March 2016 | Howard County Beacon by The Beacon Newspapers

The Howard County

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More than 30,000 readers throughout Howard County

Minding their own businesses

I N S I D E …

PHOTO BY JENNI COMBS

By Robert Friedman Recently, after spending decades on other pursuits, three Howard County women independently decided it was time for them to start up their own companies — both for- and not-for-profit. It wasn’t so much a sudden — or even a lingering — desire toward entrepreneurship that moved them to create their new enterprises. Rather, each wanted to fill a perceived community need. Sandra Nettina, 57, a nurse practitioner with 25 years of experience, decided it was time for a medical professional to revive the once common practice of house calls. Prime Care House Calls operates out of Nettina’s West Friendship home. Susan Cohen, 60, a former longtime resident of Columbia and Ellicott City, recently moved to Kansas. She began a nonprofit organization, Americans for Older Driver Safety (AFODS), that has a grant for work in Maryland.

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Exploring Key West’s wildlife and wild life, as well as a national park nearby; plus, where not to go — and when — this year page 30

A dogged pursuit For Columbia resident Fiona Tobler, 61, it was the recent acquisition of a mixed border collie named Marty that led her to see that a regimen of “enrichment training” was necessary in order for her dog (as well as all other canines, and their owners) to find contentment. Thus was born Happy Tired Dog, Inc. Tobler worked at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for 34 years. When she retired in 2009, she decided to get the first dog she had owned since she was a child. “Í got him as a puppy from a shelter. Now, five years later, he has definitely changed my life,” Tobler said. “I got to experience the joy of having a dog, went to training classes, and started my own business because of him.” Happy Tired Dog, Inc., which Tobler just started operating in December, provides “home training and enrichment sessions,” in which the pet owner is shown “how to use dog puzzles, food dispensing toys, and games to tire out your dog inside your own home.” Tobler believes that dogs should not be fed their meals out of bowls. Most dog owners, she said, are not aware of food dispensing toys, which make the mutts, and

ARTS & STYLE

Fiona Tobler recently created her Happy Tired Dog service to provide high-energy dogs, like her border collie mix Marty, with activities to keep them occupied and out of mischief. She is one of several Howard County women who have started businesses based on needs they have found in the community.

thoroughbreds, “work for their food, as they would in the wild.” She noted that the physical and mental challenges of the toys keep dogs from getting bored. Boredom in dogs can lead to them shutting down or acting up, “just like some people you may know,” Tobler said. An added advantage of the enrichment training, she pointed out, was that on icy winter days or in overheated summers, the dogs will be able to romp around indoors, enjoying a variety of foraging and huntinglike activities. The training sessions, she pointed out, are especially helpful for dog owners who are “busy, tired, short on time, physically impaired, or just wild about having fun with dogs.”

Besides making house calls, Tobler sells a 30-minute video (price $15) on her Happy Tired Dog website. Her 90-minute in-home sessions cost $75. She brings along all the training toys, and guarantees that “your dog will be tired when I leave.” Learn more at www.happytireddog.com or by calling (410) 290-5159.

Making house calls Sandra Nettina, a nurse practitioner, has taken up a practice that most medical doctors have long abandoned: making house calls to treat sick patients. She is the only medical provider in Howard County that she knows of who regularly goes to patients’ See NEW BUSINESSES, page 14

Songs still carry the show in South Pacific; plus, Bob Levey douses an old flame, and beading connects artist with family traditions page 34 TECHNOLOGY k Technology/privacy trade-off k How to block calls and texts

FITNESS & HEALTH 8 k What is (and isn’t) normal aging? k Fight the flu naturally THE SENIOR CONNECTION 19 k Newsletter for Howard County seniors LAW & MONEY 23 k A 2016 stock market game plan k What’s required for RMDs? ADVERTISER DIRECTORY

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Discover what’s next A recent survey of older adults in the Called “What’s Next: the 2016 Boomer area found that more than 40 percent ex- Business Summit,” this one-day event on pect to work full or part time Wednesday, March 23, will after turning 65. bring together business leadMany want to work to stay ers, successful (and strugactive and engaged, but a siggling) entrepreneurs, crenificant percentage also say ative high-tech product develthey’ll need to work because opers, as well as experts in their savings and investments aging and business for a oneare insufficient (especially day intensive seminar about with the stock market as opportunities in the “longevivolatile as it is now). ty economy” — that is, ways There are local services, as to capitalize intelligently on we’ve reported on and adver- FROM THE the growing needs of aging tise in the Beacon, that can PUBLISHER boomers and older AmeriBy Stuart P. Rosenthal assist you in preparing yourcans. self for, and finding, a new job. This will be the 13th year But nearly a quarter of all new business- for What’s Next (and my 7th to appear on es are started by people age 55 to 64, ac- the program, speaking about how to comcording to a 2013 study, so entrepreneur- municate effectively with older adults ship is also alive and well, as our cover through print media). The good news is, story this month indicates. this year’s event will take place at the Omni If you’ve thought about starting your Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., so own business, and particularly if you you don’t need to travel far to attend. might consider a product or service aimed The What’s Next summit is produced at the 50+ consumer market, there’s an each year by Dr. Mary Furlong, a profesevent coming up soon (and nearby) that sor of entrepreneurship as well as serial could be a good investment. entrepreneur herself. Mary founded both

Beacon The Howard County

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The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of Howard County, Md. and is privately owned. Other editions serve Greater Baltimore, Md., Greater Washington DC, and Greater Palm Springs, Calif. Subscriptions are available via third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. Maryland residents add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. • Publisher/Editor ....................Stuart P. Rosenthal • Associate Publisher..............Judith K. Rosenthal • Vice President, Operations........Gordon Hasenei • Director of Sales ................................Alan Spiegel • Assistant Operations Manager ..........Roger King • Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben • Art Director ........................................Kyle Gregory • Advertising Representatives ........Doug Hallock, .................... Jill Joseph, Steve Levin, M.K. Phillips • Editorial Assistant ........................Rebekah Sewell

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (410) 248-9101 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial and advertising is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 39 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

SeniorNet, the first social network and computer training service for older adults, and Third Age Media, one of the first Internet portals targeting boomers. The author of Turning Silver into Gold: How to profit in the new boomer marketplace, Furlong shares her expertise on 50+ consumers and their preferences as a consultant to major corporations, a resource for new businesses, and a matchmaker for business relationships at her annual conferences. So, what can a person learn at What’s Next this March? A good deal of the programming focuses on the latest technologies and services available both to address the needs of older consumers and to assist business owners in managing their businesses. I particularly enjoy hearing from entrepreneurs who have gotten off to a strong start, as well as valuable lessons from those who now know why they failed. Some venture capitalists who fund new business will be present, and you’ll hear how to craft a pitch they might even listen to. Speakers include bloggers like Laurie Orlov, who keeps tabs on the latest products for aging in place, and surveys older adults on their use of technology. Also speaking will be experts from established organizations like the Pew Research Center, AARP and Consumer Reports, as well as leaders from the new “sharing economy” businesses, such as Lyft and Airbnb. Find out what it means to have a “digital strategy,” to engage in “multi-media mar-

keting,” and hear about the “riches in the niches.” Yes, there tends to be a lot of jargon at these things, but learning what these terms mean and how to use them can be helpful, too. In addition to 18 break-out sessions — ranging from “funding and growing your start-up,” to “the business of caregiving,” to “focusing on financial security in later life” — you can sit down for lunch with your choice of speaker, author, analyst or entrepreneur. There’s one hosting each lunch table. I always leave What’s Next with my head bursting with ideas and my pockets full of business cards. The challenge is to actually pursue the relationships that start there and make something productive happen. If you’re just casually exploring the idea of starting a business, or have no interest in the “senior/boomer” market, you might not want to invest the time or money for a program of this type. But if you’re already investing in books and seminars, and are serious about going out on your own, for what you can get out of this event, the price is actually quite modest. Early bird registration is $275. Our readers have been kindly offered 20 percent off (making it $220) by using this promo code: wn16beacon. For more information or to register, go to www.boomersummit.com.

Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or e-mail to barbara@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Dear Editor: The publisher’s column “Out of Pocket, Part II” in February’s Beacon discusses why pharmaceutical companies have lobbied hard against importing drugs into the U.S. The first explanation is that pharmaceutical company manufacturers say that it costs $2.6 billion to bring a new drug to market. This widely quoted estimate is based on a November 18, 2014 announcement from the Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development. But on the same day, a feature article in the New York Times, “$2.6 Billion to Develop a Drug? New Estimate Makes Questionable Assumptions,” by pediatrician Aaron E. Carroll, stated that, “We should take this announcement with a grain of salt.” One reason for the skepticism is that the Tufts study includes $1.2 billion as an “opportunity cost.” As Dr. Carroll explained, instead of investing in research and development, a pharmaceutical com-

pany could have used its money elsewhere, such as investing. But a pharmaceutical company that uses its money to invest in the stock market instead of using it for research and development stops being a pharmaceutical company. Another reason, which is of particular concern to taxpayers, is that a fairly large amount of research is funded by the National Institutes of Health, and some drugs are developed as a result of this taxpayersupported research. Therefore, the total costs of drug development are not borne by pharmaceutical companies. Estimates of what it costs to develop a new drug vary widely, from less than onetenth of the $2.6 billion from the Tufts study to as high as $5 billion. Perhaps we will know with certainty only when pharmaceutical companies open their books for close scrutiny. Michael S. Altus Baltimore

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Technology &

Innovations Technology’s benefits vs. (privacy) costs By Anick Jesdanun and David Hamilton This year, consumers will be entrusting even more of our lives and intimate details to our technologically advanced cars, homes, appliances and even toys — and to the companies that build them. Are we ready for that? You might, for instance, like the idea of turning on your TV with a spoken command — no more fumbling for the remote! But for that to work, the TV needs to be listening all the time, even when you’re not watching. That means even when you’re discussing something extremely personal, or engaged in some other activity to which you’d rather not invite eavesdroppers. How much should you worry? Maybe your TV never records any of your casual conversations. Or maybe its manufacturer is recording all that, but just to find ways to make the TV better at understanding what you want it to do. Or maybe it retains everything it hears for some other hidden purpose? You may never know for sure. At best, you can hope the company keeps its promises on privacy. More important, you have to trust that its computer systems are really secure, or even those promises can suddenly become worthless. That part is increasingly difficult to guarantee — or believe — as hacking becomes routine.

