February 2022 | Howard County Beacon by The Beacon Newspapers

The Howard County

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More than 30,000 readers throughout Howard County

The AFRO celebrates 130 years

Family expanded reach A century ago, the newspaper launched an initiative to reach national prominence when John’s son, Carl Murphy, took control in 1922 after his father’s death. He served as editor through 1967, expanding the paper to 13 cities, including Philadelphia, Richmond, Washington,

PHOTO COURTESY OF DOROTHY SCOTT BOULWARE

By Timothy Cox The Baltimore Afro-American newspaper is one of the country’s oldest Blackowned businesses, dating back to 1892. This year, the weekly newspaper, known today as the AFRO, celebrates 130 years of continuous publication. A formerly enslaved man, John Henry Murphy Sr., purchased the newspaper in the late 19th century, less than 30 years after the end of slavery. Murphy had served in the Civil War as sergeant in the Union Army’s “Colored Troops.” After the war, he worked at the Baltimore printing press that published the Afro-American. When its owners went bankrupt, Murphy borrowed $200 from his wife to buy the equipment, becoming the owner of the newspaper in 1897. Today, the AFRO still thrives under the direction of the Rev. Frances “Toni” Draper, a sixth-generation descendant of Murphy, who serves as publisher. More than 80,000 readers in Greater Baltimore and Howard County read the print newspaper each week, and articles can be read for free on its website. “Our founders would be pleasantly amazed about how we’ve managed to keep their dream alive,” said the Rev. Dorothy Scott Boulware, the paper’s managing editor, who has worked at the publication for 25 years. The AFRO publishes “good news and other information that’s typically ignored by mainstream media,” Boulware said. Boulware feels very much connected with the Murphy family, including its current publisher and other Murphy descendants currently employed at the AFRO. She’s also very cognizant of the paper’s proud history. While the New York Times’ slogan is “All the news that’s fit to print,” the AFRO’s motto is “A Champion of Civic Welfare and the Square Deal.”

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Rev. Dorothy Boulware is managing editor of the Baltimore Afro-American newspaper, which has been published continuously since 1892. Like many staffers, she has worked at the historic newspaper for decades.

D.C., and Newark, N.J. Although most of its editions are out of print today, the media group still publishes the D.C.-based Washington Afro-American newspaper, launched in 1932 on U Street NW — the “Black Broadway” of the nation’s capital. Under Carl Murphy’s 45-year leadership, the AFRO pushed for more Blacks on Baltimore’s police force, in the fire department and in the Maryland legislature. In the 1950s, the newspaper called for the end of Jim Crow laws and segregation. It joined forces with the Baltimore NAACP in its successful lawsuit against the University of Maryland Law School for

its segregationist admission policy. That lawsuit was one of a number in the following years that chipped away at the “separate but equal” doctrine, eventually leading to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision outlawing segregated public schools. In 1963, the AFRO helped promote the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I have a dream” speech. Recognizing the newspaper’s role in American history, the National Museum of See AFRO-AMERICAN, page 20

ARTS & STYLE

Mel Brooks reflects on a life in comedy in a new memoir; plus, older novelists shine page 19

FITNESS & HEALTH k Frozen vs. fresh — who wins? k Ways to curb a sweet tooth

LAW & MONEY 12 k Checklist to get affairs in order k Is pet insurance a good buy? ADVERTISER DIRECTORY

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A few what-ifs Back when I was a kid, when a bully has always been thus. So, join me in a little thought experitaunted someone, the target would sing ment. What if there was a out, “I’m rubber and you’re new “technology” that, basiglue! Everything you say cally, made targets into rubbounces off me and sticks to ber and bullies into glue? you!” That is, what if every time It didn’t entirely relieve the a country threatened another pain of being bullied, but it with missiles, they would gave one the satisfaction of being able to reply in kind boomerang in mid-air and rewithout actually saying anyturn to the spot they were thing “bad” — without sinkfired from? How many more ing to the bully’s level. missiles would be fired? I found myself remember- FROM THE And what if every time a ing this ditty the other day PUBLISHER country sent food or doctors after reading a newspaper By Stuart P. Rosenthal to help others after a terrible (not the Beacon) full of restorm or flood, the favor porting on fraught foreign policy situa- would immediately redound to the tions (as if our domestic problems weren’t sender’s benefit? bad enough). And the same would apply (as long as Countries imprisoning and even mas- I’m imagining this) on the individual level. sacring their own citizens, threatening What if every time a would-be murderer or war, firing and testing missiles, destroying robber aimed a gun or wielded a knife, satellites, blocking waterways, invading they knew it would hurt only themselves? And every time a person did a favor or neighbors and on and on. Our technology has made so much of showed someone a courtesy, a similar benour lives more productive and simpler, but efit would accrue to them. that is also true — in fact, especially true Of course, this is essentially the Golden — of the means of warfare. There is no Rule: Do unto others as you would have area of invention more well-funded, and it them do unto you.

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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

But instead of being a prescription — what we “should” do for moral reasons and without expectation of a return benefit — I’m suggesting we consider what the world would be like if it was built into life itself that you got back exactly what you gave, whether good or bad. And right away, not years later. How would our behavior change? How would the world look? What troubles that we have today would disappear, and what problems would be solved? Evil would destroy evil and good would engender good. Of course, this isn’t at all the way the world works. And as amazing as today’s technology can be, I doubt such a device or software could be created. Still, it’s worth pondering and, maybe, even acting in our individual lives as if it’s true. In some cases, it already is. Show the world a smile, and you’ll undoubtedly get some smiles in return. Go out of your way for someone, and odds are they will, at some point, return the favor, or at least offer thanks.

And, I think, it’s also true that when we show ourselves to be selfish or even just short-tempered, we earn precious little good will from others. That said, as long as evil and selfish people exist, we cannot deny ourselves the means of defense or unilaterally destroy our weapons. We are most certainly not living in a world where bad people destroy themselves, unfortunately. Foreign and domestic strife will certainly continue to fill our newspapers, TVs and computer screens. Still, in an individual sense, we create our own “micro-climates,” you might say. We set the temperature felt around ourselves and, through our actions, help determine whether sunshine or clouds follow us during the day. Much of that power, at least, is in our hands right now. It’s something we can put into effect whenever we want. I commend it to you for the rest of this still new year.

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: Why did your writer have to give credit that [President] Biden puts Rehoboth, DE “on the map?” [Januar y, “Delaware’s beaches delight in wintertime”]. That is an insulting claim that Rehoboth is only valuable because of our current president. To make this pedestrian claim is to minimize the history of many generations who built and made Rehoboth a lovely hometown and summer resort for all walks of life. June Rose Futcher Via email

Dear Editor: After reading about a reader’s scam report in the December 2021 Beacon, I wanted to share another resource that I’ve used to report scams by emails and telephone. It’s the AARP Fraud Watch Network: 1-877-9083360. They keep a record and count how many complaints they get for each company. You don’t have to be a member of AARP to report scams, but frankly the $12 AARP membership fee [for new members] is well worth it. They send a [quarterly] newsletter and [bimonthly] magazines. Lynne Selznick Baltimore, MD

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ELDER ARTS Dance & Bmore presents its Elder Arts program every Monday at 11 a.m. on public access TV channel 75.

Executive Vice President – Gordon Hasenei Managing Editor – Margaret Foster Art Director – Kyle Gregory Director of Operations – Roger King Advertising Representatives – Steve Levin, Alan Spiegel Assistant Editor – Catherine Brown Content Manager – Ashley Griffin

Feb. 2

Every month TEEPA and the Positive Approach to Care team offer free problem-solving webinars for family care partners, professionals and people living with brain change. This month’s program takes place Wed., Feb. 2 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on their Facebook page. For more information, visit bit.ly/TeepaSnowPAC.

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Health Fitness &

CURB SUGAR CRAVINGS To control a sweet tooth, drink water, limit processed carbs and sip peppermint tea SUBZERO HEROES Surprisingly, many foods retain more nutrients when frozen than bought fresh LET IT SNOW When it snows, try to shovel several times during storms — or hire someone to help VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Healthy volunteers are needed for a glucose-monitoring and cognition study

Half of cancer experiments not replicable By Carla K. Johnson Eight years ago, a team of researchers launched a project to carefully repeat early but influential lab experiments in cancer research. They recreated 50 experiments, the type of preliminary research with mice and test tubes that sets the stage for new cancer drugs. The results reported in December: About half the scientific claims didn’t hold up. “The truth is we fool ourselves. Most of what we claim is novel or significant is no such thing,” said Dr. Vinay Prasad, a cancer doctor and researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, who was not involved in the project. It’s a pillar of science that the strongest findings come from experiments that can be repeated with similar results. In reality, there’s little incentive for researchers to share methods and data so others can verify the work, said Marcia McNutt, president of the National Academy of Sciences. Researchers lose prestige if their results don’t hold up to scrutiny, she said. And there are built-in rewards for publishing discoveries. But for cancer patients, it can raise false

hopes to read headlines of a mouse study that seems to promise a cure “just around the corner,” Prasad said. “Progress in cancer is always slower than we hope.”

