February 2019 | DC Beacon by The Beacon Newspapers

The I N

F O C U S

FREE

F O R

P E O P L E

O V E R

More than 200,000 readers throughout Greater Washington

VOL.31, NO.2

Making peace through mediation PHOTO COURTESY OF CAROLYN PARR

By Barbara Ruben Older adults and their grown children confront a multitude of thorny issues when making decisions that affect the whole family — from how to divide up an estate among competitive siblings, to when it’s time to accept help at home, stop driving or move to assisted living. Some of these matters fester and never get resolved, others drag on for years (perhaps even through the court system), while others can lead to a lifetime of resentment or split up families. Carolyn Miller Parr and Sig Cohen say there’s a better solution. They have been helping families resolve conflicts for nearly 20 years through mediation — a process in which everyone sits down to hash out issues while a neutral third party guides the conversation. “I saw how destructive trials and lawsuits could be, and I wanted to look for a better way for people to resolve their disputes,” said Parr, who spent 16 years as a judge with the D.C. Superior Court before retiring and taking up mediation. Cohen had a career in the foreign service, with assignments in Bangladesh, India, Germany and the UK. After retiring, he did mediation at the D.C. Superior Court, helping train Parr. Together they have written a book, published last month, called Love’s Way: Living Peacefully with Your Family as Your Parents Age. It’s a compilation of what they’ve learned over the years. Both are now 81 and have personal experience with many of the disputes they have helped settle. Parr’s parents lived with her when they were in their late 80s, and she cared for her husband, who died of dementia. Cohen helped care for his mother long

5 0 FEBRUARY 2019

I N S I D E …

L E I S U R E & T R AV E L

Riding the rails through the magnificent Canadian Rockies; plus, presidential retreats in Virginia, and why transit passes are good for tourists page 41

ARTS & STYLE

Sig Cohen and Carolyn Miller Parr have collaborated on a new book that incorporates what they’ve learned from two decades of mediating family disputes. The book, Love’s Way: Living Peacefully with Your Family as Your Parents Age, focuses on such issues as inheritance, caregiving and aging in place.

distance in Ohio, astounded that her driver’s license was renewed at age 94, despite failing eyesight. Cohen lives on Capitol Hill in the District of Columbia with his wife, and Parr lives in Annapolis, Md. with her second husband, whom she married just a year and a half ago.

While they no longer have an office where they do joint mediations, they continue to mediate individually at neutral locations, and maintain a blog on their Tough Conversations website. (toughconversations.net) See MEDIATORS, page 34

Julia Roberts on acting at 50+; plus, new seriocomedy at Studio shines light on hypocrisy, mature authors share their wisdom, and Bob Levey’s column page 46 TECHNOLOGY 4 k Pros and cons of smart homes FITNESS & HEALTH 9 k Are you aging too fast? k Simple supermarket shortcuts SPOTLIGHT ON AGING k Newsletter for D.C. seniors

13293377

EVERYTHING YOU NEED to enjoy a vibrant retirement Ashby Ponds, Greenspring, and Riderwood feature fabulous amenities, stylish apartment homes, health and wellness services, and a smart financial structure. Request your brochure at 1-877-575-0231.

LAW & MONEY 32 k How to know when to buy low k New Social Security scam ADVERTISER DIRECTORY

PLUS CROSSWORD, BEACON BITS, CLASSIFIEDS & MORE

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Being innovative It turns out that the ear’s cartilage is espeIn December, I attended a national conference that highlighted the latest innova- cially sensitive to signals from our brain and heart. That apparently makes it tions in products and servicpossible to combine with a es for older adults. hearing aid the functions of a Attendees represented comfitness tracker (such as Fitbit, panies large and small, startApple Watch, etc.), focusing on ups and long-established heart and brain health. brands, as well as research inStarkey is also incorporatstitutes and associations like ing fall-detection technology AARP and the National Council that can notify emergency conon the Aging. tacts if the wearer has a seriI came away excited about what I learned, and energized ous fall, and will soon have the ability to translate foreign lanby the creative technologies FROM THE guages into English when the and solutions some of these PUBLISHER companies are developing. By Stuart P. Rosenthal wearer is communicating with non-English speakers. I also spoke on a media panel Singing to restore speech: We sing at the conference about publications like the Beacon, and apparently interested some of using different parts of our brain than these companies in our readers. So don’t be when we speak. So the inventors of SingFit surprised if you see some of these products wondered if music therapy might restore communication better than speech therapy advertised in this and future issues. I hasten to add, however, that no one for those who lose the ability to speak due paid for any mention in this column. I am to a stroke or other brain injury. Indeed, that seems to be the case, at sharing this info because I really think least in many situations. SingFit’s online you’ll be as intrigued as I was. More than a hearing aid: Starkey program uses song lyrics and melody to Hearing Technologies is adding onto a help stroke patients regain their ability to new line of digital hearing aids a number communicate. It also is said to reduce anxof other services of interest to older adults. iety and behavior problems among

Beacon The

I N

F O C U S

F O R

P E O P L E

O V E R

5 0

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 Richmond, Va. 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 • Vice President, Sales & Marketing ....Alan Spiegel • Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben • Art Director ........................................Kyle Gregory • Director of Operations ........................Roger King • Advertising Representatives ........Doug Hallock, .................................. Dan Kelly, Barbara Koscielski, ........................................................Hubie Stockhausen • Editorial Assistant ..............................PJ Feinstein

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (301) 949-9766 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Website: www.theBeaconNewspapers.com Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 10th of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 15th of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 55 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

Alzheimer’s patients. The program has proven so successful that Sunrise Senior Living has now introduced it into all of their assisted living communities. Helping you work from home: The company Work at Home Vintage Experts (WAHVE) has shown promise helping match older professionals who still want to work — but need flexible hours and don’t want to commute — find companies who need their particular skills. Because all jobs are performed “remotely,” that is, from home, employees can accept a job anywhere in the world. Today’s technologies for video and telephone conferencing enable people to hold meetings from anywhere. This tends to work best for positions in the accounting, insurance and human resources fields. The website, wahve.com, lists dozens of jobs in those fields and explains how both workers and companies can use the service. When you’d rather not talk about it... Another online company has been growing rapidly by offering those who require incontinence products a simple, discreet way to order supplies online. No one wants to fill their shopping cart with these items, or have a big, colorful box delivered to their door announcing what’s inside. So a company called Because ships their own product line to customers in plain

packaging. They claim that their incontinence products are more absorbent, more comfortable, and a better value than the competition’s. In addition, potential customers can try out their products free of charge to decide whether they want to get monthly deliveries. You’ll see their ads inside with info on the free trial. I attend conferences like this both to keep abreast of the latest products and services, and to encourage new companies to consider advertising in print media like the Beacon. So many companies and advertising agencies these days believe “print is dead” and are cutting back or eliminating their print advertising. I tell them as often as I’m able that our readers are alive and well, that they love to read print (especially the Beacon!), and that high-tech companies should advertise in and support such publications to reach the folks most interested in their products and services. I hope you agree with me and find these companies interesting and potentially useful to you. When you patronize a Beacon advertiser, or tell an advertiser that you saw their ad in our paper, it really makes a difference! Thank you.

Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or e-mail to barbara@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Dear Editor: Save original Medicare! I read your January article, “Medicare to offer some in-home support.” The article reports that some Medicare plans called “Medicare Advantage (MA)” plans are providing long-term care support services, such as installation of grab bars, and providing custodial non-medical services including chores and respite care. My question is: Why shouldn’t original Medicare and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans be allowed to provide these services as well? The Center for Medicare Services, the federal agency that administers Medicare, has long been promoting MA plans, which are basically managed care plans (HMOs and PPOs). The MA plans have been lobbying congress and the executive branch (including the current and former administrations) promoting managed care, which supposedly is less expensive with their restrictions, prior authorization rules and limited networks. However, there are no lobbying organizations protecting original Medicare. Twothirds of the Medicare population are in

original Medicare, where we have freedom of choice to select our own doctors and medical facilities (all of whom must be licensed and certified by Medicare). Let’s hope that original Medicare will be allowed to offer these expanded services. While managed care may work well for many seniors, we need to preserve the original program and Medicare supplement (insurance) to ensure freedom of choice. Larry Berman Washington, D.C. Dear Editor: Thank you for your January cover story, “With age comes Wizdom, hip-hop,” about those of us who comprise the newly formed Washington Wizdom Dance Team. We are thrilled with the warm reception and interest we have received and sincerely appreciated your article. But [your opening paragraph’s description of the early Bullettes uniform] was not correct. The first Washington Bullets Dance Team, the Bullettes, was started in 1977 to create more excitement and increase entertainment See LETTERS TO EDITOR, page 55

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Say you saw it in the Beacon

INDEPENDENT RETIREMENT LIVIN G

If it is true that love v is patient and love is kind, k then there is no morre obvious an example than the story of Wa anda and Oliver Carte er. Their tale is a journey fr f om tragedy to a true ±ĹÚ åĹÚƚųĜĹč ųŅĵ±ĹÏåţ FƋ ĜŸ ± ĬŅƴå ƋĘ±Ƌ ĀĬĬŸ ƋĘå Ęå±ųƋŸ ±ĹÚ Ę±ĬĬŸ Ņü 8±ĬÏŅĹŸ X±ĹÚĜĹčţ We invite you to experience a connection n that can be found through ugh the common bond of service to coun ntry.

To learn more about this extraordinary story visit ffalconslanding.or alconslanding.org/love-story. WWW.F FALCONSLANDING.ORG – 20522 F FALC ALCONS LANDING CIRCLE POTOMAC F FALL ALLS, VA 20165 – (703) 293-5054

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Technology &

Innovations Weigh risks and benefits of a smart home By Anick Jesdanun You might have heard of lights that turn off with an app or voice command. Or window shades that magically rise every morning. Technology companies are pushing the “smart home” hard, selling appliances and gadgets that offer Internet-connected conveniences you didn’t know you needed. A smart home can encompass features as simple as remote-controlled lamps or as sophisticated as thermostats that know when you’re home and turn up the heat automatically. Down the line, you may want to mix and match these tasks into routines, such as a wake-up ritual that automatically starts the

coffee maker, lifts the window shades and plays the news. But before you succumb to the temptation — for yourself or others — consider that these devices might also give companies and hackers a key to your home. Here’s how to get started on your smart home and what to worry about along the way.

Pros and cons Many people start thinking about a smart home when they get a voice-activated speaker such as Amazon’s Echo or Google Home, although such gadgets aren’t strictly necessary. Nor do you even need actual smart lights and appliances, as you can buy smart plugs — adapters that

control existing lights or whatever appliances you plug into them. If you catch the smart-home bug, you can add appliances with the smarts already built in as you replace your existing ones. Major remodels also offer an opportunity to make bigger smart-home plans. You probably wouldn’t want to get new window shades now only to replace them with smart ones a year later. There are some concerns to keep in mind. Many devices are constantly listening for commands and connect to corporate servers to carry them out. Not everyone is going to be comfortable with live microphones in their homes (though your phone may already be doing

the same thing, if you have enabled assistive features such as “Hey Siri” and “OK Google”). For the most part, recordings will leave home only when you trigger the device, such as by speaking a command phrase like “OK Google” or pressing a button to get the device’s attention. But an Amazon device once mistakenly recorded and sent a family’s private conversation to an acquaintance after the device mistakenly thought it heard the trigger word followed by a “send message” request. Check what safeguards a device offers before buying it. Smart speakers, for instance, See SMART HOME, page 7

Ashby Ponds, Greenspring, and Riderwood have EVERYTHING YOU NEED to enjoy a vibrant retirement

Fabulous amenities for vibrant living. Enjoy multiple restaurants, a fitness center, indoor pool, and more—plus hundreds of resident-run clubs. Stylish apartment homes. Choose from dozens of one and two bedroom designs. We handle all maintenance and repairs!

Services to support your health and wellness. Our on-site medical center is led by a full-time physician. Advanced care is also available in our continuing care neighborhood. A smart, simple financial structure. An affordable Monthly Service Package covers most of your regular bills with a single check.

13293377

Learn more! Call 1-877-575-0231 for your free brochure or visit EricksonLiving.com.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Health Studies

F R E E

District of Columbia ❏ Flu Research Study (see ad on page 26) ❏ Alzheimer’s Study (see article on page 26)

Address_______________________________________________________________ City______________________________________State______Zip________________ Phone (day)__________________________(evening)_________________________ E-mail_________________________________________________________________

WB2/19

Please mail this form to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 or fax to (301) 949-8966

I N F O R M A T I O N

Name_________________________________________________ ____________

✃

F R E E ★ I N F O R M A T I O N F R E E ★ I N F O R M A T I O N F R E E ★

❏ Ashby Ponds (See ads on pages 1 & 4) ❏ Chesterbrook Residences (See ad on page 28) ❏ Culpepper Garden (See ad on page 10) ❏ Falcons Landing (See ad on page 3) ❏ Greenspring (See ads on pages 1 & 4) ❏ Gum Springs Glen (See ad on page 24) ❏ Herndon Harbor House (See ad on page 24) ❏ Lockwood House (See ad on page 24) ❏ Morris Glen (See ad on page 24) ❏ Overture Fair Ridge (See ad on page 27) ❏ Potomac Place (See ad on page 20) ❏ Sommerset Retirement (See ad on page 29) ❏ Vinson Hall (See ad on page 25) ❏ Waltonwood (See ad on page 19) ❏ Wingler House (See ad on page 24)

★

I N F O R M A T I O N

Virginia

I N F O R M A T I O N

See LINKS & APPS, page 7

❏ Alfredhouse (See ad on page 19) ❏ Aspenwood Senior Living (See ad on page 21) ❏ Brooke Grove (See ads on pages 12, 56) ❏ Churchill Senior Living (See ad on page 26) ❏ Covenant Village (See ad on page 24) ❏ Emerson House (See ad on page 24) ❏ Five Star Premier Residences (See ad on page 20) ❏ Gardens of Traville (See ad on page 14) ❏ Homecrest House (See ad on page 43) ❏ Landow House (See ad on page 10) ❏ Landing of Silver Spring, The (See ad on page 11) ❏ Park View Bladensburg (See ad on page 39) ❏ Park View Columbia (See ad on page 39) ❏ Park View Emerson (See ad on page 39) ❏ Park View Laurel (See ad on page 39) ❏ Riderwood (See ads on pages 1 & 4) ❏ Ring House (See ad on page 10) ❏ Springvale Terrace (See ad on page 25) ❏ Victory Court (See ad on page 38) ❏ Victory Housing (See ad on page 27)

F R E E

Next time you need something delivered, skip the post office and try Roadie. The app connects individuals who have

Maryland

★

Roadie

❏ Chevy Chase House (see ad on page 14) ❏ Friendship Terrace (see ad on page 20)

I N F O R M A T I O N

Like a friend and confidante, Susan “Honey” Good shares life stories, musings and advice for women 50 and over on her eponymous website, HoneyGood. Recent topics include stylish eyewear, picking paint colors and choosing the right life partner. Visitors to the website can join Good’s private social network called Moxie, a place where her female readers can inter-

Apps

District of Columbia

F R E E

Celebrating women over 50

Housing Communities

★

Unsure how TSA PreCheck works? Upgraded Points, a website for travelers that explains the real value of points and miles, offers a helpful primer on the program. Run by the Transportation Safety Administration, TSA PreCheck is a program that expedites the security checkpoint process for low-risk travelers. Learn about the program’s benefits, cost and requirements, as well as how it compares to other traveler programs. Upgraded Points also offers explanations of other programs, such as Global Entry (for international travelers), compares airline point programs and baggage fees, and offers airport guides, city guides, travel tips and more. Visit upgradedpoints.com

F R E E

Guidance for travelers

Get a glimpse of the Vietnam War through the eyes of those who served in it. “Personal Snapshots: Picturing the Vietnam War” from the Library of Congress Veterans History Project (VHP), explores the wartime experiences of 12 Vietnam veterans through their oral histories, written correspondences and amateur photos. Compared to images captured by official military photographers, the amateur snapshots taken by soldiers, sailors and Marines provide a nuanced and personal view of the Vietnam War. Among the veterans profiled is G. Mike Mabe, a self-described “low-rank infantryman” who served with the 101st Airborne Division. His candid shots of everyday life overseas include pulling kitchen patrol duty, interacting with Vietnamese, and eating c-rations on the hood of his Jeep. VHP was created by Congress in 2000 to collect, preserve and make accessible firsthand remembrances of United States war veterans from WWI through the most recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Visit loc.gov/vets/stories/ex-warsnapshots-vietnam.html

For free materials on housing communities and health studies, just complete and clip this coupon and mail it to the Beacon.

★

FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★

Links

Vietnam War photography

MAIL OR FAX FOR FREE INFORMATION

I N F O R M A T I O N

By PJ Feinstein

act, share and give each other support. Visit honeygood.com

F R E E

Beacon Links & Apps

I N F O R M A T I O N

★ FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★

Technology & Innovations | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

How to spot common tech support scams By Justin Lavelle Don’t be fooled by a scammer who calls you claiming to be from Microsoft or Apple. Despite warnings that come year after year about tech support scams, fraudsters continually find new and more effective ways to trick consumers into giving up their personal and financial information. Microsoft recently reported that tech support scams were up 24 percent between 2017 and 2018. The tech giant received 153,000 reports of customers encountering or falling for a fraud attempt, with 1 in 10 actually losing money from those scams. Microsoft customers paid an estimated $3 to $6 million to criminals — all because they didn’t know how to spot a hoax. The typical tech support scam involves the fraudster calling or emailing a customer claiming to be from a legitimate technology

company. The scammer says there’s something wrong with the customer’s computer, and uses a lot of tech jargon to confuse them. They then ask for passwords, remote desktop access, and even payment so they can “fix” the non-existent problem. Savvy internet users know that no corporate tech support representative would ever contact them about a device issue unless the customer reported it first and asked for a call back. However, if you’re not particularly knowledgeable about technology, it can be very easy to be fooled by a convincing-sounding scam artist. Here are a few steps to take if you suspect someone is trying to pull a tech support scam on you. 1. Verify the source. Because of the sophisticated technology fraudsters have access to, it’s very easy for someone to create a convincing- look-

ing scam email, or fake a caller ID to make it look like a phone number is coming from a specific area code or geographical region. If you were actually expecting a call from a tech support agent, you can run a reverse phone search or look up the listed tech support number to see if it’s an exact match for the company that’s supposed to be contacting you. If you receive an email or browser popup notice, carefully verify the logo, email sender address, signature, etc. The differences between a real and fake email or ad can be very subtle and easy to miss, so look at it with a very scrutinizing eye. More importantly, do not click on any links or call any phone number listed in suspicious emails and pop-ups. 2. Never give a random caller your password or desktop access. No matter how convincing the call,

email or pop-up seems, you should never give out your account passwords or allow someone else to take control of your computer remotely. If you’re having trouble with your computer, it’s best to bring the machine in to a tech repair shop or official device retail store, or have a tech support professional come to your home to look at it in person. 3. Keep your browser, programs and security software up to date. Don’t ignore those messages on your computer that remind you to update your software. Software companies and device manufacturers are constantly working to patch security flaws and bugs, so failing to update at the advised time could leave your machine vulnerable to hackers. (Just make sure it’s a legitimate message from your own software provider; not a scammer.) 4. Stay vigilant. To avoid becoming the next victim of a tech support scam, it’s important to be vigilant about computer and Internet safety. Never respond to a message or phone call from someone claiming to need access to your PC if you didn’t previously report an issue. If you are really having a tech support problem, contact your device manufacturer or a trusted tech support professional directly using the info listed on their website. Most importantly, keep yourself educated and informed about the latest fraud tactics and the warning signs of any new scams. Arming yourself with this knowledge could save you from a sneaky data thief. Justin Lavelle is the chief communications officer for BeenVerified.com, a source for online background checks and contact information. BeenVerified allows individuals to find more information about people, phone numbers, email addresses and property records.

BEACON BITS

Feb. 15

LOW VISION RESOURCE GROUP

The Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington presents “Adapting Your iPhone for Low Vision” on Friday, Feb. 15 from 1 2:30 p.m. at the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library. Learn how to make your iPhone accessible for low vision and an aid for daily life. Free refreshments and parking. The library is located at 5005 Duke St., Alexandria, Va. For more information or to register, call (703) 746-1762 or visit http://bit.ly/AdaptingIPhone.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Smart home From page 4 typically have a mute button to disable the microphone completely. Mozilla’s “Privacy Not Included” project seeks to warn consumers about products with security or privacy problems. A general web search also might turn up complaints. In general, it helps to stick with major brands, as their corporate reputations are at stake if they’re caught taking shortcuts. Bigger companies can also quickly fix security holes that crop up. Gadgets from startups and no-name brands may offer little or no protection; those companies may be more concerned with rushing a product to market. Bigger companies, however, are also more likely to use your data for marketing. So consider the trade-offs.

Links & Apps From page 5 something to send with drivers already heading in that direction. Pricing can range from $8 to $650 depending on delivery distance, urgency and package size. Roadie offers photographic chain of custody, real-time tracking, and security code delivery confirmation. Goods are automatically protected up to $500, with the option to purchase additional coverage.

Who else is listening? Even if a product works as intended, it may be leaving a record that can resurface after hacks, lawsuits or investigations. Manufacturers, for instance, typically store the voice commands their gadgets send over the Internet and use that data to help them personalize their services — and, potentially, ad messages they send you. These voice snippets may include music or conversations in the background. Reputable brands let you review and delete your voice history. Be sure to do so regularly. And think twice about smart locks and their digital keys. On the pro side, with the right tools, you can check whether you remembered to lock the doors — and then lock them remotely if you forgot. Some systems can also create temporary digital keys you can give guests and contractors to gain access. Currently, Roadie has over 80,000 verified drivers covering all 50 states. It has made deliveries in more than 11,000 cities and towns nationwide. You can also sign up to become a driver for Roadie yourself. If you’re already driving across town (or across the country), why not make money delivering something while doing so? The Roadie app is free and available for download in the iTunes Store and on Google Play. To learn more, visit www.roadie.com.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations

But note that in a child-custody dispute, for instance, your ex might subpoena the records to learn that you’ve been staying out late on school nights. Or if you rent, a landlord might suspect an unauthorized occupant if you create a guest key that’s used daily.

Many options to choose from As cable and Internet services become commodities, the companies behind them are turning to smart homes for new sources of revenue. AT&T’s Digital Life and Comcast’s Xfinity Home offer cameras, door controls and other smart-home devices. The packages are good for those who prefer one-stop shopping, though you might save money and get more choices by shopping around. For the do-it-yourself approach, consider which company’s services you’re already using heavily.

If it’s Amazon, then devices powered by its Alexa digital assistant might work best. There’s a range of Alexa products, including refrigerators and washing machines. You can command an Alexa microwave oven to “reheat one potato” instead of having to look up how many seconds it should take. It’ll also reorder popcorn on command — from Amazon, of course. Likewise, if you’re a heavy Google user, choose devices that support Google’s Assistant. Apple has products under the umbrella of HomeKit, while Samsung has SmartThings. Fortunately, some products will work with more than one digital assistant. Some devices, especially cameras, come with extra fees for extended storage and other features. But in most cases, you have to pay only for the product. — AP

BURGER MONDAY $ 5.99 CLASSIC BURGERS

W/ SEASONED FRIES

TACO TUESDAY $ 5.99 TWO TACOS

W/ CHIPS & SALSA

RIB WEDNESDAY $10.99 HALF PORTION, CORNBREAD & SEASONED FRIES

NACHO THURSDAY $ 5.99 ELDER HOUSING RESOURCE FORUM !"#$%&'$(')*+%,'#%$!-$.#/0+*#1'2$3'10+"4'/$*#5$6*#7"#8$-!+$*$9:;;$'<5'+$&!0/"#8$ +'/!0+1'$-!+0,=$>&'$-!+0,$"/$)+!?"5'5$"#$)*+%#'+/&")$@"%&$%&'$A<'+8B$-!+$A!,,0#"%B$ C'*<%&$*#5$D+'/'+?*4!#$*#5$%&'$9'5'+*<$(')!/"%$.#/0+*#1'$A!+)!+*4!#=

WHEN >&0+/5*B2$9'E+0*+B$F2$GHIJ JKLH$*=,=$%!$IKHH$)=,= WHERE M*N'$M!<,'/$3+=$C'<<#'//$A%+= LGO$P'##'5B$3%=$QC C*/&"#8%!#2$(A$GHHII FOR MORE INFO & TO REGISTER .5+"B/$RE50<<*& GHGSOOGSFTLG "5+"B/=*E50<<*&U51=8!?

HALF ORDER OF CHILI NACHOS

FRIDAY FISH FRY $ 9.99 DINE IN ONLY

$ 5 OFF $ 25 WITH THIS COUPON. NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS, DISCOUNTS OR PROMOTIONS. ONE COUPON PER TABLE, PLEASE. VALID AT ALL LOCATIONS IN NOVA, MD AND WV. EXPIRES 3/31/19. G002

>&'$-!+0,$@"<<$)+!?"5'$+'/!0+1'/$%!$*//"/%$/'#"!+/$*8'$/*-'<B2$1!,-!+%*E<B$*#5$*V!+5*E<B$"#$%&'"+$&!,'/=

SEE WWW.GLORYDAYSGRILL.COM/LOCATIONS FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF LOCATIONS.

Technology & Innovations | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Age-Friendly Montgomery “I invite you to take part in all the resources our County has to offer.” County Executive Marc Elrich

Caring for a Loved One Caregiving in Action

Call to Learn About Your Options

When family caregivers reach out for support and maintain social connections, everyone benefits. Below are a few of the local options to consider.

Montgomery County offers a wide range of programs and services for family caregivers and their loved ones. Residents are invited to call 240-777-3000 to ask questions and seek appropriate suggestions or referrals.

• Adult Day Centers

Adult Day Centers offer enriching and structured activities for older persons who have long-term health needs, as well as persons with disabilities. The centers provide valuable support to family caregivers by enabling them to continue working or handling other responsibilities. These programs can help enable families and their loved ones to continue living together.

• Respite

Montgomery County’s respite program helps facilitate short-term relief for a few hours, a day, a weekend, or sometimes longer. Families who seek respite care can choose from several venues such as the family home, adult medical day programs or approved respite facilities.

• Adult Lifelong Learning

In Montgomery County, four nonprofit organizations offer diverse classes for adults which provide an enjoyable and affordable way for family caregivers and others to stay connected and vibrant.

• Phone-based Lifelong Learning and Support Groups It isn’t always easy to leave the home when caring for a loved one. Many telephone-based classes and supports are free and offer an excellent way for family caregivers to connect with others and learn new things.

Montgomery County’s helpline staff understand the available programs and appreciate that family experiences are unique. Based on each individual situation, staff inform callers about available programs and services that may benefit them and/or their loved one.