Technology pros and cons Indeed, every technological benefit comes with a cost in the form of a threat to privacy. Yet not paying that price has its own cost: an inability to participate in some

of technology’s helpful achievements. already a website that streams video from Because smart gadgets thrive on data cameras that have no passwords. • Wearable health devices will track — data about you and your habits, data about what large numbers of people do or your heart rate, fitness levels and more — say or appear to want in particular situa- and share achievements with friends and tions — it’s difficult not to share pretty family. But slacking off may carry a heavmuch everything with them. Doing other- ier cost than those extra holiday pounds if wise would be like turning off your your insurance company yanks discounts phone’s location services, which disables for not meeting fitness goals. many of its most useful features. The consequences aren’t restricted to Incremental loss of privacy phones and TVs: The pending onslaught of privacy trade• Kids will be able to talk to more offs might seem trivial when it toys and get personalized, comcomes to a talking — and listenputer-generated responses. Does ing — Barbie doll. But maybe it’s the “don’t talk to strangers” rule less so when your phone knows apply if the stranger is the Hello enough about you to remind you Barbie talking doll or Dino, the diit’s time to leave for an important nosaur powered by IBM’s Watinterview (if the alternative son artificial-intelligence syswould be losing a shot at that tem? job) or your smart home can • Cars will work with GPS techreally tell you if you turned off nology and sensors in parking the oven before leaving for an meters, roads and home appliinternational trip. ances to help route you around “The encroachments on traffic and turn on your livingour privacy are often self-inDino room lights as you approach the flicted, in the sense that we will acdriveway. But that can also generate a de- cept the trade-off one bit at a time,” said John tailed record of your whereabouts. Palfrey, co-author of Interop: The Promise and • Thermostats from Nest and other Perils of Highly Interconnected Systems. companies will get smarter at conserving And these trade-offs can be quite subtle. energy when you’re away. Potential bur- Technological advances typically offer imglars might find that information handy. mediate, tangible benefits that, once you’ve • Home security cameras are getting put enough of them together, can indeed cheaper and more plentiful, but they’re revolutionize daily life. Can you imagine livsometimes insecure themselves, especial- ing your life without a smartphone? ly if you set them up without care. There’s In contrast, the risks tend to be diffuse,

abstract and often difficult to ascertain even if you’re paying attention. In a recent study, the Pew Research Center said about half of American adults have no confidence that they understand what’s being done with their data, and about a third are discouraged by the amount of effort needed to get that understanding. In short, convenience usually wins. Shiny new things are inherently attractive, and it takes a while for some of us to get uneasy about the extent to which we may be enabling our own surveillance. Humans have made this bargain with technology for some time. When cameras were invented, legal scholars debated how far you can go snapping pictures of people in public. That’s no longer an issue — although the camera on a drone in your backyard is. Step One in managing interactions with our newly smart digital companions comes down to simple attentiveness. Grandparents, for instance, can be actively involved in what their grandkids are doing — in this case, by taking the time to review and delete conversations from ToyTalk’s website. Step Two might be learning to say no. Many services ask for birth dates, phone numbers and even income levels just because they can — and few people resist. If enough people rise up, companies will stop. There’s precedent: So many people fed up with online ads have turned to ad blockers that websites are taking steps to make ads less annoying. There will always be a trade-off, but the balance can shift. — AP

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How to block telemarketing calls and texts

February 26 - February 28, Cost: $225.00 per person

Friends Day of Prayer with Rev. Collin Poston

March 20, Cost: Free Will Offering

Located in Howard County, just minutes from Rt. 70! 1525 Marrio"sville Road Marrio"sville, MD 21104

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❏ Cancer Survivor Spirit Study (see article on page 16 and ad on page 17) ❏ Fall Prevention Balance Study (see ad on page 16) ❏ Vitamin D Sturdy Study (see ad on page 16)

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Palm Sunday Concert: Christian Choir of Howard County

Health Study Volunteers

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March 2, Cost: $35.00 per person

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Lenten Retreat on Forgiveness

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Spend 2016 Renewing Your Spirit!

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Reflect, Regroup, Recharge.

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Let us help you

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The Howard County Genealogical Society will share experiences with websites, software programs, Facebook and cloud storage possibilities for genealogical purposes in a meeting Saturday, Feb. 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Miller Library, 9421 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. For more information, email Arlene.tnd@gmail.com.

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TECH FOR GENEALOGY

Alta at Regency Crest (see ad on page 17) Brooke Grove (see ads on pages 15 & 40) Buckingham’s Choice/Integrace (see ad on page 35) Charlestown/Erickson Living (see ad on page 14) Country Gardens Assisted Living (see ad on page 32) Fairhaven/Integrace (see ad on page 35) Gaitherings at Quarry Place/ Beazer Homes (see ad on page 33) ❏ Heartlands of Ellicott City (see ad on page 10) ❏ Homecrest House (see ad on page 31) ❏ Homewood at Frederick (see ad on page 12) ❏ Olney Assisted Living (see ad on page 12) ❏ Park View at Colonial Landing (see ad on page 6) ❏ Park View at Columbia (see ad on page 6) ❏ Park View at Ellicott City (see ad on page 6) ❏ Park View at Emerson (see ad on page 6) ❏ Shriner Court/Quantum (see ad on page 4) ❏ Somerford Place (see ad on page 10) ❏ Vantage House (see ad on page 18) ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏

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Feb. 20

Housing Communities

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Howard Community College is offering a three-week course for persons hesitant about enrolling for online courses. Classes will be held starting Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 1 to 3 p.m., in a computer lab at the Gateway Campus, 751 Gateway Dr., Columbia. The cost is $69, including $50 in fees, which may be waived for persons 60 and over. For more information, call (443) 518-4680 or visit howaradcc.edu/ConEd.

and health studies, just complete and clip this coupon and mail or fax it to the Beacon.

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Feb. 24+

ALL ABOUT ONLINE LEARNING

FREE INFORMATION For free materials on housing communities

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BEACON BITS

★ FR EE I N FOR MATION ★ FR EE I N FOR MATION ★ FR EE I N FOR MATION ★

F R E E

To ban nuisance calls and messages from reaching your smartphone, use an app such as Truecaller (free; Apple and Android) or PrivacyStar (free; Android). These apps combine public databases with crowdsourc-

tent in your phone’s browser. (Note: Some Web sites that are supported by ad revenue are beginning to block access to content by devices that block ads.) If an unwanted call or message gets through and you find yourself talking with a live person, firmly tell him or her to add you to the company’s do-not-call list. If it’s a robocall, just hang up —even if the recording invites you to press a number to opt out. You can file a complaint against illegal robocallers anytime, and against telemarketers once your number has been registered at www.donotcall.gov for 31 days. All contents © 2016 the Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

FR EE I N FOR MATION ★ FR EE I N FOR MATION ★ FR EE I N FOR MATION ★

So what else can you do? If you have ei-

A smarter smartphone

ing and their own algorithms to identify annoying or suspicious calls and texts. Most smartphones have built-in features to screen out unwanted calls. To block a number that has contacted your iPhone once from calling or texting you again, tap the info icon next to the number and select “Block this caller” at the bottom of the screen. Most Android users can do the same by selecting the nuisance call or text, clicking on the three-dot menu icon, and choosing “Add to auto reject list.” Apple’s latest iOS update cleared the way for content-blocking apps, such as 1Blocker and Adblock Browser (also available for Android phones), to knock out ads that make it difficult to load or read con-

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Helpful services, devices

ther a landline or a VoIP phone (which uses an Internet connection rather than a phone line), ask your phone company about anonymous-call rejection. This service weeds out calls from companies that have withheld their names and numbers from caller ID — a common tactic among robocallers. For more control over incoming calls, consider a device such as Digitone Call Blocker Plus (about $100). The box plugs into your phone line, allowing you to approve welcome callers and banish others to a blacklist. If you have a VoIP-based phone service, Nomorobo offers a simple solution. The free service, which works with Frontier, Verizon FiOS and Vonage, among others, compares incoming calls with a list of known robocallers. When a blacklisted call comes in, your phone rings, then drops the call.

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By Kaitlin Pitsker If you’d rather not get another offer to fix you up with a “free” cruise, a few simple steps can eliminate most such annoying calls and text messages. Start by adding your landline and cellphone numbers to the Federal Trade Commission’s Do Not Call Registry (www.donotcall.gov). Your number should appear on the list the next day, and most sales calls will stop after your number has been on the registry for 31 days. Registration does not expire, but it’s a good idea to occasionally verify that your number is still listed on the website. Unfortunately, political organizations, charities and companies with which you have done business within the past 18 months are exempt from the do-not-call restrictions. And robocalls, which use automated dialers to place calls (and which are generally illegal if they’re trying to sell you something), won’t be deterred, either.

