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Losing their long-time homes

JANUARY 2016

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By Ben Nuckols In the rapidly gentrifying nation’s capital, real estate investors aren’t the only ones flipping houses for profit. The city’s public housing authority is getting in on the action — moving older tenants out of homes where they’ve lived for decades, renovating them, and selling them to wealthy buyers. The renovations, at a cost of more than $300,000 per home, are outfitting the houses with luxury amenities. Some of the houses have sold for nearly $900,000. Others, however, have sat vacant for a year or longer after their aging tenants were forced out. The housing authority plans to use the profits to renovate existing subsidized rental units and build new ones. But most of that work hasn’t started, and none of the money has gone to new construction yet, according to the agency. Meanwhile, sales have been slow-moving and haphazard. Some elderly tenants and their children have asked for an opportunity to purchase the homes, only to be rebuffed, even after spending thousands of dollars maintaining the rental properties over the years.

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Sought-after neighborhoods The homes are known in public-housing circles as “scattered sites” — single-family properties around Washington that are rented to public-housing tenants. Many are in desirable neighborhoods — including Capitol Hill and Shaw, where median home prices have more than doubled in the past 15 years to $500,000-plus. The District of Columbia Housing Authority once had more than 300 scattered sites and has been slowly selling them off since the 1990s. The homes were typically sold to low- and moderate-income buyers or to nonprofits that maintained them as affordable housing — a practice common to housing authorities nationwide. But in 2010, when the city’s real-estate market began to rebound after the Great Recession, the agency started treating the properties as real-estate investors would — gutting, rehabbing and selling them for as much as the market can bear. District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser said she’s asked her city administrator to look into the D.C. Housing Authority’s practice of flipping single-family

L E I S U R E & T R AV E L In 2014, the District of Columbia Housing Authority forced Levant Graham, 84, out of the home in D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood where she had lived for over 40 years. The house still stands vacant. The housing authority is moving aging tenants out of public housing in gentrifying neighborhoods, renovating the homes, and selling them to wealthy buyers.

homes in its inventory. She also noted she wants to make sure that the housing authority’s practices are consistent with her administration’s goal of preserving affordable housing in the city. The mayor appoints members to the housing authority board but has no influence over its policies. The authority is independent and funded mostly by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The authority took over management of the scattered sites — originally intended as an alternative to conventional public housing — from city government in the mid-1990s when the city’s financial struggles prompted a takeover by Congress. Since then, it has been selling them off gradually with HUD approval.

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Older tenants forced out One home, on a well-kept block in Capitol Hill, has been vacant since late 2013, when the longtime tenants — Lula Brooks, 81, and her husband, Sonny, 82 — were abruptly moved out. Brooks and her son said the housing authority threw away many of her belongings — including a washing machine, furniture, clothing and personal documents. The authority disputes this account, but Brooks’ next-door neighbor, Jon Wadsworth, told the Associated Press he watched as employees threw the belongings away. Furthermore, Brooks and her son said that, over the years, since the housing auSee SENIORS EVICTED, page 28

TECHNOLOGY k Our vulnerable power grid

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Out of your pocket Even drugs you may never take are This number and some more shocking costing you money. ones come from a recent Associated Yes, that’s the way insurPress (AP) investigation into ance (and Medicare) are supMedicare’s costs for new posed to work: group healthtreatments for hepatitis C — a care coverage averages the viral condition spread by concosts of the “many well” with tact with infected blood that those of the “relatively few ill” affects some 3 million Amerito come up with a reasonable cans (170 million worldwide). cost we all pay. It can cause severe liver disThat is a good system, in ease, requiring expensive general. Don’t we all prefer to transplants in advanced cases. know that, should we or someUntil last year, there was no one we love require a medical FROM THE single treatment that cured treatment that costs, say, PUBLISHER most cases of hepatitis C, and By Stuart P. Rosenthal $100,000 — or even $100,000 a even those that helped a nummonth — it will be available ber of patients came with seriunder our existing healthcare coverage ous side effects. without bankrupting us? In 2014, Gilead Sciences obtained FDA Medicare routinely adds such new treat- approval for Sovaldi (sofosbuvir), which ments to its coverage, even when the when paired with existing drugs cures the longevity benefit provided by some of condition in 12 weeks for over 90 percent of these is measured in months. This fact is patients. Gilead currently charges $84,000 something we seem to have accepted as a for one course of the drug in the U.S. society. Gilead argues that cost is reasonable, But what if it turned out that each new given that lifetime costs of other treatments treatment that extended some patients’ for the typical patient can be considerably lives could cost everyone on Medicare an more than that, not to mention all the addiextra $40 a year or more out of pocket? tional suffering those treatments entail. Would there come a point where this would However, the basic structure of the lead to a reconsideration? drug was developed primarily through uni-

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overnight. Why? Because they could. These cases raise some general questions that, fortunately, are starting to be discussed more widely: Should drug manufacturers be able to continue setting drug prices based solely on what the market will bear, particularly when taxpayer-funded research is utilized? If not, what principles should guide us in imposing restrictions on the basic economic freedom to set prices? Some private insurance companies and state Medicaid programs restrict which patients are covered for new treatments like Sovaldi. As consumers, should we expect or even encourage insurers, including Medicare, to limit usage of the most costly new drugs? Should our willingness to share the economic costs of medical advances be conditioned on the amount or quality of benefit they produce? That is, should a cure, like Sovaldi, be treated differently from a treatment that extends the life of a cancer patient by a few months? We live in an age of rapidly advancing medical knowledge and lengthening lives. Many illnesses that once were fatal have become chronic diseases we can live with for many years. The benefits are undeniable. As treatments proliferate and costs rise, however, we may find ourselves facing uncomfortable economic choices. I invite you to share your opinion about these matters. Please write or email us. We will print as many responses as space permits in a future issue.

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The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Washington DC area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Greater Baltimore, Howard County, Md. and Greater Palm Springs, Calif. Readership exceeds 400,000. Subscriptions are available via first-class mail ($36) or third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. D.C. and Maryland 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 of Operations ....Gordon Hasenei • Director of Sales ................................Alan Spiegel • Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben • Art Director ........................................Kyle Gregory • Assistant Operations Manager ..........Roger King • Advertising Representatives ........Doug Hallock, ......................Dan Kelly, Rena Pensky, M.K. Phillips • Editorial Assistant ........................Rebekah Sewell

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versity research underwritten by U.K. and U.S. government funding (including NIH grants). In India, where Gilead’s patent was rejected on the grounds that its underlying technology had already been invented, the same treatment is available from generic manufacturers for $300. Last fall, the AP asked Medicare’s Office of the Chief Actuary to calculate what this new hepatitis C treatment would cost Medicare in 2015. The actuary estimated that the Medicare Part D prescription drug program would spend $9.2 billion on hepatitis C drugs — a 96 percent increase from the $4.7 billion spent in 2014. “That works out to nearly 7 percent of drug costs for all of Part D,” the AP reported, emphasis added. How does such a sharp increase in the cost to treat one particular condition affect overall out-of-pocket costs of individual Medicare beneficiaries? According to AP, “Because Medicare prescription benefits are delivered through private insurance companies, it’s difficult to tease out the effect on premiums. “But another indicator called the Part D deductible gives a general idea. A deductible is the amount of drug costs that beneficiaries are responsible for each year before their insurance kicks in. “In 2016, the prescription program’s standard deductible is going up by $40, to $360. It’s by far the largest increase in the deductible since the inception of Part D 10 years ago.” And it’s not only new breakthroughs that are leading to huge increases in treatment costs. As has been widely reported, last September, Turing Pharmaceuticals raised the price of a long-time treatment for parasites from $13.50 to $750 per pill, literally

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 email to barbara@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Dear Editor: Where is Suzy Cohen? I always pick up a copy of the Beacon because of her column, but I have missed reading her for the last two issues. Please let me know what is going on! Thank you. Gillian Austin Rockville, Md. Editor’s reply: While we didn’t have room to include Suzy Cohen’s Dear Pharmacist column in the November and December editions, look for her on page 20 of this issue in a column about hair loss causes and fixes. Dear Editor: It is difficult for me to fathom as to how drug companies could be more explicit in their warnings about the possible side effects of their medications (“FDA calls for clearer warnings in drug ads,” December 2015). While perhaps visually showing a happy individual who takes a specific drug,

the verbal message is still there in the ads. The blame for the present tendency to over medicate can be attributed to the drug companies, doctors and patients almost equally. The drug companies press medicines that many times have only minor benefits. Doctors, based on patients’ demands, will prescribe unneeded medicines. Finally, patients inundated by drug ads will demand medicines for minor ailments, with the side effects being of more concern than the underlying medical problem. A number of my friends take up to nine different medicines per day, many of which are designed to alleviate the side effects of other drugs! This alone should be a reason to reduce the number of medications we all take. Nelson Marans Silver Spring, Md.

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Innovations U.S. power grid vulnerable to cyberattacks By Grance Burke and Jonathan Fahey Brian Wallace, a security researcher at the cybersecurity firm Cylance, was on the trail of hackers who had snatched a California university’s housing files when he stumbled into a larger nightmare: Cyberattackers had opened a pathway into the networks running the United States’ power grid. The attack involved Calpine Corp. — a power producer with 82 plants operating in 18 states and Canada. Digital clues pointed to Iranian hackers. And Wallace found that they had already taken passwords, as well as engineering drawings of dozens of power plants, at least one with the title “Mission Critical.” The drawings were so detailed that experts say

skilled attackers could have used them, along with other tools and malicious code, to knock out electricity flowing to millions of homes. Wallace was astonished. But this breach, the Associated Press has found, was not unique. The AP conducted more than 120 interviews looking at the vulnerability of the energy grid as part of a yearlong examination of the state of the nation’s infrastructure. Cyberattacks designed to steal information are steadily growing in scope and frequency; there have been high-profile hacks of Target, eBay and federal targets such as the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. But assaults on the power grid and other critical infrastructure aim to go a step further. Trained, well-funded adversaries can

gain control of physical assets — power plants, substations and transmission equipment. With extensive control, they could knock out the electricity vital to daily life and the economy, and endanger the flow of power to mass transportation, military installations and home refrigerators. According to a previously reported study by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, a coordinated attack on just nine critical power stations could cause a coast-tocoast blackout that could last months, far longer than the one that plunged the Northeast into darkness in 2003.

sophisticated foreign hackers have gained enough remote access to control the operations networks that keep the lights on, according to top experts who spoke only on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the subject matter. The public almost never learns the details about these types of attacks. They’re rarer, but also potentially more dangerous than data theft. Information about the government’s response to these hacks is often protected and sometimes classified; many are never even reported to the government. These intrusions have not caused the kind of cascading blackouts that are feared

Foreign governments involved About a dozen times in the last decade,

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Power grid From page 3 by the intelligence community. But so many attackers have stowed away in the largely investor-owned systems that run the U.S. electric grid that experts say they likely have the capability to strike at will. In 2012 and 2013, in well-publicized attacks, Russian hackers successfully sent and received encrypted commands to U.S. public utilities and power generators. Some private firms concluded this was an effort to position interlopers to act in the event of a political crisis. And the Department of Homeland Security announced about a year ago that a separate hacking campaign — believed by some private firms to have Russian origins — had injected software with malware that allowed the attackers to spy on U.S. ener-

gy companies. Private firms have alleged other recent hacks of networks and machinery tied to the U.S. power grid were carried out by teams from within Russia and China, some with governmental support. Even the Islamic State group is trying to hack American power companies, a top Homeland Security official told industry executives last October.

An outdated, vulnerable system Many of the substations and equipment that move power across the U.S. are decrepit and were never built with network security in mind. Hooking them up to the Internet over the last decade has given hackers new backdoors in. Plus, hundreds of contractors sell software and equipment to energy companies, and attackers have successfully used those

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outside companies as a way to get inside networks tied to the grid. The rush to tie smart meters, home programmable thermostats and other smart appliances to the grid also is causing fresh vulnerabilities. About 45 percent of homes in the U.S. are hooked up to a smart meter, which measures electricity usage and shares information with the grid. Their security is flimsy. Some can be hacked by plugging in an adapter that costs $30 on eBay, researchers say. The attack involving Calpine is particularly disturbing because the cyberspies grabbed so much, according to previously unreported documents and interviews. Cybersecurity experts say the breach began at least as far back as August 2013, and could still be going on today. Calpine spokesman Brett Kerr said the company’s information was stolen from a contractor that does business with Calpine. He said the stolen diagrams and passwords were old — some diagrams dated to 2002 — and presented no threat, though some outside experts disagree. Kerr would not say whether the configuration of the power plants’ operations networks — also valuable information — remained the same as when the intrusion occurred, or whether it was possible the attackers still had a foothold. According to the AP investigation, the hackers got: — User names and passwords that could be used to connect remotely to Calpine’s networks. Even if some of the information was outdated, experts say skilled hackers could have found a way to update the passwords and slip past firewalls to get into the operations network. Eventually, they say, the intruders could have shut down generating stations, fouled communications networks, and possibly caused a blackout near the plants. — Detailed engineering drawings of

networks and power stations from New York to California — 71 in all — showing the precise location of devices that communicate with gas turbines, boilers and other crucial equipment attackers would need to hack specific plants. — Additional diagrams showing how those local plants transmit information back to the company’s virtual cloud — knowledge attackers could use to mask their activity. Calpine didn’t know its information had been compromised until it was informed by Cylance, Kerr said. Cylance notified the FBI, which warned the U.S. energy sector in an unclassified bulletin last December that a group using Iran-based IP addresses had targeted the industry. Homeland Security spokesman SY Lee said that his agency is coordinating efforts to strengthen grid cybersecurity nationwide and to raise awareness about evolving threats to the electric sector through industry trainings and risk assessments. As Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas acknowledged in an interview, however, “we are not where we need to be” on cybersecurity. That’s partly because the grid is largely privately owned and has entire sections that fall outside federal regulation, which experts argue leaves the sector poorly defended against a growing universe of hackers seeking to access its networks. No one claims that it would be easy to bring down the grid. To circumvent companies’ security, adversaries must understand the networks well enough to write code that can communicate with tiny computers that control generators and other major equipment. Even then, it’s difficult to cause a widespread blackout because the grid is designed to keep electricity flowing when equipment or lines go down — an almost See POWER GRID, page 5

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daily occurrence that customers never see. Because it would take such expertise to plunge a city or region into darkness, some say threats to the grid are overstated — in particular, by those who get paid to help companies protect their networks. Still, even those who said the risks of cyber threats can be exaggerated agree it is possible for cyberattackers to cause a large-scale blackout. Authorities say they take the threat seriously. Homeland Security said it had helped

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more than 100 energy and chemical companies improve their cyber defenses, and held both classified and unclassified briefings in June 2013 and late 2014 on threats to companies associated with power grid operations. Still, even the utility companies’ own experts, who maintain it would be extraordinarily difficult for a hacker to knock out power to customers, admit there is always a way in. “If the motivation is high enough on the attacker side, and they have funding to accomplish their mission, they will find a way,” said Sean Parcel, lead cyberinvestigator for American Electric Power. — AP

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The website Greater Greater Washington has the goal of helping make residents in the region more informed and civically engaged. As its tagline says: “The Washington, D.C. area is great. But it could be greater.”

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The site focuses primarily on traffic and transit — some of the most vexing issues in the area. Greater Greater Washington recently posted about a possible rise in D.C. traffic fines, ideas to curb drunk driving, and cool old photos of the construction of the Metro Center subway stop in 1975. http://greatergreaterwashington.org

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Links & Apps From page 5 tirement planning, to wheelchair exercises. All content on the site is accessible and simply written, and the text is large for viewing ease. Not for those who dislike the term “senior.” http://seniors.lovetoknow.com

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you know when their birthday is coming up and how old they are turning. You even get a countdown of several days in case you want to plan ahead. Users can also create original greetings cards, which can be sent (on time!) via social media or text message. Happy B’day! — Birthday Reminder is available free for iPhone. Similar apps (Birthdays Reminder is one) are available free for Android phones.

Track your health stats Keep track of your weight, resting

heartbeat and blood pressure with one of iPhone’s top-rated health apps: HeartWise Blood Pressure Tracker is an easy-to-use app that illustrates your health trends. You must take your measurements yourself and enter them, and relevant information can be imported from other apps. But then the app can generate a spreadsheet or text report that offers instant visualization of your health trends over time. It is an effective tool to show your doctor, or to simply keep track of your important health stats. HeartWise Blood Pressure Tracker is available for $0.99 for iPhone. A similar program called simply Blood Pressure Tracker is available free for Android phones.

BEACON BITS

Weds.

LEARN TO USE E-BOOKS

The Marilyn J. Praisner Library presents a free e-book seminar every Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. No registration needed. Bring a Kindle, Nook, iPad, or any other electronic device. The library is located at 14910 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, Md. For more information, call (240) 773-9460.

Ongoing

FREE STREAMING MOVIES

The Arlington County Public Library offers free movie streaming through a steaming service called IndieFlix. Streaming videos allows library card users to watch films for free on their computers or mobile devices. Users need to create a membership to login. For more information or to register, visit http://library.arlingtonva.libguides.com/IndieFlix.

“I want to get back to my job, my grandkids, my life.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL

301-354-4600

After an illness, injury or surgery, you need someone by your side more than ever—a team of professional caregivers whose sole mission is to help you return to the life you love most. You tell us your rehabilitation goals and we’ll partner with you to create a holistic wellness plan that is tailored to you. Whether you want to get back to golf, gardening or the grandkids, we can help you do that confidently, efficiently and comfortably.

• Speech Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Physical Therapy

9701 Veirs Drive | Rockville, MD 20850 | 301-354-4600 | www.mypotentialrehab.org The Village at Rockville is sponsored by National Lutheran Communities & Services, a faith-based, not-for-profit ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, serving people of all beliefs.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

The most meaningful words to describe Holy Cross Germantown Hospital are:

Your Very Own.

PAUL IS BACK TO WORK AFTER COMPLEX SPINE SURGERY Paul Bennett was dealing with crippling back pain that made working at the job he loves virtually impossible. For the past 38 years, Paul has been a floral designer—a career that kept him standing all day to design arrangements and lugging heavy buckets of water up and down the stairs.

Dr. Mathur was able to perform the complex spine surgery through a five-inch incision, compared to much larger incisions that would have been used in the past. “The advantages of a smaller incision are less pain and a faster recovery,” Dr. Mathur says. “Today, we offer many new surgical techniques to improve patient outcomes.”

“It’s a physically demanding job and my back couldn’t take it anymore,” says the 62 year old.

Paul was out of bed the day after his surgery and stayed just three nights at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital, where the spacious private rooms have comfortable furniture, private bathrooms, cable television and Internet access.

Paul had developed a herniated disk and previous surgeries complicated matters. After discussing his options with orthopedic spine surgeon, Sanjog Mathur, MD, Paul chose to have his surgery at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital. “Our surgeons perform hundreds of spinerelated orthopedic and neurosurgical procedures each year,” explains Zachary Levine, MD, medical director, Neurosurgery, Holy Cross Health. “We offer expert diagnosis, the latest surgical technology and skilled staff to support advanced procedures like minimally invasive spine surgery.” In 2015, Holy Cross Hospital earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Spine Certification. That same high level of care is also in practice at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital.

“The hospital is state of the art and everyone is extremely nice,” Paul says. “I was glad I made the choice to have my surgery at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital,” says Paul Bennett. “I completely trusted my surgical team.”

For Paul’s surgery, Dr. Mathur performed three procedures in all: a laminectomy, discectomy and spinal fusion. “His herniation was quite large, plus he had instability in his back,” says Dr. Mathur. “The procedure, which took about six hours, was further complicated by scar tissue from his previous surgeries. I had to free up nerves to remove the disk and then fuse the last two levels of spine together.”

In-home physical therapy and nursing visits from Holy Cross staff helped to speed Paul’s recovery. Within two weeks, he was walking unassisted and driving a week later. Thanks to a dedicated surgeon and Paul’s own efforts in physical therapy, Paul is back at work doing what he loves—creating floral works of art.

To find a physician or surgeon at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital, visit HolyCrossHealth.org or call 301-754-8800.

FREE “ASK THE DOCTORS” EVENTS Events are held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital, 19801 Observation Dr., Germantown, MD 20876. To register or for more information, call 301-754-8800 or visit HolyCrossHealth.org. Jan. 13 Improving Lung and Pulmonary Health

Jan. 20 or Feb. 17 Navigating Urologic and Gynecologic Health

Feb. 10 or Mar. 23 Overcoming Joint and Back Pain

Mar. 29 Improving Your Digestive Health

Joseph Ball, MD, Pulmonary

James Barter, MD, Gynecologic Oncology

Ricardo Cook, MD, Orthopedics

Satyanisth Agrawal, DO, Gastroenterology

Bryan Steinberg, MD, Thoracic Surgery

Shobha Sikka, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Jocelyn Idema, DO, Orthopedics

Faisal Bhinder, MD, Gastroenterology

Douglas Murphy, MD, Orthopedics

Rami Makhoul, MD, Colon and Rectal Surgery

Albert Steren, MD, Gynecologic Oncology

Jay Rhee, MD, Neurosurgery

Stephen McKenna, MD, General Surgery

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Asbury Methodist Village 301 Odendhal Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 301-987-6291

EXPLORE WINDOWS® 10 APPS

Prerequisites: Computer experience & Windows 10 PC Fee: $35 2 sessions Limit: 10 # 444 Tue Jan 5 — Jan 12 9:30am-11:30am

Windows 10 comes with a number of Universal apps that provide useful features. This course explores several of the apps and shows you how to use the Windows Store to obtain additional ones. You learn how to manage apps on the Start menu, also.

DO MORE WITH EMAIL

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $50 3 sessions Limit: 10 # 445 Fri Jan 8- Jan 22 9:30am-11:30am

Learn to take full advantage of your web-based email service. This course covers all aspects of email, including attachments and contact management. You use your own mail provider for most lessons. You need your email User ID and password for class.

MASTER MICROSOFT EDGE® BROWSER

Prerequisite: Computer experience & Windows 10 PC 2 sessions Limit: 10 Fee: $35 # 446 Mon Jan 25-Feb 1 9:30am-11:30am # 447 Tue Feb 9 – Feb 16 9:30am-11:30am

Edge is the new web browser provided with Windows 10. It contains a number of useful features that make your browsing easier. This course shows you how to setup the browser to best meet your needs and how to take advantage of the new features.

ONEDRIVE® & THE CLOUD

Prerequisite: Computer experience & Windows 10 PC Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 10 # 448 Tue Jan 26 9:30am-11:30am

The Cloud is a new place to store files and do computing. Windows 10 provides you with free storage space on the OneDrive® service. This course shows you what you can do with OneDrive® and how you can use the Cloud to do computing.

HOW CORTANA® CAN ASSIST YOU

Prerequisite: Computer experience & Windows 10 PC Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 10 # 449 Fri Feb 12 9:30am-11:30am

Cortana is the new digital personal assistant integrated into Windows 10. This course shows you how you can use Cortana to find information, answer ques-

tions, find things on your computer and do different computer tasks.

MOVING UP TO WINDOWS® 10

Prerequisite: Computer experience & Windows 10 PC Fee: $85 6 sessions Limit: 10 # 450 Mon Mar 7- Apr 11 9:30am-11:30am # 451 Tue Mar 8- Apr 12 9:30am-11:30am # 452 Fri Mar 11- Apr 15 9:30am-11:30am

You have upgraded your PC to the new Windows 10. Now you want to know how to take advantage of the several new features it introduces. This course explains what’s new and what’s familiar in Windows 10 and shows you how to use it to improve your computing experience.

ASSISTED PRACTICE

FREE sessions: an integral part of your learning. You must be registered for at least one class to participate. No Fee Wed Jan 6 — Feb 10 9:30am-1:30pm Wed Mar 9 — Apr 13 9:30am-1:30pm

continued next page

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

JCA Bronfman Center 12320 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, MD 240-395-0916

COMPUTER BASICS WITH WINDOWS® 7

Prerequisite: Windows 7 Fee: $85 6 sessions Limit: 8 # 453 Tue Feb 9 — Mar 15 10:00am-12:00pm

This course is for students who want to refresh or expand their computer skills. It covers the start menu and taskbar, files and folders, the World Wide Web, and use of applications; such as the word processor.

WINDOWS® 7 BEYOND THE BASICS

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $85 6 sessions Limit: 8 # 454 Thurs Mar 31 — May 5 1:00pm–3:00pm

This is the perfect class for Windows 7 users who have mastered the basics and want to explore further topics. Topics include managing files and folders, understanding and customizing the start menu, Aero Display functions, control panel, user accounts, disk utilities, operating system updates, backups and more!

MICROSOFT WORD 2010: FROM THE BEGINNING AND BEYOND

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $75 5 sessions Limit: 8 # 455 Mon Feb 22- Mar 21 10:00am-12:00pm

Learn basic word-processing skills using Microsoft Word, including hands-on experience creating documents of varying levels of complexity plus more advanced skills, such as illustrating documents with graphics, using templates, creating tables and advanced formatting.

YOUR IPAD® AND YOU

Prerequisite: iPad needs to be updated to the ios9.1 and have an Apple® ID and password Bring fully charged iPad to class Fee: $65 4 sessions Limit: 8 # 456 Thurs Feb 4— Feb 25 10:00am-12:00pm

Learn the basics about what you can do with your iPad and how using a tablet is different from using a desktop or laptop computer. Topics include basic navigation, apps and where you get them, how to set up your email account, managing your contact list, taking and sharing pictures, listening to music, how to keep your iPad safe and running efficiently, and how to back up data.

DISCOUNT! STUDENTS RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT WHEN BILL IS PAID IN FULL 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE START OF CLASS. If you have questions, call 240-395-0916 or email seniortech@accessjca.org

JCA SENIORTECH 10 AMAZINGLY USEFUL WEBSITES YOU NEVER KNEW EXISTED

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 8 # 457 Thurs Jan 21 1:00pm-3:00pm # 458 Thurs Mar 3 1:00pm-3:00pm

Learn about a wide range of useful websites. Tired of waiting for a company’s help desk to answer? There’s a website that gets them to call you! Print web pages without all the ads, find a manual for that appliance that needs repair, get great recipes and nutritional information, FREE coupons, FREE books and more! IPHONE®,

AN INTRODUCTION PART 1

Prerequisite: Bring fully charged iPhone to class Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 8 # 459 Wed Mar 2 10:00am-12:00pm

MEET THE TECHNOLOGY GURUS! BRING US YOUR PROBLEMS!

Fee: $30 per individual session Limit: 8 # 465 Date and time to be determined by Tech Guru

Have a 1:1 lesson with our Tech Gurus. Experts are available to help individuals with hardware or software issues. Topics: Windows® 10, buying a new computer, securing your computer, backing up the cloud, laptop/desktop Issues, photos/videos, PowerPoint® and more. Your session will last 2 hours. After you register, you will be contacted to select a date and time for your session and to discuss the questions or issues you will be working on with one of our Tech Gurus.

 NEW  NEW  NEW 

MEET THE MACTECHNOLOGY GURUS! Take the first steps to learn about navigating your BRING US YOUR PROBLEMS! iPhone, receiving and making phone calls, and using the Safari® browser.

IPHONE®,

AN INTRODUCTION PART 2

Prerequisite: Bring fully charged iPhone to class Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 8 # 460 Wed Mar 9 10:00am-12:00pm

Learn about mail, settings (including privacy and security settings), iCloud find my iPhone, and organizing favorite apps. IPHONE®,

PHOTOGRAPHY

Prerequisite: Bring fully charged iPhone to class Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 8 # 461 Wed Feb 3 10:00am-12:00pm

Learn how to use your iPhone to take, edit and share great photos.

SMART PHONES AND TABLETS USING THE ANDROID OPERATING SYSTEM WORKSHOP

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent 1 session Limit: 8 Fee: $ 20 # 462 Thurs Jan 14 10:00am-12:00pm # 463 Mon Apr 11 10:00am-12:00pm

Learn what the Android operating system is and how to work with its direct manipulation interface and see demonstrations of popular applications (apps) that run on Android.

BROWSING AND SEARCHING THE WEB **NEW**NEW**

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $ 20 1 session Limit: 8 # 464 Thurs Mar 17 10:00am-12:00pm

Using Internet Explorer®, Google Chrome®, and Google® search to teach how to more effectively use the World Wide Web. We will teach the basics but go beyond including setting up favorites and bookmarks, creating a bookmark bar, opening multiple tabs, and adding extensions to the browser. Learn many techniques to more precisely find the information you want.

