February 2019 | Howard County Beacon

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First women lead police & fire

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PHOTO COURTESY OF HCDFRS

By Robert Friedman In November, Howard County voters chose Calvin Ball as County Executive, electing the first African American to fill that position.

And now, he continues to make history (some might say “herstory”) with the recent appointments of Lisa Myers to be the county’s first female chief of the Howard County Police Department, and Christine Uhlhorn as the first female chief of the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services.

Both new chiefs have many years’ experience in their respective departments.

“I knew since kindergarten that I wanted to be a firefighter,” said Uhlhorn. “I never, ever thought of being anything else.”

Uhlhorn is a third-generation firefighter — her father and grandfather both served in the Baltimore City Fire Department, and other relatives have also fought fires and made rescues around Maryland. She said she vividly remembers visiting as a child the fire stations where her father, Captain Frank Uhlhorn, and grandfather worked.

“The strongest motivating factor” for her becoming a firefighter, Uhlhorn said, “was how much I admired my father. I wanted to be like him and really just help people.”

The single mom, 50, figuratively climbed the department ladder — which she also did literally while fighting fires — starting in 1989 when she became a firefighter recruit and emergency medical technician at the Long Reach station in Columbia, and rising through the ranks to assistant fire chief before her appointment as chief.

At one point during those years, she trained Ball, himself a former firefighter and emergency medical technician.

Ball said in a statement that Uhlhorn “set high standards for herself, those who she has

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In a series of firsts for Howard County, Christine Uhlhorn (middle) and Lisa Myers (right) were recently appointed the first-ever female fire chief and police chief, respectively. Myers and Calvin Ball (left), the recently sworn-in county executive, are also the first African Americans to hold these positions in the county.

commanded, as well as those who she has trained — and I should know, because she helped train me when I was in the academy.

She was a mentor then, and she will be an even greater mentor to thousands of others.”

did not particularly want to wear a badge.

Although she graduated from Coppin State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, her first choice for a career was that of mortician.

“I always thought it was a fascinating

New police chief While growing up in Baltimore, Myers

See POLICE & FIRE, page 28

ARTS & STYLE

Columbia author imparts fear factor to children’s books; plus, Julia Roberts, a “homebody” movie star page 26

FITNESS & HEALTH 4 k Acupuncture has many uses k Do hip/knee replacements last?

THE 50+ CONNECTION 15 k Newsletter from Howard County Office on Aging & Independence LAW & MONEY 19 k Brighten portfolio with utilities k Should you pay off a mortgage?

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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 fitness tracker (such as Fitbit, companies large and small, Apple Watch, etc.), focusing on start-ups and long-estabheart and brain health. lished brands, as well as reStarkey is also incorporatsearch institutes and associaing fall-detection technology tions like AARP and the Nathat can notify emergency tional Council on the Aging. contacts if the wearer has a seI came away excited about what I learned, and energized rious fall, and will soon have the ability to translate foreign by the creative technologies FROM THE languages into English when and solutions some of these PUBLISHER companies are developing.

By Stuart P. Rosenthal the wearer is communicating with non-English speakers.

I also spoke on a media Virtual empathy: Virtual reality (VR) panel at the conference about publications like the Beacon, and apparently interested goggles have become popular with those some of these companies in our readers. who play simulation games and like to beSo don’t be surprised if you see some of come “part of the action.”

But there are many other potential uses these products advertised in this and fufor VR. One company, Embodied Labs, has ture issues.

I hasten to add, however, that no one developed programs that help caregivers paid for any mention in this column. I am and family members understand better what sharing this info because I really think a person with conditions like Alzheimer’s or low vision is experiencing, or even what it’s you’ll be as intrigued as I was.

More than a hearing aid: Starkey like being told you have a terminal condition.

When you put on the goggles, you can see Hearing Technologies is adding onto a new line of digital hearing aids a number the world in the way such a person does. The of other services of interest to older adults. idea is to help develop more empathy in

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The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Baltimore area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Howard County, Md., Greater Washington, DC and Richmond, Va. (Fifty Plus).

Subscriptions are available via third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. 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, Operations........Gordon Hasenei • Vice President, Sales & Marketing ....Alan Spiegel • Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben • Art Director ........................................Kyle Gregory • Director of Operations ........................Roger King • Advertising Representatives .................................. ................................Barbara Koscielski, Steve Levin • Editorial Assistant ..............................PJ Feinstein

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (410) 248-9101 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 31 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions. © Copyright 2019 The Beacon Newspapers, Inc.

those caring for people with these conditions.

Singing to restore speech: We sing using different parts of our brain than when we speak. So the inventors of SingFit wondered if music therapy might restore communication better than speech therapy for those who lose the ability to speak due to a stroke or other brain injury.

Indeed, that seems to be the case, at least in many situations. SingFit’s online program uses song lyrics and melody to help stroke patients regain their ability to communicate.

It also is said to reduce anxiety and behavior problems among Alzheimer’s patients.

The program has proven so successful that Sunrise Senior Living has now introduced it into all of their assisted living communities.

Home matchmaking service: Another service, Silvernest.com, matches homeowners (mostly older adults with room to spare, perhaps also with the desire to have companionship and help around the house) with potential housemates.

After completing a survey (as on a dating site), the service matches homeowners with housing seekers and enables the parties to work out an agreement.

Comprehensive background checks, as well as help with legal documents, automatic rent payments, and coping with disputes, are also available through the site.

It’s a nationwide service that started out west and is just getting started in this part of the country. They’re offering Beacon readers a half-price discount with the code BEACON50.

When you’d rather not talk about it... Another online company has been growing rapidly by offering those who require incontinence products a simple, dis-

creet 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!

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.

BEACON BITS

Feb. 9

THE MAESTRO’S ANNIVERSARY

The Columbia Orchestra celebrates conductor Jason Love’s 20th year with the orchestra with one of his favorite works, Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition,” which he led at his inaugural concert in 1999. Love will be the soloist for the U.S. premiere of a cello concerto by Guillaume Connesson, one of classical music’s rising stars. The concert will be performed at Jim Rouse Theater, 5460 Trumpeter Rd., Columbia, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9. There will be a free pre-concert lecture at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 to $24 for seniors and $22 to $28 for adults. To learn more and buy tickets, see columbiaorchestra.org/season/events/maestros-anniversary-2018.

Feb. 4

A VIRTUAL VACATION IN CHINA

No time or money for a vacation? Discover the joy of a no-travelcost, no-time-lost virtual vacation to China. Visit modern and historic sites in this three-week series, and discover the beauty and culture of one of the oldest and largest countries in the world. The series is being held at the Miller Branch Library, 9421 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City, on Mondays, Feb. 11, 4 and 25 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The class is free, but registration is required by calling (410) 313-1950.

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

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DISCOVER A BETTER WINTER AT FIV E STA R SENIO R L I V I N G

Country Living Magazine shared that the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts a “colder than normal” winter, with “above normal” precipitation in many regions.

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Health Fitness &

UNDER OBSERVATION Have you been “admitted” to the hospital or are you just being “observed?”

GOT MILK (OR SOY)?

Dairy products provide important nutrients, but so do many substitutes MAKING DISABILITIES DISAPPEAR New technologies focus on overcoming limits caused by disabilities TRUTH ABOUT FAKE FLAVORS Foods are full of unnamed artificial flavors. Some seek more regulation

When considering hip or knee replacement

By Dr. Robert M. Shmerling How long will a hip or knee replacement last? For people considering this type of surgery, it’s something they want — and need — to know.

In the U.S. alone, surgeons perform more than 600,000 knee replacements and about 330,000 hip replacements each year.

These operations can provide a major improvement in quality of life and function for those with severe arthritis.

On the other hand, there are risks associated with the operation (as is true for any major surgery), there is a long road to recovery even when all goes well, and these operations aren’t cheap.

For knee replacement surgery alone, an estimated $9 billion or more is spent each year in the U.S. (although economic analyses suggest the surgery may actually be cost-saving over the long run).

So, if the first joint replacement is unsuccessful for some reason (such as infection or loosening), a second (or even third) operation may be necessary.

And that’s a big deal, especially since “revision surgery” is technically more difficult, recovery can take longer, and success rates may be lower than first operations.

There’s no guarantee Unfortunately, no one can be sure that a hip or knee replacement will be the last operation needed on that joint. No operation is 100 percent successful, and nothing lasts forever.

In addition, a number of factors — including surgical technique and surgeon experience, how many operations a particular hospital or surgeon performs each year, and patient factors (including age, weight and activity level) — can all have powerful effects on how long a replaced joint lasts.

But we do have an idea of how long a joint replacement will last based on data from past surgeries. During my training in the 1980s and 1990s, the teaching was that up to 90 percent or more of hip or knee re-

placements would last at least 10 to 15 years. We still quote similar numbers. But it might be better than that.

With better preparation prior to surgery (including “prehab” exercise and loss of excess weight), improved materials in the replacement, better surgical techniques and anesthesia, and better physical rehabilitation after surgery, your joint replacement of the knee or hip is more likely to be successful and last the rest of your life than ever before. At least we hope that’s the case.

Age is of particular importance, because a person with a life expectancy of 15 years has a much better chance of avoiding a future operation than a person with a life expectancy of 30 years. In addition, younger patients tend to be more active and put more stress on their new joint.

For these reasons, some surgeons advise younger patients to put off surgery as long as possible, even if that means suffering with pain, stiffness and reduced mobility.

New hip and knee data Good data hard to find It’s difficult to predict how long a joint replacement will last for several reasons.

One is that it can take a decade or more to collect data on past operations to predict the success of future operations.

Another challenge is that, in recent years, there’s been a tendency to operate on younger people, including baby boomers, who are more active in their 50s and 60s and may expect more of their new joints than prior generations.

A recent study examined how long knee or hip replacements last, and how their durability is affected by the person’s age at the time of surgery. As published in the April 2017 edition of the medical journal The Lancet, researchers found that: — Among more than 60,000 people who had a hip replacement, only 4.4 percent required revision surgery in the first 10 years after surgery, but by the 20-year See JOINT REPLACEMENT, page 5

Acupuncture can treat many conditions Dear Mayo Clinic: I started chemotherapy last month, and my healthcare provider suggested I tr y acupuncture for nausea. How does acupuncture work? Is there any risk to trying it?

Answer: Traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, dates back more than 2,500 years. Acupuncture involves inserting thin, single-use, sterile needles through the skin to identify and correct imbalances within the body’s “energy” flow, called “qi” or “chi.”

Acupuncture as a form of medical treatment has become more popular in the U.S. in recent decades. It may be useful as a stand-alone treatment for some conditions, but it’s increasingly used as part of an integrative medicine approach in conjunction with conventional (Western) medical treatments, as in your case.

Evidence suggests that acupuncture may provide a range of health benefits. In the U.S., acupuncture most often is used to treat acute and chronic pain disorders; emotional disorders, such as anxiety and depression; digestive complaints; and neurological con-

ditions, such as migraine or stroke.

It has been used to treat respiratory conditions, gynecological disorders and infertility. There is also evidence to support its use to treat fatigue and addictions.

A general sense of well-being often is promoted through the balancing of the energy of the body. Thus, treatment can maintain that state of well-being.

Acupuncture is generally safe when performed properly by an experienced practitioner. It has few side effects, especially compared to many drugs.

The most common side effects of acupuncture are soreness and minor bleeding or bruising at the needle sites. Less common risks or complications are infection or, rarely, puncture of the lung.

How does it work?

When not to use

There are multiple scientific theories about how acupuncture works. It may work at the site of application or at a distance, with the help of sensory neurons that signal changes within the peripheral and central nervous system.

One theory is that acupuncture may promote the release of the body’s own natural painkillers (endogenous opioids), alleviating or easing pain.

Insertion of acupuncture needles also may block the transmission of pain signals through the nerves to the brain. In addition, acupuncture may stimulate the release of certain brain and nerve chemicals that can ease symptoms of depression.

Certain conditions may increase your risk of complications. Your chances of bleeding or bruising from the needles increase if you have a bleeding disorder or you take anti-clotting drugs, such as warfarin (Coumadin). So let your acupuncturist know if you are on any of these medications.

Also, tell your acupuncturist if you have a pacemaker. Acupuncture that involves applying mild electrical pulses to the needles may interfere with a pacemaker’s operation.

If your white blood cell count is low, such as after certain types of chemotherapy, your healthcare provider may recommend against any disruption of your skin to prevent infection.