Current treatments not affected The new study reflects on shortcomings early in the scientific process, not with established treatments. By the time cancer drugs reach the market, they’ve been tested rigorously in large numbers of people to make sure they are safe and they work. For the project, the researchers tried to repeat experiments from cancer biology papers published from 2010 to 2012 in major journals such as Cell, Science and Nature. Overall, 54% of the original findings failed to measure up to statistical criteria set ahead of time by the Reproducibility Project, according to the team’s study published online by eLife. (The nonprofit eLife receives funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which also supports the Associated Press Health and Science Department.) Among the studies that did not hold up was one that found a certain gut bacteria was tied to colon cancer in humans. Another was for a type of drug that shrunk breast

tumors in mice. A third was a mouse study of a potential prostate cancer drug. A co-author of the prostate cancer study said the research done at Sanford Burnham Prebys research institute has held up to other scrutiny. “There’s plenty of reproduction in the [scientific] literature of our results,” said Erkki Ruoslahti, who started a company now running human trials on the same compound for metastatic pancreatic cancer. This is the second major analysis by the Reproducibility Project. In 2015, they found similar problems when they tried to repeat experiments in psychology. Study co-author Brian Nosek of the Center for Open Science said it can be wasteful to plow ahead without first doing the work to repeat findings. “We start a clinical trial, or we spin up a startup company, or we trumpet to the world ‘We have a solution’ before we’ve done the follow-on work to verify it,” Nosek said.

Lack of cooperation a problem The researchers tried to minimize differences in how the cancer experiments were conducted. Often, they couldn’t get

help from the scientists who did the original work when they had questions about which strain of mice to use or where to find specially engineered tumor cells. “I wasn’t surprised, but it is concerning that about a third of scientists were not helpful, and, in some cases, were beyond not helpful,” said Michael Lauer, deputy director of extramural research at the National Institutes of Health. NIH will try to improve data sharing among scientists by requiring it of grantfunded institutions in 2023, Lauer said. “Science, when it’s done right, can yield amazing things,” Lauer said. For now, skepticism regarding novel findings is the right approach, said Dr. Glenn Begley, a biotechnology consultant and former head of cancer research at drugmaker Amgen. A decade ago, he and other inhouse scientists at Amgen reported even lower rates of confirmation when they tried to repeat published cancer experiments. Cancer research is difficult, Begley said, and “it is very easy for researchers to be attracted to results that look exciting and provocative, results that appear to further support their favorite idea as to how cancer should work, but that are just wrong.” —AP

Eating healthy? A diet can be ‘too clean’ By Matthew Kadey We’ve all heard the term “clean eating” and how it’s supposed to give us pictureperfect health. For good health, there is obviously nothing wrong with striving to eat fewer processed foods and cooking from scratch more often. But for some people, the quest to clean up their diet can veer into a problematic preoccupation with what they are putting on their plate. In a disordered eating condition referred to as orthorexia nervosa, there is a preoccupation with eating healthy and only consuming foods someone considers to be clean, according to Alexis Conason, PsyD, a New York-based clinical psychologist and author of The Diet-Free Revolution. “Rigid food rules are a hallmark of orthorexia that can become all-consuming and where you have a life that maintaining healthy eating is ever ything,” she said.

Obsessing over food isn’t good What starts out as a worthy desire to kick a sugar habit or reduce the intake of packaged foods can morph into an unhealthy obsession to rid one’s diet of anything with sweeteners or other ingredients considered to be lacking in nutritional value. Gradually, eating can become more restrictive to the point where any foods deemed unhealthy or toxic are eliminated. People may only consider eating foods with the highest nutritional value and healthiest cooking methods. For example, someone may eat only grass-fed, organic, non-GMO, low-carb, low-sodium and non-dairy foods. If they deem the food available to be unhealthy, they may forgo eating. Eliminating food groups is pretty common with orthorexia. And this can leave someone unknowingly setting themselves up for nutritional deficiencies. Over time, nutritional shortfalls can adversely affect

cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological and endocrine health.

Mental health issues can arise While an individual begins with good intentions, over time this unhealthy fixation on spick-and-span eating can have unintended physical and psychological consequences. “Avoiding parties and eating at restaurants with friends and family because you are worried about the healthfulness of the food available can leave you being socially isolated,” Conason said. A clean eating obsession can also cause someone to be preachy about diet and judgmental toward those who don’t follow their narrow definition of healthful eating, sometimes leading to strained relations with friends and loved ones. Conason cautions that, when self-esteem is so strongly intertwined with food choices, depression, self-loathing and anxi-

ety can become common mental health outcomes of orthorexia. While orthorexia doesn’t have an official psychiatric diagnosis like other eating disorders such as bulimia, Conason notes that it’s gaining recognition as a form of disordered eating in the field. While there is a lack of hard science regarding the prevalence of orthorexia, many experts believe that cases have been steadily rising among both women and men.

Social media and ads promote The rise of social media likely has played a role. Seeing people you follow flaunting their green smoothies and Buddha bowls as part of restrictive diets can leave you feeling inadequate when dinner ends up being takeout pizza. A report in the journal Eating and See TOO CLEAN, page 5

From page 4 Weight Disorders suggests that people who have an Instagram feed dominated by imagery of beautiful, clean foods are at a greater risk for obsessive eating patterns, including orthorexia. “These outlets can elicit comparisons where you think you need to eat like the people you follow to look like them,” Conason explains. It also doesn’t help that marketing terms we see every day on food labels that we’ve come to associate with healthy eating — such as “natural” and “pure” — are ambiguous enough to fit into our subjective definitions and ideals. “With orthorexia, people can have different beliefs of what healthy food is,” Conason said. Notably, research also suggests that or-

thorexia may not carry the stigma of other eating disorders, such as anorexia and binge-eating. That means the condition can hide in plain sight, under the guise of healthy eating and good health. In the end, if someone suspects clean eating food rules have gotten in the way of gleaning any joy out of life, it’s probably time to talk to someone. “Speak to a licensed therapist who specializes in eating disorders or seek help at an eating disorder treatment center,” Conason recommended. Soon a person may once again fret a lot less when enjoying a slice of chocolate cake with friends and family. Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC, 1-800829-5384, EnvironmentalNutrition.com. © 2021 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Strategies to stop sugar cravings now I feel like in winter I go into hibernation mode: I put on weight and just crawl into bed earlier than I should. Do you feel that way when it gets dark at 5 p.m.? Do you want to eat whenever you watch the news or a scary movie? It happens to all of us; you’re not alone. If your cravings have increased due to going overboard on holiday treats, or even from stress and the current early darkness of winter, then read on because I have some simple, natural solutions that you can try.

And I want to emphasize that this is very important to your immune system. Curb the crave and start today. Trying the following five things is the first and only commitment you have to make today. You can always revise the plan, have a little donut, and then get back on track! 1. Drink something instead. Take notice of how many times you go to the fridge and open the door. The next time you do that, open the freezer instead and get some ice cubes.

Put them in a glass of water, or iced tea, for people with an autoimmune condition. and drink instead of eating! This also hy[Ed. Note: WebMD.com lists several drates you and reduces your drugs gymnema interacts risk of headache. with and advises caution by 2. Add cinnamon. those taking them.] Cinnamon has a well-known 5. Take a whiff of pepability to help your insulin and permint. blood sugar levels, which in Peppermint is known to return, reduces cravings. Sprinduce cravings. You could kle it on some green apple drink some herbal pepperslices, sweet potatoes, Greek mint tea with your meal (or yogurt or coffee. right before) and see if that 3. Minimize grains. helps you to reduce portions. DEAR This is a hard one, but you PHARMACIST Also, you could sniff the escan do it. If you eat a lot of By Suzy Cohen sential oil. bread, rolls or buns, please reI have the same love of duce that. These are lacking in fiber, and sugar as you. We would die without conthey provide empty calories that spike your suming some type of glucose, but that is blood sugar, which then later crashes. different from consuming carbs and sugar I suddenly see in my mind’s eye a all day. mouth-watering foot-long sub, but that is a I have a longer, extended version of this heavy carb hit for me. article, which you can receive by subWhat’s needed is a change in ratios. In- s c r i b i n g t o m y f r e e n e w s l e t t e r a t stead, I order a wrap or make it an open-face suzycohen.com. sandwich and toss the top bun. Effective! This information is opinion only. It is 4. Try gymnema sylvestre. not intended to treat, cure or diagnose This plant has been studied extensively your condition. Consult with your doctor and is able to help support regeneration of before using any new drug or supplement. pancreatic cells that have the job of lowerSuzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist ing your blood sugar. The more of those and author of The 24-Hour Pharmapancreatic islet cells the better, and unfor- cist and Real Solutions from Head to tunately, those get destroyed sometimes Toe.