ORGANIZING, ENHANCING AND SHARING YOUR DIGITAL PHOTOS - A HANDS-ON CLASS

Prerequisites: Computer experience Fee: $35 2 sessions Limit: 8 #464 Thurs Mar 17 10:00am-12:00pm # 515 Tue Mar 22 — Mar 29 10:00am-12:30pm

Maximize the enjoyment of all those pictures you've taken at family events and vacations. Learn how to use Picasa (PC version), a free tool from Google, to organize and enhance your photos and share them via web albums. In addition, you will learn how to create photo books of your pictures using one of the many photo book making tools available. This is a PC class not appropriate for Mac users. Students will work with pictures provided in class and do not have to bring pictures with them.

Fee: $30 per individual session

Limit: 8

Have a 1:1 lesson with our MacTech Gurus. Experts are available to help individuals with hardware or software issues. Topics: iPhone®, iPad®, Apple® Laptops/computers. # 466 Wed Jan 6 10:00am-12:00pm # 467 Wed Jan 13 10:00am-12:00pm # 468 Wed Jan 20 10:00am-12:00pm # 469 Wed Jan 27 10:00am-12:00pm # 470 Tue Feb 9 1:00pm-3:00pm # 471 Tue Feb16 1:00pm-3:00pm # 472 Tue Feb 23 1:00pm-3:00pm Mar 1 1:00pm-3:00pm # 473 Tue # 474 Tue Mar 8 1:00pm-3:00pm # 475 Tue Mar 15 1:00pm-3:00pm # 476 Wed Apr 6 10:00am-12:00pm # 477 Wed Apr 13 10:00am-12:00pm # 478 Wed Apr 20 10:00am-12:00pm # 479 Wed Apr 27 10:00am-12:00pm

 NEW  NEW  NEW 

TECH TUESDAY

PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS ON HOT TOPICS IN TECHNOLOGY

WINDOWS® 10: WHAT’S NEW Fee: $20 # 480 Tues

1 session Jan 12

Limit: 25 10:00am-12:00pm

Microsoft is offering free upgrades to existing Windows users to go to the new Windows 10 OS. In this 2 hour lecture and demonstration we will examine the new features that you will see in Windows 10 including: The new Start Menu and Desktop, Microsoft App Store,Tablet Mode, Using Multiple Desktops, Looking at the Upgrade process, New Windows Apps included in Windows 10.

CUTTING THE CABLE – TV WITHOUT THE PRICE OF CABLE Fee: $20 # 481 Tues

1 session Feb 9

Limit: 25 1:30pm-3:30pm

With the availability of high-speed broadband internet, it is possible to enjoy television without the high price of cable TV. Learn about programs that are available online and how to watch on a standard HDTV set.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS WEBSITES Fee: $20 # 482 Tues

1 session Feb 23

Limit: 25 10:00am-12:00pm

This class will introduce Websites that provide trustworthy information on a wide range of health, wellness and medical topics. A mix of Federal Government agency sites, and sites sponsored by prominent medical societies will be demonstrated and described. You will also learn how to begin to evaluate Websites for the quality, reliability and credibility of their content.

continued next page

JCA SENIORTECH

INTRODUCTION THE THE CLOUD Fee: $20 # 483 Tues

1 session Mar 15

Limit: 25 1:30pm-3:30pm

There has been a lot of talk about “the cloud” recently. Learn what the cloud is and how to use it for storage, backup and sharing of files, pictures and music.

Crystal City

1750 Crystal Drive Shops, Crystal Square Arcade, Arlington, VA 703-941-1007

COMPUTER BASICS: INTRODUCTION TO THE PERSONAL COMPUTER USING WINDOWS© 10

Prerequisite: Bring a flash drive to class Fee: $85 6 sessions Limit: 8 # 484 Tues Jan 5 — Feb 9 10:30am-12:30pm # 485 Tues Mar 1 — Apr 5 10:30am-12:30pm

This course is intended for people seeking to refresh or expand their computer skills. It covers the start menu and taskbar, files and folders, the World Wide Web, and use of applications such as the word processor.

EXCEL BASICS

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $85 6 sessions Limit: 8 # 486 Thurs Jan 7 — Feb 11 10:30am-12:30pm

Develop a basic spreadsheet, learn how to enter and format text and numbers, adjust column width to accommodate data, add or delete rows and columns, and align data within and across columns.

EXCEL—BEYOND BASICS

Prerequisite: Excel Basics or equivalent 3 sessions Limit: 8 Fee: $50 # 487 Thurs Mar 3 — Mar 17 10:30am-12:30pm

GUIDE TO BUYING A PERSONAL COMPUTER (WORKSHOP)

VIEWING MOVIES ON YOUR PC (WORKSHOP)

Learn about important issues to consider and features to look for when purchasing your next personal computer.

This is your chance to find out how to view movies in your home and pay little or nothing for viewing.

Fee: $20 # 494 Thurs # 495 Thurs

1 session Jan 14 Apr 7

SECURING YOUR COMPUTER Fee: $20 # 496 Thurs # 497 Thurs

1 session Jan 7 Mar 10

Limit: 8 1:00pm-3:00pm 10:30am-12:30pm

Limit: 8 1:00pm-3:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm

Learn about important security issues, including how hackers choose computers, phishing, spam email, website drive-by, botnets, passwords, administrative accounts, keeping applications updated, keeping the operating system updated, and malware protection.

ORGANIZING, EDITING, AND SHARING PHOTOS WORKSHOP

Prerequisite: Basic computer and mouse skills Fee: $50 3 sessions Limit: 8 # 498 Wed Jan 6, 13, 20 10:30pm-12:30pm # 499 Wed Mar 2, 9, 16 10:30am-12:30pm

Learn to import digital photos from cameras, phones, and tablets and use Picasa, a free photo-editing program.

TAMING WORD (WORKSHOP)

Prerequisite: Basic computer knowledge and mouse skills Fee: $35 2 sessions Limit: 8 # 500 Tues Feb 3-10 10:30am-12:30pm

Learn how to make Microsoft Word your personal tool for word processing.

TOURING THE INTERNET

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $85 6 sessions Limit: 8 # 501 Mon Jan 4 — Feb 22 1:00pm-3:00pm # 502 Mon Mar 7 — Apr 11 1:00pm-3:00pm

FACEBOOK IS EASY WORKSHOP

This course introduces important Internet resources, which include sending and receiving email with or without attachments, using address books, browsers, Internet and email security, search, shopping, travel, entertainment, and utilizing government web-based resources.

Find out how set up a Facebook account and keep it as private or public as you want. Share pictures, thoughts, or quotations with chosen friends.

Prerequisite: Bring a fully charged Apple iPad to class Fee: $50 3 sessions Limit: 8 # 503 Wed Jan 13-27 1:00pm-3:00pm # 504 Wed Apr 6-20 1:00pm-3:00pm

Develop and format pie charts and columns charts. Use Excel as a database. Explore other subjects of interest. Prerequisite: Bring a picture of yourself and a picture you’d like to share in digital form (jpg). Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 8 # 488 Thurs Feb 18 10:30am-12:30pm # 489 Thurs Apr 21 10:30am-12:30pm

FILE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP

Prerequisite: Basic computer skills 1 session Limit: 8 Fee: $20 # 490 Wed Feb 17 10:30am-12:30pm # 491 Wed Apr 14 10:30am-12:30pm

Learn how to manage your files—documents you’ve created or copied or downloaded, pictures, and everything else.

GRAPHICS EXPLORERS

Prerequisite: Knowledge of Photoshop® Elements software Elements 10 or 11 software Fee: $40 ongoing sessions Limit: 8 #492 Mon Jan 4-Feb 29 10:30am-12:30pm #493 Mon Mar 7-Apr 25 10:30am-12:30pm

Graphics Explorers is a series of meetings with no fixed agenda or syllabus. There is no instructor. Students use Photoshop Elements 10 or 11 to enhance photographs, using several workbooks. Students provide their own copies of Photoshop Elements and workbooks.

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

UNDERSTANDING YOUR APPLE IPAD® (WORKSHOP)

This course demystifies the iPad, starting with the hand gestures used to operate the device and the purpose of external buttons and switches, and progressing to hands-on use of a variety of standard iPad applications.

USING YOUR APPLE IPHONE® (WORKSHOP)

Prerequisite: Bring fully charged iPhone to class Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 8 # 505 Mon Feb 29 1:00pm-3:00pm # 506 Mon Apr 18 1:00pm-3:00pm

Learn how to use your iPhone to surf the Internet, take and share photos, play games, read books – and much more.

USING SKYPE® TO MAKE VIDEO OR AUDIO CALLS (WORKSHOP) Fee: $20 # 514 Wed # 508 Tues

1 session Jan 27 Apr 19

Limit: 8 10:30am-12:30pm 10:30am-12:30pm

Learn how to use the free Skype application to communicate with relatives and friends.

Prerequisite: Basic computer skills Fee: $20 1 session # 509 Wed Feb 3 # 510 Wed Apr 27

Limit: 8 1:00pm-3:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm

WINDOWS® 10 HOW TO INSTALL IT WORKSHOP

Prerequisite: Ownership of a computer with Windows 7 installed and desire to update to Windows 10 Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 8 # 511 Thurs Jan 21 1:00pm-3:00pm # 512 Thurs Apr 28 10:30am-12:30pm

An update to Windows 10 is available free for a limited time to anyone now using Windows 7 as their operating system. Students will learn how to download and install Windows 10.

WINDOWS® 10 HOW TO USE IT WORKSHOP

Prerequisite: Basic Computer Skills Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 8 # 513 Thurs Mar 24 10:30am-12:30pm

Students will learn how to use Windows 10, the latest Microsoft operating system, including comparisons with Windows 7 and Windows 8.1; how to customize Edge, the new Internet provider replacing Internet Explorer; and file management.

ASSISTED PRACTICE No Fee

Limit: 5

FREE sessions: an integral part of your learning. You must be registered for at least one class to participate. When no classes are being offered, volunteers are available to help registered students practice what they learn in classes and workshops. Speak with your instructor for details.

For more information, call 240-395-0916 email

seniortech@accessjca.org

website

www.accessjca.org REFUND POLICY:

Students who wish to withdraw and receive a full refund must notify JCA at least 48 hours before the first class begins. A 50% refund is given after the first class.

ATTENTION:

Instruction, course materials and all computer language settings are in

English.

Courses are taught with Windows computers.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

DESCRIPTION AND GUIDELINES

The Microsoft operating systems vary by site and include Windows® 7 and Windows® 10. Classes are designed to help adults, 50+, refresh or advance their computer skills and learn to use social media. Courses are taught by volunteer instructors and coaches. Courses are almost always “hands on” in which students practice skills and techniques on a computer during class.

Notice: Within the limits of its resources, JCA serves people of all faiths and from all walks of life. Indeed, we try to be as inclusive as possible in all that we do. Sometimes, however, JCA may deny a person or group the option to enroll or to continue to participate in all or particular programs and services. We reserve the right to do so, at our sole discretion, should we believe that our action is in the best interest of the individual or program or for any other reason not precluded by applicable law.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

SENIORTECH REGISTRATION FORM

COMPUTER TRAINING

WAYS TO REGISTER: BY MAIL:

Include your payment with form to JCA SeniorTech 12320 Parklawn Drive Rockville, MD 20852-1726

BY PHONE: Call 240-395-0916 with your credit card information

NOTE: ALL REGISTRATIONS ARE DUE 7 DAYS PRIOR TO START OF CLASS. Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________ City: ____________________________________________________ State: _______ Zip Code: _______________ Phone#: ______________________________ Email: __________________________________________________ I have taken a JCA SeniorTech class before: ____ Yes ____ No

Student ID (Office use only)_______________

I WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER FOR: Class #

Class Title

Location

Start Date

Start Time

Fee

10% DISCOUNT WHEN BILL IS PAID IN FULL 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE START OF CLASS

TOTAL $ _________

PAYMENT METHOD:

WB1/16

❒ Master Card ❒ VISA ❒ American Express ❒ Check (Make Checks payable to JCA SeniorTech.)

Name as it appears on card: ____________________________________________________________

Each JCA SeniorTech center follows the weather-related decisions of the public school system in its jurisdiction, except that if a school system is closed for even part of the day, the center will be closed the entire day. As soon as possible, your instructor will arrange to make up any classes cancelled due to inclement weather.

For more information, call 240-395-0916.

Email seniortech@accessjca.org Website www.accessjca.org

Card Number

____________ ____________ ____________ _____________

Exp. Date

______ /______

Sec. Code

__________

OFFICE USE ONLY Course #_____ Paid_____ Registration #_______ Date________

Course #_____ Paid_____ Registration #_______ Date________

NOTICE: WITHIN THE LIMITS OF ITS RESOURCES, JCA SERVES PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS AND FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. INDEED, WE TRY TO BE AS INCLUSIVE AS POSSIBLE IN ALL THAT WE DO. SOMETIMES, HOWEVER, JCA MAY DENY A PERSON OR GROUP THE OPTION TO ENROLL OR TO CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN ALL OR PARTICULAR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DO SO, AT OUR SOLE DISCRETION, SHOULD WE BELIEVE THAT OUR ACTION IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE INDIVIDUAL OR PROGRAM OR FOR ANY OTHER REASON NOT PRECLUDED BY APPLICABLE LAW. Each contribution or remittance of payment by check is considered authorization to convert that particular check into an electronic fund transfer. If your check is unable to be converted, it may be processed as a Check Replacement Document drawn against your account. When we use information from your check to make an electronic fund transfer, funds may be withdrawn from your account as soon as the same day you make your payment, and you will not receive your check back from your financial institution. You have the right to opt out of Electronic Conversion. If you choose to exercise this right, write the words ‘Opt Out’ in the memo field of your check and JCA will process it as a draft against your account.

✃

SeniorTech

JCA SENIORTECH

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Health Fitness &

BEAT CHEMO SIDE EFFECTS Common drugs may help protect your heart during cancer treatments HAVE TYPE 1 DIABETES? Volunteer to study a new drug that lowers both blood sugar and weight A SERIOUS DESSERT A not-too-decadent recipe of dark chocolate baskets filled with berries NO MORE BAD HAIR DAYS Learn the many reasons hair falls out and strategies to stem the loss

Scientists grow ‘organoids’ for research By Malcolm Ritter Dr. Sergiu Pasca, a neuroscientist, used to envy cancer specialists. They could get their hands on tumors for research, while Pasca could not directly study key portions of a living brain. But these days, Pasca does the next best thing: He grows his own. In his lab at Stanford University, thousands of whitish balls of human brain tissue float in hundreds of dishes. Each smaller than a pea, they were created from human skin cells, including some from people with autism. Each one carries the DNA of the person it came from, and each organized itself enough to form a part of the brain that interests Pasca. He is hardly alone. Dozens of labs are growing lumps of human brain tissue for study, a practice that drew notice in 2013 when researchers said they had created “mini-brains” that contained multiple major parts of the fetal organ. Just to be clear: Although brain cells in the lab-grown tissues show some activity, nobody has created fully functioning, adult human brains. The versions reported in

scientific journals mimic only one or more parts of a fetal brain. (An announcement last August of a nearly complete brain comparable to a fetal one hasn’t been backed up by a journal article yet, and experts are withholding judgment until they can see the details.) It’s part of a larger movement over the past few years to create “organoids” — miniature versions of the body’s organs or key parts of organs. Researchers have made organoids representing the intestine, prostate, kidney, thyroid, retina and liver. Scientists say the technology holds great potential for studying the roots of diseases like autism and schizophrenia, testing possible treatments, tackling basic questions about evolution, and perhaps supplying replacements for transplants. This approach “is a major change in the paradigm in terms of doing research with human tissues rather than animal tissues that are substitutes....It’s truly spectacular,” said Arnold Kriegstein, who studies the brain at the University of California, San Francisco. Organoids “are poised to make a major impact on the understanding of disease,

and also human development,” he said.

New technique makes possible To grow lumps of brain tissue, researchers call on a technique that helped earn the Nobel prize in medicine in 2012. Virtually all cells of a person’s body contain the same lineup of DNA. A skin cell differs from a brain cell because of differences in what genes were turned on, and when, during development. The breakthrough lab technique provides a way to turn skin cells back into blank slates called iPS cells — a form of stem cell. These iPS cells can then be turned into any cell of the body, as they respond to nudges from chemical cues they are exposed to. For years, scientists have used this approach to make brain cells and other cells that lie on the flat surfaces of lab dishes. The new wrinkle is to let the cells grow into three-dimensional clumps instead. The cells don’t need much help to organize themselves. “They start communicating and signaling with each other,” Kriegstein said, specializing “in a way that starts looking like a developing human brain.”

But the cells don’t get cues from surrounding tissues that help an ordinary fetal brain organize itself, noted Madeline Lancaster of the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England. So while the 400 or so tiny “minibrains” floating in dishes at her lab contain many brain parts, she said, those parts are laid out in abnormal patterns. “They are connecting to each other, and the different regions do seem to talk to each other. But not in the way a normal brain would,” she said. Lancaster compares the patchwork layout to an airplane that has one wing on top, a propeller at the back, the cockpit on the bottom, and a wheel hanging off the side. “It can’t actually fly,” she said. But “you can study each of the components individually and learn a lot about them.”

Studying autism and more A popular region to grow is the cerebral cortex — the wrinkly outer layer of the brain that is key for sophisticated thought. See BRAIN TISSUE, page 13

Your genes affect your reaction to drugs By Charis Eng Your doctor prescribes a medication. If you have a high risk of negative side effects, do you ask for something else instead? If you know the drug won’t work well for you, do you request more options? These questions aren’t just hypothetical. They’re at the heart of pharmacogenomics. Pharmacogenomics is the study of how your genes affect your response to drugs. If you have certain genetic variations, some medications might be too risky for you to take. Others might offer few or no benefits. Yet others are just the right fit for you. Rite Aid is already giving patients a chance to peek over their doctor’s shoulder with genetic tests that help determine the effectiveness of some prescriptions. The drugstore chain is selling Harmonyx testing kits at nearly all of its stores. The kits cost between $49 and $89 without a prescription, and customers can use them to learn more about the effectiveness of medicines for cardiac conditions, cholesterol and attention deficit hy-

peractivity disorder. Customers who buy these kits swab their cheek to get a genetic sample, and then send that to Harmonyx. The company delivers results to the patient, his or her physician, and the drugstore pharmacist. For perspective on this growing field, I turned to colleague and pharmacogenomics expert Kevin Hicks, PharmD, Ph.D. Below are a few things patients should know.

The fast metabolizer Sometimes, patients actually process drugs too quickly. Because of variations in a particular gene, these “ultra-rapid metabolizers” transform drugs swiftly in their bodies. Unfortunately, this speedy process can lead to unexpected and exaggerated reactions. Codeine provides the perfect example. When you take codeine, your body actually turns it into morphine to relieve pain. But if you have a certain variation of the gene CYP2D6, you may create morphine

at a dangerously rapid pace. The reaction is especially dangerous in children. Because of this, many pediatric hospitals have removed codeine as a treatment option for pain.

Side effects with few benefits While some people metabolize drugs too quickly, others may have trouble processing them at all. The CYP2D6 gene offers multiple examples again. In the case of codeine, some patients with a genetic variation don’t get much pain relief because their bodies don’t process the drug properly. The same is true for antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). If you have a certain CYP2D6 variation, you may not respond to a certain SSRI, or may be more likely to have a side effect.

Knowledge changes care Knowing your genetic risk can actually change your care. That’s true for the examples above, as well as for a classic phar-

macogene called G6PD, which doctors have known about since the 1950s. If you’re deficient in G6PD, you may have problems with several drugs. G6PD deficiency typically causes no symptoms. But it does cause red blood cells, which carry oxygen, to be slightly more fragile. When exposed to certain drugs — such as some antimalarial drugs and sulfa antibiotics — red blood cells in people with G6PD deficiency break. This leads to jaundice and the inability to carry oxygen around the body. Because this effect is so well known, G6PD testing is usually performed before prescribing certain drugs. If you have a deficiency, doctors won’t prescribe some anti-malarial drugs or sulfa antibiotics.

What does the box say? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) keeps a list of medications in which pharmacogenomics play a part. See GENES AND DRUGS, page 14

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Brain tissue From page 12 The tiny balls of tissue in Pasca’s lab were designed to mimic this region because of hints that it’s important in development of autism and schizophrenia. While the effort to learn about disease with the technology is still quite new, some early hints are emerging. Dr. Flora Vaccarino of Yale University grew lumps containing cerebral cortex that were made with DNA from people with autism. She found that a particular kind of brain cell is overproduced, and linked that to overactivity of a particular gene. Vaccarino cautions that she’s not claiming this is what causes autism, but Lancaster calls it “really very exciting.” Cambridge’s Lancaster studies a rare and devastating disorder in which people are born with small brains because they have too few neurons. Her work showed that “minibrains” made with DNA from these patients also turned out to be unusually small, and suggested why: The precursor cells that manufacture neurons go to work too early, so they peter out over time and can’t fulfill their quota. That disease, called microcephaly, is a good example of why growing brain tissue

can be a better way to study some conditions than studying mouse brains. The genetic mutations that cause the disease in people have little effect when introduced in mice. The biology of other diseases, like autism and schizophrenia, may also be better mimicked in lab-grown human tissue, experts said. And even if a disease can be reproduced in mice, their brains are different enough from ours that a treatment that looks good in the rodent may not work for people, Kriegstein said. Still, he and others said, the technique probably won’t replace mice completely in the lab. Mouse experiments are quicker and cheaper, he said. Kriegstein also said it’s not clear what the lab-grown brain tissue can reveal about illnesses that appear late in life, like Alzheimer’s, because it models the fetal brain rather than the aging one. Lancaster said she believes it’s still worth a try.

Ethical issues down the road Diseases aren’t the only focus. Lancaster and Alysson Muotri of the University of San Diego, California, are tackling the evolutionary question of how our brains develop differently from those of other animals. So far, lumps of brain made with chimp DNA

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Jan. 13+

FREE CHRONIC DISEASE WORKSHOP Project Mend-A-House and Arbor Terrace Sudley Manor present a

free program for people with chronic conditions and their caregivers. The 6-week workshop meets Wednesdays for 2 ½ hours, beginning Jan. 13, and is designed for people with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, arthritis, COPD, Parkinson’s and more. Caregivers also welcome. Space is limited. Arbor Terrace is located at 7750 Garner Dr., Manassas, Va. For more information or to register, call (703) 792-7663 or email gina@pmahweb.org.

Ongoing

JOIN A SLOW-PITCH SOFTBALL TEAM Nova Senior Softball is looking for new members and is offering a free conditioning program during February and March. Members

will then be assigned to one of 28 slow-pitch teams in 3 skill-level leagues, playing Tuesday and Thursday mornings. For more information, call (703) 524-5576.

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look a lot like their human counterparts at early stages of development, Muotri said. Lab-grown brain lumps are limited in their growth and development because they lack a blood supply. That brake on maturation helps keep them in a relatively primitive state, which means they are far from posing any ethical questions, researchers say. “I don’t see any philosophical problem yet,” Muotri said. But “I don’t know what the future holds for us. We may be able one day to recreate the entire brain...and somehow put memories in there and let those minibrains think. I don’t know if that will ever be

possible, but it is an interesting possibility.” Hank Greely, who directs the Center for Law and Biosciences at Stanford, said the biggest issue would arise if scientists produce a brain organoid that could attain something like human consciousness. That’s quite unlikely in today’s tiny versions, but might be possible down the road, he said. Kriegstein agreed. “No one would have thought 10 years ago that we’d be able to do what we do now,” he said. “Another 10 or 20 years down the road, I have no idea how far along we will be.” — AP

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Genes and drugs From page 12 However, fewer than 10 drugs rise to the level of a “boxed warning” — the FDA’s strongest warning. These include

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

codeine (connected to CYP2D6) and the oncology drug rasburicase (connected to G6PD). Boxed warnings are more likely to trigger a test and raise awareness among doctors, pharmacists and patients. So what’s a consumer to do? If you’re

concerned about a prescription you receive, start by asking your doctors and your pharmacists these questions: Does your new prescription carry a genetic risk? If so, is a test available? Are you a candidate? Even if they don’t know the answers right away, health experts can be a resource to help you find answers. Our processes for helping doctors understand this complex, growing field aren’t perfect yet. But they’re getting better. For example, hospital systems such as the Cleveland Clinic have developed their own technology to make sure all doctors who touch your electronic health record see

red flags for tests you’ve had and known medication risks. Cleveland Clinic also has an outpatient pharmacogenomics clinic. Right now, electronic systems cover only a few medications. But with every new study — and with every new advance in genetic testing — the list grows stronger. From WhatDoctorsKnow, a magazine devoted to up-to-the minute information on health issues from physicians, major hospitals and clinics, universities and healthcare agencies acr oss the U.S. Online at www.whatdoctorsknow.com. © 2015 Whatdoctorsknow.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Additional information from AP.

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Jan. 30

The Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Area Chapter presents “The Basics of Alzheimer’s: Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease,” an information session, on Saturday, Jan. 30 from 1 to 2 p.m. Topics include the symptoms and effects of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, how they affect the brain, causes and risk factors, treatments and more. This free session will take place at Aspen Hill Library, located at 4407 Aspen Hill Rd., Rockville, Md. Registration is required. For more information, call (240) 773-9410.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

February 2016

UPCOMING SEMINARS & EVENTS at Brooke Grove retirement village

As experts in senior care and memory support, Brooke Grove Retirement Village is pleased to offer seminars and events that promote physical, spiritual and mental well-being. All seminars and events will be held at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, located at 18131 Slade School Road on the Brooke Grove Retirement Village Campus. Please register with Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org. Support for the Caregiver Seminar: Stress and the caregiver How to take care of yourself February 16, 2-3 p.m. Join professional care manager Susy Elder Murphy for a discussion on dealing with the stress of caregiving and how to practice good self-care. FREE. Register by February 14.

Living Well Seminar: Tackle the paperwork pileup February 17, 7-8:15 p.m. Get your paperwork in order for tax season, learn maintenance strategies and clarify what you should keep or toss. Light complimentary dinner at 6:30 p.m. FREE. Register by February 15.

Alzheimer’s support group February 17, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association, this confidential group provides an opportunity for individuals and families to find support, gain understanding and share caregiving tips. FREE. Register by February 15.

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J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Health Shorts Heart drugs might protect cancer patients Many cancer treatments can damage the heart. A recent study suggests this risk might be lowered in women with breast tumors if they take a heart drug as a preventive measure during their cancer care. Radiation treatments can harm arteries, making them prone to harden and clog and cause a heart attack. It also can cause valve or rhythm troubles. Certain cancer drugs, such as Herceptin and doxorubicin, sold as Adriamycin and other brands, can also hurt the heart. “We give poison with a purpose,” because it fights cancer, but heart problems can be “one of the dark sides of that,” said Dr. Ann Partridge, a breast cancer specialist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. As it stands now, cancer patients are referred to cardiologists after certain cancer drugs or radiation treatments have already weakened their hearts. But “if you wait until the disease has occurred, it may be too late” to do much good, said Dr. Javid Moslehi, of Vanderbilt University. The study involved 120 women with

early-stage breast cancer, and tested two drugs long used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure — candesartan and metoprolol. The drugs are available as generics and cost less than a dollar a day. Women were given one or both drugs or dummy pills, and their hearts’ pumping capacity was assessed at various time points with MRI scans. Heart damage worsened in the group on dummy pills. Metoprolol did not prevent heart decline but candesartan did, although the benefit was small — an improvement of 2 to 3 percent in pumping strength compared to the placebo group. “The effect was very modest,” so whether that prevents heart failure from developing down the road is not known, said Dr. Bonnie Ky, a cardio-oncology specialist at the University of Pennsylvania. Still, it’s a first. As cancer patients are living longer, the risk of dying from heart problems actually exceeds that of cancer, so it’s important to prevent damage, Ky said. Meanwhile, some doctors already are considering this tactic, especially in women taking drugs known to harm the heart or who already have some risk factors for heart problems. “I get calls from the oncologists saying, ‘she’s at high risk, why don’t we just start it?’” Dr. David Slosky, a cardiologist at VanSee HEALTH SHORTS, page 17

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Health shorts From page 16 derbilt, said of preventive treatment. “They’re pretty benign,” he said of the heart drugs the study tested. “The threshold, if somebody’s got a high-risk cancer, will be pretty low” to use them preventively, he said. Heart advice for cancer patients can be found at www.cardio-onc.org.