More Tips for Family Caregivers: 1. Seek medical care and treatment for your loved one and for yourself. 2. Access available programs and keep socially engaged – as that’s good for your health as well as your loved one. 3. Call the County’s Aging and Disability Resource Line to discuss caregiving topics. Calls to 240-777-3000 are handled Monday through Friday. If you leave a message, staff will call you back. 4. Read and subscribe to Montgomery County’s Caregiver Support eNewsletter at https://moco-caregiver.blogspot.com/ 5. Visit www.montgomerycounty.gov/senior to find more information about caregiving, recreation and other topics relevant to family caregivers and their loved one.

Contact Us Today • Aging & Disability Resource Line 240-777-3000 (8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. T, W, Th/5 p.m. M & F) • 3-1-1 or 240-777-0311 for County programs and services; 9-1-1 for emergency • www.montgomerycountymd.gov/senior • “Seniors Today” airs on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. on Comcast/RCN 6, Verizon 30

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Health Fitness &

A JUMP ON JOINT RECOVERY Better pain management and earlier PT can ease joint replacement recovery FARM OF THE FUTURE Genetically engineered farm animals are on the horizon. Will consumers bite? SUPERMARKET SHORTCUTS Salad bars, frozen food and rotisserie chickens can make mealtime easier SPEAKING OUT Rest your voice and stay hydrated to help strengthen an aging voice

The secret of happiness: it’s your choice By Mary Kane Many of us worry about what our lives will be like in our final years. But after spending a year following six people ages 85 and older, New York Times reporter John Leland came to some surprising conclusions about old age and contentment later in life. His work inspired his book, Happiness Is a Choice You Make: Lessons From a Year Among the Oldest Old (Sarah Crichton Books, $16), which came out in paperback in January. In this lightly edited conversation with Kiplinger’s Associate Editor Mary Kane, Leland talks about applying their wisdom to our lives at any age. You write, “If you want to be happy, think like an older person.” Can you explain how that works? We know from a lot of research that older people are more content with their lives than younger people are. Thinking like an older person is thinking about resilience and focusing on what is — as opposed to what is not. Accepting your mortality by not being so afraid of it. When you are older, you view the time horizons in front of you differently. You understand the days are finite, and we might as well enjoy the ones we have left. The big lesson for me, the really practi-

cal one, is waking up in the morning and saying, “Thank God for another day.” It’s the conscious practice of gratitude. Can you explain what you call “selective forgetting”? We do forget the horrible things in our lives to a great extent but not entirely. The traumas of our lives stay with us. But we’re constantly writing the stories of our lives, and there are lots of things we’re filtering out. Usually our stories are about the positive things. That flu that almost killed you — you forget about how miserable you were. You just remember that it didn’t kill you. That friend you made when you were 14 — that’s something you remember. [The people I interviewed] saw loss as part of what it is to be human. It doesn’t make loss any more fun. But you’re not being singled out for punishment. You’re sharing that same experience with every other person that’s ever lived. What do you mean when you say happiness is a choice?

You come to understand that the quality of our lives isn’t based in the events of our lives. It’s really in the reaction to the events in our lives. That’s a really useful thing, to realize: “I don’t have control over some of the events in my life, like the weather, but I actively have a say in how I respond to the weather.” The title of the book is Happiness Is a Choice You Make, but the key word isn’t happiness. It’s choice. It’s declaring that you won’t be defined or determined by the circumstances of your life. You have a say in this. That declaration is liberating. That liberation is happiness. Happiness isn’t just the thing you choose; it’s the act of choosing it that makes you happy. You talk about the essence of what you learned: “to shut down the noise and fears and desires that buffet our days and think about how amazing, really amazing, life is.” Can we all do this? There are things we can do to change our ways of thinking and improve the qual-

There are things we can do to change our ways of thinking and improve the quality of our lives.

ity of our lives. I’m not talking about depression, which is a serious illness that kills people and needs to be treated. But you can be focusing on what is, not what you don’t have and what you’re missing. Optimism doesn’t mean the future is going to necessarily be better. It means seeing that the present is better. We are so detached from the oldest old, in a way previous generations were not. How can we address that? We think of old age as some sort of place to visit — and not a pleasant place. But just spending time with the old is sometimes all we can do, and the most important thing we can do. Give older people a chance to talk. Find out what they care about, and what’s important to them. Older people aren’t being asked about what they need. They are being told what they need by people who have never been old. This article was written with the support of a journalism fellowship from the Gerontological Society of America, Journalists Network on Generations and Silver Century Foundation. © 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Are you aging faster than you need to? By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I read that shrinking chromosomes might be a sign of faster aging. Can a person be tested for this? Is there any way to slow that down? A: The shrinking is actually happening in the telomeres, the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes in your cells. Each cell in your body carries a set of genes, unique to you, that tell it what to do and when to do it. The genes (made up of DNA) are linked together in long strands called chromosomes. Chromosomes come in pairs: We have 23 pairs in each cell. At each end of each chromosome is a protective cap called a telomere, which keeps the chromosome from becoming damaged when a cell divides. A telomere is made up of thousands of sections of expendable DNA. Each time a cell divides, the telomeres shorten just a bit. Once telomeres reach a critically short

stage, they can’t protect the chromosomes anymore, and the cell usually dies. Thus, the progressively shorter telomeres of a cell constitute a measure of its aging. Unhealthy lifestyle factors — such as smoking, eating junk food, obesity, inactivity and chronic stress — are all associated with shorter telomeres. Shorter telomeres, in turn, are associated with a lower life expectancy and higher rates of developing chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease.

Should you test your telomeres? Commercial tests to uncover the status of your telomere length are available. But the accuracy of various commercial telomere tests is uncertain. Also a single telomere test — even if it is accurate — can’t provide a true picture of biological aging or tell you how fast your telomeres are shortening.

No matter what a telomere test finds, scientists are still in the early stages of understanding what the information means. If your telomeres are shortening, it doesn’t mean something bad will happen. And if your telomeres are long, it also doesn’t guarantee that something bad won’t happen. That said, learning your telomeres status could be a wake-up call to change behaviors associated with telomere shortening. You could eat a healthier diet, exercise more,

lose weight, stop smoking or reduce stress. But these are lifestyle choices you should make anyway, whether or not you have shorter telomeres. Howard LeWine, M.D., is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. For additional consumer health information, visit www.health.harvard.edu. © 2019 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

SUPPORT GROUP FOR SPOUSES

The Holy Cross Caregiver Resource Center offers free weekly support groups for seniors caring for ill or aging spouses on Wednesdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Thursdays from 3 to 4:30 p.m., and Fridays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The Resource Center is located a block from Holy Cross Hospital at 9805 Dameron Dr., Silver Spring, Md. For more information, call (301) 754-7152.

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Please patronize our advertisers.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Health Shorts New local graduate program in aging

Award-Winning Senior & Assisted Living Community

Where Quality Meets Affordability

C G

ulpepper arden

4435 N. Pershing Drive Arlington, VA 22203 703-528-0162 VA Relay # 800-828-1120 www.culpeppergarden.org

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

Georgetown University is now accepting applications for its new Master of Science degree in Aging & Health. The program begins this fall, and applications are due by April 1. The one-year program focuses on interdisciplinary coursework in theory, economics, physiology, policy and the human experience of aging. There is a required capstone project/internship. The expectation is that graduates will be prepared to design and implement programs for healthy aging and to advocate for a more age-friendly society. The degree program offers two concentration areas: Health Systems Administration, and Healthcare Economics and Poli-

Spend your winter in luxury !"#$%#"&'#()'*+,-'.#+!/"'0#"1#,#+!2'#-+,//!-,+#34/!-#-10-')"#1)# '051%#,#6)',"#$17+#18#/14*#7&!+'#7,"-&!06#"&'#/017#8,++9 ''#14)#:1-"1)/#1)#/-&':4+'#%14)#*&%/!-,+#"&'),*%#,**1!0"3'0"/# 7!"&14"#+',2!06#%14)#)'/!:'0-'#10#-,3*4/9

RING HOUSE | LANDOW HOUSE

;'"#4/#",<'#-,)'#18#%14#"&!/#7!0"')9 Schedule your tour today! Call us at 301-816-5050 or visit www.smithlifecommunities.org

cy. Classes are offered by Georgetown faculty in psychology, physiology, ethics and humanities, health economics, health systems administration, and health policy. The curriculum is based on the competencies endorsed by the Accreditation in Gerontology Education Council (AGEC). There are two upcoming webinars about the program. Sign up with the following links: for Feb. 27 at http://bit.ly/GeorgetownFeb27 and for March 12 at http://bit.ly/ Georgetown-March12. To learn more, see https://aging.georgetown.edu, email aging@georgetown.edu or call (202) 687-2927. — Barbara Ruben

FDA says CBD oil requires its approval The hemp industry still has work ahead to win legal status for hemp-derived cannabidiol, or CBD oil, as an ingredient in food or dietary supplements despite the big farm bill President Donald Trump signed at the end of last year designating hemp as an agricultural crop. CBD oils have become increasingly popular in lotions, tinctures and foods, but their legal status has been murky, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent warning letters to some companies for making health claims for CBD. In a statement following the bill signing in Washington, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb restated his agency’s stance that CBD is a drug ingredient and therefore illegal to add to food or health products without approval from his agency. “Selling unapproved products with unsubstantiated therapeutic claims is not only a violation of the law, but also can put patients at risk, as these products have not been proven to be safe or effective,” Gottlieb wrote. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in hemp, a version of the cannabis plant that is low in THC, the part of cannabis that gives pot users a high. An FDA-approved drug for the treatment of seizures, Epidiolex, contains cannabis-derived CBD. GW Pharmaceuticals’ syrup became the first prescription drug derived from the cannabis plant in June. The FDA statement also specified parts of hemp that are safe as food ingredients, but the CBD stance disappointed advocates. Courtney Moran, a lobbyist for Oregon hemp farmers, said she plans to work with U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, to nudge the FDA toward greater acceptance of CBD. “We do hope the FDA does clear a pathway for these products that have already hit store shelves and are out in the marketplace,’’ Moran said. She said it’s an “opportunity for industry to educate the FDA.” The FDA statement said three ingredients derived from hemp — hulled hemp seeds, hemp seed protein and hemp seed oil — are safe as foods and won’t require See HEALTH SHORTS, page 11

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Health shorts From page 10 additional approvals, as long as marketers do not make claims that they treat disease. Hemp, like marijuana, already was legal in some states before Trump signed the farm bill. But now hemp farmers will be able to buy crop insurance, apply for loans and grants, and write off their business expenses on their taxes like any other farmer. — AP

Too much iron causes serious problems The western world’s most common genetic disorder is a “stealth condition” that causes far higher levels of serious disease and disability than previously thought, despite being easy to detect and treat. Two major studies have revealed that hemochromatosis — previously thought to be a low-level health risk — actually quadruples risk of liver disease and doubles the risk of arthritis and frailty in older adults. It also causes higher risk of diabetes and chronic pain. Hemochromatosis causes people to absorb too much iron from their diet. It accumulates around the body over time, damaging many organs and eventually causing disease. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one

million Americans have hereditary hemochromatosis. Symptoms can include excessive tiredness as well as muscle and joint pains, and these symptoms are often misdiagnosed as signs of aging. The researchers found that in men of European ancestry in Britain, 1.6 percent of all hip replacements and 5.8 percent of all liver cancers occurred in those with two hemochromatosis mutations. The research, led by a group from the University of Exeter in the UK, with the University of Connecticut and the U.S. National Institute on Aging (NIA), was published in January in the British Medical Journal and The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences. The research suggests that routine screening may be needed for people at risk of hemochromatosis. Blood tests for iron and genetic testing are simple and cost-effective. The condition is easily treated by withdrawing blood. — The Gerontological Society of America

Generic EpiPen alternatives Generic drugmaker Sandoz began selling an alternative to the EpiPen in the U.S. in January. The EpiPen injector is used to halt life-

Almost open. You ready?

Assisted living and memory care with A Whole Lotta Heart. Are you ready for service that goes over and above? Are you ready for care that goes the extra mile? Then, yes indeed, you may just be ready for an assisted living and memory care community with A Whole Lotta Heart.

OPENING Ĝ Ĝ Please call 301.200.0928 for more information or to schedule personal appointment. 13908 New Hampshire Ave • TheLandingofSilverSpring.com

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

threatening allergic reactions to insect bites, nuts and other foods. Brand-name EpiPen, which dominates the market, has been in short supply since last spring because of production problems. Sandoz will sell prefilled syringes with the same medicine, the hormone epinephrine, under the name Symjepi. The price will be $250 for two, without insurance. Two generic versions of EpiPen are sold in the U.S. for $300 a pair, including one from EpiPen seller Mylan. The company started selling its own generic after it was blasted for repeated hikes that pushed up its list price from $94 to $608 for a pair of

brand-name EpiPens. What people pay varies, though, depending on insurance, discounts and the pharmacy. Mylan’s injectors are made by a subsidiary of Pfizer, which is upgrading factories to fix quality problems. The shortages triggered temporary shortages of alternative products. As a result, U.S. regulators let some manufacturers extend expiration dates. Israel’s Teva Pharmaceutical Industries began selling limited quantities of its new generic EpiPen for $300 in the U.S. in December. — AP

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Quicker recovery for joint replacements Hundreds of thousands of Americans get knee or hip replacements each year, and the procedures are becoming more common than ever. Luckily, the recovery from a total joint replacement, or arthroplasty, is improving. Two decades ago, patients would spend a week or so in the hospital after one of these procedures. But Dr. Charles Davis, chief of the Division of Hip and Knee Arthroplasty at Penn State Bone and Joint Institute, said a number of national developments are now allowing most patients to go home the day after surgery.

Better pain management First, an anesthesia team specifically dedicated to joint replacements has al-

lowed for better communication, consistency and improved protocols for caring for such patients. Injections used around the joint at the time of surgery can help quite a bit with the pain that patients typically experience in the first day or so after a procedure. A pump of medication to numb nerve pain can be sent home with patients to get them home as quickly as possible while helping control pain. “Using these, we can dramatically decrease the amount of narcotics patients take after surgery,” Davis said. Narcotics often produce unpleasant side effects such as upset stomach, constipation and grogginess for patients, not to mention the possibility of addiction.

Surgeons are using medication to decrease blood loss from surgery, which results in less swelling in the joint and less irritation in tissues around the joint. “That also means less pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, low blood pressure or transfusions, and that helps speed their recovery as well,” Davis said.

Earlier physical therapy About 80 percent of arthroplasty patients now receive physical therapy the day of their surgery, which helps get them back to their normal activities sooner. “We have been really focused on helping them have a better experience and getting back to their functional level as fast as possible,” Davis said. Nationally, fewer patients are leaving the hospitals for rehabilitation hospitals or nursing homes after joint replacement surgeries. Davis said studies have shown that patients recover better when they can be in their familiar, home environment with their own bed and food. “As long as they

have people to help take care of them, we think that’s a better approach,” he said. A pre-operative class that explains the entire joint replacement process to patients from start to finish is also helping people know what to expect before, during and after their surgery. Although the majority of arthroplasties are done for older patients, the fastestgrowing segment has been younger people between the ages of 40 and 60. “We were reluctant to do it on younger patients for a long time because we worried how well the replacements would hold up,” Davis said. “But now, the materials we have to use are much better so the longevity is greater. Also, people are less willing to live with a disability than they were in the past.” A Wellness Update is a magazine devoted to up-to-the minute information on health issues from physicians, major hospitals and clinics, universities and healthcare agencies across the U.S. Online at www.awellnessupdate.com. © 2019 www.awellnessupdate.COM. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Please tell our advertisers, “I saw you in the Beacon!”

www. ww w.bg bgf. f.or orgg www.bgf.org

Additiona l class

THRIVING WITH PARKINSON’S

now offe re

d on

Thursday

FREE EXERCISE CLASSES, SUPPORT GROUPS AND COMMUNICATIONS CLUB Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center 18131 Slade School Road • Sandy Spring, MD 20860

Don’t face Parkinson’s alone! Our exercise class aims to improve posture, balance and circulation while also increasing strength, muscle control and mobility.

Exercise Classes

Support Group

Each Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 3:30-4:30 p.m.

2nd Wednesday of each month 2:15-3:15 p.m.

COMMUNICATIONS CLUB

Each Tuesday • 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Our support group provides an opportunity for individuals and families to find support, gain understanding and share caregiving tips. Our communication club focuses on the maintenance of communication skills, with an emphasis on strengthening breath support and improving the ability to project.

www.parkinsonfoundation.org

For more information or to register, contact Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Ways to address urinary incontinence By Dr. Monique Tello Q: I often have a problem leaking urine when I cough or sneeze or get the urge to go. I would rather avoid medication. What else can I do? A: You have lots of company. An estimated 45 percent of women experience some form of urinary incontinence at some point in their lives. That’s almost half of all women! It’s a very big deal. Urinary incontinence can negatively affect physical and emotional well-being. For example, women may avoid going out because they’re worried about having an accident away from home. Here’s what else to do besides medications or surgery. First, talk to a healthcare provider:

There are readily identifiable medical factors that can cause or worsen incontinence: Certain medications, uncontrolled diabetes, bladder infections, constipation and menopausal changes, to name a few. Then take care of the area: If moisture isn’t absorbed, it will irritate the skin and can lead to infections in the genital area. Sometimes the issue is reluctance to explore the world of incontinence pads (which are now available in a variety of brands and styles). But often, it’s the expense. Barrier ointments, even plain old petroleum jelly, can help to protect skin from moisture. Daily bathing is also helpful. Watch the fluid intake: Limit bladderirritating beverages such as caffeinated or acidic drinks (alcohol, coffee, black tea,

BEACON BITS

Feb. 7

LIVING WITH APHASIA

The Stroke Comeback Center and SmithLife Home Care present a screening of Aphasia, a film that explores the impact of aphasia, an inability to communicate associated with brain damage. The film will be followed by a discussion with Darlene S. Williams, founder and executive director of the Stroke Comeback Center and president of the National Aphasia Association, and Dr. Anthony Pellicane, director of rehabilitation services at Charles E. Smith Life Communities. The event takes place on Thursday, Feb. 7 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wasserman Residence, 6121 Montrose Rd., Rockville, Md. Light refreshments will be served. For more information or to RSVP, call (301) 770-8329 or visit www.bit.ly/AphasiaFilm.

green tea, sodas, and seltzers with citric acid added). For women who make nighttime trips to the bathroom, decreasing fluid intake in the evening (especially alcohol) can help. Lose a few pounds: Extra abdominal fat can create pressure on the bladder. Losing just 5 percent of body weight can help a lot. But even losing a few pounds can improve symptoms. Exercise: The more physically active a woman is, the less likely she is to suffer from urinary incontinence. This may be related to better core and pelvic floor muscle tone in women with increased fitness. Do pelvic floor exercises and physical therapy: Those Kegel squeezes can really work! They’re not difficult, but it’s important

to do them correctly. Believe it or not, formal pelvic floor physical therapy with a trained provider can be hugely helpful. Train the bladder: Scheduling bathroom visits can help women to “train” an overactive bladder. Sometimes bladder training is done along with pelvic floor physical therapy, and can be more successful that way. Monique Tello, M.D., is an internist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School. For additional consumer health information, please visit www.health.harvard.edu. © 2018 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Genetic engineering down on the farm By Candice Choi Cows that can withstand hotter temperatures. Cows born without pesky horns. Pigs that never reach puberty. A company wants to alter farm animals by adding and subtracting genetic traits in a lab. It sounds like science fiction, but Recombinetics sees opportunity for its technology in the livestock industry. But first, it needs to convince regulators that gene-edited animals are no different from conventionally bred ones. To make the technology appealing and to ease any fears that it may be creating Franken-animals, Recombinetics isn’t starting with productivity. Instead, it’s introducing gene-edited traits as a way to ease animal suffering.

“It’s a better story to tell,” said Tammy Lee, CEO of the St. Paul, Minnesota-based company.

Winter With Us

Another Recombinetics project: castration-free pigs. When male piglets go through puberty, their meat can take on an unpleasant odor, something known as “boar taint.” To combat it, farmers castrate pigs, a procedure animal welfare advocates say is commonly performed without painkillers. Editing genes so that pigs never go through puberty would make castration unnecessary. Also in development are dairy cows that could withstand higher temperatures, so the animals don’t suffer in hotter climates. Recombinetics and others say gene-editing techniques do what traditional breeding has always done, except much faster and with the precision of “molecular scissors.” They are waiting for clarity from government officials, but say meat and milk from gene-edited animals shouldn’t be subject to special regulations. Most U.S. dairy cows already are bred through artificial insemination from “semen straws,” which are priced for a bull’s pedigree and traits developed through years of traditional breeding. Gene-edited traits would just be higherpriced extras, Recombinetics says. For example, the hornless trait could add $3 to $5 to the price of a semen straw that could cost around $15. Once gene-editing is accepted by the public, farmers will be more interested in traits that step up productivity, Lee predicted. As an example, she cited pigs edited to have bigger litters.

NO WORRIES THIS SEASON!

Debating ethical questions

Helping animal welfare For instance, animal welfare advocates have long criticized the way farmers use caustic paste or hot irons to dehorn dairy cows so the animals don’t harm each other. Recombinetics snips out the gene for growing horns so the procedure is unnecessary. In 2017, a bull gene-edited by Recombinetics to have the dominant hornless trait sired several offspring. All were born hornless as expected, and are being raised at the University of California, Davis. Once the female offspring starts lactating, its milk will be tested for any abnormalities.

Visit to View Our Beautiful, Full Renovation

Enjoy Luxury Assisted Living on a Short-Term Basis: Spacious, Fully Furnished Residences•Fine Dining Physical Therapy On Site•Exceptional Care Exciting Location in Chevy Chase, DC Social, Educational, and Wellness Activities

CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION

202-798-7498

5420 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20015 www.meridiansenior.com/chevychasehouse A MERIDIAN SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY

Before food from gene-edited animals can land on dinner tables, however, Recombinetics has to overcome any public unease about the technology. Beyond worries about “playing God,” it may be an uncomfortable reminder of how

modern food production already treats animals, said Paul Thompson, a professor of agriculture at Michigan State University. “There’s an ethical question that’s been debated for at least the last 20 years, of whether you need to change the animal or change the system,” Thompson said. Support for gene editing will also likely depend on how the technology is used: whether it’s for animal welfare, productivity or disease resistance. In August, a Pew study found 43 percent of Americans supported genetically engineered animals for more nutritious meat. The array of possibilities is why the Humane Society of the United States supports gene-editing to end pig castrations and cow dehorning but doesn’t give the technology its blanket approval. “If you edit for your chicken to be the size of an elephant, that’s not good,” said Josh Balk, the group’s vice president of farm animal protection. The image seems preposterous, but it may not be far off from what the words “gene-edited animals” conjure for many. In the science-fiction movie “Rampage” earlier this year, gene-editing is used to create monsters, including a giant wolf that shoots porcupine spikes from its tail.

Traditional breeding advances Some may also question the need to risk using the technology, if it really just speeds up what could be achieved with conventional breeding. Advances in traditional breeding have already stepped up the productivity of cows, chickens and pigs. Today, milk producers can shop for characteristics developed through conventional breeding, like See BREEDING, page 17

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Supermarket shortcuts for easier dinners By Katie Workman Cooking for one (or two) can be a chore, especially if you want to have something different every night. So here are a few food shopping hacks that can significantly cut your prep and cooking time, and get you to a nice, easy dinner faster. Make the salad bar your sous chef. Walk on over to that salad bar and take a good look at it from an ingredient perspective. So many prepped foods to choose from! Sliced peppers, diced onions, cubed zucchini, shredded chicken, cooked beans, washed baby spinach leaves, broccoli florets, a bounty of prepped items, all ready to turn into a stir fry, vegetable lasagna, frittata, soup — and sure, maybe even a salad. And the nice thing is, you can buy exactly how much of each item you want. Explore other precut, washed or prepped produce. Next to the whole fruits and vegetables you can find a section of other prepared produce, usually uncooked. Shredded carrots, spiralized sweet potatoes, peeled garlic, shelled peas, bags of washed salad lettuces, and so on. I know I’m not alone when I say that peeling, seeding and cubing a winter squash at the end of a busy day can feel like a real obstacle to dinner. But a contain-

er of peeled, cubed squash is a game changer. Rotisserie chicken – best dinner saver ever. Cold, warm right out of the container, or reheated, there are few supermarket gifts as happy-making as a rotisserie chicken. Add a salad and something starchy and you are done. Or shred up that meat and you have a springboard for numerous other dinners: chicken salad, quesadillas, enchiladas and burritos, soups, stir fries, casseroles. I buy a rotisserie chicken often because I know that it will get me to some chicken dinner in the coming days, and usually a different one every week. Stock up. Once a month, do a little inventory of your most-used ingredients and make sure you’ve got a good stash of all of them — pasta, beans, rice, broth, canned tomatoes, and fridge staples like eggs and grated cheese. Having a full inventory saves you lastminute dashes to the market. Bonus points if you can stock up when these items are on sale. Buy bulk. Buying in the bulk-food aisle definitely saves money, and offers you some nice whole-food choices. But it can also save

you time once you get it home. Decant all of your bulk items — quinoa, lentils, rice, oatmeal — into containers, preferably clear ones, and label them. Organize them by category in your cabinets or pantry closet — for example, whole grains, cereals, baking ingredients. Then when you are ready for them, there they will be, easy to find and easy to access. It’s also easy to see when you are running low on any of them. Don’t underestimate the freezer aisle.

There are so many ingredients and meal components in the freezer aisle that can help you get dinner on the table faster. Frozen vegetables are of really high quality, often quite economical, and cook up super quickly. Some more ideas: Frozen fruits make quick smoothies. Frozen hash browns aren’t just good with eggs but also as a potpie topping. And frozen shrimp and fish cook up in a flash. — AP

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

“To you, it’s the perfect lift chair. To me, it’s the best sleep chair I’ve ever had.” — J. Fitzgerald, VA

NEW Footrest Extension for even more head to toe support.

We’ve all had nights when we just can’t lie down in bed and sleep, whether it’s from heartburn, cardiac problems, hip or back aches – it could be a variety of reasons. Those are the nights we’d give anything for a comfortable chair to sleep in, one that reclines to exactly the right degree, raises feet and legs to precisely the desired level, supports the head and shoulders properly, operates easily even in the dead of night, and sends a hopeful sleeper right off to dreamland. Our Perfect Sleep Chair® is just the chair to do it all. It’s a chair, true – the finest of lift chairs – but this chair is so much more! It’s designed to provide total comfort and relaxation not found in other chairs. It can’t be beat for comfortable, long-term sitting, TV viewing, relaxed reclining and – yes! – peaceful sleep. Our chair’s recline technology allows you to pause the chair in an infinite number of positions, including the Trendelenburg position and the zero gravity position where your body experiences a minimum of internal and external stresses. You’ll love the other benefits, too: It helps with correct spinal alignment, promotes back pressure relief, and encourages better This lift chair puts you posture to prevent back and safely on your feet! muscle pain.