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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 2

Frozen vegetables, fruit are good choices By Matthew Kadey Nearly every health expert will be quick to tell you that it’s a good idea to load up your shopping cart with more vegetables and fruits. Their unique nutritional stew of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals is key to lasting health. But sometimes fresh options in the produce aisle don’t look so fresh and are expensive, especially when out of season locally. That’s when it’s time to head to the frozen food department for the unsung subzero heroes of the supermarket. Certainly, fruits and veggies don’t always have to be fresh to be best. And in some cases, frozen food provides you with more nutrients than fresh. There’s a common misconception that frozen fruits and veggies are not as healthy as their fresh counterparts, but New York City dietitian Deborah MalkoffCohen said this is not necessarily true. “Fruits and vegetables are picked when they are at their peak ripeness and flashfrozen to retain all of their nutrients, antioxidants and flavor,” she said. And this occurs shortly after harvesting, so think of the process as Mother Nature’s pause button. Many vegetables undergo blanching in hot water for a short time before freezing to inactivate enzymes that degrade color, smell, flavor and nutritional value. As a result, some items like green peas and peach-

es retain a much more appetizing, vibrant color when frozen than when canned. Contrast this with fresh out-of-season produce fated for long-haul shipping. These are generally picked before ripe and, in turn, fall short of their full nutritive and flavor potential. Plus, long-haul transport from farm to fork and lengthy storage times can further degrade nutrition and taste. To this point, an analysis of frozen and fresh-stored fruits and vegetables published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis found that in many cases, items like broccoli, green beans, corn and blueberries retained higher levels of vitamin C, beta-carotene and folate when in frozen form compared to fresh, as these nutrients are diminished during days of refrigerator storage. Cup for cup, Malkoff-Cohen called out frozen spinach for having notably higher amounts of fiber, iron, folate and calcium than its fresh counterpart. Overall, a study in the journal Nutrients shows that people who sneak more frozen fruits and vegetables into their diets take in higher amounts of must-have nutrients like fiber, calcium and potassium. Still, Malkoff-Cohen recommended opting for fresh produce when it is in season, especially if items are locally grown or come from a nearby farm stand. “For some

dishes like stir-fries and salads, sometimes you just want the crunchy texture of fresh.”

Easy way to eat healthy Busy schedules can make it a challenge to prep and cook fresh produce all of the time. Buying frozen veggies and fruit — which are often already chopped, pitted or peeled — can make healthy eating more convenient. Simply toss a few cups of frozen broccoli florets into a soup, stir some cherries into oatmeal, toss thawed corn kernels into a

bean salad, and whip up a smoothie with cubed frozen mango. With a quick heat in the microwave, prechopped frozen vegetable mixes can be your answer to an ultra-quick side-dish. “The variety of fruits and vegetables you eat can increase tremendously when you add in frozen types,” said Malkoff-Cohen. And that is a pathway to eating a more nutritionally diverse diet. See FROZEN VEGETABLES, page 8

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

Tips to shovel safely; avoid falling on ice By Margaret Foster It’s snow season, which can bring both joy and pain. If you have to shovel your driveway or walk across a slick sidewalk, take extra precautions this winter. After all, as of press time, local hospitals are inching toward overcapacity. “Not having to be in the hospital is critical,” said Dr. Scott Faucett, orthopaedic surgeon at The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics, which has several locations in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia. If you do injure yourself, he suggests, “Utilize urgent care or your primary care physician rather than go to the emergency room that could be full of COVID pa-

tients.” In addition to seeing patients, Faucett is a team physician for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard team. Although most of us won’t be skiing or snowboarding this winter, injuries can happen close to home in bad weather.

Reduce risk of ice “In this region, as we all know, [storms] are often a mix of sleet, rain and snow. That base layer is often very icy,” Faucett said. That’s why pre-treating your driveway or walk is so important. Before the storm starts, buy a bag of sand or chloride-free pre-treatment pellets.

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Try to avoid ice melts or “rock salt,” both of which contain toxic chloride. Most hardware stores sell eco-friendly pre-treatment products, some of which are made from natural ingredients such as volcanic rocks. “Precondition the walk with salt or sand to avoid a slipping or falling injury,” he said.

During a snowstorm Faucett offers the following tips this winter: • Shovel often, before the snowstorm is over • Wear shoes with good traction and gloves with rubber grips • Use your legs, not your back, when you shovel

• Consider hiring someone to shovel your walk • Use a snowblower for larger jobs If you do injure your back, it may not be necessary to rush to the doctor. “Most injuries are self-limiting [self-recovering], meaning they don’t need prescription medication,” Faucett said. “It’s mostly just a soft-tissue strain. They can be managed with rest or an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory.” Although many people like to hunker down indoors during snowstorms, Faucett said that if you have to shovel, it’s a good idea to go outside while it’s still snowing to get a jump start on shoveling. “The biggest thing is, for bigger storms, go [shovel] more often rather than wait until it’s all over,” he said.

Frozen vegetables

serving for tonight’s stir-fry.

From page 7

Securing your frozen assets

Boiling can reduce nutrients

Choose bags of frozen fruits and vegetables where you can feel the individual contents. A bag that feels like a block of ice has been partially thawed and refrozen, which degrades quality. Steer clear of frozen fruits and vegetables with added sweeteners, salt or mysterious sauces. “You just want to see fruits or vegetables in the ingredient list,” MalkoffCohen said. Stored in a zero-degree freezer, frozen fruits and vegetables have a shelf-life of about one year before their flavor, texture and nutrients suffer. Once the food has been opened, store extras in an air-tight bag so they don’t get freezer burn. Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC, 1-800829-5384, EnvironmentalNutrition.com. © Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

But preparation matters when it comes to the nutrition on your plate. When you grab that bag of frozen cauliflower and start preparing dinner, boiling runs the risk of leeching out water-soluble nutrients like vitamin C and folate. Malkoff-Cohen suggested steaming, microwaving, roasting and stir-frying as less destructive cooking methods. If you’re looking to cut back on food waste and its added cost to you and the environment, by buying frozen you don’t have to worry about eating your frozen raspberries before white fuzz takes over. Space permitting, you can buy a lot more frozen veggies and fruits well in advance and use them in the weeks to come. And these days there are more exciting options than ever, ranging from deep freeze dragon fruit to jazz up your next smoothie to frozen cauliflower “rice” that replaces a starch with a low-calorie veggie

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Feb. 22

CREDIT REPORTING Learn how credit scores are calculated and how to improve your

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credit score in this free virtual event hosted by the Howard County Library and presented by CCCSMD. The event takes place Tues., Feb. 22 from 1 to 2 p.m. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/HCPLCredit.

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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 2

Health Studies

INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Healthy volunteers sought for paid study By Margaret Foster Did you know that diabetes not only affects the heart and circulation but the mind, too? Persons with type 2 diabetes have roughly double the risk of dementia than adults without diabetes. Even adults in the early stages of diabetes before diagnosis show lower cognitive function, although researchers don’t understand exactly how diabetes and cognitive decline are connected. This spring researchers at the University of Maryland are launching a small pilot study to understand just this, with the ultimate goal of finding ways to prevent both diabetes and the cognitive decline that may follow. This study, called the Cognition and Metabolism in Prediabetes (CAMPS) study, “will determine how daily changes in blood sugar are related to your ability to pay attention, concentrate, learn, remember new information, and perform speeded thinking tasks,” according to the study protocol. “This study will utilize continuous glucose-monitoring technology, which has the ability to detect impaired glycemia much earlier than the conventional glycemic metrics, and may allow for a more nuanced understanding of cognitive

changes in the very early stages of diabetes,” said Tasneem Khambaty, PhD, one of the principal investigators.

Two short visits Sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and the University of Maryland Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, the study lasts two weeks and will enroll healthy people over 50 who do not have diabetes. Once enrolled, participants will make two visits to the Baltimore VA Medical Center in downtown Baltimore. During the first of two three-hour visits, researchers will draw blood and administer a cognitive test to participants. Then they’ll attach a continuous blood glucose monitoring device that will take readings for 10 days. The device includes a plastic thumb-size transmitter, with a tiny sensor wire placed just beneath the skin, providing blood sugar readings around the clock. The device is painless and can be worn in the shower and bath. At the end of 10 days, participants will return to the center to have their blood drawn, complete some questionnaires and have the device removed.

Benefits of the study Compensation of $100 will be provided at the end of the study, and parking at the VA Medical Center is free. Participants may also benefit from learning more about their personal health, including blood pressure, cognitive function and glucose levels. If researchers unearth any health

problems, they will alert you and your doctor. Researchers hope the CAMPS study will help find more ways to prevent diabetes and subsequent dementia in older age. For more information about the CAMPS study or if you’re interested in participating, call (410) 605-7179 and mention “CAMPS”.

BEACON BITS

Feb. 2+

BEEKEEPING WORKSHOP

Have you ever wanted to learn how to be a beekeeper? The Howard County Beekeepers are hosting a six-week workshop on Wednesdays beginning Feb. 2 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Howard County Fairgrounds Dining Hall. Online attendance is possible. The workshop costs $60 per person or $90 per couple. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/HoCoBeekeeping.

Feb. 26

MAPLE SYRUP TASTING

The Robinson Nature Center hosts a maple syrup tasting on Sat., Feb. 26 at various times between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The cost is $10 for general admission and $7 for members. For more information, visit bit.ly/RobinsonMapleSyrup.

Feb. 3+

FREE MUSEUM ADMISSION Explore the Maryland Center for History and Culture for free on Thurs., Feb. 3 or Sat., Feb. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit bit.ly/FreeMCHC or call (410) 685-3750.

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

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A Publication of the Department of Community Resources and Services

It's Time to Get Heart Smart! By Carmen Roberts, MS, RD, LDN Nutritionist, Howard County Office on Aging and Independence

early HALF of American adults have hypertension (high blood pressure), a condition often called “the silent killer” because one in five Americans do not even know that they have it. Blood pressure is considered high when the systolic (top number) blood pressure is above 140 and the diastolic (bottom number) is greater than 90. Hypertension increases your risk for stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure, so it is important to check your blood pressure regularly.