Virginia hospitals post safety records online The public now has the ability to check how Virginia hospitals rank in public safety using the online Quality and Patient Safety Scorecard. The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association recently launched an interactive online scorecard that includes patient safety records for 80 facilities. Each scorecard has information about a hospital’s healthcare-associated infections, patient safety, hospital readmission rates, mortality data and patient satisfaction. The score also includes the efficiency of Medicare spending per beneficiary. The scorecard gathers data from several sources, including the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Virginia Health Information. Consumers can check the information of each hospital from 2010 through 2014. To access the Quality and Patient Safety Scorecard, visit www.vhha.com.

Pot belly not good, even if not overweight New research suggests normal-weight people who carry their fat at their waistlines may be at higher risk of death over the years than overweight or obese people whose fat is more concentrated on the hips and thighs. The study signals that the distribution of fat matters, whatever the scale says. “If the waist is larger than your hips, you’re at increased risk for disease,” said Dr.

Samuel Klein, an obesity specialist at Washington University School of Medicine at St. Louis, who wasn’t involved in the new research. The research also has implications for advising patients whose body mass index or BMI — the standard measure for weight and height — puts them in the normal range despite a belly bulge. “We see this with patients every day: ‘My weight is fine’ they say. ‘I can eat whatever I want,’” said study senior author Dr. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, preventive cardiology chief at the Mayo Clinic. “These results really challenge that.” Risk increases for men if their waist circumference is larger than 40 inches, and 35 inches for women. Still, doctors typically focus more on BMI than waistlines; after all, girth tends to increase as weight does. But a BMI in the normal range may not give the full story for people who are thin but not fit — with more body fat than muscle — or who change shape as they get older and lose muscle, Lopez-Jimenez said. His study analyzed what’s called waistto-hip ratio, dividing the waist circumference by the hip measurement. There are different cutoffs, but a ratio greater than 1 means a bigger middle. Researchers checked a government survey that tracked about 15,000 men and women with different BMIs — normal weight, overweight and obese. At every BMI level, people with thicker middles had a higher risk of death than those with trimmer waists, the researchers reported in Annals of Internal Medicine. In the study, 11 percent of men and 3 percent of women were normal weight, but had an elevated waist-to-hip ratio. They were at greater risk — for men, roughly twice the risk — than more pear-shaped overweight or obese people. Abdominal fat — an apple-shaped figure — has long been considered more worrisome than fat that settles on the hips and below — the so-called pear shape. Fat that builds around the abdominal organs is particularly linked to diabetes, heart disease and other metabolic abnormalities than fat that lies under the skin, said obesity expert Dr. Lisa Neff of Northwestern University, who wasn’t involved the study. — AP

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Health Studies Page

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

New drug may help with type 1 diabetes By Barbara Ruben The latest generation of diabetes drugs can lower blood sugar by blocking the kidneys from absorbing sugar, instead helping them excrete it through urine. The newest drug now being studied in trials works to improve on this by helping block the absorption of sugar from the intestines as well. Not only is blood sugar lowered, but since the sugar is excreted, fewer calories are absorbed by the body, which has led to weight loss in most patients.

With a drug that blocks sugar absorption in both the kidneys and intestines, upwards of 400 calories a day can be eliminated, according to Dr. Michael Dempsey, with Endocrine and Metabolic Consultants in Rockville, Md. An additional benefit includes lower blood pressure, which is important as patients with diabetes have a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease. Jardiance, one of the medications in this class of drugs known as SGLT1 inhibitors, was approved in 2014, and a study pub-

lished in 2015 found that it is the first oral diabetes medication that can also reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular deaths. At the same time, the drugs have a few side effects — including an increased chance of urinary tract and yeast infections due to an increased amount of sugar in the urine, according to Dempsey.

Two studies underway Dempsey’s practice is now conducting two studies with the drug sotagliflozin to help determine its safety and dosing in patients with type 1 diabetes — the kind that usually develops in childhood. The first study randomly divides participants in two groups. One group will take sotagliflozin once each day, before the first meal. The other group will take a placebo with no active ingredient. All patients will continue to take insulin, although sotagliflozin may help reduce the amount of insulin needed to control blood sugar, Dempsey said. The study lasts 24 weeks, and patients

will return to Dempsey’s office monthly for various tests and counseling about diet. They will also report their blood glucose levels in phone calls. The other study tests three dosing levels of sotagliflozin as well as a placebo. Participants will be randomly divided among the four groups, and will take their assigned pill once a day before breakfast for 12 weeks. Patients will come into the clinic monthly to have their blood glucose, blood pressure, weight and other items measured. To take part in either study, patients must have type 1, and not type 2, diabetes. They must take insulin, but cannot be on any other medications for diabetes. They cannot take corticosteroids, such as prednisone, on an ongoing basis. While no compensation is offered for taking part in the studies, all labs, blood glucose testing supplies and medications are covered. For more information on these and other studies for patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, call Endocrine and Metabolic Consultants at (301) 770-7373.

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group on the third Tuesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. Learn about the latest healthcare innovations, develop friendships and share your experiences. The group meets in Room 415 in the North Building of the hospital, located at 8100 Good Luck Rd., Lanham, Md. For more information or to register, visit www.DCHweb.org/breast or call (301) 324-4968.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Dark chocolate and berry basket dessert By Melissa D’Arabian If you were to join my family for dinner on a regular weeknight (go for it, but call first!), you’d see our typical dessert routine in action. It works like this: My husband grabs my favorite tiny bamboo cutting board and a paring knife, while I grab a variety of fruit. Then we sit with our four daughters, chatting about our days — sometimes enjoying an impromptu dance show from one or more of the girls — as we pass wedges of pears or whatever around the table. It’s sacred family time. But sometimes a girl needs a serious dessert. And by serious, I mean chocolate. Yes, I’ll sometimes satisfy this need by nibbling on a square of dark chocolate with my decaf espresso. That’s fine. But for truly special occasions I whip up little edible chocolate bowls. They take just minutes to make using chocolate chips, and you can fill them with berries, your favorite fruit, or anything else you want. These little bowls are fun enough to make for kids’ sleepovers, yet elegant enough to serve at a dinner party. I buy the darkest chocolate chips I can find (usually 60 percent) because I love the almost-bitter flavor of darker chocolate. Plus, it is healthier.

Once you master the (simple) technique of making these chocolate baskets, you can easily customize them, adding cinnamon, cayenne, rosemary, chunky sea salt, flecks of orange zest, whatever your imagination desires. I usually fill my bowls with berries or inseason fruit (try lightly sautéed pears). But feel free to treat them like super tasty tart crusts, and build even more decadent desserts in them.

Dark Chocolate Berry Baskets Start to finish: 30 minutes Servings: 8 1 cup dark chocolate chips 1 teaspoon coconut oil 2 tablespoons finely chopped toasted almonds Kosher salt 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (white, if you have it) 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar Ground black pepper 2 cups halved or quartered fresh strawberries (or other berries or orange segments, membranes and seeds removed) 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint In a large glass or other microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate and coconut oil. Microwave on 50 percent power, stop-

ping to stir every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth, about 3 minutes. Spread a few spoons of the melted chocolate into a silicone cupcake liner, using the back of the spoon to spread the chocolate up the side of the liner so it is evenly and thickly coated. Sprinkle the wet chocolate with a teaspoon of almonds and a tiny pinch of kosher salt. Repeat with 7 more liners. Chill the chocolate until firm, at least 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix together the vinegar, brown sugar and a pinch of pepper. Add the strawberries and toss to coat. Let sit to allow flavors to meld for at least 15 minutes, or up to a few hours.

Immediately before serving, stir the mint into the strawberries, remove the chocolate baskets from the molds and spoon in the berries. Nutrition information per serving: 170 calories; 90 calories from fat (53 percent of total calories); 10 g. fat (7 g. saturated; 0 g. trans fats); 0 mg. cholesterol; 40 mg. sodium; 23 g. carbohydrate; 3 g. fiber; 20 g. sugar; 3 g. protein. Food Network star Melissa d’Arabian is an expert on healthy eating on a budget. She is the author of the cookbook, Supermarket Healthy. More information at www.melissadarabian.net. — AP

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J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Why your hair falls out and how to fix it I went to my favorite make-up store, and took note of several women buying expensive hair serums and shampoos to deal with hair loss. I didn’t want to be off-putting and approach them with better suggestions, so I’m writing this article instead. Save your money! Most of the ingredients listed on the labels, some of which are completely made-up words, do not grow or regrow hair, although they might make it shinier and softer. I’m all about “the fix” — not the fancy label. Correcting a hormonal imbalance in your body makes regrowing hair easy. Restoring nutrients that may be insufficient due to the effects of drugs that reduce them (what I call “drug muggers”) can also help. There are dozens of reasons for hair loss. This is why Minoxidil (as good as it is) doesn’t work for every individual. The

root cause of hair loss varies from person to person. Let’s go over some possibilities. You may assume that lab work is expensive, but if it teases out the underlying cause, it’s still cheaper than useless products. First, the hormonal imbalances associated with hair loss: Elevated estrogen or Estrogen Dominance — This is sometimes referred to as “testosterone deficiency” in the scientific literature. When this imbalance is corrected, hair grows back. The goal is more testosterone, less estrogen. Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s — This is a thyroid hormone imbalance and it’s a biggie. When you’re “thyroid sick,” the outer edges of your eyebrows begin to thin or fall out. You may completely lose your eyebrows and eyelashes. Brows and lashes become brittle and dry. Restoring thyroid hormone is the fix; learn how in

my book, Thyroid Healthy. and zinc is needed for healthy hair growth. Iron deficiency — Iron is measured Zinc is also needed for Superoxide Dismuusually via the protein “ferritin.” When it is tase, a natural enzyme in your body that deficient, your hair falls out captures free radicals and esfaster. Low iron goes hand in corts them out. Corticoshand with thyroid disease and teroids like prednisone also the ulcer bug Helicobacter pysmash zinc. lori (H. pylori). Estrogen or menopausal SHBG — This stands for drugs — These drugs are Sex Hormone Binding Globuused for birth control and lin, low levels of which lead to hormone replacement. The hair loss. FYI, green tea raises reason they affect hair growth levels of SHBG. is “estrogen dominance,” but Now for the medications for the final nail in the coffin, DEAR that cause hair loss: these drugs deplete almost all PHARMACIST Chemotherapy — This your B vitamins. Taking a B By Suzy Cohen causes hair to fall out. It usualcomplex can certainly offset ly grows back after your treatthe drug-induced nutrient dement ends. The best way to offset chemo pletion, but it only does so much. Improvis to take supplements and eat foods that ing estrogen metabolism and breakdown support mitochondrial health. (or discontinuing the estrogen-derived Anticonvulsants — Carbamazepine is medicine) is your fastest path to luscious one example. Antibiotics also crush biotin locks. levels. When biotin is tanked, your hair This information is opinion only. It is not can fall out. Restoring probiotics and biotin intended to treat, cure or diagnose your can improve hair regrowth. condition. Consult with your doctor before Acid blockers for reflux and heart- using any new drug or supplement. burn — I know this one is a real head Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist scratcher! What do gut drugs have to do and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist with your head? But this category of med- and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To ications is a strong drug mugger of zinc, contact her, visit www.SuzyCohen.com.

BEACON BITS

Feb. 1

CANCER REHAB PROGRAM Hope Connections for Cancer Support presents a cancer rehabili-

tation seminar on Monday, Feb. 1 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Dr. Wisotsky will discuss how patients and survivors can recover and restore physical function. Registration is required. Hope Connection is located at 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Md. For more information or to RSVP, call (301) 634-7500 or email Our Mission: To secure the well-being of Montgomery County Seniors through the shared strength of diverse organizations and individuals.

Professionals working with seniors are invited to our Monthly GROWS meetings on the first Thursday of the month at 8:15 a.m. usually at Holiday Park Senior Center, 3950 Ferrara Dr., Wheaton, Md.

info@hopeconnectionsforcancer.org.

Jan. 25

SAFER HOMES LECTURE Dupont Circle Village presents a seminar, How Safe is Your Home?, on Monday, Jan. 25 from 3:30 to 5 p.m., led by Stephen

Networking Extravaganza: Speak 1-on-1 with at least 30 professionals! Thursday, March 3, 2016 • 8-11 am

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at the Hamilton House apartments, located at 1255 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. The talk is free for village members; $10 for others. The facility is wheelchair accessible. For more information, or to reserve a spot, contact Linda Harsh at (202) 234-2567 or lindajkh@mac.com.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Facing up to sibling rivalry after 80 years your sister? I can only suggest that you try to find something you have that she wants and would be willing to trade for the matchbox. Yes, I think you should have it. But remember, you can’t win this battle without finding out first what the fight is about. Dear Solutions: Some time ago I read — I think it was in your column but I’m not sure — about a man who said he “fell out of love” with his wife, wanted to leave her and the children, and just feel free. He said he would visit the children, of course. She was devastated. I don’t know how that turned out, but my advice would have been to insist that he take the children with him. That’s what I did over 40 years ago when my children were small and my husband wanted to leave. Okay, I said, but you’ll have to take the children because I’m not capable of taking care of them myself (a lie). I immediately packed a bag and told him I was ready to get out as soon as he wanted me to. Oh no, he said, I can’t take care of them myself, either. This back and forth thing went on for a while and finally calmed down. It’s now 40-something years later. The children are long out of the house, my bag got unpacked when he said he “fell back in love” with me, and he’s still here with me. — Hung In There Dear Hung In: Well, you can truly say your children kept your marriage together, since neither one of you would take them! Falling out of love happens inside a marriage from time to time. Sometimes, just braving it out and hanging in there can change the atmosphere, and love can fall back in again. And sometimes the one who thinks he really wants to leave needs a good excuse to stay. That doesn’t mean problems shouldn’t be looked at and dealt with, but you bought the time to do that. Great letter. Thanks.

MD 20915. You may also email the author at helox72@comcast.net. To inquire about reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684.

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Dear Solutions: I’m 80 years old and have never written for advice in all these years. My daughter said I should ask you. She’s probably tired of hearing this. When my grandmother died, she left only a few belongings to my mother, one of which was a tin matchbox. My mother, in turn, gave it to my sister. I remember this tin with great fondness, as I lived with my grandmother and she raised me. Every night she’d pull a match from the tin to light a kerosene lamp. When I see it at my sister’s house, I think of my grandmother. My sister hardly knew our grandmother. One day, I asked my sister if I could have it. She said I couldn’t always get what I want. This is very upsetting to me. Who do you think should get the tin? — Mary Dear Mary: There’s gold in that thar tin — the gold of happy childhood memories! However, it sounds like there’s also the dross of sibling rivalry and resentment. It may look like a simple tin, but it’s really an alloy of metals and emotions. The gold for you is in the memory. The gold for your sister is evidently in having something to withhold from you that gives her a certain amount of power and control over you. As every divorce lawyer knows, the seemingly innocuous objects that people will fight over often have very little to do with the object itself (no matter what the sentimental value), but represent unfinished emotional business. You and your sister are certainly of an age where you could try to put some of this business to rest. I would strongly urge both of you to seek some short-term counseling. Meanwhile, I don’t know the circumstances. Why were you brought up by your grandmother while your sister hardly knew her? Why did your mother give the box to your sister? What is the underlying cause of this hostility between you and

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Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Celebrating 40 Years

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICE ON AGING

Spotlight On Aging VOLUME XXVII, ISSUE 1

A newsletter for D.C. Seniors

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE By Laura Newland Executive Director, D.C. Office on Aging Happy New Year! On December 18th, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced my appointment to serve as Executive Director of the D.C. Office on Aging. I am honored and excited to continue implementing the Mayor’s vision for DCOA. In the new year, DCOA will be starting new initiatives to strengthen the administration’s commitment to make D.C. an Age-Friendly City. AgeFriendly D.C. is a coordinated, comprehensive and collective-action effort to ensure all D.C. residents are active, connected, healthy, engaged and happy in their environment and community. Beginning this month, DCOA, in partnership with the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), will begin the “Safe at Home Program.” This program will provide a grant up to $10,000 for seniors and people living with disabilities to make their homes accessible. These adaptations may include ramps, grab bars, and shower cut outs. Safe At Home fills a gap in the District’s current home modification programs as DHCD’s Single Family Residential Rehab Program (SFRRP) is a loan program for modifications of $10,000-$30,000. Safe At Home will work closely with DHCD to make appropriate referrals for larger projects. District residents 60 years or older, or between 18 and 59 years old living with a disability, and with an income at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) are eligible. If you are the only one living in your household, your income would need to be under $61,152; and if you live with your spouse or partner and filed a joint tax return, your household income would need to be under $69,888. Please contact 202-638-0050

for more information. DCOA is also partnering with the National Council on Aging to offer BenefitsCheckup, an online service that provides customized benefits eligibility information for seniors and people living with disabilities. The questionnaire is available online, takes 10-15 minutes and doesn’t require any sensitive personal information, such as a Social Security number. Since November, DCOA staff and all of our community partners have used BenefitsCheckUp. It includes more than 2,000 public and private benefit programs from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Finally, DCOA will soon be conducting an assessment that will review current aging programs, senior wellness centers, senior center facilities, and other programming specific to seniors living within the District to make recommendations for new programming opportunities, including areas without brick and mortar senior wellness centers. With this evaluation, we will be able to examine the current service and programmatic needs of older adults living in the District of Columbia and develop a strategic road map to help us meet you where you are at. We will also gain valuable demographic data, which will help us make informed funding decisions and determine impact across the city. To find out more information about these important projects, please visit our website at www.dcoa.dc.gov or call 202-724-5626. As you can see, we have a lot of plans in 2016! I’m excited to lead such a great staff of dedicated professionals as we continue to advocate for older District residents, people living with disabilities, and their caregivers.

January 2016

These Seniors are Terrifically Talented Terrific, Inc. sponsored their first Seniors Got Talent event at THEARC, located at 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE. Seniors from across the city participated in the event to showcase the talent of the District’s oldest residents. Patricia Simms, age 65, a participant at the Hayes Senior Wellness Center in Ward 6 and the Model Cities Senior Wellness Center in Ward 5, was the grand prize winner of $500. She danced free style and with several hula hoops to Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up.” The second place cash prize was awarded to pianist Harriet Jachles. Other performers included Emma Ward, Ms. Senior D.C. 2011; The Availables; Janice Rice; Harry Newson; Meanwell Tate; and Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose. Participants auditioned for the contest in each ward of the city. Celebrity judges for the event included Ms. Senior D.C. Wendy Bridges

and Mary McCoy, Ms. Senior D.C. 2012. Terrific, Inc. presented Seniors Got Talent as a nonthreatening vehicle to promote socialization in the senior community. Proceeds of the event will benefit senior housing.

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

D.C. OFFICE

AGING NEWSLETTER

Mayor’s Holiday Celebration 2015 Mylar balloons, centerpieces and tablecloths in red, gold, black and silver decorated the cavernous D.C. Armory tables and back drop, where nearly 4,000 District older residents celebrated the holiday season. A District favorite, the Mayor’s Annual Senior Holiday Celebration was hosted by the D.C. Office on Aging and its Senior Service Network. Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Brenda Donald introduced Mayor Muriel Bowser, who greeted those in attendance. She called then Interim Executive Director Laura Newland to the stage and instructed the seniors to hold her accountable and “work her hard.” Mayor Bowser also called to the stage Councilmembers Brandon Todd and LaRuby May, who also provided brief greetings. Also in attendance during the festivities were Councilmember Charles Allen, Ward 6 and staff members for Councilmember Anita Bonds, at large.

The event featured the sounds of Luther Relives with William “Smooth” Wardlaw, and local senior entertainment all hosted by Robert “Captain Fly’ Frye from WYCB Senior Zone on 1340 AM and WPFW 89.3 FM. Also from WPFW, DJ Nate D. Skate led the music, from oldies to all the latest line dance music, that kept the dance floor packed. Fitness consultant for the Hayes Senior Wellness Center William Yates provided a warm-up, bringing many of those in attendance to the dance floor. He was followed by Angela Rice, who led movement through line dance. Watching the response from the audience made you forget that exercise was hard work. Immunizations, health screenings, facials and manicures were also provided free during the celebration. More than 70 exhibitors from government and community based organiza-



Mayor Muriel Bowser, Executive Director Laura Newland and Chief of Staff Garret King pose after the mayor’s remarks.

See HOLIDAY CELEBRATION, page 26 after Housing Section 

Members of the Commission on Aging and Mini-Commission on Aging, including Chairperson Romaine Thomas and Samuel McCoy, enjoyed the festivities of the day. Also present but not pictured were Jacqueline Arguelles, Barbara Hair, Nathaniel Wilson and Constance Woody.  William “Smooth” Wardlaw performed “Luther Relives” during the event, singing some holiday and old school tunes.

Ms. Senior D.C. Wendy Bridges greeted  seniors, introduced members of the DC Seniors Cameo Club and helped lead line dances on the dance floor to the delight of many.



Carols were led by the Seabury Singers.



Dancers from the API Senior Center performed.

Participants at the Vida Senior Center performed a Zumba demonstration during the Holiday Celebration at the D.C. Armory





Bennett Career Institute students provided free facials and manicures to seniors during the event.



Nearly 4,000 seniors attended the Mayor’s Annual Senior Holiday Celebration. William Yates and Angela Rice from the Hayes Senior Wellness Center led a lively workout that included movement and dance steps.

Spotlight On Aging continues on page 25, following the Housing Options Magazine section at the right Please pull out and keep the Housing Options section. You may also pull out and keep Spotlight on Aging.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

SPECIAL PULL-OUT SECTION

Say you saw it in the Beacon

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Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Group homes offer individualized care By Rebekah Sewell When Olney resident Jimmy Schrider suffered a stroke last year, his wife Barbara, 80, realized he would need extra care to maintain his quality of life. She felt that full-time homecare services would be too costly, and that larger assisted living communities didn’t seem to be the right choice

for them, either. A social worker at her husband’s rehabilitation facility suggested nearby Brookeville House in Brookeville, Md. The couple has lived there ever since.

Family-like care Brookeville House is a group assisted

On the cover: A resident of Brookeville House is visited by her grandson. Brookeville House, in Brookeville, Md., is among the region’s residential care homes, also referred to as group homes, that provide meals, help with activities of daily living, and social interaction in a small, family-like setting. Photo courtesy of Brookville House

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living home — sometimes called residential adult family homes, board and care homes, or personal care homes — for older adults who require assistance with various aspects of daily life, such as dressing, eating, bathing, toileting and the like. This kind of care — in a setting where two to 10 residents live with one or more round-the-clock caregivers — has been seeing increasing popularity, due to the homes’ capacity for more individualized, and potentially more comfortable, care. Residents of a group home live together in a private house, which has been built or renovated to meet their needs. Since the atmosphere is intimate, residents often become like families, which can keep them from feeling lonely or isolated. “They’ve become like kinfolk,” Barbara Schrider said of the people she’s met there. She even regularly spends time nurturing others. Since she’s still independent, Barbara often helps the staff with daily tasks like setting up tables for events and doing her friends’ hair. “I do everything like I would at home,” she said. Evelyn and George Pappas established Brookeville House to fulfill a need when they couldn’t find the right home for their own relatives, given their financial requirements and preference to avoid the institutional setting of a larger community. “I thought, ‘I can do better. I have to do better,’” Evelyn said. Group homes in general are enjoying growing popularity, and successful owners are opening several communities just to meet the demand. Pappas currently has two properties under the Brookeville House name, with a third expected to open in February. Since the Schriders moved to Brookeville House, her husband Jimmy has received

daily help with dressing, washing and occasional walking assistance from the staff. His mood and personality have improved dramatically. “It’s like he’s a new person,” Barbara said. “He talks to people. He does activities. Some people [when moved out of their home] go senile. Jimmy’s been my husband for 55 years. I just couldn’t let him go like that.” As in larger assisted living communities, group homes provide varying levels of care — ranging from hands-on personal care to skilled nursing to memory care. Different homes have different focuses or specialties (such as Alzheimer’s care or kosher or ethnic diets). The staff at Brookeville House features a nurse for monthly visits, licensed certified or geriatric nursing assistants, and an in-home physical therapist, podiatrist, and other specialists as needed. It also specializes in Alzheimer’s and dementia care. Care ranges from $3,995 (shared room and bath) to $5,995 (private room and bath) per month.

A luxury option Another home in Maryland took a different approach to fit its clients’ needs. Last year, Capital City Nurses founded the Cottage at Curry Manor to serve up to eight residents in a luxurious custom-built mansion on a gated estate in Bethesda, Md. Residents enjoy highly individualized care, with a near one-to-one ratio of staff to residents during the day. Currently, residents require physical, but not cognitive, daily assistance. Most care is delivered by certified nursing assistants and medication technicians, assisted by managers and overseen by See GROUP HOMES, page B-3

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Group homes From page B-2 Susan Rogers, RN, founder and CEO of Capital City Nurses. The Cottage’s high-end approach to assisted living is unique for a group home in this area, with extra large suites, walk-in closets, massage and fitness rooms, and a beauty salon on the premises. Care at the Cottage at Curry Manor ranges from $9,500 to $12,000 per month.

In Northern Virginia Andi Cosito operates two residential assisted living homes, called Tysons Woods, located in Vienna, Va. She founded the communities with the memory of her aunt’s elder care center in mind. “I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by older people from a young age. I benefited from their warmth, affection and experience,” she said on her website. Janet Wolfe, 91, has lived at Tysons Woods for almost two years. She made the move to be closer to her daughter, who lives in Northern Virginia. Wolfe enjoys the special “pampering” touches offered by the female staff, and

their assistance to make it feel like home. “They just take over whatever needs to be done...There is always someone to come to your rescue,” Wolfe said. Both Tysons Woods properties feature eight bedrooms for long-term assisted living and end-of-life care. Residents have access to all-inclusive care, ranging from housekeeping and laundry to activities, physical therapy, transportation and medication management. As at most group homes, meals are provided by culinary staff who accommodate residents’ dietary needs. Guests typically eat together and socialize during meals. All-inclusive care at Tysons Woods costs $6,500 per month.

Pros and cons to consider One of the major benefits of a group home assisted living community is the flexibility it offers. Owners and managers often cater their services to the current residents and their situations. For example, in a larger, more institutional, community, the Schriders would likely have been separated because they require different levels of care. In a group home, residents can also perform daily

BEACON BITS

Jan. 13+

SENIOR CONNECTION ORIENTATION

tasks like laundry and cooking themselves, with “standby” assistance, as long as it’s safe. Group homes also offer a more tailored approach, with a higher staff-to-resident ratio. As a result, the schedule of events and daily life are often less regimented. In a larger community, “everyone is on a tight schedule to get things done,” according to Pappas. There are disadvantages to be aware of as well, though, according to David Besnette of the Assisted Living Directory Blog. Concerns he raises include the following: • Small, residential homes can be self-financed, without a lot of “cushion” for lean times. • Local Homeowners Associations might change their mind about having a care facility in their neighborhood.

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• The home may not be equipped to transition a resident to more involved or skilled care. • Staff may burn out and turn over quickly. For more on his concerns, see http://bit.ly/group_home_disadvantages. Owners who open a group home must apply for and pass certification through the state, and are subject to yearly certification. Contact your local office on aging for information about particular group homes and their licensure. For more information: • Brookeville House, (301) 957-0752, www.brookvillehouse.com • The Cottage at Curry Manor, (301) 365-2582, http://thecottagehomes.com • Tysons Woods, (703) 846-0395, www.tysonswoods.com

Protecting Your Parents’ Assets: What Adult Children Need to Know Wednesday, January 13 6:30 - 7:30 pm free event Elder law attorney Bill Fralin will discuss estate planning, implications of incapacity, spend down rules, Veterans Benefits, and strategies for asset protection.

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Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care

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INDEPENDENT LIVING

Brooke Grove Retirement Village 301-260-2320 18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.bfg.org You’ll feel it as soon as you drive onto our 220-acre campus of lush pastures and hardwood forest—all that makes independent living at Brooke Grove different. Beautiful cottages in a truly picturesque setting. Maintenance-free living, with more time for what you really want to do. Personalized fitness programs, meals prepared by talented chefs, clubs and social events. Neighbors who share your interests and passions. Come for a visit and see why Brooke Grove Retirement Village is one of the most sought-after retirement communities in the state. Living here is simply different … because what surrounds you really matters.

INDEPENDENT/PERSONAL CARE/ASSISTED LIVING

Seabury at SPRINGVALE TERRACE 301-587-0190 8505 Springvale Road Silver Spring, MD 20910 www.springvaleterrace.org Located in the heart of Silver Spring, Springvale Terrace blends affordability with convenience, style and quality care. Independent apartments are available, and enhanced senior living is complemented with personal care services including three meals a day, housekeeping, laundry, and medication administration. And if additional care is needed, Springvale Terrace also has beautiful assisted living apartments. This range of services—combined with low monthly rates—provides just the right amount of assistance to meet your needs while allowing you to live in an apartment you’ll love. Call today to learn more and schedule your personal tour.