Each practitioner of acupuncture has a unique style. Your practitioner may ask you about your symptoms, behaviors and lifestyle. The practitioner may closely examine the parts of your body that are painful, or the strength, rhythm and quality of the pulse in your wrist.

This history gathering and physical exam will help your practitioner determine the type of acupuncture treatment that will help you the most.

This initial evaluation may take up to one hour. Subsequent appointments usually take about 30 to 60 minutes. A common treatment plan typically involves one or two treatments a week to start.

The total number of treatments will depend on the condition being treated and its severity, but six to eight treatments are common. There’s evidence that acupuncture works best in people who expect it to work.

What to expect Acupuncture needles are thin, so insertion usually causes little discomfort. HowSee ACUPUNCTURE, page 5

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ever, you may feel a slight aching sensation that usually lasts less than 30 seconds.

Between five and 20 needles are used in a typical treatment.

Your practitioner may gently move or twirl the needles after placement, or apply heat or mild electrical pulses to them. If at any time you have discomfort, let your practitioner know.

In most cases, the needles remain in place for 15 to 30 minutes while you lie still. There’s usually no discomfort when the needles are removed.

Some people feel relaxed and others feel energized after a treatment. However, not everyone responds to acupuncture. If your symptoms don’t improve within a few weeks, acupuncture may not be right for you.

If you’re considering acupuncture, take the same steps you would to choose any

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healthcare provider. Ask people you trust for recommendations. Check the practitioner’s training and credentials.

Most states require that non-physician acupuncturists pass an exam conducted by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

In addition, talk to the practitioner and ask what’s involved in the treatment, how likely it is to help your condition, and how much it will cost. In some cases, insurance covers treatment.

A growing number of healthcare providers use acupuncture as part of their clinical practice, including specialists at Mayo Clinic.

— Kirsten Paynter, M.D., Physical Mecine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Ariz. © 2018 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Acupuncture

ment. But based on the numbers published in this new report, some people may decide to delay or even forego the second surgery.

Robert M. Shmerling, M.D., is a faculty editor at Harvard Health Publishing. © 2019. President and fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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mark, 15 percent required revision.

— Among nearly 55,000 people who had a knee replacement, only 3.9 percent required revision surgery within 10 years of surgery; by 20 years, 10.3 percent required revision.

— Age did matter. Of those over 70 having hip or knee replacement, the lifetime risk of having a second operation on the

their results, so if you’re considering hip or knee replacement and your surgeon’s results are truly better, or worse, than average, hopefully you’ll be able to find out.

So when a person’s replaced hip or knee joint is “worn out” and conservative treatments (such as medications and exercise) aren’t helpful enough, there aren’t many good options other than a second replace-

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replaced joint was about 5 percent. But this risk was much greater in younger individuals, especially for men. Up to 35 percent of men in their early 50s required a second operation.

Some orthopedic surgeons might scoff at these findings and say, “My patients do better than those in this study.” And that may be true.

But increasingly, hospitals and surgeons are being required to make public

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Joint replacement

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

Costly difference: Inpatient vs. observation When a person enters the hospital be- emergency and only stays for a short pericause of required medical treatment, she is od of time may understand that she is congenerally not concerned about sidered an outpatient. how she is classified as a paHowever, a patient who tient. But what may seem like plans a procedure well in adan arbitrary classification can vance and stays in a hospital be very costly for people with for more than 48 hours may Medicare. expect that she will be categoHospitals classify each parized as an inpatient. But that tient’s status as either “inpais not the case for many patient” or “observation.” Inpatient tients. status implies severe problems For many years now, hospirequiring highly skilled care. tals have been deeming more Observation status implies less THE SAVINGS and more patients to be in obsevere problems and a shorter GAME servation status, and they

By Elliot Raphaelson stay. have even used that categoUnder current practices, rization for patients who stay most hospitals will not notify a patient that for a week or longer. she has been categorized as observation The Medicare standard is the so-called status until discharge. Then, a hospital “two midnights” rule: If a patient passes two representative presents a document for consecutive midnights in the hospital, she the patient’s signature indicating that she merits inpatient status. Unfortunately, things understands that the classification has often don’t work out that way. In fact, hospibeen observation status. tals have the right to retroactively change a patient’s status to observation.

No real way to know My wife recently had a pacemaker inA patient who enters the hospital for an stalled at a Florida hospital, and she re-

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ceived excellent treatment. She spent two days in the hospital.

Her procedure was planned weeks in advance. I expected that she would be categorized as an inpatient. She was not. She was provided with paperwork an hour before dismissal for her to sign indicating that she had been in observation status. This meant that she was covered not under Part A of Medicare but under Part B. Fortunately, she has Part B and Medigap, so most of her expenses will be covered. If she did not have Part B or Medigap, she would have faced significant expenses.

However, Part B does not cover medications, so she will be billed for them. She does have Part D, which covers prescription drugs, so some of the drug expenses may be covered. However, if she had been categorized as an inpatient, most if not all of her hospital expenses would have been covered.

This is not the first time that a family member has spent two or more days in the hospital and only found out at discharge that they were not categorized as an inpatient.

Frankly, I think the existing hospital policy in this regard is shameful. A patient should know as soon as possible what their status is. This is especially important for people who don’t have Part B coverage or its equivalent. They have a right to know the hospital expenses they will be

facing depending on their patient status.

Rehab coverage also affected Another example: Assume a person has been a patient at the hospital for three or more days. If he had been categorized as an inpatient, he could be admitted to a rehab facility and be covered by Medicare for 20 days there.

However, if he had been categorized as observation status, Medicare would not cover any of the rehab expenses because he had not been an inpatient. He would be on the hook for rehab, and that cost would run into many thousands of dollars.

Unfortunately, Medicare policies and hospital policies in this area are ambiguous. Because of cost pressure from Medicare, hospitals are deeming observation status more frequently in the last several years, and most patients are not aware of the cost implications.

Congress needs to establish fairer and better defined policies, and better protection for Medicare patients. I urge you to contact your congressional representatives. The current practices don’t protect patients at all.

Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com. © 2018 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Why you still need milk (or substitutes)

By Kiera Carter You probably grew up guzzling milk. It’s a solid source of protein, and it helps you build strong bones.

Flash-forward a few decades, though, and it’s no longer front and center in your fridge — if it’s in there at all. More and more people are going vegan or paleo, and ditching dairy.

Even if your diet doesn’t prohibit milk, concerns about its link to acne, allergies and heart disease may have made you nix it.

Other foods have stepped up to fill the gap. The USDA, which suggests three servings of dairy a day, now includes substitutes like soymilk as sources of calcium.

However, recent studies on the health perks of dairy raise the question: Is it really necessary to give up dairy completely?

Pros and cons of dairy Turns out, milk still deserves its oncestellar reputation. “Dairy is an incredibly easy way to get a very high dose of essential vitamins and minerals,” said Taylor Wallace, Ph.D., a professor in the department of nutrition and food studies at George Mason University.

Dairy is a complete protein, with all the essential amino acids your body requires to function. Plus, dairy is fortified with vitamin D, which is crucial to helping your body absorb calcium.

Not only that, dairy is an excellent choice for active people. Low-fat chocolate milk has been shown to help with muscle recovery after endurance exercise, and people who drank two cups of skim milk after lifting weights lost more fat and gained more muscle than those who drank soy, according to a McMaster University study.

One of dairy’s biggest negatives? The stomach problems it causes. Many people have trouble digesting it because they’re intolerant of lactose, the type of natural sugar that milk and other dairy products contain.

Acne is another major concern for many people, who say they break out when they eat dairy. While there hasn’t been a definitive study proving that dairy causes pimples, a growing volume of research suggests there’s a link, according to a review in Practical Dermatology.

If you choose to follow a dairy-free diet, you can get the benefits of milk elsewhere.

“Most nondairy options are fortified with comparable amounts of calcium and vitamin D, and they’re easy for your body to absorb,” said Wallace. For all the essential amino acids your body needs, drink soymilk, which is also a complete protein.

Prefer almond or coconut milk? Enjoy it with some whole-wheat toast. “Whole

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be sure to take a supplement if you’re vegan (425 mg./day is usually adequate).

If you want to add dairy back into your diet, Wallace suggests three 8-ounce servings of low-fat milk a day. Or mix and match foods to get your fill: snack on a cheese stick and eat Greek yogurt or cottage cheese.

Shape magazine is dedicated to helping you live a healthy and happy life. Online at www.shape.com. © 2018 Meredith Corporation. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Feb. 12+

BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING

Feb. 15

BRUSH UP ON DRIVING SKILLS

Free walk-in blood pressure screening and monitoring is offered by Howard County General Hospital on the second Tuesday of each month at the Elkridge Library, 6540 Washington Blvd., Elkridge from 1 to 3 p.m.

The next session is on Tuesday, Feb. 12. No registration required. For more information, call (410) 313-5077.

Substitutes to consider

Charlestown has EVERYTHING YOU NEED to enjoy a vibrant retirement.

13305283

grains provide the other amino acids you require,” said Wallace.

“B12, which keeps your red blood cells healthy and prevents anemia, is almost solely found in meat and dairy, so most vegetarians need a supplement [2.4 mcg. a day],” he added.

“Dairy is also high in choline, which helps your body communicate with your brain, and may prevent neurological disorders.”

You’ve got a good start if you eat eggs (one egg has about 150 mg. choline), but

An AARP-sponsored classroom refresher course for drivers age 50 and older will be held Friday, Feb. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Howard County General Hospital’s Wellness Center 10710 Charter Dr., Columbia.

The cost is $15 for AARP members, $20 for non-members, to be paid on the day of the class. Participants are advised to check with their auto insurance company for a possible discount for taking the class. For more information and to register, call (443) 364-8647.

8

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

Introducing the future of personal transportation.

It’s not a Wheelchair...

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It’s a Zinger Chair!

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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.

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?

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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.

83933

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

H O WA R D C O U N T Y 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

9

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,

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.

Monkey bread is fun to make with kids Monkey bread is a knotty-looking loaf of sweet bread made from balls of dough coated with cinnamon, sugar and melted butter. It’s traditionally served warm so that the sticky baked pieces can be pulled apart.

The name “monkey’’ refers to how you eat this sweet treat — with your hands.

Your grandchildren may also have as much fun making the bread as eating it.

Monkey Bread Servings: 8 Start to finish: 2 to 3 hours (Active time: 10 minutes) Ingredients: 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled Vegetable oil spray 1 pound pizza dough, room temperature

1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar 2 teaspoons milk In small bowl, stir together brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Place melted butter in second small bowl. Spray 8-inch round cake pan with vegetable oil spray.

Spray counter lightly with vegetable oil spray. Place dough on greased counter and pat into 6-inch square. Use kitchen shears to cut dough into 36 pieces approximately 1-inch square.

Roll each piece of dough into a ball. Dip each ball in melted butter to coat, roll in brown sugar mixture, then place in greased pan. Cover bottom of pan with dough balls in a single layer.

Cover pan tightly with plastic wrap and leave in a warm place until dough balls are puffy and have risen slightly (about 1/2 inch), 1 to 2 hours.

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 F. Remove plastic. Place pan in oven and bake until top of monkey bread

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

is light golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.

Use oven mitts to remove monkey bread from oven (kids should ask an adult to help). Place pan on cooling rack and let monkey bread cool for 5 minutes (but no longer).

Place large plate on top of pan. Carefully flip out monkey bread onto a plate. Remove pan. Let cool for 10 more minutes before glazing.

In third small bowl, stir confectioners’ sugar and milk until smooth. Use spoon to drizzle glaze over monkey bread. Serve warm.

Nutrition information per serving: 280 calories; 90 calories from fat; 10 g. fat (6 g. saturated; 0 g. trans fats); 23 mg. cholesterol; 443 mg. sodium; 43 g. carbohydrate; 1 g. fiber; 18 g. sugar; 3 g. protein.

— America’s Test Kitchen via AP

10

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

Tech aims to make disabilities disappear

By Danica Kirka Hadeel Ayoub slips a black glove onto her hand before beginning the swish of sign language that is meaningless to the untrained observer.

Then she pushes a button on her wrist, and a small speaker relays the message her hand drew in the air: “Let’s Dance!”

“My dream is to give a voice to those who can’t speak,” said the 36-year-old inventor who is developing her BrightSign glove while working toward a Ph.D. in assistive technology at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Ayoub’s glove is just one example of a bigger trend as entrepreneurs, startups and companies like Microsoft and Google try to harness the power of artificial intelli-

gence to make life easier for people with disabilities.