Six Steps to Help Reduce the Risk and Manage Hypertension Follow a heart-healthy diet. A diet focused on heart health can reduce your risk of developing hypertension (and can lower your blood pressure if it is already high). The DASH Eating Plan (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is a flexible and balanced approach to help create a heart-healthy eating style for life. The DASH diet is rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products and low in sodium, saturated and total fat and cholesterol. It is also high in calcium, magnesium, potassium, protein, and fiber and limited in processed foods and added sugars. For more details, go to www.nhlbi.nih.gov/DASH. Reduce sodium intake. Choose foods that are low in salt and substitute spices, garlic, or onions to add flavor to your foods. The American Heart Association recommends a daily sodium intake of 2,300 mg, or no more than 1,500 mg per day if you have hypertension. Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight is a major risk factor for hypertension. If you are overweight, losing as little as five to 10 pounds can lower your blood pressure. For every 20 pounds lost, you can lower your systolic blood pressure by five to 20 points. Exercise regularly. Exercising for at least 30 minutes each day can keep blood pressure under control, and can lower your systolic pressure by five to nine points within three months. Limit alcohol consumption. Drinking alcoholic beverages can raise blood pressure and add empty calories to your diet, which hinders weight loss. Limit your intake to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

Volume 12, No. 2 • February 2022

A Message from Howard County Executive

Calvin Ball

his month we are celebrating progress in action after breaking ground for the long-awaited Dr. Edward L. Cochran East Columbia 50+ Center expansion. Identified as one of the top priority projects in the 2015 Master Plan for the Office on Aging and Independence, the nearly 30,000 square foot center is moving forward after getting $6.5 million in state and local funding last year. This transformational center will be a critical gathering space, community hub, and will provide social support for older adults. Thank you again to so many members of our community who helped see this project through. We can’t wait to celebrate its opening next year. Now that the Age-Friendly Action Plan has been accepted by AARP, implementation of the more than 80 recommendations can begin, guiding the county toward becoming an age-friendly community. Involvement is needed from all levels of the community — from individuals to small groups to large businesses — to take on leadership roles to move the plan forward. All members of the community are encouraged to decide how, where and when they will become involved in the action steps to make Howard County a great place to grow up and grow older. Learn more about the Action Plan and sign up to be part of making a difference at www. howardcountymd.gov/agefriendly. In January, we faced another surge of COVID-19 cases and a new variant, so it’s more important than ever that our residents are vaccinated and boosted. As of last month, 22 percent of residents 65 and older had not yet received their booster shot. Be sure to schedule a booster as soon as possible to protect yourself and others at vaccine.gov.

Take medications as prescribed. Blood pressure medication, when combined with the lifestyle changes mentioned above, can help you successfully manage hypertension. If you are a resident who is 60 years or older, and need dietary guidance to meet your health goals, registered Dietitian Carmen Roberts is available for free nutrition consultations via phone or in-person. Contact your local 50+ Center today to register today or call 410-313-0387 (voice/relay).

Focus on Heart Health BAIN 50+ CENTER Tuesday, February 15 • 9:30 a.m. to noon Take a snapshot of your current fitness level by participating in two simple aerobic fitness tests. Participants will receive a fitness report card and information about opportunities to stay active in Howard County. Testing is free, and performed by Certified Exercise Professionals.

To register for a testing time slot, call 410-313-6073 (voice/relay).

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 2

The 50+ Connection

Join the Action Plan!

ommunity and stakeholder engagement is at the core of the Howard County Age-Friendly Action end dly l A cttio i n Plan. Since the launch of the initiative in December 2019, more than 100 community members dedicated over 4,000 hours of time researching, reviewing and developing recommendations for the Action Plan, which was reviewed by a 25-member steering committee and approved by county administration and AARP. The new year marks the beginning of a three-year commitment Howard County has made to implement the action steps to become a more age-friendly community. Now is the time for you to get involved — as an individual, as a member of a community organization, faith-based community, business or nonprofit agency in Howard County — by joining one of the many teams that will put the ideas of this plan into action. To be successful, it will take people from across the community, from different cultures, age groups, and backgrounds working together. The action plan addresses concepts around the eight domains of livability established by the World Health Organization. Eighty action steps address issues related to housing, transportation, social participation, volunteering, work, civic engagement, access to health and community services, and more.

Ways to be Part of this Exciting Venture • • • •

Join a workgroup to address the action items Organize a fun age-friendly event If you are a business owner, sponsor an event Join a work group with other forward-thinking individuals to plan and enjoy the benefits that come from being in a livable community No experience is needed; your participation requires only a will and an interest to make a difference for today and the future. Meetings will be held virtually with opportunities to meet in person as conditions allow. Persons of all ages are needed to develop a community for all ages. Join one of the upcoming orientation meetings to learn about Age-Friendly Howard County and the Action Plan. For more information and to register go to www.howardcountymd.gov/agefriendly.

STAY INFORMED WITH DCRS! Get the latest news from the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services and the Ofﬁce on Aging and Independence! • Visit our website at www.howardcountymd.gov/aging • Follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HoCoCommunity and on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/HoCoCommunity • For resources and assistance, contact Maryland Access Point at 410-313-1234 (voice/relay) or email map@howardcountymd.gov

Makes a great gift!

An interactive experience that immerses participants into life with dementia resulting in a deeper understanding of what it’s like to live with a cognitive impairment and sensory change.

2022 SCHEDULE

VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON PROGRAMS

Monday, February 14 • 2:00 pm VIRTUAL PROGRAM

— REGISTRANTS WILL BE SENT LOG-IN DETAILS PRIOR TO EVENT

Monday, March 7 • 6:00 pm VIRTUAL PROGRAM

— REGISTRANTS WILL BE SENT LOG-IN DETAILS PRIOR TO EVENT

Monday, April 11 • 6:00 pm VIRTUAL PROGRAM

— REGISTRANTS WILL BE SENT LOG-IN DETAILS PRIOR TO EVENT

Wednesday, May 11 • 6:00 pm IN PERSON EVENT TO BE HELD ON SITE AT

Howard County Ofﬁce on Aging and Independence 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia 21046

SPACE IS LIMITED! To register for Dementia Live®, call 410-313-5917. TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION

EMILY LECLERCQ 410-313-5917 (VOICE/RELAY) map@howardcountymd.gov • www.howardcountymd.gov/aging

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

This annual event offers parents, grandparents and caregivers the opportunity to speak directly with representatives from the many child care programs throughout the county. To help in the selection process, parent educators from the Office of Children and Families will present “How to Choose an Early Childhood Program” at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. Admission is FREE. Attendees are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item or unopened pack of diapers or wipes to donate to the Howard County Food Bank. The Child Care Fair registration table will provide information and digital access to the 2022 Parent's Guide to Howard County. PRE-REGISTRATION is highly recommended so event organizers can contact attendees in case of inclement weather on the day of the event. Registration link: https://2022childcarefair.eventbrite.com

PLAN NOW TO ATTEND! 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 the subscriber list, go to https://bit.ly/3o4GAee. 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046 410-313-6410 (VOICE/RELAY) • www.howardcountymd.gov/aging Find us on

Saturday, February 26 • 10 AM to 2 PM MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL ATTENDEES

North Laurel Community Center 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel 20723

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.

To request a sign language interpreter or other accommodations to participate, call 410-313-1940 at least one week in advance.

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

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Money Law &

Furry friends can be expensive, but pet insurance can help. See story below.

Steps to take to get your affairs in order Dear Savvy Senior, instructions of how you want certain I would like to get my personal, legal things handled when you die or if you beand financial information come incapacitated. organized so my kids will Here’s a checklist to focus know what’s going on when on: I’m no longer around. Can you offer any tips on the Personal information best way to do this? Contacts: Make a master —Unorganized Emma list of names and phone numDear Emma, bers of close friends, doctors Organizing your important and professional advisers, papers and getting your personsuch as your lawyer, accountal and financial affairs in order is ant, broker and insurance SAVVY SENIOR a smart idea and wonderful gift agent. By Jim Miller to your loved ones. Medical information: InThe first step in getting clude a list of medications you your affairs in order is to gather up all your take, along with any allergies and illnessimportant personal, financial and legal in- es. formation so you can arrange it in a format Personal documents: Include such that will benefit you now, and your loved items as your birth certificate, Social Secuones later. rity card, marriage license, military disThen you’ll need to sit down and create charge papers, etc. various lists of important information and Secured places: List all the places you

keep under lock and key, such as safe deposit boxes, safe combination, security alarms, etc. and describe how to access them. Digital assets: Make a list of all your digital assets, including everything from social media accounts to online banking accounts to home utilities that you manage online. It should include usernames and passwords. Use Rutgers Digital Assets Inventory Worksheet (bit.ly/DigitalAssetsInventory) as a guide. Pets: If you have a pet, give instructions for its care. End of life: Indicate your wishes for organ and tissue donation, and write out your funeral instructions. If you’ve made pre-arrangements with a funeral home, include a copy of the agreement, their contact information and whether or not you’ve prepaid.

the original copy of your will and other estate planning documents you’ve made. Financial power of attorney: This document names someone you trust to handle money matters if you’re incapacitated. Advance healthcare directives: This includes a living will and medical power of attorney, which spell out your wishes regarding your end-of-life medical treatment when you can no longer make decisions for yourself.

