February 2020 | Howard County Beacon by The Beacon Newspapers

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Facing a painful part of the past

More than 40 Maryland victims By founding MLMP, Schwarz is trying to

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By Ivey Noojin Almost 90 years after a man was hanged by a mob in Maryland, residents of Howard County have begun an effort to remember the victims of lynching in the area. “The legacy still influences us,” said Will Schwarz, president and founder of the Maryland Lynching Memorial Project (MLMP), which he established in 2018. The nonprofit is dedicated to remembering the victims of lynching and creating a dialogue about racial tension in the state. Schwarz, 69, became interested in the history of lynching in 2015, when he attended a book reading by author and attorney Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), an Alabama organization that provides legal representation to minorities. During his talk, Stevenson spoke about lynchings in the Confederate states and the border state of Kentucky. But he didn’t discuss cases in the border state of Maryland. Schwarz, a documentary filmmaker, became curious about local research on the subject, but couldn’t find much information. So, he decided to take on the task of researching and educating the state on its history himself. For Schwarz, it’s personal. He learned that he lives a mile away from the Towson lynching site of Howard Cooper, snatched by a mob from the Baltimore County Jail and hung in 1885 after a conviction for assaulting a white woman. “I can’t go by that building without thinking of [Cooper’s] mother having to pick up his body the next day,” Schwarz said. “I realized how important it was, and I just couldn’t let it go.” The state government has since also realized the importance of acknowledging the past. Last April, Gov. Larry Hogan signed a House bill that created the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission to research and document the state’s racially motivated lynchings. “If we do not recognize the ills of the past, we will carry them with us into the future,” Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk, who sponsored the bill for the commission, said in a statement.

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ARTS & STYLE Filmmaker Will Schwarz stands at the site of an 1885 lynching in Towson. He released a short documentary about it in December. A Howard County group is working with a new state commission, and with Schwarz’s nonprofit Maryland Lynching Memorial Project, to raise awareness of the history of lynching in Maryland.

A band with musicians from their 20s to their 70s plays toe-tapping hits from the earliest days of jazz page 27

create a reconciliation effort in every county of Maryland for the victims of lynching — that is, a mob-led murder, usually by public hanging, without legal approval. These hangings were typically attended by large crowds. Because bodies were left to hang for days as a warning to others, some historians consider lynching a type of terrorism. Thousands of people died in this manner around the country. In the U.S. South, 4,084 African Americans were lynched for racial reasons between 1877 and 1950, according to the EJI. According to the Tuskegee Institute, 4,743 people overall were lynched between 1882 and 1968 in the United States,

including 1,297 whites killed by white mobs for their crimes or anti-lynching opinions. EJI has found that a quarter of lynching victims were accused of rape, and a third were accused of violence. However, many of these accusations weren’t proven true. Often victims were merely “social transgressors,” who contradicted whites’ ideas about blacks’ changing place in society, the EJI said. In Maryland, at least 41 lynchings occurred in the state from 1854 to 1933, according to the MLMP. Schwarz produced a short documentary of the state’s last known killing, “Burning: The Lynching of See LYNCHING, page 29

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Wonder and creativity I found myself standing beside a win- molecules in our atmosphere, lighting up dow one chilly morning recently as my and warming the planet and the air around thoughts wandered into wonus, right down to the shaft of dering, as they often do. light now shining on my finThis time, I was wondering gers. — both wondering about and Just then, a wisp of cloud feeling a sense of wonder — passed overhead, and the temat the early morning sunlight perature suddenly dropped so filtering through the window. that I could only feel the cold As I raised the shade to get emanating from the window. a better look at the day, I imHow far those powerful mediately felt an odd sensarays of light had traveled, I tion: a coldness radiating thought, only to be blocked by from the glass of the window FROM THE clouds a few hundred feet simultaneously with a PUBLISHER from me, as they also had By Stuart P. Rosenthal warmth from the sunlight been a few moments before by striking my hand and arm. the window shade next to me. I couldn’t help but think back to some Sometimes it takes very little to stymie basic science lessons from my childhood. something very powerful. These rays of light from the sun, I reI experience a reverie of this sort fairly minded myself, have traveled 93 million often. I enjoy them because they help me miles through the forbidding vacuum of take a step back from a busy life and scatspace, traversing the distance in minutes tered brain and “smell the roses.” through emptiness at temperatures apIt’s times like this that make me hum in proaching absolute zero, leaving the black- my head a lyric from Rodgers and Hamness of space as dark as ever. merstein’s Flower Drum Song: “a hundred But as they reach earth, they excite the million miracles are happ’ning ev’ry day.”

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I think having a sense of wonder at life, especially at some of our simplest, most common experiences, adds meaning to it. It also boosts creativity, according to psychologists. In an article titled “Creativity and Wonder,” published in the Journal of Creative Behavior, Professor Vlad Petre Gl veanu wrote: “The experience of wonder is often said to be at the origin of acts of creativity… Understood as one of the main ways in which we engage with the possible, wonder presents us, upon closer inspection, with a paradox typical for creativity — experiencing what is present (the here and now) through the lenses of what is absent (the not-yet-here).” What makes us humans so creative — indeed, impels us to acts of creation (art and invention) — is our capacity for wonder coupled with our capacity for understanding. If we only wondered and never grasped answers, life would be only frustrating. But because we can think, speak and interact with others, and because our creative brains can comprehend many of the mysteries of the universe, we are driven to inch forward, generation after generation. It’s true that, as we age, most of us find it increasingly difficult to recall things we once knew and to pick up new skills. But recent research confirms that our brains are “plastic,” in a good sense. Neurons can continue to grow and establish connections, especially when we concentrate on something new and different for us, such as brain games, tai chi or a new language.

Sometimes lost in that conversation, however, is recognizing how — far from being lost — creativity remains and can even blossom with age. While creative output may appear to decline in many of us as we age, psychologists believe that is probably because we fall into a rut. We’re deflected from things we feel passionate about due to our careers, family responsibilities and the like. Even the strongest of passions can be blocked by mundane matters. That may be why aging can be a time of resurging creativity. Freed from some of those matters, when older adults return to — or perhaps eventually discover — their true passions, they can be as creative and productive as when they were young. Do you ever find yourself wondering why things are as they are, or (even better) what could be? Have you considered taking an art or music class? Have you always wanted to make pottery or jewelry, learn to play an instrument, understand theoretical physics? I think one of the best things we can do as we age is get in touch with our inner sense of wonder. Then, we should let it spark our creative spirit and lead us to do something we love, or find something new to love. Wonder leads to creativity which can, if we’re fortunate, lead to a more passionate, meaningful and fulfilling life.

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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 President/Associate Publisher – Judith K. Rosenthal Vice President of Operations – Gordon Hasenei Vice President, Sales & Marketing – Alan Spiegel Managing Editor – Margaret Foster Art Director – Kyle Gregory Director of Operations – Roger King Advertising Representative – Steve Levin Editorial Assistant – Ivey Noojin

Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or email info@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Dear Editor: Your paper empowered me to fight back against violation of Homestead Exemption (tax relief) fraud. We won! Concerned seniors must speak out. In Maryland, every county and municipality must limit taxable property assessment increases to 10% or less each year, according to the Homestead Property Tax Credit. I’m happy to share my story to empower other concerned people. Jim Patterson Via email Dear Editor: I am a 95-year-old veteran who served as a field artillery combat medic in the Bat-

tle of the Bulge in World War II. I enjoy reading your very informative paper, especially regarding health and advice for senior citizens. I am personally extremely disgusted with Purdue Pharma, whose greedy mission is to produce medicines that treat but do not cure many medical problems. Today, there are many known cures for the worst medical problems. But sadly, they are not available in the U.S. due to the control of bribed Congressmen and restrictions to doctors and hospitals. How unfortunate. Frank Bressler Pikesville, Maryland

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HOWARD COUNTY RESTAURANT WEEK

Restaurants throughout the county will celebrate Howard County Restaurant Week from Mon., Jan. 20 through Sun., Feb. 2. Participating bars and eateries will offer specially priced multi-course meals throughout the week. For a list of participating restaurants, visit HoCoRestaurantWeek.com, visitmaryland.org or call 1-800-288-8747.

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Health Fitness &

PATIENCE AFTER SURGERY Full recovery from carpal tunnel syndrome surgery can take a year DENTAL AND MENTAL HEALTH A pilot study examines the link between healthy gums and dementia RAINY DAY ACHES Does arthritis flare up in bad weather? Doctors and patients disagree MINT MAGIC Peppermint oil may help relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome

Common additive may raise health risks By Gale Malesky Some researchers have been speculating for years that certain commonly used food additives may be contributing to the uptick in obesity and diabetes. Now, research from Harvard University shows that a commonly-used food preservative, and one generally recognized as safe (GRAS), appears to contribute to both insulin resistance and high blood sugar. That has added new weight to suspicions that some food ingredients may have unforeseen impacts on our health. The findings were published online in Science Translational Medicine.

Concerns over propionate The researchers looked at propionate, a short-chain fatty acid frequently used as a mold inhibitor and anti-browning agent in foods manufactured to have a fairly long shelf-life. These researchers found (in both mice and in humans) that propionate, when added to meals in amounts that might be

normally consumed, triggered a cascade of metabolic events that led to increased production of sugar by the liver, further leading to elevated levels of insulin. “So, these signals, which are usually activated during fasting to support the energetic demands of the body, are stimulated inappropriately during a meal that contains propionate,” said study lead author Amir Tirosh, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of medicine at Tel Aviv University in Israel. “Chronic consumption of propionate leading to an increase in insulin levels might, in turn, lead to an increase in food intake, weight gain and insulin resistance.” Propionate has been assessed by the FDA for its potential to cause birth defects, cancer and weight loss, and found to be safe in those regards. Hence, its designation as GRAS. However, the FDA does not require GRAS-classified food additives to be tested for any metabolic effects, said Barbara Corkey, Ph.D., director of the Obesity Re-

search Center at Boston University School of Medicine. “None of them has been looked at as potential causes of obesity. Many of them have not been properly tested on any kind of metabolic disease,” she said.

Used in broad range of foods The foods most likely to contain propionate are breads, tortillas, pizza dough, pastries, breakfast cereals, pasta and noodles, dried and condensed milk, flavored milks, dairy-based spreads, cheese, some processed meats, certain processed fruit and vegetable products, and desserts such as puddings, frosting and confections. In addition, the ingredient can be found in sports drinks; diet foods and beverages; commercially prepared salads such as potato salad; condiments such as vinegar and mustard; soups and sauces; dried or otherwise processed mushrooms, beans or seaweeds; and nut butters. It’s also used in animal feed and grains. It’s important to note that if an ingredi-

ent is added to a food (not found naturally), it must be listed on the ingredients label. In the case of propionate, look for these names: calcium propionate, sodium propionate, propionic acid, calcium salt and calcium dipropionate. It’s true that propionate is found naturally in some foods, such as aged cheeses, where it helps to retard mold growth. However, the amounts are extremely low and unlikely to result in deleterious metabolic effects, Tirosh said. He believes these new findings warrant further investigation into propionate and potential alternatives that could be used in food preparation. But both he and Corkey agree that one way to eat healthier is to work to limit intake of processed foods. Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC. 1-800-8295384. EnvironmentalNutrition.com. © 2019 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Using new (and old) drugs to help hearts By Marilynn Marchione Novel drugs — and old ones as well — may offer fresh ways to reduce heart risks beyond the medicines typically used to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. One new study found that heart attack survivors benefited from a medicine long used to treat gout. Several experimental drugs also showed early promise for interfering with heart-harmful genes without modifying the genes themselves — in one case, with treatment just twice a year. The research was featured at an American Heart Association conference in Philadelphia in November. “There’s a lot of excitement” about the new gene-targeting medicines, especially because they seem to last so long, said Dr. Karol Watson of the University of California, Los Angeles. Scientists have been exploring gene therapy — altering DNA — to attack the root cause of many diseases. [See “Doctors safely edit genes to fight cancer,” in the December Beacon.] The new drugs essentially accomplish the same thing without tampering with

genes, said the University of Pennsylvania’s Dr. Daniel Rader, who has consulted for some makers of these drugs. The medicines work by silencing or blocking messages that genes give to cells to make proteins that can do harm, such as allowing cholesterol to accumulate. The first few of these “RNA interference” drugs recently were approved for other conditions, and research is also targeting heart disease.

