January 2025 | Howard County Beacon

The Howard County

Prof seeks climate solutions

By Shannon Brown

After more than a decade as a volunteer with Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Sabrina Fu has some advice for would-be environmental activists: Keep an open mind.

“We should advocate for solutions, but we need to use the logical part of ourselves,” she said in an interview with the Beacon. “Being curious and open-minded is so important. Go out and talk to people and meet on common ground.”

Fu, an Ellicott City resident, speaks from experience. She estimates she has spoken with about 4,000 people through her work with Citizens’ Climate Lobby, primarily through “tabling” events, in which volunteers set up a table at events like reggae concerts and farmers markets to speak with the public about climate change.

Fu also believes we need to work together to create change. “We’re just not going to be able to address something big as individuals. We have to have the voice of strong groups,” she said.

Earth-conscious from youth

Growing up in Burma, Fu was conscious of humans’ impact on the environment. She cringed at the thought of trash ending up in landfills.

“I didn’t realize this was unusual until I met other people who had the mindset ‘out of sight, out of mind,’” she said.

Fu earned her Ph.D. in chemistry from UC Berkeley in 1991, focusing on the development of alternative fuels.

While doing the research for her degree, Fu realized that part of the problem wasn’t the science, but whether there was societal will to invest in change.

“If we really wanted alternative energy, we would have policies that encourage more people to buy into it because [that

A

means a] lower cost per person,” she said.

This realization led Fu to decide to work on practical solutions. After completing her degree, she moved with her husband to the D.C. area, where she got a job in the remediation of nuclear and hazardous waste.

Now Fu teaches at the University of Maryland Global Campus, where she has been a science professor for 23 years. In

August, she became the program director of Environmental Science & Management, overseeing the undergraduate and graduate programs in environmental science, as well as managing faculty.

Fu believes higher education is important in cultivating critical thinking skills in

Sabrina Fu, an Ellicott City resident, volunteers to fight climate change with a group called Citizens’ Climate Lobby. “We don’t care about who you voted for in the last election, what you look like, what you wear, or

be part of the solution, come and help us,” Fu said.

Add it to the water?

People who know me today would hardly believe it, but as a child, I had to buy clothes in what was then called the “husky” department. My brother called me “fatso” when he wanted to be mean, and he wasn’t wrong.

Though I slimmed down in adolescence and have remained there for the most part since, there’s still a part of me that wants a magic pill that will let me eat whatever I want and not gain weight.

abundance of highly caloric, low-cost foods with little or no nutritive value are a large part of the problem.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

My ears perked up a few years ago when they developed a new form of fat that humans can’t digest. The suggestion was that people could consume potato chips and other fried foods made with the stuff, and the fat would go right through them. The problem was that everything else did, too, so it never caught on.

By Stuart P. Rosenthal

What has caught on is overeating. It’s a national (actually, international) problem. Today, nearly 75% of Americans over 20 are overweight; more than four out of 10 qualify as obese.

We know it’s not just from lack of willpower: Our genes, other health conditions, stress, lack of sleep, and the sheer

We also know the health consequences of being heavy include high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, some cancers, depression and more.

Given this, would anyone have predicted that such an intractable problem as universal weight gain and its associated health problems could be (almost) magically reversed by a single class of drugs?

Enter Ozempic and Wegovy (generic name: semaglutide) and Mounjaro and Zepbound (generic name: tirzepatide).

Known as GLP-1 agonists, these drugs were developed to help diabetics control blood sugar. (GLP-1 is a hormone our bodies naturally produce that triggers our pancreas to release insulin, slows digestion and increases feelings of satiety.)

These injectable drugs recently became household names after having been found to generate significant and relatively easy weight loss in many who take them — at least, for as long as they take them.

The downsides? There are side effects,

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of course, as with all drugs (in this case, mostly of the gastrointestinal variety). And the drugs must be used weekly (patients get a “pen” so they can self-inject) and currently can cost up to $1,000 per month without insurance.

On the other hand, researchers continue to observe and study some incredible additional health benefits from the drugs.

Along with lowering blood sugar levels in diabetics, they appear to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in patients with cardiovascular disease, and of the need for dialysis or a transplant in those with chronic kidney disease. The drugs also appear to reduce colon cancer risk in diabetics.

While being overweight is associated with all these conditions, the drugs appear in some cases to reduce the risk regardless of how much weight a person loses.

Perhaps in the same way that they reduce the sensation of hunger, they anecdotally have been found to reduce cravings for alcohol, nicotine and other addictive drugs. Randomized studies are underway to confirm these effects.

And the biggie for older adults: Studies have shown that GLP-1 agonists reduce the buildup of amyloid protein in the brain, which is associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Clinical studies to

assess Ozempic’s effect on cognitive decline and dementia are ongoing.

And the Alzheimer’s Association recently reported that a different GLP-1 drug “appears to reduce shrinking in the parts of the brain that control memory, learning, language and decision-making by nearly 50% compared to placebo,” reducing cognitive decline in those with mild Alzheimer’s by as much as 18% after one year.

No one is saying these drugs are likely to work equally well in all persons or on all these conditions, nor will they likely work without additional efforts, including improved diet, exercise, therapy and more.

In short, they’re not miracle drugs. But they sure seem to hold a great deal of promise for fighting some of the most serious health conditions we face today worldwide.

I look forward to seeing more results from clinical studies — and to hearing that Medicare will heavily negotiate the price of such drugs, which should be easier to do if we find that three out of four Americans need to take them for the rest of their lives.

A piece of good news: Ozempic’s core patent expires in 2026.

Stay tuned.

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When our book group formed in 1988, we were seven women with teenage or young adult daughters and sons. We read an eclectic selection of fiction and nonfiction, enjoying lively conversations about the chosen book of the month.

Each person hosted a Friday afternoon gathering in her living room, accompanied by tea, coffee, cheeses, crackers and homemade sweets.

Serious readers, we all completed the books — most of the time — but put aside time to chat about our work and catch up on our kids’ schooling, marriages and grandchildren.

Over the ensuing two decades, we noticed that fewer of us could remember the names of books and authors, even our favorite ones.

In our 60s, only one or two of us could recall parts of a title, an author’s first or last name, or bits of plot. We worried about los-

ing our memories and whether dementia was invading our now close circle of friends. One of us researched the kind of forgetting we were experiencing and learned, to our relief, that it was a normal part of aging. Forgetting the name of a book or a movie, in the absence of other kinds of forgetting, happens to everyone over their 50s.

What a relief for us! Wrinkled brows that had accompanied our book-forgetting conversations fell away. After all, we’d retained the gist of these tales.

And then something surprising happened. Over the decades, we’ve gone from grinning to hiccupping laughter each time our group’s “forgetting ritual” occurs. This is a joy limited to our select club of septuagenarians and octogenarians.

As one of our members exclaimed, “I’m so glad we’re all in our 70s and 80s and can laugh together about forgetting!”

Patricia Steckler, Ph.D. Via email

Health Fitness & Fitness & Health

Ways to fight against winter depression

By Carla K. Johnson

As winter arrives and daylight hours grow shorter, people prone to seasonal depression can feel it in their bodies and brains.

“It’s a feeling of panic, fear, anxiety and dread all in one,” said Germaine Pataki, 63, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

She’s among the millions of people estimated to have seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. Her coping strategies include yoga, walking and an antidepressant medication. She’s also part of a Facebook group for people with SAD. “I try to focus on helping others through it,” Pataki said. “This gives me purpose.”

People with SAD typically have episodes of depression that begin in the fall and ease in the spring or summer. A milder form, subsyndromal SAD, is recognized by medical experts, and there’s also a summer variety of seasonal depression, though less is known about it.

What causes SAD?

Scientists are learning how specialized cells in our eyes turn the blue wavelength of the light spectrum into neural signals

that affect mood and alertness.

Sunlight is loaded with blue light, so when cells absorb it, our brains’ alertness centers are activated, and we feel more awake and possibly even happier.

Researcher Kathryn Roecklein at the University of Pittsburgh tested people with and without SAD to see how their eyes reacted to blue light. People with SAD were less sensitive to blue light than others, especially during winter months.

“In the winter, when the light levels drop, that, combined with a lower sensitivity, might be too low for healthy functioning, leading to depression,” Roecklein said.

Miriam Cherry, 50, of Larchmont, New York, said she spent the summer planning how she would deal with her winter depression. “It’s like clockwork,” Cherry said. “The sunlight is low. The day ends at 4:45, and suddenly my mood is horrible.”

Light therapy helps many

Many people with SAD respond to light therapy, said Dr. Paul Desan of Yale University’s Winter Depression Research Clinic.

“The first thing to try is light,” Desan said.

“When we get patients on exposure to bright light for half an hour or so every morning, the majority of patients get dramatically better. We don’t even need medications.”

The therapy involves devices that emit light about 20 times brighter than regular indoor light. Research supports using a light that’s about 10,000 lux, a measure of brightness.

You need to use it for 30 minutes every morning, according to the research. Desan said this can help not only people with SAD but also those with less severe winter blahs.