ASSISTED LIVING/MEMORY CARE

Great Falls Assisted Living 703-421-0690 1121 Reston Avenue Herndon, VA 20170 Imagine a memory care specific community with open spaces, walking paths, and a family feel. Add security, an experienced team, and 24/7 licensed nursing care. Top it off with robust programming, outings, and activities tailored to the individual and you have Great Falls Assisted Living! Our mission is to promote independence and dignity for residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia. This commitment is reflected in the design of our community and through everything we do. A family member recently said, “Great Falls has been wonderful. I no longer feel alone in caring for my dad, I feel like I have a team with me now.” Schedule your tour today and experience the feeling for yourself.

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Housing Notes By Barbara Ruben

Sensors help maintain independence A new study found sensor technology and onsite care coordination successfully helps older adults remain independent and active longer. Researchers at the University of Missouri found older adults stayed longer in an independent living community using a technologically enhanced care coordination model than did older adults who lived in other senior housing across the nation. Their length of stay is important because it indicates that older adults’ health remains stable enough for them to continue living independently rather than transferring to an assisted living facility. At TigerPlace retirement community in Columbia, Mo., some of the residents have sensors in their apartments that monitor walking patterns for increasing fall risk, respiration rate, restlessness and pulse. The sensors can also detect falls. The information is relayed to the care coordinators who can intervene to address changes before health issues become serious. The researchers found the residents who lived with sensors had an average length of stay of 4.3 years, as compared to a stay of 2.6 years among residents living without sensors. “The sensors help the nurse or the social worker focus on alerts to potential health problems. The alerts can also indicate potential depression, increasing confusion, and/or other problems the person may be experiencing,” said Marilyn Rantz, with the Sinclair School of Nursing at the University of Missouri. “With the sensors, the nurses get a head’s up several days or weeks before the health condition becomes serious — before people will even detect it themselves and complain about it.” The study was published in Nursing Outlook. For more about new aging-in-place technologies, see “Technology to help you stay independent,” on page B-12.

Greenspring receives diversity award Greenspring, an Erickson Living retirement community in Springfield, Va., received the 2015 Hobart Jackson Cultural Diversity Award from LeadingAge, a national association representing 6,000 nonprofit aging services organizations throughout the United States “As a community, we recognize that we live independently, but we live independently together, with the understanding

that our actions and our behaviors affect one another,” said Greenspring’s Executive Director Ben Cornthwaite. “At Greenspring, we cultivate a recognition of diversity, allowing us to create a welcoming environment for both our residents and our employees alike.” The award recognizes Greenspring for its culture of appreciation for diversity and inclusion. Greenspring supports a variety of initiatives designed to improve community living through an acknowledgment of unique beliefs, cultures and talents. For example, residents and staff work together on a Diversity and Inclusion Committee to inspire community awareness through events such as the annual Diversity Expo. Greenspring is also home to an Englishas-a-second-language (ESL) program and U.S. citizenship preparedness program for staff. Resident volunteer tutors assist staff members with English language and communication skills. Over 300 employees have completed the program to date. Resident volunteers also assist staff members with preparing for the U.S. citizenship test — including a review of civics, democracy, American history and English language skills. In 2011, this program was recognized by the Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution. In addition, Greenspring is a longstanding partner with MVLE (Mount VernonLee Enterprises), a neighboring organization that assists in providing support and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. In 2014, MVLE presented Greenspring with the Social Responsibility Award for supporting the organization’s mission through contributions and volunteer work. Greenspring supports a spiritually and socially diverse culture, as well. An oncampus Pastoral Ministries department supports 20 different resident faith groups, and a resident-driven PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) group coordinates with local PFLAG chapters to advocate for LGBT individuals. More information about Greenspring can be found at www.ericksonliving.com/greenspring or by calling (703) 436-4515.

Renovated apartments reopen in Frederick Taney Village, an affordable apartment community for seniors and adults with disabilities, reopened in December after substantial renovation. The 132-unit property, located in Frederick, Md., was built in 1972. Apartment renovations include new kitchens, baths, high-efficiency appliances, windows, and air conditioning and heating systems. Improvements to common areas include new flooring, finishes See HOUSING NOTES, page B-5

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Housing notes From page B-4 and furniture. Other amenities renovated or added include a fitness area, community/activity room equipped with a TV, and computer area and resident lounge on each floor for small group meetings or socializing. Green features include energy-efficient, double-pane windows, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, Energy Star appliances, energy-saving light fixtures and Green Label carpet. Taney Village is owned by Enterprise Homes. Habitat America, the property management firm, coordinates on-site resident services. For more information, see http://habitatamerica.com/communities/taney-village or call (301) 663-0929.

New nursing care building under construction Goodwin House, a continuing care retirement community in Alexandria, Va., is constructing a new building that will offer residents an innovative 24-hour nursing care program. The building is part of a two-year construction plan to expand the residential offerings there and will open in April 2017. The new building will be home to residents who can no longer live independently and need to transition into an environment that offers assisted living support and more advanced nursing care. “When we welcome residents into our Goodwin House communities, they are

healthy, independent and active,” said Kathy Anderson, president and CEO of Goodwin House. “But as health declines and needs change, we want to be able to provide a fluid transition into an area of our campus that matches the high quality of service and personal attention people have come to expect while living at Goodwin House.” The new five-story building will have nine small “houses,” each with private bedrooms, a living room, dining room, den and fully-accessible kitchen, where all meals will be prepared. Direct-care staff, also referred to as Care Partners, will be trained as certified

nursing assistants to address residents’ needs. The ratio of Care Partners to residents will be one staff to five residents. The first floor will include a new memory support program. This house will be dedicated to serving individuals with memory impairments who may also have a tendency to wander. It will feature a secure outdoor garden area. There is also a Goodwin House community in Baileys Crossroads, Va. For more information on the program, see www.goodwinhouse.org/Alexandria/ campusimprovements or call (703) 5781000.

BEACON BITS

Feb. 9+

FORTY+ DANCE TROUPE & CLASS Jane Franklin Dance in Arlington, Va. features a special dance

troupe for performers 40 and over. The group meets weekly with a local contemporary choreographer to build a new work for performance. Performances take place at centers serving older adults and at Theatre on the Run, and are open to anyone. The cost for a series is $160, which meets Tuesdays from Feb. 9 to March 29, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The studio is located at 3700 S. Four Mile Run Dr., Arlington, Va. For more information or to join, visit www.janefranklin.com/adult-danceeducation/forty-plus or call (703) 933-1111.

Keep Living

AFFORDABLE CITY LIVING FOR ACTIVE SENIORS

In Assisted Living Like You’ve Never Seen Before! SM

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NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

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Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

ASSISTED LIVING

Chesterbrook Residences 703 531-0781 2030 Westmoreland Street Falls Church, VA www.chesterbrookres.org At Chesterbrook Residences, you will be able to live with dignity, grace and security, close to the people and places you love in a comfortable, neighborhood setting. We offer an active assisted-living lifestyle for those 62 and over. A variety of one- and two-bedroom floor plans are available. Enjoy our community living room with fireplace, beautiful views, and chef-prepared meals in our gracious main dining room. Rehab services are available 5 days a week, offering physical, occupational and speech therapy, most of which are covered by Medicare Part B. We also have an on-site wellness center with visiting physician and podiatrist. We are a mixed-income nonprofit, so our rates are affordable with uncomplicated all-inclusive pricing. No additional fees for medication administered by a registered nurse or specialized diets.

INDEPENDENT LIVING

Covenant Village (301) 540-1162 18889 Waring Station Road Germantown, MD 20874 www.qpmgmt.com • Spacious 2-bedroom plans with washer/dryer in each apt. • Covenant Village shuttle bus for shopping and local trips • Fitness room, billiard room, game/crafts room, movie theatre • On-site beauty salon, garden plots It’s all about our residents, says Kathy the Property Manager. The staff ensures that the residents always have interesting and exciting activities going on. Some of the fun includes movie nights, new resident meet and greet, holiday parties, fashion shows, and community dinners. Attendance at the wine and cheese and ice cream socials is close to 100%. Covenant Village was recently awarded a trophy by the Property Management Association for being Maryland’s Best Affordable Community in their category! Please call today to make an appointment for a tour.

INDEPENDENT LIVING

Riderwood 3140 Graceﬁeld Road Silver Spring, MD 20904 EricksonLiving.com How to enjoy a worry-free winter Experience vibrant retirement living at Riderwood Stay safe and active all year long at Riderwood, the premier continuing care retirement community in Silver Spring. Snow and ice won’t put the freeze on your social life. Swim in the indoor pool, dine at the on-site restaurants, and enjoy 200-plus activities. Winter can wreak havoc on your house—and your nerves. Here, the full-time maintenance team tackles the repairs. Slick roads don’t have to keep you from that doctor’s appointment. Feel safe and secure with an on-site medical center and 24/7 security. To learn more, call 1-800-664-5792 for a FREE brochure.

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Moving at any age takes some adjustment Alexis Bentz is an 8th grader at Robert cating. There are people you can talk to — Frost Middle School in Rockville, Md. She from peers to grandchildren — about any writes this ongoing column to nervousness you may have. help bridge the gap between BeaIn terms of making new con readers and school-age kids. friends, you can go to mixers If you have ever moved and social events to meet peo(and who hasn’t?), you know ple in your new neighborthat it’s difficult. Packing up hood. There will be senior and leaving your home beand recreation centers with hind can be very challenging numerous activities you can — especially because it doesjoin in near your new home — n’t end there. After relocating, from exercise groups to trips. you have to make new friends If you have moved to a reGENERATIONS and forge new relationships, tirement community, you will TOGETHER which can seem daunting. meet others who have moved By Alexis Bentz When you leave your home, in recently, and can particiyou may think no one underpate in activities and classes stands how you feel. However, moving is offered on the premises. Volunteering or an experience shared by both seniors and joining a club are great ways to meet peoteens. ple with similar interests. When older adults move out of their And you can always take comfort in the houses, they are often going to a senior fact that your old community and friends community or moving in with a relative. won’t disappear just because you left. You Leaving their longtime home may seem can keep in touch via phone and Skype, like saying goodbye to their younger days “snail” mail or email, and make in-person and the ability to be independent, and this visits if you are still nearby. can be extremely scary and unwelcome. So, the next time you get together with But think about it. Things can be just as your younger friends, talk to them and see hard for kids in this situation. They are if they have moved before. You can swap forced to say goodbye to their friends, stories and give advice. You can practice school and neighborhood, and have to meeting new people by doing role play sitreadjust to life in an entirely different set- uations. ting. And they probably have less experiYou can even volunteer together at a ence with such transitions than you do. school or other place in your new commuSo, like so many other topics I’ve ad- nity to make some friends while still bonddressed in this column, getting together ing with your buddies. with younger friends or grandkids to talk My grandmother and grandfather about moving is a good way to bond with moved from the house that they lived in them, and maybe to cope better with your for 26 years to a condo in 2003. Moving own concerns. meant no stairs, no shoveling show, or yard maintenance. They did not know anyAttitude is key one there when they arrived, but made In truth, moving is challenging at any wonderful new friends. age. However, it really all depends on how They were also introduced to many new you look at it. Moving gives you the ability life experiences, such as my grandmother to start fresh, make brand-new friends, getting elected to the board of directors of and discover new places. Things can be her condo. great! As she told me, “the key is not to let Despite this, you may still fear packing yourself become isolated. If you make an your belongings and leaving, but you effort to get to know others and adjust, aren’t alone in your fears. Luckily, because everything will turn out just fine.” so many feel the same way, there are many Send comments to Alexis Bentz by emailthings you can do to find solace. ing info@thebeaconnewspapers.com or writThere are support groups that you can ing to her c/o The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, attend to talk about the challenge of relo- Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

MONT. CO. ELECTION JUDGES NEEDED

Montgomery County’s Board of Elections is seeking registered voters to serve as paid election judges at polling places for the Presidential Primary Election to be held on Tuesday, April 26. Judges must be able to speak, read and write English. Knowledge of other languages is useful. If interested, complete an online quiz and hands-on training. For more information or to apply, visit www.777vote.org and select the Election Judges’ link. For other election information, visit www.777vote.org or http://elections.state.md.us or call (240) 777-VOTE.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

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Programs assist with home modification By Carol Sorgen Most of us would like to remain in our own home as we age, but to make that possible, home modifications may be called for. Fortunately, to help you adapt your home to suit your needs as you age in place, loans and grants are available from federal, state and local governments, as well as from the VA, nonprofit and private organizations, and other agencies. Browse the Home Repair and Modification section on the Eldercare Locator website from the Department of Health and Human Services (www.eldercare.gov) for a comprehensive directory. The website www.disability.gov also lists organizations and programs where you can find information about home modifications. Some state housing finance agencies have loan programs that help people with disabilities (or who have a family member living in the household with disabilities) who are buying a home that needs accessibility modifications. Many states have home modification programs that are part of their state Assistive Technology programs. These programs provide low-interest loans to buy assistive technology or to help pay for home modifications and adaptations to make your home safe and accessible. According to Eldercare.gov, many minor home modifications and repairs cost between $150 and $2,000. Some home remodeling contractors offer reduced rates and charge sliding-scale fees based on a person’s income and ability to pay. Also, some Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) have home modification programs, or can refer you to other organizations that can help pay for home repairs and modifi-

cations. Below is a select guide to several grant and loan programs available throughout the region:

State and local gov’t. programs The Maryland WholeHome Program through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development can help you make valuable repairs and enhancements to your home that can lower your family’s monthly utility bills and improve your quality of life. Maryland WholeHome offers grants and low-interest rate loans that can be used to upgrade to energy-efficient appliances, repair or replace heating and cooling systems, replace insulation, add accessibility features for seniors or those with special needs, remove lead paint, upgrade plumbing, and address structural and maintenance issues. Loans and grants are based on what type of work is needed, as well as household income and ability to repay. The maximum interest rate is 4 percent and may be as low as zero. In addition, payments may be deferred and there is no application fee. For more information, visit www.dhcd.maryland.gov. Single Family Residential Rehabilitation (SFRRP) for residents of Washington, D.C., administers loans and/or grants to modify or eliminate barriers to accessibility for persons with mobility or other physical impairments. The program also helps with home repairs to fix building code violations, and assists homeowners in repairing physical threats to health and safety. Included in the program are: Roof Repair Program, which provides a grant for seniors of up to $15,000 to re-

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place and/or repair their roof. This grant pays for exterior roofing and gutter work only. Handicapped Accessibility Improvement Program, which provides a loan of up to $30,000 for accessibility modifications needed to adjust most physical barriers within a home for persons with mobility or other physical impairments. Households headed by someone 62 years or older may have the first $10,000 of their loan provided as a permanently de-

ferred loan. Deferral of additional amounts will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Loans and grants under these programs may be combined but cannot exceed the overall program maximum of $75,000. All programs are subject to homeowner eligibility, which is based on the homeowner’s income. A new “Safe at Home Program” provides a grant of up to $10,000 for seniors See HOME MODIFICATION, page B-8

Engaging, Thriving, Living! With exercise classes, dances, book chats, bus trips, live entertainment, and lots of other great activities from !"#!$%&$#!&&'()$*&+,--$./0$%!1%$-"2($1%$ Tall Oaks is anything but boring!

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703-834-9800

Coordinated Services Management, Inc. Professional Management of Retirement Communities Since 1981

A Great Retirement? You’ve Earned It.

Now It’s Time To Enjoy It At Knollwood. The nation’s first military retirement community has provided more than 50 years of service to those who experienced the unique life of the military family. Knollwood is built on the cornerstones of personal attention, superior care and camaraderie. Knollwood, bordering Rock Creek Park, is convenient to all Washington, D.C., has to offer. Our affordable continuing care retirement community features modern independent living apartments from 500 to 2,900 sq. ft., assisted living apartments, skilled nursing and memory care and a new Independent Living Plus option. To schedule a tour, contact the Marketing & Admissions Office at 202-541-0149 or marketing@armydistaff.org

Visit us online at www.armydistaff.org

6200 Oregon Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20015 Knollwood, a continuing care retirement community, is owned and operated by the Army Distaff Foundation, a nonprofit charitable organization committed to providing a safe, permanent home for uniformed officers and family members.

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Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Vinson Hall Retirement Community 703-536-4344 6251 Old Dominion Drive McLean, VA 22101 www.vinsonhall.org Located on 20 pastoral acres in Northern Virginia, Vinson Hall Retirement Community is just minutes from countless Washington, D.C.-area attractions. Our active, vibrant community features independent living, assisted living, nursing and memory care, which allow our residents and their family members to enjoy peace of mind knowing that our continuum of care can accommodate changing needs. Our independent living is open to commissioned military officers and their immediate family. We are now accepting federal employees GS-14 and above as residents. Everyone is welcome at Arleigh Burke Pavilion, where we provide assisted living, skilled nursing, and private pay nursin g care services; and at The Sylvestery Memory Care, where we offer assisted living care for those with memory impairment or other forms of dementia.

INDEPENDENT LIVING

Seabury at FRIENDSHIP TERRACE 202-244-7400 4201 Butterworth Place NW Washington, DC 20016 www.friendshipterrace.org Active, affordable senior living close to stores, restaurants, transportation and entertainment can be found at Seabury at Friendship Terrace! Located in a quiet, tree-lined Northwest Washington neighborhood, Friendship Terrace is just two blocks from the Tenleytown Metro station. The community offers affordable senior living with subsidy assistance to those who are eligible, as well as exciting on-site events including performances, lectures, holiday observances, socials, and more. A rooftop deck, greenhouse, library, lounges, and a dining room overlooking an outdoor courtyard are highlights of the community. If needed, additional on-site care can be arranged. Com e for a tour and learn how to make Friendship Terrace your new home.

ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE

Tall Oaks Assisted Living 703-834-9800 12052 N. Shore Drive Reston, VA 20190 TallOaksAL.com

Tall Oaks Assisted Living has proudly served Reston and the Metropolitan DC area since 1991 by providing quality Assisted Living and Memory Care to seniors. From superb and delicious dining to engaging activity programming and 24-hour licensed nursing care, our goal is to exceed expectations in every aspect of community life. The friendliness of our leadership team gives families peace of mind knowing that their loved one’s care is in experienced hands. Call Today to schedule your personal tour and see for yourself why Tall Oaks has been Rising Above the Ordinary since 1991.

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Home modification From page B-7 and people with disabilities to make their homes accessible (through grab bars, ramps, shower cut-outs and the like). Visit www.dhcd.dc.gov for more information. Virginia Housing Development Authority Rental Accessibility offers a Modification Grant of up to $2,000 per rental unit in assistance for accessibility modifications for tenants with disabilities who earn 80 percent or less of the area median income. Call (877) VHDA-123 or visit www.vhda.com/Renters/Pages/AccessibleRentalHousing.aspx. The Virginia Livable Homes Tax Credit, through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, offers tax credits of up to $5,000 for the purchase/construction of a new accessible residence, and up to 50 percent for the cost of retrofitting existing units, not to exceed $5,000. Call (804) 371-7124 or visit www.dhcd.virginia.gov/LHTC. Home Repair for the Elderly Program, through the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority, provides minor home repairs to eligible lowand moderate-income elderly homeowners residing in the property, as well as accessibility modifications for disabled homeowners. Fairfax County will provide a crew to do up to one week’s labor, and provide up to $500 in materials to complete necessary repairs and maintenance. Materials are paid for by county and Federal funds. Call (703) 246-5179 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/rha/seniorhousing/hrep.htm. The Rental Accessibility Modification Program (RAMP) in Alexandria, Va., assists low- and moderate-income tenants with physical disabilities in completing accessibility modifications to their residences. The program is available to physically disabled renters meeting the federal Section 8 low income limits. This program provides grants of up to $50,000 for primary residence modifications that are necessary to accommodate the particular circumstances of the disabled member of the household. The program also provides “minigrants” to assist households needing limited modifications of up to $1,500. The RAMP program is funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant program, while the mini-grants program receives funding through the City’s Housing Trust Fund. Call (703) 746-4990.

Federal programs The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) (www.va.gov) makes grants available to service members and veterans with certain permanent and total service-connected disabilities to help them buy or build an adapted home, or modify an existing home to accommodate a disability. The two grant programs are the Specially Adapted Housing grant and the Special Housing Adaptation grant. You can apply online or call VA toll-free at 1-800-827-1000 to have a claim form mailed to you. You can also ask to speak to the Department of Veterans Affairs Home Loans Service. The USDA’s Single Family Housing Repair program (http://bit.ly/USDAhousingrepair) provides loans to very lowincome homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes. It also provides grants to elderly, low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards.

Nonprofit organizations Rebuilding Together (www.rebuildingtogether.org) is a nonprofit organization that provides home repair and modification services for low-income families, people with disabilities, seniors, veterans and military families, as well as helping families whose homes have been damaged by natural disasters. Contact the local affiliate in Baltimore at (410) 889-2710 for more information. The National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification (http://gero.usc.edu/nrcshhm/) promotes aging in place for seniors and people who are aging with a disability. The Center gives families and individuals the knowledge they need to plan for their housing, health and supportive service needs. Check your state’s listings for agencies and organizations near you that can help with home modifications. Easy Access Housing for Easier Living is a brochure from Easter Seals that has tips on how to adapt your home to accommodate a person with a disability. The local Easter Seals chapter (www.easterseals.com/DCMDVA/) can provide information about possible financing options to pay for modifications to make your home accessible. The United Spinal Association (www.unitedspinal.org) offers a guide on home modifications that includes information about resources that can help people with spinal cord injuries pay for home modifications. The American Occupational Therapy Association (www.aota.org) has more information on this subject.

BEACON BITS

Jan. 10

BEADED JEWELRY WORKSHOP

GALA Artisan Jewelry & Gifts presents Intro to Beaded Jewelry on Sunday, Jan. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon. Have fun learning the basics of making beaded jewelry, including stringing, using crimps and attaching clasps, from instructor Ruth Beer Bletzinger. Students will complete a pair of earrings and a bracelet or necklace. No experience required. All materials are included with the $50 fee. The shop is located at 10417 Armory Ave., Kensington, Md. For more information or to sign up, call (301) 933-2912.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

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FREE HOUSING AND OTHER INFORMATION For free information from advertisers in this special section, check off those that interest you and mail this entire page to the Beacon. Please do not request info if you are not interested. All replies have an equal chance to win. To be eligible for Road Show tickets, your reply must arrive by February 8, 2016.

HOUSING COMMUNITIES: WASHINGTON, DC ❑ Friendship Terrace . .B-8 & B-10 ❑ Knollwood . . . . . . . .B-7 & B-15 ❑ Residences at Thomas Circle . . . . . . . . . .B-14

MARYLAND ❑ The Bonifant at Silver Spring . . . . . . .B-5 & B-13 ❑ Brooke Grove .B-4, B-13 & B-16 ❑ Covenant Village . . .B-6 & B-11 ❑ Emerson House . . .B-11 & B-13 ❑ Homecrest House . . .B-2 & B-13

❑ Mrs. Philippines Home . . . .B-11 ❑ Riderwood . . . . . . . .B-6 & B-14 ❑ Springvale Terrace . .B-4 & B-12

VIRGINIA ❑ Ashby Ponds . . . . . .B-13 & B14 ❑ Chesterbrook Residences . . . . . . .B-6 & B-10 ❑ Fairfax, The . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-3 ❑ Great Falls . . . . . . . . .B-3 & B-4 ❑ Greenspring . . . . . .B-14 & B-15 ❑ Gum Springs Glen . . . . . . .B-11 ❑ Herndon Harbor House . . . .B-11 ❑ Lockwood House . . . . . . . .B-11 ❑ Morris Glen . . . . . . . . . . . .B-11 ❑ Potomac Place . . . . . . . . . . .B-3

❑ Tall Oaks . . . . . . . . . .B-7 & B-8 ❑ Tribute at Heritage Village . . . .B-5 & B-13 ❑ Vinson Hall . . . . . . .B-8 & B-12 ❑ Waltonwood . . . . . . .B-2 & B-15 ❑ Wingler House . . . . . . . . . .B-11

HOME CARE SERVICES: ❑ Best Senior Care . . . . . . . . .B-7

REVERSE MORTGAGE: ❑ Jefferson Mortgage . . . . . . . . .B-5

VOLUNTEER OPPOR.: ❑ JCA Village Volunteers . . . . . .B-11

Check the boxes you’re interested in and return this entire coupon to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227. You may also include the free info coupon on page 5. One entry per household please. Name __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________E-mail_______________________________________________ City _______________________________________________________ State ______________________ Zip ____________________ Phone (day) _______________________________________________ (eve) ________________________________________________ Please provide your telephone number and e-mail address so we may contact you promptly if you win the drawing.

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J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Neighborhood villages look at new models By Barbara Ruben The Washington area has one of the most robust “village movements” in the country. There are currently 36 villages in the region, with another 12 under development. Each one is a neighborhood or other network that enables older residents or members to age in place with the assistance of volunteers or vetted service professionals that help with household chores and transportation. Most villages also offer social and educational activities as well. But that doesn’t mean the concept is well known among all seniors. Last year, Sylvia Saunders started organizing members of her Senior Fit exercise class, at the East County Community Center in Silver Spring, Md., so they could help each other with tasks and find rides to doctor appointments and other places as they needed them. Then one day she saw a brochure about villages, which she was unfamiliar with. It “blew my mind,” she said. “That was exactly what we were doing — establishing a village. What appealed to me was how on track I was for something I knew nothing about,” said Saunders, who is now the director of the nascent East County Village, which so far is developing a referral list of professional services providers. She is also working on a plan to recruit vol-

unteers from a youth group that uses the community center.

Group-based “villages” While most of the villages in the Washington area are based in particular neighborhoods, East County is part of a new trend that brings together people from organizations with which they are affiliated, such as community centers and faithbased groups, said Pazit Aviv, village coordinator for Montgomery County’s Aging and Disability Services. “Demographically speaking, when you look at the village movement, the majority of people who are associated with it are white, upper middle class people in affluent communities. We are now looking at ways to broaden participation,” Aviv said. But she said that’s a little tricky because, “You can’t come in as a government and start building villages for people, because they’re for people, by people.” So Aviv advises groups on how they might find resources and create an infrastructure for their own “village.” In addition to the East County Village, she is working with the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring to think about ways a village model might be created for its members.

Subsidizing memberships Another way in which villages are

CHEST ER BROOK R ESIDENCES

that they can remain a part of the village as long as possible. “All villages are going this way, as our membership gets older and possibly a little sicker. We have less than 10 members in need of constant checking in on, but it’s definitely going to grow,” she said. Brian Footer, director of policy, planning and evaluation for the D.C. Office on Aging, also has concerns about the aging of village members and the more complex needs they may have as they get older. “There needs to be a conversation about what a village can do. This is extremely difficult for those that are volunteer-based and don’t have the resources for case management,” he said. While the District has hosted workshops to help its nine existing villages (and four under development) learn more about creating effective village structures and volunteer systems, Footer acknowledged the next steps will include tackling the relationships among villages, the government and the private sector as village members get older. Footer is working with the Community Preservation and Development Corporation — a real estate developer for affordable and mixed-income housing — to explore ways their buildings in the EdgeSee VILLAGES, page B-11

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

MAKE BLANKETS FOR CHARITY

The University of Maryland Extension Office needs volunteers to make blankets as gifts for sick children. Volunteers can knit, crochet or quilt (yarn and fabric provided). The next meeting will take place on Friday, Feb. 5 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Office, located at 18410 Muncaster Rd., Derwood, Md. Donations of plain fabric and children’s prints and of worstedweight acrylic yarn gratefully accepted. For more information and directions, call Pat at (301) 460-5451.

ON LY FOR T H E

young at heart.

changing: Some established villages are working to bring in more low-income members who may have not been able to participate because they could not afford the annual membership fee many villages charge to cover oversight and activities. For example, Dupont Circle Village, in Washington, D.C., charges $500 a year for individuals; $700 for households. The village includes the Adams Morgan area, and this year it plans to offer subsidized memberships to 10 residents of Jubilee Housing and Sarah’s Circle — organizations that provide housing for low-income seniors in Adams Morgan. In 2015, the village hired its first fulltime executive director, Eva Lucero. The village has more than 170 members, spanning from 50 years of age to over 90, and relies on the help of 60 volunteers. “A component I love about the village is the willingness of the volunteers. Everybody volunteers, and that’s the whole concept of the village movement,” said Lucero. “It saves both residents and the government an enormous amount of money if people can remain in their own homes” with the help of neighbors. In addition to welcoming low-income members this year, Lucero would like to hire a social worker who can help with plans when members are discharged from the hospital, or when they become frail, so

a new home for the new year

They say that home is where the heart is. When you settle in to your new apartment at Chesterbrook Residences, you will bring your favorite holiday traditions and memories with you, making you feel right at home this winter. Our assisted living blends quality care and security with affordability, giving you and your family peace of mind. Delicious dining, exciting events, and friendly people complete the package, allowing you to be young at heart. Call today!

