No: NA_00035307

Approved 8/16/10

Michael T. Smith, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Protocol: NA_00011802 Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

For information, please call (410) 550-7906

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Many causes of neck and shoulder pain Do your neck and shoulders feel stiff when you awaken in the morning? Do the muscles seize painfully with no warning? Does neck and shoulder pain limit your physical activity and become your constant companion? If you suffer from pain in your neck and shoulders, you have plenty of company. Doctors estimate that seven out of 10 people will be troubled by such pain at some point in their lives. One in 10 adults is hurting right now. And between 50 percent and 85 percent of people with such pain will be bothered by it again within the next five years. Clearly, neck and shoulder pain is a common, and troubling, problem. But the solution is no quick-fix. Managing and relieving neck and shoulder pain can involve

a combination of therapies including medication, physical therapy, self-help techniques and, less commonly, surgery. Neck pain isn’t all the same. There’s no shortage of ways to describe it, in part because people have different perceptions of how they experience pain. The type of pain will also vary based on what’s causing it. How would you describe your neck pain? Are your neck and shoulders stiff? Do they ache? Do you feel a sharp pain or hear a grinding noise when you turn your head? Pain can be mild or severe, achy or sharp, stationary or shooting. It may stand alone or be accompanied by other troublesome complaints. By clearly describing your specific neck symptom — or combination of symptoms,

because they often overlap — you can help your doctor determine what’s wrong and how to help.

Types of symptoms The following descriptions will help you clearly explain your symptoms to your doctor: • Muscle pain. Aching or sore neck and shoulder muscles may occur in response to overexertion, prolonged physical stress (usually from poor neck positioning during everyday activities), or emotional tension. Muscles may also develop hard knots that are sore to the touch, sometimes called trigger points. • Muscle spasm. This is a sudden, powerful contraction of neck muscles. When you wake up with a painful stiff neck, that’s likely a muscle spasm — what is sometimes called a “crick” in your neck. The muscle usually feels painful, tight or knotted, and may be impossible to move. Muscle spasm can result from a muscle injury, but it may also occur if there is a deeper problem (say, in a disk or nerve) and the muscle tenses in order to stabilize the neck and prevent you from moving in a way to cause pain or further damage. Neck muscle spasms sometimes accompany emotional stress, but often there is no identifiable reason for muscle spasm.

• Headache. Neck-related headache, called cervicogenic headache or cervical headache, is most often felt in the back of the head and upper neck, where muscles extending along the skull are contiguous with neck muscles that may become tense or go into spasm. Neck-related headache pain is typically dull or aching, rather than sharp. It is aggravated by neck movement and often accompanied by stiffness and tenderness of neck muscles. • Facet joint pain. Often described as deep, sharp or aching, facet joint pain typically worsens if you lean your head toward the affected side, and may radiate to your shoulder or upper back. Arthritis in the facet joints, as in other locations, may feel worse in the morning or after a period of inactivity. • Nerve pain. Irritation or pinching of the roots of the spinal nerves causes pain that may be sharp, fleeting, severe or accompanied by pins and needles. Depending on the nerve involved, the pain may shoot down the arm or even into the hand. • Referred pain. When you feel pain at a site removed from the area where the problem lies, it is said to be “referred.” A variety of conditions may cause referred neck pain. For example, neck pain that worsens See TREATING PAIN, page 13

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Treating pain From page 12 with exertion may indicate a heart problem, while pain when you eat may stem from a problem in the esophagus. You may feel pain in your neck from shoulder damage; conversely, what you feel as pain in your shoulder, head, arms, hands or chest may actually be referred pain from your neck. • Bone pain. Pain and tenderness in the cervical vertebrae are far less common than neck pain from the soft tissues. Bone pain needs medical evaluation because it can stem from serious conditions such as cancer or infection.

When to call the doctor Most neck pain doesn’t stem from anything medically serious, making it safe to try self-care strategies before seeking medical help. However, if your neck pain is so severe you can’t sit still, or if it is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, contact a medical professional right away: 1. Fever, headache and neck stiffness. This triad of symptoms might indicate bacterial meningitis, an infection of the spinal cord and brain covering that requires prompt treatment with antibiotics. 2. Pain traveling down one arm, especially if the arm or hand is weak, numb or tingling. Your symptoms might indicate

that a herniated cervical disk is pressing on a nerve. 3. Loss of bowel or bladder control. This might indicate pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerve roots, needing immediate attention. 4. Extreme instability. If you can suddenly flex or extend your neck much farther than usual, it might indicate a fracture or torn ligaments. This usually occurs only after significant impact or injury, and is more likely to be detected by your doctor or on an x-ray than by your own perception. 5. Persistent swollen glands in the neck. Infection or tumor can result in

AARP DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM

This one-day course, sponsored by AARP, will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 2, at the Pascal Senior Activity Center, at 125 Dorsey Rd. in Glen Burnie. The curriculum is designed to help older drivers improve their driving and accident prevention skills. Some insurance companies honor course completion with a reduction in insurance rates. Registration is required. The fee is $12 for AARP members, $14 for non-members. For more information, call (410) 222-6680.

Jan. 10

Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing

MARCH TO A DIFFERENT DRUMMER

A Drums Alive class will begin at the Arbutus Senior Center on Thursday, Jan. 10. Class time is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Drumming can be done standing up or sitting down. It is a unique sensory/motor program utilizing “whole brain, whole body thinking” and music. Cost is $35 for 10 sessions. Try the first class for free! Class meets every Thursday at Arbutus Senior Center, 855 A Sulphur Spring Rd. Reserve a space by calling (410) 887-1410.

Jan. 2

swollen glands and neck pain. 6. Chest pain or pressure. A heart attack or inflamed heart muscle can cause neck pain, along with more classic heart symptoms. Excerpted from Harvard Health Special Report, “Neck and Shoulder Pain,” prepared in collaboration with the editors at Harvard Health Publications and Robert H. Shmerling, M.D., associate professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School and associate physician, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Mass. © 2012 President and fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

Getting you back to your life.

BEACON BITS

Dulaney – 410.828.6500 Ruxton – 410.821.9600 Towson – 410.828.9494 www.manorcare.com

ADVERTORIAL

Baltimore Eye Doctor Helps Legally Blind to See Again Diplomat in Low Vision Care trains Dr. Thomas Azman to help those with age-related macular degeneration with reading and driving. By Elena Lombardi Freelance Writer

Donald Paquette, 72, a former assessor from Anaheim, California, thought that his driving days were over. “I could not read the street signs soon enough and I couldn’t pass the vision test at the DMV office.” Gonzalo Garcia, 74, Albuquerque, New Mexico, wanted to be able to read and write more easily. He wanted to see the nails and screws when he tried to use them in home repairs. He wanted see his grandchildren singing in the church choir. But he thought those days were over when he was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration. California optometrist, Dr. Richard J. Shuldiner and Baltimore optometrist Dr. Thomas Azman are using miniaturized binoculars or telescopes to help people who have lost vision from macular degeneration or other eye conditions. “Some of my patients consider us

Hank Frese wearing Bioptic Telescope Driving Glasses

the last stop for people who have vision loss.” said Dr. Azman, a low vision optometrist who has just completed training with Dr. Shuldiner in California. “Amazing!” says Donald. “I can read the street signs twice as far as I did before and even see the television better!” Macular degeneration is the most common eye disease among the senior population. As many as 25% of those over 65 have some degree of degeneration. The macula is one small part of the entire retina, but it is the most sensitive and gives us sharp images. When it degenerates, macular degeneration leaves a blind spot right

in the center of vision, which makes it impossible to recognize faces, read a book, or pass the drivers vision test. The experts do not know what causes macular degeneration. But major factors include UV light from the sun, smoking, aging, and improper nutrition. Vitamins can help. The results of two studies, AREDS and LAST demonstrated a lowered risk of progression by about 25% when treated with a high-dose combination of vitamins. Dr. Azman advises patients on the best nutritional supplements during the low vision evaluation. Nine out of ten people who have macular degeneration have the dry type. There is no medical treatment except for vitamins. The wet type involves the leakage of fluid or blood from the blood vessels behind the macula. Injections of Leucentis or Avastin are very effective in preventing the vessels from leaking. “Our job is to figure out anything and everything possible to keep a person functioning,” says Dr. Azman. “Whether it’s driving, reading, watching television, seeing faces, playing bridge… we work with whatever is on the persons “wish list.”

Even if it’s driving. Maryland and California are two of many states that allow the use of telescopic glasses for safer driving. Hank Frese, 69, a former High School Principal from La Palma, California saw Dr. Shuldiner last August. “I could not read the street signs soon enough when driving, and I could not read my morning paper.” Bioptic Telescopic glasses were prescribed to read signs and see traffic lights farther away. As Hank puts it, “These telescope glasses not only allow me to read signs from a farther distance, but makes driving much easier. I’ve also used them to watch television so I don’t have to sit so close. I don’t know why I waited two years to do this; I should have come sooner” “Telescopic glasses start at around $1500”, says Dr. Azman, “and low vision prismatic reading glasses start at $500. A small price to pay for better vision and increased independence.” If you or someone you care about is struggling with vision loss, call Dr. Thomas Azman for a free telephone interview.

Call toll-free 1.866.269.3916 or online at www.LowVisionMD.org

JANUARY 2013 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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Money Law &

DOWN ON DIVIDENDS Dividend investors face steeply higher tax rates in 2013 unless Congress acts. The value of dividend-paying stocks may decline A HEALTHY TAX HIKE A new investment tax will be imposed in 2013 to help pay for healthcare reform; those with incomes over $200,000 will be affected.