Easy-to-use remote for massage, heat, recline and lift And there’s more! The overstuffed, oversized biscuit style back and unique seat design will cradle you in comfort. Generously filled, wide armrests provide enhanced arm support when sitting or reclining. The high and low heat settings along with the multiple massage settings, can provide a soothing relaxation you might get at a spa – just imagine getting all that in a lift chair! It even has a battery backup in case of a power outage. Shipping charge includes white glove delivery. Professionals will deliver the chair to the exact spot in your home where you want it, unpack it, inspect it, test it, position it, and even carry the packaging away! You get your choice of bonded stain and water repellent leather or plush microfiber in a variety of colors to fit any decor. Call now!

The Perfect Sleep Chair®

1-888-566-1509 Please mention code 110672 when ordering. Because each Perfect Sleep Chair is a custom-made bedding product, we can only accept returns on chairs that are damaged or defective.

Long Lasting DuraLux Leather Tan

Chocolate Burgundy

Black

Blue

DuraLux II Microfiber Burgundy Cashmere

Fern

Chocolate

Indigo 46497

Sit up, lie down — and anywhere in between!

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Maintain and improve your voice as you age By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q. My voice has become less forceful and raspy as I get older. Is there anything I can do to improve it? A: It’s a common condition, known as presbylaryngis, or aging of the larynx. The result is often a raspy, hoarse tone. Our vocal cords are folds composed of muscles surrounded by softer membranous tissues. Over the years, the vocal cords can lose strength, elasticity and structure. These changes in the vocal cords may allow too much air to escape between them, which can cause your voice to be breathy and weak. Certain habits also can affect how you

speak. For instance, you can irritate your vocal folds if you constantly clear your throat while speaking. A dry throat and irritation are often the main triggers for chronic throat clearing. But people get in the habit of doing this whenever they speak even when they don’t need to. You can’t turn back the clock so your voice sounds like it did when you were 30. But you can maintain and even improve how your voice sounds now. Here are some steps you can take to help strengthen and protect your voice. Give your voice a rest when needed. Your voice needs rest when it becomes fatigued, just like your body does. If you feel

Breeding

Notably, hornless dairy cows also already exist. But Recombinetics says there are so few that breeding them would compromise the valuable traits that have been carefully bred into modern dairy cows. But John Burket, who breeds hornless dairy cows in Pennsylvania, thinks the hornless trait could spread quickly if it was prioritized. Burket isn’t opposed to gene-editing, but he said he’s waiting to see if the technology delivers. — AP

From page 14 body frames and how efficiently animals convert feed into meat. Semex, a Canadian seller of bull semen, offers already offers a “Robot Ready” option for cows “built for automation,” with teat lengths and temperaments bred for milking machines. The company is working with Recombinetics to develop the gene-edited hornless trait.

voice fatigue or have throat discomfort when talking for long periods, rest your voice for several minutes every hour. Also try not to yell or raise your voice, and avoid talking over background noise, like the TV. Stay hydrated. The vocal folds depend on a thin layer of fluid to cushion them during speech, so it’s important to drink enough water to stay well hydrated. This is especially helpful if you battle constant throat clearing. Inhale steam. A hot shower or steam inhaler can help clear any allergens from your nose and throat. This provides shortterm hydration while helping to capture and clear irritants in your upper airway

that could be affecting your voice. Consider whether acid reflux may be affecting your voice. Stomach acid that backs up into the throat can irritate the vocal folds and cause them to swell. Most often people with acid reflux have symptoms like heartburn and an acid taste in the mouth. But you may not experience these, so may not know you have reflux. If hoarseness or other voice changes have just happened recently, don’t just attribute them to age. You should contact your doctor to have a throat exam, especially if you have been a smoker. © 2019 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Juicing, done right, can improve nutrition Dear Mayo Clinic: Is juicing as healthy as some proclaim, or are some nutrients lost in the process? Answer: Juicing — extracting the juice from fresh fruits and vegetables — can be a good way to add nutrients to your diet. If you struggle to eat the recommended five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day, juicing can help you get there. The good news is that the juice contains most of the vitamins, minerals and plant chemicals (phytonutrients) found in whole fruit. Juicing also may help you incorporate a broader variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet, such as kale, spinach or tropical fruits. However, juice shouldn’t be the only

way to get these nutrients. Whole fruits and vegetables also contain healthy fiber, much of which is lost during juicing — especially if the skin and pulp are removed. Dietary fiber not only aids in digestion, but also may improve blood cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease. Fiber also helps you feel full, which can help with weight control.

Not a weight loss plan Some promote juicing as a quick way to lose weight. However, a diet containing only fruits and vegetables isn’t balanced. Be sure you’re also meeting your needs for fiber, protein, calcium, iron and healthy fats. You can do this by incorporating juicing into a healthy-eating plan that includes var-

ious whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean protein sources, and whole fruits and vegetables. While juicing in moderation is generally healthy, certain types of juice may not be appropriate for everyone. A juice made of mostly fruits can be high in carbohydrates and sugars, which can influence blood sugar levels. For people with kidney disease, fruits that are high in potassium, such as melons and bananas, can cause complications and may need to be avoided. Juicing also can be a significant source of calories, depending on the contents and the portion size you consume. Without the fiber to keep you feeling full, you may find that you’re hungry sooner. Add these up, and you have a recipe for potential weight gain if not kept in check. Here are steps you can take to make sure your juice is as healthy as possible: Limit added sugars. Some juice recipes call for sugar, honey, syrup or other added sweeteners. Since the typical American diet already includes an overabundance of added sugars, try to eliminate or minimize these additions. Added sugars contribute to calories and weight gain. They’re especially common in store-bought fruit drinks. Consider blending. Rather than extracting juice, blending the edible parts of fruits produces a drink that contains more fiber and other healthy nutrients. If the result is too thick, add a little water. Handle produce safely. Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before

use. Even if you plan to peel the produce, wash it first, so that dirt and bacteria aren’t transferred. Take extra caution with pre-cut fruits and vegetables, and any kind of sprout, which are more likely to harbor dangerous bacteria such as E. coli. Use the pulp elsewhere. Try adding the leftover pulp from your juicing to soups or baked goods to increase the fiber in your diet. Opt for pasteurized juice. When buying juice from a store, choose a pasteurized juice when possible to prevent the likelihood of foodborne illness. Most juice sold in stores is pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria. Refrigerated products that aren’t pasteurized are required to carry a warning label. Since juice sold in restaurants isn’t subject to the same labeling, don’t hesitate to ask if you’re unsure if the product has been pasteurized. If you’re not sure whether juicing is a healthy option for you, talk to your healthcare provider or a dietitian. — Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., Endocrinology/Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. E-mail a question to MayoClinic Q&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit www.mayoclinic.org. © 2019 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Share your opinion. Send a letter to the editor.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Should you be taking a fiber supplement? Dear Mayo Clinic: I experience irregularity almost weekly, and eating bran flakes every day isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t helping. Are fiber supplements safe to use regularly and long term? Is there anything else I can do? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a 53-year-old woman and otherwise in excellent health. Answer: When consumed at recommended levels, dietary fiber is widely recognized to have health benefits, including relief of constipation. Adult women 50 and younger should consume at least 25 grams of fiber a day. Women over 50 should have at least 21 grams a day. Adult men need at least 38 grams of fiber a day if they are under 50 and at least 30 grams of fiber a day if they are over 50. Ninety percent of the U.S. population consumes far below those recommendations, averaging only 15 grams of daily fiber. Fiber-rich foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. Many cereals, such as bran flakes, are good sources of fiber. Although fiber supplements can fill the daily fiber gap, they usually have only one type of fiber, rather than a variety of fibers and micronutrients, and they may not provide all the health benefits associated with fiber in food. Therefore, boost your fiber intake in your diet first by eating a wide variety of high-fiber foods. If you still canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get enough fiber to meet the daily recommendation, consider using a supplement. Many fiber supplements can be used regularly long term.

Two types of fiber Fiber is classified as soluble or insoluble. Soluble fibers are more fermentable and may cause gas. Insoluble fibers move

through the digestive system largely intact, and that can increase stool bulk. Most fiber supplements are exclusively soluble or insoluble fiber. For example, FiberCon (calcium polycarbophil) and Benefiber (wheat dextrin) are mainly soluble fiber. They tend to cause more bloating and flatulence. Citrucel (methylcellulose) is mainly insoluble fibers that are nonfermentable, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s less likely to contribute to bloating and gas. Psyllium husk (Metamucil and Konsyl) is rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber. Generally, fiber supplements with mainly insoluble fiber may be a better option for constipation.

Medications can be affected Before taking a fiber supplement, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to review your medications. Fiber supplements can decrease the absorption of certain medications, including drugs that treat thyroid disorders, depression, diabetes, high cholesterol, seizures and various heart ailments. Even common medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen and penicillin can be affected by an increase in fiber. To minimize the interaction, take your medications one hour before or two hours after eating fiber. Some fiber supplements may not be appropriate for people with certain medical conditions. For example, if you have celiac disease, you may need to stay away from fiber products derived from wheat. If you have diabetes, you may need to use a flavorless formula to avoid extra sugar. Consult your healthcare provider for guidance about the appropriate fiber supplement. Go slow as you begin fiber therapy. Fiber supplements may cause abdominal

bloating, cramping and flatulence, especially if you start at a high dose. Begin with a low dose, gradually increasing the amount of fiber. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t add more than 50 grams of fiber in a supplement per day, as that may affect how your body absorbs nutrients. Your healthcare provider can help determine whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right for you. Drinking plenty of water and exercising regularly can help ease constipation, too. You also may want to consider nonfiber products for the condidion â&#x20AC;&#x201D; such as stool softeners, stimulant medications that cause your intestines to contract, enemas

or suppositories. If increasing fiber doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t improve your symptoms, see your healthcare provider. Constipation can be a symptom of various underlying medical disorders â&#x20AC;&#x201D; such as pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, slow gastrointestinal motility, anatomical abnormalities or endocrine dysfunction â&#x20AC;&#x201D; that may require different treatment. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Yan Bi, M.D., Ph.D., Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. ÂŠ 2019 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Tell them you saw it in the Beacon!

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Much to Love at Waltonwood! Waltonwood Ashburn is the Premier Active Adult Community in Loudoun County

BCAT $&35*'*&%

Upscale senior living offering a worry-free lifestyle Diverse calendar of events | Life enrichment opportunities Forever Fit program | Friendly neighbors

Ask us about our current incentives!

Call and schedule a tour today

(571) 982-6318

ALFREDHOUSE ASSISTED LIVING M E M O RY C A R E

A SHBURN

0GGFSJOH CPVUJRVF BTTJTUFE MJWJOH DPNNVOJUJFT TQFDJBMJ[JOH JO NFNPSZ DBSF NFOUBM IFBMUI TVQQPSU BOE NPSF

Schedule your tour today.

XXX BMGSFEIPVTF DPN

Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care 44141 Russell Branch Parkway, Ashburn, VA 20147 Waltonwood.com | SinghJobs.com

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Slow progress tracking medical devices By Meghan Hoyer For nearly two decades, health advocates have pushed to standardize the way medical devices are tracked and studied so malfunctions and recalls — especially of implanted devices — can be quickly communicated. [See “Concerns rise over medical device problems” on facing page.] They eventually landed on a solution that others, including other parts of the medical industry, already had adopted — a unique code to help track the type, manufacturer

and other key information about a device. In 2007, Congress asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to create the system, and the FDA passed a final rule establishing it in 2013. The Unique Device Identifier (UDI) is a code roughly 70 characters long, broken into two sections. The first part identifies the device and manufacturer; the second when and where it was made, its expiration date and its serial number. High-risk devices and implants already

Large Apartments, Small Price One bedrooms starting at per month!*

$4,000

Includes meals, utilities, cable, internet, life enrichment, housekeeping, and more! Discover the area’s largest apartments at affordable prices.

FIRST 10

LEASES ONLY

*Monthly rent is subject to increase after one year.

Call our friendly team at 703-994-4623 today.

703-994-4623 PotomacPlace.com 2133 Montgomery Ave. Woodbridge,VA 22191

Coordinated Services Management, Inc. - Professional Management of Retirement Communities since 1981

When is the best time to sell? Where do I begin?

Rightsizing For Life Seminar THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Gourmet lunch will be served

have UDI codes — required since September for those types of products — and manufacturers of lower-risk devices have started to include them as well. The FDA will require all devices to have a code by late 2020.

But will they be used? Unfortunately, there’s currently no place to put the code on an insurance claim. That means Medicare and private insurers know when they are paying for a patient’s artificial hip, but not the make, model and manufacturer. There’s also no place for the codes in patients’ electronic health records, which follow them across multiple providers. And there’s no place for hospitals and clinics to put them in their supply systems, to track exactly what devices are on hand and whether anything in their stockrooms has been recalled. The codes have started to appear in some FDA reports of medical device malfunctions, injuries and deaths, but often are redacted from the public versions of the database accessible to patients, researchers and doctors. Ben Moscovitch, who directs the health information technology work at Pew Charitable Trusts, sums it up this way: “Devices having UDIs isn’t enough. They actually have to be used.”

Without the unique identifier on claims and health records, it’s nearly impossible for anyone to know what devices cause problems, noted Joel Weissman, chief scientific officer of the Center for Surgery and Public Health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Diana Zuckerman, president of the National Center for Health Research, a patient advocacy research organization in Washington, D.C., said public health leaders have been asking for identifying numbers for a long time. “The device companies did everything they could to delay it...they were constantly pushing back,” she said. “And now they are doing everything they can do to make it less useful.” Companies have submitted hundreds of comments to the FDA during the UDI development process, voicing general support for the system but repeatedly asking for more time, saying the requirements have been burdensome, expensive and difficult to implement. In formal comments to the FDA in 2012, the Medical Device Manufacturers Association wrote, “This transition will require the medical technology industry to spend significant resources to comply. Allowing See TRACKING DEVICES, page 23

Regardless of the Weather Outside,

It's Always Cozy Here. Keep your spirits up even when temperatures are down!

8100 Connecticut Ave. Chevy Chase, MD 20815

301-907-8895

Join us at Premier Residences of Chevy Chase for a gourmet lunch and informational presentation on downsizing. Eric Stewart with the Eric Stewart Group will discuss how to market your home, including preparations and timing. Then Susie Danick, owner of TAD Relocation, will share advice on what to do with your things, including what to move, store, sell, or give away. RSVP to jberkman@5ssl.com or 301-915-9217 by February 19th. www.FiveStarPremier-ChevyChase.com INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING ©2019 Five Star Senior Living

That’s what Friendship Terrace is for—we eliminate the hassles of winter, allowing you to enjoy life! No more shoveling snow or driving on icy roads to get to the grocery store. Our maintenancefree apartments, experienced team members, and on-site dining options allow you to stay safe and secure, regardless of the weather. !"#$%#&'()*+#,'!,+*!+"#-.'(/#0,-.$!#%+1+*23#&'()44#5!"#%*$+!"4&# neighbors and fun activities available to keep you entertained.

Seabury Resources for Aging: Proudly Celebrating 95 Years of Service

Learn more about affordable, independent senior living! Call 202-244-7400 (TRS 711) to schedule a visit. FriendshipTerrace.org 1-800-643-3769 DC RELAY SERVICE • 1-800-643-3768 TTY 4201 Butterworth Place, NW, Washington, DC 20016

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Concerns rise over medical device problems By Meghan Hoyer As better tracking finally becomes available for medical devices, patients are experiencing a number of problems related to a range of devices.

Spinal-cord stimulators For years, medical device companies and doctors have touted spinal-cord stimulators as a panacea for millions of patients suffering from a wide range of pain disorders, making them one of the fastest-growing products in the $400 billion medical device industry. Companies and doctors aggressively push them as a safe antidote to the deadly opioid crisis in the U.S., and as a treatment for an aging population in need of chronic pain relief. But the stimulators — devices that use electrical currents to block pain signals before they reach the brain — are more dangerous than many patients know, an Associated Press investigation found. They account for the third-highest number of medical device injury reports to the FDA, with more than 80,000 incidents flagged since 2008. Patients report that they have been shocked or burned, or have suffered spinal-cord nerve damage ranging from muscle weakness to paraplegia, FDA data shows.

Breast implants To all the world, it looked like breast implants were safe. From 2008 to 2015, the FDA publicly reported 200 or so complaints annually — a tiny fraction of the hundreds of thousands of implant surgeries performed each year. Then last fall, something strange happened: Thousands of problems with breast implants flooded the FDA’s system. More than 4,000 injury reports were filed in the last half of 2017. Another 8,000 in the first six months of 2018. Why had it taken so long for complaints to see the light of day? Makers of breast implants were required to track patients and their health. But for more than a decade, manufacturers with high numbers of recurring problems — in the case of implants, ruptures that required surgery to remove — were allowed to report issues in bulk, with one report standing in for thousands of individual cases, and no way for the public to discern the true volume of incidents. That agreement stood even as the FDA began closely monitoring a rare type of cancer, and acknowledged in 2011 that it might be linked to breast implants.

have had more reported problems over the last decade than insulin pumps, a product that’s used by hundreds of thousands of diabetics around the world, many of them children. Collectively, insulin pumps and their components are responsible for the highest overall number of malfunction, injury and death reports in the FDA’s medical device database, according to an Associated Press analysis of reports since 2008. In terms of injuries alone, insulin pumps were second only to metal hip replacements, whose problems with metal shavings in the body causing damage to bone and tissue and other issues, have been well-documented and widely reported. By contrast, problems with insulin pumps

largely have flown under the radar. Medical device companies and many experts say insulin pumps are safe devices that can help diabetics lead more normal lives. They blame user error for most reported problems, noting that the pumps are complicated devices requiring special training for patients. For more stories on these issues and others related to implanted medical devices, see the following links on the Beacon’s website: www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/breast_ implants/ www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/fda/ www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/insulin _pumps/ www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/spinal_ cord/ — AP

CARE & PERSONALIZED SERVICES IN MY INDEPENDENT LIVING APARTMENT NOW THAT’S THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.

Insulin pumps When it comes to medical devices, none

14400 Homecrest Road Silver Spring, MD 20906

RELAX WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT STANDING BACK UP

301-598-6424

The Ascent Lift Chair is a comfortable and elegant recliner. It features a discrete lift mechanism that helps you stand up when you are ready. We proudly carry both Healthy Back and Golden Technologies brand lift chairs

Sale Ends 2/28 Save up to $800 on the Ascent lift chair

25% OFF

LIFT CHAIR

LIFT CHAIRS

ENHANCED HOME CARE SERVICES 24/7 PERSONAL CARE FREQUENTLY REQUESTED SERVICES: • Personal Grooming • Registered Nurse Oversight • Accompany assistance

PRESIDENT’S DAY

• Medication Management • Diabetic Management

OFFICE CHAIRS

MATTRESSES

HealthyBack.com

INVERSION

888-469-2225

PILLOWS

LUMBAR SUPPORTS

/HealthyBack

offered in the community • Safety Checks by Nursing Staff

Friendly

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Ease your fear of falling N E W while walking more naturally. Orthopedic surgeon invents an innovative mobility device that enables you to walk naturally and avoid falls. If you’ve ever used a walker or rollator, you’re aware of how unnatural it is to lean forward, rest your body weight on your hands and wrists, shuffling your feet and walking in a hunched-over position. It’s hard on your arms, shoulders and back, and it’s impossible to get very far without becoming exhausted. Even worse, this slumped over position causes you to look down, leaving you off balance, unsteady and fearful of falling. In fact, this unstable, unnatural posture can actually cause “secondary Injuries”.

Old Way

Better Way

The Perfect Walker, which was designed by an orthopedic surgeon with over 30 years of experience, has solved the uncomfortable bent-over posture that plagues traditional rollators. Perfect Walker allows you to walk securely and comfortably in a natural upright position. It features a set of very unique, fully adjustable forearm support cuffs that keep your arms resting at a natural level. It is height adjustable for users up to 6 6”. No more leaning forward, stretching, slouching and crouching—or worry about tilting, toppling over or losing your balance. When walking, you’re looking forward, not looking down. adjustable forearm rests

FREE Utility Bag and Cane Holder 24”

27.5” width for additional rear wheel clearance

Easy dual folding design

“The Perfect Walker has been ergonomically designed and patented to create a healthier walking position that will effectively reduce the stress and injuries that I have seen over my many years as an orthopedic surgeon.”

Dr. Birnbaum. Look forward to going more places more often! It folds up for transit or storage using a revolutionary dual-folding design resulting in a very compact, easy-to-handle unit weighing only 21 lbs. That means the Perfect Walker is extremely easy and convenient to take and use just about anywhere. Also the Perfect Walker has an advanced braking system and secure locking. It’s been designed with a wider rear-wheel base. The “rear walking space” of this rollator is wider than is traditional, to reduce the chance of a trip-up and to provide a greater Supports up to 300 lbs. range of motion for a natural, comfortable walk.

Perfect Walker Call now Toll-Free

1-888-565-0383 Please mention promotion code 110673.

84501

The Perfect Walker has a comfortable, double-padded seat for resting purposes, with footrests that easily move into place when you’re seated so you can comfortably rest your feet and legs. The seat is also retractable to move into place where and when you need it, otherwise it retracts out of the way when you’re walking. When you’re seated, The Perfect Walker can be easily used as a transport chair and pushed comfortably from behind.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

The pressures beauty standards impose Many people are brainwashed into buying if we can alter our natural looks to reseminto our culture’s steady message about ble one of the gorgeous men or women what is attractive. Teenagers pictured in fashion magazines like myself are certainly encan we attain true happiness. couraged by society (and our peers) to look a certain way. Many internalize the message Women, we’re basically told, should be equipped with shiny, I have observed many of long hair, dark eyelashes and a my peers struggling to keep slim waist, while men should up with the ever-changing be tall, lean and muscular. fashion trends, dieting unThese standards of “beauhealthily and scraping togethty” are echoed by the Photoer what little money they GENERATIONS shopped images we see in have to purchase the latest TOGETHER magazines, flawless celebrities “revolutionary” cosmetics. By Alexis Bentz featured in popular movies, I must admit I have also succumbed in my way. I canand the beauty queens and male models who have risen to fame on not tell you how many mornings I have various social media sites such as Insta- forced myself out of bed in order to have enough time to straighten my naturally gram and YouTube. Beyond selling products that supposed- curly hair, just so I could feel pretty and ly enable people to “improve their appear- confident. But this desire to be considered goodance,” beauty companies also sell a lifestyle. They want us to believe that only looking isn’t limited to teens. A fear of “fad-

Tracking devices From page 20 as much flexibility and time to comply is critical.”

Technical problems Some of the pushback has stemmed from the code being so long that some older computer database systems can’t accept it. The current plans to incorporate UDIs on insurance claims focus only on getting the first half of the code — the device name and manufacturer — on official forms. But that second half would be essential if a device needed to be recalled, Zucker-

ing beauty” due to age prompts many middle aged and older adults to turn to plastic surgery or makeup in an attempt to remain “attractive” or hold onto their youth. Unfortunately, fear of not conforming to societal standards of beauty is not unfounded. Studies have shown that “more beautiful” people are often hired sooner, promoted faster and earn higher salaries than their “less-attractive” colleagues. According to Daniel Hamermesh, professor of economics at the University of Texas

at Austin, attractive people earn roughly three or four percent more than others. People of all ages are also more likely to approach traditionally attractive individuals to ask them out on a date than those who may not be as “good-looking.” Researchers also find that the taller, better-looking or more-charismatic political candidate is more often the one who wins an election. See BEAUTY, page 24

man said. The industry says requiring the longer number is burdensome because it forces hospitals and insurance companies to make too many computer upgrades and database changes. The FDA’s guidance for the agency is to create the “least burdensome” industry requirements. Weissman has been working with insurance companies and hospitals for the past two years to test the feasibility of listing the first half of each medical device’s unique identification number on insurance claims. “It’s so obvious that we need this,” he said. “There’s no way to systematically monitor device problems on a large scale. At the end of the day, this is really about protecting patients from defective or ineffective products.” — AP

Retirement Living Choices LISTING COMING SOON! “Cabot” Model Patio Home 3BR, 2FB, kit & BA updated, turnkey, private, fenced patio, 2 car garage LISTING COMING SOON! Berkley Townhouse 2BR, 1FB, 2HB, laminate hardwoods main floor.

JUST LISTED! Blair Model CO-OP 1BR, 1FB, laminate floors foyer and dining room, 800 sf., $74,900 LISTING JUST SOLD! The Greens “B-H” Model 2BR, 3BR + den, 3FB, two balconies, new floors, 2167 sf., $415,000

LISTING JUST SOLD! Overlook Hi-rise “K” w/Garage! 2BR + den, 2FB, FP, golf course view, storage room, 1520 sf., $445,000 BUYER JUST SOLD! The Regency “Falconcrest” 4BR, 3.5BA, new carpet & paint, granite & SS appliances, 3322 sf., $719,000

Rockville/Silver Spring Choices Rockville, “Coming Soon:” Norbeck Estates 4BR, 2.5FB, 3 fin levels.

Silver Spring, “Active Now:” Sherwood Forest Dutch colonial, 4BR, 2.5FB, exquisite lot, updated!

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Beauty From page 23

Dispelling the hype There have been movements to try to dispel the belief that only one type of beauty exists. Dove, the soap company, has launched the “Dove Self-Esteem Project” to try to boost the confidence of young girls, no matter their appearance. They provide materials on their website (www.dove.com) that enable teachers to host body-image workshops and have beauty-related discussions with their students, and that instruct parents how to raise a self-assured child. For older adults of limited means, there is the Beauty Becomes You Foundation (BeautyBecomesYou.org). Their mission is to “change the way society looks at seniors,” and to bring a human touch where it is often most needed: through massage therapy, personal aesthetic care and diabetic foot therapies to those who cannot otherwise afford it. The foundation supplies trained volunteers with expertise in geriatric “aesthetic health

and wellbeing,” and helps arrange donated spa services. Pop star Rihanna has established a line of cosmetics, Fenty Beauty (www.fentybeauty.com), in order to provide makeup options to women of all races and skin tones, rather than just the limited shades offered by most beauty brands. These are just a few of the efforts being made to reveal the truth about beauty: that every individual is beautiful and should be confident in his or her own skin. You and your grandchild or younger friend can get together to have a conversation about beauty. What does beautiful mean to each of you? How have standards of beauty evolved during your lifetimes? In what ways have they stayed the same? Work together to be role models for others in your community by being caring, kind and confident individuals. In that way, you can help more people internalize the truth that true beauty lies within. Alexis Bentz is an 11th grade student at Thomas Wootton High School in Rockville, Md. This is her fifth year writing this column for the Beacon.