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Villages From page B-10 wood neighborhood of Northeast Washington can become villages. The District is also looking at how faithbased communities can learn more about villages and how the village concept might be adapted to a congregation rather than a neighborhood.

Small, less structured villages In Northern Virginia, the trend is also moving toward less structured villages, according to Patricia Rohrer, who works with villages as the long-term care program development coordinator for the Fairfax County Health Department. “What we’re noticing is there’s more of a movement toward [villages] that might be more within a small neighborhood and volunteer based, where neighbors are helping neighbors. They don’t have a big structure like the paid models,” she said. “In particular, we’re noticing here that homeowners’ associations, civic associations — groups such as these that already exist and have a structure set up — are interested in and, in many cases, adding a kind of village or neighbor-helping-neighbor component to their organization.” In addition to these ad-hoc villages, Rohrer is also seeing greater collaboration between villages. One issue that unites many villages is transportation and finding enough volunteers to provide rides.

Last year, Rohrer created NV Rides — a free computer program to more efficiently match those needing rides with volunteers to provide them, even if they live in different villages. And as elsewhere in the region, there has been a greater emphasis on inclusiveness. Mt. Vernon at Home, in Alexandria, Va., recently received an endowment to help lower-income residents with the cost of membership (which is now $700 for individuals and $950 for couples), Rohrer said. “It’s a challenge to get funding, a challenge to really serve the whole community by having enough resources to subsidize them,” she added. Despite some growing pains and the challenges of creating villages in non-traditional ways, the Washington area is ripe for an evolving model of ways neighborhoods and organizations can band together to facilitate ways aging in place by older adults, said Montgomery County’s Aviv. “That’s because of the nature of the people who choose to live in D.C. — the people who worked for the federal government, who retired from nonprofits that have headquarters here, think tanks, academia, the business community,” she said. “We’re talking about a powerhouse of skills, of knowledge and experience in management and leadership. “So when those people retire, they bring all that treasure. I think we’re very blessed and fortunate to have the manpower to be the fuel behind the village movement.”

BEACON BITS

Jan. 20

COMPUTER TUTORING Fairfax County Public Library presents one-on-one computer tutor-

ing on Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. Volunteer tutors will show you how to set

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Affordable Senior Communities Discover how great senior living is at one of our affordable apartment communities. Many of our communities feature 24-hour emergency maintenance, full activities programs, spacious floor plans, affordable rents, caring and dedicated staff, and much more. We are conveniently located near shopping, including grocery stores and pharmacies. Let us help you live life to the fullest. Call or visit our web site to view these communities:

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up email and use basic software. Come to the Patrick Henry Library, located at 101 Maple Ave. E., Vienna, Va. For more information, call (703) 938-0405.

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J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Technology to help you stay independent

Safety and security systems PERS, an acronym for Personal Emergency Response Systems, are familiar to many people. You push an emergency button on a key chain or from a cord around your neck or wrist. An operator assesses your situation and can dispatch help or notify family. But these medical alert systems are changing. They used to work only at home with a base station connected to a landline. What’s new is the introduction of m-PERS (the “m” stands for mobile), which works wherever you are — on the golf course, out to lunch, in the garden, or visiting the grandkids in another state. Rita Labla, 79, lives alone and drives, but she struggles with congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She’s also fallen. “When she’s out of sight, you never know what’s going on,” said her daughter, Loretta Burke, 61, who lives three miles

VINSON HALL RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

turned on. She also gets an alert on her smartphone if none of the sensors has been triggered during periods of the day when her mother should be up and about. Instead of calling every morning to make sure her mother is OK, Kniffen goes on her smartphone to check the sensors. (The sensors come with a one-time cost of $199, plus a $29 monthly fee.) Michael Demoratz, 54 and a social worker, chose a combination PERS/sensor system from BeClose (http://beclose.com, 1-866-574-1784) to keep tabs on his mother, who lives in Pennsylvania. He placed motion sensors in her living room, between the bathroom and bedroom, and on the cellar door, which was the site of two previous accidents. Demoratz receives a daily e-mail. Green means his mom’s activity is ordinary, yellow signifies out of the ordinary, and red is abnormal. If she were to press the panic button, Demoratz would get a text from the company. “My mother feels reassured because she knows I have been alerted,” he said. BeClose’s ability to spot variations in behavior is the system’s most valuable feature, Demoratz said. “If I have objective data, my mother can’t just say she’s fine when I call,” he said. “I can tell her I notice she’s not getting up or out much, and is spending a lot of time in her chair. Then I can ask why she’s so sedentary.” Every year, Demoratz takes a vacation to Europe. “This year, from my phone, iPad, desktop or anyone’s computer, I’ll know exactly what’s going on with my mom in real time — whether she’s sitting, in bed, in the bathroom, or if she’s left the house,” he said. “Talk about peace of

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away. Last July, Burke gave her mother a GreatCall Splash m-PERS. “We were all concerned she wouldn’t use it. Instead, she has it with her all the time,” Burke said. “It’s like her bodyguard.” Labla agrees. “I feel much more secure with it,” she said. Labla knows she can press it if she thinks someone shady is following her in the parking lot, she gets lost on the road, or has a problem at home. By checking their smartphones, tablets or computers, Burke and her siblings can track their mother via GPS. You can order a GreatCall Splash at www.greatcall.com or by calling 800-650-5921 ($50 for purchase, $35 activation fee, and monthly service starting at $20). GreatCall plans to add a feature that summons help if it detects a fall — even if you haven’t pressed the button. Already, another go-anywhere medical alert system, Philips Lifeline’s GoSafe (www.lifelinesys.com, 1800-380-3111), offers a waterproof pendant with fall-detection capability — for a onetime fee of $149 plus $55 a month. MobileHelp (www.mobilehelp.com, 800-989-9863) has a similar system ($37, plus $50 a month; fall detection is an extra $10 a month). Sensors are another way to make sure Mom or Dad is safe at home. Several wireless sensors placed around the house where a parent goes daily — perhaps the bed, the refrigerator, a favorite chair or the bathroom door — can tip you off if they aren’t triggered. Sarah King, 83, lives in a basement apartment of her daughter Donita Kniffen’s home. Still, sensors from Evermind (https://evermind.us, 1-855-677-7625) have come in handy. Kniffen, 52, programmed Evermind so she receives a text the first time her mom’s TV, microwave or reading lamp is

Chalk it up to longevity, millions of worried long-distance family caregivers, and a looming shortage of professional home aides. About 10,000 boomers a day are turning 65, and close to half of women 75 and older live alone. Here are some of the products geared to helping older adults maintain their independence:

CEL

By Sally Abrahms Though the vast majority of people want to “age in place” by staying in their homes as they get older, safety and health issues and social isolation can interfere with that plan. Fortunately, a growing number of stateof-the-art digital tools — including smartphones, GPS, voice activated and sensor technology — can better enable us to stay where we are indefinitely. With these new products, which are affordable and easy to use, a family member can indirectly keep tabs on a parent or child — tracking their daily activities on a cellphone, tablet or computer, and being notified by text or e-mail if something seems out of the ordinary. Gadgets and apps can remind us to take our medications — and let others know if we don’t. Besides telling time, smart watches can provide feedback on one’s vitals, such as blood pressure, that can be relayed to professionals. “The aging-in-place technology field is exploding,” said gerontologist Katy Fike, who co-founded San Francisco-based Aging 2.0 in 2012 to advise start-ups geared to boomers and seniors. In the past few years, her company has met with more than 1,000 entrepreneurs in seven countries, aiming for a part of the market that is expected to reach $30 billion by 2017.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

INDEPENDENT LIVING

Ashby Ponds 21170 Ashby Ponds Boulevard Ashburn, VA 20147 EricksonLiving.com How to enjoy a worry-free winter Experience vibrant retirement living at Ashby Ponds Stay safe and active all year long at Ashby Ponds, the premier continuing care retirement community in Loudoun County. Snow and ice won’t put the freeze on your social life. Swim in the indoor pool, dine at the on-site restaurants, and enjoy 100-plus activities. Winter can wreak havoc on your house—and your nerves. Here, the full-time maintenance team tackles the repairs. Slick roads don’t have to keep you from that doctor’s appointment. Feel safe and secure with an on-site medical center and 24/7 security. To learn more, call 1-800-533-8415 for a FREE brochure.

INDEPENDENT LIVING

Emerson House 301-779-6196 5999 Emerson Street Bladensburg, MD 20710 Emerson House Apartments is conveniently located on Emerson Street, just off of Rt. 450 and 57th Ave in Bladensburg, Md. A quaint residential setting, just minutes from neighborhood shopping, the community is convenient to Prince George's Hospital, a local library, public transportation and parks. Activities within Emerson House include: exercise classes, a Wii bowling league, arts and crafts classes, bingo, movie night, parties, bus trips and much more. Emerson House is a nine-story, community designed for today’s seniors (62 and older). Our 220 one-bedroom units offer Section 8 rent subsidy for low- to moderate-income households. Please call today to request an application or make an appointment to tour our community. 301-779-6196. Monday – Friday, 8:30 to 5:00.

ASSISTED LIVING/MEMORY CARE

The Bonifant at Silver Spring 844-243-0369

Tribute at Heritage Village 703-468-1475

929 Bonifant Street Silver Spring, MD 20910 TheBonifant.com

13650 Heathcote Boulevard Gainesville, VA 20155 hello@tributeatheritagevillage.com

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS: Opening in early 2016, this well-appointed, 11-story, 149-apartment, smoke-free community located in the heart of Downtown Silver Spring caters to active seniors age 62 or better. The Bonifant offers studio, one and twobedroom apartments designed with innovation and relaxation in mind. The community amenities include an outdoor terrace, bike storage, community room, and more. The Fenton Village area is filled with restaurants, shops, and services all within walking distance or can be easily accessed by public transportation. A contemporary oasis of calm in the heart of the city, The Bonifant is next door to the new Silver Spring Library, and offers r esidents access to all the amenities of bustling city life from the comfort of a relaxing, modern apartment. Welcome to The Bonifant at Silver Spring!

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If you are looking for an Assisted Living and Memory Care community in Prince William County, you don’t have to look any further. Prince William has been anticipating a community with a high level of luxury in senior living, featuring advanced care systems for accurate and accountable care. While care is at the core of Tribute at Heritage Village, an excellent quality of life is an essential feature of the community. We have a Director of Excitement whose only job is to keep residents anticipating what’s next and what excitement tomorrow will bring. Whether it’s activities on the third floor open-air terrace, or adventures in the luxury motor coach, residents stay active in meaningful pastimes. Call to schedule your exclusive hard hat tour to learn more today!

INDEPENDENT & PERSONAL CARE COMMUNITIES

B’nai B’rith Homecrest House 301-244-3579 14508 Homecrest Road Silver Spring, MD 20906 www.homecresthouse.org Homecrest House is a non-profit, affordable subsidized community offering two options: independent and personal care services. PERSONAL CARE offers: assistance with bathing, daily meals, weekly housekeeping and laundry services with optional medication administration. Homecrest is nestled on ten beautiful acres with its own pond and neighbors Leisure World. Residents may qualify approximately 30% of their adjusted income for rent, and personal care subsidies. Homecrest offers a full array of activities both in-house and around the metro area via our van service. Our computer lab, beauty shop, exercise room, library and social halls are just a few amenities our residents enjoy at Homecrest House. Call today for a personalized tour or visit us on the web at www.homecresthouse.org.

ASSISTED LIVING

Brooke Grove Retirement Village 301-260-2320 18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.bfg.org This community hums with warmhearted camaraderie and a zest for life shared by residents and staff alike. Experience all that makes assisted living at Brooke Grove extraordinary. Cozy, homelike dwellings with easy access to beautiful courtyards and walking paths. Caring staff trained in usi ng memory support techniques, building independence and lifting self-esteem. Innovative LIFE® Enrichment Programming with meaningful activities and off-site adventures. Visit us to see why Brooke Grove Retirement Village is one of the most sought-after continuing care retirement communities in the state. Living here is simply different … because what surrounds you really matters.

Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Technology From page B-12 mind.” (The system costs $499 for the equipment and $99 a month.)

Medication managers Taking pills at the right time, often multiple times a day, is critical to your health. What if you forget? New products can provide reminders and let loved ones know whether you’re on track. Lively (www.mylively.com, 1-888-7570711) recently came out with a safety watch that not only tells time, but also acts as a medication reminder and a medical alert system.

You attach a sensor to the pill dispenser, and the senior gets a reminder on a smart watch she wears. Remote caregivers get a notice by smartphone or computer when the medications are taken, or perhaps forgotten. The system also lets you push a button in an emergency. A pedometer feature counts your steps, thus giving you feedback on your activity level. Colleen Sturdivant said her mother, Jane Kennedy, 76, likes the step-counting feature. Since her recent hip replacement, the step counter shows her that she’s getting stronger every day by increasing her steps. Sturdivant likes the feature that notifies her of her mother’s whereabouts, which

BEACON BITS

Feb. 5+

THE BIRTH OF A NATION IN SONG

The McLean Community Players’ production of the musical 1776, based on the events surrounding the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence, opens Friday, Feb. 5 and runs weekends through Sunday, Feb. 21. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at the Alden Theatre in the McLean Community Center, located at 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean, Va. Tickets cost $23 to $25. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 1-866-811-4111 or visit www.McLean Players.org.

Ongoing

WEEKLY LIBRARY TRIPS

The Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center offers weekly trips to the Silver Spring Public Library on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. The group meets in the center lobby and rides a JCA (Jewish Council for the Aging) bus. The center is located at 1000 Forest Glen Rd., Silver Spring, Md. For more information, call (240) 777-8085.

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

can be shared with her sister and two brothers through an online dashboard. (The system costs $50, plus $28 to $35 a month.) A more low-tech system is Reminder Rosie (http://reminder-rosie.com, $130), a talking clock. You manually program it with your voice or a loved one’s voice, for the day, week or sometime in the future (perhaps, “time for my afternoon pills”). Mike Gilman, 65, a retired New York state tax collector, takes eight pills a day at different times. “Rosie is the most fantastic thing,” he said. Besides jogging his memory about his medication, Gilman uses the device to remind himself when to send birthday cards to family and friends. If you want a free app for your smartphone or tablet, CareZone (www.carezone.com) centralizes information about your medication and other important information, such as doctor appointments. You can share this information with family members. You can also set daily medication reminders that buzz your phone, followed up 10 minutes later if you forget.

Keeping in touch Even if devices can help you stay in your home, you can still get lonely. Technology can help you feel connected to friends and family — and sometimes even to medical professionals. With an interactive touch screen from grandCARE Systems (www.grandcare.com,

(262) 338-6147), you can look at a photo of a grandson’s Halloween getup or a video replay of his baseball home run. You can listen to music, play word games, read the news, or surf the Internet. No need to know how to use a computer. Randall Schafer, 61, uses his grandCARE system to Skype with his mother, 90. (She just pushes a button to videochat.) “My mom is in love with our dog, Daisy,” Schafer said. Her “face lights up” when she sees the schnauzer, he said. An added feature: The system can transmit health data — from glucose and blood pressure to weight and oxygen readings. For example, a blood pressure cuff with a wireless Bluetooth medical device will record and relay the readings to caregivers. (The system costs $699, plus $49 a month.) Another system that offers social opportunities — as well as care coordination, calendar sharing and health-data collection — is Independa (www.independa.com, 1800-815-7829). All the information appears on a smart TV rather than on a computer or device screen. You can be watching “Downton Abbey” on the TV, and up pops a screen saying your daughter wants to say goodnight. You can accept and videochat — or not, if you’re engrossed in the show. An adult child can go to the Independa caregiver portal via e-mail and send a message or upSee TECHNOLOGY, page B-15

We take the worry out of WINTER. Retire from the ice, snow, and stress at Ashby Ponds, Greenspring, or Riderwood, the area’s premier senior living communities. You’ll enjoy year-round amenities like an indoor pool, medical center, and multiple restaurants. Without the hassle or high cost of home maintenance, winter may become your favorite season. Call 1-800-384-9774 for your FREE brochure.

Ashby Ponds Ashburn, VA 11203628

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Greenspring Springfield, VA

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Riderwood Silver Spring, MD

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Technology From page B-14 load photos to your TV screen. One feature called “Life Stories” lets parents record their memories for their adult children. You or your parents can play the remembrances at any time, and email them to other family members. Independa has also introduced a mobile app for caregivers who have an Apple Watch. The system costs $799 to $1,399, depending on your preferred size of LG smart TV embedded with Independa services. Or, if you have your own TV with an HDMI connection, which is now commonly used, you can hook it up to an Independa AnyTV Companion box, which costs $399. Both systems charge $30 a month. A unique social engagement tool is the GeriJoy virtual care companion (www.gerijoy.com, 1-855-437-4569), which costs $249 a month. Consider it pet therapy with a twist. A virtual “talking” dog or cat on a tablet screen interacts and converses with a loved one. Many people name their pet, which is operated around the clock by GeriJoy representatives who work remotely. To start a conversation, you touch the dog on the tablet screen and talk. Your pet will “wake up” and start chatting. (Perhaps the pet will say, “Did you have a good sleep? You look fabulous today.”) When you ask a question, your virtual companion responds immediately, even if it means the human helper has to look up an answer on the Internet. (“How did the Red Sox do last night?” for example.) Daily conversations and events are kept on a written log, which the family can access through a secure Web site. Becky and Craig Jio bought GeriJoy for Craig’s mother, Lucy, who has Alzheimer’s disease and lives with them in Santa Clara, Calif. She doesn’t like to leave her room. “GeriJoy is good company,” Craig, 45, said. She especially loves a silly picture that Becky uploaded of a man with an ultra-long nose and tongue. “When it pops up, she cracks up laughing,” Becky said. The Jios are convinced that GeriJoy has improved her mood. When the system was down for a week with hardware problems, Craig said, “my mother got depressed. Now that it’s back, she’s happier. That makes everyone happier.”

Coming down the pike In the future, a growing number of seniors will be connected remotely with service providers who’ll be able to detect changes in physical and mental health, as well as mobility, said David Lindeman, director of the Center for Technology and Aging, a research group in Oakland, Calif. “We’re in a new era of connected aging,” Lindeman said. “We’ll be getting more and more information brought to us in a variety of ways so we can support our loved ones.” Look for more developments in the “smart home:” — Entrepreneurs are working on a carpet woven from optic fibers that analyze your gait and help predict if you may fall or are physically declining. — Consumer-friendly devices will enable long-distance caregivers, with the touch of a tablet or cellphone, to turn off Dad’s stove if he forgets, or to close the blinds. Also on the horizon is the growth in “wearables,” including smart jewelry and clothing with sensors and chips woven into fabric. The sensors will track movement, collect health data and transmit to a mobile device. Don’t like the look of today’s PERS pendants, wristbands and key chains? Cuff Inc. (www.cuff.io) is introducing products, priced from $29 to $199, that look like elegant jewelry. The gadget, which is inserted in specially made bracelets and necklaces, sends notifications, tracks activity and acts as a safety device. Sensogram Technologies, based in Plano, Texas, is working on SensoTRACK (www.sensotrack.com), a device you wear on your ear. It captures oxygen saturation, respiration and heart rate, as well as mood. The goal is to prevent or to catch a problem early. We will be seeing more social and caregiving applications, too. Laurie Orlov, founder of Aging in Place Technology Watch (www.ageinplacetech. com), believes voice-activated robots might someday be good helpers and conversationalists. “It is inevitable that companion robots will learn, adjusting responses to become the companion we need, responding to our commentary and reminding us to take our medication so that we can remain independent,” Orlov said. © 2015, Kiplinger. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Jan. 28

CHINESE NEW YEAR LUNCH Shepherd’s Center of Annandale-Springfield presents their monthly

Lunch N’ Life program on Thursday, Jan. 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. In honor of the new year, this event will celebrate the Year of the Monkey and explain the origins of the Chinese New Year. The church is located at 6800 Columbia Pike, Annandale, Va. The cost is $10 per person. Reservations are required and needed by Tuesday, Jan. 26. For more information or to register, call (703) 941-1419 or email shepherdscas@vacoxmail.com.

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INDEPENDENT/ASSISTED/MEMORY CARE

Waltonwood Ashburn 571 982-6318 44144 Russell Branch Parkway Ashburn, VA 20147 www.Waltonwood.com Social opportunities and luxury amenities await you at Waltonwood Ashburn, a community from Singh Development opening early 2017 with independent living, assisted living and memory care communities. Our broad range of amenities includes a spa, saltwater therapy pool, fitness and wellness center, movie theatre, cafe, convenience store and more. Enjoy chef prepared meals in our elegant dining room, plus personal care services and courtesy transportation. You will love our beautifully appointed studio, 1- and 2-bedroom apartment homes. Visit our on-site information center for tours 7 days a week. It's located on Russell Branch Parkway near the intersection of Ashburn Village Blvd. and Russell Branch Parkway. We look forward to your visit. The priority waiting list is now forming.

INDEPENDENT LIVING

Greenspring 7410 Spring Village Drive Springﬁeld, VA 22150 EricksonLiving.com How to enjoy a worry-free winter Experience vibrant retirement living at Greenspring Stay safe and active all year long at Greenspring, the premier continuing care retirement community in Springfield. Snow and ice won’t put the freeze on your social life. Swim in the indoor pool, dine at the on-site restaurants, and enjoy 100-plus activities. Winter can wreak havoc on your house—and your nerves. Here, the full-time maintenance team tackles the repairs. Slick roads don’t have to keep you from that doctor’s appointment. Feel safe and secure with an on-site medical center and 24/7 security. To learn more, call 1-800-989-1409 for a FREE brochure.

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Knollwood 202-541-0149 or 1-800-541-4255 6200 Oregon Avenue NW Washington, DC 20015 www.armydistaﬀ.org Knollwood is a continuing care retirement community owned and funded by the Army Distaff Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. Located in Washington, DC, the continuum of care includes independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing care and memory care and is home to approximately 300 residents. The community offers apartments ranging from 500 sq. ft. to 2800 sq. ft. for independent living, and handicapped accessible apartments for assisted living. It also features multiple dining options, a salon, library, a fitness center and pool, several music rooms and art studio. Coming soon are newly renovated, state-of-the-art wellness and fitness centers, independent living apartments, front lobby and a lounge. As the first military retirement community of its kind, Knollwood has provided quality retirement living to military officers and their relatives since opening in 1962.

B-16

Housing Options

PULL-OUT & KEEP THIS SECTION

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Independent Living Team Wins Silver Spoon Award at “A Taste of Senior Living” E

xecutive Chef Victor Camacho and Brooke Grove Retirement Village’s (BGRV) independent living team took home the coveted Silver Spoon Award at “A Taste of Senior Living” recently hosted by LifeSpan Network at Kahler Hall in Columbia, Maryland. The friendly competition featured the best of senior living cuisine from 21 community chefs in the Washington metropolitan area. The winning entry, Crab Balls with Horseradish Cream Sauce over Fiesta Quinoa Salad, is a yearround favorite of independent living residents dining at Westbrooke Clubhouse. Head Server Mikey Eudy joined Chef Camacho in serving the delicious entrée to guests. “It was wonderful to be able to share in the success of the Brooke Grove team that evening and a thrill to see Victor rewarded for his exceptional culinary talents,” remarked independent living resident Pat Rice, a guest at the inaugural event. “The award was incredibly well-deserved.” Indian Cakes with Sesame Tahini Sauce over Seasoned Couscous, BGRV’s assisted living entry, also wowed the crowds. While the recipe was originally submitted by Culinary Services Coordinator Carlos Baten, colleague Clive Reid graciously stepped in and did a stellar job of preparing the entry when Chef Baten was unexpectedly called away shortly before the occasion. “The Indian Cakes were really, really good, and it was great to taste a vegan entry that illustrates the diversity of cuisine prepared by Brooke Grove chefs,” noted one observer.

Chef Victor Camacho accepts the Silver Spoon Award.

Assisted Living Culinary Services Director Debbie Schyllander Bass and other administrative team members. “The event was great fun, high energy and just a delightful experience overall,” noted Ms. Bass. “It was a proud moment for BGRV,” added Ms. Davis.

For more information about Brooke Grove, call

301-260-2320 18131 Slade School Road • Sandy Spring, MD 20860

Chefs Camacho and Reid were supported in their presentations by Director of Marketing Toni Davis,

www.bgf.org

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Spotlight On Aging, continued Continued from page 24, preceding the Housing Options Magazine at the left.

2016 Saturday Respite Program Dates The D.C. Office on Aging is happy to announce DCOA’s Saturday Respite program dates for 2016! This program gives a four-hour break to caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. Participants engage in interactive and stimulating activities with other participants, and enjoy time being socially engaged. Please see scheduled program dates, program site, contact information, and hours of operation. Dates: January 9 January 23 February 6 February 20 March 5 March 19 March 26 April 2 April 16 April 30 May 14 May 28 June 11 June 25 July 9 July 23 August 6 August 20 September 3 September 17 Program Coordinator: Aisha Bailey, email: aisha.bailey@dc.gov, Phone: 202-341-5883 Location and time: Washington Seniors Wellness Center, 3001 Alabama Ave., SE, Washington, D.C., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enrollment eligibility: Age 60 or older • Low to moderate income • Has mild to moderate dementia and/or memory loss • D.C. resident (priority given to those in Wards 7 and 8) • Needs minimal assistance with prompting and/or cueing For questions or to make a referral, please contact DCOA’s Aging and Disability Resource Center at: (202) 724-5626. We look forward to hearing from you!

Searching for Ms. Senior DC 2016 We are searching for the elegant lady who will represent the District of Columbia as Ms. Senior DC. If you are a District resident age 60 or older who is interested in competing for the title, go online to apply at www.dcoa.dc.gov or call 202-724-5622 for more information.

Search for Centenarians The District of Columbia is seeking District residents 100 years of age or older to honor at a special event this spring. To register a centenarian with the office so they may be honored, call 202-724-5622.

FACT SHEET •

BenefitsCheckUp® is the most comprehensive, Web-based service of its kind in the nation that screens for benefits programs for seniors with limited income and resources.

•

BenefitsCheckUp® screens for more than 2,000 public and private benefits programs, from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

•

More than 4 million people have been successfully screened through individual or agency use of BenefitsCheckUp®.

•

BenefitsCheckUp® screens for programs that can help with the cost of prescription drugs, heating bills, housing and rent, food, legal services, medical costs, in-home services, tax relief, Veterans benefits, employment, and volunteer opportunities.

•

Screenings are confidential. Users are not required to enter their name, address, phone number, or any other personally identifiable information.

•

Reports can be printed that describe each benefit a person has been found potentially eligible for, including information on where to apply locally and documentation required.

•

More than 1,400 downloadable application forms are available for benefits programs. Users can also apply online for the Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D) Low Income Subsidy (LIS/Extra Help).

About the National Council on Aging The National Council on Aging is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization headquartered in Crystal City, Virginia. NCOA is a national voice for millions of older adults-especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged-and the community organizations that serve them. NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently, and remain active in their communities.

www.BenefitsCheckUp.org/dcoa

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

D.C. OFFICE

AGING NEWSLETTER

Community Calendar January 5th and 19th • 11:30 a.m. Seabury Ward 5 Resources for Aging presents: “Get2Breast Care Program” sponsored by MedStar Washington Hospital Center. The program will be held in two locations. On Jan. 5 it will be at Senior Village I, 3001 Bladensburg Rd. NE, and on Jan. 19, it will be presented at Kibar, 1519 4th St. NW. For more information, call Norma Hardie at 202-529-8701.

5th and 19th • noon The D.C. Caregivers Online Chat at Noon is a great resource for caregivers. Log on for advice, resources and tips to assist you with your caregiving responsibilities. On Jan. 5 the topic is “Creating a caregiver toolbox in 2016.” The Jan. 19 topic is “How do I transition into my role as a caregiver when caring for someone with lupus?” If you are not available at 12 p.m., check back at your convenience and hit replay to see the entire chat. Join the discussion at www.dcoa.dc.gov/page/caregiver-chat. For more information, contact Linda Irizar r y at 202-535-1442 or linda.irizarry@dc.gov.