How to deal with 2013 cap gains tax hike By Dave Carpenter The impending jump in capital gains taxes has prompted a flood of nervous calls to financial advisers in recent months. On January 1, the maximum rate of 15 percent on long-term gains rises to 20 percent unless Congress extends the Bushera tax cuts. On top of that, the healthcare reform package imposes a new 3.8 percent Medicare tax on the investment income of high-income earners. That means their capital gains tax bill will increase by more than half to 23.8 percent for single filers with incomes of more than $200,000 and couples who make over $250,000. [See “New healthcare investment tax this year,” on page 19.] The looming increase poses a tempting reason to sell by December 31, 2012 for anyone who’s sitting on large unrealized gains in stocks, property or other assets. But pulling the trigger on a sale hastily could be a mistake. A couple of Joe Heider’s clients were in “almost a Chicken Little mode” over the much steeper tax bills they could face, said the regional managing principal of Rehmann Financial Group in Cleveland. One, a corporate executive with stock holdings worth several million dollars, wanted to sell all his shares

until Heider talked him out of it. It’s not just millionaires with money at stake. Plenty of retirees who regularly sell off some of their portfolio for living expenses could face heftier bills on stocks, mutual funds or bonds that have grown appreciably in value over the years. Those inclined to overreact by selling now without analyzing their situation would be wise to heed the old Wall Street adage: “Don’t let the tax tail wag the investment dog.” In other words, don’t become preoccupied with taxes at the expense of the ultimate objective. “Keep in mind that first and foremost it’s about making a gain,” said Heider. “The key is making money.” With that caveat in mind, here are five tips for approaching the possible capital gains tax hike: 1. Don’t hold a fire sale. Do some basic math, or have a financial adviser do it for you. “If you’re selling just because rates are going up, think twice,” said Rande Spiegelman, vice president of financial planning in the Schwab Center for Financial Research. “I don’t see selling just to lock in a lower capital gains rate.” Start by reviewing your portfolio to deter-

mine which investments have risen significantly in value since you purchased them. Think about when you are likely to sell. Then crunch the numbers on how much tax you’d pay by selling now or later. Refer as needed to an online capital gains calculator such as http://www.moneychimp.com/features/capgain.htm. Selling now means you’d be left with a smaller sum of money or other assets to grow. So factor in lost opportunities for the assets to appreciate in years ahead. Plus there’s the out-of-pocket cost. 2. Keep it in perspective. Remember that the past decade has been an era of very low taxation by historical standards. A long-term capital gains rate of 20 percent starting in 2013 would still be relatively modest. Even the likely worst-case scenario of 23.8 percent for high earners would hardly be dire in comparison with many recent years. The maximum long-term capital gains rate was as high as 39.9 percent in the 1970s and 28 percent for a good chunk of the ‘80s and ‘90s. 3. Accelerate a sale you already were planning. Assuming the price is right, go ahead and sell in 2012 if you were going to do so

soon anyway. That’s particularly the case with property or real estate, where the rate increase for capital gains is slightly different but the same principle applies. A South Dakota man who had been planning to sell the family ranch he inherited from his parents is pushing the transaction through this fall. Rick Kahler, a certified financial planner in Rapid City, advised him he would likely pay at least $90,000 less in taxes by doing so than by waiting until next year. Kahler is telling clients they should consider moving up to 2012 any sale that they were expecting to make in the next 12 to 24 months. PwC, the U.S. arm of professional services company PricewaterhouseCoopers, goes even further, recommending selling any asset now that you might otherwise sell in the next 10 years. Be wary of waiting until the last few days of the year, or you could get stuck selling at a market low. Investment guru Jeremy Siegel, finance professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, said stock prices could fall as much as 20 percent by year-end if Congress does nothing to keep the economy from falling over the fiscal cliff. 4. Watch your bracket. See CAPITAL GAINS, page 16

Changes coming in estate and gift taxes By Dave Carpenter Taxes that are largely a concern of the very rich will soon affect far more people unless Congress steps in. The impending drastic changes in the estate and gift tax laws are prompting a flurry of activity as 2013 draws near. Family members are making financial gifts, creating trusts and considering other tax-minded moves. Financial advisers, and trust and estate attorneys have been flooded with requests for assistance in the final months before the record-high exemption for both taxes is scheduled to plunge from $5.12 million to $1 million on Jan 1. If unaltered, the value of any estate in excess of $1 million will be subject to the estate tax, at a top rate of 55 percent next year, before passing to family or other heirs. Currently the top rate is 35 percent, starting at a level more than five times higher.

“There’s been a little bit of a frenzy all of a sudden,” said Janis Cowhey McDonagh, a principal with New York accounting firm Marcum LLP. “People are saying ‘Wait a minute, this is really going away. I need to do something before the end of the year.”’ The concern may not stir sympathy among most middle-class Americans, but it’s a pressing issue for many in costly locations, where it’s not unusual for household assets to surpass the million-dollar mark. The new federal rates would affect roughly 55,000 estates next year, according to Congress’ Joint Committee on Taxation, compared with fewer than 4,000 under current rates. An example cited by Fidelity Investments underscores the impact of the potential change. A single person or married couple with an estate of $3 million could face a $945,000 federal estate tax bill next

year. Under current law, that bill is zero.

Gift taxes may follow suit Heightening the 11th-hour tax commotion are the near-identical drops in the lifetime gift tax exemption and the generation-skipping transfer tax. The latter is imposed on grandchildren or others who are 37 1/2 years younger than you. Wealthy families who are set up to pass along millions to their children and grandchildren have scrambled to give away or otherwise set aside huge chunks of their assets by the end of 2012. The aim is to lessen their future estate tax liability and spare their heirs much larger bills. President Barack Obama prefers an estatetax exemption of $3.5 million and a top rate of 45 percent. While running for president, Republican Mitt Romney wanted to eliminate the estate tax but retain the gift tax as is.

But congressional action would still be needed to enact any changes, which is why taxpayers with million-dollar estates have been scurrying to make changes in 2012.

Plan your strategy Here are some of the key strategic moves that can be made until December 31, 2012, with the assistance of attorneys and advisers, to gain a tax advantage before the laws change: Give away cash. Until Jan., 1, taxpayers can gift as much as $5.12 million during their lifetimes without paying taxes. That total is above and beyond the $13,000 annual gift-tax exemption that many taxpayers are aware of. That exclusion allows you to make an unlimited number of gifts of up to $13,000 each year without incurSee ESTATE TAXES, page 16

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BALTIMORE BEACON — JANUARY 2013

Now is a good time to find new car deals By Jessica Anderson One of the best ways to save money on a new car is to buy at the end of the model year. As dealers try to clear their lots to make way for new inventory and to meet sales goals, they’ll be in the mood to bargain. The type of vehicle you’re looking for will dictate the size of the discounts you’ll find. Small cars and crossovers have been in demand due to high gas prices, so steep discounts are hard to come by. But big sedans, SUVs and minivans are ripe for a deal. According to estimates by TrueCar.com, an automotive data firm, the average transaction price of a Chevrolet Impala will be 11 percent off sticker price, a Ford Edge will be 14 percent less than sticker, and a Kia Sedona minivan will carry about a 10-percent discount. “If you need a family hauler, it’s a great time to be in the market,” said Jesse Toprak, vice-president of industry analysis at TrueCar.

Low-cost financing Manufacturers have cut back on cashback offers, but low-rate financing and lease deals are plentiful. Automakers offer incentives on the vehicles they most want to move, and vehicles getting a redesign in the upcoming model year often get a sweetener. For example, Honda is offering 0.9-percent financing for 60 months on the outgoing Accord. If you plan to trade in the car within three years, keep in mind that you’ll take a bigger hit on the resale value if you buy the older model instead of the redesigned version.

Because the used-car market is still hot, carmakers are offering low-cost leases — for 24 months as well as the standard 36 months — on vehicles they want to recycle into the certified used-car market down the road. Lease a Hyundai Santa Fe for

SEX AND OLDER ADULTS

Attend a free all-day program addressing many issues surrounding sexuality and older adults, including effects of aging, safe sex and disease prevention. It’s part of the Waxter Wisdom series presented by the Baltimore Office of Aging with assistance from community sponsors. The program runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 9 at the Waxter Senior Center, 1001 Cathedral St. in Baltimore. No pre-registration required, except for professionals who may register for CEUs at www.surveymonkey.com/s/jhu_13010903_Sex_Aging_and_HIV. For more information, call (410) 396-4932.

Jan. 21

centives — back-end bonuses for dealers that meet certain sales targets, often by the end of the month — are persuading dealers to accept less for a vehicle upfront, knowing the carmaker will reimburse them later. Unlike factory cash rebates, you won’t find these incentives touted in ads. To find dealer as well as customer cash rebates, go to www.edmunds.com/car-incentives. Jessica Anderson is an associate editor at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. © 2012 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

Lease for less

BEACON BITS

Jan. 9

$269 a month for 36 months (it’s redesigned for 2013) or a Volkswagen Jetta for $159 a month for 36 months. Even pricey electric vehicles are quietly being leased for less. Chevrolet offers the Volt for $269 a month for a 24-month lease, and Nissan’s Leaf goes for $249 a month with a 39-month deal. Luxury carmakers typically roll out lease deals on outgoing models close to the holidays. There may be fewer cash incentives, but there’s still room to negotiate. Stair-step in-

CELEBRATE MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade commemorates King’s legacy with marching bands, color guards, steppers, equestrian units, dance squads and civic organizations on Monday, Jan. 21, at noon, at Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Eutaw St. For more information, see www.promotionandarts.com/index.cfm?page=events&id=35.

NOTICE TO SENIORS, VETERANS AND THE DISABLED What would you say if we told you – you don’t have to pay your credit card or medical bills? Most of our clients say, “ank you.” Living on Social Security, disability payments, pensions or veteran’s beneﬁts? Federal law states that your income cannot be taken to repay debts, even some student loans. Don’t endure frustrating calls and letters from collection agents. You can live worry-free as thousands of our clients do. DCSD shelters you from harassment DCSD protects your income DCSD is not a bankruptcy Stop creditors from breaking the law by collecting debts you can’t pay. ere is an aﬀordable alternative to bankruptcy. For as little as $20 per month you can employ a DCSD Attorney to deal with your debts.