Financial records Financial accounts: Make a list of all your bank accounts, brokerage and mutual fund accounts, and any other financial assets you have. Debts and liabilities: Make a list of any loans, leases or debts you have — such as mortgages, car loans, student loans, medical bills and credit card debts. Also, make a

Legal documents Will, trust and estate plan: Include

See TAKE STEPS, page 15

Pet insurance helps keep costs in check By Katia Iervasi Do you have a pet, or are you thinking of adding a furry friend to the family? If so, you’ll be in good company: 70% of U.S. households have a pet, according to a recent American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey. As cute as pets are, they’re a financial commitment. Americans spent $103.6 billion on their pets in 2020 alone, APPA said. Some expenses, like food and shelter, are predictable. But if your new puppy or kitten gets sick or injured, an unexpected medical bill can derail your budget. For a growing number of Americans, pet insurance helps provide peace of mind.

The cost of veterinary care Medical issues are almost inevitable for pets, and costs are likely to rise, said Kristen Lynch, executive director of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, or NAPHIA. “The fact that there’s continued innovation in the medical care of pets — just like there is for humans — means that the cost of those innovations will continue to go up.” Dog owners spend an average of $242

on routine visits and $458 on surgical visits each year, according to APPA. The cost for cat owners is slightly lower, at $178 for routine visits and $201 for surgical visits. “I’d say at least half of the clients I come in contact with have money concerns,” Dr. TB Thompson, a Phoenix-based veterinarian at Natural Pets HQ, said in an email. “When pets get into complicated, life-threatening medical trouble, costs add up fast.” Pet insurance won’t reimburse you for every penny you spend at the vet, but it can help prevent you from being slapped with an expensive bill. A policy will typically pay 70% to 90% of your costs after you pay a deductible, which can range from $0 to $1,000 or more. “Consider buying pet insurance unless you can easily fund treating a pet emergency that costs $2,500 and up,” Thompson said.

Several types to consider There are a few types of pet insurance plans. Comprehensive plans, the most robust, help cover the cost of care due to accidents, illnesses and surgeries, as well as vaccinations and diagnostic tests.

Accident and illness coverage helps pay for emergency care, surgeries, hospitalizations and prescription medications, while accident-only policies help cover expenses after an accident. Some insurers also offer wellness plans, which take care of certain tests, exams, vaccinations and preventive treatments. While pet insurance can stop you from dipping into your savings to pay a vet bill, it is an added cost. The average cost of an accident and illness policy is $594 per year for dogs and $342 for cats, according to NAPHIA. For an accident-only policy, you could pay $218 for dogs and $134 for cats. Premiums are based on a range of factors, including: • Where you live. The cost of veterinary care varies by region. • Species. Dogs are more expensive to insure than cats, for example. Coverage for other types of animals is rare. • Breed. Some breeds are predisposed to medical conditions, which can increase the cost of coverage. • Age. As pets age, they’re more likely to become ill or injured, Lynch said. Keep

this in mind if you plan to adopt an older pet from a shelter.

Suggestions for new owners As a new pet owner, many of these factors are out of your control. But there are a few things you can do to score a lower premium. Look at the fine print. Consider choosing a higher deductible and lower reimbursement level. Check for discounts. Some companies offer discounts for insuring multiple pets or for military service. Shop around. There are around 20 pet insurers in the U.S. competing for your business, so let them. Compare quotes from three insurers for the same amount of coverage, and go with the best pet insurance company for your budget. In Lynch’s view, some pet insurance is better than none. “People avoid taking their pets to the vet because they’re afraid of what those costs will be,” she said. “I like to think pet insurance gives us the ability to say ‘yes’ to those decisions at a time when we’re emotional, stressed and financially strapped about other things.” —AP/NerdWallet

Makes a great gift! | Law & Money

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

Five ways to save energy this winter By Family Features Winter is the time of year when energy bills can skyrocket as we look for ways to stay warm and cozy indoors on chilly days. Focusing on energy efficiency can help you keep your home temperature comfortable and your energy bills at bay while also reducing your carbon footprint. Energy efficiency means using less energy to accomplish the same tasks while cutting energy bills and reducing pollution in the process. With Americans slated to spend an average of $746 on natural gas this winter, according to the Energy Information Administration’s “Winter Fuels Outlook,” now is a perfect time to focus on energy efficiency. Consider these suggestions from the experts at Best Pick Reports for ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency without breaking the bank this winter. 1. Do a heating systems check-up Be sure all vents and registers throughout your home are clear of obstructions. Checking that all plugs, vents and appliances are in safe, working order can also help improve efficiency and prevent potential hazards. Also consider hiring a professional annually to tune up your HVAC system, tighten electrical connections, and check controls to ensure they are working properly and safely. 2. Install energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances It’s important to replace old light bulbs and appliances in your home with newer, energy-efficient ones. Using LED light bulbs in place of traditional incandescent

bulbs can save homeowners about $225 in energy costs each year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. You can also install timers to ensure you’re only using electricity when needed. Whether you love spending time in the kitchen or you’d rather leave the cooking to someone else, you can make your kitchen a greener space by installing energy-efficient appliances, such as refrigerators, ovens, microwaves and dishwashers. 3. Add insulation Install insulation in and around windows, walls and doors to decrease heat flow from warmer spaces to colder ones, helping to maintain your home’s temperature and lower your heating and cooling costs. Also, insulate your water heater with a blanket or cover, and check the insulation in your attic, basement, walls and crawlspaces for leaks. 4. Improve flooring and windows Adding rugs or carpet to hardwood floors and ceramic tiles can help prevent drafts and make the room feel cozier. Installing double-paned windows can also help prevent cold air from leaking into your rooms, while opening blinds and curtains during the day to let in light can naturally heat up the space. 5. Use an energy-efficient space heater A space heater is a simple option for heating up a single chilly room for a short amount of time, which makes it perfect for those looking to save money and energy. Some space heaters are designed specifically for energy efficiency. They use infrared technology to heat rooms, sensing

spots that need heat and distributing it accordingly by heating objects instead of filling the space with heat.

Do it every year Every winter, be sure to take action to make your home more energy efficient. You don’t have to do it alone, however. You can hire a professional to help you with energy efficiency projects; just be sure to do your homework. Look for unbiased customer reviews on in-

dependent business directories, or review websites like Best Pick Reports, Washington Consumer Checkbook and Five Star Rated. These printed directories and online sites often use a combination of third-party research and consumer reviews to rate contractors. Some even offer guarantees on the quality of work. Once you have everything in place, you can reduce the amount of money you spend on heating costs this winter without sacrificing comfort or convenience.

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

Finally… a better mobility solution than Scooters or Power Chairs. The Zoomer’s versatile design and 1-touch joystick operation brings mobility and independence to those who need it most. If you have mobility issues, or know someone who does, then you’ve experienced the difficulties faced by millions of Americans. Once simple tasks like getting from the bedroom to the kitchen can become a time-consuming and potentially dangerous ordeal. You may have tried to solve the problem with a power chair or a scooter but neither is ideal. Power chairs are bulky and look like a medical device. Scooters are either unstable or hard to maneuver. Now, there’s a better alternative… the Zoomer. My Zoomer is a delight to ride! It has increased my mobility in my apartment, my opportunities to enjoy the-out-of-doors, and enabled me to visit the homes of my children for longer periods of time. The various speeds of it match my need for safety, it is easy to turn, and I am most pleased with the freedom of movement it gives me. Sincerely, A. Macon, Williamsburg, VA After just one trip around your home in the Zoomer, you’ll marvel at how easy it is to navigate. It is designed to maneuver in tight spaces like doorways, between furniture, and around corners. It can go over thresholds and works great on any kind of floor or carpet. It’s not bulky or Zoomer conveniently rolls beneath table or desk

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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 2

Should you bank with your brokerage? By Chanelle Bessette If you’ve invested with a brokerage firm in recent years, you may have noticed that your brokerage offers a product called a cash management account (CMA). These accounts are very similar to a checking or savings account and typically provide competitive interest rates, debit cards and other money management features. However, those services aren’t always standard. So what, then, would be the appeal of opening a CMA with a brokerage? Here are some things to consider when deciding whether to let your brokerage help you manage your cash: How are cash management accounts different from bank accounts? Perhaps the most crucial distinction between a CMA and a bank account is that CMAs are offered by nonbank financial institutions that do not possess a bank char-

ter. Usually, this would mean that CMAs cannot provide their customers federal insurance on their balances. But many brokerages partner with chartered banks that sweep customers’ funds into bank accounts behind the scenes. That allows them to offer insurance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on customer balances. What are the pros and cons of cash management accounts? Pros: —Interest rates tend to be higher than rates at traditional banks. Though some brokerages don’t offer much interest on their CMAs, others offer significantly higher interest rates than the national average of 0.06% for savings accounts. —Transfers between CMAs and investing accounts can be faster. When you have a CMA at your brokerage, you may be able to avoid a waiting period between account trans-

Take steps

Taxes: Include the location of your tax records and your tax preparer’s contact information. Keep all your organized information and files together in one convenient location — ideally, in a fireproof filing cabinet or safe located in your home. Also be sure to review and update it every year, and don’t forget to tell your kids where they can find it. If you need help, get a copy of Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won’t Have To at Nolo.com for $17.50 for the downloadable versions, or $20 for a printed copy. 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.