7th+ • 2 to 3 pm. Iona offers a dance class for people with Parkinson’s disease and their families. The class, which follows the

model of the Dance for PD program developed by the Mark Morris Dance Group, combines live violin accompaniment and easy-to-do movement drawn from a wide range of dance styles, all of which are adaptable to varying levels of physical ability. As they enjoy dancing together, participants focus on areas including stretching, balance, and freedom of movement. No dance experience is needed, and family members and care partners are welcome to join. The fee is $10 per individual class with registration for each complete session or $13 per class for drop-in students. No fee for family members or care partners. Students may begin at any time. The introductory class is free. The session meets from Jan. 7 to Feb. 25 at Iona, 4125 Albemarle St. NW. For more information, contact Anthony Hyatt (301-6578484) or Robert Sacheli (202-2466644), or e-mail danceforparkinsonsDC@gmail.com.

9th • 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 10th • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The annual NBC 4 Health & Fitness Expo returns to the Washington Convention Center, 901 Mt. Vernon Place NW. The event includes health screenings, fitness classes and speakers. Visit www.nbcwashington.com for more information.

11th • 12:15 p.m.

21st • 10 a.m. to noon

Learn about AARP’s Legal Counsel for the Elderly services at a session at Petersburg – Ft. Lincoln 3, 3298 Ft. Lincoln Dr. NE. For more information, call Norma Hardie at 202-529-8701.

Are you interested in making a difference in your community? Train to become a DCOA Ambassador, and help connect your neighbors, friends and family members to DCOA programs and services. DCOA has valuable programs, services and resources to help residents age 60 and older remain in their communities and assistance for their caregivers. Resources are also available for persons living with disabilities age 18 and older. Call 202-724-5622 to register.

12th • 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. The D.C. Central Kitchen will present a food demonstration at Model Cities Senior Wellness Center, 1901 Evarts St. NE. For more information, contact Alice Thompson at 202-535-1321.

22nd • 11:30 a.m. 13th • 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. The Northeast branch of the D.C. Public Library hosts a workshop at Hayes Senior Wellness Center, 500 K St. NE. For more information, contact Alice Thompson at 202-535-1321.

23rd • 8 a.m. to noon 13th and 20th • 11:30 a.m. MedStar Washington Hospital Center will give a “Heart and Brain Health Seminar” at two locations. On Jan. 13, it will be at Delta Towers Apartments, 1400 Florida Ave. NE, and on Jan. 20, it will be presented at Edgewood Terrace Apartments, 635 Edgewood St. For more information, call Norma Hardie at 202-529-8701.

Holiday celebration

SPOTLIGHT ON AGING Spotlight On Aging is published by the Information Office of the D.C. Office on Aging for D.C. senior residents. Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the D.C. Office on Aging or by the publisher.

500 K St. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002 202-724-5622 • www.dcoa.dc.gov Executive Director Laura Newland Editor Darlene Nowlin Photographer Selma Dillard The D.C. Office on Aging does not discriminate against anyone

based on actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, source of income, and place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subjected to disciplinary action.

The Office on Aging is in partnership with the District of Columbia Recycling Program.

The Office of the People’s Counsel offers an energy information session at Kibar, 1519 Fourth St. NW. For more information, call Norma Hardie at 202529-8701.

From page 24

tions were also on hand to provide resources and giveaways. This event would not have been possible without the assistance of many in the Office on Aging Senior Service Network and the Department of Parks

Learn about caregiving in a session titled “Prepare to Care” at Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, 4606 16th St. NW. For more information, contact Alice Thompson at 202-535-1321.

26th • 11:30 a.m. Seabury Ward 5 Resources for Aging’s town hall meeting will be held at the Edgewood Terrace Apartments, 635 Edgewood St. NE. For more information, call Norma Hardie at 202-529-8701

and Recreation. Also important to the event were volunteers from the local public schools, Pepco, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, branches of the Armed Services, the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking and others who assisted with unloading of the buses, serving the meals and helping the frail seniors during the day.

Seniors and resid dents with disabilities ies

For assistance, call 311 for Mayor o Bowser’s

DC C RESIDE ENT SNOW TEAM T Serve DC C THE M THE MA AYOR’S OFFICE ON VOLUNTEERISM AY TEERISM ISM

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Money Law &

YOUR ESTATE DOCS ONLINE Several websites offer storage and organization for estate planning documents BEST BOND STRATEGY Bonds are still worth holding; learn some safe ways to maximize yields LIQUIDITY CONCERNS New regs may make it difficult to cash in a bond fund when you want to RETIRE GRADUALLY? More options for phased retirement are on the horizon for older workers

A guide to organizing your estate records As I’ve emphasized before, one of the employer’s name, address, phone number, best legacies you can leave to your loved human resources contact and website. List ones is a well-planned estate. Part of that is all benefits you or your beneficiaries are making sure your important entitled to, from current and estate documents are organformer employers, and identiized for easy access. fy the location of all docuThis is the topic of a useful ments related to these benebook, Get it Together by fits. Melanie Cullen and Shae Irv• Healthcare directives. ing (published by Nolo), These are legal documents inwhich advises on creating a dicating your wishes for medcomprehensive plan with ical care in case you are unyour attorney and organizing able to speak for yourself. all your important estate docThere are two relevant docuTHE SAVINGS uments. ments. One is a living will — a GAME The number and variety of written statement that indiBy Elliot Raphaelson necessary documents can be cates to medical personnel the daunting, as the following list type of care you want if you suggests. should become incapacitated. The second • Employment. For each job you cur- is a durable power of attorney for healthrently hold, have a file that includes the care, which allows you to appoint someone

you trust to be your healthcare agent. Their job will be to ensure you are provided with the care you need. • Durable power of attorney for finances. As with a healthcare power of attorney, this one lets you appoint someone to manage your finances for you should you be unable to make decisions for yourself. You may provide your agent with as much authority as you wish — such as paying everyday expenses for you and your family, handling transactions with banks and other financial institutions, managing your retirement accounts, and buying and selling insurance policies and annuities. • Organ donation. If you want to donate organs or your body, you need to take some steps to make your desires known. For example, you can obtain an organdonor card to carry at all times by registering online with a donor registry.

• Burial or cremation. Your family members will want to know if you want your body to be buried or cremated. Advance arrangements will make it much easier. In addition, you can also document your wishes regarding the timing of the cremation or burial, as well as your preferences regarding a memorial service. • Wills and trusts. Cullen and Irving have a comprehensive chapter discussing how wills and certain trusts work, with a detailed discussion of the advantages of specific types of trusts, including methods to avoid probate. (These methods should be discussed with your attorney.) An important section discusses factors you should consider in selecting executors and trustees. Include in your records a list of each key estate-planning document, with See ORGANIZE, page 28

What financial paperwork to keep or toss Dear Savvy Senior: • Utility bills when the following month’s How long should a person hang on bill arrives showing that your prior payto old receipts, stock records, tax re- ment was received. If you wish to track utilturns and other financial ity usage over time, you may documents? I have accuwant to keep them for a year. If mulated boxes full of such you deduct a home office on papers over the years, and your taxes, keep them for would like to get rid of seven years. some of it now that I’m reTo avoid identity theft, be tired. sure you shred anything you — Getting Organized throw away that contains your Dear Getting: personal information. It’s best This is a great time of the to use a crosscut shredder year to get rid of unnecessary rather than a strip one. The SAVVY SENIOR or outdated paperwork and to latter leaves long paper bands By Jim Miller organize your records in that could be reassembled. preparation for filing your tax return in the spring. Keep for one year Here’s a checklist of what to keep and • Paycheck stubs, in order to check the what to toss out, along with some tips to help accuracy of the W-2 you’ll get in January. you reduce your future paper accumulation. • Bank statements (savings and checking accounts) to confirm your 1099s. What to toss quickly • Brokerage, 401(k), IRA and other in• ATM receipts and bank-deposit slips vestment statements until you get your anas soon as you match them up with your nual summary (keep longer for tax purposmonthly statement. es if they show a gain or loss). • Credit card receipts after you get your • Receipts for healthcare bills, in case statement, unless you might return the item you qualify for a medical deduction. or need proof of purchase for a warranty. • Credit card statements that do not have Keep for seven years a tax-related expense on them. Supporting documents for your taxes,

including W-2s, 1099s, and receipts or canceled checks that substantiate deductions. The IRS usually has up to three years after you file to audit you, but may look back up to six years if it suspects you substantially underreported income or committed fraud.

Keep indefinitely • Tax returns with proof of filing and payment. You should keep these for at least seven years, but many experts recommend you keep them forever because they provide a record of your financial history. • IRS forms that you filed when making nondeductible contributions to a traditional IRA or a Roth conversion. • Receipts for capital improvements that you’ve made to your home until seven years after you sell the house. • Retirement and brokerage account annual statements as long as you hold those investments. • Defined-benefit pension plan documents. • Savings bonds until redeemed. • Loan documents until the loan is paid off. • Vehicle titles and registration information as long as you own the car, boat, truck or other vehicle.

• Insurance policies as long as you have them. • Warranties or receipts for big-ticket purchases for as long as you own the item, to support warranty and insurance claims.

Keep forever Personal and family records — such as birth certificates, marriage license, divorce papers, Social Security cards, military discharge papers and estate-planning documents (power of attorney, will, trust and advanced directive). Keep these in a fireproof safe or safe-deposit box. To reduce your paper clutter, consider digitizing your documents. Scan them and then convert them into PDF files so you can store them on your computer and back them up onto a USB flash drive, external hard drive, and/or online storage site like icloud.com or carbonite.com. [See also “Websites that help organize estate docs,” on page 29.] You can also reduce your future paper load by switching to electronic statements and records whenever possible. Send your questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Seniors evicted From page 1 thority hadn’t done necessary maintenance, the two of them painted her home, replaced faucets, installed vinyl flooring and fixed the roof. They said they weren’t reimbursed for the thousands of dollars in work they did because they didn’t save receipts. Housing authority spokesman Richard White said he could not respond to “anecdotes” about tenants doing their own maintenance. After the Brooks were moved out, the house still wasn’t renovated. A year later, it was put on the market for $400,000 — unusually low for the neighborhood. It eventually sold for that price after higher offers fell through, but the housing authority asked its title company not to sign over the deed. The sale is currently tied up in litigation.

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

The rest of the houses the authority has sold in recent years have gone for market value. Others sit empty because the authority can’t afford to renovate them. A year ago, Levant Graham, 84, was moved out of the five-bedroom home in Shaw where she’d lived since the early 1970s and raised her seven children. The housing authority plans to flip the house, but so far it hasn’t been renovated or listed for sale. “I thought the house was already sold. I thought it was on the market. So, I don’t know what the big rush was to get me out of the house,” Graham said. Graham petitioned housing officials to be allowed to buy the property with her children’s help. Instead, she was moved into a one-bedroom apartment in a new building for low-income seniors. The building is in a gentrifying part of Shaw not far

from her old house, but she says she doesn’t feel safe there because of a shooting nearby, and that she rarely goes outside. “The money that I paid there for the 42 years I was there, I could have had the house paid for,” Graham said. “I thought I had a good chance of getting the house, but I guess I didn’t.” District of Columbia law gives tenants of rent-controlled or market-rate buildings the first crack at buying them if they’re placed on the market. But the law doesn’t apply to the housing authority or its tenants because the agency is independent, leaving residents with no legal recourse to argue against being moved.

Creative financing Sunia Zaterman, executive director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, said housing authorities nationwide have been “chronically underfunded” by the federal government, and use creative financing strategies to maintain their properties — including selling their scattered sites, and using private-sector investment to fund renovations and new construction. But she said she wasn’t aware of another agency that’s flipping homes the way the District is. The D.C. agency applied to HUD in March 2013 to sell Graham’s and Brooks’ houses and 24 other properties. Agency officials said they can’t afford to maintain such single-family homes when larger

Organize From page 27

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details regarding the professional (if applicable) who helped prepare each document. • Insurance. Identify any life insurance policies you own, including the associated coverage and contact information. Also indicate the location of all policies. Cullen and Irving offer detailed information about the different types of life insurance policies available, annuity alternatives, and an in-depth discussion of the pros and cons of long-term care insurance. • Retirement plans and pensions. List all plans and pensions, including current ones and those you expect to collect from later. Identify the location of the plan documents. Your executor will have to noti-

55+ Inderjeet Jumani REALTOR® Senior Real Estate Specialist 703.472.8804 ijumani@LNF.com www.IJumani.com Alexandria / Old Town Historic District 400 King Street ~ Alexandria, Virginia 22314

complexes need upkeep and renovation. Selling the homes is a responsible way for the agency to manage its assets, authority spokesman White said. The agency told HUD that selling the 26 homes would generate $8.3 million, with $1 million of that to be used to finance construction of new units. However, the authority has a funding arrangement with HUD in which it doesn’t have to stick to its budget proposals line by line — it’s free to spend money where it finds the greatest need. So far, the housing authority has spent $1 million renovating one complex, and $500,000 on prep work for redevelopment of another site. Of the 26 homes, 14 have been sold. Nine others have never been listed for sale, and three were listed briefly before being taken off the market. Two rowhouses in Capitol Hill, half a block from the bustling H Street NE corridor, sold for nearly $900,000 apiece. They were duplexes when controlled by the housing authority, but renovations transformed them into spacious single-family residences. One of the homes has a basement apartment; the married couple who bought the home is renting that to a friend. The rear of the other home is surrounded by an 8foot privacy fence, with a Porsche in the driveway. — AP fy the plan administrators of your death, and file claims for any outstanding benefits. • Secured places and passwords. Almost everyone today uses passwords, access keys and PINs. Your agent, executor or survivors will need access to this information. The book includes an important section discussing who should have access to your safe deposit box. If you haven’t established a comprehensive estate plan or haven’t taken the time to organize your records in a way that will help your executor, trustee, agents and survivors, now is the time to do it. Get it Together will help you do it the right way. Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at elliotraph@gmail.com. © 2015 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Are you a 55+ homeowner? Have you thought of moving to: a smaller home, · one-level living, · active adult community, or · an assisted living community? I can help you sell your home in the shortest time for the best price. Downsizing can be easy . . . ·

LET’S MEET AND TALK!

703.472.8804

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Websites that help organize estate docs By Sally Abrahms Websites that organize and store all of your important documents in one place are the latest in just-in-case insurance. If you become disabled or die, loved ones are just a click away from the financial and estate-plan information they need. Of course, you can store your paper documents in boxes, file cabinets and safe deposit boxes — and hope family members can sort everything out during a crisis. But these websites can make life for your loved ones easier. Depending on the site, you can collect and upload wills, deeds, healthcare directives and powers of attorney. You also can store passwords, financial-account information, and the names of your advisers. You can even leave instructions for your funeral. All of these sites are encrypted for safety. You name two or three people who have full or partial access to information. You can provide full access to a spouse, let’s say, while limiting an adult child’s access to certain sections. And you can specify under what conditions someone gets your information — such as only after you die or become incapacitated. Estate Map (www.estatemap.com). Joe Henderson, a Minneapolis estate lawyer, knows from experience that people are “leaving all sorts of assets on the table” after they die. Bank accounts and property in safe deposit boxes often go unclaimed because heirs don’t know about them. Henderson, who created Estate Map in 2014, said many people don’t think about

disability or who will get access to their information when they’re incapacitated. Rather, people often keep critical documents “in a desk drawer, hoping the right person finds it at the right time,” he said. His Website divides the data into three categories: information on assets, the estate, and personal health and life. Estate Map costs $96 the first year and $24 a year to renew. Everplans (www.everplans.com). Cofounder Abby Schneiderman said she doesn’t think of the site as a “platform before you die, but a place to organize all details of your life when you are living.” That could include informing people where to find an extra set of keys. You first take a short, personal assessment, including your marital status, ages of children, and whether you have a will and healthcare directives. Then you receive customized recommendations on what to tackle first. Everplans provides links to sites where you can download legal and health forms from your state. You can also attach copies of legal documents you’ve already prepared. There’s space to write your own obituary and to upload a photo for your obit. And you can leave a letter to your family or instructions about possessions. Launched in March 2014, the site offers a free version as well as a premium version that costs $75 a year. With the free model, you can’t upload documents, but you can read 2,000 articles on estate and end-of-life

BEACON BITS

Jan. 20

LUNCH WITH THE D.C. POLICE CHIEF The Southwest Waterfront AARP Chapter #4751 will hold its Janu-

planning. A premium user can store documents and gets access to live chat support. The Torch (www.thetorch.com). Those skittish about putting sensitive documents online can use The Torch. This site doesn’t ask for personal information, such as account numbers. Instead, it allows at least two people you’ve designated to know what documents you have and where to find them. Lenore Vassil, a former corporate technology executive, founded the company in 2012. In her research, Vassil learned that people are often reluctant to put a lot of personal information online. “My sister doesn’t need to see a copy of my will, she just needs to know I have it,” she said.

The Pro or Lifetime version ($24 a year, or a one-time charge of $144) allows you to upload the location of your Social Security card, birth certificate, safe deposit box and other information. You can also create virtual notebooks on a number of topics, including what a loved one will need to know about your car, real estate, pet and people in your life. A free version provides basic information, such as whether you have a retirement account or insurance. If you don’t have these assets, your family won’t go scrambling to find them. All contents © 2015 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

FREE WORKSHOP: LEARN TO PROTECT YOUR ASSETS FROM THE EXPENSES OF PROBATE & LONG-TERM CARE Come learn about the 4 Levels of Lifetime Protection Planning and how you can protect your assets from probate PLUS lawsuits PLUS nursing home expenses. Learn about the Living Trust Plus – the only type of asset protection trust that allows you to be trustee and retain an interest in the trust while also protecting your assets from being counted by state Medicaid agencies. TM

ary luncheon meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 20 at noon. The theme of the meeting is a “Community Conversation with the District of Columbia Chief of Police Cathy L. Lanier.” Current AARP members and new prospective members are welcome. The luncheon will take place at River Park Mutual Home’s Community Room, lo-

FREE WORKSHOPS IN FAIRFAX

cated at 1311 Delaware Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. The cost is $5 for lunch. For

Saturday, Jan. 16th & Feb. 27th, 2016 10 am – 12 pm

more information, contact chapter president Betty Jean Tolbert Jones at bettyjeantolbertjones@yahoo.com or (202) 554-0901.

Jan. 16

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The best bonds for your portfolio in 2016 By Jeffrey R. Kosnett As the Federal Reserve finally starts to gently raise interest rates, and fear and loathing reach a fever pitch in bond-land, I am reminded of a column that appeared in a well-known business magazine in December 2013, just before Janet Yellen’s confirmation as Fed chairman. It began, “Bonds are going to get killed. Are you ready?” My reaction at the time: Poppycock. Now, two years later, my view hasn’t changed much. Bonds will not get slaughtered in 2016 any more than they were clobbered in 2015, mauled in 2014, or creamed over any extended period in recent memory. And that’s because, no matter what the doomand-gloom crowd opines, interest rates will

not skyrocket (bond prices and rates move in opposite directions). Rates won’t climb much because global economic growth is tepid and inflation remains persistently low. A strong dollar also keeps rates low because it encourages foreigners to buy our Treasury notes and corporate bonds. All this buttresses my view that low rates and bond yields are an entrenched fact of life and will be around for the rest of this decade. [Not everyone agrees with this view. See “Beware hidden dangers in bond funds,” on page 31.] My yield forecast: Cutting to the chase, I expect the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury bond to range from 2.0 percent to 2.75 percent in 2016 (compared with 2.2

percent in early November). It’s true that if and when the Treasury prints 2.75 percent on a new bond due in 2026, an existing 10-year bond will lose roughly 6 percent of its market value. But bond prices and yields will bounce all year within that range. A temporary 6 percent hit is no more cause to boycott bonds than the 2015 correction in share prices was reason to quit stocks.

Invest in these core funds For 2016, I suggest that you adhere to a core-and-satellite strategy. The core of your bond portfolio should be a high-grade, medium-maturity mutual fund or exchange-traded fund. Fidelity Total Bond (symbol FTBFX, 3.1 percent yield), a member of the Kiplinger 25, is a solid choice. If you prefer ETFs, use Pimco Total Return Active ETF (BOND, 2.8 percent), a member of the Kiplinger ETF 20. Then target corners of the vast bond marketplace that pay you the most extra income for the least amount of risk. (Tax-exempt municipal bonds are the leading example.) Next, look at debt with maturities of two to five years. Even as the Fed kept overnight rates near zero through last October, shortterm yields have quietly been rising. You can buy short-term and intermediate-term bonds directly, or use funds — such as Kip 25 member Vanguard ShortTerm Investment-Grade (VFSTX, 1.8 percent) or DoubleLine Low Duration (DLSNX, 2.1 percent) — that mostly hold bonds in that range of maturities.

How to get higher yields To aim for still higher yields, take advantage of the growing gap between yields of long-term Treasuries and those of medium-grade corporates of similar maturities. Many long-term corporates with triple-B ratings are now paying about 2.5 percentage points more than comparable government debt. That means you can get yields of about 5 percent on IOUs from solid, though not pristine, borrowers. I sense that yields of 5 percent on tripleB bonds are more than enough to attract such key buyers as banks, insurance companies, and Europeans who cannot abide the Continent’s invisible yields. I wouldn’t be surprised to see total returns of 7 percent in this area in 2016. A solid fund with about two-thirds of its assets in bonds with triple-B ratings is T. Rowe Price Corporate Income (PRPIX, 3.3 percent). I am much less sanguine about highyield (junk) bonds because of the heavy representation of energy companies in the junk-bond market. Unless oil prices unexpectedly rally, we could be facing a raft of defaults in the energy patch. Stick with investment-grade bonds over the coming year. Senior Editor Jeff Kosnett is also the editor of Kiplinger’s Investing for Income, a monthly newsletter that focuses exclusively on this topic. All contents © 2015 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Beware hidden dangers in bond funds By Eleanor Laise Regulators and money managers are raising alarms about a growing threat to bond funds and their investors. The concerns revolve around “liquidity” — the ability to buy or sell a security at a decent price within a reasonable period of time. As a result of new regulations enacted since the financial crisis, broker-dealers — the bond market’s middlemen — have sharply curtailed their trading activities. At the same time, corporate bond issuance has surged as companies seek to take advantage of ultra-low interest rates. So in a larger market with fewer middlemen facilitating trades, it’s getting tougher for mutual funds to buy and sell bonds. That can become a real problem if rising interest rates or other market events prompt investors to stampede out of bond funds. A fund struggling to quickly sell bonds to meet investor redemptions may have to dump holdings at fire-sale prices — triggering a vicious cycle of falling bond prices and investor panic.

More difficult to trade That means it’s increasingly important for investors to understand what their bond funds hold — and how difficult it can be to trade those holdings.

The Securities and Exchange Commission in September proposed new rules that would require funds to maintain a minimum level of highly liquid assets. The proposed rules would also require funds to disclose the percentage of their total holdings that can be converted to cash within three days. Low liquidity is not a new issue in the bond market. Many bond issues are small and rarely change hands, and riskier, lower-quality bonds have always been tougher to trade. But liquidity problems have grown more acute in recent years. As investment-grade corporate bond issuance has soared, corporate bond turnover — a measure of trading volume relative to the size of the market — has declined steadily, according to a T. Rowe Price report. And while “the high yield market has always been illiquid, in the investmentgrade and Treasury market, it’s new to have less liquidity,” said Elaine Stokes, a fixed-income portfolio manager at Loomis Sayles. To adapt to a lower-liquidity market, some funds have set up lines of credit they can tap if shareholder redemptions surge. Others are holding more cash and highly liquid high-quality bonds. “On the worst days, when bonds are quoted down the most, not a lot is trading,” Stokes

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Jan. 25

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said. “But as things start to recover, that’s when people start to let go of the bonds.”

Assess your exposure As a bond-fund investor, you probably can’t avoid liquidity risk altogether — at least, not if you want to get a decent yield. “There is a trade-off,” said Sarah Bush, director of manager research for fixed-income strategies at Morningstar. “You get paid for taking liquidity risk.” You can, however, get some sense of your funds’ liquidity risks by delving into the portfolio holdings. Review each fund’s quarterly reports, or go to Morningstar.com to stay up-to-date on current holdings. Cash, Treasuries and high-quality agency mortgages are generally the most liquid holdings, Bush said. Check out the fund’s cash allocation. A large cash cushion offers some reassurance that the fund can easily meet large shareholder redemptions. Yet some funds

have virtually no cash. In a recent study, the SEC found that at least 10 percent of municipal-bond funds hold no cash or have a net negative cash position. Look at how much the fund has allocated to lower-quality bonds. A BB-rated bond with a lot of issuance may be much easier to trade than a junkier CCC-rated bond. Be wary if the fund’s yield is well above its category average, “because lessliquid bonds tend to pay more,” Bush said. Finally, check how the fund has performed in past periods of market stress. Look to 2008 for its financial-crisis performance, as well as May through August 2013, when the market tumbled as the Federal Reserve wound down its bondbuying program. If the fund suffered more than its peers, it may have bigger troubles in any future liquidity crunch. All contents © 2015 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Workers seek phased retirement options By Adam Allington Roberton Williams’ plan was to retire on his government pension and take a parttime job to make up the difference in salary. It didn’t quite work out that way. Williams, 68, did retire, but then started another full-time job with the Tax Policy Center, a Washington think tank. “The plan was to work full time just until I got my feet wet,” Williams said. “But I ended up working full time for the next nine years.” He’s far from an aberration. Many aging baby boomers are caught between a desire to work less and a labor market that just isn’t ready to let them go. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17.7 percent of people 65 and older are still working in some capacity, compared with 11.7 percent in 1995. Of course, part of this increase could be due to a growing fear felt by many Americans about financial insecurity during retirement. Survey data has shown that fears about outliving one’s savings are factoring into retirement planning. That is even prompting 34 percent of workers age 60-plus to say they plan on working until they die, or are too sick to work, according to a recent Wells Fargo survey.

Some workers just want a gradual transition, whether for financial reasons, or just to keep working jobs where they can still contribute and help train the next generation. Slightly more than 40 percent of U.S. workers hope to cut back hours or transition to a less demanding position before retirement, according to a 2015 report from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies.

Phased retirement One option offered by a small number of employers is “phased retirement,” which allows retiring workers to go part time while also mentoring their incoming replacement, providing for a smoother transition. The Society for Human Resource Management puts the number at 8 percent. In other cases, employers are eschewing formal arrangements in favor of shortterm contracts. “One thing we see is that employers are increasingly able to tap into a more flexible labor market, rather than going through formal HR structures,” said Jean Setzfand, AARP’s senior vice president of programs. “So having hard-and-fast rules See OLDER WORKERS, page 33

Did you know?

You may qualify for assistance in paying your home phone bill. Discounts for basic telephone service are available to eligible District of Columbia low-income residents.

Verizon Washington, D.C. Lifeline Plans: Verizon Washington, D.C.’s Lifeline service, known as “Economy II,” offers reduced rates on Verizon’s monthly telephone bill and one-time discounts on the cost of installing phone service. Additionally, toll blocking is available to Economy II customers at no charge. Economy II Service*: $3.00 per month for unlimited local calling. Value-added services are not included (e.g., Call Waiting, Caller ID). No connection charges apply. Also, customers will not be charged for the federal subscriber line charge. Economy II customers who are 65 years of age or older can have this service at a further reduced rate of $1.00 per month. • Full terms and rates for these services, including terms of eligibility, are as set forth in federal and in Verizon’s tariffs on file with the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia. All rates, terms and conditions included in this notice are subject to change and are current at the time of printing. Contact Washington, DC Lifeline Program at 1-800-253-0846 to apply To learn more about the Lifeline program, visit www.lifelinesupport.org. Economy II is a Lifeline supported service. Lifeline is a government assistance program. Only eligible consumers may enroll. You may qualify for Lifeline service if you can show proof that you participate in certain government assistance programs or your annual income (gross and from all sources) is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guideline. If you qualify based on income, you will be required to provide income verification. Proof of participation in a government assistance program requires your current or prior year’s statement of benefits from a qualifying state or federal program; a notice letter or other official document indicating your participation in such a program; and/or another program participation document (for example, benefit card). Proof of income requires your prior year’s state or federal tax return; current income statement from an employer or paycheck stub; a statement of Social Security, Veterans Administration, retirement, pension, or Unemployment or Workmen’s Compensation benefits; a federal notice letter of participation in General Assistance; a divorce decree; a child support award; and/or another official document containing income information. At least three months of data is necessary when showing proof of income. In addition, the Lifeline program is limited to one discount per household, consisting of either wireline or wireless service. You are required to certify and agree that no other member of the household is receiving Lifeline service from Verizon or another communications provider. Lifeline service is a non-transferable benefit. Lifeline customers may not subscribe to certain other services, including other local telephone service. Consumers who willfully make false statements in order to obtain the Lifeline benefit can be punished by fine or imprisonment, or can be barred from the program.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Older workers From page 32 for this can be difficult.” For federal workers, Congress passed legislation in 2012 creating a phased-retirement program, and the Office of Personnel Management, or OPM, formalized the rules last year. But to date, OPM has only finalized 16 applications for phased retirement. These are from workers at the Library of Congress, NASA, the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the Energy Department. It expects to soon receive 12 more from the Smithsonian Institution — that’s from a federal workforce where 45 percent of employees are age 50 or over. OPM has stressed that it is up to individual federal agencies to decide when and if they will offer a phased-retirement option to their employees. Tancred Lidderdale, 62, is one of the initial 16 federal workers who chose phased retirement. He works for the Energy Department as an economic forecaster, applying highly complex mathematical models to oil and gas markets. He’s played an inte-

gral part in building these models over the past two decades. “I know our agency would miss me,” Lidderdale said. “They knew I was thinking about retirement, and mentioned this option as a way to help pass on what I know before I leave.” Lidderdale will work part time for the next two years. But after nearly three years of waiting, many other federal workers are wondering if the program will arrive in time for them. “We have people with over 35 years of experience waiting to retire here, and it’s a shame that many of them could walk out the door without the ability to pass on that knowledge,” said David Maxwell, 64. Maxwell is an air quality specialist with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Maxwell said if the bureau does offer the program, he’d be interested. In a statement, BLM said the Interior Department recently issued guidance and “expects to complete a draft phased-retirement policy by the spring of 2016.”