Call Debt Counsel for Seniors and the Disabled For a Free Consultation at 1-800-992-3275 EXT. 1304 Founded in 1998 Jerome S. Lamet Founder & Supervising Attorney • Former Bankruptcy Trustee www.debtcounsel.net info@lawyers-united.com

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Estate taxes From page 14 ring any taxes. But gifts much larger than that will be needed by Dec. 31, 2012 to make a difference in estate and tax planning. At the extreme wealthy end, McDonagh said one couple she advised wrote separate checks for $5 million to their adult children recently. It’s money the children would have inherited anyway, and now will be tax-free. People who aren’t quite so affluent can benefit from smaller but still substantial gifts. Many parents make large loans to their children to buy a home or for some other purpose. Calling it a simple cash gift, or forgiving a previous loan, can shrink the estate tax bill. Put it in a trust. A fear of giving away too much and ending up short-handed later in future years has caused “gifting

paralysis” among many well-off people who could benefit, said estate planning attorney Todd Angkatavanich, a partner at Withers Bergman LLP in New Haven, Conn. That procrastination has turned into a late-year rush to action. Those who are still reluctant to make outright gifts to beneficiaries may wish to consider transferring assets into trusts, which can give the donor more of a say in how they are distributed. A trust is an arrangement in which an individual turns over property or assets to a trustee to hold for beneficiaries, generally with tax savings in mind. Among the many, often-complex options: An irrevocable trust can benefit children and grandchildren. One type, a grantor retained annuity trust or GRAT, provides for annual payments to the donor for a fixed period of time before the assets go to the beneficiary as a tax-free gift.

JANUARY 2013 — BALTIMORE BEACON

A spousal lifetime access trust sets assets aside for a surviving spouse that can still be accessed if needed, with limitations. And a self-settled trust makes the person who created it the beneficiary, but the money is controlled by an independent trustee. Give away a home. Giving a primary residence or vacation home to a child often is done through a qualified personal residence trust, or QPERT. The trust is irrevocable but specifies that you can maintain use of the property for a certain number of years. The property is then valued at a discount because heirs don’t get immediate use. Retaining the right to live in the house makes it a “have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too” scenario for those who have expensive

Capital gains From page 14

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Carefully consider the consequences of any sale on your adjusted gross income. Selling a substantial amount of assets could drive you into a higher tax bracket than you would have been otherwise, and this would skew your math on tax savings. And you don’t want to trigger the additional 3.8 percent surplus tax on a big chunk of investment income. 5. Preserve your capital losses. Don’t rush to sell if you have capital tax losses carried over from earlier sales. The technique known as tax-loss harvesting is generally a savvy way to reduce your

homes but are concerned about leaving themselves with too few resources, said Jim Cody, director of estate and trust services for investment advisory firm Harris myCFO in Palo Alto, Calif.

State taxes, too A wild card to consider in the year-end tax scramble: State laws on estate taxes differ from federal ones. Twenty-two states have either an estate tax, an inheritance tax, or both. It’s another reason why anyone trying to take advantage of current federal laws should seek help from an expert. Maryland levies its own estate taxes of up to 16 percent on estates over $1 million, but does not have a separate gift tax. — AP

tax burden. If you have sold shares of a stock or mutual fund for less than you paid, that created a capital loss for tax purposes. It can be used to offset a capital gain that you incurred by selling another stock or fund. Taxpayers who have more losses than gains can carry them over to subsequent years indefinitely and apply as much as $3,000 per year against their regular income. But using the tax losses in 2012 wouldn’t go as far as they would in 2013 and beyond when you’d likely have more capital gains taxes to offset. So, no need to sell shares just to have a gain to offset in 2012. Better to hang onto those losses and use them in later years, advises Jeff Saccacio, partner in PwC’s private company services practice. — AP

BEACON BITS

Jan. 16

ALL ABOUT REVERSE MORTGAGES Join Lynda Haley, of WCS Funding Group, in a presentation on the

pros and cons of reverse mortgages on Wednesday, Jan. 16. at 9:30 a.m. The free seminar will be held at Catonsville Senior Center, 501 N. Rolling Rd., Catonsville. For more information, call (410) 887-0900.

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Dividend investors face higher tax in 2013 By Mark Jewell What if one of your key sources of income were taxed at three times the rate you pay now? That’s a realistic possibility in 2013 for high-income investors who own dividendpaying stocks or mutual funds. Dividend investors earning modest income and retirees who count on quarterly payouts could face a higher rate as well. Investors have enjoyed historically low rates on investment income since 2003. But those will expire in January unless Congress and President Barack Obama reach a compromise first on taxes and government spending. Failure to reach a deal would trigger

higher rates on other income as well, plus automatic federal spending cuts. The combination could send the economy back into recession. The prospect of higher rates on dividend payouts starting in January has left dividend investors, as well as dividend-paying companies, with plenty of news to track and what-ifs to consider. Here’s a look at the key moving parts:

New rate reality? Until December 31, 2012, investors pay 15 percent tax on most dividends and on capital gains, the profits from selling investments that have appreciated in value. Unless Congress and Obama say other-

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

JOB COUNSELORS/RESUME WRITERS NEEDED Help applicants manage their job search by coaching them indi-

vidually on application writing, interviewing techniques, job search strategies and personal appearance. Meet with them on a weekly basis either at GenesisJobs or off-site. This position is good for someone familiar with Internet job websites, resume and cover letter writing, and able to develop good working relationships with applicants who may have social and economic barriers. For more information, contact Bruce Laws, Employment Services Coordinator, GenesisJobs, (410) 323-9400.

wise, dividends will be taxed as ordinary income in 2013, the same as wages. So rates will go up depending on which income bracket a taxpayer is in. For the highest earners, the dividend rate could jump to 43.4 percent. The president wants to restore a 39.6 percent ordinary income rate for top earners, up from the current 35. High-income taxpayers will also face a 3.8 percent tax on investment income to help pay for Obama’s health care overhaul. For those in middle tax brackets, dividend rates in the 20 to 30 percent range are likely. The result is that middle-income earners could pay a dime or so more on each dollar of dividend income flowing into a taxable account. For high earners, it

would be a quarter or so more. Dividend rate increases could be smaller if congressional leaders and Obama agree on a compromise to raise the level to something less than what the president wants. A tax bill can be delayed by holding investments in a tax-sheltered account. But many investors, especially those in higher tax brackets, don’t rely exclusively on an individual retirement account or 401(k), in which earnings can grow tax-free.

Beating the deadline Dividend-paying companies want investors to be taxed minimally because it See DIVIDENDS, page 18

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Dividends From page 17 makes their stocks more attractive to hold. And many companies are reviewing their dividend policies, now that it appears in-

vestors could soon pay higher taxes. Those companies faced a decision: Keep dividend payouts at current levels and see how the budget talks go, or distribute special payouts in December, before taxes go up. A few companies approved such unusu-

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER

The Small Business Resource Center offers assistance to entrepreneurs with everything from preparing business plans to finding insurance for their employees. The center is free to the public and has a PC-based business library with literature and videos. Visit at 1101 E.33rd St., Suite C307, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call (443) 451-7160 or visit www.sbrcbaltimore.com.

Ongoing

ADVOCATE FOR NURSING HOME RESIDENTS

The Baltimore County Department of Aging Ombudsman Volunteers visit residents in long-term care facilities as friendly visitors and educate the residents and their families about resident rights. Volunteers will communicate potential resident rights violations to the ombudsman staff, who will in turn investigate the issue, mediate between the involved parties, and seek to obtain a satisfactory resolution. Call (410) 887-3101 to learn more.

JANUARY 2013 — BALTIMORE BEACON

al “fifth quarter” dividends, the term that Howard Silverblatt of S&P Dow Jones Indices uses for these payouts. “If I’m in the top tax bracket, a company better have a great reason for paying me after Jan. 1 when my rate will be 43 percent, rather than the 15 percent I could have paid back in December,” Silverblatt said. Telecommunications company IDT Corp. made a special payment in mid-November, then suspended its quarterly dividend. “Our stockholders are best served by paying this dividend now,” IDT CEO Howard Jonas said. Manufacturer Leggett & Platt and industrial products maker Johnson Controls moved their payouts to December to beat a potential rate increase. In both instances, the payouts will be made less than a week before year-end.

Further into the future In the long term, higher dividend tax rates should lead companies to consider whether

to buy back some of their stock rather than approve further dividend increases. It could be a better use of a company’s cash holdings. By repurchasing stock, companies reward investors by increasing the value of remaining shares. Per-share earnings get a lift as results are divided among fewer shares. Other companies could continue increasing dividends, but at a more modest pace than when the payouts were taxed at a lower rate. “If you’ve increased a dividend five years in a row, you’re probably going to continue to do so, if you can,” Silverblatt said. “But rather than increasing it 10 percent, it may be just 8 or 6 percent.” Higher rates would make dividend stocks less attractive because investors would keep less of their earnings. But dividends would still offer attractive after-tax yields relative to many investment alternatives. For example, 10-year Treasurys yield about 1.6 percent. That’s substantially below the average 2.64 percent yield of the 404 dividend-paying companies in the S&P 500 stock index. That’s upside-down from the normal relationship between those investments. Since 1962, yields of S&P 500 stocks have averaged 43 percent of Treasury yields, Silverblatt said. And Treasurys don’t offer the growth potential that stocks do from price appreciation. Even considering higher rates, dividends offer higher after-tax returns than Treasurys, albeit with greater risk. Dividends’ after-tax yield advantage is even wider compared with interest earned from bank accounts. “Even with a higher tax rate,” Silverblatt said, “there’s plenty to like about dividends.” — AP

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

DOG-LOVING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is looking for local volunteers to open their hearts and homes to a future guide dog puppy. All training, support and veterinary expenses are provided free of charge. Puppy classes meet Thursday evenings. Contact Regional Manager Carrie Barnett at cbarnett@guidingeyes.org or (410) 960-7427 for more details.