Special lights run from $70 to $400. However, some products marketed for SAD are too dim to do much good, Desan said.

The Yale School of Medicine has tested products and offers a list of recommendations at bit.ly/Yaletest.

And the nonprofit Center for Environmental Therapeutics has a consumer guide to selecting a light available at bit.ly/lightboxshop.

If your doctor diagnosed you with SAD, check with your insurance company to see if the cost of a light might be covered, Desan suggested.

Medication and talk therapy

Antidepressant medications are a firstline treatment for SAD, along with light therapy. Doctors also recommend keeping a regular sleep schedule and walking outside, even on cloudy days.

One type of talk therapy — cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT — has been shown in studies to have more durable effects, University of Vermont researcher Kelly Rohan said.

Working with a therapist can help people take small steps toward having fun again, Rohan said. Try planning undemanding but enjoyable activities to break out of hibernation mode, which “could be as simple as meeting a friend for coffee,” Rohan said.

Cherry in New York is devoting a corner of her garden to the earliest blooming flowers: snowdrops, winter aconite and hellebores, which bloom as early as February.

“That’s going to be a sign to me that this isn’t going to last forever,” Cherry said. “It will get better, and spring is on its way.” AP

How to get your doctors to listen to you

By Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior,

How can I get my doctors to listen better? I just turned 78, and over the past few years I feel more and more dismissed by my doctors. I know I can’t be the only one who feels this way. Any suggestions?

—Dissatisfied Patient

Dear Dissatisfied,

Communication difficulties between patients and their doctors are nothing new. Many older patients feel like their doctors are dismissing their concerns, which can be frustrating and lead to missed diagnoses and delayed care.

If you believe your doctor isn’t listening to you, here are some tips offered by the National Institute on Aging that may help. Prepare for your appointment: Before your exam, make a written prioritized list of any questions and concerns you want to discuss with your doctor. Print out any research you’ve gathered and bring it to your appointment so you won’t forget anything.

If you’re in for a diagnostic visit, you should prepare a detailed description of your symptoms, when they began and what makes them worse.

Be honest and upfront: Even if the topic seems sensitive or embarrassing, it’s important to be honest and upfront with your doctor. You may feel uncomfortable talking about memory loss or bowel issues, but these are all important to your health.

It’s better to be thorough and share detailed information than to be quiet or shy about what you’re thinking or feeling. Remember, your doctor is used to talking about all kinds of personal matters.

Ask specific questions: If you and your doctor aren’t communicating well, ask specific questions that require a response.

For example: What might have caused the problem I’m dealing with? What’s the specific name of my diagnosis? Is the problem serious? Will it heal completely or require ongoing management? What future symptoms might suggest I need emergency care or a follow-up visit? When and

how will I receive test results?

If you don’t understand something, don’t hesitate to ask: Can you explain that in simpler terms? Or: Can you give me more details about that?

Take someone with you: Bring along a family member or friend to your appointment to give you support. Your companion can help you ask questions or raise concerns that you hadn’t considered, and listen to (and remember) what the doctor is telling you.

Be persistent: If your doctor isn’t addressing your questions, repeat them or rephrase them.

If you still don’t get anywhere, follow up with one of these statements: “I’m worried that we aren’t communicating well. Here’s why I feel that way.” Or: “I need to talk with you about X.”

After your appointment, if you’re uncertain about any instructions or have other questions, call or email your healthcare provider. Don’t wait until your next visit to make sure you understand everything.

For more tips, the National Institute on

Aging offers a free booklet called “Talking with Your Doctor: A Guide for Older Adults” that can help you prepare for an appointment and become a better and more informed patient. To order a free copy or read it online, visit bit.ly/NIHdoctortalk. Consider moving on: If you’re not making any progress with your doctor and the problem persists, it’s probably time to start looking for a new provider.

Depending how unsatisfied you are with your care, you could also notify your doctor’s medical group and your insurance company, or leave feedback on the doctor’s online profile.

If you’re dealing with a serious issue — like a doctor who prescribes the wrong medication or fails to provide test results in a timely manner — it might be appropriate to file a complaint with the state medical board. Send your senior 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.

Snacks can be healthy if you choose the right ones. See story on page 7.

Certain foods may protect brain function

By Vicki Contie

Dementia — a loss of thinking, remembering and reasoning skills that affect everyday life — is a growing concern. It’s often preceded years in advance by memory and thinking problems, including cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment.

Interventions that prevent or delay these problems might help to reduce the risk of dementia.

Some studies have linked healthy eating patterns to improved cognitive function. Examples include the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables and lean proteins, and the DASH eating plan, designed to treat or prevent hypertension.

Key features of both plans are merged in a diet labeled MIND, which aims to protect brain health. MIND stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay.

The diet features green leafy vegetables and other vegetables, prefers berries over other fruit, and endorses whole grains, beans, nuts and at least one weekly serving of fish. It limits red meat, sweets, cheese, fast food and fried foods.

Studying the MIND diet

A research team led by Dr. Russell P. Sawyer of the University of Cincinnati studied whether the MIND diet is linked to cognitive health. They also looked for potential differences between races and genders. (Many earlier studies of diet and cognitive health have underrepresented Black participants.)

The researchers drew on data from a large ongoing NIH-supported study called REGARDS (REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke). REGARDS is de-

signed to assess why Black Americans and others have increased rates of stroke and related conditions that affect brain health.

Of the 30,000 REGARDS participants, about 14,000 had sufficient data on their cognitive status and eating patterns to be included in the new analysis.

Their average age was about 64 at the start of the study. About 57% were female, 70% were white and 30% were Black. They were followed for about 10 years.

The research team created a score for each participant based on how closely their self-reported eating patterns adhered to MIND diet recommendations. Cognitive health was measured at the beginning and end of the study. Results were reported in Neurology this past September.

Results reinforce earlier studies

Overall, the researchers found that, after adjusting for demographic and other factors, closer adherence to the MIND diet was linked to lower cognitive impairment and slower rates of cognitive decline.

Participants with greatest adherence to the MIND diet had a 4% reduced risk of cognitive impairment compared to those with lowest adherence.

The team also found that closer following of the MIND diet was associated with an 8% lower risk of cognitive decline in female participants but no difference in males.

And greater adherence to the diet was a better predictor of less cognitive decline in Black than in white participants.

The researchers noted that their findings generally align with earlier studies that examined associations between cogni-

See FOODS, page 6

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free materials on housing communities just complete and clip this coupon and mail, or take a picture and email it, to the Beacon.

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and

Nutmeg adds more than holiday pizzazz

I recently made a Bourbon Pumpkin Pie and decided to grate some whole nutmeg right into it. Wow, what a difference!

Freshly grated nutmeg brings a richer, deeper flavor than the powdered spice I usually use. It’s like comparing a string quartet to a kazoo.

Nutmeg is well known as a holiday superstar. But did you know this humble spice has some pretty quirky effects on the brain?

Nutmeg can cause a bit of a natural high. It has compounds that can make you feel, well, a little “off” if you use too much.

Ever notice that one relative who gets mysteriously weird after dessert on Thanksgiving? You thought it was the carbohydrate

load, but it could be the nutmeg in that pumpkin pie!

Nutmeg contains myristicin — a psychoactive compound that, in larger amounts, has been known to trigger a trippy experience.

That ingredient also shows up in other familiar spices, including parsley, cinnamon, anise, clove and fennel, but only in tiny trace amounts. Nutmeg is the true heavyweight of the bunch.

Dosage matters

A little goes a long way. Recipes usually call for about half a teaspoon, which is considered a small pinch in the grand

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scheme of your pie.

But some people, and especially teens who did that TikTok challenge, were downing teaspoonfuls, and at those amounts, nutmeg becomes dangerous.

Ingesting too much nutmeg activates the sympathetic nervous system, triggering a fightor-flight response. A “nutmeg trip” can come with a cocktail of nasty symptoms: dry mouth, blurred vision, nausea, dizziness, hallucinations and even heart arrhythmias.

It’s also been linked to better memory, reduced blood pressure and even anti-cancer properties.

A 2023 study published in Current Molecular Pharmacology found that myristicin could block a critical cancer pathway, showing that it might have real potential as a new, natural approach to stomach cancer treatment.

DEAR PHARMACIST

By Suzy Cohen

For anyone with heart issues, too much nutmeg can be dangerous. And the sneaky part? The negative effects don’t kick in right away. People may feel fine at first, and then boom!

Many health benefits, too

Used correctly, nutmeg is a culinary and health powerhouse, adding a warm, earthy depth to dishes while also offering a range of health benefits.

It’s a fantastic anti-inflammatory, a natural remedy for pain and digestive issues, and even has sleep-promoting properties.

Foods

From page 5

tive health and MIND and similar diets.

But additional studies are needed to better understand the role that healthy eating may play in cognitive health.

“With the number of people with dementia increasing with the aging population, it’s critical to find changes that we can make to delay or slow down the develop-

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LENARD

SCOTT

YIYUN

Nutmeg is a delightful, healthful spice when used properly. I highly recommend it, especially if you grate the fresh seed. It can elevate your cooking in many ways.