The initiatives come as the World Health Organization estimates that the number of people needing assistive devices — ranging from wheelchairs to communication technologies — will double to 2 billion by 2050.

Improvements in artificial intelligence, combined with the decreasing cost of hardware, are making it possible for inventors to develop new products without the need for the deep pockets of governments or corporations.

With the help of 3D printers and the increased processing power of home computers, they are creating devices designed for people with motor, vision, hearing and cognitive impairments.

Supporting innovation Microsoft and Google are trying to spur work in this area, offering a total of $45 million in grants to developers of assistive technologies. Microsoft said it hopes to identify promising projects that can eventually be incorporated into widely available services.

“We’re certainly seeing an explosion of new technology that is looking to support people with disabilities,” said Zvika Krieger, head of technology policy and partnerships at the World Economic Forum. “There are a lot of innovators out there.”

While Ayoub hopes her efforts pay off financially, she said she is driven by a desire to create a world where disabilities become meaningless. Based in Britain, she is trying to raise 1 million pounds to bring BrightSign to the market, estimating her gloves will cost “a few hundred dollars” each, compared with $2,000 or more for existing technology.

“My dream for BrightSign is to be the extension of the senses for the people... who want to voice their feelings and opinions without having to always look for someone to help them out — to give them the independence that they need and control over their own communication,” she said.

The need for such products is only going to increase as the world’s population ages, increasing the number of people with physical, cognitive, vision and hearing problems, according to a WHO report published last year.

The challenge is to develop new technologies while also increasing the availability of simple devices like spectacles and wheelchairs that many people can’t afford.

businesses $10 to $45,000 a month, depending on the number of transactions.

“Absolutely I think there’s a unique business case on its own, but definitely there’s a much larger business case for Microsoft in that the tools of the future quite often will come through a disability lens,” he said.

It’s important to remember that all of us have impairments at times, said Robin Christopherson, head of digital inclusion at the British charity AbilityNet, which helps older people and those with disabilities use computers.

He explains it like this: a person with perfect sight might have a visual impairment when trying to read a smartphone in bright sunlight, or a person with perfect hearing can struggle to understand a phone call when on the street outside.

As a result, technology that helps people with permanent vision or hearing problems also makes products better for everyone. In the past five years, AbilityNet’s team of experts who test products to ensure they work well for those with disabilities has grown from six people to 22.

Innovation has not yet produced products good enough to offer complete freedom for the impaired, said Tom Kamber, executive director of Brooklyn-based Older Adults Technology Services, a nonprofit that helps seniors use technology.

But there is reason for optimism because investors are actively looking for the next big thing in technology, he said.

“There’s no shortage of people in Silicon Valley that will take your call,” Kamber said. “The sector has advanced to the point that a lot of money is going to be made.”

Innovating existing tech For the visually impaired Companies are starting to recognize the financial potential of the market, as these innovations can improve products sold more widely, said Hector Minto, who has the unusual title of “accessibility evangelist” at Microsoft.

For example, Microsoft last year launched its free Seeing AI app, which turns a smartphone into a “talking camera” that helps visually impaired people do things like scan and read aloud text, recognize faces, and identify product bar codes.

Similar technology goes into the company’s text Translator service, which costs

The Holy Grail is for such technology to be integrated into off-the-shelf products, so people with disabilities can get the help they need without extra cost, said Christopherson, who is blind. He cited the iPhone, which allowed him to swap a backpack full of equipment and cables for one device.

And then there’s the opportunity for technology to help people with impairments experience the world in completely different ways.

Ford Motor Co. worked with the Aedo Project, an Italian startup, to create a deSee DISABILITY TECH, page 11

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

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

11

What’s the truth behind artificial flavors?

By Candice Choi Six artificial flavors are being ordered out of the food supply in a dispute over their safety, but good luck to anyone who wants to know which cookies, candies or drinks they’re in.

The dispute highlights the complex rules that govern what goes in our food, how much the public knows about it, and a mysterious class of ingredients that has evolved over decades largely outside of public view.

On food packages, hundreds of ingredients are listed simply as “natural flavor” or “artificial flavor.” Even in minute amounts, they help make potato chips taste oniony or give fruit candy that twang.

They are ubiquitous. “The food system we have is unimaginable without flavor additives,” said Nadia Berenstein, a historian of flavor science based in New York.

The flavors are also at the center of a dispute over how ingredients should be regulated.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is giving companies two years to purge their products of six artificial flavors — even though the FDA made clear it believes the ingredients are safe in the trace amounts they are used.

The six artificial flavors in question, with names like methyl eugenol, benzophenone, ethyl acrylate and pyridine, are used to create cinnamon or spicy notes, fruity or minty flavors, even hints of

Disability tech From page 10 vice that helps blind people “feel the view” outside a car window by turning light into vibrations that, when combined with audio description, convey a sense of the scenery passing by.

While the technology is only in the pro-

balsamic vinegar.

The FDA and the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association, an industry group, did not respond when asked for examples of products the six ingredients are used in. But they noted in statements that the compounds have natural counterparts in foods like basil, coffee, grapes and peppermint, and that the action does not affect the naturally-derived versions.

Lawsuit compelled FDA action The FDA said it had to order the artificial versions out of the food supply because of a lawsuit brought by consumer advocacy groups that cited a 60-year-old regulation known as the Delaney clause. The rule prohibits additives shown to have caused cancer in animals, even if tested at doses far higher than what a person would consume.

In a statement, the flavor industry group said the Delaney Clause doesn’t allow regulators to assess an ingredient’s risk based on modern scientific understanding, but that changing it would require an act of Congress. As far back as 1981, the Government Accountability Office issued a report saying the clause should be re-examined because of its inflexibility.

But Christopher Kemp, a professor of cancer biology at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, doesn’t think the rule is necessarily too strict a threshold.

He said animal studies provide the strongest evidence about cancer risk in totype stage, one blind man who worked on the project described his amazement when he tried out the device for the first time.

“My first sensation when my finger went from the mountain to the sky felt like I had ended up in cream, something milky, something soft,” Antonio Bruni said.

“They told me: These were clouds.” — AP

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humans, and that it is better to err on the side of caution.

Erik Olson of the Natural Resources Defense Council, one of the groups that sued over the six ingredients, said it’s also unknown what effect they might have when used in combination with other ingredients. And since they’re listed only as “artificial flavor,” he said people don’t know in what concentrations they’re used in particular products.

“It’s all secret. You can’t pick up an ice cream or chewing gum or a baked good and have any idea what chemicals are in there,” he said.

Berenstein, the flavor science historian, said the ingredients in flavors don’t have to be specified in part because regulators decided long ago that listing the names of compounds on packages might just confuse people.

And she stressed that flavors are used in infinitesimal amounts. In 2015, the flavor industry estimates just 40 pounds of one of the now banned artificial ingredients was produced.

But Bernstein said a more robust regulatory system might inspire greater public confidence about flavors.

Who gets to decide what’s safe?

In a separate but related lawsuit, the

FDA is also facing a challenge over its oversight of the universe of ingredients companies can put into foods, including artificial flavors.

New flavors, sweeteners and other ingredients can go through an FDA petition process to be approved as food additives.

But another option lets manufacturers deem their own ingredients to be “generally recognized as safe (GRAS).”

There’s no clear rule for when ingredients should take one path or the other. The artificial sweetener Splenda is an approved food additive. Another sweetener, stevia, which is derived from a plant, was declared GRAS by manufacturers.

The six artificial flavors in question were approved food additives, along with dozens of other synthetic flavors. The flavor industry group also regularly declares other ingredients like them to be GRAS, without formal review by the FDA. Critics say GRAS determinations were meant for basic ingredients like salt and vinegar, not highly engineered ingredients. The advocacy groups suing the FDA say the GRAS option has turned into a loophole that lets companies approve all sorts of ingredients without public scrutiny, including artificial flavors.

In September, a judge allowed the legal challenge to move forward.

— AP

12

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

Some good reasons to eat more oatmeal Most people conjure up an image in In a study in the Netherlands with over 2 their mind about eating oatmeal. It’s usual- million people, scientists learned that for ly the vision of someone over every 10 grams of fiber added the age of 60, seeking the joys to the diet, colon cancer risk of regularity. But it should not is reduced by about 10%. be that cliché.

They also noted that no If you’re interested in a matter when you begin upgood meal that is packed with ping your intake of dietary vitamins and minerals, and fiber, the benefits to your even some cancer-fighting health are virtually immediphytonutrients, oatmeal ate. should be at the top of your Oats also contain many vilist. Oatmeal can also help suptamins and minerals, espeport you in your quest to fight DEAR cially iron. What’s nice about PHARMACIST diabetes, obesity and colon this is that iron supplementaBy Suzy Cohen problems. tion can be very hard on your gastrointestinal tract, and can Full of fiber, iron, vitamins cause stool discoloration, cramps, constiOats are a very healthy source of carbs, pation and severe nausea or vomiting. fat, protein and fiber.

So to have a delicious meal and know

BEACON BITS

Feb. 25

REDDIT FOR BEGINNERS Keep up with the latest news, cat pictures, recipes and pretty

much everything else on the website Reddit, which offers thousands of discus-

that you’re getting much needed iron can be a blessing.

A good sized serving of oatmeal imparts over half your RDA for Vitamin B1, as well as being a rich source for other B vitamins.

B vitamins contribute to the production of good mood neurotransmitters, thus lessening depression, anxiety and insomnia. They are also known for their role in burning calories and food metabolism, as well as red blood cell production The soluble fiber in oatmeal can slow down the rate at which carbs are broken down and digested. This stabilizes your blood sugar, preventing crazy peaks and troughs.

Because it keeps blood sugar stable, oatmeal is theoretically great at preventing complications from diabetes or other chronic illnesses. It literally improves insulin resistance.

Oatmeal lovers are less likely to go on statins. That’s because oatmeal can lower total as well as LDL cholesterol. Eating oatmeal even twice a week can have an immediate impact on longevity.

sion groups. Learn how to explore and customize Reddit to your interests. The

Increase satiety, lose weight

free class will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 25 at the Miller Branch

Oatmeal, in my humble opinion, is one food you should embrace when you’re pursuing additional weight loss. Not only does it make you feel full almost immediately, you carry that feeling of fullness for hours.

Library, 9421 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. To register, call (410) 313-1950.

Eating oatmeal for breakfast may prevent the urge to snack an hour later because this grain is relatively low on the glycemic index.

In contrast, most cereals and morning grains are disguised as healthy but they contain a lot of sugar, and they spike your blood sugar. When it crashes an hour or two later, you are hungry again.

It’s not that way with oatmeal unless you buy the kind that is essentially candy, tainted with artificial colors or flavorings and refined sugar.

Today’s article is about real (plain) oatmeal, the steel cut kind. It contains more fiber and keeps your stomach feeling full longer so you eat less during the day.

That specifically translates to reduced overall caloric intake, and that’s precisely what you need to start losing weight.

If you’d like a longer version of my article, sign up for my free newsletter at suzycohen.com and I’ll email it to you. You’ll also get a downloadable copy of my ebook, Spices That Heal.

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.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

DANCE CLASS FOR PARKINSON’S PATIENTS

Bowen MacCauley Dance Company offers free weekly classes for people with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners at Vantage House, 5400 Vantage Point Rd., Columbia. The classes feature seated dance and stretching, and are held Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. To learn more, go to bmdc.org or call (703) 910-5175.

Feb. 21+

ADVANCED CARE PLANNING

On Thursday, Feb. 21 and the third Thursday of each month, Howard County General Hospital offers walk-in sessions for advance directives to be filed with the hospital. The free consultations are available from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Wellness Center, 10710 Charter Dr., Columbia. For more information, visit hgh.org/events or call (410) 740-7601.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

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

13

Love means saying you’re sorry (often) Dear Solutions: who is fair.

My 8-year-old grandson is living with Dear Solutions: us for a while. I think I overMy husband and I were reacted to something he did, both widowed, and we’re in and I punished him in a way a second marriage for 10 that I now think was unfair. years now. We each have My wife is angry at me, adult children from our and says I should apologize first marriages. to him because he thinks I Because of recent deaths don’t love him. in the family, we’ve become I think if I apologize, it aware of the need to plan will undermine my authorfor our own deaths. ity. And besides, he knows My family has graves in a I love him, so I don’t have SOLUTIONS certain area, and various

By Helen Oxenberg, to say it. close family members are — Grandpa MSW, ACSW buried there. There is a Dear Grandpa: gravesite there for me, and I You know that saying, “Love means would like to be buried there. never having to say you’re sorry”? Sorry, My husband has that same arrangebut it’s a lie. ment elsewhere with his family. But True love often means having to say he says that, since we started a new you’re sorry — even when you’re the life, we should be buried together. grandparent. It means caring enough to That means we would both be buried apologize when you’re wrong. away from our families.