Ongoing

VOLUNTEER WITH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The mission of the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce is to promote, grow and sustain a diverse and healthy business community that will enrich the quality of life and enhance prosperity in the Baltimore region. To see how you can help, call (410) 8256299 or visit www.baltcountycc.com.

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BALTIMORE BEACON — JANUARY 2013

New healthcare investment tax this year By Kimberly Lankford Q. I understand that the healthcare reform law imposes a new tax on investments. To whom does the tax apply, and when does it take effect? A. Starting in 2013, taxpayers who have a modified adjusted gross income of $200,000 or more ($250,000 for joint filers) will pay a 3.8-percent surtax on certain kinds of investment income, such as interest, dividends, capital gains, rent and royalties. (Interest on tax-exempt municipal bonds doesn’t count.) The calculation is tricky: The surtax applies either to the investment income or to the amount of modified AGI exceeding the threshold, whichever is less. For example, if your joint income is $300,000 and you have $5,000 of investment income, you’ll pay the tax on the $5,000. But if your investment income is $50,000 and your joint modified AGI is

$260,000, you’ll pay the tax on the $10,000 that exceeds the AGI limit. There is also a 0.9-percent Medicare surtax on any salary or self-employment income that exceeds the modified AGI threshold. Q. Does this new tax apply to home sales? A. It does apply to home-sale profits, but it might not hit very many people. When you sell your home, up to $250,000 of the profit is tax-free if you’re single and have owned and lived in the home for at least two of the five years leading up to the sale. The exclusion rises to $500,000 for married couples filing a joint return. That part of the profit is not subject to capital gains taxes, and it also avoids the new surtax. However, if your profit on the home sale is more than the tax-free amount, or if you lived in the house for fewer than two out of the past five years, your investment profit

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

MEALS ON WHEELS ONLINE INFORMATION Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland provides community infor-

mation about its program and resources available for homebound individuals. Visit online at www.mealsonwheelsmd.org or call (410) 558-0932.

A whole new approach to long-term and rehabilitative care

The Green House Residences is the perfect place to get you back on your feet following orthopedic and cardiac procedures. Our goal is to get you back home! Offering the following amenities: •All Private Rooms•All Private Bathrooms•Home-Style Dining•Occupational Therapy•Speech Therapy•Physical Therapy•24/7 Nursing Coverage•TV, Cable, wireless Internet•Lovely Screened-In Porches For your personal tour, call 443-414-6218

All faiths welcomed

will be subject to this extra tax if your modified AGI is more than $200,000 (if you’re single) or $250,000 (if you’re married filing jointly). Furthermore, the tax exclusion does not apply to second homes or vacation homes, so the entire profit on the sale of a second home or vacation home could be subject to the surtax. Q. What can I do to minimize the new tax? A. Any steps you can take to keep your

income below the $200,000/$250,000 modified AGI threshold in 2013 — such as contributing to a 401(k) or flexible spending account — can help you avoid the tax. Also consider buying investments that aren’t subject to the surtax, such as tax-exempt municipal bonds. Kimberly Lankford is a contributing editor to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine and the author of Ask Kim for Money Smart Solutions (Kaplan, $18.95). © 2012 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

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Careers Volunteers &

Does your organization use senior volunteers or do you employ a number of seniors? If you do and you’d like to be considered for a story in our Volunteers & Careers section, please send an email to info@thebeaconnewspapers.com.

Immediate help for those who require it By Carol Sorgen Estelle Silverman has been a member of Covenant Guild for 58 years — almost as long as the organization has been in existence. Now 88, Silverman, a past president of the 67-year-old group, heads the Assistance in Distress Committee. “We cut the red tape,” said Silverman, explaining the committee’s purpose. Members approach Silverman with stories they have heard about people in need — whether it’s paying a utility bill, buying food, even having a child’s eyeglasses fixed. “We do things other organizations can’t or won’t do,” said Silverman. This isn’t an impersonal fill-out-an-application-and-we’ll-get-back-to-you process either,

Silverman explained. “By that time, the need might be over,” she noted. In fact, requests for help are often handled within the hour. Silverman learns about needs from other women in the 350-member organization. It might be their neighbor, someone they met in the grocery store, even a member of their own family who needs help. “As long as the request is legitimate and we can handle it, we do,” said Silverman. However, the committee doesn’t hand out cash, but rather will take people shopping or run an errand for them and pay for what they need.

Civil rights

Traveling museum exhibit, too

From page 1 work with a UMBC student to produce his or her story in digital video format. Those will be published to the Internet at UMBC’s digital story site, (www.umbc.edu/stories). The digital stories will ultimately be introduced and distributed via iTunes U to schools throughout Maryland and beyond.

The personal touch Silverman personally meets everyone

“For All the World to Hear” has been curated by CADVC director Sandra Abbott, who was inspired by the traveling exhibition and book, For All the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights, coorganized by CADVC and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and curated by UMBC Research Professor Maurice Berger.

who needs her help. She recently took a woman grocery shopping for ingredients to make chicken soup. The woman picked out chicken bones to make a stock, but Silverman encouraged her to get an entire chicken, plus vegetables. “She was so thrilled that she was able to choose what she wanted herself, instead of someone just making that decision for her,” said Silverman. Silverman estimates that Covenant Guild helps about 30 individuals a year through the Assistance in Distress Committee. “This is so rewarding for us,” she said. The organization also holds fundraising activities and has financed such projects as purchasing new ambulances, providing

transportation services for seniors, and raising money for the Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital. Though Covenant Guild is a member of the Federation of Jewish Women’s Organizations of Maryland, it reaches out to all members of the community, whatever their religious, racial or ethnic background. As the members of the organization get older, they encourage younger women to volunteer. “Loving, giving and sharing Is what we do,” said Silverman. “I do this because it has to be done...not tomorrow, but right away.” For more information on the Covenant Guild, email Shirley Goodman at goodygg@aol.com.

Now on view through March 10 at UMBC, the exhibition has already been mounted at the International Center of Photography in New York, National Museum of American History, and National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. Following its presentation at UMBC, the exhibition will travel to the Addison Gallery of America Art in Massachusetts. This visual exhibition was inspired by a black and white photograph taken in September 1955. Shortly after Emmett Till was murdered by white supremacists in Money, Miss., his grieving mother, Mamie Till Bradley, distributed a gruesome photograph of his mutilated corpse to newspa-

pers and magazines. Asked why she would do this, Mrs. Bradley explained that by witnessing with their own eyes the brutality of segregation and racism, Americans would be more likely to support the cause of racial justice and equality. “Let the world see what I’ve seen,” was her reply. The publication of the photograph transformed the modern civil rights movement, inspiring a new generation of activists to join the cause. “For All the World to See” is the first comprehensive museum exhibition to exSee CIVIL RIGHTS, page 21

BEACON BITS

Jan. 17+

FREE HELP FOR HEARING LOSS

The Hearing Loss Association of Greater Baltimore is a support group for the deaf and hard-of-hearing that meets at the Hearing and Speech Agency, 5900 Metro Dr. Learn from others in a comfortable, relaxed setting. The meetings are free and open to the public. Sign language interpreting is provided, assistive listening devices are available, and captioning is provided when possible. Meetings are held from 10:30 a.m. to noon every third Tuesday, and from 6:30 to 8 p.m. every fourth Thursday except December, July and August. For more information, contact Amy Bopp at (410) 318-6780 or president@hearinglossbaltimore.org, or visit www.hearinglossbaltimore.org.

Dec. 26

KAL TALKS POLITICS

Political cartoonist and artist Kal will discuss today’s political environment on Wednesday, Dec. 26, at the Pikesville Library, 1301 Reisterstown Rd., from 1 to 2 p.m. For more information, call (410) 887-1234 or visit www.bcpl.info.

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BALTIMORE BEACON — JANUARY 2013

Civil rights From page 20 plore the historical role played by visual images in the fight for civil rights in the United States. The exhibition includes more than 250 objects — including posters, photographs, graphic art, magazines, newspapers, books, pamphlets, political buttons, comic books, toys, postcards, and clips from film, newsreels and television. Explaining how the idea for the oral history project grew out of the visual exhibition, Abbott said, “I knew there would be plenty in the gallery to see, but I wanted to engage our immediate community — especially seniors — since they are all around us and available to pass on their first-person accounts directly to the next generation.” UMBC is located near Charlestown Retirement Community and the two share many programs.

Getting their say Abbott said her vision behind “For All the World to Hear”— which has been selected to be a featured session at the American Alliance of Museums National Conference this spring in Baltimore — was to create a safe place for the participants’ stories to come out in preparation for the performances, while at the same time creating an intergenerational community among the storytellers and the student facilitators.