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Beacon Links & Apps By Barbara Ruben

M A R C H 2 0 1 6 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

new shopping center being built down the road, robust forums for each area provide a way to ask questions and read discussions on dozens of subjects organized by metropolitan area. www.city-data.com

The grand(parent) life

LINKS All about town If you’re moving to a new city, or just want to get to know your own domicile better, the City Data website can put facts about neighborhoods, restaurants, real estate and more at your fingertips. The site is organized by state, with information about most major metropolitan areas, as well as some smaller ones. Whether you have a question about safety in a neighborhood you’re thinking of moving to, or want to know about the

YO U R

Launched in 2015, website Camp Nana Papa offers articles on grandparenting, a section to share photos and memories of your grandchildren, and a marketplace of products and gifts for grandparents and their grandchildren. The site takes its name from the picture book, The Adventures of Camp Nana Papa, about two children who enjoy a weekend of fun with their grandparents. The book is written by website founder Donnie Cranfill. www.campnanapapa.com

New

There is nothing like a...Digidame? Four years ago, Lois Whitman-Hess decided to start a daily blog called Digidame to help the 55+ crowd better understand the “ever changing digital world. The real challenge is just not understanding what these technologies do, but how to use them,” she says on the site. Her blog posts encompass much more than technology, and include travel, politics and art. But she regularly comments on such topics as new gadgets from the recent Consumer Electronics Show. https://digidame.wordpress.com

APPS Lots of lists What were you planning to do after you

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ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

EASTERN SHORE

Furnace Branch 410-761-4150

Easton 410-770-3070

Severna Park 410-544-3411

HARFORD COUNTY

BALTIMORE CITY

Bel Air 410-893-0064

Ashland Terrace 410-276-6440

Box Hill 410-515-6115

Coldspring 410-542-4400

HOWARD COUNTY

BALTIMORE COUNTY

Colonial Landing 410-796-4399

Catonsville 410-719-9464

Columbia 410-381-1118

Dundalk 410-288-5483

Ellicott City 410-203-9501

Fullerton 410-663-0665

Ellicott City II 410-203-2096

Miramar Landing 410-391-8375

Emerson 301-483-3322

Randallstown 410-655-5673

Snowden River 410-290-0384

Rosedale 410-866-1886

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

Taylor 410-663-0363

55 AND BETTER!

Bladensburg 301-699-9785

Towson 410-828-7185

Laurel 301-490-1526

Woodlawn 410-281-1120

Laurel II 301-490-9730 = NEWLY RENOVATED

www.ParkViewSeniorLiving.com Call the community nearest you to inquire about eligibility requirements and to arrange a personal tour or email parkviewliving@sheltergrp.com. Professionally managed by The Shelter Group. www.thesheltergroup.com

figured out where you set down the TV remote? What was that third item besides paper towels and toothpaste you need on your next Target trip? Instead of trying to retrieve all the minutiae of life from the recesses of your brain, you might want to try the Wonderlist app to help jog your memory. It allows you to create as many lists as you need, share them, check them off, prioritize items, get reminders and more. In addition, you can sync the lists across platforms, accessing them on your desktop, phone or tablet. Wonderlist is free for Apple and Android devices, and is also available online at www.wunderlist.com.

Easy ebook borrowing Get recent bestsellers to read right on your tablet or computer. The 3M Cloud Library app and website allow those who have library cards from Baltimore and Montgomery Counties and the District of Columbia to browse hundreds of recent books and download the ones they want to read. Books automatically disappear from your device after three weeks, but if you’re not done, you can take them out again. Some of the most popular books have a waiting list, and the app will tell you exactly how many days it will take to get your hands on that new John Grisham or Gillian Flynn novel. 3M Cloud Library is free for both Apple and Android devices, and is also available online at www.3m.com/us/library/eBook.

Follow your heart If you want to track how quickly your heart is beating, Instant Heart Rate can help — almost instantly. Place your index finger on the camera lens of your device, and learn your heart rate in fewer than 10 seconds. A premium version allows users to track and graph their heart rate. Instant Heart Rate starts at $2.99 for Apple and Android devices. Learn more online at www.azumio.com/s/instantheartrate/index.html.

BEACON BITS

Mar. 5

COMPUTERS 101

Howard Community College will offer a class geared to first-time computer users on Saturday, March 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hickory Ridge Building, 10650 Hickory Ridge Rd., Columbia. Topics include basic keyboarding, the Internet, and basic Windows concepts. The cost of the class is $123, which includes $90 in fees that may be waived for persons 60 and over. For more information, call (443) 518-4680 or visit howardcc.edu/ConEd.

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Health Fitness &

FIGHT COLDS NATURALLY Try probiotics, oil of oregano, green tea and vitamin D to battle germs PARENTING PREDICAMENTS How not to overstep boundaries with your adult children — and vice versa A WEIGHTY STUDY A paid Hopkins weight-loss study is seeking cancer survivors HARD TO SWALLOW Use care with calcium and other horse pills, which can lead to ER visits

What’s normal for aging and what’s not? As we age, we all notice changes in our bodies, from our reflexes to our libido. But some physical changes aren’t a normal part of the aging process. “It’s important to know about them, so we can do all we can to keep ourselves as healthy and active as possible,” said Suzanne Salamon, M.D., a geriatrician and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. Check out these common age-related health changes to see what’s normal and what’s not. 1. Normal vision changes: The lenses in the eyes become cloudy in later years. “As a result, older people need much more light to be able to see, read and avoid falling,” Salamon said. Also normal: impaired close-up vision and an increase in “floaters.” Not normal: Loss of peripheral vision, which is a possible symptom of glaucoma, or a sudden increase in floaters accompanied by flashes — a sign of problems with the retina. Next step: Schedule a comprehensive eye exam with an ophthalmologist. 2. Normal hearing changes: It may be harder to hear someone speaking, espe-

cially with background noise. Not normal: When it sounds like everyone is mumbling, and you don’t hear the phone or the doorbell ring. Don’t ignore it. “Hearing loss can cause social isolation when people avoid gatherings because they can’t hear the conversations,” Salamon said. Next step: Report symptoms to your primary care physician. A simple earwax buildup may be causing the problem. If not, the next step is a hearing evaluation with an audiologist or a visit to a hearing aid specialist. 3. Normal thinking-skills changes: You may misplace keys, forget someone’s name, or take longer to learn something new. Not normal: Forgetting how to drive, cook, do your finances, or find your way home, especially when accompanied by mood swings and agitation. The cause could be as simple as a lack of sleep or a side effect from a medication. Or it could be an early sign of a disease that causes dementia. Next step: Report symptoms to your primary care physician, or make an appointment with a neurologist or a geriatrician for a memory screening.

4. Normal urinar y changes: The bladder muscles get weaker, causing more frequent and more urgent need to urinate. In men, prostate enlargement may require nighttime bathroom visits. Not normal: Frequent bathroom breaks that interfere with normal daily function or normal sleep patterns. “This needs to be checked out to make sure it’s not a bladder infection or an overactive bladder,” Salamon said. Next step: Report symptoms to your primary care physician, or make an appointment with a urologist. 5. Normal sleep changes: We spend less time in the deepest stages of sleep as we age. As a result, you may wake up feeling less rested. Not normal: Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or falling back to sleep after you’ve been awake in the middle of the night. Next step: Talk to your doctor or go to a sleep specialist. Get a physical exam to make sure there isn’t an underlying cause of sleep problems, such as a medication side effect. Go to bed and get up at the

same time each day to improve your sleepwake pattern. 6. Normal taste and smell changes: Some diminishment may make it harder to taste food or detect strong odors. Not normal: Diminishment that leaves food tasteless. “This can lead to less enjoyment of food, and as a result, poor nutrition and weight loss,” Salamon said. Next step: Talk to your primary care doctor, or make an appointment with a neurologist or an ear, nose and throat specialist. Often, loss of taste and smell is caused by sinus blockages, but it may signal a neurological condition. 7. Normal fatigue: You may have less energy or endurance than you did when you were younger. Not normal: A constant feeling of exhaustion. “This often is the result of diseases, such as heart problems or anemia, or a side effect of medications,” Salamon said. Next step: Report your symptoms to your primary care physician. © 2015. President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed By Tribune Content Agency, LLC

Complex treatments can work at any age By Lindsey Tanner Irwin Weiner felt so good after heart surgery a few weeks before turning 90 that he stopped for a pastrami sandwich on the way home from the hospital. Dorothy Lipkin danced after getting a new hip at age 91. And at 94, William Gandin drives himself to the hospital for cancer treatments. Jimmy Carter isn’t the only nonagenarian to withstand rigorous medical treatment. Very old age is no longer an automatic barrier for aggressive therapies — from cancer care like the former president has received, to major heart procedures, joint replacements and even some organ transplants. In many cases, the nation’s most senior citizens are getting the same treatments given to people their grandchildren’s age — but with different goals. “Many elderly patients don’t necessarily want a lot of years. What they want is quality of life,” said Dr. Clifford Kavinsky, a heart specialist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. “They want whatever time is left for them to be high quality. They don’t

want to be dependent on their family. They don’t want to end up in a nursing home.” Treatment for Carter, 91, has included surgery, radiation and a new cancer drug with fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy. It seems to be working — Carter announced in December that brain scans show no signs of the melanoma that was found in August.

An individual decision The nation’s 90-and-up population, about 2 million people, nearly tripled in recent decades, and the pace is expected to continue. Many are struggling with more than one age-related illness that make them poor candidates for aggressive and often costly care. But plenty remain robust enough to give it a try. Lipkin, now 93, had hip replacement surgery two years ago in the Philadelphia area. Arthritis made walking difficult and painful. She’d been a good dancer in her younger days, and had tried to remain active, so her doctor recommended the operation.

“Otherwise I was going to be in a wheelchair the rest of my life,” Lipkin said. Soon after, she made a video doing a line dance to show how well she was healing. In the winter, she lives in Florida, walks at least half an hour daily, and leads “a normal life.” Lipkin says having such major surgery at her age should be an individual decision. Doctors agree. Some 90-year-olds are fitter than some 60-year-olds, but they say other considerations need to be in the mix. At MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, the oldest patients are evaluated by geriatricians — specialists in medical care of the elderly — to make sure they’re able to tolerate harsh treatments. Physical and mental health are assessed. So is social support — whether there are family members or friends available to help during treatment and recovery. “We do believe that cancer care should not be limited by age,” said Dr. Beatrice Edwards.

enough to tolerate conventional treatments, advances including more targeted, less toxic drugs and minimally invasive surgery techniques are opening the door to others. Gandin, the 94-year-old, was diagnosed more than 10 years ago with prostate cancer. Treatment with radiation and chemotherapy failed to stop cancer from spreading to his lungs and bones. He’s now on hormone treatment that he said is controlling the disease. A retired Exxon Mobil auditor, Gandin helps take care of his wife of 74 years in their assisted living home in Houston, and is not ready to give up on treatment. “I’m an eternal optimist — that’s what has carried me through,” he said. Weiner, a retired furniture manufacturer representative, had a hardened, leaky aortic valve — a common condition in late life that can lead to disability and death. Open-heart surgery is a common option for heart-valve surgery, but some doctors hesitate to perform it in aged patients, said

Less invasive treatments While many elderly patients are healthy

See TREATMENTS, page 9

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 6

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Lab-grown vocal cords may restore voice By Lauran Neergaard From mom’s comforting croon to a shout of warning, our voices are the main way we communicate, and are often something we take for granted unless something goes wrong. Now researchers have grown human vocal cords in the laboratory that appear

capable of producing sound — in hopes of one day helping people with voice-robbing diseases or injuries. Millions of people suffer from voice impairments, usually the temporary kind — such as laryngitis from a virus or a singer who overdoes the performing. But sometimes the vocal cords become

too scarred and stiff to work properly, or even develop cancer and must be removed. There are few treatments for extensive damage. Your voice depends on tiny but complex pieces of tissue that must be soft and flexible enough to vibrate as air moves over them — that’s the way they make sound —

but tough enough to survive banging together hundreds of times a second. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison reported the first labgrown replacement tissue that appears pretty close to the real thing: It produced

Treatments

ney transplant recipient was a 96-year-old. There are generally no strict age limits on transplants. Dr. Dorry Segev, a Johns Hopkins Medicine transplant specialist, said frailty is a more important factor, and his center measures it rigorously, including assessing patients’ grip strength, walking speed and muscle mass. Ethical and financial issues complicate decisions on providing costly treatments to the very old, and life expectancy has to be considered, Kavinsky said. “When you start doing procedures on a 90-year old, you have someone who has already exceeded the average lifespan in America,” he said. “How far should we go to keep them going?” Dr. Joseph Dearani, chairman of cardiac surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, said a good gauge is whether treatment would likely help patients live well for at least another two years. He said costs to the patient, their family

and society also should be weighed, so that treatment is given to the right patients, and

“for the most part, that happens.”