Just keep an eye on those measurements, and while you’re at it, maybe keep an eye on your grandkids’ social media trends. Nutmeg deserves a spot in your spice cabinet, but like many natural things, it deserves respect.

For the pie recipe, visit suzycohen.com.

This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement.

Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe

ment of cognitive problems,” Sawyer said. “These findings warrant further study, especially to examine these varying impacts among men and women and Black and white people.”

This study was funded by NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and National Institute on Aging (NIA). This story originally appeared in the National Institutes of Health’s NIH Research Matters.

RECREATION & PARKS JOB FAIR

Visit Howard County Recreation & Parks Headquarters on Sat., Jan. 4 to apply, interview and get hired on the spot for a job with the department. Seasonal and yearly opportunities are available with flexible hours and schedules. Bring two forms of government-issued identification and a resume. The job fair takes place at 7120 Oakland Mills Rd., Columbia, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit HowardCountyMD.gov/hcrpjobs or call (410) 313-4700.

Snacking can be part of a healthy diet

By Mayo Clinic staff

Do you find yourself sometimes reaching for snacks instead of sitting down for a more formal meal? That’s not necessarily a bad thing.

When snacking is done correctly, it can give you a boost of energy between meals, help meet nutrient needs for the day, and help keep hunger at bay to prevent overeating at the next meal.

And managing your hunger can help you maintain a healthy weight and reach weight-loss goals.

Here are some tips to help keep your snacking under control and healthy:

Plan your snacks. What do you like to eat? Make a list of various nutrient-rich foods that would work as a snack. Focus on incorporating whole foods, whole grains and low-fat dairy products.

Whole fruit or vegetables, air-popped popcorn, fat-free or low-fat yogurt, and nut mixes are all great options. Stay away from packaged items high in calories, fat and sodium, such as chips, candy or cookies.

Portion your snacks properly Package snack items into convenient serving-sized portions. Consider purchasing single-serve containers or preparing small servings of snacks in advance.

Having those at hand will help lessen

the temptation to go for less-healthy options, such as snacks from a vending machine.

Also remember: Eating out of a large package of snack foods often leads to mindless eating and results in eating more than intended.

Make healthy snacks easily accessible. Place fruits and vegetables in easily accessible locations, such as the front of your fridge or counter, to prevent you from reaching for unhealthy foods when you’re hungry.

Throw a bag of dried fruit or other snacks in your purse, pocket or backpack to take with you out of the house. This will help you avoid buying unhealthy snacks.

Pay attention to protein, and combine snacks to make a more satisfying meal. To ensure you are being fulfilled, combine carbohydrates, protein and fat for long-lasting, satisfying snacks. Aim for snacks to be less than 200 calories.

Good sources of protein include hardboiled eggs, pouches of seasoned tuna, cheese sticks, cottage cheese, yogurt with no added sugar, or soups made with lots of vegetables and legumes.

A healthy go-to snack could be apple slices or baby carrots dipped in small amounts of peanut butter or almond butter and sprinkled with cinnamon.

While stocking up on healthy food choices, take time to also purge unhealthier options from your home. Remove foods that you know will tempt you.

Eat when you are hungry — not bored. In general, a person will be hungry three to four hours after a meal. But having snacks around can lead to overeating.

When you feel hunger setting in, be sure to ask yourself, “Am I physically hungry, or am I ‘mind hungry’ — bored, stressed or frustrated?” before grabbing a snack.

If you find you are, in fact, experiencing physical hunger, it’s time to grab a filling, satisfying snack.

If you realize you were reaching for a snack because of mind hunger, feed the

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urge by doing another activity, such as going for a walk, talking with a friend on the phone, playing a game or meditating.

Be aware of your weight. If you’re concerned about gaining weight, track your intake of snacks.

There are several apps you can use to track your eating and exercise routines. Women need 10 calories per pound per day to maintain their weight, and men need 11 calories per pound per day.

Keep track of what and how much you eat, and build in enough exercise so you can control weight gain.

© 2024 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

MARYLAND ACCESS POINT (MAP)

This free service provides information about available resources for older adults and people with disabilities. MAP also runs a loan closet for medical equipment to help older adults age more independently in their homes. For more information, call (410) 887-2594.

FREE MEMORY SCREENING

Olney Assisted Living, located at 16940 Georgia Ave., Olney, offers free memory screenings and can create a personalized memory support plan for you or a loved one. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call (301) 450-8928.

Creamy pesto-flavored broccoli and pasta

By Steve Dunn

We wanted to make a creamy, complex broccoli pasta that contains an ample amount of the vegetable.

We started off by blanching the broccoli stems and florets, a convenient technique since cooking pasta also requires a pot of boiling water. Then we blended the stems and some of the florets with a pesto-inspired roster of ingredients to make a light, fresh vegetable sauce.

Adding Greek yogurt to the sauce gave the sauce creamy body without muting the delicate pesto and broccoli flavors. Combining the sauce, reserved florets and pasta off the heat ensured that the sauce warmed through gently without curdling.

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Ongoing

A sprinkle of Pecorino Romano and a smattering of toasted panko bread crumbs made a dynamic finishing touch.

Creamy Broccoli Pasta with Crispy Panko

Serves 6

Ingredients:

½ cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided ½ cup panko bread crumbs

1/8 teaspoon plus 2 teaspoons table salt, divided, plus salt for cooking broccoli and pasta

1/8 teaspoon plus 1 teaspoon pepper, divided

1½ pounds broccoli, florets cut into 1-

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Social isolation can be worse during the winter. To find help for yourself or others, search Connect2Affect.org, an online resource from AARP. The website offers ideas for making new friends and obtaining free or reduced-cost services such as medical care, food, job training and more.

GOLDEN AGE PASS TO PARKS

Ongoing

If you’re age 62 or better, you can get free entry into any Maryland State Park for life. With the Golden Age Pass, available at any state park for $10, you can also get half-price camping during the week (holidays excluded). Buy the pass in person or online at shopdnr.com/GoldenAgePass.aspx. For more information, call (410) 260-8186.

inch pieces, stalks cut into ½-inch pieces

2 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled

1 pound penne, rigatoni or other short tubular pasta

2 cups fresh basil leaves

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

1 ounce Pecorino Romano cheese, grated (½ cup), plus extra for serving ¼ cup pine nuts, toasted 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons juice

2 anchovy fillets (optional)

Directions:

1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in a large pot. While water is coming to boil, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add panko and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Off heat, stir in 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Transfer panko to plate to cool.

2. Add broccoli stalks, garlic and 1 tablespoon salt to boiling water and cook, stirring occasionally, until stalks are tender, about 6 minutes. Using spider skimmer or slotted spoon, transfer stalks and garlic to blender; set aside.

3. Return water to boil. Add florets and cook until bright green and tender, about 3 minutes. Using spider skimmer, transfer two-thirds of the florets to a bowl. Transfer remaining florets to the blender with the

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stalks and garlic. Return water to boil, add pasta, and cook, stirring often, until al dente.

4. While pasta cooks, add basil, yogurt, Pecorino, pine nuts, lemon zest and juice, anchovies, if using, and remaining ½ cup oil, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper to blender and process until mixture resembles pesto, about 20 seconds, scraping down sides of blender jar. With blender running, slowly add ½ cup water and process until sauce is smooth and thick but fluid, about 20 seconds, adding additional water as needed.

5. Reserve 1 cup of cooking water, then drain pasta and return it to the pot. Off heat, add sauce and reserved florets and stir gently to combine. Adjust consistency with reserved cooking water as needed. Season with salt to taste, and serve immediately, passing panko and extra Pecorino separately.

For 25 years, home cooks have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 at-home recipe testers. The family of brands — which includes Cook’s Illustrated and Cook’s Country — offers reliable recipes for cooks of all skill levels. See more online at americastestkitchen.com/TCA.

© 2024 America’s Test Kitchen. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

FREE WRITING WORKSHOP FOR VETS

In this virtual creative writing workshop for active-duty military, veterans and their families, you’ll read a short piece of writing, then write your own story. Writer and U.S. Army veteran Kevin Basl leads the free workshop. Join on the first and third Thursdays of each month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. No experience required. Find out more at cbaw.org and register at bit.ly/VeteransWrite.

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dvisory A The A Ad Att-a-Glance Advisories are reserved f foor significant public health challenges that need people’s immediateaattention. In addition to examining the epidemic of loneliness and isolation in a — w Americ which increases the k f ris foor premature death to levels comparable to smoking daily — esaf the Advisory outlin frramework to enhance social connection

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6. Cultivate a culture of connection. Societal norms significantly impact people’s relationships, and it’s critical f foor connection to be embedded y’ in the fabric of the countr s culture.

The Family

& Nursing Care Difference

y & N Famil Nuursing Care is one of the oldest and most well-respected private duty home care businesses y a in the gre ter Mar ylland and a. W W Waashington, D.C. are We e pride ff ourselves on offeering access to empathetic, personal companion tsf care that helps clien feeel valued, secure, and connected to the

based on six pillars: l inf 1. Strengthen socia frrastructure. Creaatte communities and institutions — including parks, libraries, playgrounds, and a programs — thattbring people together. communityy.