Studies look promising Furthest along is inclisiran, tested in 1,561 people with heart disease from clogged arteries who still had high LDL, the bad form of cholesterol, despite taking standard drugs. They were given a shot of inclisiran or a dummy drug when they joined the study, three months later, and then every six months. The drug lowered LDL by 56% without serious side effects. More testing will show whether it also lowers heart attacks and other problems besides cholesterol. Inclisiran’s maker, the Medicines Company, plans to seek federal approval for it later this year. Two other RNA interference drugs aim

at a different target — triglycerides, another fat in the blood that’s elevated in one quarter of Americans. Treatments include very low-fat diets, weight loss, fish oil and drugs, but doctors say more and better therapies are needed. Each RNA interference drug was tested at various doses in 40 people. A single shot lowered triglycerides by 30% to 67%, and the benefit lasted for at least four months. The studies were just intended to show safety; Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals is developing both drugs.

Diabetes, gout cures help heart Other research found new benefits from older drugs. AstraZeneca’s Farxiga, originally developed to treat diabetes, also lowered the risk of heart problems in heart failure patients who did not have diabetes. Among 2,605 such patients treated for 18 months, about 9% of those on Farxiga had worsening heart failure or heart-related death versus nearly 13% of those not given the drug. That worked out to a 27% lower risk, without extra serious side effects. Surprising benefits also were seen in a

Canadian study of the decades-old gout drug. The anti-inflammatory drug colchicine — sold as Colcrys, Mitigare and in generic form — was tested in 4,745 people who recently had a heart attack. After about two years, colchicine users had a 23% lower risk of suffering a new heart attack, heart-related death, stroke, cardiac arrest or urgent need for an artery-opening procedure compared with a group given dummy pills. The benefit came mostly from preventing strokes and artery-opening procedures; some heart doctors would rather have seen more difference in heart attacks and deaths. Colchicine is being tested in several other studies, and more evidence is needed before using it routinely to lower heart risks, wrote Dr. L. Kristin Newby of Duke University in a commentary published with the study in the New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones, a Northwestern University cardiologist and program chief for the heart conference, was more supportive. “When you have a safe drug that’s easily available, it’s going to be hard to hold this one back,” he said. —AP

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the older adult, the service calls the local non-emergency number, and the local police department may check on the adult. The idea is to help older people “age in place” at home. “The Department of Aging’s purpose is to keep Marylanders living at home safely without having to move into higher levels of care,” Maryland Secretary of Aging Rona E. Kramer said in a statement. For more information or to enroll yourself or a relative in the program, visit aging.maryland.gov or call 1-866502-4325.

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There’s a free new service from the State of Maryland that can help families and older adults stay safe and connected. It’s called Senior Call Check. The Mar yland Depar tment of Aging launched the program in 2018, becoming the first state to offer the free “check in” service for people over age 65. Older adults can receive a free daily automated phone call to “check in” on them. If they don’t answer their cell phone or landline after three calls, the service calls a designated alternate phone number. If that contact can’t vouch for the safety of

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Carpal tunnel recovery can take a year By Mary Jurisson, M.D., and Nicholas Pulos, M.D. Dear Mayo Clinic: Three months ago, I had surgery on my left wrist to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. Since then, I am in much more pain than before surgery, and two of my fingers are completely numb. I cannot even button my buttons, and tying my shoes is a chore. What would cause the pain to worsen after surgery? Could another sur-

gery remedy the problem, or is this my new normal? A: Your condition as it stands now shouldn’t be considered a new normal. It’s possible your symptoms are part of the recovery from surgery, and they may lessen with time. It would be a good idea, however, to meet with your surgeon now, so he or she can reassess your condition and decide if you need additional tests or treatment. Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve within

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the carpal tunnel — a narrow passageway on the palm side of your wrist. The median nerve runs from your forearm through the carpal tunnel and into your hand. It controls the sensations you feel on the palm side of your thumb and fingers, except the little finger. Carpal tunnel syndrome often causes numbness and tingling in the hand and arm. Surgery to treat it involves relieving pressure on the median nerve by cutting the ligament that crosses over it. Research shows that symptoms improve for more than 90% of patients following carpal tunnel surgery. However, the number who experience complete relief of symptoms after surgery may be only 50%. Patients whose symptoms are severe before surgery show the most improvement afterward, but this group also tends to have the most residual symptoms after the procedure. At three months following carpal tunnel surgery, your numbness and pain still could be byproducts of the procedure. Many people find the incision causes pain and irritation as it heals. In addition, a condition called “pillar pain,” which is a localized reaction to the surgery, can lead to discomfort. Both generally improve over several months.

Consider physical therapy Working with a hand therapist can be particularly useful during this uncomfortable period of recovery. The therapist can follow your progress by measuring the strength and sensation in your fingers, hand and arm, as well as provide advice about how to make your hand and arm more comfortable. It’s helpful to note, too, that nerves typically improve after surgery at a rate of

about one inch per month. When sensation returns, it happens gradually. In general, full recovery after carpal tunnel syndrome may take up to a year. Whether your pain and numbness are part of the healing process or whether they signal the need for more intervention depends somewhat on how your current symptoms compare to the symptoms you had before surgery. For example, you mention that two of your fingers are completely numb. If the numbness is significantly worse than it was before surgery, or if it’s affecting different parts of your hand, then closer assessment is appropriate at this time. It is a possibility that another problem is playing a role here. Various diseases, such as inflammatory arthritis, can first appear as carpal tunnel syndrome before it becomes evident that another process actually is triggering the condition. An ultrasound may reveal a new or additional diagnosis at the wrist. The scan also can help your surgeon determine if decompression of the median nerve is complete. If not, then another procedure may be useful. In some cases, numbness following carpal tunnel surgery happens due to a problem farther up the arm, or in the shoulder, neck or brain. If your surgeon suspects that could be the case for you, you may be referred to another specialist, such as a neurologist, for further assessment. Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. Email a question to MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit mayoclinic.org. © 2019 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Drug shown to curb dementia’s delusions By Marilynn Marchione A drug that curbs delusions in Parkinson’s patients did the same for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia in a study that was stopped early because the benefit seemed clear. If regulators agree, the drug could become the first treatment specifically for dementia-related psychosis and the first new medicine for Alzheimer’s in nearly two decades. It targets some of the most troubling symptoms that patients and caregivers face — hallucinations that often lead to anxiety, aggression and physical and verbal abuse. Results were disclosed in December at a conference in San Diego. “This would be a very important advance,” said one independent expert, Dr. Howard Fillit, chief science officer of the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation. Although the field is focused on finding a cure for dementia and preventing future cases, “there is a huge unmet need for better treatment” for those who have it now,

said Maria Carrillo, the Alzheimer’s Association’s chief science officer.

Daily pill could aid 3 in 10 The drug is pimavanserin, a daily pill sold as Nuplazid by Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. It was approved for Parkinson’srelated psychosis in 2016 and is thought to work by blocking a brain chemical that seems to spur delusions. About eight million Americans have dementia, and studies suggest that up to 30% of them develop psychosis. “It’s terrifying,” said Dr. Jeffrey Cummings of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas. “You believe that people might be trying to hurt you. You believe that people are stealing from you. You believe that your spouse is unfaithful to you. Those are the three most common false beliefs.” He consults for Acadia and helped lead the study, which included about 400 people with dementia and psychosis. All were given a low dose of the drug for three

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months, and those who seemed to respond or benefit were then split into two groups. Half continued on the drug, and the others were given dummy pills for six months or until they had a relapse or worsening of symptoms. Neither the patients nor their doctors knew who was getting what. Independent monitors stopped the study when they saw that those on dummy pills were more than twice as likely as those on the drug to relapse or worsen — 28% versus nearly 13%.

Side effects limited There were relatively few serious side effects — 5% in the drug group and 4% in the others. Headaches and urinary tract infections were more common. Two deaths

occurred, but study leaders said neither was related to the drug. Carrillo said the study was small, but the drug’s effect seemed large. It’s not known whether the federal Food and Drug Administration would want more evidence to approve a new use for pimavanserin. Current anti-psychotic medicines have some major drawbacks and are not approved for dementia patients. “They’re often used off-label because we have very few other options,” Fillit said. All carry warnings that they can raise the risk of death in elderly patients, as does Nuplazid. Cost could be an issue — about $3,000 a month. What patients pay can vary depending on insurance coverage. —AP

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INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Exploring dental and mental health link By Margaret Foster Can better oral hygiene slow the progression of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer’s disease, even for a few years? The question arises after a medical study last January established a link between Alzheimer’s disease and the bacteria that cause gum disease.

A new pilot study at the University of Maryland’s Claude D. Pepper Center will take a closer look at the connection between brain health and periodontal disease, or inflamed gums.

Origins of MCI “Over the years, we’ve begun to learn

more about cognitive impairment and the multiple reasons older individuals get it,” said Dr. Dr. Brajesh Lal, principal investigator of the study. “There are a lot of ways older adults can reach states of cognitive impairment. One is impaired blood flow [through the carotid arteries] and another may be inflammation,” Dr. Lal said. One of the most common sources of chronic inflammation in older individuals is periodontitis. Almost 70% of older adults

have inflamed gums, a form of inflammation, which may be a culprit in Alzheimer’s disease. That’s because inflammation throughout the body — including in the mouth, where unchecked bacteria can cause an immune-system response — can alter bacteria in the intestine. “When our body reacts to these gut bacteria, it releases chemicals which potentialSee CLINICAL TRIAL, page 10

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Feb. 20+

FITNESS FOR ACTIVE SENIORS

Low impact aerobic exercises, stretching, chair and floor exercises to improve strength, flexibility and balance are merged in Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning classes offered by Howard Community College starting Feb. 20 through March 22 at Bain 50+ Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia. To learn more, visit howardcc.edu or call (443) 518-1700.

Feb. 28

FAMILY & FRIENDS CPR COURSE

Learn basic life-saving CPR practices for adults and children in a one-evening course presented on Thurs., Feb. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Howard County General Hospital Wellness Center, 10710 Charter Dr., Columbia. Fee is $45. For more information and to register, visit hcgh.org/events or call (410) 740-7601.

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Does weather really affect arthritis pain? By Robert H. Shmerling, M.D. Medical myths die hard. Maybe that’s because there’s no agreement on whether a common belief is indeed a myth. For example, there’s the longstanding belief that weather affects arthritis pain. Many of my patients notice a clear connection; some are so convinced of the link that they believe they can predict the weather better than the TV meteorologists. And maybe that’s true. But that’s not what the science says. A recent study finds no connection between rainy weather and symptoms of back or joint pain. This conclusion was based on a staggering amount of data: more than 11 million medical visits occurring on more than 2 million rainy days and 9 million dry days. Not only was there no clear pattern linking rainy days with more aches and pains, but there were slightly more visits on dry days. Still not convinced? That’s understandable. Maybe it’s not rain or shine that matters — maybe it’s barometric pressure, changes in weather or humidity that matters most. Or maybe the study missed some key information, such as when symptoms began or got worse. After all, it can take days or even weeks after symptoms begin to see a doctor.

Long-studied question What does past research say about weather and arthritis pain? The question of whether there’s a link between weather and aches and pains has been studied ex-

tensively. While a definitive answer is nearly impossible to provide — because it’s hard to “prove a negative” (prove that something doesn’t exist) — researchers have been unable to make a strong case for a strong connection. For example, a 2014 study in Australia found no link between back pain and rain, temperature, humidity or air pressure. This study collected data regarding features of the weather at the time of first symptoms and compared it to the weather a week and a month before. But an earlier study found that among 200 patients followed for three months, knee pain increased modestly when temperature fell or barometric pressure rose. Does research matter when you have personal experience? That’s a fair question. And it’s something I’ve even heard in TV commercials about headache medicines: “I don’t care about the research. I just know what works for me.”

A human foible? But it’s worth remembering that humans have a remarkable tendency to remember when two things occur or change together (such as wet, gloomy weather and joint pain), but remember less when things do not occur together. That rainy day when you felt no better or worse is unlikely to be so notable that you remember it. If you rely solely on memory rather than on more rigorous,

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data-based evidence, it’s easy to conclude a link exists where, in fact, none does. It’s true: Medical myths die hard. In fact, some seem immortal. One could argue that’s as it should be. After all, yesterday’s medical myth is only one discovery away from becoming tomorrow’s medical fact. Still, when the evidence is compelling, we’d be better off letting go of what’s been disproven, give more credence to evidence than folklore, and keep an open mind — just in case the evidence changes.