So, apologize. You’ll be teaching your What do you think we should do? grandson a valuable lesson. He’ll learn that — Sylvia people, even grandparents, make mis- Dear Sylvia: takes. And that when they do, they apoloYou have to look at what burial places gize — as he should when he makes a mis- are for. Are they for the dead, or are they take. really for the living children, grandchilIt won’t undermine your authority. It will dren and other descendants who want to increase his respect for you as a person visit their families?

Graves and cemeteries have a sense of family history. It certainly helps if your descendants can go to one place.

Being buried separately does not take away from having been alive together. Your husband could be buried with his family and you with yours — separate but equal.

You and your husband should think about this and try to come to a mutual decision.

And, anyway let’s face reality. If you really want your children to visit, you should be buried at a shopping mall! © 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.

BEACON BITS

Feb. 28

ADULT AND CHILDREN CPR COURSE Learn basic life-saving CPR practices for adults and children in a

one-evening course presented on Thursday, Feb. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Howard County General Hospital Wellness Center, 10710 Charter Dr., Columbia. The fee is $45. For more information and to register, visit hcgh.org/events or call (410) 740-7601.

Feb. 16

TRUFFLE MAKING AND WINE TASTING Learn about the cacao plant and the art of hand-rolling chocolate truffles in a two-hour session at the Robinson Nature Center on

Saturday, Feb. 16. The center, at 6692 Cedar Ln., Columbia, has scheduled two sessions, one from 1 to 3 p.m. and the other from 4 to 6 p.m. Included in the $27 fee is a tasting of six wines from Linganore Vineyards. For more information and to register for either workshop, call (410) 313-0400.

14

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y 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 fabrics and colors – Call now!

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Because each Perfect Sleep Chair is a custom-made bedding product, we can only accept returns on chairs that are damaged or defective.

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Sit up, lie down — and anywhere in between!

© 2019 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y 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

A Publication from the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence

15

Volume 9, No. 2 • February 2019

Living Well: For a Healthy Heart and More!

Heart Disease is the Leading Cause of Death for Men and Women in the United States

E

very year in the U.S., 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease. But heart disease can often be prevented when people make healthy lifestyle choices and take an active role to manage their chronic health conditions.

LIVING WELL, a series of chronic disease self-management programs offered through the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence (OAI), helps older adults manage a variety of common health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, chronic pain and more.

“Over the course of six weeks, Living Well participants open up about the symptoms and challenges of their condition,” says Nicole Becerra, OAI’s Living Well program coordinator. “They learn how to set diet and exercise goals; manage stress; and communicate better with their families and health care providers.”

Each Living Well program is led by a team of two lay leaders, who have one or more chronic conditions themselves, and receive extensive training to facilitate weekly discussion topics. “One of the most valuable aspects of Living Well is the peer support you receive, knowing that both the leaders and the other participants are walking the same road as you,” says Becerra, “There is a lot of opportunity for camaraderie — and lots of laughter, too!”

All of the Living Well programs (with one exception) include six 2.5 hour sessions; a commitment to attend all six classes is encouraged. There is no fee and all course materials are provided for in-class use (they can also be purchased for a nominal fee).

Living Well with High Blood Pressure is a one day, 2.5-hour class with a nominal $5 registration fee.

LIVING WELL WITH CHRONIC PAIN is for those who have a primary or secondary diagnosis of chronic pain. Weekly topics include dealing with frustration, fatigue, or poor sleep; exercise to maintain and improve strength, flexibility, and endurance; pacing activity and rest; appropriate use of medications and how to evaluate new treatments; and communicating effectively. It is offered at the Elkridge 50+ Center on Thursdays, April 11 through May 16, 4:00 to 6:30 p.m.

LIVING WELL WITH CANCER: THRIVING AND SURVIVING is for individuals who are undergoing cancer treatment, have completed treatment, or are caring for someone with cancer. In addition to the weekly topics covered in the basic Living Well programs (as mentioned above), discussions also focus on living with uncertainty; making decisions about treatment and complementary therapies; setting priorities; and relationships. This program will be offered at the Glenwood 50+ Center on Fridays, April 26 through May 31, 9:30 a.m. to noon.

LIVING WELL WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE is a 2.5-hour course for those who have been diagnosed with hypertension or high blood pressure and want to learn how to manage their condition. Topics include high blood pressure risk factors; nutrition and food label guidance; sodium content in common foods; and medication management. This program is offered at the Elkridge 50+ Center on Saturday, March 16, 9:30 a.m. to noon and on Tuesday, May 14, 4:00 to 6:30 p.m.; and at the Howard County MultiService Center, 9900 Washington Blvd., on Monday, April 15, 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.

To register for one of the following Living Well programs, contact Nicole Becerra at 410-313-3506. For additional details or questions, you can send her an email at nbecerra@howardcountymd.gov.

LIVING WELL: TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH is designed for people living with one or more chronic conditions and/or their caregivers. Weekly topics include techniques to handle pain, fatigue, frustration and isolation; nutrition and healthy eating; appropriate exercise; communication skills; stress management; and goal setting. The next session will be held at the Elkridge 50+ Center on Thursdays, March 28 through May 2, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The same class will also be offered in Korean at the Ellicott City 50+ Center on Wednesdays, April 17 through May 22, 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 3 at 7:45 AM Bain 50+ Center

All Ages Welcome Only $25 Registration

Register at www.striders.net/penguin-pace

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The 50+ Connection

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

Don’t Let a Valentine Break Your Heart or Your Wallet Thousands of people are conned each year by scammers with fake dating profiles who pose as potential love interests.

M

eeting your potential match online has become increasingly common as online dating sites and apps gain in popularity.

Besides scouring online dating sites, con artists also search social media accounts and chat threads looking for targets. Both men and women, older adults (especially widows and widowers) and recent divorcées are particularly vulnerable to this scam.

How Sweetheart Scams Work The victim usually meets the scammer through online dating websites, social media, or other online forums. The scammer typically claims to be interested in a romantic relationship and will send photos of an attractive looking man or woman, depending on the target. The scammer will insist the conversation remains via email or text messages. As a relationship develops, the scammer convinces the victim that they are in love, and a false trust is built.

Scammers usually claim to live far away, often overseas, and/or have excuses as why he/she is unable to meet in person. As the relationship develops, the scammer comes up with a story about how he/she has a major problem in their life that requires an outlay of money that they don’t have (for the purchase of airline tickets to come to the victim; a medical emergency; a professional or personal crisis, etc.)

Scammers may ask for money orders, online bank transfers, or money wiring services. Once money is sent, they will continue to make up other tales of financial hardship, asking for more money.

Once they have achieved their financial goals, they will drop the unsuspecting victim and disappear.

Victims may experience profound grief at the loss of the relationship once they accept that it was a scam. The lost money, often thousands of dollars, adds insult to injury. They may also feel too embarrassed to tell anyone what happened.

Tips to Spot and Avoid Sweetheart Scams Be suspicious if: • the relationship becomes romantic extremely quickly; • your new friend wants to visit but is prevented from doing so due to a lack of money caused by a traumatic event or crisis; • your love interest makes excuses about not being able to speak by phone or meet in person; • you are asked to send money for any reason.

Never send money by wire transfer, especially overseas, and do not send pre-paid debit cards or gift cards. These payment methods are virtually impossible to stop or trace.

Do not share personal information on public dating sites and social media sites.

Be a detective. When you find a new acquaintance, do some sleuthing by looking up the person online. Try to meet face-to-face, but only in safe meeting places.

Do not continue to communicate with someone you think could be a romance scammer. Ignore ALL emails, phone calls, instant messages, or any other communications. Instead, use the online dating or social media site’s abuse flagging system to mark the account as suspicious.

Report it! If you think you may be a victim of a sweetheart scam, contact the Howard County Police at 410-313-2200.

For more information on this and other consumer issues, contact the Howard County Office of Consumer Protection at 410-313-6420 (VOICE/RELAY) or consumer@howardcountymd.gov.

MEDICARE EDUCATION

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

410-313-7389

Medicare 101 and 102 A two-part introduction for those new to Medicare. Learn about original Medicare (Parts A and B), Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D), Medicare Health Plans (Part C), and Medicare Supplemental Policies

Thursday, March 7 and 14 • 10:00 – 11:30 AM Elkridge 50+ Center 6540 Washington Boulevard, Elkridge 21075

Tuesday, April 9 and 16 • 7:00 – 8:30 PM Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia 21046

For additional assistance with Medicare questions and concerns, call SHIP at 410-313-7392 (voice/relay).

FOR OTHER UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS, VISIT

www.howardcountymd.gov/SHIP

FREE Information Presented by the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) of the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence

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

The 50+ Connection

Say you saw it in the Beacon

17

AARP Tax Aide Returns

Grief and the Older Adult

Offering FREE 2018 Income Tax Preparation

Grief and the Older Adult is a new seminar offered by the Health and Wellness Division of the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence in partnership with the Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition (LHIC).

AARP and the IRS will offer personal income tax preparation for Howard County residents from February 1 through April 15 at all Howard County 50+ Centers.

This service is available to all middle and low-income taxpayers, with emphasis on those age 60 and older.

Bring your photo ID, Social Security card, 2017 Federal and Maryland tax returns, and all 2018 tax documents.

Self-employment returns with more than $10,000 in expenses and other complex returns are not eligible for this service.

Appointments are required at all locations; call the number listed at each center for specific hours.

Tax Assistance Sites Bain 50+ Center • 443-741-1220 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia 21044 Monday/Tuesday/Thursday: 10 am to 2 pm Thursday: 10 am to 2 pm AND 4 pm to closing Wednesday/Friday/Saturday: 9 am to noon

East Columbia 50+ Center • 410-313-7680

March 8 • 2:30 to 4:00pm NORTH LAUREL 50+ CENTER 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel 20723 Join us to gain a general overview of grief; the history of grief research and theory; modern grief research and theory; important grief concepts; and learn the basic tools to support older adults who are grieving. Cost is $15 per person; CEU's are provided for Maryland social workers and counselors (LCPC). The registration deadline is Monday, March 4, and is required for all attendees.

Presented by Litsa Williams and Eleanor Haley, founders of What’s Your Grief in Baltimore. For more information, contact Karen Hull at khull@howardcountymd.gov or call 410-313-7466 (voice/relay).

Register at www.hocogriefseminar.eventbrite.com

6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia 21045 Wednesday: 9 am to noon

DID YOU KNOW?

Elkridge 50+ Center • 410-313-5192

DISCOVER

6540 Washington Boulevard, Elkridge 21075

• WHY muscle matters • HOW nutrition affects falls • HOW to get enough protein & fluids • WHAT you can do to eat better and improve your health

Friday: CALL FOR HOURS

Ellicott City 50+ Fitness Center • 443-741-1220 9411 Frederick Road, Ellicott City 21042

TWO OR MORE CHRONIC CONDITIONS PUTS YOU AT RISK FOR MALNUTRITION!

Monday/Friday: 10 am to 2 pm Tuesday: 4 pm to closing

Glenwood 50+ Center • 410-313-5440 2400 Route 97, Cooksville 21723 Thursday: CALL FOR HOURS

North Laurel 50+ Center • 410-313-0380 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel 20723

Thursday, March 7 • 10:00 am to 12:30 pm The Village in Howard 6061 Stevens Forest Road, Columbia 21045 $5/person includes workshop and educational materials

Tuesday/Wednesday: CALL FOR HOURS

P4C Pet Evaluations If you are interested in volunteering, or wish to receive a FREE evaluation for your pet, contact:

Ingrid Gleysteen PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Saturday, April 6 • 12:30 to 3:00 pm St. John Baptist Church 9055 Tamar Drive, Columbia 21045 TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION

MALARIE BURGESS mburgess@howardcountymd.gov 410-313-5940 (VOICE/RELAY)

igleysteen@howardcountymd.gov 410-313-7461 (voice/relay)

FEB 7 and MAR 7 • 7 TO 9 PM All evaluations are held at

Bain 50+ Center 5470 Ruth Keeton Way Columbia 21044

The 50+ Connection is published monthly by the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence.

This publication is available in alternate formats upon request.