“So often I see seniors marginalized and their stories taken for granted,” said Abbott. “This project was a chance to channel a diversity of voices on the struggle for civil rights to the next generation. It also allows us a moment to pay respect and to honor their stories, the same as we would a precious artifact on display in a case in the gallery.” As project director, Abbott functions as the producer of the live performances, but has worked closely with well-known director Harriet Lynn. “Harriet not only combines programming and a safe harbor for the seniors themselves to grow as creative storytellers and writers, but she also makes them performers and takes the project quite literally, ‘from page to stage,’” said Abbott. Abbott’s student staff assists as production crew and research assistants as needed, and are also working under Abbott’s direction for the other segments of the project — the creation of digital stories in collaboration with each of the seniors, and a film documenting the process and story of the entire project itself. Several of these digital stories have already been collected as part of the pilot project for “For All the World to Hear.” Catonsville poet, editor and retired UMBC English professor Gloria Oden, who was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 1979, speaks about her experience, along with other Howard University students, of picketing a Washington, D.C., establishment

that refused to serve blacks. “Our signs read, ‘Our boys, our bonds, our brothers are fighting for you. Why can’t we eat here?’, and ‘We died together, why can’t we eat together?’,” Oden recalls in her video presentation. On the third day of the picketing, the owners of the restaurant changed their position. “We won that battle, but the fight for integration…continued,” said Oden, who passed away after the pilot project was completed In another digital production, Marie Bemkey relates her own civil rights experience. Then a nun assigned to a Catholic school in Washington, D.C., Bemkey encouraged one of her students to apply for a scholarship to a local business school. The young girl, named Helen, wrote an essay titled, “What My Uniform Means to Me.” She submitted it with only a number as identification, not her name, and her essay was the winner. But as she walked up to receive her scholarship, the presenter changed his mind and awarded the prize to a white boy. “I cried with her,” Bemkey said in her digital recollection. Bemkey asked her order for permission to make a sign protesting the decision, but she was denied. Young Helen eventually got pregnant, lost her boyfriend when he died in a game of Russian roulette, and moved to California. “I lost contact with Helen,” said Bemkey, “but I’ve always wondered how her

life would have changed if she’d gotten that scholarship.” For John and Shirley Billy, participating in “For All the World to Hear” is an opportunity to tell their story and show how they triumphed over their adversity. John even requested a letter of apology from the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland for what they put the couple through. He’s proud to say that he received written letters from both the Mayor and the Governor. “That made me feel good,” he said. The Billys have enjoyed taking part in “For All the World to Hear” and meeting the other participants. In the end, though, they and the other performers have just one goal. “We want to be heard,” said John. The most recent local presentation of “For All the World to Hear” took place on Dec. 12. Upcoming presentations include: Sunday, Feb. 10, 2 p.m. at the Jewish Museum of Maryland; Tuesday, Feb. 12, 6 p.m., Maryland Historical Society; Friday, Feb. 15, 10:30 a.m., UMBC, Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building; and Saturday, Feb. 23, 2 p.m., Enoch Pratt Free Library, Main Branch. All performances of “For All the World to Hear” are free; however, some venues themselves may have admission charges. Consult individual venues for admission policies. For more information, visit www.foralltheworldtohear.org. For more information on the exhibition “For All the World to See,” visit www.umbc.edu/cadvc/foralltheworld.

Assisted Living is more than meets the eye.

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JANUARY 2013 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Travel Leisure &

Take a river boat cruise down the Rhine. See story on page 25.

Reveling in New Orleans’ eclectic charms

French Quarter and Garden District The best way to plan your sightseeing is to take advantage of the fact that the city is divided into distinct neighborhoods, each

with its own unique appeals. For many people, New Orleans means the French Quarter. The original district of cobblestone streets — lined by hotels and restaurants, music venues, boutiques and art galleries — is centered on Royal Street. A short block away on Bourbon Street, the scene is very different. T-shirt shops vie for attention with posters touting adult entertainment. Music spills out of lounges, along with patrons sipping from plastic “take-out cups.” As my wife Fyllis remarked, the scene is like New Year’s Eve, Halloween and the Fourth of July combined. French Quarter architecture harkens back to its European roots. Graceful townhouses are adorned with cast iron balconies set off by intricate ironwork. Courtyards are filled with lush greenery and flowers surrounding splashing fountains. A focus of the neighborhood is the French Market, a collection of shops, restaurants and farmers’ stalls that has existed at the same spot for more than two centuries. The longest line usually is outside the famous Café du Monde, waiting to order café au lait and beignets — artery-clogging fried dough slathered in powdered sugar. Very different is the quiet elegance of the Garden District. Established in the early 19th century, it became a haven for the newly rich, who built stately mansions shaded by towering oak trees. The area’s name refers to magnificent gardens that surround many houses. The neighborhood is a favored hideaway of Sandra Bullock, John Goodman and other Hollywood and sports celebrities.

Touring Treme

A horse-drawn carriage travels down a street in New Orleans’ French Quarter, lined with graceful townhouses with wrought-iron railings and home to the country’s largest Mardi Gras celebration, which will next take place on Feb. 12.

Another enclave was little known to out-of-towners until it became the setting for a popular HBO television series. Treme (pronounced treh-MAY) is one of the oldest black neighborhoods in the country. It was an early haven for

By Victor Block How can you not love a city where rogues and scoundrels are among local “dignitaries” who have streets and bridges named after them? A place that celebrates its oddball residents on a website called EccentricNewOrleans.com? A destination where elegance and decadence go hand in hand? Welcome to New Orleans, where no matter what your interests, you’re likely to satisfy them and more. If you enjoy outstanding cuisine — and who doesn’t? — this is the place to be. No matter what your musical preference, it’s here in abundance. The city’s history is as colorful as its varied architecture. New Orleans’ strong links with its past greet the eye and ear around every turn. The chief challenge facing visitors is avoiding too much of a good thing.

A paddlewheel steamboat docks along the Mississippi River in New Orleans. Boat cruises offer visitors views of the city, food and entertainment.

free persons of color and African slaves who bought their freedom. Some of them gathered on Sundays to socialize and dance, and the music they played was a forerunner of African influence on American jazz. The St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, in Treme, is the best known of a number of New Orleans graveyards where the deceased are buried above ground in elaborately decorated stone crypts and mausoleums. One tomb is believed to be that of Marie Laveau, a legendary “Voodoo Priestess” who was said to possess magical powers. Some present-day visitors scrawl X marks on the grave in the hope that even after death her spirit will grant them a wish. It’s fitting that near the resting place of the Voodoo Priestess is the Voodoo Spiritual Temple, one of several venues in New Orleans related to that mysterious combination of religion and superstition. Voodoo originated in Africa, was carried to the Western Hemisphere by slaves, and continues to maintain a foothold in New Orleans. At the Temple, Priestess Miriam Chamani reigns over what is said to be the only “formally established” spiritual temple in New Orleans that adheres to “traditional West African spiritual and healing practices.” Among services that Priestess Miriam offers are blessings, bone readings and removal of curses. The lavishly decorated altar room and a cultural center attract both voodoo believ-

ers and visitors curious about the religion. The complex also includes a small apothecary and a gift shop, which offers items ranging from voodoo dolls and talismans to self-help kits and “candles specially blessed and dressed for many occasions.”

Mardi Gras all year long In a city with a wealth of museums, the Voodoo Spiritual Temple is certainly one of the more intriguing. Fyllis and I found two others worth a visit. One coveys much of the wonder of Mardi Gras without the wildness. While the annual Mardi Gras festivities attract hundreds of thousands of celebrants, and celebrate they do, we preferred to skip the crowds and craziness. At the same time, we wanted to savor the flavor of that famous, almost anything goes revelry. We found the perfect solution at Mardi Gras World where, as its promotional material claims, “Every day is Mardi Gras.” There, in a warehouse so huge I remarked that it should have its own Zip code, artists spend a full year creating floats for the Mardi Gras parade and other events. We became Lilliputians in a world of giants. Visitors are dwarfed by larger-than-life papiermâché characters, including gladiators, movie personalities, cartoon figures and fantasy creatures. Flowers are the size of trees, and See NEW ORLEANS, page 23

BALTIMORE BEACON — JANUARY 2013

New Orleans From page 22 the “Old woman who lived in a shoe” could move right into oversized footwear. Fyllis and I also enjoyed the less well known but more mouth-watering displays at the Southern Food & Beverage Museum. Exhibits celebrate the food, drink and related culture of New Orleans, Louisiana and the South. We weren’t surprised to find sections titled “Tout de Sweet: All About Sugar,” “Eating from the Gulf” and “Barbeque Nation.” Less expected were collections in the “Southern Likker” area and another that pays homage to a “true American cultural icon” — the cocktail.

The mighty Mississippi In recent years, many visitors to New Orleans have toured the Ninth Ward to view remnants of the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina, as well as ongoing recovery and revitalization efforts. Among stark reminders of that disaster are numerous vacant lots where houses once stood, and homes whose doors still bear the chalk marks made by rescuers to indicate if any bodies were found inside. Recently, the city has started enforcing a ban on tour buses in the Ninth Ward, though tours by bicycle, car and van are still permitted. The destruction left by Katrina served as a reminder that no matter where you are in New Orleans, you’re never far from the mighty Mississippi River. Because Old Man River rolls along its path several feet higher than the city, held back by those now infamous levees, it is often hidden from view. Yet its importance cannot be overstated. Without the Mississippi, there would be no New Orleans. On its 2,400 mile journey from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, it carries millions of tons of sediment every day, and it is that soil which created the land that is Louisiana. Benches along the levee in the French Quarter provide good views of the river as well as the barge and other traffic that make it an important waterway. There also are opportunities to mingle with the vessels’ operators as they chug along. Since 1827, the free Canal Street Ferry has transported passengers on the short ride to Algiers Point on the opposite shore. There, they may admire the New Orleans skyline and stroll through a charming 19thcentury village before hopping aboard for the return trip. A steamboat river cruise combines views of the city with an authentic taste of the past. The Creole Queen and Steamboat Natchez offer enchanting paddlewheel cruises, including sightseeing and dinner trips. During our mini-voyage on the Natchez, Fyllis and I alternated listening to the sightseeing narration, bellying up to the buffet, and dancing off a few calories to the foot-tapping music of the Dukes of Dixieland. As we passed long barges being pushed by tug boats and massive cargo ships coming and going, we understood the com-

ment of Michelle, an on-board food and beverage server. Even after years working on the vessel, she told us, “I still like being out on the river.” To which I replied, “And I like visiting New Orleans.” The list of things to see and do in New Orleans turned out to be too long for Fyllis and me to complete. Here are some that came recommended to us: • See locations where a number of wellknown stars and movies were filmed, such as Vivien Leigh (A Streetcar Named Desire), Elvis Presley (King Creole), and Brad Pitt (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button). • Enjoy music that blankets the city, from the iconic Preservation Hall to the modest clubs grouped along Frenchmen Street, to many a corner, where informal ensembles gather to entertain passers-by. • Take a ride (fare: $1.25) on the world’s oldest continuously operating streetcars.