When my patients tell me they can predict the weather by how their joints feel, I believe them. It’s hard to discount it when so many people notice a connection. They could represent an exception to what the studies show. But I also believe the science. Until I see evidence that’s even more compelling, I remain a skeptic about the weather/arthritis connection. © 2019 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Clinical trial From page 8 ly affect the brain,” Dr. Lal said. The University of Maryland study will try to determine whether better dental health can help people with mild memory problems.

Volunteers needed Now enrolling, the trial is seeking participants ages 65 to 100 who have two common conditions: inflamed gums and impaired short-term memory. Participants will make several visits to

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

the medical center, located at 22 S. Greene St., Baltimore, for baseline tests, including medical and dental exams. All dental treatments are free for a year. One arm of the randomized study will receive standard dental care, and the other will receive intensive dental treatment. Participants will visit the medical center every few months during the first year and/or until their gums become healthy. After that, they will return for baseline tests and a dental exam for the next two years. The study will also check for plaque in the carotid arteries, which deliver oxygenrich blood to the brain. Most people don’t

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know they have plaque buildup, but it is detectable with a doppler sonogram. “The results of this pilot study could highlight periodontal disease as a modifiable, inflammatory risk factor for progression of mild cognitive impairment to dementia,” according to the study’s grant proposal. If the pilot study provides “proof of concept,” a larger study will be launched involving 10 to 15 universities and research centers. Dr. Lal realizes this study won’t find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. But there’s a

chance that treating periodontitis could delay the onset of dementia. “If we can make even a small impact on it in a small group of people, that would be a big win,” he said. Parking and travel expenses of participants will be reimbursed, and compensation up to $300 will be provided over the course of the three-year study. For more information about the clinical trial, or to see if you qualify as a participant, call (410) 706-4775 or (410) 6057000, ext. 55556.

BEACON BITS

Feb. 21

ADVANCED CARE PLANNING On Thurs., Feb. 21 and the third Thursday of subsequent months,

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.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Peppermint can be a cool solution for IBS Many people have lost their joy in eating fects. I think the latter is where mint excels: because they have Irritable Bowel Syn- It has been proven to help with SIBO (Small drome (IBS), a condition that Intestinal Bacterial Overincludes many symptoms ingrowth) and IBS. cluding bloating, abdominal Peppermint is available at pain, fatigue, sleep problems any health food store (as soft and suppressed immunity. gels and liquid extracts) and One hallmark symptom is a supermarket (usually as a combination of diarrhea and tea). You can also buy it in the constipation, or alternating beproduce section of some sutween the two. permarkets as fresh whole An actual diagnosis of IBS is leaf. based upon your duration of Supplements of enteric coatsymptoms (must be six months DEAR ed peppermint oil are considPHARMACIST or more). If you’re tired of the ered a relatively safe, effective By Suzy Cohen problem, maybe peppermint is traditional holistic remedy. I’m something you should try. not referring to essential oil. I’m referring to a dietary supplement of pepMany reasons for popularity permint oil, which acts as a smooth muscle Peppermint is a beautiful plant that has relaxant inside your intestines, as well as an been medicinally treasured for centuries. antispasmodic herb. It is also known to help Known botanically as Mentha piperita, with gas, bloating and minor cramping. peppermint is actually a hybrid of watermint and spearmint. Study finds IBS benefit Many people know that applying pepThe latest study, published in the Aupermint essential oil to your temples can gust 27, 2019 issue of Gastroenterology, help with a headache, and that peppermint was conducted in part to evaluate the safegum and candies freshen your breath. ty and efficacy for peppermint in people Mint leaves can also be infused into a with IBS. They used two different formulapitcher of ice water for instant freshness, not tions designed to reach certain parts of the to mention antibacterial and anti-fungal ef- intestine.

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They got about 190 patients to participate from several hospitals in the Netherlands. The study ran from 2016 to 2018. The enteric coated (small intestine release) preparation of peppermint proved to help reduce abdominal pain, discomfort and general IBS severity. A few words of caution: The enteric coated form is ideal because plain peppermint oil can irritate the stomach lining and make heartburn and ulcers worse. The enteric coating keeps the peppermint oil from breaking down in your stomach, enabling it to pass safely through to your intestines. Avoid peppermint if you have reflux (GERD), a disorder of the lower part of your

esophagus. That’s because peppermint relaxes your esophageal sphincter and will allow acid to back up into your esophagus — something you’re trying to avoid! So, antacids and peppermint supplements should not be combined. There are other warnings to be aware of, so please ask your doctor if this type of herbal remedy is good for you. 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 SuzyCohen.com.

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A Publication of the Department of Community Resources and Services

Help Build an Age-Friendly Howard County

n December, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and the Office on Aging and Independence launched the Age-Friendly Howard County initiative; and now the work has begun to move the initiative forward. Here are some ways you can get involved: STAY INFORMED. Visit www.howardcountymd.gov/agefriendly for the latest news and information. Join our mailing list to receive notifications about Age-Friendly Howard County events and updates. JOIN A WORKGROUP. A series of Age-Friendly workgroups will meet bi-weekly or monthly from January through Fall 2020.Volunteer for one or more of the following groups to share your expertise and knowledge about: U Outdoor Spaces and Buildings U Transportation Options U Housing U Social Participation U Respect and Social Inclusion U Work and Civic Engagement U Communication and Information U Community and Health Services EMAIL US ABOUT YOUR INTEREST. Drop us a note about volunteering for one or more workgroups at agefriendly@howardcountymd.gov. Initial meetings were held the last week in January. Details regarding subsequent meetings, including day, time and location of meetings will be posted online at www.howardcountymd.gov/agefriendly. TAKE THE SURVEY. To more accurately represent the priorities of Howard County residents, an Age-Friendly survey will be available later this month. Adults of all ages are encouraged to participate in the survey, which can be accessed at www.howardcountymd.gov/agefriendly. Share the link with family, friends and neighbors in your community!

Loan Closet Offers Expanded Services

Volume 10, No. 2 • February 2020

A Message from Howard County Executive

Calvin Ball February is traditionally a month focused on love, but it is also a reminder for us to love ourselves. For our aging residents, that might mean learning more about our shared history through Black History Month activities or showing your heart a little extra love. Be sure to visit one of our 50+ Centers which offer amazing education, recreation, and resources aimed at creating a better quality of life for all and support our goal of creating an age-friendly Howard County community. With our Age-Friendly Howard County initiative now underway, we encourage adults of all ages to join one of our workgroups and participate in a county-wide survey. The survey can be completed online, or in person at 50+ Centers, community centers and county office buildings. A survey link and information about workgroups can be found at www.howardcountymd.gov/agefriendly. Celebrate Black History Month at our 50+ Centers with a series of historical presentations highlighting the achievements of some incredible Howard County residents. Learn about the life of Yarrow Mamout, a former slave and entrepreneur, at the North Laurel 50+ Center on February 5 at 11 a.m.; engage with Janice Green, a storyteller who sheds light on the life of Harriet Tubman, at the Glenwood 50+ Center on February 12 at 11 a.m.; and join us for a presentation on U.S. black troops from Howard County at the Ellicott City 50+ Center on February 21 at 11 a.m. February is also a month to check-in on your heart. We want to ensure all our residents are healthy and thriving, but heart disease still affects many in our community, especially our aging population. I encourage you to check out the Living Well Chronic Disease Self-Management program to learn how you can manage chronic health conditions like high blood pressure, hypertension and heart disease, and take advantage of one of the many fitness and nutrition programs offered on a regular basis at our 50+ Centers. Wishing you a love and joy-filled February.

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

With a new, larger location and expanded services, the Loan Closet of Howard County will now offer durable medical equipment and assistive technology for all ages. Pictured above, left, Loan Closet Manager Mary Becker gave a tour of the facility to County Executive Calvin Ball and others. For more information, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/loancloset.

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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.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

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 2 0

The 50+ Connection

Boost Heart Health at the 50+ Centers Living a Heart-Healthy Life Black History Month is a time to celebrate the contributions of African Americans have made throughout history while promoting awareness of their struggles for freedom and equality. Celebrate this rich culture at the following 50+ Center events.

“And Still I Rise” Tuesday, February 11 • 10:00 a.m. to noon

Bain 50+ Center View this documentary by Maya Angelou, followed by a facilitated discussion. Light refreshments provided. FREE; RSVP to 410-313-7213.

Black History Month: Yarrow Mamout Wednesday, February 5 • 11:00 a.m.

North Laurel 50+ Center Author Jim Johnson chronicles the life of Yarrow Mamout, a former slave and entrepreneur, in his book, “From Slave Ship to Harvard: Yarrow Mamout and the History of an African American Family.”

Tuesday, February 4 • 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

East Columbia Library Branch Learn the signs, risk factors and lifestyle habits related to heart health and cardiovascular disease; identify lifestyle changes for a heart-healthy life. FREE; call 410-313-3506 for more info.

Good Fats, Bad Fats, and the Healthiest Foods for Heart Health Thursday, February 6 • 11:15 a.m. to noon

Elkridge 50+ Center Carmen Roberts, RD, will share the latest research about the link between dietary fat and cardiovascular disease, and what type of fat best supports a healthy heart. FREE; register at 410-313-5192.

Mission Nutrition: Take a Break Snack Mix Tuesday, February 11 • 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.

Elkridge 50+ Center

Wednesday, February 12 • 11:00 a.m.

Join nutrition specialist Marcus Hockaday for heart-healthy nutrition tips, recipes and tastings. Learn how to create an easy-to-make snack mix recommended by the American Heart Association. FREE.

Glenwood 50+ Center

Performance Physical Therapy: Shoulders

The Life of Harriett Tubman

Engage with Janice Green, a storyteller who sheds light on the life of Harriet Tubman, American abolitionist and activist. FREE; register at 410-313-5440.

Lunch & Learn Thursday, February 13 • noon to 2:00 p.m.

Elkridge 50+ Center Take a closer look at black history and experiences in the context of American History, systems, institutions, and culture to foster a greater sense of connection and understanding. Register at the front desk of each center.

United States Colored Troops from Howard County

Tuesday, February 25 • 1:00 p.m.

Ellicott City 50+ Center Kerry H. Hite, DPT, OCS, CMTPT, will share the best and safest shoulder exercises to perform at home or at the gym, and what you can do to protect your shoulders in the future.

Living Well with Hypertension Tuesday, February 25 • 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

St. John Baptist Church, Columbia

Friday, February 21 • 11:00 a.m.

Tuesday, March 24 • 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Ellicott City 50+ Center

Elkridge 50+ Center

Shawn Gladden of Howard County Historical Society provides a closer look at the men who served in the Civil War, including former slave Decatur Dorsey, recipient of a Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery. FREE.

Designed for those with hypertension or high blood pressure; topics include risk factors; nutrition and food label guidance; sodium content in common foods; and medication management. FREE; register at 410-313-3506.

Free AARP Tax-Aide Assistance AARP and the IRS will offer personal income tax preparation for Howard County residents from February 3 through April 15, available to all middle- and low-income taxpayers, with emphasis on those age 60 and older. Bring your photo ID, Social Security card, 2018 Federal and Maryland tax returns, and all 2019 tax documents. Self-employment returns with more than $10,000 in expenses and complex returns are not eligible. Appointments required for all locations; call the indicated phone number to register.

Q East Columbia 50+ Center, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia 21045 • 443-741-1220 Wednesdays: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. • Thursdays: 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. • Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Q Elkridge 50+ Center, 6540 Washington Boulevard, Elkridge 21075 • 410-313-5192 Tuesdays: 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. • Fridays: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Q Ellicott City 50+ Fitness Center, 9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City 21042 • 443-741-1220 Mondays/Fridays: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. • Tuesdays: 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Q Glenwood 50+ Center, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville 21723 • 410-313-5440 Mondays/Thursdays: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Q Kahler Hall, 5440 Old Tucker Row, Columbia 21044 • 443-741-1220 Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Q North Laurel 50+ Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd, Laurel, MD 20723 • 410-313-0380 Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Fridays: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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Photography Digital Photography 102

Encore is specifically-designed for those at least 55 years old. Info: www.howardcountymd.gov/encore. Registration: 410-313-7275, www.howardcountymd.gov/rap, or 7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia, MD 21046.