BEACON BITS

Apr. 15+

50+ EMPLOYMENT EXPOS

The Jewish Council for the Aging and Montgomery County will host employment expos for those over 50 on Monday, April 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Marriott N. Bethesda Hotel & Conference Center, and on Tuesday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fair Oaks Marriott in Fairfax, Va. The expos will include more than 50 recruiters from nonprofit, government, healthcare, retail and technology industries, as well as seminars on interviewing skills, changing careers and resume writing. Internet coaches will be on hand to help participants look for jobs online. The expos are free to all participants and employers, and the Beacon Newspapers is one of the sponsors. The Marriott Bethesda is located at 5701 Marinelli Rd., N. Bethesda, Md., across from the White Flint Metro station. The Fair Oaks Marriott is at 11787 Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax, Va. Ample parking is available at both hotels. For additional information, contact Micki Gordon at (301) 255-4231 or mgordon@AccessJCA.org.

Caring for your aging parent or loved one? It’s not all up to you. Call us. 240-777-3000 ADS@ MontgomeryCountyMD.gov

Aging & Disability Services Mon and Fri: Tue, Wed, & Thur:

8:30am – 5:00pm 8:30am – 7:30pm

A free service of your County Government

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Use Indian flatbread for quick pizza crust Naan is an Indian flatbread with a chewy texture and a puffed, slightly charred crust. Brushing a baking sheet with olive oil and then baking the naan on the lowest rack in a 400 F oven gives it a crispy texture — just like pizza crust. This recipe can be doubled.

Pizza in a flash Servings: 1-2 Start to finish: 40 minutes (Active time: 10 minutes) Prepare Ingredients: 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 (8-inch) naan bread 2 tablespoons pesto 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 12 cherry tomatoes, cut in half

Make it your way: To personalize your pizza, sprinkle a handful of your favorite toppings — in whatever combination you like — over the mozzarella. Some topping ideas: sliced bell peppers, pepperoni, sliced scallions, chopped olives, or dollops of goat cheese ricotta cheese. Start cooking: Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 400 F. Use pastry brush to brush oil into a 9-inch circle in the center of a rimmed baking sheet. Place naan on top of oil on baking sheet. Use back of small spoon to spread pesto over naan, leaving 1/2-inch border around edge. Sprinkle cheese over pesto, then sprinkle tomatoes over cheese. Place baking sheet in oven and bake

until naan is golden brown around edges, 8 to 10 minutes. Use oven mitts to remove baking sheet from oven. Place baking sheet on cooling rack and let cool for 5 minutes. Use spatula to carefully transfer naan to

cutting board (baking sheet will be hot). Use chef’s knife or pizza wheel to cut naan into wedges. Serve. For more recipes, cooking tips and ingredient and product reviews, visit americastestkitchen.com. — AP

BEACON BITS

Feb. 12

CAREGIVER SUPPORT

The Fairfax Family Caregiver Support Programs offers free monthly telephone support group for family caregivers of older adults. The phone call on Tuesday, Feb. 12 from 7 to 8 p.m. will discuss how to use problem solving and prevention techniques to avoid the crisis trap. An access phone number and code will be provided to participants. For more information, call (703) 273-4114, TTY 711 or visit www.bit.ly/CaregiverSupportGroup.

BEACON BITS

Feb. 20

ALZHEIMER’S PREVENTION

Dr. Emer MacSweeney, the CEO and medical director for Re:Cognition Health, will speak about “Alzheimer’s Disease — Prevention has to be the way forward” at the next ElderPro meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 20 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Quinn’s Auction Galleries, 360 S. Washington St., Falls Church, Va. The neuroradiology specialist will discuss the causes and impact of Alzheimer’s, current treatments and why they stop working, how biomarkers determine an individual’s risk, and groundbreaking international research trials. Free. For more information, visit www.bit.ly/ElderPro.

Suites le! Availab 75 9 -538-2

Seabury at Springvale Terrace

simply

Assisted living

703

Affordable Assisted Living Starting at $4,500 per Month for Level II Care

The Sylvestery Vinson Hall Retirement Commiunity

A memory support residence with specialized dementia care at Vinson Hall Retirement Community. Celebrating sixteen years of serving the community. Suites ! "# $#%&'()'*"#"+ ,-' .#" +")(',%/0",%12 Call to schedule a private tour today! 703-538-2975

Wonderful care, private apartments, and an excellent location at a great price. No wonder our residents are smiling! Springvale Terrace is simply the best value for assisted living in Silver Spring. Experience it for yourself.

Call or visit today! 301-587-0190 (TRS 711)

Seabury Resources for Aging: Proudly Celebrating 95 Years of Service

Residential Living • Enhanced Living • Assisted Living 6251 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA 22101 • 703-536-4344 • www.vinsonhall.org

SpringvaleTerrace.org • 1-800-552-7724 MD RELAY SERVICE 8505 Springvale Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Health Studies Page

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — 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

Help researchers understand Alzheimer’s By Barbara Ruben Over the last 15 years, researchers have made strides in better understanding the development and detection of Alzheimer’s disease — if not in treatments for the disease itself. Some of these discoveries — such as that brain changes take place years before there are outward signs of Alzheimer’s, and that many genes may play a role in who gets the disease — have come about because of the National Institute on Aging’s long-running Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) study. “We are inching ever closer to finding a way to prevent or stop disease,” said Brigid Reynolds, clinic coordinator and clinical trial nurse practitioner at Georgetown University Medical Center’s Medical Disorders Program. “[ADNI] has helped us to understand which biomarker occurs first and which biomarker is better for disease progression,” she said, referring to the substances tau and beta amyloid that are now thought to be the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s in the brain. “The purpose of the research is the rela-

tionship between clinical symptoms and cognition, imaging, genetic and biomarker tests to better understand the full spectrum of Alzheimer’s disease from its earliest stages,” she said. Information gleaned from ADNI is then used to design new Alzheimer’s studies. So far, more than 200 scientific papers have been written using research obtained from ADNI, Reynolds said.

What volunteers are needed? Since 2004, NIA has conducted several versions of the study. It is now looking for participants for ADNI 3, a study that includes brain imaging and tests for biomarkers in three groups of older adults: those who have no signs of memory loss, those with mild cognitive impairment, and those with mild Alzheimer’s disease. The study is being conducted at 59 sites around the country, including Georgetown University and Howard University in Washington, D.C. All participants must be 55 to 90 years old. The study is specifically looking for non-white participants in the cognitively normal group, as they already have

enough white participants. For the mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s groups, participants can be of any race. There are a number of factors that can exclude someone from being qualified to participate. These include having a cardiac pacemaker, major depression or bipolar disorder, and being treated with medication for obsessive-compulsive disorder or attention deficit disorder. Additional disqualifiers include a history of schizophrenia, or alcohol or substance abuse in the last two years. Also, participants cannot be living in a nursing home.

MRI and PET scans There is no control group for the study, meaning all participants will get the same tests. These include MRI scans and positron emission tomography, or PET, scans that measure amyloid and tau in the brain, as well as blood tests, genetic tests and a spinal tap. These tests will be completed over a period of two to three months.

The difference between the groups is how often each will be followed. In those without memory loss, participants will return to the medical center every other year for up to five years to have the tests repeated. During the years they don’t have tests, they will have a follow-up phone call. Those with mild cognitive impairment will come in every year for up to five years for testing. And those who have Alzheimer’s will come in every year for three years, and then will have follow-up phone calls for two more years. All costs of tests are covered. Additionally, participants will receive $100 for each study visit, as well as $100 for each spinal tap and tau PET scan. For more information about the study at Georgetown University, contact Jessica Mallory at (202) 687-3355 or jp1715@georgetown.edu. Information about the study location at Howard University is available from Saba Wolday at (202) 865-7895 or swolday@ howard.edu.

BEACON BITS

Feb. 20

AARP TECH SEMINAR The Southwest Waterfront AARP Chapter holds its first technolo-

gy seminar on Wednesday, Feb. 20 at noon. Learn about Windows 10, captioned telephones and other advances in tech at River Park Mutual Homes South Common Room, 1311 Delaware Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. Lunch is available for $5. For more information, please contact chapter president Betty Jean Tolbert Jones at (202) 554-0901 or bettyjeantolbertjones@yahoo.com.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Fight a denied Medicare Advantage claim By Eleanor Laise If a Medicare Advantage plan denies you coverage for medically necessary care, don’t take it lying down. File an appeal, and your odds are good that the plan will overturn its decision. That’s the message for consumers in a recent government report examining service and payment denials in Medicare Advantage plans, which are offered by private insurers and often combine basic Medicare benefits with drug, dental and vision coverage in a single package. Looking at appeals filed by Advantage enrollees and healthcare providers between 2014 and 2016, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General found that plans overturned 75 percent of their own denials. “The high number of overturned denials raises concerns that some Medicare Advantage beneficiaries and providers were initially denied services and payments that should have been provided,” the report said. To make matters worse, enrollees and providers appeal only 1 percent of denials, the Inspector General found, suggesting that some beneficiaries may be going without needed services or paying out of pocket for care. And for patients, plan denials may have

even broader repercussions. “If a provider is denied payment, they may be more reticent to provide certain services” in the future, said Leslie Fried, senior director at the National Council on Aging’s Center for Benefits Access.

More members, more denials Inappropriate denials are a growing concern as the number of Medicare Advantage plan beneficiaries soars. Advantage plans had 21 million enrollees in 2018, up from 8 million in 2007. As the government gives Advantage plans added flexibility, such as allowing them to offer supplemental benefits not covered by traditional Medicare, that number is likely to grow. But unlike traditional Medicare beneficiaries, Advantage plan enrollees looking to limit their costs must stay within their plan’s network of providers, and typically need referrals to see specialists. “Medicare Advantage plans are committed to providing quality, affordable and appropriate care to patients,” said Cathryn Donaldson, a spokesperson for America’s Health Insurance Plans, a health insurance industry group. A denial, she said, “can often be a request for additional information for the claim, or a move to an alternative treatment that’s more effective.”

Let’s Talk Assisted Living

Dealing with a Medicare denial

489./::;:<=>.?;";0@.A4BB80;<;=:

Bartholomew House Bethesda • 301-320-6151

Malta House !"#$%&''()*)301-699-8600

Byron House Potomac • 301-469-9400

Marian Assisted Living Olney/Brookeville • 301-570-3190

Grace House Silver Spring • 301-924-4424

Raphael House Rockville • 301- 217-9116

!"#$%&'()&*+#,-!&'-............../.0&,12'&3%.4'-5,#657&,

See MEDICARE CLAIMS, page 28

“Enjoying Life It’s a community of active adults.”

It’s a conversation we’ve been having with seniors and their families for over 30 years. At Victory Housing, you’ll discover our simple and straight-forward approach to assisted living. From all-inclusive rates to individualized care, our award-winning communities offer the ideal setting to call home. Call or visit us today, let’s talk.

which requires a decision within 72 hours. If the plan rejects your initial appeal,

It’s critical for Advantage plan beneficiaries to read their denial notices, understand their rights to appeal, and file appeals promptly, patient advocates say. But the denial notices that plans send to enrollees aren’t always clear, said Fred Riccardi, vice president of client services at the Medicare Rights Center. In 2015, audits by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services found that 45 percent of Advantage plans sent denial letters with incomplete or incorrect information, according to the Inspector General’s report. Follow the instructions on the denial notice to make your appeal. Ask your doctor to write a letter explaining why you need the care. And understand the timeline to make your claim. Advantage enrollees have only 60 days from the date of the denial notice to file an appeal with the plan, compared with 120 days for traditional Medicare beneficiaries. The plan must then make a decision within 30 days if it’s denying a service that you haven’t yet received, or 60 days if it’s refusing to pay for a service that you already received. If your health could be harmed by waiting for the standard appeals process to play out, request an expedited appeal,

62+ APARTMENT HOMES

Gwen, Overture Resident

APARTMENT HOMES STARTING AT $1,900* *Pricing & availability subject to change.

Discover carefree and maintenance-free living that’s modern, spacious, and spontaneous. • • • •

Modern residences Active amenities Innovative programs Lots of new friends and neighbors

“I never thought about moving into an apartment, but when I saw Overture I gave the others no thought. It’s a community of active adults who are involved and enjoying life and that’s what I love about it.” RSVP or schedule a visit to experience Overture today!

844-899-9408 3955 Fair Ridge Drive, Fairfax, VA 22033

OvertureFairRidge.com

Overture is an equal housing opportunity. Amenities and services vary by location. Photo of Overture resident(s). See a Greystar representative for details.

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Thoughtful gift ideas for comfort, healing For those of us who still have our health ket can be calming. This gift is a good idea and energy, it’s hard to imagine how others for someone who feels anxious, or can’t with a chronic illness may feel. sleep very well at night. If you know someone who is Bed wedge pillow — This uncomfortable or struggling is usually made of memory with pain or an unpleasant confoam, and it’s shaped like a dition, keep in mind they might wedge to elevate your head at appreciate a thoughtful — and the top of the bed. Fantastic helpful — gift at any time of the for people who need to sleep a year. little more upright, as in the In this column, I can help case of acid reflux. you figure out what they really White noise machine — I want or need, or at least somethink this type of gift would DEAR thing that can bring them more make a great gift for someone PHARMACIST comfort. with tinnitus, or someone who By Suzy Cohen Essential oil and diffuser needs a little background — This is a nice gift, especially noise to feel calm and secure. if you can find a pretty color-changing difieGeek tablet phone stand for bed — fuser to keep by their bed and a bottle of This locks a digital device (tablet or phone) lavender or neroli oil. These two oils impact into position so you can watch it or read it the GABAergic system to induce your while in bed, hands-free. Full disclosure, I body’s tranquilizer hormone called GABA. have this and we love watching movies in Weighted blanket — This type of blan- bed sometimes.

Blue-light-blocking glasses — Speaking of digital devices at bedtime, a pair of these glasses removes blue light from your computer screen or other digital device. It’s been found that exposure to blue light suppresses the body’s production of melatonin, making it more difficult to fall asleep at night. These glasses are also great for gamers, computer workaholics and anyone prone to insomnia, tension headaches or migraines. Sound amplifier to help with hearing — Some people are stubborn, or they refuse to wear (or can’t afford) a real hearing aid. So a sound amplifier can help to improve such a person’s interpersonal relationships. Electric kettle — This is a convenient way to boil water fast, and they shut off automatically. If you know a tea lover who is a little forgetful (and might leave the oven on), buy them one of these. Physical help — There’s probably no

greater gift than just asking a person who is not feeling well, “How can I help?” These four words will probably bring tears to their eyes, as they are likely feeling disorganized, overwhelmed and tired. Just offering to do the simplest things for a few hours, or arranging for their needs, can be tremendously helpful. You could stop by and take their packages to the post office, help clean up around the house or teach them how to use Skype so they can see their grandchildren! I have a much longer version of this article that I can email to you if you’d like. Just sign up for my newsletter at 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 the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To contact her, visit www.SuzyCohen.com.

Medicare claims

medicarerights.org or call 800-333-4114. State health insurance assistance programs: Here are numbers for all local offices. Virginia Insurance and Counseling Program, VICAP Fairfax County: (703) 324-5851 Arlington County: (703) 228-1700 Alexandria: (703) 746-5999, option 1 Senior Health Insurance Program, SHIP

Montgomery County: (301) 255-4211 State Health Insurance Program, SHIP Prince George’s County: (301) 265-8450 Health Insurance Counseling Project Washington, D.C.: (202) 994-6272 To find programs elsewhere, go to shiptacenter.org or call (877) 839-2675. © 2019, Kiplinger. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

From page 27 your claim will be automatically forwarded to an independent entity for review. And if your appeal is rejected there, you still have up to three more levels of appeal.

Where to get help The appeals process can be overwhelming, particularly for patients who are sick or frail. Find expert assistance through these resources: Medicare Rights Center: An advocacy group for Medicare beneficiaries. Go to

Enjoy the Beacon? Tell your friends.

W inter is Here! Have you worried about a loved one’s warmth or safety this winter season? Wouldn’t you be more comfortable knowing that they are taken care of, no matter what the weather brings? Chesterbrook residents enjoy: • Nurses on site 24/7 • Maintenance-free apartments; • Life Enrichment programs and social events; • Hot, nutritious meals, and more!

Available Now!

Two-Bedroom, Two-Bathroom Apartment

Ideal for individuals who desire more room, or couples. Call 703-531-0781 today for details. 2030 Westmoreland St. | Falls Church 703-531-0781 | chesterbrookres.org Assisted Living Community Coordinated Services Management, Inc.—Professional Management of Retirement Communities since 1981.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Friends closer than sisters — and not Dear Solutions: and cry together. That’s what friends do. My sister’s friend died recently. My Let go of your resentment. Tell your sissister, who considered this ter that you understand her person her best friend, grief and you’re there for her can’t seem to get over it. whenever she needs you. She says she has no one to Dear Solutions: really talk to anymore. I have different kinds of I thought we were always friends, and one of them close, and I feel a little inwhom I love dearly is loud sulted. I told her she still and not too “cultured or has me to talk to, and she refined,” but good-hearted just said it’s not the same. and loads of fun. I thought a sister is closer One of my old friends SOLUTIONS than a friend. from school days told me reI would like to under- By Helen Oxenberg, cently that I should be stand her attitude better, MSW, ACSW aware that people will judge and I would like to comfort me as being the same as her her without resenting it. How can she if I keep being friends with her. “You feel closer to a friend than to a sister? know,” she said with a very smug look, — The Sister “birds of a feather…” Dear Sister: I’m having a party and I was planWell, for one thing, she could talk about ning to invite both of these friends. you to a friend! If she talked about you to Should I tell them they’re both invityou, there might be all kinds of sibling ed? “stuff” to deal with. — Rhoda The real difference is that a close friend is Dear Rhoda: one step outside the emotional circle of famYou’re your own bird. Don’t worry ily and can therefore be neutral territory. about being judged the same as your Close friends can share the stories of “loud” friend — or the same as your their lives without feeling they’re betray- “smug” friend, for that matter. ing anyone. They can look for and hope for When birds of a feather “flock together,” honest reactions. They can laugh together they can be pretty boring because they’re

all the same. A different feather enlivens the scene. Invite them both without any apologies or request for permission. If your smug friend doesn’t like it, open the window so she can fly away.

© Helen Oxenberg, 2019. Questions to be considered for this column may be sent to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915. You may also email the author at helox72@comcast.net. To inquire about reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684.

See puzzles on p. 52. More at our website.

WHAT'S IN YOUR ATTIC?

Quinn's got $19,000 for this ring!

Free Appraisal Day February 20 1-3 p.m.

(One item per person, please) 360 South Washington St. Falls Church, VA 22046

(703) 532-5632

www.quinnsauction.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

VOLUME XXX, ISSUE 2

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR By Mayor Muriel Bowser

Fair Shot February Fellow Washingtonians, it’s that time of year again: It’s budget season in the District of Columbia — time to put our D.C. values into action, and invest in the programs and initiatives that will keep our city moving forward. Back when I served as the Ward 4 Councilmember, I always thought the budget process was backwards — residents would only see the budget once it was finalized, when it was too late to provide input. So, when I became Mayor in 2015, I charged my team with putting together a process that would allow us to hear from residents about their spending priorities prior to finalizing the budget. Since then, every February my team and I have joined residents and community leaders at budget engagement forums across D.C. Every year, these forums are spirited events where deputy mayors and directors work hard to sell their programs, and residents have lively conversations with their neighbors about their budget priorities, their ideas for building a stronger D.C. and their vision for our community. Over the years, at many of these meetings, I’ve heard from seniors that we need to prioritize initiatives that support the creation and preservation of affordable housing, combat social isolation, and increase access to safe and affordable transportation options. During my first four years in office, we were able to take this feedback and invest in programs that have supported thousands of seniors across D.C. Together, we launched and continuously expanded the Safe at Home program, making more than 2,000 homes safer through home adaptations and the installation of private security cameras; built and cut the ribbon on Plaza West, the District’s first housing development specifically designed for grandparents raising grandchildren; cut in half the amount that property taxes can go up each year for qualifying seniors; invested in a new Senior Wellness Center, the expansion of two centers, and interior renovations at all centers; and launched the Transport D.C program, making it easier and more convenient for seniors to move around D.C. We launched the first faith-based senior village in Ward 8; worked with the community to pilot a satellite senior wellness model in Wards 2 and 3, using community spaces to deliver the same high-quality programs found in the Senior Wellness Centers in other wards; and, with partners in the LGBTQ community, launched a citywide meal and entertainment social program specifically created for older LGBTQ adults. In short: I asked the community to share their budget ideas with us, and you delivered. Then, I charged my team with turning your ideas into programs and solutions, and they also delivered. But our work is not done. As Washington, D.C. continues to grow and change, we know that we must stay focused on how we continue to be an Age-Friendly city and a community where people of all ages and backgrounds can thrive. On Monday, Feb. 11 at noon, I will hold our first budget engagement forum — a telephone townhall for District seniors. You can join the call See MAYOR’S MESSAGE, page 31

A newsletter for D.C. Seniors

February 2019

Cupid’s Kids Campaign for Valentine’s Day The D.C. Office on Aging is proud to kick-off its Third Annual Cupid’s Kids Campaign this Valentine’s Day. Thanks to the 17 D.C. Public Schools that volunteered to have students create handmade Valentine’s cards for homebound seniors, more than 1,700 personal notes will be delivered to clients receiving home-delivered meals. In its third year, the Cupid’s Kids Campaign promotes intergenerational connections between DCPS students and seniors. Last year, DCOA introduced the write-back option, providing an opStudents from 17 schools will send Valentines portunity for seniors to send a note to homebound seniors. back to the students with postagepaid envelopes and blank cards included in Elementary, Marie Reed Elementary, their delivery. Thank you to all the partici- Noyes Elementary, Seaton Elementary, pating schools for teaching the importance Shepherd Elementary, Smothers Elemenof community to our youngest generation: tary, Takoma Education Campus, Thomas Aiton Elementary, Beers Elementary, Elementary, Thomson Elementary, TruesDorothy I. Height Elementary, Eliot-Hine dell Education Campus, Tubman ElemenMiddle, Hearst Elementary, Hyde-Addison tary and Whittier Education Campus.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Spotlight on Aging

Black History Month Events Explore the historical, musical and theatrical history of people of color during Black History Month by attending any of these events presented by the Office on Aging Senior Service Network. For more information, see the contact information below. CR Gibbs — Underground Railroad: History of the District of Columbia Thursday, Feb. 7, 10 a.m. Washington Seniors Wellness Center, 3001 Alabama Ave. SE – Ward 7 Contact: Dr. Jacquelyn Henry, 202441-3814 “RESPECT:” A Black History Tribute — Honoring the late Aretha Franklin Friday, Feb. 15, 10:30 a.m.

Fort Stevens Recreation Center, 1327 Van Buren St. NW – Ward 4 Contact: James Thompson, TERRIFIC, Inc. Activities Coordinator, 202-8821824

Choraleer’s Black History Month Program Monday, Feb. 25, 10 a.m. Washington Seniors Wellness Center, 3001 Alabama Ave. SE – Ward 7 Contact: Dr. Jacquelyn Henry, 202441-3814

Evolution of Gospel Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2:30 p.m. Model Cities Senior Wellness Center, 1901 Evarts St. NE – Ward 5 Contact: Monica Carroll, 202-635-1900

Elder Housing Resource Forum The D.C. Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking is hosting an Elder Housing Forum on Thursday, February 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center 324 Kennedy St. NW Washington, DC 20011 The forum will consist of panel presentations and information exhibits

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 202-724-5626 www.dcoa.dc.gov

Executive Director Laura Newland

Editor Darlene Nowlin

Photographer Selma Dillard The D.C. Office on Aging does not discrim-

by government and nonprofit organizations engaged in housing related services. Topics will include foreclosure mediation, emergency housing assistance, tax relief and deferral, and elder care facilities. RSVP by February 1 online at disbelderforum.eventbrite.com or contact Idriys Abdullah at 202-442-7832 or idriys.abdullah@dc.gov.

inate 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.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Get Involved Wednesday, Feb. 6 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 14 7 – 8 p.m.

D.C. Office on Aging’s & Central Union Mission’s 3rd Annual Community Health Fair for the Residents of Central Union Mission 65 Massachusetts Ave. NW – Ward 6

Glover Park ANC 3 B Meeting D.C. Office on Aging presentation on resources and services Stoddert Elementary School 4001 Calvert St. NW – Ward 7

Thursday, Feb. 7 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 15 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

DCOA & partners present the Young at Heart Group Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church 605 Rhode Island Ave. NE – Ward 5 Contact: Helen Harris, 240-462- 0805

Howard University College of Dentistry Health, Wellness & Resource Fair 600 W Street, NW – Ward 1 Contact: Romella Rogers, 240-499-6010

Friday, Feb. 8 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Howard University College of Dentistry Health, Wellness & Resource Fair 600 W St. NW – Ward 1 Contact: Romella Rogers, 240-499-6010

Wednesday, Feb. 13 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center Community Fair 324 Kennedy St. NW – Ward 4 Contact: Teresa Moore, 202-291-6170

Thursday, Feb. ?? 10 a.m. – noon Train to become a DCOA Ambassador D.C. Office on Aging 500 K St. NE – Ward 6 Contact: sadia.ferguson@dc.gov or 202-727-0374

Tuesday, Feb. 26 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Senior Zone Senior Spa Day Ft. Stanton Recreation Center 1812 Erie St. SE – Ward 8 Contact: 202-810-5940

Senior Dental Services Program Offered through Community of Hope and funded by D.C. Health, the Senior Dental Services Program provides comprehensive dental care, outreach, oral health education, and care coordination to seniors (65 years and older) who reside

in the District of Columbia with adjusted gross income of less than $100,000. For more information, contact Community of Hope (Dental Main Line) at 202-540-9862 to inquire about eligibility for services.

Registration Open for D.C. Centenarians The D.C. Office on Aging (DCOA) is seeking District residents who are 100 years of age or older to honor during its 33rd Annual Salute to Centenarians being held in April. If you know of residents who will have celebrated their centennial birthday by April 30, call 202-724-5626 or email dcoa.communications@dc.gov. When registering centenarians, please make sure you know the name, date of birth and contact information for each individual.

Mayor’s message From page 30

by dialing (855) 756-7520 and using extension 38887. If you are unable to join this call or you wish to attend an in-person forum, I hope you will join us at one of three other budget engagement forums on Thursday, Feb. 21 (Arthur Capper

Community Center), Saturday, Feb. 23 (Deanwood Recreation Center), or Monday, Feb. 25 (Roosevelt High School). You can learn more about the forums and other Fair Shot February events at mayor.dc.gov. Thank you for your support and for working with us to build a more inclusive and Age-Friendly Washington, D.C.

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Money Law &

SOCIAL SECURITY SCAMS Phone scams where callers pose as Social Security workers are on the rise POT STOCKS TOO HIGH? Eager investors have inflated cannabis stock prices; maybe wait to buy RULES OF THE ROAD Follow this checklist for research and dealmaking when buying a car HANDLING VOLATILITY Spooked by the market? Time to sell some stock holdings and rebalance

Retirement planning is cash flow planning By Ken Moraif Years ago, I saw a poster that said, “Happiness is a positive cash flow.” I believe that’s true, especially when it comes to your retirement. And I believe that one of the best ways to find that particular form of financial happiness is to use cash flow analysis in your retirement planning. It’s a simple exercise. To begin with, gather information for all the sources of income you’ll have during retirement. Since this analysis will help you determine what you’ll need to earn from your liquid assets (stocks, bonds, 401(k)s, etc.) to meet your income needs, leave them out of the equation for now. Instead, list income from pensions, real estate, Social Security or part-time employment. Then figure out how the timing of each of those income sources will affect your finances year by year. In other words,

when will you receive that money? For example, will you receive Social Security benefits at beginning at age 66, or do you plan to wait?