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• i m General Comppanionshipp: In addition to helping with meeting nutritional needs, personal care,

can become close confidants and provide older adults with an outlet and space to share f feeelings, thoughts, and stories. Loneliness can be curbed with something as simple as sharing a meal or having regular conversations. Caregivers and clients often develop a faf connection like that o frriend or family member.

• Social Access: Mobility and transportation issues can inhibit u social interaction, b t you can leave those woes behind!

f A profeessional Caregiver can accompany clients to social events and get-togethers, including senior clubs, knitting ff circles, and more, offeering tons of opportunities to connect with wf potential ne frriends. “There’s no better time than

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embrace the companionship of a , V Caregiver,”said Kelly Salb Vice icesf President of Client Serv foor Family & Nursing Care. “Human connection has both mental and physical health benefits, and our team is passionate about providing our clients access to customized personal care services in order to help with health needs but also create a better quality of liffe e through social interaction.”

Living independently doesn’t nf haavve to mea feeeling alone, and a 2025 is a gre t year to decide to spend more time in the communityy. . Family & Nursing ff Care offeers access to a range of care services to help with this and ensure human connection.

T Toolearn more, call us at (410) urw 697-8200 or visit o weebsite at r f faamilynursingcaree.com.

Travel Leisure & Japan and South Korea by cruise ship

By Ann Cochran

Some overseas trips are not like others. Although I’ve vacationed in Europe and places as diverse as Tunisia and Colombia, I never felt so “other” as I did in Japan. And as I discovered, that was not a bad thing.

My husband, Chuck, and I chose to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary in Japan. We wanted to go somewhere neither of us had ever been, and we were both curious about Japanese design and culture.

After debating the benefits of a cruise versus a land tour versus exploring Japan on our own with local guides, we were amazed by how much we could see during a 10-day cruise to Japan and South Korea.

The Regent Seven Seas Explorer accommodates about 750 guests with a crew of 550. Our large suite had a spacious walk-in closet, so we didn’t feel cramped.

The ship’s three specialty restaurants — French, Asian and a steakhouse — were all very good, as was the beautiful main dining room. The pool deck served delicious lunches, and we usually took advantage of room service for breakfast.

Clean, stylish Japanese culture

Our cruise began and ended in Tokyo. We enjoyed the food and the cozy scene at one of the city’s many yakitori (grilled chicken)

restaurants.

The small place we chose had only a few tables, a couple of booths and a counter that seated 10. Two people cooked on a long charcoal grill: the chef and a sous chef, who sprinkled spices with a flourish, one arm arched high above his head.

No one spoke English, but the chef made a special effort for us, presenting each set of skewers and laughingly pointing to her neck or thigh to let us know what we were about to eat.

In every city and town, we admired and appreciated the Japanese people and culture. Words that come to mind are polite, quiet, considerate, neat and stylish — or at least well-groomed.

On the subway, despite the jostling crowds, signs remind passengers not to bother others. Common etiquette includes lining up in rows before getting on trains, cell phones on silent mode, speaking quietly if talking is necessary, backpacks in front, no food or drinks.

Here’s a funny story about the integrity of Japanese culture: At the Tokyo Hilton, where we stayed after our cruise, the room had wonderful cotton robes called yukata, which are somewhat similar to a kimono but much more casual.

After enjoying wearing the one in our

room, I shopped around Tokyo but didn’t find anything I liked as much, so I asked a concierge if I could buy one from the hotel. Unfortunately, they had run out two days ago.

Me: Well, could I buy the one in my room?

Concierge: Mmm, no, because that one is used.

Me: I know. I’m using it.

Concierge: (looking concerned)

Me : Well, let’s say a guest took one home. Wouldn’t the hotel just charge their credit card?

Concierge: (looking puzzled) That has never happened.

Me: (mind blown, speechless)

Concierge: Let me call housekeeping and see what I can do.

After she spoke to the head of the department, she said yes, you can buy a robe, but not the “used” one. Housekeeping will put a freshly washed, ironed and folded one in your room.

Me: (still puzzled but grateful) Arigato!

Magical Kyoto

Chuck and I navigated the subway in Tokyo, the electric tram in Nagasaki, and the train from the port of Kobe to Kyoto.

We made the impulsive decision to take

the train because the ship’s excursion included a two-hour bus ride each way. Instead, we took a 30-minute train ride and buzzed all around Kyoto on our own.

Our priority in Kyoto was to visit the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine, with thousands of vermilion gates featured in thousands of photos. But no photo could do it justice.

Walking the wooded mountain trails to the summit took about three hours. On the way, we passed through and marveled at the ancient red-orange archways, large and small, called torii

The shrine’s entrance and the lower pathways were crowded, and probably always are, but in a pleasant way. We saw all manner of people, all in good moods — and quite a few women in kimono — taking pictures. Being at this Shinto shrine was an experience like no other: magical, reverent and enchanting.

Across town from the shrine, we jumped out of our taxi and followed a long trail through a garden that led to the Golden Pavilion. Originally built in 1397 for a sh –ogun, the palace was reconstructed after a fire in 1955.

Seeing a temple whose second and

Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Shrine attracts a cheerful crowd. On the hike to the Shinto shrine, built in 1400, visitors pass through hundreds of red-orange gates, which mark the transition from the everyday world to the sacred place.

Busan, South Korea is a popular port for its shops and restaurants. See story below.

This domed building was the only structure left standing in the area where the first atomic bomb exploded in 1945. Today, the preserved ruin is part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

From page 10

third floors are covered in gold leaf, while an utterly radical idea and feat, was not much different from looking at it in photos, probably because you can’t get close. Visitors are routed around its large pond that serves as a mirror, doubling the golden effect.

Peace and beauty

Aside from Kyoto, our most interesting experiences were in Hiroshima and Busan, South Korea.

While we had zero expectations of South Korea, we found that Busan is a beautiful city with intriguing skyscrapers and a crescent-shaped beach.

Our animated guide took us to a gorgeous park, lunch at a restaurant hosting two weddings, then to a stunning shrine built into coastal cliffs. When we were given free time to shop, almost every

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Jan. 15

woman made a beeline for cosmetic stores to buy the famed Korean skin care products.

Hiroshima was a surprise, too. Despite the heaviness that you would expect, and seeing the one familiar domed building that survived the first atomic bomb, the overriding emotion was the longing for peace.

We watched the introductory film in the Peace Memorial Museum and then wandered through the expansive and meaningful Peace Memorial Park with our guide, a retired teacher.

Japan has many glorious public gardens. We were able to see seven private ones in a historic samurai neighborhood preserved to look as it did 200 years ago in a small town called Chiran.

Chiran’s nearly half-mile main street is lined on both sides with stone walls, topped by tall hedges. Strange to say, but it felt like we were on a movie set for a British mystery film.

SEPTIC SYSTEM WEBINAR

The University of Maryland Extension presents this free webinar on septic system maintenance. It offers tips to keep your system functioning properly and helps you save money in the long run. The event takes place on Zoom on Wed., Jan. 15 from noon to 12:45 p.m. Register at bit.ly/SepticSystemWebinar and receive the participation link via email. For more information, contact Andy Lazur at lazur@umd.edu or (301) 789-5256.

We learned that Japanese gardens borrow from the greater landscape. If there is a mountain in the distance, for instance, that is included in the design.

These gardens are known for their peaceful, meditative quality, achieved by balance but not symmetry. Except for some red fall foliage, there wasn’t much color, but they didn’t need it.

We went to Chiran to visit a museum dedicated to kamikaze pilots, who were not the zealots of our imaginings. They were forced to fly these missions. It was heartbreaking to read the letters they wrote to family, mainly their mothers, on the eve of their assignments.

Around the museum and town are more

BEACON BITS

Jan. 6

SCAM INFORMATION

than 1,000 stone lantern statues, one for each life lost this way. Our guide was emotional when she told us that she appreciated our choice to come here instead of other options we had that day.

As in Hiroshima, this museum was also built within a park dedicated to achieving world peace. That seems an unlikely prospect, but we can surely hope.

If you go

Round-trip flights from BWI to Tokyo start around $900. We chose Regent, but Viking, Norwegian, Celebrity, Holland America and Royal Caribbean also offer cruises in Japan and South Korea starting at around $1,400 for nine nights.

If your grandchild asks for money over the phone, is it really them? Learn how to spot “deepfakes” and cloned voices at a free tech class, “AI & Disinformation.” The class takes place on Mon., Jan. 6 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Glenwood Branch, 2350 MD-97, Cooksville. This Senior Planet from AARP event is open to all. For more information, call (410) 313-5577.

STORYTELLING EVENT

Jan. 16

Share your story with others while practicing your storytelling skills. On Thu., Jan. 16 at 7 p.m., Backwater Books hosts an open mic for storytellers at 8156 Main St., Ellicott City. No registration necessary to participate in this free event. For more information, call (410) 696-2482 or email backwaterbooksoec@gmail.com.