Crafts & Fine Arts Basic Zentangle Workshop with Arlene Mindus, CZT

Enjoy an easy and relaxing method of drawing structured patterns. Certified Zentangle teacher Arlene Mindus guides you in techniques and hand-drawn patterns. 55 yrs + Elkridge 50+ Ctr Classes: 4 RP0308.602 Feb 18 10am-noon Tu $35

Pastel Painting For Beginners

Learn techniques and execution of pastel painting with demonstrations. You are welcome to work independently while receiving instructor input. Materials list will be emailed. 55 yrs + Elkridge 50+ Ctr Classes: 4 Instructor: Tara Holl RP3545.601 Feb 4 6-8pm Tu $49 RP3545.602 Mar 3 6-8pm Tu $49

Fused Glass Workshop with Tara Holl

Learn the art of fusing glass! Join glass artist Tara Holl to make fused glass objects such as jewelry, an ornament, or other small items. Whether experienced or new, you are welcome! Classes: 1 Gary J Arthur Comm Ctr $30 materials fee RP3531.602 Feb 22 9am-noon Sa $30

Comfortable with your camera? Ready to take your photography to the next level? Than this is the class for you! Come pick up where Digital Photography 101 left off. Learn and practice intermediate photography techniques relating to lighting, action, composition, and more. Digital camera required (DSLR or pointand-shoot with manual controls). 55 yrs + Belmont Classes: 6 10% off two or more people Instructor: Adam Fried RP3533.601 Feb 18 9:30-11:30am Tu $95

NEW! Photography Tours: Winter Photo Walk

Join us for a scenic walk after sunrise as we take advantage of the early morning glow. Learn some tips to improve your photos while we keep an eye out for wildlife while working with the weather. 55 yrs + Centennial Pk - West Classes: 1 10% off two or more people Instructor: Adam Fried RP3544.601 Feb 19 7:30-10am W $30

Glass Arts Fused Glass Workshop

Learn the art of fusing glass! Make fused glass objects such as jewelry, an ornament, or another small item. Hear about different types of glass and how they can fire together. You are welcome whether you are experienced in working with glass or would like to try! 55 yrs + Gary J Arthur Comm Ctr Classes: 1 $30 materials fee Instructor: Tara Holl RP3531.602 Feb 22 9am-noon Sa $30

Stained Glass Workshops

Create a more advanced stained glass piece that requires curved cuts, as well as different sized and shaped irregular pieces. Supplies provided and include abstract & flower patterns, glass and tools. 55 yrs + N Laurel Comm Ctr Classes: 1 Level: Intermediate Instructor: Maureen Stone RP3557.601 Feb 22 11am-3pm Sa $89

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HOWARD COUNTY RECREATION & PARKS

YOGACISE for Active Adults with Kathy Whelan, RYT-200

Stretch and strengthen your body! Increase flexibility and balance while developing strength. After a yoga-inspired warm up, move through strength, core and balance activities. The use of bands, straps and chairs are used to allow all participants to participate, regardless of fitness level. 55 yrs + Roger Carter Comm Ctr Classes: 6 RP3548.602 Feb 19 10-11am W $49

Lifelong Learning Basics of Mindful Meditation

Sports & Fitness • Fitness waiver must be completed prior to exercising.

Pickleball

Programs, classes, leagues, and tournaments offered. Visit www.howardcounytmd.gov/pickleball.

Mat Pilates with Doreen Sheppard

Pilates strengthens the core muscles of the pelvis, abdomen and back to improve balance, trunk strength, flexibility, body awareness, and whole-body movement. 55 yrs + St. Marks Epis. Church Classes: 6 RP3514.602 Feb 17 11:30am-12:30pm M $69

Monday Mornings at the Barre with Margaret Wolf, ACE

A fusion of yoga, Pilates, strength training and ballet; barre classes incorporate specific sequencing patterns and isometric movements that target specific muscle groups. Class improves strength, balance, flexibility and posture. 55 yrs + Gary J Arthur Comm Ctr Classes: 6 RP3550.602 Feb 17 11am-noon M $49

NEW! Foundations of Yoga with Kelly Felix

This class will explore yoga as a means of fitness and overall well-being. Students will learn basic postures, breath work, meditation and much more. This class is suitable for all levels with no experience needed. Please bring your own mat and blanket or towel. 55 yrs + St. Marks Epis. Church Classes: 6 RP3556.602 Feb 24 10:15-11:15am M $55

Gentle Yoga/Yoga 1

This yoga class is suitable for both new and continuing students preferring a less vigorous version of a Yoga 1 class. Move through poses to increase flexibility, strength and balance while emphasizing mindfulness and breath awareness. Yoga props used. Modifications offered so that you may receive the benefits of each pose. Must be able to get up and down from floor. Bring a yoga mat. 55 yrs + Elkridge 50+ Ctr Classes: 6 Kathy Whelan, RYT-200 RP3515.603 Feb 18 6-7pm Tu $49 55 yrs + St. Marks Epis. Church Classes: 6 Ling Hanson, RYT-200 RP3515.604 Feb 20 10:15-11:15am Th $49

Learn meditation techniques and discover applications for mindfulness. Enhance positivity and self-awareness. Studies show benefits to one’s health. 55 yrs + Elkridge 50+ Ctr Classes: 4 Instructor: Nancy Holt RP3546.602 Feb 6 7-8pm Th $39

NEW! Mindful Meditation & Artful Journaling for Grief and Loss

Using the principles of mindful meditation, journaling and community support, learn methods to release pain and uncover the peace that already flows within. 55 yrs + Gary J Arthur Comm Ctr Classes: 4 Instructor: Nancy Holt RP3559.602 Feb 5 7-8pm W $39

What’s Cooking in the Manor: The Wonderful Waffle Workshop

Learn to make scrumptious batter and decorate them with a wide range of toppings. 55 yrs + Belmont Classes: 1 RP4533.601 Feb 11 10am-1pm Tu $35

Speaker Series Meet the Artist: Joyce Ritter Paintings Made of Fabric

Joyce Ritter is an artist who has taken the traditional art of quilting and made it into something brand new! Watch her at work in her studio as she begins her creative process and see some of her finished pieces. Then, move into a classroom where you will get to try your own hand at this unique artistic medium. 55 yrs + Howard County Arts Council Instructor: Joyce Ritter RP3506.607 Feb 11 1-3pm Tu $20

NEW! Decoding Food Labels

An easy way to support healthy eating is to become an expert at interpreting nutrition labels and food packaging. It is important to pay attention to food labels as they may be misleading - and be “health food fakes.” Join Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Beth Romanski to learn common mistakes and be empowered to make healthy choices! 55 yrs + Roger Carter Comm Ctr Instructor: Beth Romanski RP3506.701 Mar 26 6-8pm Th $20

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HOWARD COUNTY RECREATION & PARKS

Magnificent Maryland Series Granite Rose Tea Parlor RP45301.601

21 yrs +

Feb 13

10:30am-2pm Th

$69

National Museum of Health and Medicine RP4532.701

18 yrs +

Mar 12

9:30am-3:30pm Th

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts RP4523.601

18 yrs +

Feb 7

8am-6pm

$69

National Museum of Women in the Arts RP4525.601

18 yrs +

Feb 20

Hippodrome: Wicked RP4524.601

All ages

Feb 22

$49

8:30am-3:30pm Th

Noon-6pm

$59

$145

Philadelphia Flower Show - Rivera Holiday RP4526.601

16 yrs +

Mar 2

9am-7pm

$135

The Department of Defense: Pentagon Tour • View all trips at www.howardcountymd.gov/tripsandtours. • Registration: 410-313-7275, www.howardcountymd.gov/rap, or 7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia, MD 21046 • Information: Tracy Adkins, 410-313-7279, tadkins@howardcountymd.gov • Pick-up locations: Bain 50+ Ctr and Long Gate Park & Ride

RP4527.701

16 yrs +

Mar 20 Time TBD

$59

The National Cathedral: Cherry Blossom Tour & Tea RP4528.701

16 yrs +

Mar 26

10am-3pm Th

$89

The Odyssey: Cherry Blossom Festival Lunch Cruise RP4529.701

21 yrs +

Mar 27

9am-4pm

$129

HOWARD COUNTY RECREATION & PARKS

NOW HIRING!

Our GO50+ membership packages are designed to enhance the quality of life for the 50+ adult population that lives, works and plays in Howard County. Live longer, healthier lives… join today!

www.howardcountymd.gov/OOAHealthandWellness

CHILDCARE

LIFEGUARDS

INSTRUCTORS

PROGRAM DIRECTORS

SPORTS COACHES

AND MANY MORE!

For more information please visit us online at www.howardcountymd.gov/hcrpjobs or call 410-313-4700.

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HOWARD COUNTY RECREATION & PARKS

Adult Astronomy & Nature Events Call 410-313-0400 for info or to register. More programs listed at www.howardcountymd.gov/RNC/programs.

Space Matters

Afternoon Tea at Belmont Manor

Enjoy afternoon tea in the stately Belmont Manor, built in 1738. Your taste buds will be tempted with a bottomless pot of tea, a Manor scone served with clotted cream and jam, tea savories, and a delectable assortment of desserts. 12 yrs + 11:30-2pm $35 RP9900.608 Feb 20 Th RP9900.606 Feb 15 Sa RP9900.609 Mar 14 Sa RP9900.701 Mar 19 Th 6555 Belmont Woods Road, Elkridge, MD 21075 410-313-0200 | www.belmontmanormd.org belmontmanormd@howardcountymd.gov @belmontmanorhouse

Learn about current happenings in the sky and recent developments in space science. In January, enjoy handson astronomy demonstrations outside of our planetarium. Beginning in February, programs use our new, upgraded planetarium system and are complemented with a halfhour movie projected on the planetarium dome. 55 yrs + 2:30-3:45pm Th $9 RP4804.602 Feb 13 NEW! The Sky Revealed RP4804.603 Mar 12 NEW! The (Not So) Constant Stars

Valentine’s Day Truffle-Making & Wine-Tasting

Learn the art of hand-rolling delectable chocolate truffles while discovering more about the plant from which chocolate is made. Enjoy tasting six wines from Linganore Vineyards and learn about their grapes, vineyard and sustainable practices. Leave with 10 hand-rolled truffles. Special thanks to our partner, Whole Foods, for their help making this event a success. 21 yrs + Bring identification that shows your age RP4847.601 Feb 15 1-3pm Sa $27 RP4847.602 Feb 15 4-6pm Sa $27

Tea Time - History, Properties and Tasting

Discover tea’s history in the U.S.A. with Howard County’s Heritage program. A naturalist guides you on a short trail walk discussing the “true” tea plant vs. plants used in popular herbal “teas”. Enjoy a tea tasting paired with baked goods by local tea house, Sweet Simplici-tea. Learn the distinctions between different teas. Must register by February 27. RP4826.601 18 yrs + Mar 1 2-3:30pm Su $25

Friday Late Nights in the NatureSphere

This program is held in the Naturesphere planetarium and features a full-dome movie preceded by an adult-level planetarium presentation about current happenings in our night sky and space science. 18 yrs + Feb 7, Mar 6 8-9pm F $7

Adult Flashlight Egg Hunt

For a full list of adult classes, go to www.howardcountymd.gov/adultprograms.

Adults embark on a nighttime egg hunt using flashlights and your wits to search for hundreds of eggs hidden inside the Robinson Nature Center and on its trails! Collect as many as you can for chances to win passes to local attractions, gift cards to stores, coupons to restaurants and more. Preregister as space is limited. Rain date for April 24 hunt is May 8 and for the May 22 hunt is May 29. 21 yrs + RP4874.701 Apr 24 8-10pm F $29 RP4874.711 May 22 8-10pm F $29

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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 2 0

Money

Law &

A list of questions to ask before making an investment. See story on page 20.