Carefully consider expenses Next, add up your projected expenses year by year. The amount you use in your analysis needs to include everything. Many times clients say something like, “That’s easy. Our expenses are $3,000 a month.” So I ask, “Do you play golf? Do you give money to your church? To your children or grandchildren?” Almost everyone I question has overlooked one or more expenses. Look at the timing of your expenses, i.e. when exactly will you spend that money? Have you planned a big vacation to Europe right after you retire? Add the cost of the trip to that year’s expenses. Will you need a new car? Figure out when you’ll make

that purchase, and put the cost in the appropriate year’s expenses. Want to refurbish your house? Ditto. Many people want to do in retirement all the things they didn’t have time to do when they were working, and many of those things cost money. Don’t forget those costs when it comes time to plan your cash flow analysis.

Be ready for updates By this point in the process, you’ll realize that financial planning is an art, not a science. You can’t predict your exact income or expenses. You may not get that part-time job. You may incur unexpected medical expenses. You may receive an inheritance. Start with your best guess, with the idea that you will review your plan annually, if not two to three times a year. Once you have your best guesstimates laid out year by year, you’ll probably find

that your planned cash flow is not consistent. The money you’ll spend on that longawaited European vacation the year you retire will take your cash flow down a notch, while the proceeds from the lake house you plan to sell when you’re 70 will bump up the flow. As you can see, at its core, cash flow analysis is a simple exercise. It’s also an incredibly important one that helps you recognize your cash flow needs and their timing. Once you know what costs you’ll need to cover when, you can plan to set money aside or use money from your investments to carry you through any lean times. Planning can help you achieve a positive cash flow, which can help you attain happiness in retirement. © 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

When stocks dip, is that the time to buy? By James K. Glassman Around the beginning of 2018, the volatility of the stock market suddenly picked up. It was a worrying development for most investors, who prefer a smooth ride to a turbulent one. But volatility is a necessary condition if you want to deploy a strategy known as buying the dips, or BTD. The idea is to purchase stocks when they have dropped sharply, anticipating that they will bounce back. The BTD strategy requires some courage, but it seems to work. In a recent paper, Vivian Ning, of investment research firm S&P Global, looked at every stock in the Russell 1000 index that fell at least 10 percent more than that index on a single day. In other words, if the Russell (roughly the 1,000 largest U.S. companies) fell 1.5 percent, the stock would have to have dropped 11.5 percent or more to be counted. Then Ning looked at the subsequent performance of those dipping stocks — again in comparison with the Russell 1000 as a whole. What she found was striking. The BTD strategy “significantly outperforms” the index. Had you bought the fallen stocks, you would have beaten the Russell 1000 by an average of 0.47 percent the next day, by

4.8 percent over 30 days, and by an incredible 28 percent over 240 days. What’s more, these BTD opportunities for individual stocks are more common than you might think, typically occurring about 200 to 300 times a year for a group of 1,000 companies. But don’t get carried away. Ning’s study included about 4,000 instances of 10 percent-plus declines in two years, both during a brutal bear market: 2008 and 2009. Her results may tell us more about the recovery of the market as a whole from the Great Recession (and confirming the simple strategy of maintaining your portfolio in tough times) than about a BTD strategy for picking individual stocks. Also, as Ning describes it, BTD is a strategy for traders, not long-term investors. Immediately jumping to buy a fallen stock — or several — in a single day is impractical.

A strategy for buy-and-holders Rather than a mechanical strategy, I think of BTD as a sound idea to keep in mind as you apply a broad, buy-and-hold approach to investing. The best way to make money in the stock market is to purchase excellent companies and keep them

as long as possible. Sell only if you need to cash out for a pressing need — such as a home purchase, tuition payment or retirement — or if you believe something important has changed about the company — new leadership that is inferior to the old, for example, or a fierce new competitor that drives down prices, or changing consumer tastes that management can’t adapt to. When you buy a stock, you should think of yourself as a partner in a business. Every day, as Warren Buffett’s mentor Benjamin Graham put it, a character named Mr. Market offers to sell you shares in that business at a particular price. Wouldn’t you rather pay a low price than a high one for the shares? If you take the long view and you believe in the company, then you should love a low price. Of course, Mr. Market often offers a low price as a signal that something terrible and irreparable has happened to the business. Take General Electric (symbol GE), for example. At the start of 2017, it was trading at about $32 a share. By January 2018, it had fallen by half. But if you had bought on that dip, you would have suffered a big loss. Rather than bouncing back, GE fell below $8 by early December. The decline brings to mind another Wall Street cliché: don’t try

to catch a falling knife. Ouch! General Electric’s price has declined for good reasons. It is not the same company in the same environment as it was in 2000, when Jack Welch was CEO and the stock traded at $58. Buying the dips is not a surefire route to success, but you can still exploit its two underlying principles: Mr. Market often goes too far in his pessimism, and good businesses frequently overcome setbacks. If you love a company and you think nothing serious has gone wrong, then consider a stock decline to be a fabulous buying opportunity.

Some good examples If 3M (MMM, $196, -21.5 percent off peak) was a good buy at $259 in January 2018, why isn’t it better when it’s $63 cheaper? It’s a solidly profitable industrial company with a history of rebounding when shares drop. ValueLine Investment Survey gives 3M a top rating of 100 for both earnings predictability and price stability, so capitalize on those rare dips. (Prices are as of Jan. 18, 2019; the percentage is how far it’s fallen from its 52-week high.) An example of BTD working well is Netflix (NFLX, $271, -35.6 percent), the leader See BUY THE DIP, page 33

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Buy the dip From page 32 in video streaming. Periodically, investors sour on the stock, presenting excellent buying opportunities. In July 2011, for example, Netflix was trading at $43; four months later, it was down to $9. It took two years to get back to $38, but by December 2, 2015, Mr. Market was demanding $131 for a share. Two months later, the price had dropped to $80. By July 2018, Netflix was trading at $419, but it has since fallen by more than one-third. Is now the time to buy? I think so, and the reason is not the detection of some magic pattern of price movements. It is simply that Netflix is a strong company with a great future. If you want to add to your holdings, the best time is when the stock has fallen sharply.

Good stocks, flagging industries I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t consider a dip worth buying until

the price decline in a stock reaches 20 percent or more (the threshold that typically defines a bear market). Such fallen companies abound. Two of my favorites are Schlumberger (SLB, $45, -38.3 percent), the oil-service giant, which has dropped sharply over the past four years, and NVR (NVR, $2,490, 33.2 percent), a well-run homebuilder that never seemed to fall in price until 2018, when it declined by more than one-third from January 2018 through this January. These companies are suffering because their industries are languishing. Energy prices and demand for homes could certainly decline even more. But both sectors are cyclical, and when good times return, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll want to own the best of the breed in your portfolio. Tech stocks have also been hammered lately. Apple (AAPL, $157 -29.1 percent) presents an excellent BTD opportunity. So does Symantec (SYMC, $20, -35.1 percent), the cybersecurity company, with a

BEACON BITS

Feb. 13

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

price-earnings ratio, based on the consensus of analystsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; estimates for the next 12 months, of just 13. The shares are down by one-third since October 2017. Also tempting is International Business Machines (IBM, $124, -25.7 percent), which has fallen from $167 a share in January 2018. Big Blue carries a dividend yield of 5.3 percent. Unfortunately, the best of the tech stocks â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Amazon.com (AMZN) and Alphabet (GOOGL) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; are not down far enough from their highs, at least for now. Keep an eye on them, and consider buying if they fall more sharply. However, I would stay away from Facebook (FB), whose management seems unable to cope with troubles involving user privacy and the spread of â&#x20AC;&#x153;fake news.â&#x20AC;? The best way to take advantage of the BTD strategy is through the simple process of dollar-cost averaging. Make monthly or quarterly purchases of the stocks and funds in your portfolio in consistent dollar amounts. If prices decline, you get to buy more shares. You already

do this if you contribute automatically to a 401(k) plan, for example. Or you could instruct your broker to buy $1,000 worth of a stock every three months. In January, if the stock is $100 a share, you can afford to purchase 10 shares. If the stock drops to $80 in April, you can afford 12.5 shares. In the end, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the main advantage of BTD. It helps turn the basic emotions of investing upside down, making fear your ally and greed less compelling. If you are holding stock in a good business for the long term, lower prices help you grab as many shares as you can at bargain prices. Down can be a happy direction. James K. Glassman chairs Glassman Advisory, a public-affairs consulting firm. He does not write about his clients. Of the stocks recommended in this column, he owns Amazon.com. His most recent book is Safety Net: The Strategy for De-Risking Your Investments in a Time of Turbulence. ÂŠ 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

SILVER SHIELD ANTI-SCAM CAMPAIGN

Fairfax County is offering a free presentation on current scams and the resources available through the county on Wednesday, Feb. 13 from 1:10 to 2:15 p.m. at Vienna Presbyterian Church. Subject matter experts will discuss warning signs of fraud and present information to empower older adults against the scams in our community. The church is located at 124 Park St., Vienna, Va. For more information, call (703) 273-4113, TTY 711, or visit www.bit.ly/SilverShieldAntiScam.

Ongoing

FREE TAX PREPARATION SERVICE

RSVP/AARP Tax-Aide provides free income tax preparation assistance by trained volunteers for low-to-moderate income Montgomery County taxpayers at 20 different locations. Special attention is given to taxpayers 60 years and older. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (240) 777-2577, Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/volunteercenter/tax-aide/.

:H PDNH KRXVH VKDULQJ HDV\ E\ ÄąQGLQJ LGHDO KRXVHPDWH PDWFKHV *8$5$17(('

86( 7+( &28321 &2'( %($&21 )25

2))

<285 ),567 0217+ Ä&#x2022;ĆŤ ) %(ĆŤ$!((+ÄŽ/%(2!.*!/0Ä&#x2039; +) %/%0ĆŤ333Ä&#x2039;/%(2!.*!/0$+)!Ä&#x2039; +)ÄĽ ! +*

A Gift That Pays You Income! Charitable Gift Annuity Age: 75 $25,000 Fixed Annual Payments at 6.2%* $1,550 8.5% EďŹ&#x20AC;ective Annuity Rate** *Rate as of February 2019 based on age. **Includes all tax savings.

www.childrensnational.org/planagift

Call today! Rita S. Corwin 301-565-8524

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Mediators From page 1

Making mediation work Unlike a trial, lawsuit or arbitration proceeding, mediation is nonbinding. But even so, parties often stick with the solution they have hammered out together, Cohen said. “We help them communicate with each other and reframe what they’re hearing. When someone says, ‘I’ll never trust him again because he’s such a liar,’ the mediator might say, ‘It sounds like you see things differently or you remember things differently.’ You pick up what they say, but say it back softer so they can save face and not get into a brawl,” Parr said. “Often people come to new realizations about what the other person intended when they said something and did or didn’t do something,” she continued. “There’s so much you don’t know and assume about the other person. And when you assume bad motives, it just goes downhill from then on.”

The book is full of examples of how mediation can help. One older D.C. couple refused to move from their longtime home on a steep hill that was dangerous to navigate in winter. Their daughter, a geriatric care manager, tried everything to persuade them to move to a retirement community. “We’re not moving!” the father barked. When asked why not, the real reason came to the surface. “We have too much stuff,” he replied. After the daughter said she would just have to go through it all after they died, the parents finally agreed to let her help them sort through their things, and two weeks later the father announced they were moving. Often old sibling rivalries bubble to the surface or explode when parents age, especially when one child is favored by either or both parents. In the chapter “Siblings in War and Peace,” the authors talk about the “toxic triangle” that can come about when tensions rise with older parents and long-simmering resent-

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

ments and jealousies between siblings come to the fore. Another difficult sibling situation involves what Cohen and Parr term “the Swooper” — an adult child who lives out of town and swoops in occasionally, criticizing other siblings who are more involved with helping the parents day-to-day. Chaos often ensues. In one case, the out-of-town child assumed that the spouse of one of her siblings was freeloading off the parent, when in fact he was spending his days buying groceries, getting medications and taking care of the house. “The important thing is to listen, not get defensive. Try to hear what the individual is saying — not just the words, but their tonality,” Cohen said. “What can we do to help them come to an agreement? One of the things is to ensure that the swooper is really informed. TMI (too much information) is a good thing in these cases. Tell them, ‘Mom went to the doctor, or medication was changed, or she caught a

cold,’ so that they feel part of the game. “Secondly, try to reframe what they say. What do you feel that you don’t know that we can help you better understand?” Cohen added.

Inheritance clashes One of the biggest points of contention revolves around inheritance. Should the parents bequeath a larger part of the estate to the sibling who makes the least money? Or will that lead to a lifetime of bitterness among the children? In one case, a mother couldn’t decide how to divide her beach house in her will. Should all five get an equal share? But some said they didn’t have the money to cover their share of expenses for upkeep and taxes. Another child wanted to sell it, while another wanted to keep using it. The mediation started by bringing everyone back to the family feelings associated with the place. “We sat down, and I asked what memories they had of that place as children,” Parr said. “They went in thinking that the one who made the most noise would get to make the decision and that there wasn’t going to be a vote. But it ended up working out great because they were able to communicate and discuss their assumptions and fears,” Parr said. In the end, the family decided to keep the house for five years, creating a trust for taxes and upkeep, and agreeing to renovate the house and re-examine how everyone felt later on. “A court could never have come up with this [solution]. A judge never could have made that ruling,” Cohen said. He added that when he and Parr were first discussing the book, they had tentatively subtitled it, Living Peacefully with your Family as you Age. But the publisher felt adult children would be more likely to buy the book, so the subhead now reflects that expectation. However, they said older adults can also gain much from the book — from learning about the documents they need (e.g., wills and advanced directives), to steps they can take to prevent their kids from fighting over their possessions.

Finding a good mediator While anyone can call themselves a mediator, “you don’t just snap your fingers and become a mediator,” Cohen said. Foremost in a mediator is “listening skills, but listening to understand and not to reply,” he said. Mediators can become certified after training by the courts or by the National Association of Certified Mediators (mediatorcertification.org) and other organizations. The Maryland Program for Mediator Excellence provides a directory of member mediators in the state (mediatorcertification.org). Another resource is the Virginia Mediation Network (vamediation.org). Cohen thinks the need for mediation will only grow. “We have a larger and larger older population; we’re not only living longer but we’re also dying longer. As we age and as society See MEDIATORS, page 35

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Social Security calling? It’s likely a scam For the past few years, the media have robo-call systems that allow them to make widely reported on scammers who call un- millions of calls and repeat calls until they receive a positive response. suspecting victims pretending The scammers falsely yet to be representatives of the convincingly make it look like IRS. They claim the potential they’re calling from a legitivictim owes money and enmate 800 number associated courage them to make paywith SSA (specifically 1-800ments using credit cards, 772-1213). debit cards or even gift cards. One of their demands is that Amazingly, thousands of the potential victim makes a people have fallen for the payment over the phone in scam and have collectively order to obtain a new Medicare lost tens of millions of dollars. card. While new Medicare As articles and columns un- THE SAVINGS cards are being issued, they are failingly point out, this is not GAME By Elliot Raphaelson absolutely free. So if any caller how government agencies colclaiming to be a government lect debts. The IRS will not call you to collect a debt, and it certainly will agent asks you for any payment in order to receive a new Medicare card, you know you not recommend payment via gift card! Now it seems the fraudsters have a new are dealing with a scammer. Other ploys include indicating that you wrinkle: impersonating a representative from are in danger of losing some benefits unthe Social Security Administration (SSA). AARP has warned of a dramatic increase less you provide some personal informain complaints from individuals complaining tion. Again, this is a sure sign that you are about callers purporting to be from the the subject of a scam. Sometimes the scammer will claim that SSA. As with the IRS scam, the SSA impersonation scam gains its effectiveness from if you provide personal information, you the simple fact that people fear getting on may be eligible for a larger Social Security the bad side of SSA, as doing so could seri- benefit, or that you are being called beously complicate their lives. cause SSA computers are down and your personal information has been lost. A reliable sign that the call is a scam is if New scam techniques Unfortunately, these scammers are be- the caller threatens that your benefits will coming more sophisticated in their tech- be terminated or reduced if you don’t comniques. For example, they are now using ply with his or her demand for a fee or per-

Mediators From page 34 ages, these issues are only going to multiply,” he said. “It’s really important that people understand that mediation can really resolve is-

sonal information. In another variant on the scam you may receive an automated recording indicating that your Social Security number has been suspended because of illegal activity. You are then provided with a phone number to call to fix the problem and told that if you don’t call to fix the problem, your assets will be frozen. Once you call the number, you will be asked to provide personal information, exposing yourself to identity theft.

Report calls to the SSA If you believe you have received a fraudulent call, report the details of the call to the fraud hotline of the SSA inspector general of Social Security at 1-800-269-0271 or online at oig.ssa.gov/report. Also notify any seniors you know who might be gullible to be on the lookout from scammers claiming to be SSA representatives. It is possible that the SSA could discover

it has overpaid you for some reason and will demand you repay the overage. In that case SSA will contact you by mail, not by phone. If this happens, insist on a clear explanation as to why you were overpaid. You have the right to appeal such a request by filing Form SSA-561, Request for Reconsideration. If you agree you have been overpaid but you believe you did not cause the overpayment and you can’t afford the terms of repayment, file Form SSA-632, Request for Waiver of Overpayment or Change in Repayment Rate. By filing this form, you are asking SSA to reconsider their decision and either let you pay back the amount at a different rate than SSA requested or waive the request for overpayment. Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com. © 2019 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

sues. You can’t expect that you’re going to completely patch up the relationship between [bickering] children, but you can at least come up with a way of working out issues of taking care of Mom and Dad, work out the caregiving issues, the money issues, the beach house issues.”

The Career Gateway! features small classes, 30 hours of intensive training over two weeks, a long-term mentor, and valuable take-home materials WHEN: 2019 Sessions: #4: March 4, 6, 8, 11, 13 #5: April 22, 24, 25, 29 and May 1 ONLY $75 #6: June 11, 12, 14, 17, 19 WHERE: 12320 Parklawn Dr., Rockville, MD 20852

PLUS: Optional employment-related tech classes available. Call (301) 255-4215 for more information or e-mail Career.Gateway@AccessJCA.org Funded by Montgomery County Aging & Disability Services, e Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, and the Jewish Council for the Aging.® Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA)® ®

www.AccessJCA.org

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

More investors buying cannabis stocks By Ryan Ermey The movement toward legalized marijuana use in North America is gaining ground. Last November’s midterm elections saw Missouri and Utah join 31 other U.S. states where medical marijuana is legal. Michigan voters made their state one of 10 (plus the District of Columbia) where recreational use isn’t a criminal offense. Canada recently became the first industrialized nation to legalize recreational marijuana use nationwide. The prospect of continuing momentum has investors seeing green in more ways than one, but those who have been riding the green wave thus far have had a wild run. In advance of Canada’s October legalization, Canadian cannabis stocks soared. Canadian pot firm Tilray was trading in the low to

mid $20s for much of August before the share price spiked to an intraday high of $300 in September. The shares have since receded dramatically, trading at $77 in mid-January. Shares in other major Canadian growers and distributors, such as Canopy Growth and Aurora Cannabis, followed a similar, if less extreme, trajectory: a huge run-up prior to legalization followed by a pullback due to concerns over industry-wide supply shortages. Despite the volatility, some intrepid investors (and some blue-chip companies) are entering the fray. If you are considering cannabis stocks, here’s what you need to know. What’s the appeal? Analysts at the Arcview Group, a cannabisfocused investment and research firm, esti-

Going Home Cremation Service Beverly L. Heckrotte, P.A. Personalized

Professional

Dignified

Affordable

• Specializing in direct cremation • Return of the urn and memorial merchandise to your home • Serving Maryland, Washington, D.C., and N. Virginia

(301) 854-9038

or 1 (866) 728-4663 (toll free) call for your FREE information package

Visit us at www.GoingHomeCremation.com

mate worldwide legal cannabis spending will reach $32 billion by the end of 2022, up from an estimated $12.9 billion in 2018. Firms such as Aphria, Aurora Cannabis, Canopy Growth, Cronos Group and Tilray have been able to gobble up the majority of supply agreements that allow companies to sell recreational weed in Canada, said Vivien Azer, an analyst at investment firm Cowen, and are likely to be first-movers when it comes to expanding into international markets. Major firms are showing interest. In December, tobacco giant Altria announced plans to pay $1.8 billion for a 45 percent stake in Cronos Group. In August, beer, wine and liquor producer Constellation Brands invested $4 billion in Canopy Growth, upping its stake in the cannabis firm from 9.9 percent to 38 percent. Should I invest in cannabis stocks now? Probably not — it’s still too early. Even the more established players in the cannabis business are going through growing pains. Although nearly all Canadian growers are reporting massive spikes in revenues following legalization, most project little to no earnings in addition to operating losses as they pump money back into expanding their businesses. The supply shortage following legalization is just one of many hurdles these firms face, said Jason Wilson, president of investment firm Budding Equity. “Postprohibition, it remains to be seen which companies will be able to execute on all these different levels — from marketing to supply chain to branding,” he said. Plus, legal cannabis businesses compete not only with each other, but also with longestablished black markets, said Charles Feldmann, an attorney whose practice as-

sists medical marijuana business clients. And “black-market distributors don’t have to pay lawyers or accountants or banks or taxes,” he said. With the industry still in its early stages, trying to pick a winner is like playing the lottery, Feldmann said. “If you’re considering investing in pot stocks, it has to be with money you have no problem losing.” What makes these stocks particularly risky? Even after pulling back, prominent pot stocks are trading at nosebleed levels. A basket of cannabis stocks tracked by analysts at Wells Fargo trades at an average price that’s 22 times projected 2019 sales (not earnings; sales). Remember: There are no earnings to speak of. The average price-to-sales ratio for the S&P 500 is 1.9. Increased volatility stems in part from the fact that pot stocks are owned mostly by individual investors who are often more likely to react to headlines than are institutional shareholders. If I still want to invest in such stocks, where can I do it? Canadian cannabis firms can list on U.S. exchanges and trade just like any other stock, as long as they don’t have business operations in the U.S. Only a few have opted to do so, so far. You’ll find a handful of cannabis-based biotech firms, both domestic and internationally based, listed on U.S. exchanges as well. Some Canadian firms that haven’t listed stateside trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange and may be available to trade via your online broker. Because marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug, it’s still federally illegal in the U.S., and American firms can’t list on U.S. exSee CANNABIS STOCKS, page 37

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Cannabis stocks From page 36 changes or in Toronto. But these stocks, along with smaller Canadian names, trade on minor Canadian exchanges or on overthe-counter markets. Most are penny stocks that don’t have to adhere to the reporting requirements of major exchanges and should probably be avoided. If you must speculate, consider a diversified approach. The ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF (symbol MJ, $31) holds nearly 40 stocks — mostly cannabis producers, but also makers of fertilizers, pesticides and growing equipment, as well as tobacco firms. Are there other ways to invest in the green wave? The partnership of Constellation Brands (STZ, $164) with Canopy Growth represents an intriguing opportunity, said Azer. Constellation, known for brands such as Corona beer, Black Box wine and Svedka vodka, eventually plans to produce cannabis-infused beverages and sleep aids. Canopy’s revenues are currently a drop in the bucket at Constellation, so investors bullish on cannabis shouldn’t buy for that reason alone. Nevertheless, the firm is worth considering on the strength of its alcohol business, buoyed by strong demand for its lineup of craft and imported beers. “Constellation is a best-in-class beer stock with a free cannabis option,” said Azer.

Biotech firms might be another way to play cannabis. In June, the Food and Drug Administration announced its first approval of a marijuana-derived drug, Epidiolex, a treatment from GW Pharmaceuticals (GWPH, $137) for rare forms of epilepsy. Although there is huge potential for growth in this field, said Arcview CEO Troy Dayton, it remains to be seen what kind of market exists for these treatments and how willing doctors will be to prescribe them. Analysts at investment research firm Stifel assign a “buy” rating to Cambridge, England-based GW Pharmaceuticals, which trades in the U.S. as an American depositary receipt. But the stock is a risky proposition given that the firm isn’t expected to produce positive earnings until 2020, according to Stifel’s estimates. What will it take for marijuana investing to take off in the U.S.? Nationwide legalization. The STATES Act, a bipartisan bill introduced in Congress in 2018, would represent the biggest step yet toward legalization, said Azer. The bill would grant each state the right to regulate the sale of marijuana within its own borders. Opinion among cannabis industry insiders and state regulators is split as to whether the legislation is likely to pass. © 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Avoid costly mistakes when buying a car By Philip Reed In the excitement of buying a new (or used) car, it’s easy to forget critical details that wind up costing you money. I learned this over more than a decade of buying dozens of test cars for the automotive site Edmunds. No matter how much experience I got, I always consulted my car-buying checklist and updated it based on what I learned. Once you’ve decided on the type of car you want, the buying process can be divided into two sections: research and dealmaking. This breaks a seemingly overwhelming job into smaller, more doable tasks. Here is your car-buying checklist — the crucial steps to help you get the wheels you want at the right price.

Research These steps help you locate the specific vehicle you want to buy and strengthen your position when it’s time to negotiate. 1. Configure your car. Go to the carmaker’s website and decide which model (often called the “trim level”) you want and what options you need. 2. Check pricing. Using car sites like Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book or TrueCar, find the car’s real market value price, which is what others are paying for it. 3. Look for incentives. Check the carmaker’s site for incentives, such as customer cash back or low-interest financing, on the model you want. 4. Locate your car. Search the inventory of local dealerships to find the exact

car you want to buy. Write down the stock number or vehicle identification number (VIN). 5. Check your credit. Your credit score will give you a sense of the interest rate you’re likely to get. This is especially important for borrowers with fair to poor credit (generally below 690), who may face higher rates. 6. Run the numbers. Use an auto loan calculator to estimate your monthly car payment to ensure that it fits your budget. For the car price, you can use the true market value. 7. Get preapproved financing. Apply for a car loan before going to the dealership so you’ll know your interest rate. You can still use dealership financing if they can beat the preapproval rate. 8. Round up your paperwork. You’ll need to bring the following to the dealership: • Preapproved loan information • Driver’s license • Proof of insurance • Funds for your down payment If you’re trading in your old car, you’ll also need the current title, registration and loan information.

Dealmaking

Imagine • Imagine a licensed, State-certified program that deals specifically with the challenges of aging. • Imagine a reliable program that costs less than $20 an hour with no extra cost for morning coffee with friends, a hot kosher lunch, field trips, visiting entertainment, armchair exercise sessions and personal care. • Imagine a compassionate, professional staff of social workers, nurses, activity specialists and aides — one staff person for every four participants.