From page 12 list of all credit and charge cards, including the card numbers and contact information. Company benefits: List any retirement plans, pensions or health benefits from your current or former employer, including the contact information of the benefits administrator. Insurance: List the insurance policies you have (life, long-term care, home, auto, Medicare, Medigap, prescription drug, etc.), including the policy numbers, agents and their phone numbers. Property: List real estate, vehicles and other properties you own, rent or lease and include documents, such as deeds, titles, and loan or lease agreements.

fers so that you can invest your money faster. When it comes to investing, timing can be critical. For example, missing a day or two of having your cash in the market (say, the amount of time it takes to transfer cash from an outside account into your investing account) could mean losing out on market gains. —CMAs have benefits that are similar to checking and savings accounts. Some CMAs offer such account benefits as free ATM access, debit cards, mobile check deposit, early direct deposit and no monthly maintenance fees. Cons: —CMA customer service is typically online-only. Most CMA providers offer only remote customer service because they don’t have branches. As a result, customers who open an account will need to be comfortable with this. —Interest rates have dropped. The financial industry is currently in a low-rate environment, meaning interest rates on deposit accounts are particularly low at the moment. Several CMAs that launched in recent years had notably high interest rates at first, but they dropped significantly in mid-2020 after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. —FDIC insurance is usually only available through third-party banks. Since brokerage firms aren’t banks, they typically

have to partner with banks to offer FDIC insurance. Brokerages sweep customer funds into FDIC-insured accounts behind the scenes so that they’re covered. Other considerations: With a CMA account, “First and foremost, you are likely setting up a one-stop-shop for yourself so you can bank, save and invest all in one,” said Leah Bourne, by email. Bourne, the managing editor of the investing education website The Money Manual, also added, “Many of the companies that offer these accounts have made the ability to transfer money between accounts really, really easy. If you are actively investing, this is a big pro.” One of the other big practical perks when it comes to keeping a CMA with your brokerage? You have less to keep track of by keeping your cash accounts and your investment accounts at the same place. “That means you’ll have one app on your phone instead of a few, and will be seamlessly able to monitor your cash account and your brokerage account all in one spot,” Bourne said. As with any financial product, consumers should do their research to determine whether a CMA makes sense for their lifestyle and if the perks work for their spending, saving and investing habits. —AP/NerdWallet

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

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Travel Leisure &

Are airline-mile credit cards worth it? See story on page 18.

The friendly, beautiful towns of Provence

Most beautiful villages During ancient times, many settlements

were perched on the peaks of towering hills for defensive purposes. Today, they’re collectively called hill towns, and each has its own unique appeal. Travelers reach them by way of twisty one-lane roads, hoping not to meet another vehicle heading in the opposite direction. It’s wise to park just outside a village and enter on foot. A French association has accomplished a task that would seem impossible. Among all of the magnificent places throughout the country, it designated 164 as “Plus Beaux Villages de France” (Most Beautiful Villages in France). After my stay in Provence, I’d say that many more could be added to the list. Seventeen of the honored enclaves are in Provence, including the village of Gordes. With a population of about 1,600, Gordes has been the site of a settlement since Neolithic times. It overlooks surrounding valleys from its strategic location on the peak of a towering rock, making it one of the most photogenic settings in all of France. The site is topped by an imposing castle originally built in the 11th century and remodeled during the Renaissance. Menerbes, another “Most Beautiful” town, was brought to the world’s attention by

PHOTO BY KONSTANTTIN/SHUTTERSTOCK

By Victor Block Some places are more than a destination. Provence, nestled in the southeastern corner of France, immerses visitors in a placid, captivating lifestyle. Although the nearby Cote d’Azur and French Riviera have many advocates, visitors may encounter traffic and crowded, blanket-to-blanket beaches. By contrast, in the tiny towns and even smaller villages of Provence, a Marylandsized enclave, tourists are few and far between. Last fall, my wife Fyllis and I decided to stay in the “real” Provence. We rented a beautifully renovated century-old farmhouse in the village of Pernes-les-Fontaines, a fortified Medieval town surrounded by remnants of stone ramparts. With our cozy home base, we ventured out each day to explore the nearby historyrich villages, with their stone buildings along narrow, winding cobblestone streets and compact tree-shaded squares lined by sidewalk cafés. There were no waits at restaurants, no lines at attractions and few other Englishspeakers.

PHOTO © XANTANA | DREAMSTIME.COM

A medieval castle presides over the ancient town of Gordes, one of the most beautiful villages in France. It is built high on a cliff, with spectacular views of the Provence countryside.

Provence, a region of southeastern France known for its lavender fields, olive groves and vineyards, has many picturesque villages worth exploring.

British-born author Peter Mayle’s popular book My Year in Provence, published in 1991. Despite centuries of wars and turmoil, Menerbes remains miraculously intact and preserved. Most of its restaurants and shops are grouped at the bottom of the mountain; a tranquil town square awaits at the top. The setting is very different in Roussillon, located near once-active ochre mines. Many of its 300-year-old houses are painted shades of red, pink and orange that echo the colors of the surrounding rock cliffs. I found it challenging to stop taking pictures of this Technicolor scene.

ment. The two-tiered Roman amphitheater in Arles dates from the first century B.C.E. Some of these well-preserved Roman antiquities continue to function in various ways. The arena in Arles hosts bull fights, concerts and other events, while plays and musical productions take place in Roman theaters in Orange and Vaison-la-Romaine. I could continue through the almost Ato-Z list of inviting, historic hill towns, but perhaps what makes a visit to this corner of France most memorable is its food, wine and people.

Local fare, local friends Echoes of the past Phoenicians who arrived in France in 600 B.C. were followed by Greeks, then Romans. While they held sway, from about 100 B.C.E. until the disintegration of their empire five centuries later, this swath of fertile land became one of Rome’s wealthiest provinces. During the Middle Ages, it was invaded by successive waves of marauders (hence the need for fortifications). Evidence of this past exists in every village. In Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, remains of the Greek city of Glanum are located near a Roman triumphal arch and funerary monu-

Much of France’s well-deserved reputation for fabulous food and wonderful wine is based upon what is grown, made and prepared in Provence. It didn’t take long for Fyllis and me to appreciate each mouthful and sip. The vegetables on our plates, often seasoned with ubiquitous garlic and local olive oil, grew in fields close by, as had fresh-from-the-farm fruit. Regional specialty sweets like nougat, artisanal chocolate and candied fruits tempt the palate and See PROVENCE page 17

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 2

Provence From page 16 challenge your next step on a scale. Restaurant food portions are large, and then some. After we ordered a steak to share at an outdoor café, the waitperson suggested, only partly in jest, that we move to a larger table which could accommodate the oversized slab of delicious meat. Wine has been made in this region for at least 2,600 years, first by the Greeks and then the Romans. Provence is known predominately for rose wine, which accounts for about half of the local production. Some oenophiles also praise its spicy, full-flavored reds. Even beyond the historic paths of the past, and abundant flavors of food and wine, we found the people of Provence to be perhaps its most endearing treasure. Topping

the list is their genuine friendliness. When we struggled with our elementary school French, they used their elementary school English to help. When we encountered a car problem, an off-duty policeman came to our rescue. If we looked lost while walking, a local passerby invariably offered assistance. The genuine friendliness and welcoming attitude of the Provençales, as inhabitants are known, might be reason enough to visit this inviting corner of France. Given the many other enticements, it’s no wonder that the destination is high on many a travel bucket list.

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$600 round-trip ticket during the winter off-season. We chose to rent through Untours, a company with which we have traveled the past. Its motto and goal: “Live like the locals.” Untours provided us with a wealth of pre-trip information, accommodations, a rental car and first-day briefing from the on-site company representative. Rates begin at $959 per person per week, and depend on your chosen accommodation. Untours covers 13 European countries and also offers canal, river and small ship sea cruises. For more information, call 1888-868-6871 or visit untours.com.

When it comes to eating and sampling outstanding wines of Provence, it’s hard to go wrong. Even the most modest restaurants serve memorable meals. Case in point: At the L’Esqanquet de Font in Les Pernes (247 Quai de Verdun; 86-04-29-45), a meat-and-cheese charcuterie ($15) and roast duck with sides ($27) are enough for two people. We stretched our budget by enjoying some meals at “home.” Pick up pastries, cheese and meat in a village and live like a local. For more information about Provence, visit provence-alpes-cotedazur.com/en.

If you go To get to Provence, fly into Nice or Marseilles. Round-trip flights on British Airways start at $800, but it’s possible to find a

BEACON BITS

Mar. 26

NEW DATE FOR ORCHESTRA CONCERT

On Saturday, March 26 (rescheduled from Feb. 5), the Columbia Orchestra presents “Pines of Rome” by Ottorino Respighi, “The Rhyme of Taigu” by Zhou Long, and Johannes Brahms’ Concerto for Violin and Cello with Char Prescott, cello and Sheng-Tsung Wang, violin. The concert is at 7:30 p.m. at the Jim Rouse Theatre (masks plus proof of vaccination or negative test required). Tickets: $22/$28 adult; $18/$24 senior. Virtual access (watch any time): $10. For tickets, visit columbiaorchestra.org.