To join our subscriber list, email kahenry@howardcountymd.gov 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046 410-313-6410 (VOICE/RELAY) • www.howardcountymd.gov/aging Find us on

www.Facebook.com/HoCoCommunity

Kim Higdon Henry, Editor • Email: kahenry@howardcountymd.gov Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the Office on Aging and Independence or by the publisher.

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The 50+ Connection

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

Boost Heart Health at the 50+ Centers Heart-Healthy Numbers FREE Blood Pressure Screenings

E

ach year February marks National Black History Month, which celebrates the contributions that African Americans have made to American history, promotes awareness of their struggles for freedom and equality, and deepens our understanding of our nation's history. Celebrate the rich culture of Black History Month at the following Howard County 50+ Centers.

Lyric Opera Presents Marian Anderson Bain 50+ Center Tuesday, February 5 • 11:00 a.m.

Celebrate Marian Anderson, the first African-American singer to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Sign up in the lunch room.

The Oblate Sisters Glenwood 50+ Center Friday, February 8 • 11:00 a.m.

Storyteller Janice Green relates the experiences of Mother Lang of the Oblate Sisters. FREE. Call 410-313-5440 to register.

Black History Month Celebration Elkridge 50+ Center Monday, February 11 • 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Enjoy an authentic "soul-food" luncheon, along with music and games. $15/person; reservations at 410-313-5192.

Winter Jazz Concert North Laurel 50+ Center Wednesday, February 13 • 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Enjoy the sultry sounds of jazz standards performed by Audrey Haskins. $3 plus lunch contribution. Reserve lunch by February 6 at 410-313-0380.

New Release Cinema East Columbia 50+ Center Thursday, February 14 • Doors open at 5:00 p.m.

Enjoy a double feature in honor of Black History Month. Free soda, popcorn and candy! No registration required. For film titles, call 410-313-7680.

Civil War Series: Dred Scott to Succession

Glenwood 50+Center • 2nd & 4th Tuesdays; 9 to 11 a.m.

Ellicott City 50+ Center • Tuesdays; 9 a.m. to noon Bain 50+ Center • 1st and 3rd Thursdays

Know Your Numbers Bain 50+ Center Thursday, February 7 • 10:00 a.m. to noon Cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and BMI numbers are key indicators of your risk for serious illness. Join Albertha Workman, RN, to learn more. FREE.

Heart-Healthy Nutrition Best Heart Forward Elkridge 50+ Center Wednesday, February 13 • 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Take control of your heart health by learning about healthy eating, stress management & more. FREE.

A Dark Chocolate Valentine Glenwood 50+ Center Thursday, February 14 • 10:00 a.m.

Try our heart-healthy snacks; join us in the lobby for free samples and get the recipes to try at home. FREE.

Cooking Made Easy with Kari Bain 50+ Center Friday, February 22 • 10:00 a.m.

Kari Weidner, Nutrition Specialist, demonstrates quick and easy recipes that taste delicious, featuring 18 heart-healthy foods. RSVP: 410-313-7213. FREE.

Healthy Tastings: Nutrition Education North Laurel 50+ Center Tuesday, February 26 • 10:30 a.m.

Join our nutrition specialist to explore healthy foods, food trends and nutritional values and learn new recipes which are healthy choices.

Glenwood 50+ Center

Make a Mind/Body Connection

Wednesday, February 20 • 10:00 a.m.

Meditation for a Healthy Heart

FREE. Call 410-313-5440 to register.

East Columbia 50+ Center

A Fragile Freedom: African American Historic Sites

Friday, February 8 • 9:00 a.m.

Ellicott City 50+ Center

Meditation helps manage stress and high blood pressure; can improve sleep; and may lower your risk of heart disease. FREE; register at 410-313-7680.

Wednesday, February 20 • 1:00 p.m.

This History Channel documentary highlights the places in America where African American history was made. RSVP to 410-313-1400. FREE.

Qigong

Up in the Clouds

Thursday, February 14 • 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.

Glenwood 50+ Center

Qigong is the science of using breathing techniques, gentle movement and meditation to cleanse, strengthen and circulate life energy. FREE. RSVP to 410-313-7213.

Friday, February 22 • 11:00 a.m.

The College Park Aviation Museum presents a history of black aviators.

Bain 50+ Center

Mindfulness Meditation Elkridge 50+ Center Tuesday, February 19 • 9:30 a.m. to noon

Stay connected to the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services.

Like and share us today!

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HoCoCommunity

Offered through Howard Community College, Mindfulness Meditation gives you the tools to help reduce stress and increase focus. $25. Register at 443-518-4971.

Mindful Mondays 6-Week Series North Laurel 50+ Center Mondays, February 25 through April 1 • 9:00 to 9:45 a.m.

Light yoga stretches and guided meditation can help manage stress and blood pressure; enhance clarity and re-energize the body. $35; register at 410-313-0380.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y 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

Money Law &

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PAY OFF YOUR HOUSE EARLY? Looks at taxes, interest and investment rates to help decide if it makes sense to get rid of your mortgage TURBULENCE TO CONTINUE A less-optimistic Wall Street expects more ups and downs this year MASTER THE MARKET CYCLE A new book offers tips on understanding market trends to maximize returns

Play defense: add utilities to your portfolio

By Ryan Ermey Since the bull market began in 2009, shares in utilities — water, gas and power providers — have lagged Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index.

But recent rockiness in the stock market bodes well for the traditionally defensive utilities sector. From the S&P 500’s peak in late September to mid-December, the index surrendered 13.1 percent, including dividends. But shares in utilities firms returned 3.3 percent over the period.

As slow-growing, steady dividend payers, utilities are quintessential safe-haven stocks, which explains why they were overlooked for much of the stock market’s

historic rise.

Rising interest rates didn’t help. Utilities must compete for investor attention with climbing market yields. Often called bond proxies, utility shares can struggle when rates are rising.

Interest is growing But sentiment might be turning in favor of utilities. As the bull market moves into bear territory, investors are becoming more interested in defensive sectors.

Historically, utilities have bested the broad market during bear runs. During the 2007-09 downturn, for instance, utilities stocks lost 45.5 percent, or 9.75 percentage

points fewer than the S&P 500 lost.

Fidelity Select Utilities (FSUTX) aims to beat its benchmark utilities index by focusing on faster-growing firms trading at reasonable prices. Manager Douglas Simmons favors firms that consistently raise their dividends, by at least 6 percent per year, over those that shell out the biggest payouts.

He sees opportunities in companies at the forefront of renewable energy, which he said are poised to boost earnings and dividends at a faster rate than the rest of the sector. One such firm, NextEra, is the top holding in the fund’s 30-stock portfolio.

The fund yields 1.56 percent.

American Century Utilities (BULIX)

isn’t a pure utilities fund. The managers start with the Russell 3000 Utilities index, which tracks 85 stocks, including a big slug — 30 percent of the bogey — in steady, high-yielding communications-services companies.

They whittle the index down to a 35stock, actively managed portfolio, favoring bargain-priced stocks with rising share prices and high dividend yields. Though utilities firms make up most of the portfolio, communications giants AT&T and Verizon represent 25 percent of assets. © 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

To itemize or not is the question for 2018

By Tina Orem As the new year begins and taxpayers contemplate another round of 1040s, many are pondering The Big Question: Do I take the standard deduction or spend time hunting for receipts and filling out extra forms to itemize?

The decision largely boils down to whether itemizing will reduce your taxable income more than the flat, no-questionsasked standard deduction will, thus saving you money.

But a major plot twist may make the issue even more vexing for some this tax season: The standard deduction nearly doubled in 2018 to $12,000 for single filers, $18,000 for heads of household, and $24,000 for joint filers.

Generally, that means that a married couple filing jointly, for example, would now need to cobble together at least $24,001 in various tax deductions for itemizing in order to lower their tax bill more than taking the standard deduction would.

It’s a change that’s sure to leave some longtime itemizers wondering whether the standard deduction is actually the thriftier option this year.

Here are four things tax pros say could indicate that it’s time to stop itemizing and take the standard deduction: 1. You didn’t pay a lot of mortgage interest The tax deductions for mortgage interest and property taxes have been boons to

itemizers because they often add up to more than the standard deduction, said Andrew McCue, a certified public accountant at Weiss & Company in Glenview, Illinois.

But if you didn’t pay much in property taxes, had a small mortgage, or were at the tail end of your mortgage (where the payments were mostly toward principal and not much interest), these itemized deductions may not save you as much this year as the standard deduction could.

“If those are adding up to a substantial amount, that’s when you want to look at it and compare to the standard deduction,” he said.

2. You used the deduction for state and local taxes The federal deduction for state and local income taxes is popular among itemizers, but a new cap of $10,000 for joint filers this year means some people may be better off taking the standard deduction instead, McCue said.

But even with the cap in place, taxpayers who also have deductible mortgage interest might still save more by itemizing this year, he said. “In Illinois, it’s not hard for me to say I’ve got $6,000 of property taxes, but that varies a lot state to state,” he said. Add in another $6,000 for mortgage interest, and “just with those two items, you’re at the standard deduction for an individual,” he said.

3. You didn’t donate a lot to charity

Charitable donations are a well-known tax deduction for itemizers, but if this year’s higher standard deduction gets you a bigger tax break, the tax-deductibility of your gifts may be a moot point, said Kasey Pittman, a CPA at Newport News, Virginiabased accounting firm PBMares.

“They’re not going to see that added benefit from donations, and I think once they figure that out, they’ll learn to plan their donations and to be more thoughtful about what year they give in and such,” she said.

For example, giving $5,000 to a favorite charity once every five years could save more money than giving $1,000 every year for five years. That’s because “bunched” donations, when combined with other

itemized deductions, could get you over the higher standard-deduction threshold and make itemizing worthwhile financially, Pittman said.

4. You didn’t have huge medical expenses In general, unreimbursed medical expenses that are more than 7.5 percent of your 2018 adjusted gross income may be deductible if you itemize, said Travis McMurray, a CPA at accounting firm Blackburn, Childers & Steagall in Tennessee.

But the higher standard deduction could still be a better option.

“Quite honestly, you’d have to have a pretty significant medical event for that to kick in, or your income must be pretty low,” he said.

— AP

BEACON BITS

Feb. 6+

PREPARING FOR TAX TIME Minimize your taxes and maximize your refund by understanding

the deductions and credits for which you are eligible. Review and discuss the recently passed tax law changes, as well as the effects of the Affordable Care Act, in this seminar to be offered at two libraries in conjunction with the group MakingChange. The first presentation will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 6 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Central Branch Library, 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. To register, call (410) 313-7800. It will be repeated on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the East Columbia Branch, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. To register, call (410) 313-7700.

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

Is it smart to pay off your house early?

By Mary Kane Colette Leavitt faced a difficult financial decision a few years ago, as she approached her 60s. She originally planned to retire early, at age 62, with her mortgage paid off. She would be free and clear of the financial burden of monthly payments.

“It would open up some income to do things for enjoyment, as opposed to obligation,” said Leavitt, of Hooksett, N.H. But in the end, Leavitt, now age 60, decided to keep her loan. She owes just $49,000, at a rock-bottom 3.25 percent interest rate. Despite the low balance, she felt the peace of mind of building up her savings and keeping cash in hand for future expenses outweighed her initial desire to be mortgage-free.

Although she worked with her longtime financial planner, Peter Canniff, who is with Advanced Portfolio Design, in Westford, Mass., it was still a hard choice to make. Dealing with mortgage debt isn’t always just about the finances. The decision is often emotional.

“You think about it, think about it, and think about it,” said Leavitt, an administrative assistant at a utility company. “It can cause a lot of anxiety.”

These days, more retirees are carrying mortgage debt into retirement. About half of all retirees 65 to 69 were mortgage-free in 2015, down from nearly 60 percent in 2000, according to mortgage giant Fannie Mae. But you’ll need to carefully consider whether carrying a mortgage into retirement is right for you.

You may be in a position similar to Leavitt’s, wondering whether to pay off your mortgage, particularly if you are a few years away from the payoff date and have the balance whittled down.

Should you pursue the relief of having

no monthly payment hanging over your head anymore, or find other uses for your money that could potentially be more beneficial to your bottom line?

You can start to answer that question by considering a variety of factors, such as whether you plan to stay in your house, your cash flow needs in retirement, and how much investment risk you can tolerate.

Your feelings about debt and financial security could affect the decision you make.

Investing in stocks may deliver a higher return than paying off a mortgage with a low interest rate, but you may not be able to sleep well at night. And changes under tax reform also may affect your choice.