New law changes RMD and IRA rules By Rocky Mengle With the decline of traditional pensions, most of us are now responsible for squirrelling away money for our own retirement. In today’s do-it-yourself retirement savings world, we rely largely on 401(k) plans and IRAs. However, there are obviously flaws with the system because about one-fourth of working Americans have no retirement savings at all — including 13% of workers 60 and older. But help is on the way. In December, President Trump signed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act. This new law does several things that will affect your ability to save money for retirement and influence how you use the funds over time. While some provisions are administrative in nature or intended to raise revenue, most of the changes are taxpayer-friendly measures designed to boost retirement savings. Here is a description of some of the more important changes.

RMDs starting at age 72 Required minimum distributions (RMDs) from 401(k) plans and traditional IRAs are a thorn in the side of many retirees. Every year, my father grumbles about having to take money out of his IRA when he really doesn’t want to. [And the additional income can push people into higher tax brackets and increase taxes on Social Security income.] Right now, RMDs generally must begin

in the year you turn 70½. The SECURE Act pushes the age that triggers RMDs from 70½ to 72, which means you can let your retirement funds grow an extra 1½ years before tapping into them. That can result in a significant boost to overall retirement savings for many seniors.

No more age limits on IRAs Americans are working and living longer. So why not let them contribute to an IRA longer? That’s the thinking behind the SECURE Act’s repeal of the rule that prohibited contributions to a traditional IRA by taxpayers age 70½ and older. Now you can continue to put away money in a traditional IRA if you work into your 70s and beyond. As before, there are no age-based restrictions on contributions to a Roth IRA.

Annuity info and options expanded Currently, 401(k) plan statements provide an account balance, but that really doesn’t tell you how much money you can expect to receive each month once you retire. To help savers gain a better understanding of what their monthly income might look like when they stop working, the SECURE Act requires 401(k) plan administrators to provide annual “lifetime income disclosure statements” to participants. These statements will show how much money you could get each month if your total 401(k) account balance were used to purchase an annuity. (The estimated monthly

payment amounts will be for illustrative purposes only.) Speaking of annuities, the new retirement law also makes it easier for 401(k) plan sponsors to offer annuities and other “lifetime income” options to plan participants by taking away some of the associated legal risks. These annuities are now portable, too. So, for example, if you leave your job you can roll over the 401(k) annuity you had with your former employer to another 401(k) or IRA and avoid surrender charges and fees.

“Stretch” IRAs eliminated Now for some bad news: The SECURE Act eliminates the current rules that allow non-spouse IRA beneficiaries to “stretch” required minimum distributions (RMDs) from an inherited account over their own lifetime (and potentially allow the funds to grow tax-free for decades). Instead, all funds from an inherited IRA generally must now be distributed to nonspouse beneficiaries within 10 years of the IRA owner’s death. (The rule applies to inherited funds in a 401(k) account or other defined contribution plan, too.) There are some exceptions to the general rule, though. Distributions over the life or life expectancy of a non-spouse beneficiary are allowed if the beneficiary is a minor, disabled, chronically ill, or not more than 10 years younger than the deceased IRA owner. For minors, the exception only applies until the child reaches the age of majority.

At that point, the 10-year rule kicks in. If the beneficiary is the IRA owner’s spouse, RMDs are still delayed until end of the year that the deceased IRA owner would have reached age 72 (age 70½ before the new retirement law).

Credit card access to 401(k) loans prohibited There are plenty of potential drawbacks to borrowing from your retirement funds, but loans from 401(k) plans are nevertheless allowed. Generally, you can borrow as much as 50% of your 401(k) account balance, up to $50,000. Most loans must be repaid within five years, although more time is sometimes given if the borrowed money is used to buy a home. Some 401(k) administrators allow employees to access plan loans by using credit or debit cards. However, the SECURE Act puts a stop to this. The new law flatly prohibits 401(k) loans provided through a credit card, debit card or similar arrangement. This change, which takes effect immediately, is designed to prevent easy access to retirement funds to pay for routine or small purchases. Over time, that could result in a total loan balance the account holder can’t repay. [In total, there are 29 new provisions or rule changes in the new law, so it’s a good idea to speak with an informed legal advisor or financial planner to see what, if any, changes you should consider to your estate plan.] —AP

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

Questions to ask before investing money By T. Eric Reich Many people who ask me about investments or setting up an appointment often preface it by saying, “I’m sorry, this is probably a stupid question, but…” Most people are afraid to ask questions about their investments for fear of sounding ignorant or admitting in some way that they don’t have all of their “stuff together.” But there truly are no stupid questions when it comes to investments. Every question leads to more knowledge, and that’s a

good thing. Here are some questions you should always ask before investing your money: First, let’s start with questions about the investment itself: • Is this product registered with the SEC or my state agency? • Does this investment match my investment goals? Why do you feel it is suitable for me? • How does this investment make money? Dividends? Interest? Capital gains?

BEACON BITS

Jan.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING APPLICATIONS The Howard County Department of Housing and Community Devel-

opment will accept applications until Jan. 31 for its Moderate Income Housing Unit program during its first 2020 enrollment. For more information, visit howardcountymd.gov/MIHUopenenrollment or call (410) 313-6318.

Feb. 20

INCOME TAX PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT On Wed., Feb. 20, Howard Community College is offering a noncredit class on maximizing retirement income, including understanding

Social Security key issues, being mindful of taxes when diversifying assets and other considerations. 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 or register, go to howardcc.edu or call (443) 518-1700.

• What are the total fees to purchase it? Not just commissions but any underlying fees as well. • Is this investment liquid? Are there any fees associated with accessing my money? • Can you tell me about the management team? Many companies tout past performance, but that may have come from a team that isn’t there anymore. • What is a reasonable return to expect for this investment? How has it performed over the long run? Many managers who highlight performance do so after a great year. If you are a long-term investor, that might not be meaningful to you. • What are the risks associated with this investment? What would cause it to lose money? Next is a list of questions you should ask about the adviser: • How long have you been in business? • What education or credentialing do you have? The credentials should match the advice you’re looking for. For example, if you need planning advice, the advisor should be a Certified Financial Planner professional. If you want investment advice, then they should hold designations such as Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®), or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®).

• What is your investment philosophy? • How do you get paid? Do you get paid more if I buy this vs. that? • How often should we meet to discuss my investments? • If I leave your firm, what fees will I be charged, if any? Most custodians charge a fee for outgoing transfers and/or closed accounts. These questions are not inclusive, and you may have more depending on your situation. Ask a question more than once if you don’t understand the answer the first time — or ask your adviser to rephrase the answer. Understanding your investments and doing your due diligence on the adviser you’re working with is similar to researching a physician and understanding your prescribed medications. You wouldn’t leave your health to chance, and the same type of care should be taken with your money. T. Eric Reich, CIMA®, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, is president and founder of Reich Asset Management, LLC. This article was written by and presents the views of the author, not Kiplinger editorial staff. Check adviser records with the SEC or FINRA. © 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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This is a solicitation of individual insurance. A licensed insurance agent/producer may contact you by telephone. These policies contain benefits, reductions, limitations, and exclusions to include a reduction in death benefits during the first two years of policy ownership. In NY, during the first two years, 110% of premiums will be paid. Whole Life Insurance is underwritten by United of Omaha Life Insurance Company, 3300 Mutual of Omaha Plaza, Omaha, NE 68175 which is licensed nationwide except NY. Life insurance policies issued in NY are underwritten by Companion Life Insurance Company, Hauppauge, NY 11788. Each company is responsible for its own financial and contractual obligations. Not available in all states. Benefit amounts vary by state. Policy Form ICC11L059P or state equivalent (7780L-0505 in FL, 828Y-0505 in NY). *Ages 50 to 75 in NY. **In FL policy is renewable until age 121. ***All benefits paid would be less any outstanding loan. 452747

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 2 0

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

Financial tasks to tackle at the new year By Liz Weston The beginning of the year is a good time to mark some items off your financial checklist, such as reviewing beneficiary designations, updating contact information and visiting your safe deposit box. A task without a deadline is just wishful thinking. Sometimes, you can get away with procrastinating. But putting off some tasks could have a huge impact on loved ones. The start of the year is a good time to set some firm deadlines to make sure you won’t leave a financial mess for people you love if you unexpectedly die or become incapacitated. Consider putting these items on your to-do list: 1. Check your beneficiaries If you need convincing that updating beneficiaries is important, consider the case of David Egelhoff, a Washington state man who died two months after his divorce was final, in 1994. Because he had not changed his beneficiaries, his life insurance proceeds and pension plan were paid to his ex-wife rather than his children from a previous marriage. The children sued, and the case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in 2001 that the beneficiary designations had to be honored. You’re typically prompted to name beneficiaries when you sign up for a 401(k) or other retirement account. Beneficiaries also are usually required when you buy annuities or life insurance. You often can check and change beneficiaries online, or you may need to call the company to request the appropriate form. 2. Review pay-on-death designations You may not have been required to name beneficiaries when you opened your checking account or a non-retirement investment account. Instead, financial institutions may offer a “pay on death’’ option.

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This allows you to name a beneficiary who can receive the money directly. Otherwise, the account typically has to go through probate, the legal procedure to distribute your property after you die. Some states also have “transfer on death’’ options for vehicles and even real estate. Like pay-on-death accounts, these options allow you to pass property directly to heirs without the potential delays and costs of probate. Beneficiaries can be added to vehicle registrations in many states, including Maryland and Virginia but not Washington, D.C., according to self-help legal site Nolo. To add or change a beneficiary, you apply for a certificate of car ownership with the beneficiary form. Transfer-on-death deeds for real estate are available in Washington, D.C., and Virginia, but not Maryland, according to legal site Nolo. To add or change a beneficiary, the deed must be submitted to the appropriate county recorder. 3. Update insurers — and your heirs Insurers usually don’t pay out life insurance proceeds until someone files a claim. But far too often, heirs are unaware that the money exists. A Consumer Reports investigation in 2013 found about $1 billion in life insurance proceeds waiting to be claimed. Updating your contact information with your insurer also may help prevent policies from lapsing. I just heard from a reader who lost her long-term care coverage because she’d moved, forgotten to tell her insurer and failed to notice she hadn’t been billed. Many insurers will allow you to name someone who can be notified if a payment is overdue or they can’t find you. You’ll want to keep the contact information for those back-up people updated with the company, as well. 4. Visit your safe deposit box

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If you forget to pay your annual fee and your bank can’t find you, after a few years your safe deposit box will be drilled and the contents turned over to the state. Photos and documents could be destroyed and family heirlooms sold at auction. Visit your box once a year to make sure your payments and contact details are current. Leave clear instructions with your executor or your heirs about where to find the box and its keys. 5. Create or revise powers of attorney

Powers of attorney allow others to make financial or healthcare decisions for you if you become incapacitated. If you don’t have these documents or the designated people have died or are otherwise unavailable, your loved ones may have to go to court to take over. The expense and delay can add trauma at an already difficult time. Spare everyone that pain by naming a backup person or two, and reviewing the documents every year to make sure they can still serve. —AP/NerdWallet

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Smart ways to choose a financial planner By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some tips on finding and choosing a good financial planner? My wife and I are both in our late 50s and would like to get some professional advice to help us better prepare for our retirement years. Seeking Advice Dear Seeking, With all the different financial planners, advisers and services available today, find-

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Where to look Ask friends or relatives for recommendations. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know anyone who can give you a referral, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for broad-based financial advice, hire a Certified Financial Planner, or CFP. Advisers with this designation are con-

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sidered the â&#x20AC;&#x153;gold standardâ&#x20AC;? in the industry. CFPs must act as fiduciaries, putting their clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; best interests above their own. To get the CFP credential, they must have a college degree and be educated in a wide range of personal finance subjects, pass a rigorous certification exam, have three years professional experience, meet continuingeducation requirements and abide by a code of ethics. At LetsMakeaPlan.org, you can verify a plannerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s certification as a CFP. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re also probably better off hiring a CFP thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a fee-only planner, versus one who earns a commission by selling you financial products. Fee-only planners charge only for their services â&#x20AC;&#x201D; for example, you might pay $150 to $350 an hour for a financial tune-up, a flat fee per project, or fee based on a percentage of your assets. To find a fee-only planner in your area, use the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA.org), which carefully vets all members. Or see the Garrett Planning Network (GarrettPlanningNetwork.com), a network of fee-only advisers. Or the Alliance of Comprehensive Planners (ACplanners.org), for advisors that charge annual retainers. If your needs are more specific, consider a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) who is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or a state securities

regulator to manage investment portfolios; a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), who specializes in insurance and estate planning; and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), who can help with tax planning. Be leery of many other financial advising titles, designations and certifications that are out there, like the Certified Financial Consultant (CFC) or the Wealth Management Specialist (WMS). Many of these require no more than a few courses at a seminar. To research the different certifications or designations, visit FINRA.org/investors.