Feb. 17

ARTIST TALK

The American Visionary Art Museum hosts a free webinar with artist Nancy Josephson, who transforms everyday objects into extraordinary art. This event takes place Thurs., Feb. 17 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more information and to RSVP, visit bit.ly/JosephsonTalk. Call (410) 244-1900 with questions.

Feb. 18+

NO BOUNDARIES

The Howard County Arts Council hosts its annual exhibition, “No Boundaries,” in partnership with Howard County Recreation and Parks’ Department of Therapeutic Recreation and Inclusion Services. The exhibition showcases work by youth and adult artists with developmental disabilities. The exhibit runs from Feb. 18 through April 2. A reception is scheduled to take place March 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. For more information, visit bit.ly/HoCoArts22.

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

What are frequent-flyer miles worth? A few years back, some economist with ing.com/value-of-frequent-flyer-miles) nothing better to do calculated that fre- posted its own latest values, alongside current values from two other quent-flyer miles were the top blogs, One Mile at a Time world’s third or fourth largest (onemileatatime.com) and currency. The total value of The Points Guy (thepointsmiles in circulation can only guy.com). have increased since then. But calculating aggregate The interesting finding value doesn’t really help anyisn’t that they show substanone: The real test is how tial variance. In fact, they’re much miles are worth to you, all in surprisingly close agreeindividually. And that’s a surment on the value of miles in prisingly complicated calculaeach program: TRAVEL TIPS • Giant airlines: Each mile tion. By Ed Perkins you earn is worth 1.3 to 1.5 There’s an entire community of blog writers devoted to frequent-flyer cents when applied to a ticket for a future minutia and arcana. And they regularly trip, with Alaska and Korean earning a tad post current values for airline miles, trans- more; Delta and Hawaiian a tad less. ferable bank miles and hotel points. • Bank cards with transferable miles Most recently, Gary Leff’s excellent (American Express, Capital One, Chase, blog, View from the Wing (viewfromthew- and Citi) generate a value of 1.6 to 1.8

cents a mile. • Hotel points: 0.4 to 0.7 cents a mile, with Hyatt higher at 1.4 to 1.7 cents. You won’t find much disagreement about collecting points by flying: Regardless of precise value, they’re worth something. The complexities arise with valuing miles earned by credit card. The problem is straightforward: • The best-earning bank cards earn 2 cents cash per dollar spent, compared with one airline mile per dollar charged. A few even earn two miles. So, on average, regardless of airline affiliation, you’re better off concentrating your charges on a 2-centor 2-mile-back reward card than on an airline card. • Many cash-back credit cards earn only one cent per dollar, so if that’s what you’ve got, your best bet is either to use a miles card or switch to a higher-earning

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credit card. • Most airline cards earn one mile per dollar charged. • Some miles-earning bank cards offer premium rates — up to five miles per dollar charged — on some charge categories, so consider one of those cards for just those specific categories.

Flash sales are a better deal I’ve been amassing miles for years, and generally concluded that the best use was for premium cabin international trips. But those high-value calculations you see comparing mile cost with cash cost for business class to Europe using regular business class fares are ridiculous. Sure, you can get a $4,000 businessclass ticket on some lines for around 120,000 miles, but those miles are worth the calculated 3.3 cents each if — and only if — you’d be willing to pay $4,000 if you didn’t have the miles. Personally, I’d probably be willing to pay no more than $1,500 for that ticket, so the value of the miles to me is about 1.25 cents each. You can often catch airline flash sales for business class to Europe from the West Coast at less than $2,000 round trip, which puts the miles worth 1.67 cents. And you also have to consider the fact that many — if not most — 120,000-mile frequent-flyer trips are available only on flights at unpopular hours or trips with multiple connections and long layovers. Obviously, transferable credit-card points are better used for airline miles than hotel points. And just about everybody agrees that miles used for cash purchases are worth only 0.5 cents or less. Don’t use them for non-airfare purchases. Only you can decide what any given set of airline miles is worth to you. Compare the cash price for a ticket you’d actually buy with the price in miles, and decide. If you’re like me, you conclude that, in most cases, piling your charges on a twocent-back cash card and using the money to buy a ticket beats piling charges on a card that earns one mile per dollar charged. Also, two-miles-per dollar cards look good. When I first looked, miles were really valuable: fares were consistent and award charts were more generous. But frequentflyer miles, like veteran travel writers, do not improve with age. The quicker you use them, the more value you’ll retain. Send email to Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net or check out his rail travel website at rail-guru.com. © 2021 Ed Perkins. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Write a letter to the editor. See page 2.

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 2

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Our cover story about the historic Afro-American newspaper continues on page 20.

Comedy man Mel Brooks shares stories By Douglass K. Daniel Bagels and Nova Scotia lox for the writing team’s breakfast while punching up the script for the movie “Blazing Saddles.” Earl Grey tea and English digestive biscuits while developing Gene Wilder’s idea for “Young Frankenstein.” Cottage cheese topped with fruit while hashing out yet another writer’s pitch for “Silent Movie.” Besides an uncanny memory for food, Mel Brooks has the skill of an alchemist turning the base metal of others’ ideas into comedy treasure. But the lead comes before the gold. With the notable exception of “The Producers,” Brooks’ greatest hits have been a team effort that usually began as a nugget in someone else’s mind. In his new memoir All About Me! the unmatched self-promoter, now 95, generously shares the credit…most of the time. Look elsewhere to hear a different side of the Mel Brooks story — some of his collaborators have grumbled about being elbowed aside as he grabbed all the glory he could. The same goes for his personal life — his first marriage is barely noted in spite of three children and years of litigation — and anything else that might cast a shadow on the beloved funny man. As advertised, All About Me! is a narrowly focused celebration of a poor Jewish kid who grew up from Brooklyn street-corner jokester to become synonymous with hearty laughter and naughty chuckles. It’s

a surprisingly gentle remembrance from a comedian known for mocking anything considered sacred in America.

Long route to Hollywood The entertainment world was an escape for Melvin Kaminsky, the youngest of four brothers whose father died when Melvin was 2 and whose mother worked hard to get enough pennies for a movie ticket. His stint at a Catskills resort as a clownish teen, contrasted with harrowing months in the Army defusing bombs in the wake of the Battle of the Bulge, followed by a postwar Army assignment to an occupation entertainment unit helped make his heavenly dream more earthbound. Brooks refined his talent for comedy during his first big break, writing for Sid Caesar’s “Your Show of Shows” and “Caesar’s Hour” series during TV’s Golden Age. Lean years followed, but Brooks kept at it, thanks to his “2,000-Year-Old Man” routine with Carl Reiner, co-creating TV’s “Get Smart,” and writing and directing his first film, “The Producers” (1968), which he adapted decades later into a Broadway juggernaut. Along the way, Brooks met the likes of Cary Grant (debonair, but dull, he says), John Wayne (he thought the script for “Blazing Saddles” was hilarious but too dirty for an appearance by America’s Favorite Cowboy), and Alfred Hitchcock (the

Columbia Pro Cantare

45th Season Concerts Sunday, March 6 at 4 p.m. “Light & Shadows” Celebrating the human spirit’s ability to endure diﬃcult times with hope. Featuring Finzi’s Elegy; Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs; selections from Haydn’s Creation and more. Ronald Mutchnik, violin, Donald Fries, organ At First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ellicott City.

COMING IN MAY: “American Voices,” Sat. May 14, at 8 p.m. in Columbia.

Get details and tickets at www.procantare.org

Master of Suspense kept Brooks hanging on whether he thought “High Anxiety” was insult or homage — he finally sent a note with a case of fine wine). And there was actress Anne Bancroft. Her unlikely attraction to Brooks’ off-kilter personality resulted in that rare Hollywood production, a durable marriage. To avoid confusing ticketbuyers, Brooks kept his name off his production company’s non-comedies “The Elephant Man,” “Frances,” “The Fly” and other top-notch films. See MEL BROOKS, page 20

Actor and director Mel Brooks at the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles in 1998, when he won Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. In November, Brooks, now 95, published a memoir about his life in comedy.

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Afro-American From page 1 African American History and Culture displays an antique paper cutter once used at the Afro-American as well as a 1958 letter from Carl Murphy.

Helped launch famous careers Sports writer Sam Lacy and artist Romare Bearden credit their success to their origins at the AFRO, Boulware said. Lacy had a personal relationship with Jackie Robinson, who broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier in April 1947. Bearden, who started as a cartoonist at the AFRO, later became an internationally renowned artist known for his Cubist-style collages. Under Boulware’s tenure, the AFRO has made strides in social media too. Visitors to its website rack up one million page views each month, while it has 750,000 Facebook followers and about 11,000 Twitter and Instagram followers. AFRO administrators recently collaborated with a national group of publishers to

Mel Brooks From page 19 His all-too-brief discussions about the business side of the movie business — he demanded foreign rights to his later pictures and was rewarded with more money than he earned domestically — are welcome asides.

form a media consortium known as Word in Black. A collaboration of the nation’s leading Black publications, “Word in Black promises to confront inequities, elevate solutions and amplify the Black experience by reporting, collecting and sharing stories about real people in communities across our country,” according to its website. During the pandemic, AFRO staffers have been working from remote locations. However, in the next two years they plan to relocate to a newly renovated brick-andmortar headquarters in the old Upton Mansion, at 811 West Lanvale Street in Upton. “We’re really looking forward to moving to such an historic location,” Boulware said.