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Volume 15, No. 1 | January 2025

Take the winter wellness fitness challenge

Staying active is essential to healthy aging, and the Howard County Offi ce on Aging and Independence (OAI) is encouraging adults 50+ to embrace wellness this winter through the Winter Wellness Fitness Challenge. Last year, 229 people partcipated; this year’s program promises to continue building a strong, supportive fitness community. Beginning February 3 through March 28 participants will aim to complete 16 workouts in eight weeks to win prizes. Whether group classes or individual exercise, there’s something for everyone.

Rachel Filar, OAI exercise specialist, emphasizes the importance of regular physical activity. “As we age, exercise becomes crucial. It lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and cancer; improves strength and balance; decreases aches and pains; and improves cognitive function,” she says. “No matter your age or fitness level, find an activity you enjoy. The more inspired you are, the more motivated you will be.”

Beyond fitness, the challenge helps foster a sense of community among older adults. Joan Molle, a 2024 challenge participant, shares: “The challenge was a great way for me to keep up with my fitness during the cold weather months. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to have a happy place to exercise with people who are so supportive.”

Sherri Lively, Ellicott City 50+ Fitness Center coordinator, adds: “Fitness is key to healthy aging, enriching your quality of life and allowing you to enjoy things you love.” Michelle Rosenfeld, Bain 50+ Fitness Center coordinator, encourages participants to bring a workout buddy. “Sometimes, the hardest part is taking that first step. Grab a friend. You’re more likely to show up if someone is waiting for you.”

Registration opens January 6 at all Howard County 50+ Centers. For more information about the wide range of fitness programs offered through OAI, visit 50+ Fitness Howard County.

From the desk of Calvin Ball, Howard County Executive

As we welcome in the new year, I am happy to report Howard County has been designated a member in good standing of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. We launched our Age-Friendly Howard County initiative in December 2019. Coming together around that initiative has inspired us to work diligently on more than 50 action items to create a community where residents of all ages feel safe, welcomed and engaged. AARP has cited Howard County’s “successful completion of a cycle of improvement,” and recognized our “age-friendly leadership, achievements and continuing commitment toward being a livable community for people of all ages.” Congratulations to all who helped us achieve this national honor.

I encourage you to read our Age-Friendly Progress Report to learn more about our accomplishments to date, including opening our new East Columbia 50+ Center and revamping the Bain 50+ Center; introducing the first Age-Friendly Tables for Connection at Cedar Lane Park West and Martin Road Park and unveiling the County’s first Age-Friendly Fitness Lot at Centennial Park North; and presenting our new General Plan, HoCo By Design, to increase housing options for older adults and people with disabilities.

, p. 15

AARP presented a plaque to recognize Howard County as an age-friendly community. From left: OAI’s Morgan Spliedt and Terri Hansen, AARP’s George Wilson, County Executive Calvin Ball, OAI Administrator Ofelia Ross Ott, and DCRS Director Jackie Scott.

OAI supports older adults in a variety of ways

Low vision/Blindness in the older adult: Now and in the future

Bain 50+ Center

February 4, 10:30 a.m. / A01101.200

The SeniorsTogether program welcomes the Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services/Office of Blindness & Vision Services for a presentation on devices and innovations that support independence for individuals with low vision or blindness.

CareTalks

Appointments available at 50+ Centers Register at https://bit.ly/HoCo-CareTalks Are you caring for a friend, family member or loved one? OAI’s Caregiver Support Program offers personalized one-on-one sessions with a caregiver specialist. Designed for those providing care to loved ones, these sessions provide a safe space to discuss challenges, share experiences and receive tailored guidance.

Get fit with Elkridge

Elkridge 50+ Center

Balance through Functional Fitness

January 6 – March 24, 9 a.m. / A05417.200

Zumba / January 6 – March 24, 5:30 p.m. / A05419.200

Boost your energy and strength with two new classes at Elkridge –one to address balance and improve stability and Zumba® for a fun, high-energy dance workout! Costs apply; register for details.

Brain health and breakfast

Living well with chronic disease self-management program

January 16 – February 20, 5:30 – 8 p.m. / A20351.200

This six-week chronic disease self-management program can help you manage chronic health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and more. Each week, small groups meet to discuss topics like nutrition, exercise, communication with family members and health care providers, like nutrition, exercise, communication challenges, feelings of frustration, and more.”

Executive’s Message, from p. 14

The progress report underscores our continuing commitment to move Howard County forward to ensure we continue to serve people of all ages, especially as we move closer to 2030, when one in five Howard County residents is projected to be 65 or older. Thank you to our county and community partners whose hard work, determination and perseverance helped us attain the AARP Age-Friendly designation. I look forward to developing our next action plan to outline our future goals and actions. Together, we will continue to make Howard County the best AgeFriendly community that serves people of all ages and abilities.

9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046 410-313-6410 (VOICE/RELAY) • www.howardcountymd.gov/aging

Find us @HoCoCommunity on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and Nextdoor

AVAILABLE IN ALTERNATE FORMATS UPON REQUEST Join the subscriber list https://bit.ly/HoCosubscribe Listen to the HoCo Community Chat podcast on Buzzsprout Advertising in the Beacon is not endorsed by the Office on Aging and Independence or by the publisher.

East Columbia 50+ Center – January 9, 9 a.m. / A04104.200

Join us for a presentation on the importance of a heathy lifestyle, presented by Johns Hopkins School of Medicine’s Precision Aging Network. Discover lifestyle changes that can boost your brain’s fitness and performance as you age. Free, breakfast included.

Downsize to right size

Ellicott City 50+ Center – January 14, 1 p.m. / A02656.201

Whether your move is months or years away, one thing is certain: dealing with all that “stuff ” can be overwhelming. The good news is downsizing doesn’t have to be daunting. Join us to learn how to get started, one space at a time.

New year, new you: Health seminar

Ellicott City 50+ Fitness Center – January 14, 11:30 a.m. / A02100.201

Kick off 2025 with a healthier, stronger you! Certified personal trainer and occupational therapist Roxanne Hartman shares practical tips to get and stay motivated and build a fitness routine that works for you.

Landscape watercolor art class

Bain 50+ Center – January 16 – February 13, 1 p.m. / A01505.200

Master the essentials of shapes, values, textures, and design while exploring different tools and materials. Create stunning natural landscapes guided by instructor Mostafa Torabi. Perfect for intermediate artists ready to enhance their technique! Costs apply.

Identity theft

North Laurel 50+ Center – January 22, 10:30 a.m. / A06625.201

Older adults lose millions of dollars every year to scammers. Join us to learn what scammers do, ways to protect yourself, and suggestions for what to do if you become a target.

Intergenerational program: Animals in my backyard

Glenwood 50+ Center – January 29, 10 a.m. / A03705.200

Schools closed? Bring your grandkids for a fun-filled morning and an exciting animal show featuring creatures you might find right in your backyard. Afterward, enjoy a hands-on craft session and a delicious hot dog lunch.

MoneyMoney Law &

The type of account you withdraw savings from determines their tax treatment; each year of retirement deserves its own plan. See story on opposite page.

Medicare 2025 premiums and surcharges

Dear Savvy Senior,

I know there will be a small 2.5 percent cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits next year, but what about Medicare? What will the Medicare Part B monthly premiums be in 2025, and when do the surcharges kick in for higher income beneficiaries?

—Medicare Beneficiary

Dear Beneficiary,

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently announced their cost adjustments for 2025 and the increases for premiums and out-of-pocket costs for most beneficiaries will be moderate. But if you’re a high earner, you’ll pay significantly more.

Here’s what you can expect to pay in 2025.

Part B premium

While Medicare Part A, which pays for hospital care, is premium-free for most beneficiaries, Part B, which covers doctor visits and outpatient services does have a monthly premium.

Starting in January, the standard monthly

Part B premium will be $185, up from $174.70 in 2024. That $10.30 bump represents a 5.9 percent increase, which is more than double the most recent Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, which was only 2.5 percent.

But if you’re a high earning beneficiary, which makes up about 8 percent of all Medicare recipients, you’ll have to pay more.

Medicare surcharges for high earners, known as the “income-related monthly adjustment amount” (or IRMAA), are based on your modified adjusted gross income (AGI) from two years earlier, which means that your 2025 Part B premiums are determined by your 2023 AGI, which is on line 11 of the IRS tax form 1040, plus any taxexempt interest you earned.

Here’s how it breaks down. If your modified 2023 income was between $106,000 and $133,000 (between $212,000 and $266,000 for married couples filing jointly), your 2025 Part B monthly premium will be $259.

Monthly Part B premiums for singles with an income between $133,000 and

$167,000 ($266,000 and $334,000 for joint filers) will rise to $370.

Individuals earning above $167,000 up to $200,000 ($334,000 to $400,000 for joint filers) will see their monthly Part B premium increase to $480.90.