How to choose After you find a few candidates in your area, call them up and schedule an appointment to meet and interview them. Find out about their experience, expertise and the types of services they provide; if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a fiduciary; how they charge and how much; what is their investment philosophy; and how will they handle your ongoing questions or financial needs. Look for someone whose clients are in situations similar to yours and who is available as often as you need them. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

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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 2 0

Travel

Leisure &

The Urbanna Oyster Festival is an annual Virginia tradition. Learn about this and other festivals on p. 24.

For baseball fans and foodies: Ft. Myers

Red Sox & Minnesota Twins For some baseball lovers, meeting — or just seeing — a professional player in person ranks higher than a good meal. Fort Myers’ Daniels Parkway corridor leads to both JetBlue Stadium, where the Boston Red Sox play, and CenturyLink Sports Complex, home to the Minnesota Twins as well as minor-league teams. Red Sox fans might know that their team plays more than 20 games at JetBlue Park — a state-of-the-art ballpark that holds up to 11,000 people. Players acknowledged the success of their world championship season in 2018 began right

here in Fort Myers. Because my family’s trips began by early June (lodging prices were lower than in winter, though not as low as in August), we’ve missed the early January sports training camps open to the general public. The next-best thing to training camp is a tour of JetBlue Park, which is available starting in early February — make a reservation at (239) 226-4783. Or take in an exhibition game at CenturyLink’s Hammond Stadium. From February 13 to March 21, fans can watch games and batting practice for free. According to Mark Weber, manager of Florida Business Operations, every game during spring training is a sell-out, so get your tickets early. But with games happening nearly every day during training, you can often grab tickets when you arrive. In addition to seeing the pros, watch college teams compete at these first-rate facilities — or follow your grandkids from the stands at one of many prominent baseball camps for youths. February 17 is this year’s big open house, which includes a health fair and a baseball clinic for kids out on the field. The latter offers an opportunity for young people to mingle with some players and score some autographs — a highlight of any trip with grandchildren. Another optimum time to visit is the

By Martha Steger Short phrases help jog the mind’s recall for trips. On my first trip to Fort Myers, Florida with my husband and two elementary-age children, in the 1980s, the key phrase was “banyan tree.” For our most recent trip there, after my husband and I had been retired for a decade, the key phrase was “baseball plus food” — beyond Cracker Jacks and hot dogs, that is. While we all eat whether or not we’re traveling, 35% of people specifically “travel to experience local delicacies,” according to the website Booking.com. Virtually every destination, including Fort Myers, seeks to attract food-lovers.

Tourists enjoy gallery hopping at an “art walk” in Downtown Fort Myers, Florida, two hours south of Tampa. In addition to a thriving arts scene, the city has many lively restaurants and breweries.

three-week fair held during November.

Pizza, chocolate, comfort food

Minnesota Twins player Joe Mauer signs autographs at a spring training exhibition game in Fort Myers, Florida. The Red Sox’s spring training at nearby JetBlue Park spans February and March.

If you are traveling with grandkids, they’ll love Fine Folk Pizza at 11300 Lindbergh Blvd., where they can learn how to toss pizza dough into the perfect crust. Even though we didn’t have kids in tow, our server let us try for ourselves, and we managed to avoid having the growing circle of dough land on our heads. The vegan pizza, made with cashew mozzarella, is an excellent addition to the traditional menu. Lindbergh Boulevard is also one of the three Fort Myers locations for Norman Love Confections, a “chocolate and dessert salon” where sweets, including artisanal gelato, are works of art. Though we enjoyed a fine dinner at the Westin Cape Coral Resort, our most interesting evening meal was the comfort food at the 68-year-old Farmers Market Restaurant at 2736 Edison Ave. My husband’s crispy-but-juicy Southern fried chicken and my dinner of “sides,” (slow-simmered collards, pickled beets, cornmeal-crusted okra and stewed tomatoes) tasted like the dishes my maternal grandmother prepared in her kitchen on Virginia’s Eastern Shore in the 1950s and ‘60s. Part of the appeal of dining on the site

of Florida’s oldest farmers market was arriving there after driving through a neighborhood of well-kept 1940s and ‘50s white bungalows in a part of southwest Florida reflecting an earlier industrial period. To really get to know an area, we’ve always tried to see the real world of every destination — not just the world surrounding four- and five-star resort properties. We were welcomed to the Farmers Market Restaurant by smiling locals, including co-owner Betsy Barnwell. Part of the third family to own the restaurant, Barnwell told us that teachers, lawyers and law-enforcement officers represent a typical cross-section of diners that mingle there in the evenings. A great place to stop before or after dinner is the Fort Myers Brewing Company, 12811 Commerce Lakes Dr., which offers more than 20 of its brews on tap. In winter its Keg Nog stout, brewed with seasonal spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, pays homage to spiced elixirs — though as one who leans toward India Pale Ales, I preferred one called “Clean Shave.” Another winter specialty, Ambruana, is aged in Cypress wood from Brazil. The brewery has also tapped into the trendy See FT. MYERS, page 25

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

Festivals to enjoy in Virginia during 2020 By Glenda C. Booth Sugary maple syrup, juicy red tomatoes, dainty pink apple blossoms, high-octane bluegrass — it’s all classic Virginia. From oysters to sand to fiddling, Virginia’s festivals showcase the singular assets of the state’s diversity and riches. Mark your 2020 calendar to attend these events: Maple Festival, Highland County, Mar. 14-22 Highland County, 3,000 feet above sea level, is Virginia’s “Little Switzerland.” In its Ruritan clubhouses, church basements and school cafeterias, “maple” is a noun, verb and adjective. Maple syrup is everywhere: on buckwheat pancakes, in sausage, chicken, barbecue, donuts, ice cream, mustard, sugar, butter, bread, pecans, candy, tea and candles. Festival-goers tour sugar camps and sniff through the steamy “sugar shacks” where

veteran maplers boil down sap by the gallons after it has drained through plastic tubes snaking down the hills from 15,000 tree taps. Cloggers dance to rapid-fire bluegrass music, a leadup to the Maple Queen’s coronation. Monterey, the county seat, is a four hour drive from Columbia, Maryland. For more information, visit highlandcounty.org. Shad Planking, Wakefield, Apr. 15 When shad migrate up the James River to spawn, people gather and gab at the Sportsmen’s Club amid aromas of smoked shad, baked beans and other mysterious scents wafting through the piney woods. On April 15 (presumably after filing their taxes), the Wakefield Ruritan Club serves 350 shad, gently smoked on oak planks since 6 a.m. The tasty fish are suffused with a secret sauce created by a local dentist whose locked-up recipe’s location

is known only to a few Ruritanners. The Beans Committee stirs a 50-gallon, sluggish concoction of beans, bacon, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and green peppers that has simmered for six hours in an apple butter kettle. Virginia politicians have been mainstays at this event for years, but it’s mostly all about hanging out in the woods, sipping spirits and eating shad, deep-fried shad roe and beans. Wakefield is three and a half hours south of Columbia. For more information, visit wakefieldruritans.com. Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, Winchester, Apr. 24-May 3 Winchester does not wait for ripening fall apples to celebrate the favorite local fruit. In late April to early May, the town turns pink and green to honor the apple blossom. Over 40 events explode, including band

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into homes

MOST COMMUNITIES ARE 62 AND BETTER

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

BALTIMORE COUNTY (CONT.)

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

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

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

BALTIMORE COUNTY Cove Point Apartments I: 410-288-2344 Cove Point Apartments II: 410-288-1660 Evergreen Senior Apartments: 410-780-4888 The Greens at English Consul: 410-789-3000 The Greens at Liberty Road: 410-655-1100 The Greens at Logan Field: 410-288-2000 The Greens at Rolling Road: 410-744-9988 Park View at Catonsville: 410-719-9464 Park View at Dundalk: 410-288-5483 • 55 & Better Park View at Fullerton: 410-663-0665 Park View at Miramar Landing: 410-391-8375

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

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

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

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

Call the community of interest to you to inquire about eligibility requirements and to arrange a personal tour. www.rhomecommunities.com PET-FRIENDLY

competitions, dances, dinners, orchard tours, a firetruck rodeo and an apple pie contest. With great pageantry, Queen Shenandoah is crowned as “loyal subjects,” pages, princesses and maids fawn. Doors are festooned in the “Doors in Bloom” contest. Celebrities serving as past parade marshals include First Lady “Lady Bird” (Mrs. Lyndon B.) Johnson, Arthur Godfrey, Jim Belushi, Lucille Ball, Pat Boone, Willie Nelson and “Lefty” Driesell. Winchester is an hour and a half west of Columbia. For more information, visit thebloom.com. Tinner Hill Blues Festival, Falls Church, June 13 Blues of every flavor permeate Falls Church in a daylong celebration of the area’s African-American legacy: boogiewoogie piano, old-time blues, acoustic, gospel, moanin’ blues, happy blues. The festival includes performances, brunch, art shows, films, lectures and an “instrument petting zoo,” where youngsters can try out instruments. The event organizers promote racial reconciliation. For more information or $25 tickets, check tinnerhill.org. Hanover Tomato Festival, Mechanicsville, July 10-11 Tomato cuisine stars every July when vendors hawk fried green tomato BLTs, tomato grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato pies, remoulade sauce and pies. Other highlights: tomato arts and crafts, music, and the Best Dressed Tomato Contest. Mechanicsville is two and a half hours south of Columbia. For more information, visit hanovertomatofestival.com. Pony Swim, Chincoteague, July 25-30 Thousands descend on Chincoteague for the annual Pony Swim made famous by Marguerite Henry’s book Misty of Chincoteague. At slack tide, the Saltwater Cowboys swim the ponies across the channel from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island. The first foal to come ashore is named King or Queen Neptune and given away in a raffle. After the swim, the ponies “parade” down Main Street to the carnival grounds for auction, with proceeds going to charity. The Fireman’s Carnival, a fundraiser for volunteer firefighters, features rides, raffles, corn dogs, cotton candy and games. Chincoteague is three hours south of Columbia. For a schedule of events, see chincoteague.com. Old Fiddlers’ Convention, Galax, Aug. 4-8 Since 1935, Galax’s Moose Lodge 733 has staged the biggest, oldest fiddlers’ convention in the country — a three-day festival of non-stop bluegrass and country music. Hundreds of musicians compete for cash prizes in old-time fiddle, bluegrass fiddle, dobro, mandolin, dulcimer, bluegrass banjo, clawhammer banjo, autoharp, guitar, folk singing and flatfoot dancing. Bands with names like “Slim Pickins” and the “Whooping Holler String Band” See VA. FESTIVALS, page 25

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 2 0

Ft. Myers From page 23 hard seltzers (carbonated alcoholic drinks; basically spiked, flavored seltzer). Its lemon-lime and watermelon flavors are popular, served over ice.