Where to eat and stay When it comes to both dining and ac-

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commodations, New Orleans has something for everyone, and is one of those cities where it’s unlikely you’ll have a bad meal. A restaurant that has been operated by the same family since 1840 must be doing something right. Antoine Alciatore immigrated from France and helped to introduce haute cuisine to New Orleans. Among less costly dishes that were “invented” there are oysters Rockefeller ($13.75) and shrimp remoulade ($11.75). Antoine’s is at 713 Rue Saint Louis. For more information, call (504) 581-4422 or log onto www.antoines.com. Less costly and more casual is the Acme Oyster House at 724 Iberville St., a New Orleans institution since 1910. In addition to oysters on the half-shell (six for $8.75, a dozen for $13.50), the menu includes local favorites like seafood gumbo ($5.49 and $7.49) and a New Orleans Medley of jumbalaya (rice, sausage and chicken), red beans and rice, and grilled smoked sausage ($12.99).

For more information, call (504) 522-5973 or log onto www.acmeoyster.com. Choosing to stay just outside the French Quarter, we stayed at the Frenchmen Hotel at 417 Frenchmen St., an intimate, all-suite property in a quiet courtyard setting. A full kitchen provided an opportunity to save money on meals. Rates begin at $89. For more information, call 1-800-831-1781 or log onto www.frenchmenhotel.com. For those who prefer the bustle of the French Quarter, the Ursuline Guest House at 708 Ursuline Ave. combines an inviting atmosphere with history. Six rooms behind the main house once served as slave quarters. Rates start at $129, but can be less expensive if rooms are paid for in advance. For more information, call 1-800-654-2351 or log onto www.ursulineguesthouse.com. For more information about visiting New Orleans, call 1-800-672-6124 or log onto www.neworleanscvb.com. The lowest current roundtrip airfare from BWI is $240 on US Airways.

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You’re on top of your medications. But we make a good back up. You know it’s important to stay on your medications exactly as prescribed. However, if you miss a dose, want a lower-cost alternative, or experience any side effects, we can answer any questions. Speak to your local CVS Pharmacist to learn more. Find a store near you at www.cvs.com

JANUARY 2013 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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River cruises: smaller and more intimate By Anne D’Innocezio I’ve been a land-based traveler for most of my life. Motor coaches and cars have helped me explore everything from Italy’s Tuscany region to Ireland’s Rings of Kerry. But recently I discovered a love for river cruising. After returning from a cruise on the legendary Rhine, I’m happily considering trips to other iconic waterways such as the Danube for next year. Sure, there were a few wrinkles, but they didn’t take away from what I found was a charming, intimate experience — with not only the river, but the people on the ship. Whether from the deck or the sliding glass door in my cabin, there was always something to see, from steep vineyard hills and medieval castles to industrial plants. I also got to know the eclectic group of 130 passengers on the ship, mostly baby boomers. They included a law firm partner, a teacher, a physics professor on a honeymoon and a priest.

Some of the benefits The small scale of river ships — which typically carry no more than a couple hundred passengers — is a large part of their appeal, in contrast to ocean-going megaships that carry thousands. On a river ship, you don’t need a GPS device to figure out where the lobby or the dining room is. And there’s a sense of intimacy, with plenty of cozy moments. On my trip, some passengers partook in movie night, with popcorn shared in paper bags while watching Eat Pray Love on a flat-screen TV in a lounge. I participated in an impromptu mini-Mass with five others in a corner of the ship, officiated by the passenger priest. He improvised with that night’s dinner bread. The idea for the trip started with my globe-trotting mother, who’d taken a trip on a barge on the Seine in the 1990s and had always raved about it. So for $3,100 (per person, double occupancy, excluding airfare), my mother, my sister, a friend and I booked an eight-day trip with Avalon Waterways on the Rhine.

We started in Basel, Switzerland and ended in Amsterdam, with stops that included Strasbourg, France, and Heidelberg and Cologne, Germany. Typical of most river cruises, the price covered meals, wine with dinner, and most shore excursions.

There, our cruise director, Romanian-born Hans Beckert, offered a narrative about the string of medieval castles, quaint villages and fortresses we passed. Not to mention the towering Lorelei rock named after the siren whose beauty distracted sailors. It’s where the river is the narrowest and deepest.

Some downsides, too

Many ports of call

The vessels must be narrow enough to fit through locks, and low enough to pass under bridges that predate large cruise ships. So their cabins are traditionally smaller than on ocean-going ships, with less room for large recreational areas. But new river boats also have more amenities than in the past. River cruise operators are finding ways to add features such as small pools, and they’re upgrading in other ways, too, improving menus and decor. Still, ahead of my trip, I worried I would get a narrow sense of the region — after all, the itinerary is limited to destinations with river ports and what you can see during a few hours on a port call. I also thought I might get bored on a vessel that lacked the comforts of a big ship. In fact, the fitness room turned out to be the size of a large closet, and there was no swimming pool, just a whirlpool. Still, I was pleased with the trip and the at-your-service staff of 40 — a better than 3:1 ratio of crew to passengers. Food was top-notch, with buffets for breakfast and lunch, and more formal sit-down dinners. The only downside about the food was that we had all of our meals on board, with few opportunities to interact with locals. So whenever I got the chance, I had coffee or dessert in the towns. My cabin, which I shared with my mother, was small but comfortable, with twin beds inches apart. Luggage had to be stored under the beds, but there was enough cabinet space to unload belongings. The highlight was sitting on the deck with other passengers as we passed by the romantic middle of the Rhine — the 40 or so miles between Bingen and Koblenz, Germany, that define our dreamy notion of the legendary waterway.

We visited a different port every day, sometimes even two. Sightseeing included walking tours, canal rides, and tours of museums and churches. Occasionally the schedule felt stressful, with some departures just a few hours after arrivals. On the day we visited the German town of Mainz, after checking out an original printed bible in the Guttenberg Museum, we ran up the cobbled streets to look at Marc Chagall’s stained glass windows in St. Stephen’s Church, then sprinted back to the vessel for lunch before we set sail in the afternoon for Rudesheim, known for its wine. One of my favorite outings was wine-tasting in Obernai, France. And I fell in love with Rudesheim, where we visited the enchanting Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum, which featured self-playing instruments dating back to the 18th century. Activities in Amsterdam included a tour of the Van Gogh museum and a canal boat ride. But we also took an optional, 26-euro

BEACON BITS

Mar. 10

ENJOY THE IRISH ROVERS For more than four decades, the Irish Rovers have charmed and

entertained audiences around the world with songs. Join the Parkville AARP

two-hour chaperoned tour of the city’s famous Red Light district. Imagine three dozen tourists — many of them gray-haired retirees — gawking at the bikini-clad young women in the windows. A couple of times we were heckled by rowdy revelers. Amsterdam was the cruise’s final port. We decided to stay a few days in the Dutch capital for more sightseeing, so we checked into a hotel near the port. I could see the ship from my hotel room’s window. Later the next day, I noticed the ship was gone, off with a new group of passengers on another adventure. I felt a twinge of sadness, but knew I would come back to the river again. Prices vary by time of year, itinerary and level of luxury, with fares typically per person, double occupancy, covering meals and most shore excursions. European river cruise season generally runs from March to October, but there are also Christmas market cruises in Austria and Germany in late November and December. This is a good time of year to plan for and book a cruise for next season. Companies that offer European river cruises include Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways, American Cruise Line, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, Vantage, Viking, Regent, Seabourn and Silversea. — AP

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Chapter 3090 on March 10 for a trip to Gettysburg to enjoy a performance of rollicking Irish music by the Rovers at the Majestic Theater. Leave at 10:15 a.m. and return at 6:15 p.m. Cost is $105 and includes lunch at Hickory Bridge Restaurant, transportation, show and all gratuities. Call (410) 661-0692 for reservations.

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Style Arts &

Cirque Eloize takes acrobatics to new heights. See story below.

Cirque Eloize’s dazzle heats up the stage

Trampoline, video and more The latest show, iD, combines not only dance and circus arts, but rollerblading, trampoline arts, video projections inspired by action films, comic books and graffiti, and an originally commissioned technorock and hip-hop music score that, while not always particularly tuneful, has a definite rhythm and beat. The 16 international artists perform a breathless (for the audience as well as the performers!) display of hand-to-hand acrobatics, contortion, in-line skating, hip-hop, modern dance, break dance, and Cyr Wheel.

It all leads up to an ovation-worthy finale on the one-of-a-kind trampowall (a new extreme sport that involves a trampoline and a 5-meter wall...don’t try this at home!). If you’re a fan of the television programs “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Dancing with the Stars,” this will not be unfamiliar territory for you. And even if you’re not, you won’t fail to be mesmerized by both the athleticism and artistry — not to mention the nerves of steel — of the performers. One of the highlights of any Cirque Eloize production is the Cyr Wheel, designed by co-founder Daniel Cyr. The light, flexible wheel allows circus performers to execute a virtually infinite number of acrobatic figures, using the apparatus almost as an extension of their body. It debuted in 2003 at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris, where Cyr won the Silver Medal for his Cyr Wheel number. It has since been part of other Cirque spectacles, as well as in Cirque du Soleil’s “Corteo,” and during the closing ceremonies for the 2008 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy. Close to 100 acrobats around the world now practice this discipline, including 30 who were trained by Cyr himself. The technique is also being taught at a number of circus schools in Europe, at the National Circus School in Montreal, and at Cirque du Soleil. According to Painchaud, the theme of the current traveling show is about finding one’s identity and one’s individuality. He has described the production as “West Side Story meets hip-hop,” where city kids — the Sharks and the Jets, if you will —experience both fights and love affairs, expressed not in song but through dance and acrobatics.