Those with incomes above $200,000 up to $500,000 ($400,000 to $750,000 for joint filers), will pay $591.90 per month in 2025. And single filers with income of $500,000 or more ($750,000 or more for joint filers) will pay $628.90 per month.

Part D premium

If you have a stand-alone Medicare (Part D) prescription drug plan, the average premium in 2025 will be $46.50 per month for most beneficiaries, down from $53.95 in 2024.

But again, for high earners with annual incomes above $106,000 ($212,000 for joint filers) you’ll pay a monthly surcharge of $13.70 to $85.80 (based on your income level) on top of your regular Part D premiums.

How to contest income

Beneficiaries that fall into any of the high-income categories and have experienced certain life-changing events that

have reduced their income since 2023, such as retirement, divorce or the death of a spouse, can contest the surcharge.

For information on how to do this, see “Medicare Premiums: Rules for Higher-Income Beneficiaries” at SSA.gov/benefits/medicare/medicare-premiums.html.

Other Medicare cost increases

In addition to the Part B and Part D premium increases, there are other cost increases you should be aware of.

For example, the annual deductible for Medicare Part B will be $257 in 2025, which is $17 more than the 2024 deductible of $240. And the deductible for Medicare Part A, which covers hospital services, will increase to $1,676 in 2025. That’s $44 more than the 2024 deductible of $1,632. There are no surcharges on Medicare deductibles for high earners.

For more information on all the Medicare costs for 2025, visit Medicare.gov/ basics/costs or call 1-800-633-4227.

Send your senior 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.

New rules boost worker savings in 2025

By Sandra Block

The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act

2.0, enacted in late 2022, contained a long list of provisions that are scheduled to roll out over several years. Here’s a look at how the legislation could affect the retirement savings of those working in 2025.

Larger catch-up contributions for those in their early 60s

Starting in 2025, participants in 401(k) or other employer-provided retirement plans who are age 60 through 63 can take advantage of a provision allowing them to make a catch-up contribution of up to $10,000 or up to 150% of the regular catchup contribution amount for those 50 and older — whichever is greater. (The standard 2025 contribution maximum is $23,500, up $500 from 2024.)

For the balance of 2024, workers 50 and older can make up to $7,500 in catch-up

contributions, in addition to the $23,000 limit for those younger than 50, for a total of $30,500.

Those who turn 60, 61, 62 or 63 in 2025 can take advantage of the special, larger, catch-up contribution.

You can direct your contributions to a traditional or a Roth 401(k) plan. While contributions to a Roth 401(k) are made with after-tax dollars, withdrawals are tax-free as long as you’re 59½ or older and have owned the account for at least five years.

You can contribute to a Roth 401(k) regardless of your income level. And as of 2024, you’ll no longer be required to take minimum distributions from your Roth 401(k) plan when you turn 73.

Starting in 2026, workers age 50 and older who earned $145,000 or more in the previous year will be required to funnel catch-up contributions to a Roth 401(k) plan. This provision of the SECURE 2.0 Act was originally scheduled to take effect

in 2024, but the IRS postponed implementation until 2026 after plan providers and employers — particularly those who don’t yet offer a Roth 401(k) — said they needed more time to prepare.

Automatic enrollment

A study by the Vanguard Group, one of the largest 401(k) providers, found that 90% of workers who are automatically enrolled in their employer’s retirement plan remain in the plan.

Starting in 2025, businesses adopting new 401(k) or 403(b) plans will be required to automatically enroll new employees at a contribution rate of between 3% and 10% of compensation. They’ll also be required to increase the contribution rate by 1% each year, to a maximum of at least 10% but no more than 15% of compensation.

Employees who don’t want to participate will have to opt out of the plan. Businesses with 10 or fewer employees or

start-ups that have been in business for less than three years will be excluded from this requirement.

Tracking down lost 401(k) plans

The Secure 2.0 Act directed the U.S. Department of Labor to create a search tool for individuals who want to track down a former employer’s plan. Starting in 2025, employers will be required to share information about orphaned plans with the Department of Labor, which should make it easier for workers to find lost plans.

In the interim, if you’ve lost track of an old 401(k) plan, search your files for account statements from the plan. These should provide some key data to help your search, such as your account number and the contact information for the plan administrator.

It’s also possible that your employer turned over your 401(k) balance to your

SAVVY SENIOR

By Jim Miller

Tax strategies to help your savings last

By Scott M. Dougan

The intricacies of tax planning are a critical component of your overall retirement strategy. Minimizing taxes in retirement isn’t just about reducing today’s tax bill — it’s about ensuring that your hard-earned money lasts longer and that you can draw from your assets efficiently.

By applying a logical, data-driven approach, you can create a retirement tax strategy that maximizes your income and minimizes unnecessary tax burdens.

The tax landscape changes as you transition from earning a salary to drawing income from different sources, such as Social Security, pensions, retirement accounts and investments. Without a solid plan, taxes can eat away at your retirement income, leaving less for your lifestyle and goals.

Here are the key elements of tax planning as you approach retirement:

Managing tax brackets. As your income sources shift, it’s critical to under-

New rules

From page

state’s unclaimed property fund. Your state’s treasury department should offer an online service that lets you search for your money.

You can also check the National Reg-

stand how to stay within favorable tax brackets. Drawing too much from tax-deferred accounts, such as a 401(k) or traditional IRA, can push you into a higher tax bracket, leading to a larger tax bill. Strategic withdrawals can help you optimize your tax liability.

Timing of withdrawals. Deciding when to tap into different accounts is a central component of tax minimization. For example, delaying withdrawals from tax-deferred accounts until later years could make sense if you expect your income to decrease in retirement, moving you into a lower tax bracket.

State taxes. State income tax laws vary widely. If you plan to move in retirement, consider the tax implications of your new location. Some states have no income tax, while others may tax retirement income at higher rates. Accounting for state taxes in your retirement plan could save thousands over time.

istry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits or missingmoney.com, a database endorsed by state treasurers.

This item first appeared in Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine, a monthly, trustworthy source of advice and guidance. © 2024 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Tax minimization strategies

Several strategies can help minimize taxes in retirement. These techniques ensure that you’re not only reducing your tax burden today but also extending the longevity of your savings for years to come.

1. Roth conversions

One of the most effective tax-minimization strategies is converting a portion of your tax-deferred accounts, such as a traditional IRA or 401(k), into a Roth IRA.

Unlike traditional retirement accounts,

withdrawals from Roth IRAs in retirement are tax-free. The key is to strategically convert these funds during low-income years — such as right after retirement but before required minimum distributions (RMDs) begin at age 73.

Why it works: Roth conversions allow you to pay taxes upfront while in a lower tax bracket. The funds then grow tax-free and can be withdrawn tax-free in retirement.

Strategic timing: The years between retirement and age 73 (when RMDs kick in) often present a golden “tax window” where your income may be lower, making it an ideal time to convert funds without pushing yourself into a higher tax bracket.

2. Harvesting capital gains

As you approach retirement, managing investments in taxable accounts becomes crucial for tax minimization. One technique is tax-loss harvesting, which involves selling investments that have lost value to offset gains from other investments.

Additionally, strategically selling appreciated assets during years when your taxable income is lower can help minimize the capital gains taxes you pay.

Long-term gains: For individuals in lower tax brackets, long-term capital gains may be taxed at 0%. This is especially beneficial during retirement, when your income is

likely lower than in your peak earning years.

Capital losses : If you have investments that have declined in value, selling them to realize a loss can offset gains elsewhere in your portfolio. This reduces your overall tax liability.

3. Tax diversification

It’s important to have different types of accounts — tax-deferred (e.g., traditional 401(k) and IRA), taxable (e.g., brokerage) and tax-free (e.g., Roth IRA) — to draw from in retirement.

By having a mix of accounts, you can strategically choose which to withdraw from each year based on your income needs and the tax implications of each type of account.

Tax-deferred accounts: Traditional IRAs and 401(k)s provide a tax deduction when contributing, but withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income in retirement. These accounts are great for reducing taxable income while working, but without a strategy, you could face higher taxes when withdrawing from them in retirement.

Taxable accounts: These are brokerage accounts that offer flexibility. Only the capital gains are taxed, and you can manage when to realize gains. This flexibility allows you to control your taxable income in a given year.

Roth accounts: Roth IRAs and 401(k)s are powerful tools because they offer taxfree withdrawals in retirement. Contributing to Roth accounts during your working years (especially if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in the future) can provide significant tax savings down the line.

4. Required minimum distributions (RMDs)

At age 73, the IRS mandates that you start withdrawing a certain amount from your tax-deferred accounts, known as RMDs. These withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income.

Failing to plan for RMDs can lead to a sudden spike in taxable income, pushing you into higher tax brackets.

Mitigate RMDs: To avoid being hit with a large tax bill, you can start taking

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strategic withdrawals before age 73, and you could perform Roth conversions [Ed. Note: These involve taxation at the time of conversion, but provide tax-free treatment of withdrawals, including gains, down the road. Roth accounts are not subject to RMDs]. Both strategies would reduce the balance in your tax-deferred accounts before RMDs hit.

Qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) : If charitable giving is part of your retirement plan, consider using RMDs to make charitable donations. QCDs allow you to donate up to $100,000 per year directly from your IRA to a qualified charity, satisfying your RMD requirement while avoiding taxes on the distribution.

5. Health savings accounts (HSAs)

For those who have access to a health savings account (HSA) through a high-deductible health plan, this tool can play a key role in retirement planning. HSAs offer a triple tax advantage: Contributions are tax-deductible, growth is tax-free and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are also tax-free.

After age 65, HSA funds can be used for any purpose, though non-health care withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income (similar to an IRA).

The key to successful tax planning is understanding the variables and optimizing outcomes. By taking advantage of strategies like Roth conversions, tax diversification and tax-efficient withdrawal sequences, you can minimize your tax burden and make your savings last longer. Discuss these options with your tax planning advisor.

Dan Dunkin contributed to this article. This columnist received assistance from a public relations firm in preparing this piece for submission to Kiplinger.com. Kiplinger was not compensated in any way.

© 2024 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Do you have questions about Medicare A and B, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap), Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D), Medicaid or Medicare fraud? To get answers from trained county staff and find out about financial assistance to help with Medicare and prescription costs, call (410) 313-7392.

the Enoch Pratt Free Library and Tamara Lanier, author of From These Roots, to discuss her journey to document her ancestors’ history. This free event is presented virtually on Tue., Jan. 28 from 7 to 8 p.m. on EPFL’s Facebook and YouTube pages. For more information, call (410) 396-5430.

BEACON BITS

Arts & Style

The Sound of Music with some surprises

By Mark Dreisonstok

Nearly everyone’s familiar with the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music. Indeed, most of us have seen the 1965 film based on the autobiography of Maria von Trapp — perhaps more than once.

In the movie, Julie Andrews brought to life the free-spirited convent initiate Maria, who has spontaneous urges to sing, dance and roam the Austrian mountains.

Her Mother Abbess, sensing she is illprepared for life in the convent, sends Maria on a mission to Salzburg to become the governess to seven motherless children in order to see if she is really suited to be a cloistered nun.

After the governess returns music and song to the home of the grieving Captain von Trapp, played in the movie by Christopher Plummer, the happy-go-lucky aspiring nun and the stern military officer begin to fall in love as World War II approaches.

Differences from the film

Toby’s Dinner Theatre is now presenting the stage version of the popular musi-

cal through January 12. Audience members will be thrilled by an old favorite, but at the same time may enjoy the many differences the original 1959 Broadway show offers from the film version, which won the the Best Picture Oscar nearly 60 years ago.

The viewer of Toby’s Broadway-based version will notice, for example, that songs often occur in a different order and context from the film.

“My Favorite Things,” for instance, is sung at the beginning of the show as a duet between Maria and the Mother Abbess. “The Lonely Goatherd” is presented not as a puppet show but to soothe the frightened von Trapp children during a thunderstorm (a role “My Favorite Things” serves in the film).

Jeffrey Shankle plays an excellent Captain von Trapp, navigating well the transformation of a stern naval captain to a character of greater sensitivity.

Shankle is especially effective in bringing out a notable difference from the film, as the play presents his attraction to Maria as based on a mutual respect for each other’s values, not merely on her getting

on well with the children, as the film implies.

In the performance this reviewer saw, understudy Leela Aviles-Dawson filled the

part of Maria with a sonorous voice and an engaging acting ability equal to the part.

See SOUND OF MUSIC, page 21

A professor works overtime for climate change. Our cover story continues on p. 20.

Rachel Cahoon plays Maria Kutschera and Jeffrey Shankle plays Captain Georg von Trapp in Toby’s production of The Sound of Music. The Broadway musical differs slightly from the film, but it includes all the sing-along favorites.

PHOTO BY JERI TIDWELL

PHOTOGRAPHY

the next generation of leaders.

“The ability to look underneath the surface and ask relevant questions is what I aim to do with the programs that I have there,” she said.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby

In 2013, Fu attended the presentation of a friend who had graduated from Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project. That program

promises to recruit, train and mobilize people to work toward climate solutions.

Fu wanted to support her friend, but she felt the solutions proposed by Gore’s program weren’t enough.

“The presentation was about how awful climate change is going to be. And by the way, go change your light bulb. So the solution did not fit the scale of the problem,” she said.

After the presentation, someone stood up and said, “Have you heard about Citizens’ Climate Lobby?”

Fu hadn’t.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) is a grassroots nonprofit that works with Congress in a non-partisan, inclusive way to advocate for policies to address climate change.

One of the primary goals of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, the person explained, was to work with the U.S. government to put a price on fossil fuel extraction and pay dividends to the American people to help them transition to clean energy.

CCL thinks this policy would have several benefits, including putting pressure on businesses to develop and use clean energy, supporting low-income households and creating jobs.

“I thought, ‘Wow, that is a system change,’” Fu said. She was impressed that Citizens’ Climate Lobby was working to change laws.

“Its approach was to actually work on solutions together with Congress. And it would have a global impact. It was a solution that built upon our present economic system,” she said.

“The other solutions were non-solutions, like, ‘Let’s get rid of capitalism,’ which doesn’t address climate change anyway,” Fu said.

The group’s open-minded, solutions-oriented approach also convinced her to volunteer, she said.

Finding common ground

As a volunteer with CCL, Fu has worked in a variety of roles. She has served as group leader of the Howard County chapter and state coordinator, among other positions.

correct misinformation. I try to remember that I’m there to listen, meet on common ground, and find solutions together.”

In her role at CCL, Fu’s primary responsibility is education and grassroots organizing. She planned an event in October called “Find Your Fit,” which helped volunteers find the best role in the group for them.

“We don’t care about who you voted for in the last election, what you look like, what you wear, or anything at all — if you want to be part of the solution, come and help us be part of the solution,” Fu said.

Working with Congress

Fu keeps in touch with the nearby D.C. team to stay in the loop about the nonprofit’s policy goals.

One current project is to reform the permitting process to make it easier for cleanenergy companies to get permits to develop infrastructure.

Currently, CCL is supporting the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024, a bill now being considered by Congress.

Another policy goal is the carbon dividends plan mentioned above. This plan actually became a bill, but it has died in four different Congresses so far.

“One thing that people don’t understand is how difficult it is to pass legislation,” Fu said. She hopes there will be more momentum for passing a carbon fee and dividendlike bill in the future, but for now, Fu is energized by the fact that CCL’s ideas have made it to the legislature.

She has also done regional work in the D.C. area. Currently, she is the Mid-Atlantic regional co-director, a role she shares with Thaddeus Waterman, a materials engineer.

Although both Fu and Waterman have science backgrounds, it’s not essential for the job. “It can help or hurt, depending on how you use it,” she said.

“When I put on my volunteer hat…I have to be careful that I don’t act as I would for academia, where my job is to

“The great part of CCL is we’re not set on being right. We’re always asking questions to say, ‘Well, what do the experts think? And what do these various sectors and groups think about it’ This is government for the people, by the people, and that means us, right?”

To volunteer for Citizens’ Climate Lobby, visit citizensclimatelobby.org or email Sabrina Fu at sabrina.fu@citizensclimate.org.

Peace of Mind is Priceless

Sound of Music

From page 19

Adrienne Athanas stood out as the Mother Abbess with her excellent operatic voice in “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.” Similarly, those cast as nuns display their strong voices in the “Preludium” and in the wonderfully comic “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?”

The song “No Way to Stop It” (absent from the movie) — sung by Shankle, AsiaLige Arnold as von Trapp’s love interest Elsa Schraeder, and David James, having great fun playing the opportunist Max Detweiler — shows that von Trapp is the odd man out in his unwillingness to compromise his ethics. Max and Elsa are all too prepared to capitulate to the Nazis in the impending annexation of Austria.

Classic moments shine

If the show is at its most interesting when it surprises — with unexpected placement and contexts of songs, as well as moments that reveal a character’s moral compass — the show is truly infectious in moments that tap into our memories of the original film.

Director and choreographer Mark Minnick offers these wonderful vignettes almost as if we were present in the original Hollywood studio.

The ballroom scene is one of the best instances that channels the Hollywood film.

“So Long, Farewell,” or the goodbye song from the film, is perfectly recreated by the talented young Toby’s actors.

The Toby’s production is at these moments very close to the movie and yet distinct from it, eschewing the temptation to present exact copies of scenes from the film.

As usual, Minnick and his scenic designer (in this case, David A. Hopkins) use Toby’s theater-in-the-round and its concomitant lack of props to decided advantage.

With a few simple props (a mountain mural, stained-glass windows or an elegant carpet and chandeliers), we are transported to the mountainside, convent, and a posh home of 1930s Austria.

Supplementing this atmosphere (and providing a holiday ambience) is recorded 1930s dinner music of Christmas-themed records by 1930’s musicians Fats Waller, Tommy Dorsey, and Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm!

This, of course, is not to understate the superb music direction of Ross Scott Rawlings and the performance of Toby’s excellent live band for one of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most memorable scores.