From pianist to journalist Boulware grew up in East Baltimore, and at age 7 began living with her mother’s stepmother in what she describes as a “foster environment.” “It was absolutely the best environment for me,” she said. Boulware met her biological parents

What’s missing Anyone looking for introspection will be disappointed. While Brooks celebrates his reputation for “dangerous” comedy, he’s taking no chances with today’s hot topics. Look elsewhere for Brooks to muse over whether “Blazing Saddles” with its

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

and two sisters later in life. She was raised by people she ultimately considered her grandparents, who provided her with a solid family foundation. She rarely missed school, attended Mount Zion Baptist Church, and learned how to play the piano. She eventually became a minister of music at Mount Zion, Fulton Baptist and Pleasant Home Baptist churches. (“I still play whenever different churches need my services,” she said.) After graduating from Eastern High School, Boulware married and had children before earning a bachelor’s degree in English and journalism at Coppin State University. In 1981, she was called to the ministry and earned a Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. Instead of starting her own church, however, she opted to “pastor people without the politics,” as she put it. After a stint as a grant-writing manager at the University of Maryland’s School of Medicine, Boulware started writing for the AFRO as a general assignment reporter in

1997 and worked her way up the masthead. With four children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, Rev. Boulware remains committed to seeing that the AFRO maintains its standard as one of the nation’s premier African-American publishing companies. “At age 71, I must proudly admit that I’ve learned from some of the city’s stalwarts: People like [civil rights activist] Juanita Jackson Mitchell and the Rev. John Tilley [NAACP chair]. “I’ve been on the forefront of teaching folks how to register to vote — and to be aware of the underlying racism in Baltimore that can sometimes catch you off guard,” she said. Boulware still pays homage to Talibah Chikwendu, the AFRO city editor who challenged her to write a couple of articles and eventually brought her on staff as a general assignment reporter. “She gave me a chance — and I’m still here,” Boulware said. To read articles from recent editions, visit afro.com/section/news/baltimore-news.

liberal use of the N-word would survive in our politically correct culture (no, he has said). Reconsidering the misogyny and homophobia that were part of his generation’s comedy canon just isn’t on the menu. Yes, too much of All About Me! is selfcongratulatory — if Brooks isn’t praising

himself, he quotes others praising him — and, yes, recounting plots and casts for his films comes off as superficial. His memoir works best, which is more often than not, as a look back in laughter from a man who isn’t through trying to make us gasp for breath. —AP

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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 2

Timeless fiction offered by older authors These three novels are set, respectively, in The Tunnel tells the story of the misadthe past, present and future. Their characters ventures that beset Tzvi as he returns to confront crises that resonate his old stomping grounds in with readers no matter the era. an advisory capacity. It is a Jack: A Novel, by Maritale, told with humor, irony lynne Robinson, 320 pages, and imagination, of how the Farrar, Straus & Giroux aged confront their limitahardcover, 2020, Picador tions. paperback, 2021 An error or misstep by a This story unfolds with a seyoung person would be readiquence of incidents on the ly dismissed without much homefront during WWII as exado. But when committed by perienced by Jack, a white man, the septuagenarian protagoand Della, the Black woman he THE nist, it is perceived as another BIBLIOPHILE loves. Segregation lurks in the step down a long bleak road By Dinah Rokach background, never far removed from which there is no hope of from the day-to-day lives of the recovery. protagonists. The two live in a society that Readers will enjoy following the interacpromotes racism and enforces Jim Crow laws. tion between generations, the deep love alThe author, septuagenarian Marilynne ternating with petty contention between Robinson, has written three previous novels long-married couples, and the cord that about the Boughton and Ames families. Jack binds parents and their adult offspring. is chronologically second in the series after The bureaucratic intricacies of governGilead, which was awarded the Pulitzer ments the world over will resonate. The Prize for fiction in 2005. depiction of the humanity exhibited However, Jack stands alone on its own among individuals from different cultures merits. You needn’t have read the other whose leaders are in conflict in the Middle books in the series to be enthralled by the East is heartwarming. storytelling prowess of the author. Take a tour of Tel Aviv and the Negev The Tunnel: A Novel, by A. B. desert in the south through the author’s Yehoshua, translated by Stuart Schoff- descriptive writing. Follow Tzvi as he canman, 336 pages, Houghton Mifflin nily and happily escapes the confines of his Harcourt hardcover, 2020, paper- wife’s close surveillance while she is abroad on a business trip. back, 2021. Tzvi Luria is a retired engineer who is in A.B. Yehoshua is an octogenarian who the early stages of dementia. He and his has been called the Israeli Faulkner. This wife, Dina, live in Tel Aviv, Israel. is his 12th novel. His neurologist advises the retired Tzvi 2034: A Novel of the Next World to remain active physically and mentally War, by Elliot Ackerman and Admiral and not succumb to — but fight — the be- James Stavridis, USN (Ret.), 320 pages, ginning signs of dementia, which are visi- Penguin Press hardcover, 2021 ble on his brain scan. Escape into the future for a thrilling adDina is the driving force that arranges venture as the U.S. military confronts evil to find him an unsalaried part-time posi- forces in the Pacific and the Persian Gulf. tion in his old department at the Israeli Needless to say, future warfare will be Roads Authority. dominated by electronic communications

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ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

FROM PAGE 22

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

Subscribe online! See how below

Crossword Puzzle Find a new crossword every day on our website at www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com/puzzles. News on the Twos 1

58 65

48 53

56 59

46 51

35 38

10 14

HB222

Scrabble answers on p. 21.

8 13

By Stephen Sherr 6

67 69

Across

Down

1. Baseball promotion giveaway 4. Surrealist Salvador 8. Down in the dumps 11. “So that’s your secret plan!” 12. Musk, who was named Time’s 2021 Person of the Year 13. Abraham’s name for his first 99 years 16. Location of a 1962 crisis 19. Likely to get high SAT scores 20. The wisest spice on the whole rack 21. Member of a band inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 23. “Let your joy be in your journey, not in some distant ___” (Tim Cook) 25. I-95, for example 27. Part of a Tupperware purchase 28. Location of a 1972 burglary 33. A Wednesday before Easter 34. PlayStation seller 35. A Tuesday before Easter 36. ___-ball (ticket redemption game) 38. HHS, HUD, and 13 more 41. Partisanship 44. “That flamenco dancer is amazing!” 46. Parts of an eon 48. She appeared in the Get Back documentary 49. Location of a 1982 skirmish 54. ___ insult to injury 55. The waitress on “Alice” who got a spin-off 56. “Far __ from me to criticize, but ...” 57. Home of the Pantheon 59. Boyfriend 61. Oktoberfest music 65. Location of a 1992 sports competition 68. Listlessness 69. Grp. that added North Macedonia in 2020 70. Buddhist discipline 71. A chess board and 32 pieces 72. Panache 73. She never had to deal with in-laws

1. Top animated movie of 2006 2. “Um, excuse me ...” 3. Oldest of the Smurfs 4. Mortgage signers 5. Last word in the Pledge of Allegiance 6. Journalist who debuted in Action Comics #1 7. Early Peruvian 8. “Wait at the curb until it is ___ cross” 9. Doogie Howser, M.D. network 10. Viagra or Valium 14. Official formal end 15. Wizardry 17. Try to use influence 18. People-eating monster 22. Praiseful poem 24. “There is ___” (theist’s declaration) 26. One before Gee 28. “Sorry; I ___ wrong” 29. Set a list price 30. Protagonist of Hemmingway’s last novella 31. Created a manuscript 32. Terrif 37. Yellowstone Park inhabitant 39. International court 40. Insert in a USPS-based autograph request 42. An appropriate part of the word “ampersand” 43. “Mayday!”, in Morse Code 45. ___ on the Shelf 47. Slides into bed-time shoes 49. Where the near-sighted have trouble seeing 50. It means “mudbrick” in Spanish 51. Even though 52. Christmas carol word 53. Like the tilde to the “n” 58. Sea eagles 60. Top condition 62. Stay in the comfy chair 63. Capital of Ukraine 64. Beheaded Boleyn 66. Signal to come on stage 67. ___ loss for words

Answers on page 21.

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 2

CLASSIFIEDS The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment

Opportunities; Caregivers;

Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale;

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Home/ Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on the right. CAVEAT EMPTOR! The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibility for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment.

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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 1250 • $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.

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Home Improvement/ Remodeling

Maryland Vascular Specialists . . . . .7 Medical Eye Center . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Employment Opportunities

Peak Custom Remodeling . . . . . . . . .3

Retail

Beacon Inside Sales Rep . . . . . . . . .13

Housing

Zoomer Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

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Cremation Society of Maryland . . .15 Going Home Cremation & Funeral Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . .15 MacNabb Funeral Home . . . . . . . . .15 Sol Levinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

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Clinical Studies

A-1 Action Nursing Care . . . . . . . . .8 Options for Senior America . . . . . .17

Clear Skin for You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Dr. Jeannine George-Richardson, DPM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

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

Subscribe online! See how on p. 22

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