Urban aesthetics iD has a very real-world, urban feel to it, which Baltimoreans should relate to. The set is a replication — albeit stylized — of any urban center. And whereas actors in a musical move the story along by breaking into song, in iD the action is propelled by acrobats, break dancers, contortionists, and even a stunt-biker whose exploits seem right out of an action movie. Unlike the performers in Cirque du Soleil who most often appear in form-fit-

PHOTO COURTESY OF CIRQUE ELOIZE

By Carol Sorgen By now, many of us are familiar — and happily so — with Cirque du Soleil, the Montreal performing troupe that reinvented circus arts and has appeared under the big top in Baltimore on many occasions. You may be less familiar, however, with another Canadian-grown “nouveau cirque” (contemporary circus) company known as Cirque Eloize (pronounced el-WHAZ). The two are related (the founder of Cirque Eloize was once a member of Cirque du Soleil), and they both have taken the circus to new heights — literally. But whereas Cirque du Soleil’s productions tend to have a more ethereal, otherworldly feel, Cirque Eloize is grittier and more reality-based. This you’ll get to see for yourself when Cirque Eloize brings its latest production, iD, to the Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric for a brief engagement on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 5-6. Cirque Eloize (which means “heat lightning” in Acadian French) was founded in 1993 by Jeannot Painchaud, Daniel Cyr and Julie Hamelin. It has created seven original productions so far, and presented more than 4,000 performances in more than 400 cities and 30 countries. It also develops tailor-made concepts for international special events, such as the recent Summer Olympics in London. Founder and director Painchaud said that the company’s productions are a mix of urban dance, contortion and circus artistry, achieved by collaborating with performers from both theater and contemporary dance to create a new theatrical experience.

Cirque Eloize members meld acrobatics, videos and even rollerblading in their performances. They will perform their latest show, iD, on Jan. 5 and 6 at the Lyric.

ting leotards that show off their incredibly flexible form, the cast members of iD appear in costumes that resemble everyday street wear, and their faces are not hidden by masks. There are other major differences between Cirque du Soleil and Cirque Eloize, according to Painchaud, chief among them the fact that characters in Eloize shows are based in reality rather than from another world or the imagination, as you are likely to see in Cirque du Soleil. As Baltimore theatergoers know all too

well, it’s rare that any engagement plays here for very long. That’s again the case with Cirque Eloize, but there’s still plenty of time to buy tickets and make plans for a performance that will leave you anticipating their next visit to town. Cirque Eloize’s production of iD will be presented at the Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave., on Jan. 5, at 8 p.m. and Jan. 6 at 1 and 5:30 p.m. Tickets range from $42 to $76. For reservations, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Cars, boats, furniture, antiques, tools, appliances Everything and anything is sold on

Radio Flea Market Heard every Sunday, 6:30-8 a.m. on 680 WCBM

BALTIMORE BEACON — JANUARY 2013

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Growing theater troupes face challenges By Dan Collins If you’re a fan of Baltimore theater, chances are you’ve seen an Equity production at Center Stage or the Everyman, which just recently moved to its “brand new, state-of-the-art home” in what was once the old Town Theater on Fayette Street. Yet, if you take a moment to look around, you might be surprised to find curtains rising all across the city. Baltimore offers a deluge of dramatic delights, from plays and productions with a focus on women at the Strand, to the Arena Players’ commitment to the African American community, children’s fare at the Pumpkin Theater, the eternal Bard celebrated by the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, and all the Gilbert and Sullivan you could want at the “Young Vic.” “Baltimore is a very fertile market for all theater, doing very new, experimental works as well as more developed and published works,” said Fuzz Roarke, executive director and managing/artistic director of the Spotlighters Theatre, now celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Strong theater tradition For Roarke, one of the distinguishing characteristics of the Baltimore theater community is its commitment to education and audience development. “Center Stage, Everyman, Chesapeake

Shakespeare Company… all focus on new and traditional works and have extensive outreach programs into local high schools and colleges,” he said. “This provides an incubator for young folks to gain exposure to attending theater — and for performing or working in theater.” Roarke also noted that Baltimore has a strong tradition, stretching back nearly a century, for showcasing theatrical talent. “Baltimore in the 1940s was one of the cities in which a touring show had to ‘make it’ before the show would be considered viable for Broadway,” said Roarke. “That’s why Baltimore had so many 600- to 800-seat grand theaters (which, unfortunately, are now either being torn down or falling in on themselves).” Evan Margolis is founder and associate artistic director of one of Baltimore’s newest theaters, the Beth Tfiloh Community Theater (BTCT). BTCT locates its roots in education, starting off in 2009 as a student theater group. Now a “complete community theater,” Margolis notes that his theater’s appeal lies in the fact that there’s something “for everyone: acting, painting and music for the artsy folk; lights, sound and special effects for the tech buffs; power tools, drill bits and construction for the heavy lifters. Examining Baltimore’s theatrical landscape overall, Margolis believes that a lot of what makes the region such a mecca for

Local theaters Annex Theatre, (585) 750-4635, www.baltimoreannextheater.org The Arena Players, (410) 728.6500, www.arenaplayersinc.com Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre, (410) 752-1225, www.spotlighters.org Baltimore Rock Opera Society, www.baltimorerockopera.org Beth Tfiloh Community Theatre, (410) 413-2417, www.bethtfiloh.com/BTCT Black Cherry Puppet Theatre, (410) 752-7272, www.blackcherry.org Center Stage, (410) 332-0033, www.centerstage.org Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, www.chesapeakeshakespeare.com Cockpit in Court, CCBC Essex, (443) 840-ARTS, www.ccbcmd.edu/cockpit/index.html Dundalk Community Theater, (443) 840-ARTS, www.ccbcmd.edu/performingarts/dct.html Everyman Theatre, (410) 752-2208, www.everymantheatre.org Fells Point Corner Theater, www.fpct.org Generous Company, http:’/generouscompany.org/site2/ Glass Mind Theater (currently in residence at Mobtown Players), contact@glassmindtheatre.com Heritage Players, (443) 575-6645, www.heritageplayers.com Iron Crow Theatre, (443) 637-CROW (2769), www.ironcrowtheatre.com. The Mobtown Players, mobtown@mobtownplayers.com, www.mobtownplayers.com Pumpkin Theatre, (410) 828-1814, www.pumpkintheatre.com Salt Luck Arts Company, saltluckarts@gmail.com, http://saltluckarts.wordpress.com/ Single Carrot Theatre, http://singlecarrot.com/ Strand Theater Co., www.strand-theater.org Still Pointe Theatre Initiative, http://stillpointeti.tumblr.com/ Theatre Hopkins, (410) 516-5153, http://krieger.jhu.edu/theatre-arts Theatrical Mining Company, (410) 710-8166, tmc.originalplays.com Theatre Project, (410) 752-8558, http://theatreproject.org Vagabond Players, (410) 563-9135 www.vagabondplayers.org Young Victorian Theatre Company, www.yvtc.org

strong dramatic performance lies in geography. “Because of Baltimore’s proximity to Washington and New York — both of which feature some of the best theater in the country — our expectations for quality and frequency of theater may be a bit higher than in other areas,” said Margolis. “We have a great combination of people who enjoy experiencing the arts and people who are interested in artistic expression.”

Assembling ensemble groups Some smaller groups in town, like the Generous Company (which once made New York its home), have even relocated to Baltimore. They will present a monthlong festival of new works in January. Generous, like many of the newer companies springing up around the city, is what is known as an ensemble theater group. Most ensemble theater companies are run by the artists themselves, who decide on the troupe’s mission and aesthetic focus, and decide as a group what works (mainly contemporary) will be produced. Some ensemble theater groups hold open auditions for members of the community, but most use their company members not only as actors, but for everything

else as well —from ticket sales to directing. This differs from traditional community theatres, which usually have separate and distinct artistic and administrative divisions. Besides the Generous Company, other local ensemble companies include the Annex Theatre, the Glass Mind Theatre, Baltimore Rock Opera Society, Baltimore Shakespeare Factory, and the recently organized StillPointe Theatre Initiative. Since it looks like the ensemble theater is going to be an ongoing part of the local theater scene, an informal association has even been formed. Called the Baltimore Network of Ensemble Theaters, it’s based on the Network of Ensemble Theaters, which is made up of 150 members across the country.

Performance spaces needed While the number of ensemble theaters in Baltimore is growing, it’s not all tossed bouquets and curtain calls for Baltimore’s theater scene. According to Brent Englar, director of the Mobtown Playwrights Group and a board member of the Mobtown Players, “Theater cannot flourish long term without stable, reliable performance spaces, if See THEATERS, page 29

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JANUARY 2013 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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BALTIMORE BEACON — JANUARY 2013

From page 27 not permanent homes, for the diverse companies.” In other words, not every acting troupe has a place to toss its collective hat, wigs and grease paint. Single Carrot Theater, for example, which looked at 50 different cities before choosing Baltimore, arrived in town with no permanent home and gave its initial performances on the Mobtown Theater stage. Eventually, it relocated to space at the Load of Fun gallery on North Avenue, but when that was closed, had to pack up again and move to the 1700 block of N. Charles St. “The closing of Load of Fun in Station North has dominated recent conversations” among Baltimore theatre groups, said Englar. “It reinforced the fragility of the Baltimore theater landscape. “All the talented and enthusiastic people in the city can only go so far without sufficient infrastructure, not only for making art, but for presenting it so that audiences always know where to find it,” he said. “If Baltimore is truly serious about investing longterm in the arts and in arts districts, the investment must include physical space.”