Take a look at taxes Under the new law, the standard deduction is significantly more generous, while some housing-related itemized deductions have been squeezed.

The standard deduction for a married couple this year is $24,000, with an additional $1,300 for each spouse over age 65.

So a couple with both partners over age 65 will get a $26,600 standard deduction.

Those who itemize deductions face a $10,000 cap on the write-off for state and local taxes, which includes property taxes on the house; that cap applies to both individual and joint filers. In addition, interest on up to $750,000 of new mortgage debt is deductible, while the prior cap was interest on $1 million of mortgage debt.

A homeowner with sizable charitable deductions or medical expenses may still find it advantageous to itemize deductions.

But many people who have itemized in the past likely will find themselves switching to the standard deduction for their 2018 taxes. Not itemizing means losing the tax benefit of a mortgage, because the taxpay-

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er won’t be able to write off the interest on the loan.

“The new laws obviously change the dynamic on this,” said Lyle Benson, president of LK Benson and Co., a financialplanning firm in Towson, Md. For retirees who are homing in on their mortgage payoff date, the loan may not be throwing off enough tax-deductible interest to help make itemizing worth it.

If your original mortgage had a balance of $350,000 and it’s down to only $60,000, most of the monthly payments will be principal, said Michael Landsberg, director of Homrich Berg, an Atlanta wealth-management firm. Mortgages throw off the most interest — and provide the most tax benefits — on the front end, so an older mortgage won’t provide much of a mortgage interest deduction. “The hurdle for itemizing becomes even higher,” he said.

Review interest and investment rates If you won’t benefit from itemizing, paying off the loan could be a sensible route tax-wise. But if you snagged a low interest rate for your mortgage, consider where the money you would use to pay off the loan is coming from and how much it earns.

If you’re earning about 4 percent or so on the bonds in your portfolio, and paying about the same or less in mortgage loan interest, “you really have to step back and ask, ‘Am I better off paying off my house and reducing my bond portfolio a bit?’” said Robert Keebler, a partner with Keebler & Associates, a tax advisory firm, in Green Bay, Wis. If you are considering drawing from your portfolio, assess your asset allocation. If your portfolio is overweighted in stocks, you might pull cash out to pay off the mort-

gage when you rebalance. Or if you are taking required minimum distributions from your retirement accounts, consider using that money to pay off a mortgage early.

But before you pay off your mortgage, take a look at any other debts you have. If the interest rates are higher, consider knocking those debts off first.

If you have a home equity loan, you might want to pay it off before the mortgage. The new tax law doesn’t allow a deduction for interest on either old or new home equity loans, except when used for home improvements.

And don’t forget to factor in the opportunity costs for the money you are using to pay down your mortgage. You could invest it instead, if you feel confident that you can generate higher returns than your mortgage rate. Or, like Leavitt, you could put it toward your living expenses and an emergency fund.

Even if the numbers don’t favor paying off the mortgage, finances may not be your only consideration. Some older homeowners feel more secure with their homes totally paid off. Others worry about running out of money in retirement, so they want a paid-off home as a lifeline, said Canniff.

If you are still a decade or so away from retirement and are sure you don’t want a mortgage in your future, take some steps now to reach that goal.

Make an extra mortgage payment each year, apply a bonus or other windfall to your mortgage payments, or refinance into a 15year mortgage to pay it off as quickly as possible, while you have income, said Ann Thompson, a senior vice president at Bank of America. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

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

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Expect 2019’s market ride to be stressful

By Stan Choe No matter which way the stock market goes in 2019 — and Wall Street has ample arguments for either direction — expect it to be another gut-wrenching ride.

The market is facing a long list of challenges this year, from expectations for slower economic growth around the world to the restraining effect of rising interest rates. And the global trade war is still creating uncertainty as investors guess how much pain it will ultimately inflict.

All those risks have market strategists along Wall Street forecasting another turbulent year for stocks, and potentially one of the most difficult years for investors since the bull market began its record-setting run in 2009.

That follows up on a 2018 where swings of hundreds of points within a single afternoon became fairly common for the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Higher risk, lower reward As 2018 showed, higher risk doesn’t always mean higher rewards. As of late December, all major U.S. stock indexes were down more than 8 percent for the year.

And many strategists are forecasting a subdued performance for stocks in 2019.

“One would expect higher returns with higher risk, but for the past two years we’ve underscored a slightly more treacherous environment for investors: higher risk and lower returns,’’ Vanguard’s global chief economist Joe Davis said as he unveiled his forecasts.

All the cross-currents pushing and pulling markets have analysts along Wall Street recommending a contrasting array of strategies.

Some suggest focusing on stocks from emerging markets, where proponents say

particularly sharp drops in price have left them looking cheap.

Others say high-quality bonds look like the safest bet given all the expected turbulence. And some optimists are forecasting a big bounce-back year for U.S. stocks, which they say no longer look expensive relative to corporate earnings.

As investments of all types dropped this year, investor psychology underwent a reset.

For most of the last decade, markets powered higher in a largely smooth and gradual way. That meant big rewards for investors who saw any dip as an opportunity to buy at lower prices. The market recovered from every wobble to set records again and again, often quite quickly.

But 2018 was different. As of late December, the S&P 500 was down 9.6 percent and on pace for its first down year in a decade after including dividends. It also created a lot of heartburn getting there, with two separate drops of 10 percent over the course of the year.

A year ago, Wall Street was broadly optimistic about stocks and was forecasting moderate gains, largely because economies around the world were growing in sync. But the optimism fell apart as the year progressed and growth rates diverged, in part because of rising trade tensions.

Further expansion or recession?

Much will hinge on how resilient the U.S. economy remains in 2019. It has been accelerating since emerging from the Great Recession in 2009, and it got a big boost this past year from tax cuts, which helped corporate profits surge at their fastest rates in eight years.

The current economic expansion will surpass the 1991-2001 stretch as the

longest on record if the economy avoids a recession through July. In the economy’s favor are the still-strong job market and consumer confidence.

But concerns are rising that a recession may be possible in 2020 or even the latter parts of 2019. The Federal Reserve is raising interest rates — it indicated two more increases may arrive in 2019 following four this year— and other central banks are stepping off the accelerator on stimulus for their economies, which remove big supports.

And if inflation spikes unexpectedly higher, it could push the Fed to get more aggressive about raising rates, which would further hinder growth.

Analysts are likewise forecasting a slowdown in U.S. corporate profit growth, though still positive. That’s key because stock prices tend to track with corporate earnings over the long term.

Wall Street expects S&P 500 earnings

growth to drop by more than half from last year’s 20.3 percent rate, in part because companies will no longer be getting the boost of the first year of new tax rates, according to FactSet. But the expected 7.9 percent growth rate is still a good one this far into an economic expansion. It’s this gain that has many strategists forecasting at least modest gains for stocks. Some strategists are forecasting the S&P 500 could end 2019 as high as 3,000, which would be a 24 percent leap from late December 2018.

At UBS Asset Management, the expectation is that U.S. market could return about 4 percent as global economic growth continues. European stocks could also return about 6 percent, said Ryan Primmer, head of investment solutions.

But such gains would come with that one big catch. “With higher volatility,’’ he said, “it’s going to feel a lot worse.’’

—AP

BEACON BITS

Jan.

MODERATE INCOME HOUSING APPLICATIONS

The Howard County Department of Housing and Community Development is accepting applications for its Moderate Income Housing Unit (MIHU) program during its first 2019 enrollment period through Thursday, Jan. 31. A MIHU Homeownership Information Workshop will take place on Thursday, Jan. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Room 211 at 9820 Patuxent Woods Dr. in Columbia. To register for the workshop, visit bit.ly/MIHU-homebuyers. For more information, visit howardcountymd.gov/MIHUopenenrollment or call (410) 3136318.

Feb. 7

CHAT WITH A COP

Enjoy a cup of coffee and engage in conversation with a representative of the Howard County Police Department on Thursday, Feb. 7 from 3 to 4 p.m. at the East Columbia Branch Library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. For more information, call (410) 313-7700.

22

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

Book explains market cycle and trends

By Elliot Raphaelson Most stock-market experts don’t claim that they can predict market highs or lows.

However, one expert investor and writer believes there are ways to understand market trends, and his success in managing mutual funds for Oaktree Capital Group, a company he cofounded, makes believers out of even the most successful investors.

Warren Buffett says that if he gets any mail from Howard Marks, it’s the first thing he reads.

Marks has recently written Mastering the Market Cycle: Getting the Odds on Your Side (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), and the book has received positive reviews by Buffett, Burton Malkiel, Ray Dalio and other market experts.

Trends are the key What most impressed these reviewers is Marks’ insight into understanding market trends. If you can predict market trends better, your investment results will

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Marks argues that it is very important to be able to predict when to be defensive and when to be aggressive. He believes this instinct is more important than the selection of equities in your portfolio.

If you can do a better job of predicting whether you are still in a bull market, despite small corrections, or in a bear market, in which case you should be defensive and maintain a larger cash position, then your long-term performance will be better.

Lawrence Strauss, a writer for Barron’s, recently interviewed Marks and asked him to expand on some of the points in his book, as well as to comment on the current cycle.

In the interview, Marks indicated that he no longer believes that we are in an “optimistic phase of the market.” He said he couldn’t tell whether we are in the start of another “wobble” in the market or whether it’s the start of a down market.

He does not think that the stock market is highly overvalued. But when Strauss asked whether investors should be aggressive or defensive now, Marks said it is time for defense — though not 100 percent.

Investors should worry more about losing money now, as opposed to missing opportunities. It’s time for caution, he said.

He recommended that investors consider mutual funds that have outperformed other funds in down markets.

How to evaluate cycles In the book, Marks points out the importance of managing risk. He believes that the main determinant of risk is where you

stand in the cycle.

His graphs illustrate that as we rise in the cycle — which means that prices are higher relative to values, in general — the probability distribution of future returns shifts, meaning it is easier to lose money.

He also points out that if you buy when we are low in the cycle — which means the prices of stocks are low in comparison to intrinsic value — then it is harder to lose, and expected returns are higher.

He discusses how he determines the cycle we are in by examining many factors, such as how individuals are reacting to news, and how investors obsess over positives and ignore negatives, and vice versa.

He believes that “keeping your emotions under control” is crucial. He goes on to say that all the emotional cues in the investing environment can cause you to do the wrong thing: to buy when things are going well and to sell when things are going poorly, when prices are lower.

A good example is the bitcoin market.

When the prices went sky high, many new investors jumped in at exactly the wrong time — and lost a considerable amount of money.

I recommend the book highly. Marks has succeeded in managing mutual funds because he understands market cycles.

You will become a more successful investor if you learn how to understand these cycles better.

Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com. © 2019 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Feb. 20

INCOME TAX PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT On Wednesday, Feb. 20, Howard Community College is offering a

noncredit class on maximizing retirement income, including understanding Social Security key tax issues. Led by instructor Andrew Paladino, CPA, the class will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at Centennial High School, 4300 Centennial Ln., Ellicott City. Fee is $49. To learn more and to register, go to howardcc.edu or call (443) 518-1700.

Feb. 23

FUSED GLASS WORKSHOP Learn the art of fusing glass in this class for those 50+. Join glass artist Tara Hall to make fused glass objects such as jewel-

ry, an ornament and other small items. Both beginners and experienced glass artists are welcome. The class costs $30, and there is also a $30 materials fee.

The class is on Saturday, Feb. 23 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Gary J. Arthur Community Center, 2400 Rt. 97, Cooksville. To learn more, contact Curtis Gore, (410) 313-7281 or cgore@howardcountymd.gov.

Feb. 19

GARDENING IN A CHANGING CLIMATE Howard Community College is offering a new non-credit course on the impact of climate change on home gardens and what can be

done to garden successfully with the changes. The class will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Centennial High School, 4300 Centennial Ln., Ellicott City. The cost is $49. For more information, visit bit.ly/gardening-climatechange or call (443) 518-1700.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y 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

23

Leisure &

Some retirees buy RVs and travel the country doing good deeds. See story on page 24.

Cruises abound for almost any interest

Unique onboard experiences The Prestons are passengers on an American Cruise Lines boat sailing on the Mississippi River out of New Orleans.

Along with the battlefield tour, they visit plantations and other sites along the way.

On-board activities include informative lectures by historians and naturalists. The company offers river and coastal trips to 25 states. For more information, call (800) 460-4518 or visit americancruiselines.com.