From page 8 Kavinsky, the Chicago heart specialist. Dr. Joseph Lamelas, Weiner’s surgeon at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida, used a newer approach, implanting a new valve through a small incision on the right side of the chest. After four days in the hospital last January, Weiner was back home in Boca Raton, Florida, and was well enough to have two big 90th birthday celebrations less than a month later.

Even transplants Organ transplants are less common but not unheard of in the very old. Since 2013, there have been more than 100 kidney transplants in patients aged at least 80, including one in an 88-year-old, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing. Its records show that since 1987, the nation’s oldest kid-

See VOCAL CORDS, page 11

— AP

FINALLY – Straighttalk About Sciatica Are you suffering from back pain or sciatica? Then it’s likely your biggest problem is pain. But there’s another major problem: bad information. To end sciatica misery you must have the right information. Pay close attention because I’m going to destroy sciatica myths and give you the facts. MYTH: Sciatica will just “go away” with some rest. FACT: If you are dealing with back pain, buttock pain or leg pain, then you must seek help from a sciatica specialist immediately. Left untreated, sciatica can lead to permanent nerve damage - and lifelong pain. MYTH: Pain is the only problem associated with sciatica. FACT: In severe cases, sciatica can lead to the inability to control your bowels or bladder. MYTH: You must take pain medications to deal with sciatica. FACT: Drugs like muscle relaxants, pain killers, narcotics, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications have serious potential side-effects and do not cure the root cause of sciatica. MYTH: “I must have done something wrong to get sciatica.” FACT: Physical work or simply sitting at a desk for long periods can lead to sciatica. Accidents and trauma can also be the culprits. Pregnancy can cause sciatica. Sciatica can affect anyone - including superfit celebrities like Tiger Woods, and Sylvester Stallone. MYTH: Stop exercising and get several weeks of bed rest to overcome sciatica. FACT: Staying active can help to relieve sciatic pain and prevent the pain from getting worse. Staying inactive in bed could be the worst advice - based on a recent study in the Netherlands.

MYTH: Sciatica requires surgery. FACT: NO! There’s been a huge breakthrough in the treatment of sciatica and lower back pain. It’s a new procedure called Non-Surgical Re-Constructive Spinal Care. The excellent results from this treatment have been published in major medical journals. Success rates are up to 90%. MYTH: “There’s nothing anyone can really do. I’m just stuck with this for the rest of my life.” FACT: With the correct treatment from a healthcare professional who specialize in sciatica, you can find relief from the core cause - and the symptoms. MYTH: Getting sciatica properly diagnosed is expensive. FACT: Not true. Dr. Steve Silverston of World Class Chiropractic in Ellicott City, MD is currently offering an initial consultation and comprehensive examination for Just $43, this includes all tests and x-rays if necessary. Dr. Steve Silverston – In Ellicott City, MD has helped over the past 24 years thousands of patients find relief from agonizing back pain and sciatica. He uses Non-Surgical Re-Constructive Spinal Care. This procedure does not require a hospital stay, drugs or anything invasive. The focus is on finding - and correcting - the original cause of the back pain and sciatica. According to Dr. Silverston, “We use a combination of gentle, non-invasive, proven techniques, for precisely diagnosing and correcting the cause of your low back pain and sciatica. This means superior long-term results for most people.” Almost Immediate Relief from Pain! Because the treatment is non-surgical, safe, and easy, most patients report an almost immediate relief from their back pain. Patient Brad H. from Eldersburg, MD wrote, “For several years I saw numerous

doctors including chiropractors in an attempt to resolve unrelenting low back pain and sciatica from a serious motor vehicle injury. Nobody could help me resolve it and my work and life were suffering. Dr. Silverston was able to quickly identify my problem and within one week of beginning care, for the first time in years, I’m virtually pain free! Now, many years later, I am still better.” Take the Next Step - END the Suffering... Initial Consultation and Comprehensive Examination for Just $43. This includes all tests and x-rays if necessary. The first step is a thorough sciatic examination with Dr. Silverston. Call 410-461-3435 to schedule your appointment. Mention this article (CODE: 43TB6) and Dr. Steve Silverston will happily reduce his usual consultation fee to just $43! Only 50 reader consultations are available at this exclusively discounted rate. Call them now and get a full and thorough examination to pinpoint the cause of your problem for just $43. The normal cost of such an exam is $345 so you will save $302! Call them now on 410-461-3435 and cut out or tear off this valuable article and take it to your appointment. You’ll be on your way to safe, lasting relief! You can even call on the weekend and leave a message on their answering machine to secure your spot and they promise to return all calls. During the week staff can be very busy helping patients so if they don’t pick up straight away, do leave a message. Call 410-461-3435 NOW. If it’s the weekend or they’re away from the phone the staff at World Class Chiropractic promise they will get back to you. So call now on 410-461-3435 and quote this special discount code: 43TB6.

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M A R C H 2 0 1 6 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 6

Vocal cords From page 9 some sound when tested in voice boxes taken from animals. “There is no other tissue in the human body that is subject to these types of biomechanical demands,” said Dr. Nathan Welham of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who led the work published in Science Translational Medicine. “This lends promise or hope to one day treating some of the most severe voice problems that we face.”

How they did it The vocal cords, what scientists call “vocal folds,” sit inside the larynx or voice box, near the Adam’s apple in the neck. Welham’s team started with some rare donations of vocal cords from four patients who had had their larynx removed for noncancerous reasons, and from one deceased donor. The researchers culled two types of cells that made up most of the tissue, and grew a large supply of them. Then they arranged the cells on 3-D collagen scaffolding, and the two cell types began mixing and growing. In 14 days, the result was tissue with the shape and elasticity of human vocal cords, and with similar chemical properties. But could it work? To tell, the researchers turned to a technique that sounds, well, strange but is a staple in voice research. They took a larynx that

had been removed from a large dog after its death and attached it to a plastic “windpipe” that blew in warm air to simulate breath. A dog’s voice box is pretty similar to a human’s, Welham said. So the researchers cut out one of the native canine vocal folds and glued a piece of the new bioengineered tissue in its place. Sure enough, the human tissue vibrated correctly and made sound — a buzzing almost like a kazoo, the recordings show. It didn’t sound like a voice because it takes all the resonating structures of the mouth, throat and nose to “give the human voice its richness and individuality, and make my voice sound recognizable to my loved ones and you to yours,” Welham explained. But that raw sound was essentially the same when the researchers tested the unaltered dog larynx and when they substituted the newly grown human tissue, suggesting the sound should be more normal if it were placed inside a body, Welham said.

Rejection may not be an issue Wouldn’t the body reject tissue grown from someone else’s cells? Further study using mice engineered to have human immune systems suggested this bioengineered tissue may be tolerated much like corneal transplants, less rejection-prone than other body parts. This is a first-stage study, and it will take

far more research before the approach could be tested in people, cautioned Dr. Norman Hogikyan, a voice specialist at the University of Michigan, who wasn’t involved in the new research.

But “I was impressed,” Hogikyan said. Growing replacement tissue “is an important step that’s potentially useful in treating scarring from a wide range of reasons.” — AP

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Some effective ways to fight colds and flu I think I am a real germaphobe because own “medicinal herb tea” (wink) and then I get very conscious when someone sitting drink it. next to me starts coughing, It will not taste pleasant. especially when they don’t You will probably curse me. cover their mouth. I’ll let the But it’s going to help you. first one slide, but if it hapSqueeze some lemon and pens again, I am apt to leave honey into it, both for flavor or hand them a Kleenex. and health effects. Is it just me or are you that The key ingredients in way, too? If you feel like you’re oregano are carvacrol and thycoming down with something, mol, both of which inhibit the here are five things that may growth of hundreds of mihelp: croorganisms. DEAR 1. Oil of oregano is a super PHARMACIST 2. Probiotics should be strong germ fighter. Essential By Suzy Cohen taken daily for proper immunioil of oregano is sold at health ty, but when you feel cold or food stores and online in a little flu symptoms coming on, I feel dropper bottle. Put one or two drops in your like you should at least double up on the

dose. I am not afraid of taking probiotics throughout the day. I’m more afraid of feeling miserable and sick. High-quality probiotics will improve the quality and count of your healthy diseasefighting bacteria. Some strains will even induce IL-10-producing regulatory T-cells, which is a scientific way of saying they reduce inflammation, and can help improve immune function as well as inflammatory disorders of the gut, like painful Crohn’s. 3. FluNada. This is a natural over-thecounter spray that I typically squirt into my throat. You can also spray this product into your nose, because that is the point of entry for germs. FluNada contains a homeopathic blend of wintergreen, eucalyptus and elderberry essential oils. It is available at Walgreens and other pharmacies. When you feel like you’re coming down with something, that is the time to use it. This product was tested by two independent labs and found to be effective against multiple cold and flu strains, including swine, bird and seasonal flu. FluNada provides non-drowsy relief from multiple symptoms, including runny or blocked nose, sore throat, cough, and body aches and pains.