If one of your “Favorite Things” is to look for musicals for this holiday season other than typical holiday fare, this production of The Sound of Music is for you.

Ticket information

Before the show, Toby’s serves a multi-

course, all-you-can-eat buffet featuring bratwurst, knackwurst and sauerkraut in addition to Toby’s usual wide variety of American fare. Dinner is served before evening performances and brunch precedes Wednesday and Sunday matinees. Depending on performance, tickets range from $84 to $92 for adults (those 65+ pay $74 for Tuesday evening or any

BEACON BITS

Jan. 31

LATIN MUSIC CONCERT

Wednesday performance); children 4 and older are $64 to $67. Remember, the tips you leave for waiters also constitute the majority of the actors’ pay, so be generous. Tickets are available from the box office by calling (410) 730-8311 or online via Ticketmaster (with a service fee). Toby’s Dinner Theatre is located at 5900 Symphony Woods Road, Columbia, Maryland.

Learn about the clave and other Latin music rhythms at this Columbia Jazz Band concert on Fri., Jan. 31 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd., Columbia. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at bit.ly/ColumbiaJazzBand. For more information, Call (410) 465-8777 or email info@columbiaorchestra.org.

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Scrabble answers on p. 20.

Find

Crossword Puzzle

Know Your Place By Stephen Sherr

Across

1. Letters on invitation letters

5. Penalized, monetarily

10. “I gave you the best ___”

14. Home of the Pro Football and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame

15. Bring together both parties

16. Urgent request

17. Mental (with 19 Across)

19. See 17 Across

20. “I joined the Navy to see the ___”

21. Two-thirds of the largest state

22. Excessively extravagant trip

24. Have second thoughts

26. Key keyboard key

27. Controlled

33. Enforcers

36. FedEx foe

37. Lake with shores at 14 Across

38. Single-stranded genetic molecule

39. Blonde shade with cool undertones

40. ___ of the above

41. Hamlet has five

43. Da work of da Vinci

44. Setting for Cast Away or Lost

46. Secretly

50. Flower wreath

51. Poppy plant product

54. Expense of home ownership

57. ___ to the death

58. OIL mixture

60. Narrator of three Twain books

61. Too complicated

64. Ear-relevant word

65. Hot room at the gym

66. Small meal

67. Eat to your heart’s content

68. City near Dusseldorf

69. Can I have a five for five ___?

Down

1. Steals from Lowe or Reiner

2. Like many Victoria’s Secret outfits

3. Cur riculum ___ (resume)

4. Any of Hogan’s heroes

5. Gassed up

6. Present from birth

7. Targets of RID Super Max Lice Treatment Kit

8. Biblical verb ending

9. Record spinners

10. “___ door; I want to get out!”

11. Criticism

12. A ___ pittance

13. Direction of Lindbergh’s 1927 flight

18. Accrues interest

23. Extreme start to -imate or -erior

25. Billy the Kid’s was a Winchester Model 1873

28. Out of practice

29. A BMW 2-series tops out at 155 of them

30. Eurasian mountains

31. About 1.6 kilometers

32. Boxing champ’s prize

33. Use a claw machine

34. First word of The Raven

35. Solemn promise

39. Slot machine activator

42. Meditation mandate

43. Fat-storing tissue

44. In a cold manner

45. Caribbean music

47. Hailey Bieber, ___ Baldwin

48. Title spy in three Ludlum novels

49. Missing link, perhaps

52. Create a connection

53. Fill with joy

54. Flying saucers, briefly

55. Hummus holder

56. Make a baby-blanket

57. ___ ex machina

59. Praiseful poems

62. Anatomical duct

63. Game of Thrones network

Answers on page 20.

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WESLEY FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts. Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt and fees cancelled in 2019. Get free informational package and learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 855-626-8703. UP TO $15,000.00 OF GUARANTEED LIFE INSURANCE! No medical exam or health questions. Cash to help pay funeral and other final expenses. Call Physicians Life Insurance Company866-212-1092 or visit www.Life55plus.info/beacon

THE FINAL EXPENSES Whole Life Insurance Program is a policy that pays CASH for funeral & other expenses, Provides Peace of Mind to families & is accepted by Funeral Directors everywhere. Benefits are: *Protection up to $35,000 *0-85 eligible * Easy Qualification-No medical exam, 9 simple health questions, one page app *Affordable monthly rates; can never be increased *Approved Claims paid in 24 hours *Emotional support services offered * Expert Professional funeral cost advice & price savings. FAST Cash to cover final expenses, ie: Monument/Marker, funeral expenses/traditional or cremation & more. Call/Text Agent Tangela Dunbar@ 443.814.3860 for more information without obligation,or email:tangela.dunbarlife@gmail.com

For Sale

NEW WINDOWS FROM WINDOW NATION.

Special money saving offer - zero down, zero payments, zero interest for TWO years AND buy 2 windows and get 2 FREE! Offer is valid for select models. Labor not included. Other restrictions apply. Call Window Nation today! 855-909-2278

PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES TODAY with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-301-960-3174 today to schedule a free quote. It;s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

For Sale: Rent/Real Estate

THINKING OF SELLING YOUR HOME?

My total listing fee — 1% - Why pay 5/6/7%? Save thousands full service — Not full price! Over 20 yrs experience. Call/text for free home valuation. Robert Holmes, professional realtor. 443-794-8297. Home Selling Assistance, Inc. Office 410-256-3939 marylanddiscountbroker.com

LAS VEGAS - 2 One-Bedroom side by side timeshare units week 8 $2,500. H. McCrory 240-444-0879 htm7290@comcast.net

REDZONE FITNESS STUDIO ask us about our New Year special. Start off your New Year right. Let us help you reach your goals. We come to you and have a proven track record of getting results. Call Anthony today at 410-7393318 to get started.

STROKE AND CARDIOVASCULAR DIS-

EASE are leading causes of death, according to the American Heart Association. Screenings can provide peace of mind or early detection! Contact Life Line Screening to schedule your screening. Special offer - 5 screenings for just $149. Call 1-844-485-7035.

PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR

May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-851-0949.

MOBILEHELP, America’s Premier Mobile Medical Alert System. Whether You’re Home or Away. For Safety and Peace of Mind. No Long Term Contracts! Free Brochure! Call Today! 1240-650-9189.

HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

All classified ads must be submitted and paid for online, via our website, www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds

Deadlines and Payments: To appear in the next issue, your ad text and payment must be entered by the 5th of the preceding month (for Baltimore and Howard County editions); by the 20th (for Washington edition).

Cost will be based on the number of characters and spaces in your ad: •$25 for 1-250 • $35 for 251-500. • $50 for 501-750 (maximum length). The website will calculate this for you.

Note: Maryland contractors must provide a valid MHIC number.

•Each real estate listing qualifies as one ad. • All ads are subject to publisher’s discretion. Payment will be refunded if unacceptable for any reason.

To

Health Miscellaneous

DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-844366-1003 www.dental50plus.com/320 #6258

AMERICAN RESIDENTIAL HEATING & COOLING. As temps outside start to climb, the season for savings is now. $49 cooling or heating system tune up. Save up to $2000 on a new heating and cooling system (restrictions apply.) FREE estimates. Many payment options available. Licensed and insured professionals. Call today 1-877-691-0273.

JACUZZI BATH REMODEL can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a limited time, waving ALL installation costs! (Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer. (Offer ends 6/30/24.) Call 1-833-994-0538.

ELIMINATE GUTTER CLEANING FOREVER! LeafFilter, the most advanced debrisblocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-977-6078.

THE BATHROOM OF YOUR DREAMS in as little as 1 day. Limited Time Offer - $1000 off or No Payments and No Interest for 18 months for customers who qualify. BCI Bath & Shower. Many options available. Quality materials & professional installation. Senior & Military Discounts Available. Call Today! 1-855-653-0087

DON’T LET THE STAIRS LIMIT YOUR MOBILITY! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1866-365-5170.

SAFE STEP. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-theline installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-866-478-2363.

BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR. We want to Read Your Book! Dorrance PublishingTrusted by Authors Since 1920. Book manuscript submissions currently being reviewed. Comprehensive Services: Consultation, Production, Promotion and Distribution. Call for Your Free Author`s Guide 1-833-992-0110 or visit dorranceinfo.com/beacon

CONSUMER CELLULAR - the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-833-742-1303.

MENDING FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS. I’m

Jane M. Connor, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Maryland, dedicated to helping families navigate these challenges. My goal is to support families in overcoming painful experiences and rebuilding relationships. Ready to take the first step? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with me—no strings attached. Let’s explore if my approach is right for you. If not, I’ll help you find the right resources. Contact me at 202-658-5045 or janemconnor@gmail.com. Visit www.janemconnor.com for more information. Together, we can foster understanding and closeness.

GET DISH SATELLITE TV + INTERNET! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-844-560-5837. DIRECTV - All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Directv and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-572-4953.

WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE! Old Watches and Fountain Pens In Any Condition! Wrist, Pocket, Movements, Cases, and Chains. Call Mitch (301) 778-8120.