Reasons for delays One explanation for the ongoing delays is that agreements must first be struck be-

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tween management and labor unions. Email and phone requests for comment to AFGE, the largest federal labor union, were not returned. There are also just basic difficulties of scale. How do you offer the same option to all workers when not all jobs are created equal? “A lot of these people who would qualify for phased retirement are senior staff and managers,” said Jessica Klement, legislative director for National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE). “How do you allow someone who is managing a department to take off two days per week?” Klement said union members are calling asking when phased retirement will come to their agency. “I just don’t think there is a strong desire from federal agencies to do this,” she said. In the private sector, some older work-

ers looking to spend less time in the office are simply leaving one job for another. Sally Korth, 65, has spent almost 40 years in the healthcare industry — first as an emergency room nurse and later as an executive overseeing the transition to electronic medical records for large corporate accounts. “I was working 60 to 70 hours per week. One Christmas I was spending some time with my kids and grandchildren, and I just thought, ‘What am I doing?’” So, Korth took a new job for significantly less pay, and recently scaled back her hours to four days per week. “That extra day off is huge,” she said. As for Roberton Williams, he hopes to cut back to four days a week next year — and then finally retire at 70, “whether I like it or not.” — AP

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Travel Leisure &

Thanks to the weak ruble, now is a good (though cold!) time to see Russia on a budget. See story on page 37.

Cozumel — part Mexico, part Caribbean Non-swimmers may enjoy close-up introductions to creatures large and small in a glass bottom boat or mini-submarine, during a dolphin show, by checking out resident crocodiles in their lair, and by observing endangered sea turtle hatchlings making their way to the Caribbean waters where they will spend their lives.

By Victor Block Much about the island of Cozumel says Mexico. Scattered archeological sites hint of the rich Mayan civilization that once flourished there. Parts of San Miguel, the only town, retain the charms of typical villages that are common throughout the rest of the country on the nearby mainland. One of those is the Sunday evening gathering of people along the malecon (esplanade), where parents show off their spiffily dressed children. At the same time, Cozumel also proudly proclaims “Caribbean.” White sand beaches are fringed by stately palm trees. The center of the island is covered by dense jungle and swampy lagoons. Activities common to Caribbean islands greet visitors, from sunbathing to sightseeing to snorkeling. Lying 12 miles off the east coast of Mexico, Cozumel is known for offering deep sea diving that’s among the best in the world. It’s ringed by an underwater wonderland of Technicolor coral heads and submarine gardens that are home to an almost unimaginable variety of sea life.

Venture beyond tourist zone

Most travelers to Cozumel begin their visit in San Miguel, where most island residents live. Once a sleepy village, it has evolved into a popular cruise ship destination, where passengers descend to patronize chain restaurants, jewelry stores and other shops near the docks. My advice: Venture just a few blocks inland to find a more mellow setting that retains the heart and soul of the original community. There, sidewalks are lined by small, family-owned stores and eateries where locals go. El Mercado, the oldest market on the island, houses a warren of tiny shops and restaurants offering traditional food. The Museo de la Isla de Cozumel (Cozumel Museum) introduces visitors to the island’s past and culture. Exhibits include a variety of ancient Mayan relics and a thatched hut, which provides insight into the domestic life of pre-Columbian civilization — noted for its hieroglyphic script, architecture and other advanced accomplishments. In fact, Cozumel derived its name from the Mayans who settled there some 2,000 years ago. They believed the island to be the home of Ixchel (pronounced ee-shell’), the goddess of love and fertility. According to legend, their construction of temA Mayan dancer plays a flute and drum in Cozumel. Dance was a central component of social and political life for the Mayans who first settled this Mexican island 2,000 years ago.

Tulum is one of the best-preserved coastal Mayan ruins sites. The walled city, built 800 years ago, served as a fortress against enemies approaching by sea and is perched on top of a cliff 40 feet above the Caribbean Sea. It’s a popular day trip from nearby Cozumel.

ples dedicated to Ixchel earned her gratitude, and in return she sent her favorite bird — the swallow — as a token of thanks. The Mayan words Kozom (swallow) and Lumil (land) were compacted to Kozomil (Land of the Swallows) and it stuck. A more mundane explanation of the name is that it refers to the large number of those birds that stop over during their annual migration from North to South America.

In the Mayans’ footsteps Visitors who explore reminders of Ixchel are following in the footsteps of the Mayans who made a religious pilgrimage to Cozumel. More than 30 archeological sites have been documented on the island. Present-day San Gervasio was, and is, the most important setting. Sacbes (ancient elevated roads) connect several architectural complexes, including temples, an ossuary and ceremonial centers. Painted red handprints of unknown significance adorn the walls of the Temple of the Hands, and signs of a mural painting remain visible in another structure. The name of another site, El Caracol (the snail), relates to a conch-shaped building which, according to folklore, acted as a whistle when strong winds blew

through it to alert people of an approaching tropical storm. Another theory is that the structure functioned as a kind of lighthouse. However, those in the know insist that neither of those tales is true. One of the least impressive archeological sites became one of my favorite locations, but not because of the Mayan connection itself. The temple at El Cedral was an important ceremonial place and the hub of Mayan life on the island. When Spanish Conquistadors landed on Cozumel in 1518, they destroyed the structure, and the remaining portion provides little evidence of its past glory. However, I found the charming village that surrounds the ruin, which is nestled in the dense jungle, to offer a pleasant contrast with the hustle and bustle of San Miguel. The unpaved streets lead past colorfully painted, miniscule houses that caught my fancy.

Beaches, parks — and pirates It’s also possible to find soothing settings at some beaches, while others are more developed and crowded. There are inviting stretches of golden sand along the west side of the island, facSee COZUMEL, page 35

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Cozumel From page 34 ing the mainland of Mexico. On the lessdeveloped, eastern (Caribbean Sea) side, quiet beaches are interspersed between rock-strewn areas, and the strong breakers and undertow discourage swimming. Cozumel also is home to parks and preserves that show off both Mother Nature’s handiworks and man-made attractions. The Faro Celerain Ecological Reserve, which sprawls across the southern tip of the island, does both. The park protects a mixture of mangroves, lagoons, coastal dunes and reef systems that provide a refuge for a variety of wildlife — including crocodiles, iguanas and resident and migratory birds. Hardy folks who climb to the top of a towering more-than-century-old lighthouse enjoy magnificent views over the setting, while exhibits in a small museum at ground level are devoted to topics that range from maritime navigation to pirates. Speaking of which, Cozumel once provided a safe haven for buccaneers who roamed the Caribbean Sea, including the notorious Henry Morgan and Jean Lafitte. At times, the cutthroats hid their ill-gotten treasures in the catacombs and tunnels of abandoned Mayan structures. Chankanaab Park (Mayan for “Small Sea”) includes enough to-see’s and to-do’s to satisfy many interests. Visitors may stroll through a lush botanical garden, study the colorful inhabitants of a natural aquarium, and enjoy a close-up view of the only inland coral reef formation in the world. There are areas devoted to diving and snorkeling, and opportunities to swim with dolphins. The complex also recognizes the pervading Mayan influence. It features dozens of replicas of archeological sites, and a working Mayan house that brings to life daily chores of ancient times, like cooking,

weaving and planting crops. A more participatory experience awaits those who take part in a temazcal — a Mayan sweat lodge session that also is available elsewhere on the island. Warning: you will sweat more than you ever thought possible. One of the most pleasant surprises during my visit to Cozumel with my wife Fyllis was how much I enjoyed the kind of attraction that I typically avoid. Why, I wondered, should we spend time visiting a Mexican cultural theme park when the real Mexico is just outside? As it turned out, I was happy that Fyllis insisted we check out aptly named Discover Mexico. We began by watching a multi-screen presentation that traces the country’s history and describes its cultures. Then we admired a collection of native art and crafts created by artisans from around the nation. This was followed by the main attraction. Our stroll through a setting of coconut palms, banana trees and other tropical vegetation, along pathways shared with turtles and iguanas, would have been reason enough for me to be glad we dropped by. But that was just the beginning. The trail led to more than three dozen meticulously detailed scale models of Mexico’s most famous archeological sites and buildings. Replicas of structures from the Mayan, Aztec and Colonial periods stand near models of contemporary architectural treasures like the magnificent Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City. Alternating with signs that offer information about the undersized edifices are others that provide interesting, if to me somewhat bizarre, tidbits. For example, I learned that Mexico has the highest consumption of Coca-Cola in the world, and that the Caesar Salad was invented in Tijuana. (Note to readers who may be skeptical of these claims: I verified them through an Internet search.)

Speaking of food, a variety of regional items is on the menu at the Visit Mexico snack bar, and where there’s food, there’s drink. In Mexico, that usually means tequila, which locals light-heartedly refer to as “Mexican water.” Visitors to the theme park have an opportunity to discover how tequila is made, then sample several different brands. Sipping tequila is about as Mexican as it gets. So, too, is much about the island of Cozumel — which, at the same time, offers attractions usually associated with other Caribbean islands. That combination presents visitors with the best of both worlds.

If you go Few resorts immerse their guests more in the culture of the destination than the Presidente Intercontinental Cozumel Resort & Spa. The temazcal sweat lodge experience is just the beginning. Many signs throughout the hotel recall the Mayan language, like those for the adult swimming pool (sayab, ocean of tranquility) and lobby bar (Bin K’iin, sunset). Some traditional Mayan dishes are served in the main restaurant, and the spa incorporates ancient Mayan traditions into treatments.

Mayan art decorates guest rooms, and instead of a chocolate left on pillows, a pamphlet recounts a different Mayan legend each night. My favorite relates how Zamina, creator of the universe, fell in love with the Goddess Ixchel. Rates at the Presidente Cozumel begin at $282, in keeping with its upscale ambience and attractions. For information or reservations, call 1-800-344-0548 or log onto presidentecozumel.com. Among cuisines served at the hotel’s four restaurants are northern Italian, international fare and, of course, Mexican dishes. A more local dining experience awaits a short walk away at the casual Money Bar. Given its oceanside setting, the focus there is on dishes like seafood soup ($8) and fish filet with three side dishes ($12). More information is available by calling (987) 8695141, or visit moneybarbeachclub.com. In San Muguel, the Casa Denis has been serving meals out of the family home at Calle 1 #132 Centro since 1945. The extensive menu includes snapper filet ($13), beefsteak with onions ($10) and chicken “10 ways” ($10). For more information, visit casadenis.com or call (987) 872-0067. Information about Cozumel is available at www.cozumel.travel.

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How to bid for rooms at a choice of hotels Bidding on the price of a hotel room doesn’t limit you to “opaque” bids where you don’t know the specific hotel you’ve “won” until after you’ve made a nonrefundable booking. That’s the Priceline model, and certainly the most popular. But, fortunately, it’s not the only bidding model. I know of four online agencies that allow you to bid on rooms at hotels that you know from the get-go.

This appears to be the most fully realized of the group I checked. It lists hundreds of hotels throughout the U.S. and most of the rest of the world, including some pretty small cities. And, at least nominally, lots of hotels appear to be playing. In London, for example, a search returned a list of some 1,100 hotels, of which more than 400 were open to offers for the test dates I entered. They ranged from one-star tourist hotels to five-star luxury properties. You can filter the list by star ratings, but

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not by location within a metro area. You buy. You pay nothing up front. As far as I just have to hunt through the list to find can tell, you can’t specify a preferred locathose in your preferred area. tion within a metro area. In this system, you — and, MyRoomBid.com presumably other travelers — This site concentrates on enter a nonrefundable and nonhotels in Cyprus, Indonesia, retractable bid. If a hotel has Morocco, the Philippines, and multiple bids for the same speThailand. It employs a more cific dates, it accepts the highconventional bidding process. est bid at the time the auction You check its list of particicloses, and the hotel asks you pating hotels, and if you see to pay. It’s not clear whether one you like, you enter a bid. some hotels may accept more TRAVEL TIPS The hotel either accepts your than one bid, but they may. By Ed Perkins bid or returns a counter offer. Extendedstayer.com The system allows you three bids per inThis site, as its name suggests, concen- quiry. You also have a “buy now” option. trates on weekly and monthly accommodaYou can filter by location in some cases, tions. As far as I can tell, its inventory is and you can select from a list of 10 accomlimited to U.S. cities, with nothing in Cana- modation types, such as “hotel,” “villa,” or da or Europe. “serviced apartment.” You don’t actually bid rates, yourself. InWhen I checked, the inventory seemed stead, you post where and when you want to be quite limited. It reported only one to stay, with a one-week minimum, and the hotel in Bangkok; most of the Thailand ofagency runs your proposed stay by partici- fers seemed to be villas in resort areas. pating hotels, any of which returns an RoomAuction.com offer to you if it’s interested. RoomAuction.com concentrates on hotels The agency claims to have more than 30,000 “partner” participating hotels. When in the UK, although it lists some throughout you get one or more bids, you can choose the world. When I checked for London, the the best offer and accept it. If none of the bids appeals to you, you aren’t obligated to See HOTEL ROOMS, page 37

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Weak ruble aids budget travel to Russia By Cara Anna The ruble’s weak. The warnings about a complicated visa process turned out to be wrong, at least after a travel agency’s help. And current geopolitical tensions make this a good time to temper headlines about Russia with experiences involving everyday Russians and places. Consider the prices, at least outside the summer tourist rush: A round-trip air ticket between Washington and lovely St. Petersburg last fall cost less than $750. Prices this winter are looking about the same. Hostel beds start at around $6. A balcony ticket to the ballet at the famous Mariinsky Theatre is about $10. Tickets for most runs of the high-speed, four-hour train between St. Petersburg and Moscow are around $55. Three weeks of exploring western Russia left me with the following impressions, along with a number of useful words and phrases. (By the way, make the effort to learn the Cyrillic alphabet, which doesn’t take long. It helps in getting adjusted and in buying tickets for the train, which is the best, and most social, way of getting around.)

the collective kitchen every morning, and classical music playing in the bathroom. Highly recommended. A nice surprise was Kaliningrad, a fragment of Russia tucked between Poland and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea for which I found same-day flights for as low as $40 from Moscow. I easily filled a couple of days with a bus tour for about $17 to the Curonian Spit — a fragile sand dune peninsula on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and with places like Kvartira — a cafe-art spot in an apartment building that would hold its own in Brooklyn. Don’t be surprised if people try speaking to you in German, as Kaliningrad was once the German city of Konigsberg.

overlooking the Volga River is about as much altitude as this part of Russia offers, so go for the culture instead of the sweeping views. Moscow has plenty to offer beyond its high-end shopping and nightclubs. Be prepared for long weekend lines of art lovers

at both branches of the State Tretyakov Gallery. And there’s always the Kremlin. In St. Petersburg, the Russian Museum is a worthy afternoon if the Hermitage left See RUSSIA, page 38

Chto? (What?) Art, more art, Orthodox churches, urban exploration and cherry dumplings. A bluff

Gdye? (Where?) St. Petersburg makes for a soft landing in Russia. Peter the Great’s vision of a Europe-facing nation plays out here among the miles of canals, the fantastic art-filled Hermitage overlooking the Neva River, and a younger generation more comfortable with the world abroad. The Soul Kitchen hostel, which overlooks one of the city’s waterways, has both dorm and private rooms and thoughtful touches — like freshly baked apple cake in

Hotel rooms From page 36 site returned a long list of hotels, but only eight were accepting bids — the others were simply fixed-price bookings. None of the eight bid acceptors was a standout; most were modest, and several were well out of the city center. You can’t filter the list at all. The process is straightforward: Select a hotel and submit a nonbinding bid. You can bid on more than one hotel at the same time. Accept the bid you prefer. This is my first look at transparent bidding sites. I haven’t actually tried any of them, so I’m obviously not vouching for any. I’d like to hear from readers who have some experience with using these or others. Meanwhile, the strategy is obvious: Before you submit a bid on any given hotel, check out the best available rates through any big search engine. Then bid something at least 25 to 30 percent below the lowest posted price and see whether you get any bites. Send e-mail to Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net. © 2015 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Russia

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Pochemu? (Why?)

From page 37

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the park near the new Tretyakov gallery in Moscow. The honey-spiced hot drink called sbiten. The old Lada cars here and there. Near-strangers gifting you books.

and at night as well. Being near the sea keeps St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad temperatures more moderate than places like Kazan and Nizhy Novgorod in the interior.

If you go Kogda? (When?) If you’re a budget traveler, fall and winter are when you’ll find bargains. Of course that also means bundling up in gloves and down jacket. Hot drinks and ever-warming vodka help, too. Hard-core travelers wrap themselves in blankets to cruise the St. Petersburg canals on the decks of small boats in fall

It’s useful to download free apps like SpeakEasy Russian and iTranslate, add a Russian-language keyboard to your smartphone, and even get a Russian SIM card to stay online and benefit from Google Translate. Most locals appreciate the effort. The website of The Man in Seat 61 offers a useful beginners’ guide to Russian train travel. Find him at www.seat61.com. — AP

you wanting more. And the Erarta museum is a good collection of more modern art, with the rare benefit of detailed descriptions in both Russian and English. The word “hipster” has entered the Russian language — just aspirate the “h” and roll the “r” — and you can feel like one at places like the Red October cultural complex in Moscow or the Museum of Soviet Lifestyle in Kazan. The owner of the latter aspires to make the collection of lateSoviet-era cultural items a kind of Russian rock-and-roll hall of fame. Also in Kazan, as well as in Moscow and St. Petersburg, you can fill your pocket with old 15-kopeck coins and play at the Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines.

Need more reasons to go? Consider these: The historic small town of Suzdal outside Moscow. The stunning changing skies over the Neva in St. Petersburg. The Soviet-era “pishki” donuts and sweet coffee (25 rubles, or about 35 cents, a cup) at 25 Bolshaya Konushennaya in St. Petersburg. The caviar on buttered bread at the Mariinsky Theatre. The chandeliers. Your first view of Red Square from the Resurrection Gate. The inexpensive but classy stolovaya, or cafeteria, at the lavish GUM department store in Moscow. The ubiquitous color red — from meaty borscht to creaky-old trams. The collection of old Soviet statues in

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The iconic St. Basil’s Cathedral towers over Moscow’s Red Square. The tourist attraction is one of many low-cost visitor sites across Russia, especially thanks to the declining value of the ruble against the dollar.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

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A new PBS series about the Civil War, “Mercy Street,” is set in Alexandria, Va. Read about sites to see in person on page 42.

Theater critic’s preview for the new year

In Virginia 1st Stage, with its stadium-style seating, this intimate theater tucked away in Tyson’s Corner seems to be the perfect setting for When the Rain Stops Falling, by Andrew Bovell. The plot follows four generations of fathers and sons and their mothers, lovers and wives. The theater company describes it as “a monumental

piece of theatre, epic in scope and poetic in language and imagery.” Time Magazine named it “best new play of 2010,” with a review from Richard Zoglin that stated it “is something that really throws the audience out of its comfort zone. This challenging play has the most complicated time-shifting dramatic structure I’ve seen in years....It is a powerful metaphor for the impossibility of escaping the past, for the way we are all shaped by what came before — and are living in the shadow of what comes next.” Feb. 4 to 28 at 1st Stage, 1524 Spring Hill Rd., Tysons Corner, Va., (703) 854-1856, www.1ststagespringhill.org Signature Theatre in Shirlington gives Stephen Sondheim’s Road Show a chance to make good in America’s premier Sondheim showplace, after failing (repeatedly) elsewhere. The musical has been known by a series of titles, which should tell you something. (And not something good.) It was Wise Guys, and Gold! and Bounce…but never a hit. The music and lyrics are from Sondheim, of course, with a book by John Weidman. They earlier collaborated on the brilliant

Opening January 14 th

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Assassins and the pleasantenough Pacific Overtures. This is the tale of the reallife Mizner brothers and their (mis)adventures early in the last century. Both the the Alaskan Gold Rush and the 1920s Florida real estate boom are featured. The musical came and went through the Kennedy Center in 2003, helmed by Signature’s own Eric Schaeffer, in a rare miss with Sondheim material. It was reworked yet again Off-Broad-

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By Michael Toscano With discretionary spending on theater tickets sometimes challenging for patrons to manage, some area companies have played it safe in recent years. They have been offering productions they know will fill seats, rather than experimenting with new plays and musicals. But with the economy on the upswing, 2016 offers the opportunity to move away a bit from the tried-and-true favorites that have often occupied their stages in recent seasons. Here are some critic’s choices for shows coming up that have the promise of reminding us why we love theater. This is subjective, of course, so I recommend you check theater websites to see what might interest you that I may have missed.

See 2016 PREVIEW, page 40 Frankie R. Faison will be playing an ex-cop who faces eviction from a valuable New York City apartment in the play Between Riverside and Crazy, which premieres at Studio Theatre Jan. 13. The dark comedy won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for drama.

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2016 preview From page 39 way in 2008. But this is Stephen Sondheim, for music’s sake, and his material deserves another shot. This time Gary Griffin directs, following his success with the show in Chicago. If it works, you can say you were there. And if not, hey, it’s Sondheim at Signature. How bad could it be? Feb. 9 to March 13 in the MAX at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, Va., (703) 820- 9771, www.sigtheatre.org.

In Maryland Olney Theatre Company has a pair of

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

interesting shows on the boards early in the new year. Carmen: An Afro-Cuban Jazz Musical is based on the beloved opera by Georges Bizet. This is a world premiere production, written and directed by Moisés Kaufman, whom you may know as the playwright of the world-wide smash The Laramie Project. The original and adapted music is by two-time Grammy Award-winner Arturo O’Farrill, with choreography from Broadway’s Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis). Here’s Olney’s description, which says they turn “Bizet’s passion-fueled opera into a sexy, swinging AfroCuban Jazz musical, moving the action from 1820s Spain to Cuba in 1958, on the verge of revolution.

Kaufman’s Carmen is a gun-runner for the rebels, who falls fiercely in love with José, a Batista loyalist. When Cuba’s boxing legend Camilo returns to Havana, Carmen and José’s love falls tragically apart.” Wow. Sounds kinda hot. Feb. 10 to March 6 on the Mainstage. Olney is also producing the regional premiere of Marjorie Prime by Jordan Harrison (Maple and Vine, Orange Is the New Black). Marjorie is 85 years old, and she’s reinventing memories from the past, aided by a hologram of her dead husband as he looked 50 years previously. Now that’s high concept! The New York Times called it “a tender, searching comedy....A thought-provoking play about memory, its corruption, and our insistence that technology can help us outwit death.” They had me at hologram. March 10 to April 10 in the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab. Olney Theatre Company, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd., Olney, Md., (301) 924-3400, www.olneytheatre.org Round House Theatre stages Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3), a new drama from Suzan LoriParks. This screenwriter and playwright, who has a resume stuffed with awards and nominations, was the first female AfricanAmerican playwright to win the Pulitzer Prize (in 2002 for TopDog/UnderDog). Her shows have always done well in Washington, both with critics and with audiences. This play is set during the Civil War, and follows a slave named Hero from West Texas to the Confederate battlefield. Voted top theater pick of 2014 by the New York Times, Time Magazine, the Huffington Post and Vulture, this play is partly inspired by Greek tragedy as it examines war and the cost of freedom. Jan. 27 to Feb. 21 at Round House Theatre, 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda, Md., (240) 664-1100, www.roundhousetheatre.org

Washington, D.C. Studio Theatre brings us the winner of the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Between Riverside and Crazy, by Stephen Adly Guirgis, who also wrote The [bleep] with the Hat, which had great success there. Walter “Pops” Washington is a cranky former cop — a widower who happens to live in a prime piece of real estate on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. It’s one of those New York apartments we usually see only on TV sitcoms: a spacious, rent-controlled apartment with a view of the Hudson River. You know, the

kind of place people would kill for. There may be a bit of that going on. There are eviction notices from the landlord. And family and friends are urging him to make a deal and leave. But Pops isn’t about to leave his past behind just yet. Jan. 13 to at least Feb. 28 at Studio Theatre’s Metheny Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW, (202) 332-3300, www.studiotheatre.org Spooky Action Theater brings us the recipient of the 2012 Lawrence Olivier Award for Best Play — the darkly comic Collaborators. The quite original-sounding play is written by British screenwriter and dramatist John Hodge, most noted for adapting the novel Trainspotting to film. Here he takes us to Moscow, 1938-40, where real-life playwright Mikhail Bulgakov gets a visit from a couple of secret police officers, who inform him he must help them write a play about Josef Stalin. Soon he finds himself face-to-face with the fearsome dictator. That part is fiction, but the two did actually have some earlier contact. What Hodge does is conjure up an imaginary scenario where, as the theater company describes it, the question becomes, “who is the author and who is writing history?” Feb. 11 to March 6, by Spooky Action Theater, performing at Universalist National Memorial Church, 1810 16th St. NW, (202) 248-0301, www.spookyaction.org Arena Stage has a very Washingtoncentric show coming — The City of Conversation by Anthony Giardina. Yes, it’s about us, in all our melodrama. Hester Ferris is a Pamela Harriman-like figure — a grand figure who becomes the Georgetown hostess/powerbroker. Over a span of three decades (Carter to Obama), we see the social niceties that used to help oil the machinery of government go dry, the mechanism then beginning to rust and deteriorate. There is a lot of inside baseball politicos will enjoy, and gossipy conversation for those who find the politics boring but people interesting. It seems to be one of those plays where success rests almost entirely on a cast and director who can move us rapidly through implausibilities, soften the rough edges of partisan messaging, and inflate the characters beyond cardboard cutouts. It may be fun to see how well director Doug Hughes does in his Arena debut. Jan. 29 to March 6, on the Fichandler Stage at Arena Stage, 1101 6th St. SW, (202) 554-9066 www.arenastage.org. Happy New Year. Curtains up!