If you hate haggling, consider emailing the dealership’s Internet manager for price quotes. But assuming you’re going old school and negotiating in person, here’s what to do: 1. Test-drive the car. Even if you’ve already decided on a car, test drive it again to verify your choice and confirm it has the options you selected. 2. Start the negotiation. Tell the salesperson you’ve shopped around and priced similar models. Then, ask for the

dealership’s best price. If they won’t name a price, make an opening offer at least $1,000 below the true market value price. 3. Send a message. If the salesperson says, “I’ll take your offer to my boss,” don’t wait meekly in the sales office. Instead, be unpredictable. Wander around the dealership. Believe me, they’ll find you in a hurry. 4. Make a counteroffer. If your first offer isn’t accepted, consider raising your price by $250 until you reach an agreement or the true market value price. 5. Get an out-the-door price. Before you agree to any deal, ask for an out-thedoor price with a breakdown of fees and any extras. 6. Be ready for upsells. Once you reach an agreement with your salesperson, the finance and insurance manager will draw up the contract. But first, you’ll be pitched extras, such as an extended warranty, paint protection and anti-theft devices. Be ready to say “no” or buy these later. 7. Review your contract. Check the contract for any add-ons you didn’t ask for. Make sure the numbers match what you agreed to in the sales office and your own estimates. 8. Get it in writing. If anything is missing, like spare keys or an owner’s manual, or if any work is promised on the car, get it in writing. This is called a “due bill.” 9. Check the gas gauge. New cars are sold with a full tank of gas. Check the fuel level before you leave the lot. There are other ways to buy cars, but this checklist covers the most common dealership transaction. Keep it with you as protection — and a money-saver — the next time you go car shopping. — AP

Maintenance-Free Living for Seniors 62+ Two-bedroom apartments starting as low as $1,738 a month

• Imagine wheelchair-accessible buses that travel between your home and our award-winning program in Rockville. • Imagine days of respite, knowing that your loved one is safe and happy from 10am to 3pm each day. Bring in the new year with a NEW home!

Discover the Misler Adult Day Center a service of the Jewish Council for the Aging® that has been welcoming people of all faiths, ethnicities and walks of life for 40 years.

Contact us at 301.468.1740 or Misler@AccessJCA.org to see if the Misler Center is the right program for a loved one who wants and deserves to live at home.

Spacious, Modern Apartments Experienced Management Staff Resident Social Activites Convenient to Shopping and Dining

Agency 8127

Agency 52847

209 Monroe Street, Rockville, Maryland 20852 Call Today! 301-294-1111 www.VictoryCourt.com TTY: 711

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

Close to Public Transportation Pet Friendly - restrictions may apply

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

How to handle stock market’s volatility By Elliot Raphaelson It’s normal to worry about your portfolio when the stock and bond markets become volatile and when you see your portfolio fall significantly in value. It’s natural to wonder what to do, if anything, to protect your portfolio. The best general advice is to keep focused on long-term objectives. Ideally, you have structured your portfolio based on long-term objectives. If so, you probably don’t have to do anything drastic to modify your portfolio. If not, make some changes you can live with. Consider the following: Sell some of your stock holdings. The previous nine years have likely been good for your portfolio. If you have significant gains in the stock portion of your portfolio, and have not reduced your holdings, take some profits and reinvest conservatively, if only temporarily. For example, consider Treasury bills, money market instruments or short-term bond funds. Review your relative allocation of stocks and bonds. If you are 15 or more years away from retirement, don’t be concerned about having too high a percentage of common stocks in your portfolio. However, the closer you get to retirement, the more you should increase the percentage of your portfolio in bonds. For example, prior to retirement, I often had 70 percent of my portfolio in stocks. However, as I approached retirement I gradually increased the size of my bond portfolio to 50 percent. In retirement, I have maintained a 50-50 ratio of stocks to bonds for approximately 20 years. Many retirees maintain a much higher percentage of bonds than 50 percent, which I believe is a mistake. There will always be some inflation, so it is necessary to maintain a significant portion of stocks in your portfolio during retirement both to protect you from inflation and because the expected lifespan for retirees is continually increasing. In the long run, you should still be investing in stocks even if there are periods in which common stocks don’t do that well. Diversify your stock portfolio. Although I sometimes devote some of my portfolio to sectors I like, such as healthcare, I maintain the majority of my portfolio in diversified index mutual funds. There can be a great deal of volatility in individual sectors. If you invest disproportionately in one sector, you run the risk of deeper losses in your portfolio compared to the broader market. A good example is the technology sector in recent months. If you are the type of investor who looks at the value of your portfolio every day, you will sleep better at night if you maintain a diversified portfolio of index funds. Re-balance your portfolio at least once a year. I rebalance more often when there are significant changes in the value of my portfolio.

For example, if my goal is to maintain a 50-50 ratio of stocks to bonds, then when my stocks reach 55 percent of the value of my portfolio, I sell the portion of my stocks that have done the best. I then reallocate these funds to the bond portion of my portfolio. This approach provides more stability in your portfolio when there is a great deal of volatility. Hold the appropriate types of bonds. Bonds, overall, did poorly in 2018, primarily because the Federal Reserve continually raised interest rates. When the Fed does this, long-term bond holdings fall more in value than shorter-term holdings. It’s hard to predict future actions of the Fed. If you want to ensure that the bond portion of your portfolio is more stable, switch from long-term bond holdings into intermediate- and short-term bond holdings.

Build liquidity. During periods of great volatility, if you can, increase the size of your emergency funds in liquid shortterm investments. You can always dollar-

BEACON BITS

Feb. 11

SOCIAL SECURITY 101

“Understanding Social Security” is the subject of a free talk at the Dolley Madison Library on Monday, Feb. 11 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Experts will explain how to make the most of Social Security, a key component to many people’s retirement plan. The library is located at 1244 Oak Ridge Ave., McLean, Va. For more information, call (703) 356-0770, TTY 711, or visit www.bit.ly/UnderstandingSocialSecurity.

Ongoing

MEALTIME COMPANIONS NEEDED

Fairfax County is looking for volunteers during lunch or dinner hours, two to three days per week, to assist Meals on Wheels recipients with heating up their food and to provide meal time companionship. For more information or to apply, visit www.bit.ly/MealtimeCompanionshipVolunteer.

We Turn Addresses

into homes

MOST COMMUNITIE S ARE 62 AND BETTER

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

BALTIMORE COUNTY (CONT.)

The Greens at Hammonds Lane: 410-636-1141 Park View at Furnace Branch: 410-761-4150 Park View at Severna Park: 410-544-3411

Park View at Randallstown: 410-655-5673 Park View at Rosedale: 410-866-1886 Park View at Taylor: 410-663-0363 Park View at Towson: 410-828-7185 Park View at Woodlawn: 410-281-1120

BALTIMORE CITY Ednor Apartments I: 410-243-0180 Ednor Apartments II: 410-243-4301 The Greens at Irvington Mews: 410-644-4487 Park Heights Place: 410-578-3445 Park View at Ashland Terrace: 410-276-6440 Park View at Coldspring: 410-542-4400

EASTERN SHORE Park View at Easton: 410-770-3070

HARFORD COUNTY Park View at Bel Air: 410-893-0064 Park View at Box Hill: 410-515-6115

BALTIMORE COUNTY Cove Point Apartments I: 410-288-2344 Cove Point Apartments II: 410-288-1660 Evergreen Senior Apartments: 410-780-4888 The Greens at English Consul: 410-789-3000 The Greens at Liberty Road: 410-655-1100 The Greens at Logan Field: 410-288-2000 The Greens at Rolling Road: 410-744-9988 Park View at Catonsville: 410-719-9464 Park View at Dundalk: 410-288-5483 Park View at Fullerton: 410-663-0665 Park View at Miramar Landing: 410-391-8375

HOWARD COUNTY Park View at Colonial Landing: 410-796-4399 Park View at Columbia: 410-381-1118 Park View at Ellicott City: 410-203-9501 Park View at Ellicott City: II 410-203-2096 Park View at Emerson: 301-483-3322 Park View at Snowden River: 410-290-0384

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY Park View at Bladensburg: 301-699-9785 • 55 & Better Park View at Laurel: 301-490-1526 Park View at Laurel II: 301-490-9730

Call the community nearest you to inquire about eligibility requirements and to arrange a personal tour. www.rhomecommunities.com MOST COMMUNITIES ARE PET-FRIENDLY

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Travel

Leisure &

President Herbert and Lou Hoover take in the view from their home in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Learn about this and other Virginia presidential retreats on page 42.

Ride the rails through Canadian Rockies capped heads. Waterfalls cascade down mountainsides, rivers froth, pristine lakes shimmer in the sun, and fir-covered slopes plummet down to verdant meadows sprinkled with wildflowers.

“All aboard” to bagpipes

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROCKY MOUNTAINEER

Conde Nast Traveler named the Rocky Mountaineer one of the top five trains in the world. The service offers four routes through the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia and Alberta from mid-April to mid-October. The coaches have roomy seats with ample leg room and big windows for viewing. The train has wheelchair facilities for all services and wheelchair lifters at all stations. Breakfast, lunch, snacks and generous beverage service aboard the train are included in your ticket. Passengers spend nights in hotels, usually with time to explore the towns or take excursions. Some routes also include bus travel and additional sightseeing trips. “It’s a perfect way to see the Canadian Rockies without having to drive,” said Patricia McCarthy, a fellow tourist from Arlington, Va. “It’s an all-encompassing trip that captures the magnitude of what you’re seeing.” There are two levels of service — Silverleaf single-level dome coaches and Goldleaf bi-level dome coaches. The Goldleaf Service dome coaches are equipped with interior elevators. Usually, the train travels about 30 mph, a crawl in the railroad world, but a good pace for sightseeing. The Mountaineer slows down for some pre-determined sites and when the locomotive crew spots something exciting. Friendly guides the sights, explain The Rocky Mountaineer train passes by a snowy Stoney local history, geology, Creek in Alberta as it traverses the Canadian Rockies.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROCKY MOUNTAINEER

By Glenda C. Booth In planning my “journey through the clouds” excursion last summer aboard Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer train, little did I realize the adventures ahead. After all, whizzing along on a train usually puts me to sleep. Not this train. By the end of my six-day excursion, I had walked on a glacier, helicoptered over the Rocky Mountains, and been dazzled by tumbling waterfalls, rushing rivers, soaring peaks, mountain goats, moose, loons, bald eagles and a grizzly with her cub. Just rolling through western Canada watching spectacular scenery unfold, mile after mile, is mesmerizing too. Despite the soothing rumble, you can’t snooze. If you nod off, you’ll be jolted by cries of “Moose, moose!” “Mountain goat!” and “Grizzly!” from fellow passengers. As you travel along through the vast, stunning landscape, the backdrop is one of majestic mountain peaks shrouded in clouds or projecting their bald or snow-

Excursions included with some Rocky Mountaineer train itineraries include adventurous side outings. Here, a group rafts on the Bow River to see native wildlife up close. Other options include walking on glaciers, helicoptering high over the snowy peaks, and an Alaskan cruise.

botany and other miscellany. “We are about the journey, not the destination,” one staffer said. On-board chefs say they can prepare meals without dropping dishes because they have “train legs.” Breakfast and lunch are varied, tasty and ample; British Columbia wines, plentiful. In the towns at dinner, you’ll likely find northwest salmon dishes and Canada’s favorite, poutine — fries and cheese curds smothered with gravy. When we set off from Vancouver, one of several departure points, a bagpiper played a send-off, and soon we were aboard savoring early-morning, nonalcoholic cocktails served by staff. The train snaked along the Fraser River through Hope (“Chainsaw Carving Capital of the World”), and soon to Hell’s Gate, the narrowest point on the Fraser River — where 750 million tons of whitewater rapids rush per minute, twice that of Niagara Falls. Next came the Jaws of Death gorge, more roaring rapids and gravelly slopes. We stopped off in the town of Kamloops, the Tournament Capital of Canada, known for its forestry, mining, paper manufacturing and cattle ranching. The Kamloops Mounted Patrol greets arriving guests. Kamloops’s Main Street is a 1950s throwback of mom-and-pop stores.

At the unusual First Nations cemetery, caretakers let the grass and sagebrush grow as nature intended. The area’s gray hills have made Kamloops a favorite spot for filming sci-fi shows like “The X-Files.”

On a gondola and a glacier The bus segment of this journey explores up to four world-renowned national parks, all connected to one another — Jasper, Banff, Yoho and Kootenay. In Jasper, guides tutored us on black and grizzly bears. For example: bears eat 150,000 buffalo berries a day, totaling 60,000 calories. The most common bear, they chuckle, is the “stump bear,” poking fun at overly-eager tourists who mistake a tree stump for one. And guides explained that bear spray is not a repellent. You spray it at the bear, not on yourself. Banff National Park in Alberta is Canada’s oldest national park, established in 1885 and now part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. In its 2,564 square miles of wilderness, visitors hike through oldgrowth forests amid roaring rivers, alpine meadows, pristine lakes and a bison herd. The Banff gondola lifts visitors 7,486 feet above sea level to Sulphur Mountain’s crest for 360-degree views of mountain See CANADIAN ROCKIES, page 43

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Four presidents who retreated to Virginia By Glenda C. Booth U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt was a gregarious, swashbuckling outdoorsman who hunted elephants in Africa and bears in Colorado. He came from wealth and owned a 23-room mansion, Sagamore Hill, on Long Island’s Oyster Bay. But when Teddy and wife, Edith, wanted to relax, they traveled four hours south of Washington to a plain little wood-frame cabin in Virginia’s woodlands called Pine Knot. There they indulged in solitude and

studied the “little forest folk,” as the president called the wildlife. Postal officials added a car to the mail train, and the Roosevelts disembarked at a dot on the map called North Garden. Once in office, most U.S. presidents soon feel compelled to escape Washington’s pressure cooker and the oppressive summer heat. President Donald Trump has his private club getaways in Florida and New Jersey. Richard Nixon lolled around on Bebe Re-

• Eye Care for All Ages • Specialists in Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy and Macular Degeneration • Contact Lens Specialists • Plastic & Reconstructive Eye Surgery

Full In-House Optical Department Outpatient No-Stitch Cataract Surgery • Laser Surgery MEDICARE ASSIGNMENT ACCEPTED LENARD H. HAMMER, M.D., F.A.C.S. GORDON LUI, M.D. SCOTT B. BECKER, M.D. BRIAN J. WINTER, M.D.

VANESSA LIMA, M.D. CRISTINA F. ROUILLER, O.D..

410-997-9900

8860 Columbia 100 Parkway, Suite 101, Columbia, MD

bozo’s houseboat in Key Biscayne, Florida. Franklin Roosevelt opted for Canada’s Campobello Island and, after being struck by polio, a cottage at Georgia’s Warm Springs. But four presidents chose rural Virginia for their private retreats. Three of these sites are open to the public today.

Pine Knot In 1905, Edith Roosevelt bought an unpretentious, rustic cottage on 90 forested acres for $250 in Albemarle County “for rest and repair for the President.” “The Tsar and Tsarina would have found it somewhat confining since it consisted of one rough-cut, stone-chimneyed boarded box, with two smaller boxes upstairs,” she wrote, describing the first-floor lodge-type room and small bedrooms. “The pitched roof was overlong in front, creating a shaded ‘piazza’ at mosquito level.” Of course, the Roosevelts could retreat to Sagamore Hill as well, but Edith said her husband needed wilderness, since at Sagamore Hill the White House in effect went with them. Throngs of cabinet members, legislators, ambassadors, potentates, envoys, generals, industrialists, labor leaders, writers, historians, architects, artists, naturalists and others descended on the home, and telephone and telegraph lines linked it at all times with Washington. Not so at Pine Knot. The house had no electricity, heating, insulation, telephone or indoor plumbing. The President’s chief domestic chore was to “empty the slops.” (He did not know that Edith had the Secret Service patrolling the woods.) After exiting the train, Roosevelt did not read a memo, choosing to listen to the critters over the chatter of government big wigs. He unwound by watching birds from the porch, one day identifying 75 species by their call. He also may have had one of the last sightings of the nearly extinct passenger pigeon in 1908. He wrote his son Kermit in 1906 that he left the cabin under a brilliant moon for hunting and, after 13 hours in the woods, got one turkey, “a beautiful side shot at about 35 yards.” In another letter to Kermit he said, “It is really a perfectly delightful little place; the nicest little place of the kind you can imagine. Mother is a great deal more pleased with it than any children with any toy I ever saw.” Other than family, the Roosevelts had only one friend visit from 1905 to 1908. Today you can tour sparsely-furnished Pine Knot by appointment, surrounded by oaks, redbuds, dogwoods and scampering critters, much as it was in the Roosevelts’ day. A large farm table is the only remaining piece of Roosevelt furniture.

Lou, made 70 trips to their 164-acre retreat among Blue Ridge Mountain hemlocks and rhododendrons in today’s Shenandoah National Park. They named the 13building enclave Rapidan Camp for the Mill Prong and Laurel Prong streams that merge to form the Rapidan River. The president gave the Marines, who built it, three criteria in choosing a site: it should be at least 2,500 feet in elevation, within 100 miles of the nation’s capital, and have excellent fishing. Every building was within earshot of a babbling stream to “reduce our egotism, soothe our troubles and shame our wickedness,” he wrote. The plain, pine-board buildings were designed to harmonize with the natural surroundings. The compound had the president’s cabin, cabins for 25 guests, a mess hall, offices, a community center, servants’ quarters, stables and a dog kennel. The Hoovers, both geologists, brought the outside in by “decorating” with rocks, crystals and hemlock branches. While decompressing, the president also used the camp to address the nation’s problems. “I have discovered that even the work of government can be improved by leisurely discussion of its problems out under the trees where no bells ring or callers jar one’s thoughts,” he said. An airplane dropped mail daily, and the president’s cottage had a telephone. Famous people visited, including Thomas Edison, Edsel Ford, Winston Churchill and British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald. The press was not welcome. An avid angler, Hoover fished, not just for policy solutions, but for sport and escape. While fishing, he could “find relief from the pneumatic hammer of constant personal contracts,” he said. He built dams in the streams to create trout pools, and fed the fish beef hearts. Today’s visitors can explore the woodsy paths, footbridges, streams and three stillstanding buildings: the president’s cabin, dubbed the Brown House (facetiously named to differentiate it from the White House), the Prime Minister’s Cabin and Creel Cabin. The Brown House is restored to its 1929 appearance with some original furnishings. The Prime Minister’s Cabin has exhibits on life at the camp and Hoover’s Depression-era presidency.

Poplar Forest Building a private retreat was not the novel idea of hassled, 20th century presidents. Thomas Jefferson was the pioneer. He chose a 4,800-acre site near Lynchburg in what he called “western country,” and designed and built Poplar Forest there. While in Europe for five years, Jefferson had studied European architecture. For his hideaway, he drew on the designs of 16th-century Italian architect Andrea Palladio to build a neo-classical, country villa

Rapidan Camp President Herbert Hoover and his wife,

See PRESIDENTS, page 45

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Canadian Rockies From page 41 after mountain, as far as you can see. One of the park’s most famous visitors was Marilyn Monroe, who injured her ankle while filming and recuperated for six days in the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Legend has it that the bellhops tossed a coin for the chance to push the blonde bombshell’s wheelchair. The scenic drive on Alberta’s Icefields Parkway, also known as the Promenade des Glaciers, is billed as one of the top ten drives in the world. It parallels the Continental Divide from Jasper to Lake Louise. The Athabasca River and many alpine lakes along the way are a milky turquoise because of rock flour — the fine silt suspended in the water that comes from glaciers grinding down the mountains. The 125-square-mile Columbia Icefield feeds eight glaciers and several rivers with its meltwaters, and offers a once-in-lifetime — if a bit harrowing — experience. This massive ice sheet, formed during the Great Glaciation, is surrounded by mountains and is basically a gigantic bowl of ice up to 1,200 feet thick. Visitors here get a quick lesson in glaciology. A glacier’s toe has bluish ice. Crevasses (not the same as crevices) are deep cracks in glaciers that water flows through, washing out the fine-grained

rock flour into lakes and rivers. Peyto Lake, for example, is glacier-fed, and its suspended particles scatter bluegreen rays of light making it the “bluest lake in the Rockies.” It’s also distinctive because one end is shaped like a coyote’s head. At the Athabasca and at Brewster Glacier Icewalks, you can literally walk on a glacier. Large hybrid bus-truck vehicles called Ice Explorers, featuring six-wheel drive, rumble down and then up a track delivering bold visitors to an icy expanse with no guard rails, ropes, bannisters or other supports. Wary glacier novices carefully pick the spot to place each foot on what looks like a vast frozen lake, as the wind whips across the stark white landscape. Be sure to be fully insured before doing this!

Planning your trip There are 65 different Rocky Moun-

taineer packages to choose from. Start at www.rockymountaineer.com and choose a route, departure city, date and service level, and preferred side trips. Departure cities are Seattle, Vancouver, Lake Louise, Banff, Jasper and Calgary. Trips last two to 14 days, with prices ranging from $1,300 (U.S.) up to $12,150 per person, double occupancy, depending on the package (with the costliest including an Alaska cruise). For some bookings made far in advance, the company offers credit toward an extra hotel night or other benefit. Friendly telephone staffers at (866) 545-2766 can help with customization options and answer questions.

Hiking the hills and up in the air Lake Louise is a 1.2-mile, aqua-emerald lake surrounded by mountains and bookended by the Queen Victoria glacier and the towering, elegant Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The opulent 550-room hotel was built in the 1890s by the Canadian Pacific Railway and is open year-round. Four million people visit Lake Louise every year. The lake, fed by six glaciers, is frozen from November to June, warming up to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. Lake Louise boasts the most grizzlies in Canada, but that doesn’t deter hikers who

BEACON BITS

Feb. 11

explore the compound’s trails, including one up to the alpine-style Lake Agnes Tea House. Hold onto your seat, not so much for safety, but for jaw-dropping views of the Canadian Rockies from high in the sky over Kananaskis, Alberta. At the Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino is this bucket list adventure — soaring over the Rockies in a Bell 407, six-seater helicopter. The view of high, snowy mountain tops, chiseled granite peaks, sheer cliffs, more turquoise lakes and even wild horses on the First Nation’s reservation are unforgettable.

IDENTIFYING FAKE NEWS The Newseum’s education team explores today’s media landscape in “Escape Junk News: A Free Hands-on Program to

Sharpen Your Media Skills” on Monday, Feb. 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Germantown Library. Learn how to identify fake and flawed news and practice with real examples. The library is located at 19840 Century Blvd., Germantown, Md. For more information and to register, visit www.bit.ly/EscapeJunkNews.

BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF INDUSTRY, March 26 ............................................................ $99pp View more than 1 million artifacts from workers & small business owners who built our history. 3 course family-style lunch included in Little Italy.

BRANSON & THE OZARKS, May 1 – 9 ............................................................................... $1552pp Travel by Motorcoach and see 5 Fantastic Shows, College of the Ozarks, Grist Mill, Price based on double occupancy Gateway Arch tram ride & MUCH MORE!

HISTORIC INNS OF CENTRAL & WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS, May 20 – 24.......... $1265pp Includes: Berkshire Cottages, Norman Rockwell Museum, Deerfield House, Trinity Church, Chesterwood, Old Sturbridge Village & MUCH MORE!

Price based on double occupancy

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

All-day transit passes great for tourists When I’m in Portland, I’m usually hop- be a visitor’s best friend. ping around between points in or near the Pass prices in many cities seem to be city center. Trips are often positioned at around the price short enough that I can comof three one-ride tickets. The fortably walk. idea, apparently, is to make But when it’s raining — the pass attractive to locals for which, in Portland, is quite a shopping and entertainment, bit of the time — I’m happy to but not so low as to be useful hop on the light rail or a bus to commuters. At those for even a few blocks. And prices, a pass enables visitors that’s easy, because I can buy to hop around a city using an all-day pass for $5, which transit for even short rides. allows unlimited rides for the price of just two regular fares. TRAVEL TIPS Passes in North America I do the same in London, By Ed Perkins I checked on 27 large-city where the all-day travel pass transit systems on North Amercosts a stiff 12.70 euros (about $16) but a ica: Many offer one-day passes, and many of single short underground ride in the cen- those also offer some combination of two-, three-, four- and seven-day passes as well. ter costs a really stiff 6.80 euros. The least expensive one-day passes I These are just examples. Many of the world’s major transit systems sell one-day found were in Houston, New Orleans and unlimited ride “day passes” and they can St. Louis, which cost $3; passes in Balti-

BEACON BITS

Feb. 18

MEDICAL MUSEUM TOUR

“Meeting Challenges through Innovation” is a program at the National Museum of Health and Medicine on Monday, Feb. 18 from 1 to 2 p.m. This free docent-led tour explores the remarkable changes in American medicine over the past 150 years, with a special focus on military medicine. The museum is located at 2500 Linden Lane, Silver Spring, Md. For more information, call (301) 319-3303.

more, Honolulu, Houston, Minneapolis, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego and Seattle cost $4 to $5; multi-day passes in Honolulu, Denver, Cleveland, Miami, Dallas, Salt Lake City and Pittsburgh, cost $5.50 to $7. Day passes in all these cities cost less than what you’d pay for three regular single-trip tickets. Passes in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Montreal and Philadelphia, at $7 to $13, cost between three and five times the cost of a single ride. They are of value mainly to people who use the system extensively. Day passes are also available in Toronto, Vancouver and, of course, Washington; although fares are zoned, the day passes are generally good deals as well. New York is one of the few large U.S. cities not offering a day pass. Instead it offers a weekly pass that, at $32, is a good deal if you make more than two trips a day. Most of these systems offer older adults discounts on both single-ride tickets and passes, with those prices typically around 50 percent of the regular adult prices. In Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, seniors don’t require single tickets or day passes — they travel free. But in some systems, including Boston, Chicago and Washington, you have to apply for a special ID before you can buy and use the discounted tickets and passes.

Transit passes in Europe Day passes in European cities can also be good deals. In general, all-day pass prices generally follow the U.S. pattern of being set at three to four times the singleticket price. Unlike in the U.S., however, seniors generally do not enjoy discounts on European transit systems. The lowest prices, from $2.50 to $7, are generally in Eastern Europe, where fares are low generally. Costs in the main western cities range up to the $16 high in London. Transit systems in many Asian cities, including Hong Kong and Tokyo, also offer day passes. In many cases, a transit pass also covers travel between a major airport and the city center, perhaps with a surcharge, but often not. All in all, I’ve found transit day passes to be great value in almost every big city I visit. Wherever you go, before you leave home, log onto each destination city’s transit website to check if a day pass is available, and if so, how and where to buy it. In many cases, you can buy online and download before you leave home. Send e-mail to Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net. Also, check out Ed’s new rail travel website at www.rail-guru.com. © 2018 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Finally... A scooter that loads itself in and out of your car.