Estates worth a visit If you haven’t visited Fort Myers since 1990, when Henry Ford’s winter home

Virginia festivals From page 24 rip tunes into the night as the crowd whoops. Festival-goers can buy handmade instruments and crafts and indulge in downhome cookin’ like country-fried steak sandwiches, Polish sausages, funnel cakes and deep-fried onion “blossoms.” Ticket prices are $7-$13 per day. Galax is five and a half hours southwest of Columbia. Visit oldfiddlersconvention.com for details. Neptune Boardwalk Weekend, Virginia Beach, Sept. 25-27 Virginia Beach’s end-of-summer bash features sporting events, a surfing competition, and arts and crafts, with 250 exhibitors running the length of the 34-block boardwalk. There’s the Royal Court of King Neptune with tritons and princesses, but the highlight is the International Sandsculpting Championship, which attracts artists from all over the world who make elabo-

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

opened to the public adjacent to that of Thomas Edison, it’s worth another trip. These adjacent properties, situated beside the Caloosahatchee River, include a historical museum and 21-acre botanical garden. As I indicated before, for me, the central banyan tree that covers nearly an acre of ground is a strong visual memory. But the most striking memory left with us was of two now-famous men responsible for the invention of much that makes

up the modern world. At the Edison site, you’ll see some of the first phonographs and movie projectors, as well as a 75,000watt light bulb and a 1905 jukebox playing “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.” At Ford’s home, a garage houses several original Ford cars. We enjoyed a guided tour replete with tales lending personality to these men and their families. Edison’s daughter Madeline, who wrote the irreverent “Rules for Guests at Semi-

nole Lodge,” showed she had become tired of questions about the glamorous town east of Fort Myers. She wrote, “Don’t ask us about Palm Beach. We don’t want to know.” A round-trip flight from BWI to Fort Myers in February costs $180 on Southwest Airlines. For more information about the area, visit fortmyers-sanibel.com or read 100 Things to Do in Fort Myers & Sanibel Before You Die, by Nancy Hamilton.

rate, arty sand creations up to 10 feet tall. Virginia Beach is a four-hour drive from Columbia. Visit neptunefestival.com for pictures of past winners. Taste of Br unswick Festival, Lawrenceville, Oct. 10 Around 10,000 ravenous adventurers head to southern Virginia for Civil War reenactments, bluegrass and gospel music, a car show and the culinary centerpiece: more than 4,000 quarts of Brunswick stew, a tasty mélange invented in Virginia in 1828. Aficionados swear by the critical ingredients: squirrel or rabbit meat (now often replaced by chicken), bacon, onions, bread, seasonings and butter. Stewmasters compete in a stew cook-off. Lawrenceville is three and a half hours south of Columbia. Visit tasteofbrunswickfestival.com. Peanut Fest, Suffolk, Oct. 8-11 You can smell peanuts a quarter-mile away at the Peanut Fest, which features a

gleaming, eight-foot Mr. P-nutty. Since 1941, locals have venerated this all-purpose legume at their festival, attracting 125,000 people every year. The Ruritan Club hosts an all-you-can-eat shrimp fest, barbecue and live bands. There’s a demolition derby, truck and tractor pull, motorcycle rally, horseshoe competition, cornhole beanbag tournament, music, fireworks and peanut queen crowning. Suffolk is four hours south of Columbia. See suffolkpeanutfest.com. Oyster Festival, Urbanna, Nov. 6-7 Oysters breaded, deep fried, steamed, boiled, stewed, Rockefellered and frittered are wolfed down amid oyster lamps, crowns and jewelry at this annual festival. Around 125 food and craft booths line the streets, and marching bands and oyster floats parade through Urbanna. The climax of the two-day festival is “the official oyster shucking contest of Virginia,” where amateurs and professionals compete at break-

neck speed to pry open recalcitrant bivalves. Urbanna is three hours south of Columbia. See urbannaoysterfestival.com for details. Scottish Walk, Alexandria, Dec. 4-5 Bagpipes whine, Scottish clans strut their tartans, and dancers, Scottie dogs, classic cars, a Santa bagpiper and more bounce and roll through Old Town’s streets every December. At the Taste of Scotland, festival-goers sample spirits such as scotches from Scotland and Scottish ale and beer. Some Old Town homes, decorated for the holidays, are open. A holiday boat parade of lights brightens the night sky. For photos of the event and others in Old Town Alexandria, go to visitalexandriava.com. For a list of some 2020 festivals in Maryland and the District of Columbia, visit thebeaconnewspapers.com/festivals.

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Residents seek to memorialize the county’s lynching victims. Our cover story continues on page 29.

Musicians revitalize early jazz melodies

Back to Baltimore After Summerall retired in 2014, he returned to his hometown. He grew up near Northwood and attended Baltimore City College.

In 2017, after overcoming health problems, Summerall turned his attention to a pile of historic sheet music that was collecting dust. He had spent years gathering manuscripts, frequenting the Library of Congress to rescue early jazz songs from obscurity. “It took me a lot of hours at the Library of Congress and elsewhere to assemble these couple hundred songs,” Summerall said. “I wanted to put it to use.” So, he posted an ad on Craigslist for musicians and started to build a band in Baltimore. Many people answered his ad, including classical pianist Lisa Weiss. Her father introduced her to jazz music. “Now that I’m in this band, we’re doing all this stuff he loves,” she said. Weiss began teaching herself how to play piano at age three, and by age seven she was performing in concerts. “I learned how to read music before I could even read [English],” she said. Weiss went on to get degrees in music from Harvard, Yale and the Peabody Conservatory (now part of Johns Hopkins), where she earned her doctorate. Even though Weiss still spends a lot of her time giving music lessons, she is able to practice with the band more often now that she has retired from being a professor of music at Goucher College, where she started teaching in 1986. “It’s very liberating,” Weiss said. “My schedule is more my own.”

PHOTO BY DENNIS LYNCH

By Ivey Noojin Most jazz bands today play famous tunes by Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker. One Baltimore band, however, revives the early songs of Cab Calloway and Fletcher Henderson — jazz music from the 1920s and 1930s, decades earlier than the most popular songs in that genre. That’s the mission of the Hotel Paradise Roof Garden Orchestra, a 12-person ensemble comprised of musicians ranging in age from 24 to 74. The band was formed in 2017 by Lynn Summerall, 72, a Baltimore native who spent his career as an announcer of classical music programs at National Public Radio. Since 1992, Summerall had been leading a similar band in Norfolk, Virginia. He was inspired to name it the Hotel Paradise Roof Garden Orchestra by the fact that many grand hotels of the early jazz era had a rooftop garden for music and dancing. He was also paying homage to several famous orchestras of the time, such as the Coronado Hotel Orchestra and George Devine’s Roof Garden Orchestra. “I wanted a name that was authentic to the 1920s and that sounded kind of fun,” Summerall said.

Conductor Lynn Summerall and his Hotel Rooftop Garden Orchestra play otherwise forgotten early jazz numbers from the 1920s. Retirees and college-age musicians make up the band, which performs in Hampden.

More time for music Unlike Weiss, the band’s alto saxophone player, Randy Loiland, could not dedicate himself to music for a number of decades. “I was working, traveling, raising [two] children,” Loiland said. “I didn’t practice a whole lot.” His love of music began in the fifth grade, playing clarinet for the school band. He learned to play saxophone in college, but stopped playing for years when he went to work for the U.S. Army Edgewood

Chemical Biological Center, a research facility for chemical and biological defense. Now that he’s retired, he has joined four bands. Retirement has also allowed tenor saxophone player Leo Brandenburg more free time. “I can dedicate all of my time to improve my play,” Brandenburg said. “I love retirement.” See ORCHESTRA, page 28

THE COLUMBIA ORCHESTRA February 8, 2020 at 7:30pm Jim Rouse Theatre

Inna Faliks Plays Mozart MOZART Piano Concerto No. 20 Inna Faliks, piano

ELLINGTON Three Black Kings

BARTOK Concerto for Orchestra

Tickets: $10-$28 Call 410-465-8777 or visit www.columbiaorchestra.org

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

Orchestra

BEACON BITS

Feb. 24+

GALLERY SHOW AND SALE

From page 27

“Art to Warm the Soul” will be on display at the Artist’s Gallery, 8197 Main St., Ellicott City through Sun., Feb. 24. For more information and gallery hours, visit artistsgalleryec.com or call (443) 325-5936.

Feb. 9

COLUMBIA ORCHESTRA CELEBRATES

A celebration of Columbia Orchestra Music Director Jason Love’s 20th year will be held Sat., Feb. 9 at the Jim Rouse Theatre at Wilde Lake High School, 5460 Trumpeter Rd., Columbia. The celebration starts at 7:30 p.m., highlighted by Love’s performance of the U.S. premiere of Guillaume Connesson’s Cello Concerto. For more information, go to columbiaorchestra.org or call (410) 465-8777.

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Toe-tapping tunes The Hotel Paradise Roof Garden Orchestra has 26 members available to perform. They were drawn to the unique repertoire of music known as swing-era jazz. “All the melodies are just beautiful,” Weiss said. “I’m very appreciative to be a part of it.” The fast tempo is challenging but fun for many of the musicians. Even the instruments are different from traditional jazz bands, with a tuba instead of string bass and a banjo instead of a guitar. Founder Summerall has always been drawn to this type of music. It is more optimistic, he said, than postwar jazz, which experimented with “free tonality” and less

structured rhythm and meter. “The music and the country changed in the 1940s,” Summerall said. “There’s something about this [earlier] music that’s particularly uplifting, fun and toe-tapping.” Even young people are supportive of the century-old music. Two band members are 24 years old, and their friends attend their performances, most of which take place at Paulie Gee’s Pizzeria in Hampden. Without the Hotel Paradise Roof Garden Orchestra, the era of 1920s jazz might be lost to Baltimore. “I don’t think there is another ensemble like it,” Brandenburg said. The Hotel Paradise Roof Garden Orchestra will play on Feb. 9 and March 8 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Paulie Gee’s Pizzeria, 3535 Chestnut Ave., Hampden. For more information, call (410) 235-1566.

BEACON BITS

Jan. 26

FREE CONCERT

The Columbia Orchestra will perform a free piano trio recital on Sun., Jan. 26 at 3 p.m. at the Glenelg United Methodist Church, 1900 Burntwoods Rd., Glenelg.. To learn more, visit columbiaorchestra.org or call (410) 465-8777.

Feb. 9

HOLIDAY MART DEADLINE

Howard County is accepting applications from artists and crafters for this year’s Holiday Mart through its website howardcountymd.gov/holidaymart. Applications for the juried event require a nonrefundable $20 fee and must be posted by Sat., Feb. 9. For more information, call Christine Lyons at (410) 313-4843 or (410) 313-4840.

Lynching From page 1 George Armwood,â&#x20AC;? two years ago. These â&#x20AC;&#x153;brutal, sadistic, awful murders,â&#x20AC;? as Schwarz calls them, became more common during Reconstruction and persisted until Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last lynching in 1981 in Mobile, Alabama.

Focus of two organizations Today, the new Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission is researching each event. One link between the state commission and Schwarzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s group is historian Charles L. Chavis, who serves on the commission as well as the Howard County MLMP coalition, which met for the first time in December. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think we have a tremendous opportunity with the resources Howard County has to make a statement in Maryland and the countryâ&#x20AC;? about lynching, said Chavis, director of the John Mitchell, Jr. Program for History, Justice and Race â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a George Mason University program that promotes racial justice in the United States through education and public dialogue. Through his various roles, Chavis, a former resident of Columbia, hopes to study how communities like Howard County deal with the history of racial violence, specifically lynchings, and its legacy on

current society. Howard County is the most recent of 14 counties in Maryland to have formed local coalitions within MLMP, intended to help the state commission with its research on lynchings in each area. In December, Chavis and Schwarz invited the public to a community meeting to discuss how county residents can honor the lives of two Howard County victims. Jacob Henson was lynched in 1895 in Ellicott City after being convicted of murdering his employer, and Rev. Hesekiah Brown was lynched in 1884 in Clarksville after allegedly marrying a white woman. At the meeting, Steve McKenna, a 55year-old former media and communications professor at the Catholic University of America, shared the story of another lynching in Ellicott City in 1885. In that case, an African American man named Nicholas Snowden was apparently killed by a mostly black crowd of 25 people after allegedly sexually abusing a young black girl. The story has weighed heavily on McKenna. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve stood out in the woods at the approximate spot where Snowden was lynched,â&#x20AC;? said McKenna, who lives near the site. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel a connection to it.â&#x20AC;? Another attendee of the meeting, Marlena Jareaux, 53, wonders how highlighting these lynchings and talking about its legacy, especially through the state com-

BEACON BITS

Feb. 15

VALENTINE TRUFFLE-MAKING Robinson Nature Center is offering an afternoon of learning about

chocolate and turning it into Valentine truffles in two sessions on Sat., Feb. 15. The first class is from 1 to 3 p.m.; the second takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. The fee of $27 covers baking ingredients and a wine tasting featuring wines from Linganore Vineyards. The Center is located at 6692 Cedar Ln., Columbia. For more information, call the center at (410) 313-0400.

THROUGH MARCH 22

410-730-8311

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

mission, will be received by local residents. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Howard County always refers to itself as being on the cutting edge,â&#x20AC;? Jareaux said. But â&#x20AC;&#x153;everybody just clams upâ&#x20AC;? about this aspect of the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s past, she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to talk about it.â&#x20AC;?