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Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1 Sibelius’s Symphony No. 2 Neeme Järvi, conductor Baiba Skride, violin

ELLER: Five Pieces for String Orchestra PROKOFIEV: Violin Concerto No. 1 SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 2 THU., JAN. 14 AT 7 FRI., JAN. 15 AT 8 SAT., JAN. 16 AT 8

Daniel Müller-Schott plays Dvorˇák The Brahms Piano Quartet (ORCH. SCHOENBERG) Christoph Eschenbach, conductor Daniel Müller-Schott, cello

ROUSE: Phaethon DVORˇÁK: Cello Concerto BRAHMS: Piano Quartet (orch. Schoenberg) THU., JAN. 21 AT 7 FRI., JAN. 22 AT 8 SAT., JAN. 23 AT 8

3 programs of epic symphonies by Beethoven, Schubert, and Brahms

Daniel Müller-Schott, cello

Christoph Eschenbach, conductor

THU., JAN. 28 AT 7

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Broadway Today with Jeremy Jordan & Betsy Wolfe Steven Reineke, conductor

Led by Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke, Broadway powerhouses Jeremy Jordan and Betsy Wolfe team up for a hit parade of contemporary musical theater tunes, including fresh favorites from The Last Five Years, Bonnie and Clyde, Bridges of Madison County, and more! Jeremy Jordan

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J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Alexandria capitalizes on new PBS series By Glenda C. Booth “Blood is not gray or blue. It’s all one color,” says Dr. Jed Foster in “Mercy Street” — the upcoming PBS Civil War medical drama set in 1862 in the war-torn border town of Alexandria, Va. The lives and cultures of two volunteer nurses on opposite sides of the conflict intertwine as they confront war’s agonies, injuries and deaths in a former hotel converted by the occupying Union Army into the Mansion House Hospital. Called “angels of mercy,” avid New England abolitionist Mary Phinney (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), and Confederate belle Emma Green (Hannah James), toil in a chaotic ward at a time when women’s

roles were largely domestic. Emma, who grows from childhood to womanhood, finds purpose in life. “Mercy Street,” a six-part series that starts Jan. 17 at 10 p.m., probes personalities, societal layers and social nuances, unveiling how the war played out in towns, homes and relationships. The drama is based on true stories and real people in a town under martial law — a hubbub of soldiers, wounded Union and Confederate fighting men, runaway slaves, prostitutes, spies, female volunteers, doctors, speculators and more. The series “combines real and dramatized places and events as backdrops for an absorbing array of colliding storylines,”

say PBS publicists. “These are people who were trying to survive and find love, purpose and meaning in this turbulent time. Alexandria officials are hoping the television series will produce a visitor surge to the area. The show was actually filmed in Richmond and Petersburg because filming in Alexandria would have disrupted traffic for weeks. But many of Alexandria’s buildings have been accurately recreated for the show. Tourism officials plan over two dozen tours and events inspired by “Mercy Street.”

The real sites and exhibits Part of the building that was Mansion House Hospital still stands at 133 N. Fairfax St. Today it houses a private business. In the drama, it was the site of hundreds of surgeries, recoveries, deaths, social upheaval, emancipation, love and medical science stretched to its limits. An exhibit in the historic Carlyle House next door, titled “Alexandria: A Town Occupied,” explains how women nurses broke through a 19th century “glass ceiling” and opened doors to women in medical careers. To “protect their reputations,” tourists learn at the exhibit, Civil War nurses had to have four recommendations (two from physicians and two from clergymen), be “plain looking and middle aged,” wear browns and blacks, and eschew jewelry. On display is an actual, discolored hospital bed label, a Civil War syringe, a bonehandle toothbrush, a soldier’s field case and canteen, and a letter from chief surgeon, James Bellangee.

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The neighborhood druggist In the series, the Union quartermaster purchases products for the hospital a block away at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary built in 1805. Inside today, little seems to have changed since then. Its long, glass counters and shelves are laden with jars sporting gold labels. See MERCY STREET, page 45

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An exhibit about espionage highlights Benjamin Franklin Stringfellow, “Lee’s beloved, trusted scout,” whose slight build enabled him to escape detection by hiding under a woman’s hoop skirt. The show’s family scenes were inspired by the elegant, Georgian-style Carlyle House, today a historic site, completed in 1753 by British merchant John Carlyle and bought by wealthy James Green in 1848. It is the Green family home in “Mercy Street.” In replicating the house for the filming, “The producers worked hard to give that feel of Alexandria,” said Helen Wirka, historic site specialist at Carlyle House. The parlor and dining room are recreated as they appeared in the Greens’ day. Lisa Wolfinger, the show’s creator, was struck by how closely the set matched the real house’s interior when she visited it in November. To capitalize on “Mercy Street” and link it to the former hospital next door, Carlyle House is staging a surgical theater, a patients’ ward room, and a steward’s room upstairs with authentic patient and staff stories. (Stewards ran day-to-day operations.)

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Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Tara Summers and Hannah James — cast members of the upcoming PBS series about the Civil War, “Mercy Street” — visit the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary in Old Town Alexandria. The apothecary was built in 1805 and functioned through the Civil War; today it is a museum. It and other Alexandria sites were meticulously recreated for the PBS show.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

A sisterly bond can be stretched too far I don’t have any sisters, much less two. band — golf, luxury cars, Botox, a house beBut I’ve seen plenty of sisterly combos in my hind gates. She talks about movie stars a lot. time. Their bond is usually as strong as iron. The middle sister lives by herself in a simLike twins or triplets, they ple, spare, serviceable condo in have the uncanny ability to Denver. She is bookish, inward “read” each other — and and a little insecure, even at 73. I sometimes to annoy the daythink she last smiled in somelights out of each other. thing like 1975. But just as often, and perThen there is My Favorite haps more so, they are each — a big smiler, a big intellecother’s ports in that storm tual, a huge politico, a retired called life. Through romantic professor and, of course, one ups and downs, and health heck of a gardener. problems, and career crises, HOW I SEE IT None of this should necesand child-rearing conun- By Bob Levey sarily mean that there’s a gulf drums, a sister is forever. between the sisters. But acExcept when she isn’t. cording to my visitor, there’s a big one. A favorite cousin came to visit the other “We just don’t have anything to say to day. I see her entirely too seldom because each other anymore,” said my cousin-visitor. she lives many ZIP Codes away. “Nothing?,” I said, conjuring up memoOn the cusp of her 70s, she looked great ries of their childhoods and my own, when — which was the good news. the three girlie cousins were always playThe bad: She no longer communicates ing dolls together and were always seemvery much with either of her sisters. ingly friendly to one another. Both are considerably older than My Fa“Pretty close to nothing,” said My Favorite. Each of the three lives about 2,000 vorite. miles from each of the others. The three Oh, they call each other on their birthcouldn’t be less alike. days. But after exchanging news about My Favorite has lived on 92 acres in children and grandchildren, there are alrural Maine for the past 40 years. She and ways telltale silences. To My Favorite, this her husband get all of their power from the says it all. sun and all of their food from the garden, “I don’t stand in judgment of either of which they plant and till themselves. them,” she told me. “But we just haven’t When this cousin came to visit, she was lived lives that are at all alike. I wouldn’t exright in character. She brought us the perfect pect them to understand many of my choicgift — a butternut squash from her garden. es, and I don’t understand many of theirs.” As she smilingly pointed out, some creaBut what about that magical sisterly ture had dug his fangs into it and left little bond? tell-tale puncture marks. You won’t see a “Time erodes magic sometimes,” said squash like this at the Safeway very often. My Favorite. The oldest sister of the three lives in She would like to mend fences, but she Florida, where she pursues an upper mid- isn’t sure that her sisters would welcome dle-class existence with her longtime hus- that.

“They are pretty much into their own worlds,” she said. “I’m not sure I could break through. And honestly, I’m not sure it would be worth the effort.” I couldn’t help but probe: Did she think that this distance began to develop when

she decided to live in the hinterlands, and not in a suburban ranch house? “No question about it,” said My Favorite. “They have never known what to make of See BOB LEVEY, page 45

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

FROM PAGE 44 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

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Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

PUZZLE PAGE We take the worry out of

WINTER.

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J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Crossword Puzzle Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus Homophones for Gramophone 1

See our ad on page B-14. 11203628

41 44

47 50

Scrabble answers on p. 43.

By Stephen Sherr

55 61

Across 1. With 69 Across, singer of the 1972 song featured in this puzzle 6. Ladybug/leopard link 11. Netflix mailer 14. Neil Armstrong took one for all of us 15. It may reveal your future 16. Host city of the 2016 Olympics 17. Welcome to one's good ole' days! 18. Jabber on and on 20. Alternative to "believe it" 21. Responses just said to Nancy Reagan 22. In good taste 24. DEA target 25. Important artery 26. Work on the Appleseed family quilt 31. Third rock 34. Dance Moms performers 35. Get the latest gossip 37. ___ the line 38. Like a cool day in hell 39. Good ones don't have holes 41. Air Jordan maker 42. Request permission 43. "Hmmm ... try it to the left ___" 44. Going steady 46. Nugget of wisdom 48. They point straight to a rooster's heart 50. The seventh storm, some years 52. Aloof 53. Well-behaved 55. Network founded by Ted Turner 56. Deflategate stat 59. Fondue feature 60. Title with three triple homophones 64. Ingredient in Hawaiian Beef Stew 65. Sign, or sign up 66. ... ___ Mockingbird 67. "I could go on" 68. Looks for the hiders 69. See 1 Across

Down 1. First off-er 2. One lower than soprano 3. Use half of one's R&R time 4. Non-clerical 5. MAYPOLE middle 6. Walked confidently 7. Selects debit or credit 8. The treasure of The Treasure of the Sierra Madre 9. Stick figure's line of symmetry 10. One at the wheel 11. Ginned up drink 12. Medicine bottle 13. Lethargic 18. Dusty 23. Southwest suspicion 24. Chop off 25. "History is ___ of lies agreed upon" (Napoleon) 26. Bra feature 27. Wipe clean 28. Not a nine to fiver 29. Boy named in Johnny Cash's top charting song 30. She was spun off from Minneapolis in 1974 32. Car wash coin 33. Obeys the warning 36. ___ of Love (Andrew Lloyd Webber musical) 40. It flows on Kilauea 41. Dir. from Madrid to Paris 43. Very alert 45. Wrigley Field feature 47. Letters on a Halloween decoration 49. They went back-to-back in XXIII and XXIV 51. Unmanned aerial vehicle, briefly 53. Francis was the Americas' first 54. Donnybrook 55. Star ___ 56. It may reveal your future 57. It might hold an LFM-25C Titan II missile (or corn) 58. Gone ___ instant 61. Native of the Beehive State 62. Approves 63. Good roll at a Roman casino

Answers on page 43.

Answer: The archery competition was on by an -- ARROW MARGIN Jumbles: AMITY MINER HARROW AWEIGH

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Bob Levey From page 43

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

my overalls or my solar panels. So they built distance between us.” The distance has only gotten greater in the years since. My Favorite acknowledged that she bears some responsibility. “I haven’t reached out to them as much as I might have,” she said. “But I’ve always been so busy. Just so busy. After a while, they just had to take a back seat to my own family, and to clearing the snow.” I told my cousin that I was sorry about this. She said she was, too. But as she so tellingly put it, “time might heal all wounds. But the ones it doesn’t heal only get deeper.” Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

Mercy Street From page 42 In its day, customers described their ailments to the self-described “druggist,” who mixed herbs, sugar, roots and other mysterious substances. Today, Callie Stapp, curator, “dispenses” information about the shelves’ assorted mixtures and elixirs: sarsaparilla, the “cure” for syphilis; liquid laudanum, a pain killer; chalk, “the Tums of the day,” and hot drops — popular with soldiers who were barred from drinking because these contained alcohol. “It was a combination CVS and Home Depot,” she quipped. James Green’s account page on display shows that he purchased products like castor oil, putty, lead oil, turpentine and yellow ochre. The second-floor “manufacturing room” is a jam-packed, musty storage room of wooden boxes with labels like “Dragon’s Blood,” Gum Arabic,” “Rattleweed Root” and “Skunk Cabbage Root.”

African American characters Woven throughout “Mercy Street” are African American characters coping and navigating a complicated, stressful society in social transition. Viewers will meet a free man raised in the north who has never known slavery; an escaped slave protected by the Union army; a recently-freed house slave who opts to stay with her owners; and an enslaved African American who lives behind Union lines in Maryland. Slaves were not freed in Maryland until December 1865. The Alexandria Black History Museum’s exhibit, “Journey to Be Free,” recounts many African American experiences of the era: the self-emancipated runaways trying to get to the Union (“They were not just waiting to be freed,” emphasized museum director Audrey Davis.); the thousands of slaves who sought refuge in Alexandria and found disease, deprivation and housing shortages; and the Union’s U.S. Colored Troops, a raciallysegregated unit that fought both the southern forces and the Union troops’ prejudices. Situated in a key location, Alexandria was a major port, railroad hub and melting

pot during the Civil War. “Mercy Street’s” storylines will bring to life many off-thebattlefield human dramas and multiple threads of real life during the city’s occupation — themes easy to experience vicariously by visiting today’s Alexandria. To visit the sites, take Metro to the King Street-Old Town Station (Blue or Yellow Line) and then hop aboard the free King Street Trolley (every 15 minutes) or take the DASH bus to King and Fairfax Streets. If you drive, on-street parking is limited. There are several nearby parking garages. See www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com/plan/ parking. • Carlyle House, 121 North Fairfax Street, www.nvrpa.org/park/carlyle_house_ historic_park/ • Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary, 105107 South Fairfax Street, www.apothecary museum.org • Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street, www.alexandriava.gov/ BlackHistory For more information on “Mercy Street,” see www.pbs.org/mercy-street/home. For more information about Alexandria, see www.visitalexandriava.com.

WB 1/16

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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 page 47. 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 accept 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.

Business and Employment Opportunities LOOKING FOR A HOUSE HELPER – Laundry, empty dishwasher, clean refrigerator, microwave, bathroom, sweep, mop, vacuum, small dog, 301-445-4318.

Caregivers CNA CAREGIVER AVAILABLE – Licensed, professional, caring, reliable help for your loved one. Very experienced. Please call or text 301540-0086. “A” HOME HEALTH CARE – Experienced nurses, CNA, GNA are available 24/7. Cooking, companionship, personal care, housekeeping, driving. Full/Part-time or live-in. Flat rate for live-in care. 15 years experience. 240-533-6599. ELDERLY CARE – FEMALE care provider, English speaking, with car. I cook, clean and take to all appointments. I’m experienced in caring for people with MS, Alzheimer’s and other health problems. Excellent references. 301-2757283. I WILL CARE FOR YOUR LOVED ONES night/day. Own transportation. Good references. Lots of experience. 301-502-2258. CHEVY CHASE HOME CARE – reliable certified caregivers at time of illness, infirmity, loneliness. Personal assistance, ALL AGES, 4- to 24-hour shifts, homes, hospitals, nursing homes. MD, DC, No. VA. Tel.: 202-374-1240. www.ChChHomecare.com.

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate

Personal Services

Wanted

BETHANY BEACH VACATION RENTAL by owner. 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom cozy, clean house with beautiful hardwood flooring, one level, open feel. Sleeps 8. Comfortable queen beds. Linens included. Gas fireplace. 4 bikes. High speed wifi. 2 miles to boardwalk. Near Ocean City, Fenwick, Rehoboth. Average $126/night plus refundable deposit, minimum 2 to 4-night stay, cleaning fee. More details and how to book from owner, Lisa, at https://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/ p3969586.

PIANO LESSONS – INNOVATIVE, supportive teacher with 30 years experience teaching adults. Bachelors of Music, Boston University; Master’s Degree, University of Maryland. Enjoyment in playing the piano is one of the main goals! First two lessons free. Call 301-891-3535.

CASH FOR JEWELRY: Buying jewelry, diamonds, gold, platinum, silver, watches, coins, flatware, etc. We make house calls. Ask for Tom. Call anytime 301-654-8678 or 301-654-0838.

LEISURE WORLD® – $269,000. 2 BR 2 FB EE in “Creekside,” open kitchen, enclosed balcony, lots of light, move-in ready. 1433 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463.

AWARD-WINNING BOOK EDITOR will help you finish and edit your writing so it is readable and error-free. Specialties: nonfiction (memoirs, social science, women’s issues, education, how-to books) and fiction. Alice Heiserman, WriteBooksRight.com. 301-365-4452.

LEISURE WORLD® – $81,000. 1 BR 1 FB Raleigh Co-op. Updated kitchen, new paint, view of the walking paths and green space. 990 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® – $182,500. 2 BR 2FB “G” with garage in “Fairways.” Updated kitchen, enclosed balcony. 1195 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LOOKING TO TAKE THE LEAP? I’ll take you on a tour of the community, show you floor plans, discuss campus amenities, & offer how to best coordinate your move. I will set up an automated online search for you, preview units, and contact you to arrange a showing when there is a match. I also offer exceptional service selling your home. I’m a Seniors Specialist, Buyer Broker, Top 1% of Agents Nationwide, and a Leisure World resident! You can see my current listings in this issue. Contact me: 301-580-5556, SueHeyman@aol.com, www.SueHeyman.com, Weichert Realtors.

For Sale CEMETERY LOTS – Fairfax Memorial Park. Section 2, Garden of Prayer. 4 lots, $3,700 each, 2 for $3,200 each, 4 for $3,000 each + $75 transaction fee. Contact 619-993-2369. FT. LINCOLN CEMETERY – Garden of Reflections. 2 burial rights, bronze/granite memorial. $5,595 or best offer. Call Harold, 301-9289731. 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.

Health DIFFICULTY HANDLING STRESS? Anxiety, fatigue, depression, insomnia and weight problems? Blood sugar concerns or menopausal crisis? We can help with natural holistic approach, no drugs involved. Call 703-416-2597. NUTRITION RECOMMENDATIONS through group detoxification and anti-aging program. Integrated with ancient and modern sciences and alternative therapies for prevention of health problems, clear mind and strong body. Call 703416-2597.

Miscellaneous

PROBLEM WITH YOUR PC/MAC OR NETWORK? Computer Systems Engineer will come to you with help. Call: David G at 301-642-4526.

THE GOLDEN NETWORK offers Jewish seniors and retirees a variety of engaging programs, including lectures, classes, one-on-one learning in person and by phone, concerts, singalongs and more! For more information and details about upcoming events, call 301-732-1773, email info@goldennetwork.org, or see goldennetwork.org.

Events

Personals

SAVANNAH, JEKYLL ISLAND + BEAUFORT Land Tour. May 15-21, 2016. $550. Depart from Clinton Fringe parking lot at 8 a.m. Price includes motor coach transportation, 6 nights lodging, 10 meals, guided tours of Beaufort, SC, historic Penn Center, Jekyll + St. Simons Islands, Savannah and much more. $75 deposit due upon signing. To register, call 301877-7953.

ARE YOU SINGLE? WIDOWED? DIVORCED? Meet your compatible mate through our unique Single Seniors Contact Club. For complete details, call 1-800-884-4246.

Computer Services

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate ROOMMATE WANTED: 55+ COMMUNITY with many amenities. 50 years or older. Private bed and bath. Share common areas. $725. Contact Kathleen at 202-758-9208.

WILL DO YARD WORK FOR SENIOR citizen or anyone in the Alexandria area. Clean up leaves, paint garden rails, prune plants, put in flower beds. Call Sherwood, 571-268-8584 or 703-683-9623.

CHERYL’S ORGANIZING CONCEPTS LLC – Professional Organizing Services. Help with all aspects of home organizing. Experienced – References – Member NAPO. All work confidential. Licensed – Bonded. $25 discount on initial appointment. www.CherylsOrganizing.com. 301-916-9022.

HIGHEST CASH PAID FOR ANTIQUES, JEWELRY, ESTATES. I have been advertising in the Beacon for 20 years. Montgomery County resident – will travel to D.C., MD, VA. Buying following items: Furniture, art, jewelry, gold, sterling silver, old coins, vintage pocket and wrist watches, old tools, books, camera, military items – guns, rifles, knives, pocket knives, swords etc. Also buying: old toys, dolls, trains, comic books, photographs, autographs, musical instruments, guitars, violins, etc. Also old sports memorabilia and equipment – baseball, golf, football, fishing etc. Please call Tom at 240-4763441.

WILL TYPE YOUR MEMOIRS, manuscripts, etc. For info and rates, call 703-671-1854.

Wanted

STAMP COLLECTIONS, AUTOGRAPHS purchased/appraised – U.S., worldwide, covers, paper memorabilia. Stamps are my specialty – highest price paid! Appraisals. Phone Alex, 301309-3622. Stampex1@gmail.com.

WE BUY JEWELRY, SILVER, GOLD, AND COSTUME. Coins, Paper Money Too. Watches, Clocks, Military Badges and Patches Old and New. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. OLD AND NEW, WE BUY STERLING SILVER FLATWARE, Tea Sets, Single Pieces of Silver, Large pieces of Silver Plate. Attic, Basement or Garage. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. You have something to SELL, we are looking to BUY. SELL YOUR GOLD AND SILVER JEWELRY and old coins. Licensed dealer in Silver Spring buys gold and silver. I will meet you at your home or bank, analyze your jewelry, or coins, and tell you how much I can pay if you should decide to sell. No fees or obligation. Call Bob, 240-938-9694. Gold 4 Good. 8431 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring. License #2327. COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, weapons, rifles, shot guns, knives, swords, bayonets, web gear, uniforms, etc. from all wars and countries. Large quantities are okay. Will pay top prices for my personal collection. Discreet consultations. Call Fred, 301-910-0783. 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. WE PAY CASH for antique furniture, quality used furniture, early American art, pottery, silver, glassware, paintings, etc. Single items to entire estates. Call Reggie or Phyllis at DC 202726-4427, MD 301-332-4697. WANTED: OLDER VIOLINS, Guitars, Banjos, Mandolins, etc. Musician/collector will pay cash for older string instruments. Jack, 301279-2158.

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 fro m 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, 301-2798834. Thank you. MILITARY ITEMS WANTED: Collector seeks to purchase military uniforms; flight jackets, patches, insignia, medals, etc. from the Civil War through Vietnam. Especially seeking U.S. Army Air Corps, USMC, Airborne, and German/Japanese/Italian items from WWII. ALSO BUYING old Boy Scout, Airline Items, Toys, Lighters. Call Dan, 202-841-3062. LADY WHO LOVES DISHES and figurines wants to buy yours. Especially Royal Copenhagen, Deco Noritake, Limoges, Herend and English bone china. Do you have a collection of cup and saucers, dog and cat figurines, Royal Doulton ladies or salt and pepper shakers? Also mid-century Scandinavian ceramics and glass, Asian items, silver, paintings and costume jewelry. Anything else old and interesting, please call me. 301-785-1129.

STERLING SILVER... TOP DOLLAR paid for silver marked “Sterling,” “925” or “800.” Want flatware, bowls, plates, candlesticks, etc. Please, no silver plate. Call Richard, 301-646-0101. BUYING MILITARY MEMORABILIA WW2, WW1, Civil War uniforms, weapons, photos and items associated with US, German, Japanese or items of other Military History. DAVE, 240-464-0958.

Thanks for reading the Beacon!

BEACON BITS

Jan. 14+

SINGING TO BRING COMFORT

Hospice of the Chesapeake is looking for singers for their Prince George’s GIFTS Choir, led by Donna Stewart-Moore. The choir will sing at the homes and bedsides of hospice patients to bring ease and comfort. Singers will be asked to participate at least twice a month in a choir practice and spend two to four hours performing. Experience is not necessary. For more information, attend an information session on Thursday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. at their office, 9500 Arena Dr., Suite 250, Largo, Md. For more details, contact Kris Carpenter-Zyla at kcarpenterzyla@hospicechesapeake.org or (410) 987-2003.

Personal Services READY TO DE-CLUTTER? Sort, donate, discard. Reasonable rates. Call Jan, 301-933-7570.

CASH FOR ESTATE BUYOUTS, estate clean-outs, jewelry to furniture, one item or whole estate. Free Estimate, Will Travel. 301520-0755.

Jan. 16

CELLO-PIANO CONCERT

The Library of Congress presents cellist Alban Gerhardt and pianist Anne-Marie McDermott for a concert featuring 20th century original sonatas by Barber and Britten. This event will take place on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. in the Coolidge Auditorium, located at 101 Independence Ave. SE, Washington, D.C. The concert will be followed by a conversation with the artists. Free, but tickets are required. To obtain tickets, visit www.loc.gov/concerts or call (202) 707-5502.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6

Say you saw it in the Beacon

BEACON BITS

Jan. 10

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES

SPANISH CLASSICAL CONCERT The Arlington Philharmonic presents Ritmos Festivos, a family-

friendly concert on Sunday, Jan. 10 at 3 p.m. at Wakefield High School, located at 1325 S. Dinwiddie Street in Arlington, Va. The concert will feature Spanish influences on classical music from the Old World to the New. The repertoire includes Borne’s “Carmen Fantasy,” a flute solo based on Bizet’s themes. Admission is free, but a $20 donation is suggested. For more information, visit www.arlingtonphilharmonic.org.

Jan. 10

PROGAM FOR WIDOWED PERSONS The next monthly meeting of the AARP Widowed Persons Service takes place on Sunday, Jan. 10 from 2 to 4 p.m. Enjoy refresh-

ments and socializing, and then hear Russell Kennedy speak about the history of the C&O Canal. All widows and widowers are welcome. The group meets at the Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Ave., Wheaton, Md. Call (301) 949-7398 for more information.

Deadlines and Payments: Ad text and payment is due by the 20th 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 $15 for 25 words, 25 cents for each additional word. Business Text Ads: For parties engaged in an ongoing business enterprise. Each ad is $35 for 25 words, 50 cents for each additional word. Note: Each real estate listing counts as one business text ad. Send your classified ad with check or money order, payable to the Beacon, to:

The Beacon, D.C. Classified Dept. P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 For information about display advertising, or to request a media kit, call (301) 949-9766.

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Research Studies

Montgomery County Information & Services/311 ......................40

Diabetes Clinical Studies . . . .18

Hearing Services

Computer Classes JCA SeniorTech ....................8-11

Auditory Services, Inc .............21 Mendelson Group.....................13 Sound Hearing Centers ............14

Dental Services

Home Health Care

Friedman, Stephen, DDS .........30 Oh, Judy, DDS .........................20 Sklar, Andrew, DDS .................13

Best Senior Care . . . . . . . . . .B-7 Elder Caring .............................18 Hallmark Home Care . . . . . . .19 Options for Senior America .....40

Employment/ Volunteers Career Gateway ........................28 Home Instead Senior Care . . . .6 JCA Village Volunteers ........B-11 Meals on Wheels......................37

Events GROWS ...................................20

Financial Services Children’s National Hospital....31 Jefferson Mortgage Group .....B-5 Mortgage Center of America ...13 PENFED Credit Union ..............5 Widow Care .............................38

Funeral Services Fairfax Memorial Park .............30 Fram Monuments .....................29 Going Home Cremation...........38

Government Services DC Office on Aging ...........23-26 Montgomery County Aging and Disability Services ................18

Housing Arbor Terrace of Herndon..........4 Arden Courts............................16 Ashby Ponds.........B-13, B-14, 44 The Bonifant at Silver Spring .........B-5, B-13 Brooke Grove Retirement Village .......15, B-4, B-13, B-16 Buckingham’s Choice ................4 Chesterbrook Residences.................B-6, B-10 Churchill Senior Living ...........31 Covenant Village ..........B-6, B-11 Culpepper Garden ....................36 Emerson House ..........B-11, B-13 Fairfax, The ............................B-3 Fairhaven ....................................4 Friendship Terrace........B-8, B-10 Great Falls Assisted Living ..........................B-3, B-4 Greenspring..........B-14, B-15, 44 Homecrest House .........B-2, B-13 Knollwood....................B-7, B-15 Olney Assisted Living..............14 Park View .................................37 Pin Oak Village ........................14

Potomac Place ........................B-3 Quantum Property Mgmt.......B-11 Randolph Village......................14 Residences at Thomas Circle ...................B-14 Riderwood..............B-6, B-14, 44 Rollingcrest Commons ............14 Springvale Terrace........B-4, B-12 Tall Oaks Assisted Living............B-7, B-8 Tribute at Heritage Village ........B-5, B-13 Vinson Hall Retirement Community................B-8, B-12 Waltonwood...................B-2, B15

Legal Services Law Firm of Evan Farr.............29 Law Offices of Paul Riekhof..........................31

Medical/Health Holy Cross Germantown Hospital ..................................7 Medical Eye Center..................20 Next Steps ................................17 Run With It Coach ...................20 Stem Cell Arts............................3

Real Estate Services In Order....................................16 Long & Foster/Eric Stewart .....33 Long & Foster/Inderjeet Jumani ...................................28 McEnearney/ Sue Schumacher....................33 Weichert/Douglas Brasse .........17 Weichert/Sue Heyman..............19

Restaurants/ Food Service

Original Pancake House...........42 Wrap2Go..................................42

Retail/Pawn/Auction Five Colors Science & Tech. ....40 Four Sales LTD ........................30 Perfect Sleep Chair...................22 Quinn’s Auction Galleries ........21 Wow Computer ........................48

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Charles E. Smith/ Hebrew Home .......................32 Communicare Health ...............16 HealthSouth Rehab Hospital....19 Manor Care Health Services ....21 Village at Rockville ...................6

Subscriptions Beacon Subscription ................45 Washington Jewish Week.........42

Theatre/ Entertainment Ford’s Theatre...........................43 National Symphony Orchestra .41 Signature Theatre .....................39 Toby’s Dinner Theatre ..............39

Tour & Travel Eyre Travel ...............................35 US Navy Memorial ..................43 Vamoose...................................35

Utilities Verizon DC Lifeline Program ..32

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J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

TECHNOLOGY SIMPLIFIED – BIGGER AND BETTER

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