Betsy and Andy Cross are exploring a very different locale. Their voyage aboard the Motor Yacht Tucano penetrates the vast Amazon rainforest, which is home to some 15,000 species of wildlife. Launch rides and land hikes provide animal sightings and visits to isolated villages along the shoreline. The boat offers comfortable ac-

commodations for up to 18 passengers.

For more information, call (800) 510-5999 or see latinamericanescapes.com.

The Norwegian Cruise Line ship that Lauren Davis and Jim Goodman chose exemplifies the expanding choice of activities available at sea. Passengers may zip around a go-kart track at speeds up to 30 miles per hour. The Ocean Loop water slide propels thrill seekers through a series of twists and turns, including a transparent section that extends over the side of the vessel. Call (866) 234-7350 or see ncl.com for details.

The choices are equally imaginative aboard some ships of the Royal Caribbean line. If glow-in-the-dark laser tag and bumper cars don’t provide enough excitement, there’s the highest slide at sea and simulated sky diving. Call (866) 562-7625 or visit royalcaribbean.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MAINE WINDJAMMER ASSOCIATION

By Victor Block Civil War buffs Tom and Elaine Preston wander through reconstructed forts where a major battle of that conflict was fought.

Betsy and Andy Cross follow a guide slogging through a dense rainforest. Lauren Davis and Jim Goodman enjoy an exciting go-kart track and exhilarating water slide.

As inviting as these disparate experiences are, they have something in common. All take place during cruises that appeal to people who are seeking something a bit different.

Passengers on this wind-powered tall ship can try their hand at steering and learn the basics of nautical navigation as they sail along the picturesque coast of Maine.

For crafty sailors The pace is much slower on sailings touted as “cruising with a purpose.” Craft Cruises specializes in planning voyages for people who share a penchant for knitting, crocheting and similar pastimes. Along with the usual cruise ship activities, they take classes from experts in their area of special interest. Learn more at (877) 9727238 or craftcruises.com Learning opportunities aboard Maine PHOTO COURTESY OF MYTHS AND MOUNTAINS

A boat modeled after a traditional Asian “junk” plies the calm waters of Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, which is surrounded by limestone peaks and studded with tiny islands.

Cruisers aboard enjoy comfortable accommodations and sumptuous buffet meals.

windjammer boats focus on nautical pursuits.

Passengers may try their hand at steering, get instruction in navigation, and participate in other sailing tasks. As they do, the graceful wind-powered tall ships sail along the picturesque coast of Maine. The 13-member vessels of the Maine Windjammer Association also offer special interest trips that focus on themes ranging from whale watching and birding to chocolate and wine. Call (800) 8079463 or visit sailmainecoast.com.

boats that ply the calm water, ranging from rowboats and kayaks to fishing craft and bamboo vessels.

The ship that I called home for several days and nights, as part of a Myths and Mountains tour, replicated a traditional “junk,” yet provided very comfortable accommodations and served sumptuous buffet meals. Call (800) 670-6984 or visit mythsandmountains.com.

Freighter travel From the Arctic to Asia Much further north, people line the deck of a nuclear-powered ship as it crushes through North Pole ice, then go aloft in a helicopter and tethered hot air balloon to search for polar bears, walruses and seals.

Arctic cruises are among more than 600 itineraries available from Expedition Trips, whose vessels travel to some of the most remote corners of the Earth. The company’s specialists help people arrange both cruises and land trips based on their interests and budget. Call them at (877) 4128527 or see expeditiontrips.com.

What may be the most other-worldly body of water anywhere is Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. Its 600-square-mile seascape is punctuated by soaring jagged spires, limestone islands, caves and inlets.

Mother Nature’s formations dwarf the

We close with a brief questionnaire. Do you have time to go to sea for weeks or even months? Can you make do without the fancy, upscale amenities of a modern cruise ship? Are you happy as a member of a small group, rather than mingling with hundreds or thousands of other passengers?

If so, you may be a good candidate for freighter travel. A tiny percent of oceangoing vessels carry passengers along with cargo. They include container ships whose decks are laden with truck-size metal boxes and general cargo carriers that transport an A (automotive parts) to Z (zucchini) alphabet of goods.

Passenger cabins usually are more spacious than on regular cruise ships and feaSee SPECIALTY CRUISES, page 25

24

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

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

Exploring the world as a roving retiree

By Eleanor Laise Eager to hit the road, Roxanne and David Draves decided to retire early.

Ten years ago, Roxanne gave up her real estate appraisal work, and David left his job doing lift maintenance for a ski area. They rented out their house in Carbondale, Colo., which they later sold, and bought a motor home.

Since then, they’ve been crisscrossing the U.S., working on 43 Habitat for Humanity building projects in 19 states, watching the Daytona 500 and a Space Shuttle launch in Florida, following Revolutionary and Civil War trails up the east coast, and helping their daughter build a home in Montana.

Roxanne, 63, and David, 69, have no intention of settling down. “Every place has something beautiful to it, and it’s such a joy to meet new people,” Roxanne said.

“It’s hard to sit still for too long.”

Technology makes it easier A growing number of retirees agree.

The rise of technology that makes it cheap and easy to stay connected anywhere in the world, home-sharing sites that offer low-cost accommodations, and longer life spans promising many active years in retirement are all inspiring a generation of retirees to make travel a lifestyle rather than an occasional splurge.

Some, like the Draveses, find new purpose in far-flung volunteer projects, while others pursue second-act careers as travel bloggers or photographers, or simply tick some boxes on their bucket list. And many find they’re spending less money than they did as homeowners.

“You can do this on a shoestring — or do it on a private jet,” said David Kuenzi, a

financial planner in Madison, Wis., whose clients include many expatriate Americans.

Some things to consider It’s not all nomadic nirvana. You’ll need to plan carefully to stay within your budget, and constantly research new destinations and accommodations.

Before making a full-scale commitment, and certainly before selling your house, “take several months off and give it a try,” said Lynne Martin, a globe-trotting retiree and author of Home Sweet Anywhere (Sourcebooks, $15).

Use websites such as NomadList.com and Numbeo.com to research costs of living before deciding on a destination.

To save on travel costs, consider basing yourself in a region — such as Europe — where there’s cutthroat budget airline com-

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petition, said Kathleen Peddicord, publisher of website www.liveandinvestoverseas.com.

Or take “repositioning” cruises — discounted one-way voyages offered when cruise lines are relocating ships.

Find affordable accommodations on sites such as HomeAway.com and Airbnb.com.

Or get free accommodation by housesitting.

Get started at sites such as TrustedHousesitters.com or HouseCarers.com.

Overseas is more complex If you’re traveling overseas, extra homework is required. You may need additional health coverage. Medicare typically won’t cover you outside the U.S. Review each country’s visa rules on the U.S. Department of State website so that you don’t overstay your welcome. And research the country’s residence rules to ensure you won’t become subject to taxation there.

If you stay in Italy for more than 183 days in a year, for example, your worldwide income will be subject to Italian tax, Kuenzi said. And remember that U.S. citizens must always file U.S. tax returns, no matter how long they live abroad.

But those nagging details can’t dampen the pleasures of life on the road, roving retirees say. And though you may be far from loved ones, you’re likely to develop many close bonds as you go.

The Draveses say they’ve formed many friendships working with Habitat for Humanity’s RV Care-A-Vanners — a group of about 6,000 volunteers, mostly retirees, who travel the U.S. and Canada in their motor homes building houses.

About half are full-time RVers, and they tend to team up with the same volunteers on many different building sites, said Habitat spokesperson Bryan Thomas.

“We couldn’t give it up,” said Roxanne Draves. Her husband finishes her thought: “It would be like abandoning your family.” © The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Jan. 23+

FREE ENGLISH CLASSES

City of Hope Church will offer free English classes for speakers of other languages on Wednesdays Jan. 23 through April 17 from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. Classes will cover conversational English for beginner, intermediate and advanced English speakers. Students may enroll any Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. throughout the program. Classes will take place at City of Hope Church in the lower level of the Stonehouse Community Center in the Long Reach Village Center at 8775 Cloudleap Ct., Columbia. To learn more, contact english@cityofhopechurch.net.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

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

25

Where to find reliable hotel reviews online

By Miriam Cross When you’re splurging on a vacation, other travelers’ opinions can help you decide where to go. Their online reviews can point you toward hotels with great ambiance and ultra-comfortable beds, and away from those marred by poor upkeep and noisy surroundings.

Online reviews are more up-to-date than print guidebooks, and reflect a more realistic experience than Instagram-famous travel “influencers.”

The problem with reviews But scrolling through comments from strangers online has downsides: You might have to wade through dozens of overblown complaints — “Beach is too sandy,” for example — or vague praise — “I loved it” — to glean valuable information. Or a suspiciously effusive review could be a plant by the business owner, a friend or a hired promoter.

Specialty cruises From page 23 ture a private bathroom and air conditioning. Some provide a mini-refrigerator, TV and DVD player. Other amenities might include a library, exercise room and even a swimming pool.

One appeal for freighter fanciers is the opportunity to observe and get to know crew members. Passengers and officers usually share the same dining room, which provides an opportunity to hear maritime stories and anecdotes.

Of course, there are also what some

Travel websites Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, HomeAway, Hotels.com, Priceline and Viator allow only “verified” reviews, meaning the writers must have reserved through the site and completed their stay or activity before their assessment is posted.

But at TripAdvisor and Google, reviewers don’t need to prove they experienced whatever they’re evaluating. Both sites say they look for and remove bogus reviews; TripAdvisor even participated in an investigation that resulted in a fake-review peddler in Italy being sentenced to prison last June.

Also, phony reviews have less impact today than several years ago because they’re crowded out by the huge volume of legitimate reviews.

Sean O’Neill, an editor at Skift, a travel industry news site, said the most-reliable surveys report that as much as 15 percent of TripAdvisor reviews are suspect, so “even in the worst case, most reviews are legitimate.”

Look beyond the stars Sites often rate hotels and destinations using a star or numerical system, but this only tells part of the story. “Those scores are a great way to weed out the chaff,” said Chris Anderson, a professor at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. “But a 4.2 versus a 4.0 is useless.”

A classic old hotel, say, may receive a middling score because some visitors loved the historical experience while others expected modern amenities. You wouldn’t know that unless you read the reviews.

Sort reviews by date because things in the hospitality industry change frequently, said Ulrike Gretzel, of the University of Southern California’s Center for Public Relations.

Focus more on reviewers whose travel style is similar to yours than on authors who contribute a lot of reviews, she added. On Booking.com, TripAdvisor and other sites, you can filter by reviewers who traveled as a

family, a couple, solo or for business.

Your best bet is to cross-check the same hotel, activity or tour on multiple sites for consistent observations.

A few lesser-known review sites are worth a look as well. Oyster.com sends professional “investigators” to review hotels in 76 countries and cruises on about 100 ships.

For a highly curated look at hotels and resorts in 100 countries, Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report sends anonymous reviewers to luxury hotels and resorts, and recommends only its favorites.

You’ll pay a steep $395 per year ($250 for a digital-only membership), but receive services such as updated online reviews, a printed monthly report, regional guidebooks and exclusive perks when booking through a partner travel agency. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

consider downsides to freighter travel.

First and foremost, some shipping lines have lower, and upper, age limits. The number of passengers usually is 12 or fewer — the maximum a ship can carry without having a doctor on board.

Ships may spend as little as a half-day or as long as several days in ports, and there are no planned shore activities for passengers. Therefore it’s best to do your own research about scheduled ports of call and how you would like to spend time there.

A good source of information and bookings is Maris, a freighter cruise specialist that operates a membership club offering

discounts on voyages and periodic newsletters. Call (800) 996-2747 or see freightercruises.com.

Another helpful contact is Stride Travel.

It includes listings of river and small ship cruises among thousands of packages offered by hundreds of tour companies. Es-

pecially helpful are trip and company reviews by both professional experts and other travelers.

Another benefit is that Stride members receive a cash bonus on select trips when they reserve through the company. Membership is free. See more at stridetravel.com.

BEACON BITS

Feb. 7

SWING DANCE SOCIAL AND CLASS Jump, jive and swing at the Swing Dance Social and class to be

held Thursday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. at the East Columbia 50+ Center, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. It is sponsored by Howard County Recreation & Parks, and the fee is $15. For more information, visit howardcountymd.gov/encore or call (410) 313-7311.

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

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Style Arts &

Julia Roberts is at the stage of her career where she can choose her roles carefully. See story on facing page.