4. Green tea. If you keep rummaging around in my purse, you will find teabags of flavored green tea. It is common for me to ask the waitress at a restaurant for a little cup of hot water “because I have my own medicinal herbs.” Sam affectionately scolded me once saying, “Do you realize we live in Colorado? She thinks your little ‘medicinal herbs’ are a different kind of green tea!” The epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in green tea (its most abundant catechin or antioxidant) was shown in numerous studies, including a 2005 article in Antiviral Research, to have antiviral effects by unraveling the viral membrane. 5. Vitamin D is a strong immune modulator and reduces susceptibility to all sorts of infections. Also, vitamin D controls the expression of more than 900 genes involved in hundreds of physiological functions. This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To contact her, visit www.SuzyCohen.com.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Don’t parent an adult child, and vice versa She doesn’t live too close, but every Dear Solutions: I used to be able to correct my chil- time she visits she starts to direct me. If we go shopping, she dren when they were tells me what to buy and younger. Even when they got actually puts things back older and were adults, when I that I’ve chosen, saying, saw them making some really “Oh, you don’t really need bad mistakes, and especially that.” if they did something wrong, I If I’m babysitting my could still give them a good grandson (my other daughtongue lashing. ter’s child), when she’s Now my son is in the midthere she takes over comdle of a tough conflict that he pletely, telling him what to brought on himself. I thought SOLUTIONS do and what not to do. a good tongue lashing would By Helen Oxenberg, I love her, and I don’t help straighten him out. But MSW, ACSW see her too often. So I as soon as I opened my mouth I got clobbered. He doesn’t want don’t want to alienate her. But I want to say to her what my mother used to to hear me. Doesn’t experience and knowing bet- say to me when I was young and tried ter count anymore? What am I supposed to boss people around: “Who died and left you in charge?” to do? — Still With It — Old Dad Dear With It: Dear Old Dad: Say it! Then tell her very nicely that You’re supposed to take the tongue that did the lashing and bite it! When he was you’re still here, you can still make deciyounger, that tongue did its job. Now that sions. You’re both adults now, and you’re he’s an adult, you have to move your ears each in charge of yourself. Soften it (since you’re afraid of alienatonto center stage and just listen! Tell him how bad you feel that he’s having her) by telling her lovingly that she ing trouble, and ask if there’s anything you makes you feel secure, and that some day if you can’t make decisions for yourself can do to help. Memorize my adult children/mature par- anymore she is the kind of caring person ents golden rule: “Do not advise without their who can take charge and help you. Meanwhile, tell her you value her opinconsent.” Stop interfering with his mistakes. ion, you’d like her advice, and then you’ll They’re his, and he has a right to them! Knowing better is no excuse. So, do all make your own decisions. Since your moththose wonderful things you were taught er had to say this to you also, you and your years ago: button your lip, bite your daughter probably share a “takeover gene.” Sometimes it’s the child who is most like tongue, etc. Got it? Just nod. you that is the hardest to get along with. Dear Solutions: My daughter treats me like a dod- Dear Solutions: I have a nephew I’m very fond of, exdering old fool. Although I’m past 80, I’m not doddering, and I’m not a fool. cept that he has never learned to live

within his means, so he’s always asking me for help financially. I’ve been helping him, but what would you suggest to change this without alienating him? — Aunt Dear Aunt: You’d better start making this a definite, written-down payback agreement. Other-

wise, since he can’t seem to live within his means, he’ll just continue to live within your means. You can help him by being nice, but firm. © Helen Oxenberg, 2016. Send questions to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915. To inquire about reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684.

Write a letter to the editor. See page 2.

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New businesses From page 1 homes to diagnose and treat them. Since she started Prime Care House Calls in January 2015, Nettina has been making about 15 home visits a week. Many of the patients she visits come through referrals from home nursing agencies, she said. “I’m specifically making visits to people who are homebound and feel isolated. When I worked in doctors’ offices, I would see patients coming in with wheelchairs or walkers, and I could see that it was really difficult for them to make the visits.

M A R C H 2 0 1 6 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

“We’re living longer. There is a need of aging patients for home visits. So I started doing them,” she said. Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced clinical training that qualifies them to diagnose medical problems, order treatments and tests, perform advanced procedures, prescribe medications and make referrals. While nurse practitioners mostly work in hospitals, private offices, clinics and nursing homes, in Maryland, they are not required to practice under a physician’s supervision. The profession began in the mid-1960s, when there was a shortage of doctors.

Today, there are some 180,000 nurse practitioners around the country. As for house calls, many family doctors made them through the 1950s. But as insurance companies and government health programs started setting reimbursement rates and expecting higher efficiency, fewer and fewer doctors found it profitable to take the time to make house calls. Even today, making house calls “is not a way to make a lot of money,” Nettina said. “I have to submit the charges for the visits, and often have to fight for reimbursement from insurance companies.” She said she has to work part time in a hospital to make a living. But she said she will continue to make house calls because “I do patient care, and I love it.” To learn more about Prime Care House Calls, visit www.primecarehousecalls.com or call (443) 280-3480.

Born of tragedy Susan Cohen’s nonprofit enterprise was spurred by a family tragedy. In 2011, Cohen’s 20-year-old son was killed by a car while biking near Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where he was a student. An 83-year-old driver turned into the bike lane without noticing him. Cohen, a lawyer who had worked in the Maryland attorney general’s office, was studying for a career switch to public health when the tragedy occurred. She then began to research safety and older drivers, and

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found what she felt was a paucity of concern. “I realized this was an area of public health neglected across the country. There is plenty of public awareness for seat belt use, but little about driving safety and the elderly. I decided I should help raise awareness of aging and driving, and of medical conditions that can make it unsafe for older people to drive,” she said. Cohen offers seminars around the area to help make older drivers more aware of medical impairments that come with aging that could affect their judgment or physical abilities. “It’s not about age, it’s about function,” she said. “But as we age, our ability to drive a car changes.” Cohen suggests drivers start downsizing their driving time after the age of 70, cut down on nighttime driving, and ask family members to ride along to observe their abilities or any decline thereof. She noted that the aging of the baby boom generation, who took to the wheel like no other generation before or after, makes the concern a growing one. The number of Americans age 65 or older is expected to more than double by 2050 — from the current 40 million to 88 million. State driving laws also have come under Cohen’s scrutiny. Among other things, she has been advocating for a change in the Maryland Department of Transportation regSee NEW BUSINESSES, page 16

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 6

March 2016

UPCOMING SEMINARS & EVENTS At Brooke Grove retirement village

As an expert in senior care and memory support, Brooke Grove Retirement Village is pleased to offer seminars and events that promote physical, spiritual and mental well-being. All seminars and events will be held at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, located at 18131 Slade School Road on the Brooke Grove Retirement Village campus, unless otherwise noted. Please register with Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org. Independent living open house Westbrooke Clubhouse at 18310 Slade School Road March 3, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Support for the Caregiver Seminar: “Legal planning for Alzheimer’s disease” March 15, 2-3 p.m.

Discover the casual elegance and comfort of our independent living cottages. Tour two large cottages and meet current residents. Explore Westbrooke Clubhouse, its restaurant and fitness center. Enjoy our 220-acre campus of lush pastures and hardwood forest. FREE. Register by March 1.

Creating a plan for your loved one’s future can be empowering for you both. Issues such as legal capacity, power of attorney, advance directives and other topics will be addressed during this interactive seminar. FREE. Register by March 13.

Alzheimer’s Support group March 16, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Living Well Seminar: “Rewiring your brain” March 16, 7-8:15 p.m.

Sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association, this confidential group provides an opportunity for individuals and families to find support, gain understanding and share caregiving tips. FREE.

Discover how to improve your brain and empower change based on your potential rather than your age, finances or physical condition. Light complimentary dinner at 6:30 p.m. FREE. Register by March 14.

18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 301-260-2320 www.bgf.org

Independent living assisted living rehabilitation long-term care memory support

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Health Studies Page

M A R C H 2 0 1 6 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Can weight loss reduce cancer recurrence? By Dr. Jessica Yeh Being overweight is a common problem that increases the risk of certain cancers and can decrease survival. About 65 percent of adults in Maryland are overweight, and there are more than 260,000 cancer survivors in the state. This number is expected to increase because of improvements in treatment and early detection. Studies suggest an association between excess weight and cancer, but we don’t

fully understand why. For this reason, researchers at the Johns Hopkins University are conducting a research study on weight loss and a common diabetes medication (Metformin) that might affect the risk of cancer recurrence.

Cancer survivors sought The new study, SPIRIT, (Survivorship Promotion in Reducing IGF-1 Trial), funded by the State of Maryland and the Johns

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Feb. 23

WELLNESS PROGRAM

The Elkridge 50+ Center is hosting a Wellness for Life program on Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the center, 6540 Washington Blvd., Elkridge. Participants may rotate through four stations to learn about massage therapy, nutrition, agility and acupuncture. Healthy refreshments will be served. The cost is $10 per person. For more information, call the center at (410) 313-4930.

Mar. 3

HEART FAILURE SEMINAR

Learn about prevention, risk factors and healthy ways to manage congestive heart failure in a free seminar on Thursday, March 3 at a 7 p.m. presentation by Dr. George Groman, at the Howard County General Hospital Wellness Center, Room 100, 10710 Charter Dr., Columbia. For further information and to register, visit www.hcgh.org or call (410) 740-7890.

Hopkin Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, is a research program for cancer survivors who are overweight. The program aims to get a better understanding of how weight loss and Metformin may affect a hormone produced by the body (IGF-1), which is potentially related to cancer survival. To take part in the study, participants must be 18 or older and have been treated for one of the following types of cancer with solid tumors: breast, prostate, lung, colon, melanoma of the skin, endometrial, liver, pancreatic, rectal and kidney. Other cancers may qualify as well. Participants must have completed treatment at least three months prior to joining the study and have an anticipated treatment-free life span of 12 months or longer. They must have a BMI of 25 or greater, but cannot weigh more than 400 pounds. In this study, researchers will gather information about cancer survivors’ health, and then assign eligible participants to one of three groups: self-directed weight loss, health coach-directed weight loss, and Metformin treatment. For each participant, the group assignment will be randomly made, like drawing a number from a hat. Researchers will then compare the three groups on IGF-1

hormone level and other health outcomes. The researchers intend to enroll 120 people in SPIRIT. The Johns Hopkins University ProHealth Center in Gwynn Oak is now starting enrollment in the SPIRIT program. The ProHealth Center is located off of Security Boulevard, and is convenient to get to from I-695 or route 40W. Participants in SPIRIT will be asked to make six visits over the course of one year, which will include blood tests, blood pressure measurement, and other measurements.