“For the first time in years I’ve been able to go with my granddaughters to the mall. A crowd gathers every time I unload my scooter from my car!” – Judi K, Exeter, CA Medicare and Medicaid no longer subsidize scooter sales. Today, cheaper scooters are cheaper for a reason. Get the most out of your investment with the best scooter on the market today.

Winner of the 2015 International Innovation Award

The best selling auto-loading scooter in Europe is now available in the US! Don’t wait to take advantage of this exciting new technology, call today to find out more.

featuring 5-Wheel Anti-Tip Technology

Call now toll free for our lowest price.

83719

Introducing the Quingo® Flyte - the powerful, portable mobility scooter that you never have to lift. Now featuring patented 5-Wheel Anti-Tip Technology. It’s a sad fact. Many people who an innovative ramp and a simple have mobility issues and could benefit remote. The built-in guide rails from a scooter aren’t able to use can be installed in minutes and them away from home. Struggling to safely direct your scooter to get it into a car or loading it onto a ground level. bumper-mounted lift just isn’t worth This scooter provides 5-Wheel the effort. Now, there’s a better Anti-Tip Technology for stability, scooter, the Quingo® Flyte. It’s easy agility and comfort with its unique to use, even for one person, and wheel configuration. The patented requires no more effort than closing a 5-wheel BumpmasterTM design by car’s tailgate. Clever design enables it Quingo enables it to ride safely over to fit into SUV’s, mini-vans, crossovers a wide variety of surfaces. It uses and hatchbacks. 4 ultra slim powerful batteries ® providing a range of up to 23 Quingo Flyte can load and unload itself in less than 60 seconds using miles on a single charge.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Presidents From page 42 so he could “detach myself from public life, which I never loved,” he wrote. Built between 1806 and 1823, the onestory brick house sits on a high basement, with four elongated octagonal rooms that surround the cube-shaped central chamber. A 16-foot skylight and tall, triple-hung windows illuminate the interior. Reflecting Jefferson’s love of geometry, Poplar Forest was the first octagonal house in America. Two artificial mounds on each side of the sunken lawn screened octagonal privies. While he started building it during his presidency, it came to be a favored respite in his retirement because Monticello had become an almost unbearable clamor of children, grandchildren, slaves and uninvited guests. At Poplar Forest, a three-day horse ride (90 miles) from Monticello, he rekindled his spirit in tranquility. In 1811, at age 69, he wrote to a friend, Benjamin Rush, that he went to Poplar Forest three or four times a year, staying up to a month at a time. “I have fixed myself comfortably, keep some books here, bring others occasionally, am in the solitude of a hermit, and quite at leisure to attend to my absent friends,” he penned. Today, visitors can take guided tours of the house and self-guided tours of lowerlevel exhibits, offices, grounds and slave

quarters. Exhibits describe restoration, archaeology and slave life. A computer model demonstrates Jefferson’s landscape design.

Wexford While Jack and Jacqueline Kennedy could have escaped Washington to family compounds in Hyannis Port, Mass.; Palm Beach, Fla.; or Newport, R.I., the couple chose 39 acres of farmland near Middleburg, Va. While he was a U.S. senator, Jack became familiar with Loudoun County when he leased Glen Ora — a 400-acre farm in Virginia horse country, 40 miles from the White House. Jackie designed a 3,500-square-foot stone and stucco ranch-style home, intended to be “nothing elaborate,” said Pamela Turnure, the first lady’s press secretary. Completed in 1963 for $127,000, it had seven bedrooms, a Signal Corps switchboard, bomb shelter, stables and Secret Service workspace. They named it Wexford for the Ireland county where the Kennedy family originated. At Wexford, Jackie could indulge in her horseback-riding passion. Caroline, age 6, rode her pony, Macaroni, and Jack buzzed 3-year-old John, Jr., around in a golf cart and hit golf balls in the pasture. The president wrote, “This house may not be perfectly proportioned, but it has everything — all the places we need to get away from each other — so husband can

have meetings…wife paint…all things so much bigger houses don’t have. I think it’s brilliant!” Jackie and the children visited at times by helicopter or limousine without Jack. Sadly, they went there together only twice, in October and November 1963. Jackie sold Wexford in 1964 for $225,000. Today’s owners bought it in September 2017 for $2.9 million. A private getaway may be an illusory notion in today’s hyperconnected world. But these four presidents understood the need to de-stress in settings far simpler than the high-stress White House.

If you go Rapidan Camp, in Shenandoah National Park, is managed by the National Park Service. Grounds are open year-round. From spring through fall, rangers host tours.

See more at www.nps.gov/shen/learn/ historyculture/rapidancamp.htm. Register at www.recreation.gov or call (877) 4446777. Pine Knot is owned by the Edith and Theodore Roosevelt Pine Knot Foundation and is open by appointment. For information, see www.pineknot.org or call (434) 286-6106. Poplar Forest is owned by the Corporation for Jefferson’s Poplar Forest. Guided tours are offered daily, March 15 through Dec. 30, with self-guided tours on weekends from mid-January to mid-March. See www.poplarforest.org, or call (434) 5251806. All sites require a car to visit. Amtrak has service to Charlottesville and Lynchburg. Glen Ora and Wexford are not open to the public.

BEACON BITS

Feb.

NOMINATE A SPECIAL VOLUNTEER

Nominations for the annual Neal Potter Path of Achievement Award are being sought of adults 60 and over whose accomplishments, enthusiasm and lifelong commitment to volunteer service in Montgomery County, Md., make them outstanding roles models. Nominations will be accepted through Thursday, Feb. 28. Visit www.montgomeryserves.org and click on “awards” then on “Neal Potter Path of Achievement Award” to be taken to the online nomination form. For more information, email serviceawards@montgomerycountymd.gov, or call (240) 777-2600.

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Style Arts &

Julia Roberts is at a stage in her career where she can choose her roles carefully. See story on page 49.

Seriocomedy shines light on hypocrisy headmaster, and Charlie, their 18-year-old son, is a student there in his senior year.

Leveling the playing field Sherri, played with the right amount of vim, vigor and limited benevolence by Meg Gibson, is working hard at bringing the enrollment of racial minorities at the school up to 18 percent. Husband Bill (a convincingly ultra-liberal Kevin Kilner) says â&#x20AC;&#x153;go for it!â&#x20AC;? But then their teenage son Charlie applies to Yale, along with his best school buddy, Perry, who happens to be of mixed race. But only one gets in â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the white kid with the better grades. When he learns that his application is put on hold, Charlie (Ephraim Birney, who makes the entertainingly most of his mercurial character) takes off with a long screed, which is both painful and funny as it slashes into the politically correct hypocritical â&#x20AC;&#x153;truthsâ&#x20AC;? of the world today, as seen by a smart, immature, spoiled young man-kid. For example, Charlie howls about a fellow student from Chile who insists that their literature class should read more books by writers of color. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cristobal! Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re white, too!â&#x20AC;? Charlie screeches. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your ances-

JA N UA RY 1 7 - M A R C H 1 7

Let Me En Enterta ntert in i Yo You!!

M A R C H 2 1 - M AY 1 9

410-730-8311

TobysDinnerTheatre.co m Due to the nature of theatriccal bookings, DOO VKRZV DQG GDWHV DUH VXEMHFW WR FKDQJH Â&#x2021; 7RE\ÂľV 'LQQHU 7KHDWUH &ROXPELD 0'

PHOTO BY TERESA WOOD

By Robert Friedman The white, upper-middle-class, liberal family in Joshua Harmonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest seriocomic play, Admissions, takes a disconcerting, yet very funny spin into hypocrisy as its members argue about how to ease racial inequality without endangering their privileged lives. The familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s delving into competing truths â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and self-serving lies â&#x20AC;&#x201D; are spouted with such wit and LOL punch lines that the comedy mostly outweighs the serious portion of the play. It very humorously brings us the sad, all- too-human message that good intentions, when put to the test, are often just words speaking louder than actions. The spirited, scathing humor of Harmonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s earlier work, Bad Jews, broke attendance records in 2015 at the Studio Theatre, site of the current production. In a similar vein, this new work had the almost completely white, seemingly privileged audience rolling on the floor laughing. The one-act, 90-minute play revolves around the progressive, good-intentioned, working-toward-racial-diversity Mason family. Wife Sherri is the dean of admissions at Hillcrest, a fairly tony New Hampshire boarding school, while husband Bill is the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Charlie, played by Ephraim Birney, goes over his college application with his mom Sherri (Meg Gibson), who is also the dean of admissions at the boarding school he attends, in Admissions, at the Studio Theatre through March 3.

tors were the colonizers, not the colonized.â&#x20AC;? He throws insults at the girl who got the job over him as editor of the school newspaper, and lets us know that he is the much better writer and more understanding, to boot. Then comes the sarcastic scream: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of course a woman should run the news-

paper â&#x20AC;&#x201D; if she is the best candidate!â&#x20AC;? After hearing Charlieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;disgustingâ&#x20AC;? rant, his father returns the tirade with a four-letter insult and angrily brands his son with the worst label: a â&#x20AC;&#x153;conservative.â&#x20AC;? See ADMISSIONS, page 48

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

Mature authors share their wisdom with us The two-time Oscar Award-winning actor Septuagenarian and octogenarian authors predictably pen autobiographies. Oth- has penned a refreshing and straightforward book about reaching the peak ers write about their fields of of his chosen profession, while expertise. Enjoy the wisdom looking back at his rise from and wit that comes with age in abject poverty in Great Britain. the pages of these books. While Michael Caine offers Live Long and…What I wise words of advice for young Learned Along the Way, by aspiring actors, his words of enWilliam Shatner with David couragement will inspire anyFisher, 224 pages, Thomas one thinking of embarking on a Dunne Books hardcover, new career, or older adults who 2018 resist fading away into a life of Actor William Shatner, now THE pure leisure. 87, has written an upbeat, posiBIBLIOPHILE He informs us that it was tive book on aging well. While By Dinah Rokach his friend Jack Nicholson who sharing stories of his own long prodded him out of a shortlife and prolific career, “Captain Kirk” touches on the importance of passion, lived retirement about 25 years ago. And work, tenacity and fearlessness in enriching he has continued to act ever since. A broken ankle from a fall in early 2018 his own life. His show biz reminiscences are quite en- on an icy garden path did not slow him tertaining, recounting his lucky breaks, down. While recovering in his wheelchair, one-man shows, acting in the legitimate the- this irrepressible thespian wrote Blowing ater — including Shakespearean roles — the Bloody Doors Off. The title is a reference to a line of diaand his stints in successful television series. He draws life lessons that he shares logue in the 1969 movie The Italian Job, with gusto and flourish. His enthusiasm which has been voted by British movie fans their favorite cinema one-liner. Caine’s charpermeates his prose. Shatner touches upon his past mistakes, acter Charlie Croker cries, “You’re only supbut more importantly, shows that learning posed to blow the bloody doors off” as a feland working should never subside as one low crook destroys a van by blowing it up. Don’t go overboard, don’t be a scene-stealages. Longevity demands, as he describes it, creating a full life and continuing to give er, work hard, be prepared, be kind to others, find the positive in all that has transpired inpurpose to each day. Live Long is inspiring and thought pro- cluding failure, and persevere — a few of the voking. Shatner’s words pour forth with inspiring ideas this upbeat book expounds warmth and intimacy, taking us into his and illustrates. And never stop working! American Dialogue: The Founders confidence and leaving us all the wiser for and Us, by Joseph J. Ellis, 304 pages, having connected. Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: And Knopf hardcover, 2018; 448 pages, Other Lessons in Life, by Michael Random House Large Print paperback, Caine, 288 pages, Hachette Books hard- 2018 Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Joseph cover, 2018

J. Ellis has written an engaging book. The author, in his mid-70s, has distilled for us his extensive knowledge of America’s past, honed during decades of teaching at Mount Holyoke College. Ellis brings forward to our own day issues that emerged at the inception of our nation and were addressed by the Founding Fathers. He employs the perspective of time — and the words of our revolutionary forebears — to examine four pivotal issues: race relations, income inequality, applying the Constitution in subsequent generations, and the principles that should guide our foreign policy. The writings of Jefferson, Adams, Madison and Washington are brought to life. Ellis reprises a short, but incisive, narrative of American history. He addresses the hopes, aspirations and mistaken ideas of these four founders. He describes their missed opportunities — which have haunted their progeny — the hypocrisies as well as the profound good judgement of the leaders of the generation that fought for independence and established our republic. Reading American Dialogue is akin to attending an advanced college seminar. The knowledgeable progressive-leaning instructor imparts his scholarly ideas in an intellectually stimulating way.

On Grand Strategy, by John Lewis Gaddis, 384 pages, Penguin Press hardcover, 2018 (paperback April 2, 2019) John Lewis Gaddis has written an important book in which he summarizes the “Grand Strategy” course he co-teaches at Yale. Gaddis analyzes the qualities of great military and political leaders — historical figures who attempted to guide their nations to victory, expansionism or world hegemony. Xerxes, Pericles, Octavian, Elizabeth I, Napoleon, Lincoln, Wilson and FDR are some of the iconic figures he dissects. Even Steven Spielberg’s cinematic portrayal of the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment is included in Gaddis’ hypothesis. Grand Strategy reprises the pivotal decisions made in places and times as diverse as ancient Persia, Greece, classical Rome, the Napoleonic era, our own Revolution and Civil War, Europe of World War II and America in the Cold War. The septuagenarian Pulitzer Prize-winning scholar shares the wisdom he has accumulated over the decades, and expresses his ideas with clarity and great insight. Reading this book may spark — or reignite — an interest in the study of the history of the world’s civilizations and the political ideologies of their iconic leaders. Most definitely a worthy pursuit.

THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE BAND WA S H I N G T O N , D . C . !"!#$"%&!#%'()!*$"+,% !--.#+$/%.#+% !#+0(1!/

2019 ConcertBand FR E E CO N C E R T!

‘Great Performances in the Neighborhood’ Rockville Little Theatre presents

The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 6 Performances | Fridays & Saturdays, Feb. 1, 2, 8, & 9 at 8 p.m.; Sundays, Feb. 3 & 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets: $22 Adults; $20 Seniors (62+) and Students

Theatre F. Scott Fitzgerald

Victorian Lyric Opera Company presents

The Gondoliers 6 Performances | Fridays & Saturdays, Feb. 22, 23 & March 1, 2 at 8 p.m.; Sundays, Feb. 24 & March 3 at 2 p.m. Tickets: $28 Adults; $24 Seniors; $20 students

Tickets Online: www.rockvillemd.gov/theatre Box Office: 240-314-8690

Schlesinger Concert Hall | Alexandria, Virginia

David Childs

THURSDAY, FEB. 21 AT 8 P.M. euphonium virtuoso

for FREE tickets, please visit: www.usafband.eventbrite.com

AT RO C K VI L L E CI VI C CE NTE R PA R K

Rockville Civic Center Park • 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville, MD

SAVE THE DATE! Thursday, Apr. 18, 2019 at 8 p.m. featuring Joe Lulloff, saxophone

Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Charlie puts this in a guest editorial he writes for the school newspaper. Mama and papa are far from pleased to get the chance to put their professed good intentions into a scholarship for some Black, Hispanic or Asian kid. To add further injury to his parents’ world, Charlie says he will enroll at an — ugh! — community college, which means to his parents that he would live in a rundown apartment in some semi-slum area as he prepares for the unprivileged life of a community college graduate. At least nobody mentions that, under such circumstances, he is in danger of learning what life is like for others. Local acting pro Sarah Marshall is on hand to bring a thoroughly sympathetic puzzlement to her role of Roberta, an oldtime school staffer who isn’t quite up to

Admissions From page 46 But Mama Sherri acts just like most mothers of the left, right or center — everyone should have the same rights, but not at the expense of my son. She asks her husband to make calls to all his Yalie connections, while she tries to unlevel the field again for Charlie’s college acceptance.

Good-bye to Ivy Then Charlie’s conscience suddenly acts up and he realizes that his earlier eruption was “not me.” What is him, in the next goround at least, is a fine young man who decides his Ivy League dreams, and a recent financial windfall received by his parents, should be given up in the form of a scholarship for a deserving racial minority student.

R E N TA L S AT

Rockville Civic Center Park

snuff on political correctness. Roberta doesn’t initially fulfill admissions director Sherri’s orders to get more photos of racial minorities into next year’s school catalogue. “I don’t see race,” Roberta says in all innocent blindness. Marni Penning plays Sherri’s close girlfriend, Ginnie, who happens to be the white mother of mixed race Perry, the kid who was accepted at Yale. She forcefully propels the play’s tensest scene in a faceoff with Sherri, who implies that Perry got into Yale because of the color of his skin. All the action and angst takes place in the family’s kitchen, amply stacked with designer cookies, carrot cake and bottles of fine wine. Award-winning, veteran director Mike Donahue, who happens to be an alumnus of the Yale School of Drama, prompts the characters to move physically and emotively in a way that even makes the plentiful speechifying dramatically satisfying. A possibly uncomfortable satire turns out to be entertaining and funny. Put most of the blame on playwright Joshua Harmon for the clever, sharp dialogue that

makes the audience laugh all the way to, hopefully, reexamining whether their thoughts and words about fairness, justice and diversity are put into the right actions.

Attending Admissions Studio Theatre is located at 1501 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C. The play has been extended through March 3. Performances are Wednesday to Saturday at 8 p.m., with matinees at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $60 to $90, with a $5 discount for those 62 and older with ID. A limited number of rush tickets are available for $30 one-half hour before the performance. Walk-up only. Studio has a parking partnership with Washington Plaza Hotel at 10 Thomas Circle NW, three blocks south of Studio. Patrons who park at the hotel’s parking garage can purchase a $13 voucher at the box office. Street parking is extremely limited. The nearest Metro stops: Red Line, Dupont Circle; Orange/Blue Lines, McPherson Square; and Green/ Yellow Lines, U Street/Cardozo.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

SOCIAL NETWORKING LESSONS

“Keeping Up with Kids” offers free weekly lessons on social networking tools every Friday from 2 to 3 p.m. at Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Rd., Burke, Va. Technology volunteers work one-on-one with participants to explain Flickr, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Skype. For more information or to register, visit www.bit.ly/KeepingUpWithKids.

Theatre and Events 240-314-8660 • www.rockvillemd.gov/Glenview • Glenview@rockvillemd.gov ♥♥ All are welcome.

Sterling Hyltin and Gonzalo Garcia in Opus 19/The Dreamer, photo by Paul Kolnik

603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville, Maryland

Works by Reisen, Balanchine & Robbins (Tue./Wed. Eves. & Sun. Mat.)

New York City Ballet returns with two sensational repertory programs for its annual appearance, including a program blending masters of the past with bright lights of the future, as well as a tribute to Jerome Robbins, one of the most influential dance-makers in the company’s history.

April 2–7, 2019 Opera House with the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra Support for Ballet at the Kennedy Center is generously provided by Elizabeth and C. Michael Kojaian.

Kennedy-Center.org (202) 467-4600

Seeking nominations for NEAL POTTER PATH OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARD This award honors residents age 60 & better for their lifetime of volunteer service to Montgomery County. In partnership with the Commission on Aging & The Beacon Newspapers.

MONTGOMERY SERVES AWARDS

Groups of 20 or more save up to 25%!

New York City Ballet

Nominate Extraordinary Volunteers In Montgomery County

Composer’s Holiday (Foss/Reisen) Kammermusik No. 2 (Hindemith/Balanchine) Symphony in C (Bizet/Balanchine) Opus 19/The Dreamer (Prokoﬁev/Robbins)

These awards recognize special volunteer accomplishments in 2018 in four categories, individual, group, business, and youth.

Deadline for nominations — Thursday, February 28, 5pm www.montgomeryserves.org 2018 Montgomery Serves winners

New Works & New Productions (Thu./Fri. Eves. & Sat. Mat./Eve.) Easy (Bernstein/Peck) In the Night (Chopin/Robbins) The Runaway (Muhly, West, Jay-Z, Blake, add. artists/Abraham) SOMETHING TO DANCE ABOUT Jerome Robbins, Broadway at the Ballet (Bernstein, Bock, Gould, Rodgers, Styne/Robbins, direction and musical staging by Carlyle)

Groups call (202) 416-8400 or email groupsales@kennedy-center.org

For all other ticket-related customer service inquiries, call the Advance Sales Box Oﬃce at (202) 416-8540

Find out more and nominate now! www.montgomeryserves.org Questions? email serviceawards@montgomerycountymd.gov or call 240-777-2600

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

For Julia Roberts, things improve with age By Jake Coyle Julia Roberts is sitting on a couch in a Soho hotel when Lucas Hedges bursts in and begins frantically searching for his phone, sending pillows flying. “This is what I say to Finn,” Roberts says, referencing one of her three children as she queries her 21-year-old co-star. “Where did you go from here, honey?” Roberts’ motherly instincts played a big part in her latest film, Ben Is Back. Written and directed by Peter Hedges (Dan in Real Life, and the father of Lucas), Ben Is Back is about a son (Lucas) home from rehab for Christmas. The short visit resurrects past demons and present temptations for Ben, testing his mother’s anxious balance of trust and suspicion. It was the second standout performance last fall for Roberts, who also stars in Amazon’s acclaimed conspiracy thriller “Homecoming” as a government-sponsored caseworker coaxing soldiers back into civilian life. It’s a more dramatic chapter for Roberts, the most quintessential of movie stars, who at 51 is stretching in new directions that are increasingly further afield from the frothier romantic comedies she built her career on.

Basically a homebody “With age comes more complexity of possible parts,” Roberts said in a recent interview. “You know, I’m happy and I have fun at home. So it would take a lot for someone to say: ‘Look, you can play this part where you’re happy and have fun.’ Well, I just do that at home!” It can take a lot to get Roberts away from home. Hedges at one point jokingly suggested shooting Ben Is Back in her backyard. She’s notoriously picky, generally acting in one film a year. And that’s become iffier considering, as she says, there’s “a whole

lot of math” that needs to factor in her kids’ school schedule and that of her husband, cinematographer Danny Moder. Roberts has, quite contentedly, largely withdrawn from the limelight. She knits. She plays Mahjong with girlfriends once a week. She will watch Point Break anytime it’s on TV. But she still wears the role of movie star about as comfortably as anyone ever has, and in person she is — to an almost disarming degree — precisely as you’d expect. She remains genuinely, breezily, unaffectedly herself, a quality that has made countless feel as if they know — really know — her. Still, Roberts, a four-time Oscar nominee and one-time winner (Erin Brockovich), is also indelibly linked to the ’90s and ’00s pre-digital movie era when stars, not superheroes, still ruled the box office. Times have changed; her breakthrough film, 1990’s Pretty Woman, is now a Broadway musical. Roberts recently had the outof-body experience attending it alongside Barbara Marshall, wife of the film’s late director Garry Marshall. “I wasn’t prepared for how profoundly it made me miss Garry,” she said, choking up. “I wasn’t prepared for how all of the improvs that I created are in a Broadway book now,” she says. “People are saying things that I was just making up, just vamping.”

know that she thought he should do the film with her.” It is hard to say no to Julia Roberts. The actress later invited Lucas to her Malibu home where she says he became part of the family, hanging out and taking her kids to the beach. Making Ben Is Back was for her less about channeling her own parental nightmares than about fostering a relationship with her fictional son. “Spending time with Lucas meant that I had heart-space with him, and that is what I called upon and reSee JULIA ROBERTS, page 51

A World Premiere Musical for Social Change

Huckleberry Finn’s Big River February 8 – March 10, 2019

Trying new things Lately, Roberts has been trying some new things. She joined Instagram in June. “Homecoming” is her first foray into a TV series. Roberts insisted Sam Esmail (“Mr. Robot”) direct all the episodes, and that all the scripts be completed before shooting began. She similarly helped shape Ben Is Back, pushing for Peter Hedges to cast his son, the in-demand breakout star of Manchester

Colonel Don Schofield, Commander and Conductor

by the Sea — a tall task because Lucas has deliberately sought to establish himself outside of his father’s shadow. “When Julia read the script and met with me, I came with a list of actors that I thought would be good for the part, and Lucas wasn’t on that list,” Peter Hedges said by phone. “Before I could even share that list with her she said: ‘Lucas needs to play this part.’ “I said, ‘One, I don’t think he’s available, and, two, I don’t think he would ever want to do a film with me.’ Once she signed on, she began a very persuasive and I think classy campaign. She made an effort to let him

FREE CONCERT! Schlesinger Concert Hall Alexandria, Virginia

Christian McBride FRIDAY, FEB. 22 AT 8 P.M.

GRAMMY award-winning bassist

for FREE tickets, please visit: www.usafband.eventbrite.com

see theatre. be theatre.

PURCHASE

TICKETS

http://bit.ly/atmtchuckfinn 301.634.2270

Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Discover life-changing freedom and fun

10”

“With my Zinger Chair, I can go anywhere and everywhere I want!”

The Zinger folds to a mere 10 inches.

More and more Americans are reaching the age where mobility is an everyday concern. Whether from an injury or from the aches and pains that come from getting older– getting around isn’t as easy as it used to be. You may have tried a power chair or a scooter. The Zinger is NOT a power chair or a scooter! The Zinger is quick and nimble, yet it is not prone to tipping like many scooters. Best of all, it weighs only 47.2 pounds and folds and unfolds with ease. You can take it almost anywhere, providing you with independence and freedom. I can now go places and do things that I wasn’t able to go or do before. It has given me a new lease on life and I am so happy I found it! –Dana S., Texas Years of work by innovative engineers have resulted in a mobility device that’s truly unique. They created a battery that provides powerful energy at a fraction of the weight of most batteries. The Zinger features two steering levers, one on either side of the seat. The user pushes both levers down to go forward, pulls them both up to brake, and pushes one while pulling the other to turn to either side. This enables

great mobility, the ability to turn on a dime and to pull right up to tables or desks. The controls are right on the steering lever so it’s simple to operate and its exclusive footrest swings out of the way when you stand up or sit down. With its rugged yet lightweight aluminum frame, the Zinger is sturdy and durable yet convenient and comfortable! What’s more, it easily folds up for storage in a car seat or trunk– you can even gate-check it at the airport like a stroller. Think about it, you can take your Zinger almost anywhere, so you don’t have to let mobility issues rule your life. It folds in seconds without tools and is safe and reliable. It holds up to 265 pounds, and it goes up to 6 mph and operates for up to 8 hours on a single charge. Why spend another day letting mobility issues hamper your independence and quality of life?

Zinger Chair® Call now and receive a utility basket absolutely FREE with your order.

NEW

1-888-638-9584 Please mention code 110674 when ordering.

Just think of the places you can go: • Shopping • Air Travel • Bus Tours Zinger is not a wheelchair or medical device and is not covered by Medicare or Medicaid. © 2019 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.