Scary stories earn author young readers

Queen of scary Downing Hahn has been dubbed, among other things, “the queen of the middle grades scary story” — an epithet she is not all that happy about, since she has also written historical novels for preteens.

(More about that later.)

Nevertheless, her ghost stories have been grabbing and shaking up her mostly 8- to 12-year-old readers for decades. Her first novel was published in 1979, and she has since developed creepy situations into book-length stories that have usually appeared once a year.

Her latest, set to come out this year, is Guest: a Changeling Tale, which is based

on a rather weird piece of Irish folklore.

“The book is based on the ancient Irish belief that malicious sprites took away healthy babies and replaced them with sick and hideous kids, which their parents abandoned or killed,” the writer said rather matter-offactly.

In this particular story, Molly, an Irish mother of long ago, goes through all sorts of spooky, eerie, hairraising adventures as she seeks her one-and-only original baby.

“I stumbled on a genre very popular for kids,” said the author. “I know that kids like to be scared. I certainly did. When you are scared by a story, everything else goes away, including the scary real world,” said Downing Hahn.

Here’s what ParentMap, an online site for moms and dads has to say about scary stories for young readers: “Kids are instinctively drawn to scary things….A child comes away from a scary story with new tools for managing or controlling their own reactions to fear.

“A parent’s job is to understand this, to invite discussion, choices, and to make a variety of stories available.”

Remembering simpler times Downing Hahn, a former librarian at the Laurel Public Library, is a native of College Park. She grew up on a block that was “loaded with kids my age. We spent hours

BEACON BITS

Feb. 9

HOLIDAY MART DEADLINE FOR CRAFTERS

While the 2018 holidays are barely over, the Howard County 2019 Holiday Mart is already accepting applications through its website: howardcountymd.gov/holidaymart. The $20 fee is not refundable. All entries must be posted by Saturday, Feb. 9. For more information, call Christine Lyons at (410) 313-4843 or (410) 313-4840.

Jan. 27

FREE ORCHESTRA CONCERT

The Columbia Orchestra will perform a free concert of Beethoven & Shostakovich works on Sunday, Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. at the Glenelg United Methodist Church, 1900 Burntwoods Rd., Glenelg. Guest artists violinist Paul Li and violist Jennifer Williams will be featured. To learn more, visit columbiaorchestra.org or call (410) 465-8777.

outdoors playing ‘kick the can’ and ‘mother, may I,’ as well as cowboy and outlaw games that usually ended in quarrels about who shot whom.

“In the summer, we went on day-long expeditions into forbidden territory — the woods on the other side of the train tracks, the creek that wound its way through College Park, and the experimental farm run by the University of Maryland.”

That was then. Now, the octogenarian feels sad that for too many present-day kids those outdoor games and explorations are being replaced by the simulated world on the Internet.

Those years she lived in College Park have be- Prolific children’s author Mary Downing Hahn has penned come fodder for her his- 35 books, many of them ghost stories. The Edgar Awardtorical novels. For in- winning Columbia resident also writes historical novels for stance, Stepping on the preteens. Her newest novel will be published later this Cracks, published in 1992, year. is set during World War II. Not interested in adults The book, which Publishers Weekly Now that she has become a revered aucalled “a subtle, thought-provoking work,” thor for beginning readers, has she ever concerns two young College Park girls wanted to enter the literary marketplace for whose older brothers are fighting the the supposed grownups?

Nazis, and a young bully, “You mean, when am I whom the girls learn is beatgoing to write a real book, en regularly by his father and as many of my adult friends is helping hide an older ask? I suppose I would like brother who is an Army deto write a literary masterserter. piece, ‘the great American Downing Hahn wrote the Woman’s Novel.’ book after her editor told her “But that’s not me. I read that, believe it or not, much of some adult novels written what happened in her own

by Judy Blume (the famous life is now seen as world hisjuvenile books author), and tory. they are not so successful.

“I realized, ‘My God, my “I think I’ll stick with own life is a part of history!’ what I’m doing,” she said. “When I sit So I wrote about World War II, what I redown to write, I’m my 10-year-old self membered about it as a child, and did the again.” research, such as on the songs of the time, Which could give Mary Downing Hahn ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, ‘White Christa lot more time for many more books. mas.’ and ‘It’s Been a Long, Long Time.’“ PHOTO COURTESY OF MARY DOWNING HAHN

By Robert Friedman “You could say I never grew up. I’m still trying to rewrite my childhood, making it more interesting and exciting, even mysterious,” said 81-year-old Mary Downing Hahn, of Columbia.

She is the author of 35 published children’s books — more than 20 of them novels and many of them prize winners.

Among her accolades is the prestigious Edgar Award, given yearly by the Mystery Writers of America to writers of crime fiction. Her 2010 award was for Closed for the Season, in the juvenile crime category. Some of the big guys who have won an Edgar are Stephen King, Elmore Leonard and Ken Follett.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

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

27

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 instructs her 21-year-old co-star. “Where did you go from here, honey?�

Roberts’ motherly instincts play a big part of 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.

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.

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!�

PHOTO COURTESY OF BLACK BEAR PICTURES

Julia Roberts stars with Lucas Hedges as the mother of a drug-addicted son in the movie Ben Is Back, now in theaters. Roberts pushed for Hedges to play the role of Ben in the movie directed by his father, Peter Hedges.

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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 See JULIA ROBERTS, page 29

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28

Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Police & fire From page 1 profession,” she said. “When my grandmother passed away, I saw the care and compassion shown by the officials at the funeral home during the mourning process and I admired them. I even took a tour of a funeral home, thinking maybe I could do this.”

But Myers eventually followed her university training and became a civilian crime lab technician in the Howard County Police Department.

“It wasn’t until I was 28 years old [about two years later] when I decided I wanted to be a police officer,” she said. “I then became the only female in my police academy class.”

Like Uhlhorn, Myers has policing in her family. Her husband, Woody Myers, is a retired Maryland State Trooper, and her uncle, Dennis Mello, was the first black police captain in Baltimore.

Over her 27 years at the department, Myers has held such positions as chief of staff, patrol division watch commander, supervisor of youth services, and public information officer.

She has also represented the department in labor-management negotiations and on multiple boards, such as the African American Community Roundtable and the Police and Business Professionals Partnership.

Myers agreed to come out of a recent retirement to take the reins as chief “because this is a great opportunity,” she said.

The Howard County Police Department operates with a budget of more than $122 million. Of the 478 officers in the department, 69 are currently African American and 11 of those are female.

Myers looks forward to attracting more minorities to the department. “I feel I can promote diversity for the police by being visible in the community.”

Myers was asked about the Black Lives Matters movement, a nationwide protest movement that has also been active in Howard County. It grew out of clashes between police officers and African Americans in different parts of the country.

“I think the movement is important,” she said. “That’s why a lot of my focus will be on community outreach. We have to have a strong policy and strong practices carried out by well-trained officers” who recognize the problems of minority communities, she said.

More female firefighters Fire departments around the country still attract fewer female recruits than other former all-male professions. Only about 4 percent of firefighters are women, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, while female participation has risen to about 14 percent in police work and the military.

Fire Chief Uhlhorn indicated she will be on the lookout for more female firefighters as she attempts to expand her department, which now consists of 500 career firefighter-emergency rescue technicians, and 400

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

volunteers at 12 stations, with a budget around $104 million.

She put the current number of women career firefighters at 11 percent of the force, about 55 women, plus “many” female volunteers.

Uhlhorn recalled that when she joined in 1989, the fire department “was not ready for us [women]. There were group showers, no private toilet facilities, open bunk rooms, and ill-fitting uniforms for the women.”

“All that has now changed,” she said. In fact, in recruitment efforts for the department, she ran the First Alarm Girls Fire Camps, where 8- to 16-year-old campers spend a weekend learning what it takes to become a firefighter.

Uhlhorn has taken command from former fire chief John Butler, who has become chief of the larger fire department of Fairfax County, Va. Butler, a 25-year veteran of the Howard County department who worked over those years with Uhlhorn, told the Baltimore Sun: “In an industry that doesn’t have a whole lot of women fire chiefs and women chief officers, Christine was a role model and held her own at the table. She...often spoke for those who were apprehensive to speak out loud.”

A demanding but rewarding job Uhlhorn acknowledged that firefighting is both physically demanding and at times dangerous.

In addition to the risks inherent in enter-

ing burning buildings, a growing concern is the cancer rate among firefighters, which she said is 9 percent higher than for the general public. The burning of wood, plastics, furniture, electronics and other building materials releases hazardous substances into the air that are known carcinogens.

She said special steps are now being taken to minimize the risk to the firefighters, such as quickly washing skin and removing firefighting gear after a job, not wearing the gear around the fire station, and making sure equipment is cleaned before being returned to the fire truck.

But all that is secondary, she said, to the “very rewarding” nature of the profession.

“We’re the good guys,” she said. “We’re helping people.”

Uhlhorn now lives in Joppa in Harford County and shares custody of her 13-yearold son and 12-year-old daughter with her ex-husband. She said that both children have shown “interest” in firefighting, having helped out in the summer camp.

“When I was a young girl, firefighting was more gender specific,” said the fire chief. “My parents said I could be whatever I wanted to be, and they would support me. I had firefighting in my blood.

“Whatever my children choose as a career, l will support.” she said.

What, for her, is the most important part of the job? “Making sure that every day and night everyone goes home safely,” the new county fire chief said.

Julia Roberts From page 27 know — her.

Roberts grants that the public’s impression of her is “probably relatively accurate,” something few who have graced so many tabloid covers in their lifetime can do. “I mean, I’m not interested in trying to seem cooler than I am or something,” she says.

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.”

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 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 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 relied upon for the movie,” says Roberts.

29

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

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

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. “It’s just two delicious things put together,” says Roberts of the genre.

“It’s like spending months wrapping a present for people. They’re really hard to make well, so I don’t begrudge their absence, because I’d rather not see a bunch of really bad ones.”

But Ben Is Back and “Homecoming” have allowed Roberts to expand on the

dramatic work she did with Steven Soderbergh (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

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

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Crossword Puzzle

Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus Total Value 1

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Scrabble answers on p. 29.

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Across

Down

1. Create art with acid 5. Potential appointment opening 9. A Good quality phonographs 14. Clown, first televised in 1949 15. Greet from a distance 16. Provide reparations 17. Plow pullers 18. Like most shoe counts 19. Go from two lanes to one 20. Add on unnecessary charges 23. Peek at the answer key 24. Someone who enjoys giving standardized tests (with 25 Across) 25. See 24 Across 28. Bridesmaid’s uniform 31. Crass 33. ___ of the above 36. Considerable sum of money 38. Weaver’s tool 40. “Can I come, ___?”

41. Understands the joke 42. Name near the end of the credits 47. Animal on the Chinese zodiac 48. Molecule of carbon and hydrogen 49. Asian region which anagrams as “ARE OK” 51. Center of BRYAN and MARYANN 52. 52% of an MK3A2 model hand grenade, by weight 54. Ancient Peruvians 57. Total value of this puzzle 62. Healthcare insurer, founded in 1853 64. Metal with atomic number 26 65. Miss a class 66. “I want the world to ___ body” (Marilyn Monroe) 67. Prepare for a new baby 68. Arm bone 69. “___ Johnny!”

70. Doesn’t stay 71. Guinea and pot-bellied pigs

1. Piano key color 2. Like asbestos, to humans 3. Bohemian, now 4. Complained to another driver 5. Suffer from the heat 6. Impractical flooring material 7. Pizzeria appliance 8. Has an inclination 9. Overact 10. List unit 11. Stranger in a strange land 12. Feature of reading and writing (but not arithmetic) 13. Go out with 21. Frontier legend, Wyatt 22. Frontier legend, Crockett 26. Character voiced by John Goodman in It’s a SpongeBob Christmas!

27. Secret meeting 29. ___ good example 30. Keep in inventory 32. Sofa supporter 33. Left at the ___ (jilted) 34. Humble of status 35. Babysit for 37. In The Wiz, he was played by a schnauzer 39. Wharton grad 43. How cafeteria food is transported 44. Farmers’ Market enclosure 45. Gets one’s bearings 46. Start of Troy, NY’s RPI 50. Strong two-pair hand in poker 53. Performing maintenance on sneakers 55. Gymnast’s pain point 56. Tour of duty 58. “My turn; this round’s ___” 59. McFlurry ingredient 60. Carrot, to a snowman 61. Relaxation locations 62. Cigar residue 63. Wide shoe designation

Answers on page 29.

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

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