Commemorating victims Schwarz hopes that, through his group and the state commission, Howard County can begin to have more awareness of its legacy and discussions about the past. Talking, however, is not the only way Schwarzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s group is addressing the issue. It also wants to install historical markers at lynching sites in Maryland to memorialize those who lost their lives.

FROM PAGE 30 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

MLMPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first marker, for five black men in Anne Arundel County, was installed in September. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re asking of people is not something that requires a law,â&#x20AC;? Schwarz said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It requires empathy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No one is going to lead us to the garden of racial reconciliation,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we want this change, this is change we have to make ourselves.â&#x20AC;? For an interactive map pinpointing the sites of Marylandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lynchings and describing what is known about them, visit news.baltimoresun.com/maryland-lynchings. Learn more about MLMP at mdlynchingmemorial.org. For more information about the state commission, go to msa.maryland.gov/ lynching-truth-reconciliation.

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Crossword Puzzle

Daily crosswords can be found on our website: Not So Quickly Stephen Sherr www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus Spy Stuff 1

Stephen Sherr 3

20 23 28

33 38

HC220

Scrabble answers on p. 29.

9 15

46 49

Across

Down

1. Frodo’s foes 5. A white chip, often 9. It is shorter on a boutonniere than a bouquet 13. Be in need of a CPAP machine 14. Cajun sauce thickener 15. Bangkok language 16. Connect two web pages 18. Makes a choice 19. Madonna and Sean Penn, for example 20. Be on sick leave 21. Remove a page from a diary 23. Cough syrup qtys. 25. Emeril Lagasse’s catch-grunt 26. Any man from U.N.C.L.E. 27. Netflix mailer 30. Badger’s buddy 32. Penultimate Greek letter 34. The pilot and the co-pilot 36. Weight training unit 38. It’s the same as “it’s”, but not “its” 41. Spy tool used to conceal (and reveal) this puzzle’s theme 44. Kingdom of The King and I 45. Airline HQ’ed in Solna, Sweden 46. Row of trucks 47. 45 or 78, or a turntable 49. Family car 51. Half of “nine” 52. Obituary statistic 54. Let the chips fall where they ___ 56. ___ friendly 58. One who unites buyers and sellers 60. Failing grades 61. Like etc., but for people 65. Small piece of a screenplay 66. Nap, numerically 69. Julia Louis-Dreyfus won her 11th i in 2017 70. Rushin’ Russian river 71. Rubbed the wrong way 72. Deli breads 73. Simplicity 74. Pop ___ the weasel!

1. A July birthstone 2. It can be used to tie a damsel to the railroad tracks 3. Point of highest flood waters 4. Sun. speech 5. Monet or Manet 6. Christmas song 7. Formal wear, informally 8. Actor in crowd scene 9. Road warning with twice as many sides as letters (with 33 Down) 10. “Keep your spirits up!” 11. Consume thoroughly 12. Like a haunted forest 13. A case of he said, __ said 17. Portable computers 22. Little troublemaker 24. Thick as pea ___ 25. ___ Rabbit 27. Many tie for World’s Greatest each June 28. Leg count on a Roman octopus 29. “I’ve got the next round” 31. Remove an incorrect puzzle answer 33. See 9 down 35. Slightly wet 37. Painter of Girl With a Mandolin 39. Complicit with the conspiracy 40. “The ___ the limit!” 42. “No problemo” 43. ___ of the above 48. Toronto: Mrs. :: Montreal : ___ 50. Camper’s bag 52. More qualified 53. In bad need of a good scrubdown 55. Attempt to influence the court 57. Nostalgically fashionable 59. F major, C major, and D major sequentially in Come on Eileen 60. Guesses posted near the baggage carousel 62. Youngster 63. Aces the magic show finale 64. Flashback-inducing drug 67. Stat. on Jim Palmer’s baseball card 68. Preselect the winning lottery numbers

Answers on page 29.

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Health RESEARCH STUDY Are you taking care of a family member or friend with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia? We invite you to participate in a paid research study (PI: Hae-Ra Han, PhD, RN; Johns Hopkins IRB#: IRB00198665). The study will involve doing a phone or online survey. If you complete the survey, you will receive a $10 gift card as a thank you for your time. You may be eligible to participate if you • Are caring for a family member or friend with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia • Have a chronic condition or disease • Speak and understand English • Are 18 and older, and • Own or have access to a mobile device. If you are interested, please contact the research team at (410) 929-4327 or tech4caregiverhopkinstudy@gmail.com PAID RESEARCH STUDY: Healthy 65-85yr olds with normal hearing needed for MRI study of speech comprehension at Univ. of Maryland College Park. Earn $10-15/hr in 2 sessions (34hrs total). Contact 240-630-0461, EffComLab@gmail.com, http://ter.ps/listen DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. NOT just a discount plan, REAL coverage for [350] procedures. Call 1-844-366-1003 for details. www.dental50plus.com/320. [6118-0219] PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-851-0949.

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ELIMINATE GUTTER CLEANING FOREVER! LeafFilter, the most advanced debrisblocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off and 0% financing for those who qualify. PLUS Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-844-359-6933. STAY IN YOUR HOME LONGER with an American Standard Walk-In Bathtub. Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-877-240-2061 or visit www.walkintubquote.com/beacon

A PLACE FOR MOM. The nation’s largest senior living referral service. Contact our trusted, local experts today! Our service is FREE/no obligation. CALL 1-855-502-4495

All classified ads must be submitted and paid for online, via our website, www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds Deadlines and Payments: To appear in the next issue, your ad text and payment must be entered by the 5th of the preceding month (for Baltimore and Howard County editions); by the 20th (for Washington and Richmond editions). Cost will be based on the number of characters and spaces in your ad: • $25 for 1-250 • $35 for 251-500. • $50 for 501-750 (maximum length). The website will calculate this for you. Note: Maryland contractors must provide a valid MHIC number. • Each real estate listing qualifies as one ad. • All ads are subject to publisher's discretion. Payment will be refunded if unacceptable for any reason.

To place your classified ad, visit www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds TV/Cable

Wanted

GET NFL SUNDAY TICKET FREE w/ DIRECTV Choice All-Included Package. $59.99/month for 12 months. 185 Channels PLUS Thousands of Shows/Movies On Demand. FREE Genie HD DVR Upgrade. Call 1888-572-4953.

ESTATE LIQUIDATION/ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES: One call solves it all when you hire us to handle your estate liquidation, down-sizing and/or home cleanout. We sell your treasures, take care of charitable donations and provide junk removal. We also purchase partial estate contents/collections. Always buying antiques, jewelry, fine art, vintage toys, collectibles, advertising, sports memorabilia, military, vintage cars, Mid Century Modern furniture, vinyl records, gold and silver coins and more. Based in Silver Spring, we serve Montgomery, Howard and Baltimore Counties, Washington D.C., NOVA and beyond. Also provide appraisal services for insurance/estates. Friendly, conscientious staff. Call Chris on cell (202) 731-9447. www.OrionsAttic.com.

DISH NETWORK $59.99 For 190 Channels! Add High Speed Internet for ONLY $19.95/month. Call Today for $100 Gift Card! Best Value & Technology. FREE Installation. Call 1-844-560-5837 (some restrictions apply)

SELL ME YOUR CAR, Truck or SUV for CASH today instead of a maybe tax deduction tomorrow. I come to you. NO FUSS NO MUSS. 410-916-0776 I also buy Motorcycles, Scooters & Bikes. If it’s got wheels , I am a Buyer.. CASH FOR ESTATES, moving etc; I buy a wide range of items. Buy out/clean up. www.atticllc.com Gary Roman; 301-520-0755.

APPLYING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY or Appealing a Denied Claim? Call Bill Gordon & Assoc., Social Security Disability Attorneys, 1-866-970-0779! FREE Consultations. Local Attorneys Nationwide [Mail: 2420 N St NW, Washington DC. Office: Broward Co. FL (TX/NM Bar.)]

COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, weapons, knives, swords, web gear, uniforms, etc. from all wars & countries. Also Lionel Trains, & slots/coin operated machines. Will pay top prices. Discreet consultations. Call Fred, 301-910-0783

CASH FOR JEWELRY; I buy a wide range of jewelry; gold, silver, costume, watches, turquoise, coins, school rings, etc. Gary Roman; 301-5200755.

Thanks for reading!

BEACON BITS

Feb. 13

Legal Services MID-ATLANTIC FUNDING GROUP — Pays cash for Owner Financed Mortgages. Professional Service / Fast Closing. Call Us Today! 1 (800) 641-9521 or visit midatlanticnotes.com

HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

Wanted **STOP STRUGGLING ON THE STAIRS** Give your life a lift with an ACORN STAIRLIFT! Call now for $250 OFF your stairlift purchase and FREE DVD & brochure! 1-855-850-3183.

WINTER SKYWATCH “Space Matters,” current happenings in earth’s winter sky, will be

featured at the Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Ln., Columbia on Thurs., Feb. 13 at 2:30 p.m. For details, call the Center at (410) 313-0400

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Studies Shoulder Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Events Brooke Grove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Celebration of the Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 COGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Financial Services Mutual of Omaha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Funeral Services Going Home Cremations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home, Inc. 29 MacNabb Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Sol Levinson & Bros., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Home Health Care A-1 Action Nursing Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 At Home Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Graceful Living Senior Care Advisors . . . . . .19 HomeCentris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Options for Senior America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Home Improvement Budget Bath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 PG Builders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Housing Brooke Grove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8, 32 Charlestown/Erickson Living . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Country Gardens Assisted Living . . . . . . . . . . .7 Oak Crest/Erickson Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Park View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Residences at Vantage Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 R Home Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Shriner Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Legal Services Frank, Frank & Scherr, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Medical/Health Gentleneedle Acupuncture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Medical Eye Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Nourishing Life Wellness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Real Estate Sachs Realty/Ruth Lyons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Retail/Services Columbia’s Village Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Oakridge Auction Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Senior/Government Services Howard County 50+ Connection . . . . . . . .12-13 Howard County Recreation & Parks . . . . .15-18 Maryland Senior Call Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Subscriptions The Beacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Technology TechMedic4u . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 TheBeaconNewspapers.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Zoomer Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Theatre/Entertainment Columbia Orchestra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Laurel Mill Playhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Tour & Travel Eyre Tour & Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Volunteers/Employment Meals on Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 The Beacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Trolley Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

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

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

February – March 2020

UPCOMING SEMINARS & EVENTS at Brooke Grove retirement village

As experts in senior care and memory support, Brooke Grove Retirement Village is pleased to offer seminars and events that promote physical, spiritual and mental well-being. All seminars and events will be held at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, located at 18131 Slade School Road on the Brooke Grove Retirement Village campus. Please register with Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org. caregiver connection: “Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body”

Healthy Living class: “chair yoga”

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care consultations

March 2 through April 8

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 2-3 P.M.

SECOND WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH • 50-MINUTE SESSIONS

MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS 9:45-10:30 A.M.

The brain and the body are connected, and science provides insights into how lifestyle choices can help keep them healthy. Join us to learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, and how to incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging.

Chair yoga can improve mobility, increase energy, boost physical function and otherwise enrich your life! Take the road toward better health with this class that is ideal for seniors or those with stiffness or movement limitations. Six-week Session Fee: $30

This service is designed to help caregivers — as well as those who are newly diagnosed — cope with the impact of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, enabling participants to better understand the disease, manage care and make informed decisions regarding services and treatments. FREE. Schedule an appointment at any time during the dementia journey.

FREE. Register by February 16.

Reservations are requested by February 28.

Living well seminar: “Mindful Eating”

Healthy Living class: “T’ai Chi”

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 1-2:15 P.M.

March 4 through April 8

Mindful eating is a technique that encourages you to pay full attention to your experiences, cravings and physical cues as you eat. This helps you to slow down and savor your food. It also promotes weight loss and reduces binge eating for most people. Learn what the latest research has to say about the beneﬁts of mindful eating and try a guided, mindful eating exercise.

Often referred to as “medication in motion,” this series of movements carried out in a slow, focused manner can help to reduce stress while also improving strength, balance and coordination.

WEDNESDAYS • 11-11:30 A.M.

18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860

301-260-2320 · www.bgf.org

Six-week Session Fee: $20 Reservations are requested by March 1.

Preceded by complimentary lunch at 12:30 p.m. FREE. Register by February 17.

Independent living

assisted living

rehabilitation

long-term care

memory support