And no matter what the age of the audience, there are many more forms of entertainment available than there once were — and many that can be taken advantage of from the comfort of your own living room, not to mention at little or no expense. Still, Baltimore theaters are trying to broaden their appeal to all groups. “We provide a diverse selection within our season,” said Roarke. He tries to live up to Spotlighters’ founder Audrey Herman’s philosophy that theater should provoke some new emotion in the audience. “If the audience doesn’t think about something new, feel something different, and maybe act on this new experience, then we aren’t doing our job. “I strongly believe that there cannot be too much theater in Baltimore, whether it’s improv, devised or collaborative works, or Shakespeare and Shaw,” Roarke continued. “As long as it is good theater, then every theater and every theatergoer in town will benefit.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF BETH TFILOH COMMUNITY THEATER

Theaters

Beth Tfiloh Community Theater members have performed since 2009. They are among the newer companies in an ever-growing number of Baltimore-area theater groups.

Your New Lifestyle Begins Here

Other challenges to confront Another drawback for today’s theater companies is the size — and age — of its audiences. For Roarke, one of local theater’s biggest challenges is making the stage appealing to today’s youth. “There is a very present awareness in Baltimore among the established theatres that we are not reaching the under-25-yearold audience,” he said. Indeed, audiences of all ages have dwindled in recent years. As audiences age, they may be reluctant to drive to unfamiliar neighborhoods, where a lot of smaller companies perform.

ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD S C U D S

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From page 30.

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JANUARY 2013 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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Puzzle Page

Crossword Puzzle Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus Daily Limit by Stephen Sherr 1

4 13

17 20

25 29

49 54

35 38

9 16

JUMBLE ANSWERS

Scrabble answers on p. 29.

Across

Down

1. The limit for how many fish you can catch in this puzzle 4. “Doe ___” 9. Confusion 12. Steeple sound 15. Cheese connoisseur 16. Futbol tally 17. Mouth sore 18. Body images 19. Not quite gross 20. Subtext to every Cubs World Series victory 23. Sign outside H.M.S. Pinafore, maybe 24. School in L.A. (or Columbia) 25. Method to convert bits to bytes 28. Protected from the weather 32. Appeared innocent 35. Ice cream purchase 36. Bit of Morse Code 37. Nobel laureate Niels 38. Homework assignment 40. ___ physicist (was introduced to Stephen Hawking) 41. Ginger drink 42. Alice’s balladeer 43. Removed a burden 44. Military band instrument 48. The largest city in Pitkin County, Colorado 49. Barn bird 50. Inventor of the detective story 53. Judge’s question to the foreman 58. Wine barrel wood 60. Some are dominant 61. See 29 Down 62. Use a credit card 63. Verb with thou 64. Profession 65. And I Love ___ 66. Returns to the stable 67. 2012 candidate Paul

1. Gulf War missiles 2. Further under the weather 3. Cutting company 4. Three on ___ 5. Sullen 6. Peseta replacer 7. Abraham’s grandson 8. Log off and on 9. Stock market symbols 10. Soccer tally 11. Understood 13. Middle third of an ITINERARY 14. Airplane’s destination 21. Contortion conclusion 22. Uncommon sense 26. Fuming 27. ___ To Be You 28. The end of cash 29. Bath additives (with 61 Across) 30. Spy story org. 31. “___ questions?” 32. Addis ___ (Ethiopian capital) 33. Secret recipe subjects 34. Important volleyball player 38. Mess up a pop-up 39. ___-mo 40. West side name 42. When most NHL (but not NFL) games are played 43. Sign up 45. City quadrants 46. Tells war stories 47. Pay off the mortgage 50. Kodiak relative 51. Get the higher score 52. German steel city 54. Injure a muscle 55. Hit the reset button 56. Cozy abode 57. 31-day mo. 58. “Preeeettty” 59. Amazement

Answers on page 29.

Answer: What the stockbrokers gave the attentive waiter — A GOOD "TIP" Jumbles: PIECE YOUNG COUSIN DULCET

BALTIMORE BEACON — JANUARY 2013

CLASSIFIEDS The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on the right. CAVEAT EMPTOR! The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot ac cept responsibility for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment. EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS: We will not knowingly or intentionally accept advertising in violation of federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap in connection with employment or the sale or rental of real estate.

For Rent/Sale: Real Estate RENOVATED AND FURNISHED 2BR & den rancher; Mt. Carmel Road, large yard. Month-to-month lease; $2500 per month plus utilities. Send inquiry to zinntwin@gmail.com. SALE CONDO move-in condition. Fresh paint neutral. 2BR, 2BA, balcony, wooded view, pool, club house privileges. Updates: kitchen, fast flush toilets, crown molding, wood floor, b-room tile. E. Reisterstown – 410-870-6890.

For Sale 2 SALVADOR DALI woodblock prints from Dante’s Divine Comedy. Signed and framed. Asking $900 for the pair. Can email pictures if desired. Call Steve 410-913-1653.

Personal Servicecs PERSONAL ASSISTANT I do it all. Cook, clean, drive, paint & light computer, etc. Semiretired male. Part-time. $18/hour. 410-6276468, Alan.

Letters to editor From page 2 These transfers accompanied a payroll tax cut and were deficit-financed by design. They represent a deliberate policy decision by federal lawmakers to borrow to permit Social Security to pay benefits well beyond those that could be financed from participant contributions.” Dear Editor: Your Dear Pharmacist column by Suzy Cohen is so interesting and informative. I look forward to reading it in the Beacon. Recently, I read her column (November 2012) about chamomile and apigenin — a citrus bioflavonoid found in it, including

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Personal Services LEARN ENGLISH – SPANISH – ITALIAN – FRENCH – PORTUGUESE Conversational. Grammatical. Private lessons. Reasonable Rates. Tutoring students. 443-352-8200. BOOK WITH BOOKER TRANSPORTATION Private sightseeing tours, group, individual service to bingo, casinos, airport, train, terminal-marina. Will pick-up, deliver for cruises. Clean, courteous, prompt service, family owned, operated. Baltimore City, County, Harford, Howard. (Senior Discount) Book with Booker (Van Service) 443-687-4477.

Wanted CASH BUYER for old costume jewelry, pocket and wrist watches (any condition). Also buying watch maker tools and parts, train sets and accessories, old toys, old glassware & coins. 410-655-0412. BUYING NUMISMATIC COINS and most gold or silver items including coins, sterling, jewelry, etc. Will come to you with best cash offer. Call Paul: 410-756-1906. COLLECTOR BUYING MODERN FURNITURE, lighting, art & accessories from the 1940’s – 1970’s. Danish/Scan, Knoll, Herman Miller, Dunbar, Paul Evans, Thayer Coggin, Harvey Probber, Vladimir Kagan, Nakashima, etc. Also buying abstract modern art, ceramics, glass and records. Please call 202-213-9768. FINE ANTIQUES, PAINTINGS AND QUALITY VINTAGE FURNISHINGS wanted by a serious capable buyer. I am very well educated [law degree] knowledgeable [over 40 years in the antique business] and have the finances and wherewithal to handle virtually any situation. If you have a special item, collection or important estate I would like to hear from you. I pay great prices for great things in all categories from oriental rugs to Tiffany objects, from rare clocks to firearms, from silver and gold to classic cars. If it is wonderful I am interested. No phony promises or messy consignments. References gladly furnished. Please call Jake Lenihan 301-279-8834. Thank you. VINYL RECORDS WANTED from 1950 through 1985. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or 78s, Larger collections of at least 100 items wanted. Please call John, 301-596-6201. $$$ NEED CASH $$$ We’ll Buy Your Stuff. Moving/downsizing, De-Cluttering, Loved One has passed. We Plan and Operate Estate Sales. Help You Sell on E-Bay and Craigslist. We Clean Out Buildings, Barns, Sheds and More... Call for other services 443-514-8583.

grapefruit. I cannot eat citrus except lemon and lime juice, and especially not grapefruit, for medical reasons. Is it safe for me to still drink chamomile tea that I have always enjoyed so much? All of Suzy Cohen’s columns are well worth reading and a great help. She’s are a great asset to the Beacon. Kay Anderson Via email Suzy Cohen replies: Lovely to hear from you! Usually when people are allergic to citrus, or have interactions with grapefruit and medication, it’s due to the naringen (sometimes called naringenin). Apigenin is completely different. It should be fine for you to have a little chamomile tea.

BEACON BITS

Jan. 24

BACK TO CLASS

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Towson University will hold a preview of Spring 2013 classes on Jan. 24 at Goucher College, Merrick Lecture Hall, 1021 Dulaney Valley Rd. Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. Program is from 10 a.m. to noon and is free and open to the public. For more information or to make a reservation, call (410) 704-3688.

TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED Deadlines and Payments: Ad text and payment is due by the 5th of each month. Note: Only ads received and prepaid by the deadline will be included in the next month’s issue. Please type or print your ad carefully. Include a number where you can be reached in the event of a question. Payment is due with ad. We do not accept ads by phone or fax, nor do we accept credit cards. Private Party Text Ads: For individuals seeking to buy or sell particular items, or place a personal ad. Each ad is $10 for 25 words, 25 cents for each additional word. Business Text Ads: For parties engaged in an ongoing business enterprise. Each ad is $25 for 25 words, 50 cents for each additional word. Note: Each real estate listing counts as one business text ad.

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Dec.

GROWING UP AFRO: SNAPSHOTS OF A BLACK CHILDHOOD

This pictorial exhibition at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture marks the 120th anniversary of the Afro-American newspaper, the second-longest-running black periodical in the country. The museum, located at 830 E. Pratt St., is open Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission ranges from free to $8. Call (443) 263-1800 or visit www.rflewismuseum.org.

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JANUARY 2013 — BALTIMORE BEACON