83937

• Restaurants– ride right up to the table! • Around town or just around your house

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

A little emergency room etiquette lesson My friend Tom is an emergency room “Your team lose the big game?,” I asked. physician. As he so often says, he has seen “Worse,” he said. “I have seen the fueverything and has fixed ture, and I don’t like what I everything. see.” Tom never worries about By the time I had passed the quirks of his patients. the butter, Tom had launched That’s not his job. He’s there into a description of what to mend, stitch, rescue and happened in the ER two console. nights earlier. He leaves social trend analyThe story is enough to sis to politicians (or, Heaven worry anyone — but espehelp us, to columnists). cially those of us who have But when I broke bread HOW I SEE IT done many laps around the with Tom the other day, he was By Bob Levey sun. as agitated as I’ve ever seen Tom was treating a patient him. who was 75 years old. She had fallen and

Julia Roberts From page 49 lied upon for the movie,” says Roberts. Like much of Roberts’ best recent work, including Wonder and August: Osage County (for which she received an Oscar nomination), Ben Is Back revolves around family, both on and off screen. While her next film, Little Bee, is a drama, too, Roberts hasn’t turned away from romantic comedies for good. But Ben Is Back and “Homecoming” have allowed Roberts to expand on the dramatic work she did with Steven Soder-

bergh (Erin Brockovich) and Mike Nichols (Closer, Charlie Wilson’s War), who once said of the actress: “Her face is made by God to express thought and feeling.” What’s left for Roberts to prove? To her, that’s not the question. “I’ve never been in the proving business. But I do reside very humbly in the I-wantto-impress-you business,” says Roberts, noting her husband is at the top of that list. “I just remember the feeling of walking on the set everyday with my beloved Mike Nichols and thinking: What can I do in my work today that he’ll go: ‘I didn’t see that coming.’” — AP

smacked her head. She was quite bloody and more than a little woozy. Any ER doc can tell you — heck, any person can tell you —falls when you’re elderly can be very dangerous. So Tom began as he always does when a “fall” patient is conscious — by asking what happened. The woman began to answer. But then her cell phone rang.

She answered it. It was her grandson. She oohed and aahed over the kid’s description of his just-completed soccer game. She made the doc stand there while she continued oohing and aahing. She never even tried to apologize. She just See BOB LEVEY, page 53

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

FROM PAGE 52 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

P O S H

A R I A

S E L L

A F R O

R O A R

C O D A

S H A R E

T O T E D

R U I N G

S A M O L Y P V E E L F P O T R I O F N G E K R I E E T R S V T A O N Y

M A U I

A N T E S

S I T U P S

S A Y

R E E E D B L Y E R E R A S E N D E D M U S I E W M T L A S E S T S

C A R E W

T E D D Y B E A R

A D O R E

M I N O R

S T E M S

P G A S

A O N E

T N T S

D I D V I S T A S T E C O A O W L

ANSWERS TO JUMBLE Jumbles: ADAPT SAUTE CALLOW BEGONE Answer: What the defense lawyer wanted the plaintiff to do -- SETTLE "DOWN"

A R T S

Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — 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 Errata 1

Stephen Sherr By Stephen 10 11 12 Sherr 13 16 19

24 30

22 25

31 35

26 32

45 47 53

44 48

46 49

50 56

Jumble answers on p. 51.

21 23

Scrabble answers on p. 51.

51 57

Across 1. Attempt a Hail Mary 5. Accumulate 10.AHats popular in the 1920’s 14. Bestselling American cookie 15. Over-exuberance 16. Work on video post-production 17. Toy Hall of Fame Member, first bounced in 1949 19. Ready for eating 20. Prepare BLT’s for the soup-nsandwich combo 21. The vowels you can find on a SNIPEHUNT 22. AOL mailer, circa 1993 23. Recipient of a W-2 from Santa 25. Room deodorizers 27. Part of a journey on a ferris wheel 30. Author of The Tell-Tale Heart 32. Resident of Belgrade, most likely 33. About 30 centimeters 35. Most blood cells 37. Express disapproval, automotively 41. Hall member, first pulled in 1930 44. Tequila Sunrise garnish 45. Age ... epoch ... period ... ___ 46. Act like a lunatic 47. Barbra’s co-star in A Star is Born 49. A means to an ___ 51. Bottom right quadrants, briefly 52. Paved over dirt paths 56. “Every man is guilty of the good he ___ not do” (Voltaire) 58. Times open for business 59. Letters on ancient Greek M&M’s 61. Windows operating system, supported 2007-2009 65. “Don’t give up; keep ___!” 66. Hall member, first seen in 1939 68. Attorney General prior to Ashcroft 69. Book of maps 70. Layer of paint 71. Over-caffeinated 72. Starlings’ dwellings 73. Birds that eat insects, mice, and Tootsie Pops

Down 1. Fancy-schmancy 2. Operatic solo 3. Manage a flea market booth 4. Put the last letter in the puzzle 5. Roadie’s responsibility 6. Home to Haleakala National Park 7. Tosses in a chip 8. Part of an Army Physical Fitness Test 9. Use your words 10. Hall member, first stuffed in 1903 11. Be smitten with 12. One ineligible for military service 13. Bouquet handles 18. Website with slogan “We Know Just the Place” 22. 18-time MLB All-Star, Rod 24. Lose a deposit 26. Come up with a new marketing approach 27. 60’s hairdo 28. Sound before an MGM movie 29. Musical finale 31. Sushi selection 34. Hall member, first manufactured in 1914 36. All free clear detergent has none of it 38. Five of Jack Nicklaus’ major championships 39. Top-rated 40. Explosive compounds 42. Shrek’s three children 43. Homophone of heir and err 48. One with Middle Eastern ancestry 50. One-named starlet, usually 52. Daycare directive 53. Brought along a diaper bag 54. Having second thoughts 55. Activities for Aaron Burr 57. Song of (Donna) Summer 60. Battle against flies 62. Put in the overhead compartment 63. Jacksonville Jaguar uniform color 64. First section in each New York Times (alphabetically) 66. U-Haul option 67. Second degrees, technically

Answers on page 51.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Bob Levey From page 51

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

went on about her business as if a frivolous cell phone conversation in the ER was utterly necessary and utterly routine....When her life might have been on the line. That was bad enough. Fifteen minutes later, Tom was face-to-face with a man who was also 75. He was complaining of chest pains. Any ER doc can tell you — heck, any person can tell you —this might be a life-ordeath situation. So Tom began as he always does when a heart attack might be under way — by asking the patient to describe exactly how he feels. The man didn’t answer. He was staring at his cell phone. Tom grabbed a peek at the man’s screen. The man was playing a video game....When his life might have been on the line. Tom didn’t say anything to either patient. And, by the grace of you-know-who, neither patient turned out to have been in serious danger. But good fortune isn’t always in the cards, as those of us who have done many laps around the sun understand very well. So why did these two patients act in such a (choose at least one) foolhardy, rude and self-indulgent manner? “Because they could,” Tom theorized. “Because even though they should know better at their age, they are subconsciously imitating their grandchildren — you know, those kids who never take their noses out of their phones.” It’s bad enough that young people are losing touch with social norms and social cues because of cell phone addiction. But as Tom just discovered, those 21st Century behaviors are now turning up among those of us who did our best work in the last century. What’s the answer here? Tom flipped his palms upward. “Darned if I know,” he said. We chewed it over for the next 15 minutes. Clearly, Tom and his fellow ER docs can’t refuse to treat someone just because the patient is buried in a cell phone. They could be sued or fired, maybe both. Nor can emergency rooms post signs that require patients to stow their phones. An ER does not exist to monitor social behavior. Yes, ERs can forbid smoking, drinking, drug use and loud noise. But those are safety and health issues. A smart phone is only an annoyance. Nor can individual ER docs take a phone away from a patient. “Can you imagine me doing that to a 75-year-old?,” Tom asked. “It

would be like putting my mother in time out.” The best answer we could come up with is for ER docs to appeal to sweet reason. Just tell the patient that you want to help them as best you can, I counseled Tom. Then point out that glomming onto a cell phone makes that task much harder. Tom said he’d try this in the future. But then he shook his head. “I always found older patients to be sensible, careful, alert, really hoping to see tomorrow,” he said. “But now I can’t always say that anymore.” Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

BEACON BITS

Feb. 22

ITALIAN MADRIGAL CONCERT

Take a trip back in time to 16th-century Italy as Washington Bach Consort’s acclaimed chorus performs “Soavi accenti: Glories of the Italian Madrigal” on Friday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $35 for adults; $10 for children 18 and under. This musical performance, part of their Chamber Series, takes place the First Congregational Church of Christ, 945 G St. NW, Washington, D.C. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.bachconsort.org/soavi-accenti-glories-of-the-italian-madrigal/ or call (202) 429-2121.

WB219

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

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 55. 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 JOIN OUR NATIONAL CLUB - ICRMC (Inner Circle Referral Membership Club). All Members save time, gas and money on daily expenses. Benefits include: $1,000 Grocery & Restaurant Certificates, Discount Vacation Packages (Hotels & Resorts), National Network of medical, dental, vision, prescription, alternative providers, on-line savings programs and more! Must be 21 years of age to join. Foreigners welcome. Annual Membership Fee: $125 Per Household (1-7) family members. Join today! Go to https://www.ICRMC.Club. ESTABLISHED UPHOLSTERY BUSINESS FOR SALE — W & H Interiors, 211 Southgate Shopping Center, Culpeper, Virginia. Previously was in Northern Virginia. Owner retiring. Video on You Tube.com, Contact phone 703-491-0404, Email jbaez61@verizon.net

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Computer Services

Miscellaneous

Wanted

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

ENJOY 100% GUARANTEED, DELIVERED to-the-door Omaha Steaks! Save 75% plus get 4 more Burgers & 4 more Kielbasa FREE! Order The Family Gourmet Buffet — ONLY $49.99. Call 1-844-302-3754, mention code 51689JCT or visit www.omahasteaks.com.

BUYING MILITARY MEMORABILIA WW2, WW1, Civil War uniforms, weapons, photos and items associated with US, German, Japanese or items of other Military History. DAVE, 240-4640958.

Financial GOT AN OLDER CAR, VAN OR SUV? Do the humane thing. Donate it to the Humane Society. Call 1-844-230-2952. DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT to Heritage for the Blind. Free 3-Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. CALL 1-844-855-7670.

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate WAITLIST NOW OPEN! Apartments for seniors 62+ or disabled persons in Vienna. Newly renovated, new appliances, cabinets, flooring, and more. Amazing amenities! Income limits apply. tysonstowers.net 888-846-6979 Equal Housing Opportunity. IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO TAKE THE LEAP to a retirement community, try our newly announced Real Estate Partnership: Sue Heyman, Rick Winkler, and Sudha Baxter. Rely on our combined strengths: Top Weichert Producers, plus backgrounds in Teaching, Tax, and Business. We are located at the Leisure World Plaza Weichert Office and have personal knowledge of the Community from the investor and resident perspective. We will take you on a tour of the Community, show you floor plans, discuss campus amenities & offer how best to coordinate your move. We will set up an automated search for you, preview units, and contact you to arrange a showing when there is a match. We also offer exceptional service selling your current home. Call for your free Community booklet. You can see our current listings in this issue. Office 301-681-0550, Sue 301-580-5556, Rick 301-404-3105, Sudha 202-368-8536. HARRY FANG, EVERGREEN PROPERTIES, Realtor, MD 673269, full service broker (since 1989). Only 1.5% commission(compared to 3% most charge), buy or sell. Buyer receives commission over 1.5% back. Much more value than Redfin. 240-478-0250 eisdom@gmail.com.

Personals Services SELL YOUR SILVER AND OLD GOLD JEWELRY. Gold 4 Good (8241 Georgia Ave., Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910) buys gold and silver jewelry, including broken pieces, all sterling silver and silver flatware, gold watches and gold and silver coins. I will come to your house and give you a free evaluation of what I can pay. If you decide to sell, I can buy your items at that time, but there is no obligation. Licensed with both Maryland and Montgomery County (lic. #2327). Call Bob, (240) 938-9694. Gold 4 Good pays an additional 5 percent to all military veterans (and their spouses). Gold 4 Good is a Maryland licensed precious metals dealership, not a pawnshop or private home-based business. ESTATE SALES & LIQUIDATIONS - Our company specializes in helping families in the DMV to downsize and transition to their new living situations. We provide home clear outs, estate/moving sales and home organization. Fairfax Estate Sales & ThriftFrog Valet - (703) 609-3535. Call for your FREE Consultation. www.fairfaxestatesales.com

TV/Cable DISH Network. 190+ CHANNELS. FREE Install. FREE Hopper HD-DVR. $49.99/month (24 months) Add High Speed Internet - $14.95 (where avail.) CALL Today & SAVE 25%! 1-844560-5837. SPECTRUM TRIPLE PLAY! TV, Internet & Voice for $29.99 ea. 60 MB per second speed. No contract or commitment. More Channels. Faster Internet. Unlimited Voice. Call 1-888-366-7573. DIRECTV. CALL AND SWITCH NOW — Get NFL Sunday Ticket for FREE! Every Game. Every Sunday. CHOICE- All-Included Package. Over 185 Channels. $60/month (for 12 Months.) CALL 1- 888-572-4953.

For Sale

Wanted

PARK LAWN MEMORIAL PARK and Menorah Gardens 1200 Veirs Mill Road Rockville, MD 20853 no. 301-881-2151 Four premium burial sites located Block 10 Lot 5 Sites 1-2-3-4 Prime location must see. Current retail value $36,780. Asking $18,000 or reasonable offer. Please call Al Briggs 301-252-7459.

ESTATE LIQUIDATION/ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES: One call solves it all when you hire us to handle your estate liquidation, downsizing and/or home cleanout. We sell your treasures, take care of charitable donations and provide junk removal. We also purchase partial estate contents/collections. Always buying antiques, jewelry, fine art, vintage toys, collectibles, advertising, sports memorabilia, military items, rare books, Mid Century Modern furniture, vinyl records collections and more. Based in Silver Spring, we serve Montgomery County, Howard County, Baltimore County, Washington D.C., NOVA and beyond. No home, barn or warehouse is too packed for us! Friendly, conscientious staff. Call Chris on cell (202) 731-9447. www.OrionsAttic.com.

Caregivers ELDERLY CARE - Female care provider, English speaking with car. I cook, clean and take to appointments. I’m experienced in caring for people with MS, Alzheimer’s and other health problems. Excellent references. 301-275-7283. 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. QUALITY ELDERLY CARE 11+ yrs exp. providing excellent care. Eg. Meal prep, run errands, appt mgmnt, excellent comm., etc. YOUR LOVED ONE DESERVES IT! Contact: Monica, 301.646.2132 / monica4elderlycare@gmail.com *Excellent references upon request*. EXPERIENCED CAREGIVER. I will care for your loved ones night/day. Own transportation. Good references. 301-502-2258 POSITION SEEKING FOR WEEKEND (Leisure World - Silver Spring MD) My specialty is early Alzheimer’s and seniors in need of help. Will shop, clean and cook. Great references, live (5) minutes to Leisure World. Very patient - Call JP, 301-598-3627. A HOME HEALTHCARE - Experienced nurses, CNA, GNA are available 24/7. Cooking, companionship, personal care, housekeeping, driving. Full/Part-time or live-in. Flat rate for for live-in care. 15 years’ experience. 240-533-6599

Computer Services COMPUTER LESSONS — Personal Computer training at your home. Email, Internet, general computer use, Windows 10. Setup and train on all consumer electronics — Smartphone, Smart TV, tablet, digital cameras, GPS. Troubleshooting. Setup new computers. Gentle & patient teacher using plain English. Since 1996. Call David, 301-980-5840. COMPUTERTUTOR.

FOR SALE FT. LINCOLN CEMETERY - Garden of Reflections. 2-burial rights-bronze/granite memorial crypts on top of each other. Today’s value $9000.00, Sale price $6995.00. Call Harold (301)928-9731

For Sale DENTAL INSURANCE. Call Physicians Mutual Insurance Company for details. Not just a discount plan, real coverage for 350 procedures. 844-366-1003 or http://www.dental50plus.com/320 Ad# 6118. STOP OVERPAYING for your prescriptions! SAVE! Call our licensed Canadian and International pharmacy, compare prices and get $25.00 OFF your first prescription! CALL 1-888-9817657 Promo Code CDC201725. 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.

Legal Services SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY? Up to $2,671/mo. (Based on paid-in amount.) Free evaluation! Call Bill Gordon & Associates. 1-866-9700779. Mail: 2420 N St NW, Washington, D.C. Office: Broward Co. FL., member TX/NM Bar. WERE YOU AN INDUSTRIAL OR CONSTRUCTION TRADESMAN and recently diagnosed with lung cancer? You and your family may be entitled to a significant cash reward. Call 1-888-351-0312 for your risk free consultation.

SEEKING FULL/SEALED BOTTLES of Vintage Bourbon and Rye. Do you have full/sealed vintage bottles of bourbon or rye collecting dust in your cabinet. Do any of your bottles have an old red or green tax strip? Call Alex, 443-223-7669. 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 202-726-4427, MD 301-332-4697. COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, weapons, knives, swords, bayonets, web gear, uniforms, etc. from all wars and countries. Also Lionel Toy Trains, and coin operated machines. Will pay top prices for my personal collection. Discreet consultations. Call Fred, 301-910-0783. CASH FOR JEWELRY: Buying jewelry, diamonds, gold, platinum, silver, watches, coins, flatware, etc. Ask for Tom. Call anytime, 301654-8678 (Reg. 883). $$$ CASH $$$ FOR MILITARY USMC ARMY USAF USN ITEMS - Buying Military Uniforms, Patches, Medals, Insignia, Flight Jackets, Weapons etc. from the Civil War through Vietnam. Especially Seeking U.S. Army Air Corps, USMC, Airborne and German/Japanese/Italian items from WWII. Call/Text Dan at 202-8413062 or email MILITBUFF@AOL.COM COLLECTOR SEEKING: ANTIQUES, mid-century furniture, paintings, gold, silver items, quality jewelry, sewing, military, etc. One piece or estate. Cash paid and quick removal. Chris, 301-262-1299. TURN YOUR SILVER AND OLD GOLD jewelry into cash. Gold 4 Good (8241 Georgia Ave., Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910) buys gold and silver jewelry, including broken pieces, all sterling silver and silver flatware, gold watches and gold and silver coins. I will come to your house and give you a free evaluation of what I can pay. If you decide to sell, I can buy your items at that time, but there is no obligation. Licensed with both Maryland and Montgomery County (lic. #2327). Call Bob, (240) 938-9694. Gold 4 Good pays an additional 5 percent to all sellers who are military veterans (or spouses of veterans). Gold 4 Good is a Maryland licensed precious metals dealership, not a pawnshop or private home-based business. WANTED: OLDER VIOLINS, GUITARS, BANJOS, MANDOLINS, UKULELES, ETC. Musician/collector will pay cash for older string instruments. Jack (301) 279-2158. LADY WHO LIKES CHINA and other pretty things would like to buy yours. Favorites include Herend, Meissen, Royal Copenhagen, Shelley and Villeroy & Boch. Some Lenox and Johnson Brothers. I love English bone china cups and saucers. Baccarat and Lalique too. Paintings and pottery. I’ve collected antique Christmas and Halloween for thirty years and am always looking to add to my collection. Sterling and jewelry. MD license no. 2753. Call, 301-785-1129.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

LONG-TERM CARE ADVOCATES NEEDED

The Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program needs volunteer advocates for residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun. Volunteers must complete a training program and commit to four hours per week for at least one year. For more information, call (703) 324-5861, TTY 711, or email Camden.Doran@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Feb. 1+

HISTORICAL PLAY

The play Perfect Arrangement will be onstage at the Greenbelt Arts Center on Fridays and Saturdays, Feb. 1 through Feb. 23, at 8 p.m. Sunday matinees will run on Feb. 10 and 17 at 2 p.m. Based in 1950, this compelling drama offers laughs and lessons as two patriotic (and secretly gay) couples challenge the traditional values of the time. Tickets start at $20 for students, seniors and military members; proceeds support PG-CASA’s work with abused and neglected children. The arts center is located at 123 Centerway, Greenbelt, Md. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (301) 441-8770 or visit www.bit.ly/PerfectArrangementPlay.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Letters to editor

NEW PROCEDURE FOR PLACING CLASSIFIED ADS

From page 2 value for the fans. The first group of girls that wore the “red hot pants with red wedges” you describe debuted on October 21, 1977. But they were not well received by the fans and management, and as a result were temporarily suspended on Dec. 2, 1977. The Bullets then hired Lander McConkey from the University of Maryland to hold tryouts and reorganize the group, which is when I entered the picture. I tried out on December 17, 1977, helped Lander organize the team, and by the end of the season was promoted to director and choreographer. I have included a photo of me in my 2018-2019 Washington Wizdom uniform holding the Washington Bullette uniform worn during the 1977-1978 Washington Bullets NBA World Championship season! It has been such an honor and privilege to be a part of the Washington Bullets Dance Team’s first year, and now with the Washington Wizards Wizdom Dance Team’s first year — especially considering that at the age of 48 I was diagnosed with early onset heart disease, and it was discovered that I had a 90 percent blockage in the most critical junction of my heart. Knowing my family’s medical history was crucial to this discovery, and I am so

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 and Richmond editions). 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 place your classified ad, visit www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds very grateful that my story has helped countless others obtain valuable heart health information and medical care. Helping others is key to living a long and fulfilling life, as is achieving new goals and dreams. All of my teammates, ages 50 to 76, share my enthusiasm for being a member of the Wizdom Dance Team. We thank Barbara Ruben for her wonderful article and for sharing in our joy! Happiness shared is happiness multiplied! Diane Mizell Gaithersburg, Md.

BEACON BITS

Feb. 25+

MONET AND THE SEA

Art historian Joan Hart will discuss Impressionist artist Claude Monet’s use of the ocean as a theme in his artwork in a workshop called “Monet: In Love With The Sea.” She will first speak at a free event on Monday, Feb. 25 at 1:30 p.m. at Aurora Hills Senior Center, 735 S. 18th St., Arlington, Va. For more information, call (703) 228-5722. A second presentation will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 1:30 p.m. at Lee Senior Center, 5722 Lee Hwy., Arlington, Va. This event costs $6. To register, call (703) 228-0555.

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Studies Flu Research Study .......................26

Computer/ Technology Help TechMedic4u...................................5

Dental Services Friedman, Stephen, DDS ..............35 Oh, Judy, DDS ..............................13

Employment Career Gateway.............................35 Salesperson Wanted ......................37

Events Brooke Grove ..........................12, 56 GROWS ........................................12 Path of Achievement Awards ........48

Financial/Insurance Services Chesapeake Senior Benefits .........11 Children’s National Hospital.........33 First Senior Service.......................23

Funeral Services Going Home Cremation................36

Government Services DC Insurance, Banking and Securities ................7 DC Office on Aging ................30-31 DC Public Service Commission ....................6 Maryland Dept of Aging...............13

Montgomery County Aging and Disability Services .................8, 24

Home Health Care/Companion Services Best Senior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Bright Hope Home Care . . . . . . .27 JSSA Hospice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Misler Adult Day Center . . . . . . .38 Options for Senior America ..........36 Premier Home Care ......................17 Senior Call Check .........................13

Housing Alfredhouse...................................19 Ashby Ponds ...............................1, 4 Aspenwood Sr. Living...................21 Brooke Grove Retirement Village ..................................12, 56 Charles E. Smith Life Communities ......................10 Chesterbrook Residences .................................28 Chevy Chase House ......................14 Churchill Senior Living ................26 Culpepper Garden .........................10 Falcons Landing .............................3 Five Star Premier Residences .......20 Friendship Terrace.........................20 Gardens of Traville, The................14 Greenspring.................................1, 4 Homecrest House..........................43 Landing of Silver Spring, The ......................11 Landow House ..............................10 Overture Fair Ridge ......................27 Potomac Place ...............................20

Quantum Property Mgmt .................24 R Homes Communities ....................39 Riderwood...................................1, 4 Ring House ...................................10 Silver Nest Home..........................33 Sommerset Retirement..................29 Springvale Terrace ........................25 Sylvestry, The................................25 Victory Court ................................38 Victory Housing............................27 Vinson Hall ...................................25 Waltonwood Ashburn....................19

Legal Services

Restaurants Glory Days Grill .............................7

Retail/Auction Healthy Back Store .......................21 Maryland Estate Treasure .............35 Perfect Sleep Chair .......................16 Perfect Walker ...............................22 Quingo Scooter .............................44 Quinn’s Auction Galleries .............29 Zinger Chair..................................50

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation

Farr Law Firm ...............................34 JGL Law/Paul Reikhof..................33

Manor Care Health Services.........18

Medical/Health

Subscriptions

Arthritis Pain Relief Center ..........15 Arya Wellness Center....................25 Because .............................11, 13, 15 Herbology .....................................18 Lesner Hearing..............................15 Medical Eye Center ......................41 Rise Dispensaries .........................23 Silver Spring Medical Center .......17

Beacon Newspaper........................53 Washington Jewish Week..............42

Miscellaneous Beacon Silver Pages......................40 TheBeaconNewspapers.com...36, 40

Real Estate Long & Foster/ Eric Stewart..........................37, 45 Weichert/Sue Heyman ..................23

Theatre/ Entertainment Adventure Theatre.........................49 City of Rockville...........................48 Ford’s Theatre................................49 F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre ............47 Kennedy Center ............................48 Senior Zone...................................51 Toby’s Dinner Theatre ...................46 US Air Force Band..................47, 49 US Navy Band ..............................46

Tour & Travel Eyre Travel ....................................43 Festive Holidays ............................43 Shillelaghs.....................................43

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

February 2019

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, unless otherwise noted. Please register with Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org.

Parkinson’s Support Group WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13 2-3:15 P.M.

living well seminar: l r r: “How Your o to Improve Y Health Strengthening h By yS re Your Core” E ES AY, FEBRUARY BR R 20 WEDNESDAY, 1-2:15 P.M.

caregiver connection: “The Miracle of Music” TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 2-3 P.M. Whether you are a caregiver, volunteer, work in ministry or just love music, you’ll delight in stories of hope, understanding and inspiration. FREE. RSVP by February 17.

Discover why a strong core is key to living a vibrant life, and learn specific, senior friendly exercises that you can do at home to keep you moving.

PFNCA EXERCISE FOR PARKINSON’S CLASSES EACH MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY 3:30-4:30 P.M. Improve posture, balance and circulation while also increasing strength, muscle control and mobility. FREE with a $30 annual Parkinson Foundation registration fee.

Preceded by complimentary lunch at 12:30 p.m. FREE. Register by February 18. Parkinson’s Communications Club TUESDAYS • 12:30-1:30 P.M.

18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860

301-260-2320 · www.bgf.org

Independent living

This weekly wellness and prevention program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners focuses on the maintenance of communication skills, with an emphasis on strengthening breath support and improving the ability to project and speak loudly enough to be heard in social settings. FREE with a $30 annual Parkinson Foundation registration fee.

assisted living

rehabilitation

long-term care

memory support