New businesses

“Older drivers should have to renew more frequently,” Cohen believes. “They’re not worse drivers, but they’re more likely to have medical impairments” that a trained DMV staffer could spot. To learn more about Americans for Older Driver Safety, call (443) 520-9716 or visit www.afods.org.

From page 14 ulations regarding driver license renewals, which are required every eight years. Drivers need to appear in person for eye exams at a motor vehicles office only every other renewal — or once every 16 years.

Compensation provided Each participant will receive up to $300 for their participation in SPIRIT over a year-long period. Most importantly, the results from this study may ultimately benefit current cancer survivors, their families, and result in more cancer survivors. If you would like more information about the SPIRIT study or to see if you qualify, e-mail spirit@jhmi.edu or call Johns Hopkins ProHealth at (410) 2811600. You can also get more information by visiting the study website: www.hopkinsmedicine.org/gim/research/prohealth. Dr. Jessica Yeh is the study’s principal investigator.

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Feb. 23

UTILIZING THE MEDICARE WEBSITE

A presentation on using the Plan Finder tool on Medicare’s website will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Ellicott City 50+ Center, 9401 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. Call (410) 313-7391 to pre-register.

Seeking Men and Women The University of Maryland & Veterans Aﬀairs of Baltimore are conducting a research study to better understand balance & prevent falls as we age. With your participation you will receive: • Health evaluation • Balance, step, strength, and/or flexibility exercises • Compensation for your time

For Information, please call the Baltimore VA/University of Maryland Gerontology Recruitment Phone Line

410-605-7179 Mention code: LIFT *You must be at least 65 years old and in good health *Participants will be seen at the Baltimore VA Medical Center and University of Maryland School of Medicine for approximately 41 visits for 1 to 4 hours of time per visit

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 6

Health Shorts Dietary supplements can be hard to swallow A study in the New England Journal of Medicine casts light on a little-known hazard associated with America’s multibilliondollar dietary supplement habit: difficulty swallowing among older people who take vitamin and mineral supplements — particularly calcium supplements. Using a decade of records from 63 hospitals, researchers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimated that 23,000 Americans end up in the emergency room because of bad reactions to dietary supplements. This includes herbal supplements and those containing vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients (such as amino acids). Among people 65 and older, choking and swallowing difficulties accounted for 38 percent of emergency room visits associated with dietary supplements. Calcium supplements are common offenders, which is not surprising given the “horse pill” jumbo-sized form they often come in. In the case of iron and potassium pills,

the more likely problems were nausea, vomiting and stomach pain. Many people also complained of mild to moderate allergic reactions to vitamin and mineral supplements, possibly because of ingredients added to hold the pills together. Older men often take vitamin and mineral supplements for good reasons, but it’s important to take only the recommended doses, and to ingest the pills one at a time and with lots of water. It may also help to take large pills with a little applesauce or pudding. If your pharmacist says it’s OK, you might be able to split some tablets into two pieces for easier swallowing. — Harvard Men’s Health Watch

Beware non-invasive pelvic mesh surgery Mesh implants used to repair pelvic collapse in women will face new federal scrutiny, under rules responding to thousands of injuries reported with the problem-prone devices. In January, the FDA said that makers of pelvic mesh must submit new applications demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of their products. The change follows years of reports of pain, bleeding and infection among women receiving the implants. Those complications sometimes require multiple surgeries to remove or

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Feb. 18

ATTEND STATE OF THE COUNTY ADDRESS County Executive Allan H. Kittleman will deliver his “State of the County” address on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Banneker

Room of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Dr., Ellicott City. The event is free and open to the public.

APARTMENT HOMES FOR ACTIVE ADULTS Regency Crest is an extraordinarily carefree community because of the convenient lifestyle enjoyed by those who live here. We go the extra mile to provide our residents with distinctive amenities and service that cannot be found in ordinary active adult communities.

COMMUNITY AMENITIES • Beautiful club room with theatre • Indoor saltwater pool • Brand new full-service salon • Yoga studio & classes • Movie theatre & Billiards room • Business center – 24 hours • Incredible courtyard and meditation garden with koi pond and gazebo • Guest suites • Bingo, and many more planned activities

3305 Oak West Drive Ellicott City, MD 21043

410.418.4666

www.altaatregencycrest.com

reposition the mesh. Plastic mesh is often used to strengthen the pelvic wall in cases of so-called pelvic organ prolapse. That’s a condition in which the bladder or other reproductive organs slip out of place, causing pain, constipation and urinary issues. The mesh is often inserted through the vagina, using a small surgical incision. This is the procedure that has resulted in more than 20,000 personal injury lawsuits. The FDA action does not apply to mesh inserted through the abdomen, an alternate approach that requires a larger inci-

sion. Nor does it apply to mesh products when used to treat other conditions such as hernias or urinary incontinence. The FDA action comes more than four years after the agency concluded that women getting vaginal mesh have more complications than women who undergo traditional surgery with stitches. The FDA said vaginal mesh will now be classified as a “high-risk” medical device, subject to additional regulatory requirements. Previously, the implants were considered “moderate-risk” devices. — AP

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 6

The

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Senior

NEWS and EVENTS from the Howard County Office on Aging

Connection

Department of Citizen Services

Volume 6, No. 3 • March 2016

Help For Those with Early Stage Alzheimer’s and Related Memory Disorders

hen faced with a new diagnosis of an early stage memory disorder, individuals find themselves in need of support and information as well as opportunities to be with others who will understand the difficulties that come with this diagnosis. With these concepts in mind, the Howard County Office on Aging partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Maryland in 2011 to design the Kindred Spirits Social Club. In January 2011, Kindred Spirits opened at the Glenwood 50+ Center as a place where those diagnosed with early stage memory loss could interact with others walking the same journey and retain their sense of purpose in a safe and nurturing environment. “Having a disease like Alzheimer’s or other related memory disorder is devastating to the person and their loved ones,” says Judy Miller, Kindred Spirits’ director, “We knew there was a need for a program that would accept and accommodate the specific needs of this population.” The four-hour, fee-for-service program is offered three days a week at Glenwood on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Participants enjoy coffee with conversation, gentle yoga and other exercise, art, music, speakers and more. Five years later, Miller is proud of the program and the profound impact it has had on participants. “Their caregivers often report how much more social and confident their loved one is around friends and family. I feel the program has accomplished what it was designed to do… to allow people with memory disorders to come together in a caring and accepting environment, free of judgment and full of encouragement.” For more information about Kindred Spirits at Glenwood, contact Judy Miller at 410-313-5441, or email jumiller@howardcountymd.gov. This month, the Office on Aging plans to expand Kindred Spirits to the North Laurel 50+ Center, located at 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road in Laurel. Under the direction of Nancy Riley, Kindred Spirits at North Laurel will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information, call 410-313-7691 (voice/relay) or email nriley@howardcountymd.gov. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the early-stage experience for those recently diagnosed with a memory disorder can include changes in behavior, cognition, daily routines and relationships which can lead to feelings of isolation, depression and lack of connection with those around them. Both Kindred Spirits locations offer therapeutic and support activities to help participants develop coping techniques and gain insight into their disease. Another helpful outlet is the Memory Café, sponsored by the Maryland Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and held at the Ellicott City 50+ Center. Memory Café is a safe and relaxed place where people with early-stage memory loss, their families, friends and health professionals come together for a unique blend

!"#$%&'() *"'*$"+ &)',")*(#-'&() *."/(")+"0#,$" *"(0#"1-+("2#$*#+$'3" of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Ellicott City 50+ Center, 9401 Frederick Road. Anyone affected by early-stage memory loss is welcome to attend. Attendance is free and a light dinner is provided. For more information, and to make a reservation, contact Yolanda 2-)40("'("35-)40(6',7. -4" -"&',,"89:;<=9;>:>>"?@:A.

A Message from

Starr P. Sowers Administrator, Office on Aging With Spring just around the corner, hopefully the worst of the cold weather and snow is behind us! It’s a great time to get out of the house and take advantage of the many events and activities coming up at your local Howard County 50+ Center. Whether you are a history buff or a foodie, a crafter or an opera lover, there’s sure to be something to interest you. If you are looking to get back into shape after a long sedentary winter, our 50+ Centers can help, with fitness options for all ages and ability levels. Two indoor walking tracks and fully equipped fitness rooms at the Glenwood and North Laurel 50+ Centers, and the new Ellicott City 50+ Fitness Center all offer easy accessibility at an affordable price. Be sure to check out our new GO50+ membership options and join today. Fitness is also the focus of the 8th annual WomenFest, coming up at the Glenwood 50+ Center on Saturday, April 30. It’s “shaping up” to be bigger and better than ever, so mark your calendar to attend! If you would like to participate in WomenFest as a sponsor, vendor or exhibitor, and gain valuable visibility for your business, you can get full details at www.howardcountymd.gov/WomenFest. Lastly, I want to remind everyone to pick up a copy of our 2016 Resource Guide, available at Howard County 50+ Centers, government offices and libraries, and other locations throughout the County. The guide offers an overview of local, state and national assistance programs in addition to concise listings of local businesses and non-profit organizations offering products and services for older adults. To have a copy sent to you, or if you need information or assistance, email Maryland Access Point at map@howardcountymd.gov, or call 410-313-5980 (voice/relay).

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The Senior Connection

Intergenerational Programs to Enjoy Friday, March 4 • 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

50+ Health Fair North Laurel 50+ Center 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel Health Profession Academy students from the Applications and Research Laboratory (ARL) will share the latest information on health, disease prevention and nutrition. No reservations are required for this free program, an intergenerational partnership with the ARL and Howard County Office on Aging. For more information, call 410-313-0380.

Thursday, March 10 • 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Guys and Dolls Mt. Hebron High School 9440 Route 99, Ellicott City Doors open at 9:30 a.m. for a free musical performance of “Guys and Dolls” by Mt. Hebron High School students, especially for older adults. To reserve a space, call 410-313-0380 by March 4. Parking is limited; carpooling is encouraged.

Monday, April 11 and April 18 • 9 a.m. to noon

Where Were You When? Glenelg Country School 12793 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City Share your “living history” with 8th grade U.S. History students from Glenelg Country School with an initial interview about your life experiences; then return to hear the students tell your story. This is a free event and includes breakfast and a catered lunch. For more information or to register, contact Trisha at 410-313-0389 or tolsen@howardcountymd.gov by April 1.

How to Be a GREAT Grandparent!

M A R C H 2 0 1 6 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Looking for Love? Take care to protect your heart and your pocketbook! Not everyone using online dating sites is looking for love. Scammers create fake online profiles using photos of other people — even stolen pictures of real military personnel. They profess their love quickly. And, they tug at your heartstrings with false stories about how they need money — for emergencies, hospital bills, or travel. Why all the tricks? They’re looking to steal your money.

As if that isn’t bad enough, romance scammers are now involving their victims in online bank fraud. Here’s how it works: The scammers set up dating profiles to meet potential victims. After they form a “relationship,” they come up with reasons to ask their love interest to set up a new bank account. The scammers transfer stolen money into the new account, and then tell their victims to wire the money out of the country. Victims think they’re just helping out their “soul mate,” never realizing they’re aiding and abetting a crime.

Here are some warning signs that an online love interest might be a fake. Be wary if you are asked to: • chat off of the dating site immediately, using personal email, text, or phone; • wire money using Western Union or Money Gram; • set up a new bank account. Did you know you can do an image search of your love interest’s photo in your favorite search engine? If you do an image search and the person’s photo appears under several different names, you’re probably dealing with a scammer. Another tip-off is if the person’s online profile disappears a few days after they meet you.

Here’s the real deal: Don’t send money to someone you met online — FOR ANY REASON. If your online “sweetheart” asks for money, it’s highly likely you’re involved in a scam. Unfortunately, online dating scams are all too common. There may be tens of thousands of victims, but only a small fraction of these scams are ever reported. If this happens to you, contact the Howard County Office of Consumer Affairs right away. For more information, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/consumer, or email consumer@howardcountymd.gov or call 410-313-6420 (voice/relay).

Parenting has changed in so many ways since today’s grandparents were just parents, so don’t miss this program! Thursday, March 17 • 6:30 - 8:15 pm Bain 50+ Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia 21044 FREE, but space is limited and pre-registration is required! ■ ■ ■ ■

Research-based practices to balance with your own tried & true skills Great resources to support your children in their new role as parents Ways to safeguard your home for infants & toddlers Your role as a grandparent vs. a parent

www.howardcountymd.gov/familyinstitute 410-313-1440 (VOICE/RELAY)

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

The Senior Connection is published monthly by the Howard County Department of Citizen Services and the Office on Aging. This publication is available in alternate formats upon request. To join our subscriber list, email seniorconnection@howardcountymd.gov Howard County Office on Aging, 6751 Columbia Gateway Dr., Columbia, MD 21046 410-313-6410 (VOICE/RELAY) • www.howardcountyaging.org Find us on

www.Facebook.com/HoCoCitizen

Kim Higdon Henry, Senior Connection Editor kahenry@howardcountymd.gov Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the Howard County Office on Aging or by the publisher.

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M A R C H 2 0 1 6 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Howard County 50+ Centers

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS Go to www.howardcountymd.gov/50pluscenters for a complete list of events, programs and services.

Bain 50+ Center Wednesday, March 2 • 7 p.m. — P4C PET EVALUATIONS

Ellicott City 50+ Center

Paws4Comfort (P4C) fosters special bonds between pets, their owners and the County residents they visit. To volunteer and/or receive a FREE evaluation for your pet, contact Ingrid Gleysteen at 410-313-7461or igleysteen@howardcountymd.gov.

Thursday, March 10 • 12:30 p.m. — WITH LOVE FROM BROADWAY

Tuesday, March 8 • 10:30 a.m. — WAR ON THE HOMEFRONT

Tuesday, March 15 • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. — FREE HEARING SCREENINGS

The Baltimore Museum of Industry presents a look at workers and industry in World War II Baltimore, focusing on the “Big Three” (steel, ships and aircraft). FREE; register: 410-313-7213.

Tuesday, March 22 • 10 to 11:30 a.m. — A TOUCH OF GRACYE JEWELRY & TEA PARTY Meet Gracye Johnson, jewelry & art instructor, to learn about her classes in jewelry design, wire work, glass painting, tie-dye and more. FREE. RSVP by March 15: 410-313-7213.

Thursday, March 31 • 11 a.m. to noon CANDLELIGHT CONCERT SOCIETY: CROSSWINDS WOODWIND TRIO Crosswinds Trio — flutist, Gail D. Vehslage; clarinetist, Phyllis CrossenRichardson; and bassoonist, Kari Krueger Shea — performs a diverse repertoire from Bach to Joplin. FREE; register: 410-313-7213.

Thursday, April 7 and Friday, April, 8 • 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AIDE FOR OLDER ADULTS An 8-hour training certification course, co-presented by Grassroots of Howard County and the Office on Aging. Space is limited; registration is required. $25; register by April 1 to Karen Hull: 410-313-7466.

East Columbia 50+ Center CREATIVE WRITING FOR BEGINNERS Explore the art of creative writing using out-of-the-box exercises and techniques. Call 410-313-7680 for class start date. $64/six weeks.

Tuesday, March 8 and 22 • 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. — TECHNOLOGY CAFÉ Bring in your technology challenges: phone, tablet or laptop for top-notch assistance, plus Q&A. FREE; reservations required: 410-313-7680.

Sponsored by the Howard County Arts Council, the Howard County 50+ Players will perform Broadway classics centered around the theme of love. FREE; register: 410-313-1400. Dr. Mary Carson, a clinical audiologist, will offer FREE hearing screenings. Call 410-313-1400 to schedule a 15-minute appointment.

Friday, March 18 • 12:30 p.m. — AMHRANAI NA GAEILGE, THE IRISHMAN’S CHORALE Celebrate the day after St. Patty’s Day with Amhránaí Na Gaeilge, an authentic Irish choral group dedicated to preserving Irish culture and history through music. FREE; register: 410-313-1400.

Wednesday, March 30 • 1 p.m. — PATAPSCO RIVER VALLEY HISTORY: ELKRIDGE TO ELLICOTT CITY Edward F. Johnson, a Patapsco Valley State Park ranger tells the story of how this area played a major role in the development of Maryland, and our country, including the Native Americans who thrived here; the local harbor, iron forges and mills, and more. FREE; register: 410-313-1400.

Glenwood 50+ Center Wednesday, March 9, 10 a.m. — HARRIET TUBMAN, STORYTELLER Storyteller Janice Green portrays Harriet Tubman in this lively presentation focusing on the abolitionist, humanitarian and Union spy. FREE; register: 410-313-5440.

Friday, March 10 • 10 a.m. to noon — iPAD/iPHONE CLASS Instructor Mike Vecera will help you gain a better understanding of the features of your iPad and iPhone. FREE; register: 410-313-5440.

Wednesday, March 23 • Noon — CULTURE, CONVERSATION AND CUISINE: PUERTO RICO Enjoy a delicious authentic meal and learn interesting facts and trivia about this beautiful island. $7/person. Must register in advance: 410-313-5440.

Wednesday, March 23 • Noon — SPRING TEA AND HYDRANGEA SALE

North Laurel 50+ Center

Celebrate the first days of spring with a robust cup of tea, warm conversation and beautiful flowers. $6/person; register: 410-313-7680.

Tuesday, March 8 • 11 a.m. to noon HEALTHY AND ACTIVE AGING SEMINAR

Elkridge 50+ Center Friday, March 4 • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — AARP DRIVING CLASS Learn how to reduce driver distractions, how to deal with aggressive drivers, and explore safe driving techniques. $15 for AARP members; $ 20 for non-members. Register: 410-313-5192.

Monday, March 14 • 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. — ATLANTIC CITY Comfortable coach bus transportation, morning snacks, bingo fun and $25 in free slot play money. $35/person; tickets go fast; register; 410-313-5192.

Wed., March 17 • 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. — ST. PATTY’S DAY PARTY Enjoy a delicious Irish lunch and live music, plus get healthy eating tips from nutritionist Rona Martiyan. Lunch donation; register: 410-313-5192.

Join us for a free seminar and trivia game to learn about healthy and active aging. Physical therapists will discuss age-related changes, benefits of exercise, balance, and how physical activity can help you live a full, independent life with less pain and better mobility! FREE; register: 410-313-0380.

Wednesday, March 9 • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — SHAMROCK SHINDIG Enjoy a festive St. Patrick’s Day meal with live Celtic and American Folk music by the Mighty Kelltones. $3/per person plus lunch donation. Tickets: 410-313-0380.

Tuesday, March 29 • 10 to 11 a.m. — MASTER GARDENER SERIES: EDIBLE HEIRLOOMS Discover the world of heirloom seeds and the flavorful produce they offer. FREE. For more info, or to register: 410-313-0380.

To request accommodations to participate, call Maryland Access Point at 410-313-5980 (VOICE/RELAY) one week in advance.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 6

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Money Law &

WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT What you need to know about required minimum distributions from IRAs and 401(k)s, including tax issues and penalties

MAKING IRAS LESS TAXING You may pay less tax on IRA withdrawals if you start taking them sooner or use a qualified longevity annuity contract

How to react to the stock market selloff By Anne Kates Smith There’s nothing like a market rout to remind investors of the importance of following the tenets of sound investing. The declines during January and February were doozies, making the start of 2016 a baptism by fire. In the first four trading days of the year, the Dow Jones industrial average racked up a loss of nearly 1,000 points, or more than 5 percent. Selling continued to accelerate, and by Feb. 9 was down nearly 8.5 percent for the year. The impetus for the selloff here is a freefall in Chinese share prices, as investors fret over just how sharply the world’s second largest economy is slowing. Add to that concerns about the course of Federal Reserve action, saber-rattling between Iran and Saudi Arabia, North Korean’s claim that it has tested a hydrogen bomb and launched a satellite, plunging oil prices, and the fact that the current bull market is nearly seven years old (making it the third-longest since the Great Depression), and you have all the ingredients for a significant downturn. The market mayhem is particularly worrisome for retirees, who have less time to make up for big market declines. Here are some tips for how to survive the current turmoil:

Don’t panic China’s worries, strictly speaking, aren’t ours, although what’s happening in China has a ripple effect throughout the world economy. China accounts for just 7 percent of U.S. exports, representing less than 1 percent of our gross domestic product. Kiplinger’s expects the U.S. economy to expand by 2.7 percent this year, and analysts expect earnings for U.S. companies to rise by about 6 percent from 2015. Those are not the conditions for a severe and protracted bear market. Still, if what looks like a correction today turns into a bear market tomorrow, don’t forget one of the important lessons from the devastating 2007-09 downturn, said financial planner Cicily Maton, of Aequus Wealth Management Resources, in Chicago: “Even in the worst of times, recoveries happen within a reasonable period.” Remember, the headlines are not about you. “What’s happening in the headlines is probably not what’s happening in your personal account,” said T. Rowe Price senior financial planner Judith Ward. Retirees, especially, are likely to have a healthy mix of bonds and cash in their accounts to temper stock-market declines. The market is not a monolith, and some of

your stock holdings may buck the downtrend as well.

quired minimum distributions from your retirement account if you are 70½ or older.

Look long-term

Review your allocation

Even retirees should have an investment horizon long enough to weather this storm, or worse. In a retirement that can last decades, new retirees should keep 40 to 60 percent of their assets in stocks, said T. Rowe Price. And because stocks stand up to inflation better over time than do bonds and cash, even 90-year-olds should keep at least 20 percent of their assets in stocks.

If you’ve been regularly rebalancing your portfolio, you’ve already been cutting back on stocks periodically over the past few years. Now is a particularly good time to revisit your investment mix and make sure that it is consistent with your tolerance for risk. “We always tell clients to use downturns like this as a bellwether,” said Maton. “No one should lose sleep over what’s happening in the stock market. If they are, then they’re over-exposed.” Make sure you’re diversified. Investors who’d planned to dump bond holdings in anticipation of higher interest rates just got a good lesson in how bonds, especially high-quality government issues, can provide ballast in a portfolio. Since the start of the year, the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury bond dropped from 2.27 percent to 1.73 percent in the first five weeks of the year. Because bond prices and interest rates move in opposite directions, iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF (IEF, $110.77), an exchange-

Check your withdrawals Fight the urge to cut and run, and avoid selling your depreciated stocks, if you can. Cut back on withdrawals from your portfolio to meet living expenses, especially if you’re taking out more than 4 to 5 percent annually, and consider deferring gifts, trips and other discretionary expenditures until the market stabilizes, said Anthony Ogorek, of Ogorek Wealth Management, in Williamsville, N.Y. “You want to take as little from your assets as possible,” said T. Rowe’s Ward. “This is a good time of year to plan your budget,” she said. “Maybe this year you don’t have to treat for a family-reunion cruise.” Recall that you have until the end of the year to take re-

See STOCK MARKET, page 25

Ways to reduce the risk of a dividend cut By Anne Kates Smith When investors think of dividends, they often think “safety.” Checks that arrive like clockwork come to mind. But a recent round of dividend cuts has given some income-seekers a rude awakening. Among the rudest: Kinder Morgan (symbol KMI), the energy pipeline giant, slashed its dividend 75 percent in December, cutting the quarterly payout from 51 cents a share to 12.5 cents. A day later, Freeport McMoRan (FCX), a copper and gold producer with an ill-timed expansion into oil and gas production in 2013, suspended its dividend. Dividend cuts are still rare. In fact, 337 companies in Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index increased their payouts last year. But the average increase is running at 13 percent — below the 18 percent average increase in 2014 and 20 percent in 2013. And 15 companies in the S&P de-

creased their dividends, while three, including the aforementioned Freeport, suspended them altogether, up from just eight cuts and no suspensions in 2014. Companies in the struggling energy sector cut dividends by $6.2 billion. For context, consider that from 2010 through 2014, cuts in the energy sector totaled $1.3 billion.

How to spot a risky dividend Ironically, an indication that a cut is imminent is a spiking yield, which is a stock’s annual dividend rate divided by its share price. What’s “high” in terms of yield depends on the industry — 4 percent for a utility stock is fine, but it invites skepticism in a fastergrowing tech company or a more-economysensitive industrial company, for instance. But if a stock that usually yields 4 percent all of a sudden yields 6 percent, and the cause of that burgeoning yield is a

falling share price, it could be an indication that Wall Street doesn’t believe the dividend is sustainable and thinks a reduction is in the offing. It’s best to be on the lookout for warning signs of a dividend cut early on, because by the time it’s finally announced, much of the damage to a stock has already been done. Keep a close eye on a stock’s payout ratio, or the amount of a company’s earnings paid out in dividends. The average payout ratio for S&P 500 stocks is currently 37 percent. Again, what constitutes a high ratio depends on the business. Tobacco stocks can pay out the majority of their earnings in dividends because a long-term decline in demand for their product means they’re not spending a lot on factories and equipment, yet the business remains profitable and generates tons of cash.

But in general, anything above 70 to 75 percent should raise eyebrows — or at least initiate some research. Get to know the company’s cash flow situation. While earnings can be subject to various adjustments, a positive free cash flow means a company has invested what it needs to maintain its business and has money left over to spend on dividends. Look at how much debt the company is carrying, and whether it needs to tap capital markets to meet its commitments. Companies forced to choose between protecting their credit rating and protecting their dividend will cut the payout every time.

Who’s next to cut? Reality Shares Advisors, a sponsor of exchange-traded funds, ranks dividend-paySee DIVIDENDS, page 24

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Dividends From page 23 ing stocks based on historic dividend trends, cash flow, earnings, buybacks and other data, with an eye toward determining the prospects for dividend hikes or cuts. Stocks with the company’s lowest rating have about a 40 percent chance of cutting their dividends within the next 12 months. (You can find the ratings at www.realitysharesadvisors.com/divcon.) Whether a dividend cut is a reason to sell depends on why you own the stock in the first place. What a bargain-hunter sees as a smart fiscal move to deal with a temporary setback could be a deal-killer for an

income investor. But we think the five stocks below, many of which land in Reality Shares’ bottom two dividend buckets, merit watching. Share prices and yields are as of January 20. Mattel (MAT; price, $25.69; yield, 5.93 percent) Mattel’s payout ratio for the 12 months that ended September 30 was a whopping 171 percent. Analysts’ estimates for both dividends and earnings imply a 145 percent payout ratio for the 2015 calendar year and 114 percent for 2016. Meanwhile, cash on Mattel’s balance sheet has steadily declined from $1.3 billion at the end of 2012 to $290 million at the end of the third quarter of 2015. The company’s toy lineup

BEACON BITS

Feb. 20+

BOARD CANDIDATES SOUGHT

The Columbia Association will hold two information sessions in February for those who are considering serving on the association’s board of directors. The meetings will be held on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 10 a.m., and Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m., at the Columbia Association headquarters, 6310 Hillside Ct., Columbia. For more information, visit ColumbiaAssocation.org or call (410) 423-4103.

Feb. 24

ONE-ON-ONE WITH INSURANCE EXPERT

A representative from the Maryland Insurance Administration will be available to answer individuals’ questions about insurance matters on Wednesday, Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bain 50+ Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Elkridge. For more information, call the center at (410) 313-7213.

M A R C H 2 0 1 6 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

is in desperate need of a hit. CenturyLink (CTL, $22.24, 9.52 percent) The country’s third-largest telecommunications company has been trying to move from last century’s landlines to this century’s cloud, but the company lost four senior cloud executives in 2015. For the 12-month period that ended September 30, the company paid out 168 percent of what it earned. “They’ve been paying out well in excess of what they’re taking in for many quarters,” said Eric Ervin, Reality Shares’ CEO. “In that case, the writing’s on the wall.” CenturyLink cut its dividend by 26 percent in 2013. Newmont Mining (NEM, $16.56, 0.6 percent) Yes, the yield for this gold-producing behemoth is already minuscule. But it should be even lower; in fact, it’s supposed to be nothing. That’s because Newmont’s dividend policy is explicitly tied to the price of gold — in theory, when gold sells for less than $1,200 an ounce, the company shouldn’t be paying a dividend, although declaring one is at the discretion of the board of directors. The average price for the metal did breach the $1,200-an-ounce threshold in the third quarter. The company maintained its quarterly payout of 0.025 cent a share, “but that can’t go on forever,” said Ervin, especially with gold selling today at $1,111 an ounce. Caterpillar (CAT, $59.81, 5.15 percent)

The heavy-equipment manufacturer rarely sports a dividend yield this high. Only once in the past 16 years has the average annual yield climbed above 3 percent. The company is reeling from a global industrial slowdown, and analysts expect an 8 percent slump in sales and a 22 percent drop in earnings in 2016. Cost-cutting has resulted in thousands of layoffs. Yet the company has continued to raise its dividend aggressively — from an annual rate of $1.84 a share in 2012 to the current rate of $3.08 per share, even as its customers in the energy and mining industries have struggled. Targa Resources (TRGP, $16.23, 19.38 percent) Kinder Morgan’s dividend cut has paved the way for other companies in the business of processing, storing, transporting and marketing oil and natural gas. A toxic combination of high debt and sinking commodity prices will put pressure on Targa’s dividend for years, said analyst John Edwards of Credit Suisse. He recently downgraded the stock to “underperform” (translation: sell), despite a one-year price target of $36 a share, which is 38 percent above the current price. But Edwards’s previous target price was $79. “We see no way out of the woods for TRGP without a substantial dividend cut,” he said. All content © 2016 the Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 6

All about required minimum distributions By Kevin McCormally It’s a watershed year for the baby boom generation. In 2016, the first of the boomers — those born in the first half of 1946 — will reach age 70 1/2. Their present from Uncle Sam is a demand that they begin withdrawing funds from their traditional individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and employer-sponsored retirement plans, such as 401(k)s. If you’re among those at the head of this parade, you need to know the ins and outs of required minimum distributions (RMDs). If your parents or grandparents are the ones moving into RMDland, do them a favor and share this with them.

31, but first-timers can wait to take their initial payout until as late as April 1 of the following year. So if you reach 70 1/2 in 2016, you can postpone your first withdrawal until 2017. But doing so means you’ll have to take two distributions in 2017. Be sure to check whether that could push you into a higher tax bracket, cause more of your Social Security benefits to be taxed, or subject you to the Medicare high-income surcharge a couple of years later. Note: The RMD rules do not apply to original owners of Roth IRAs. Because the government doesn’t get to tax Roth withdrawals, it doesn’t care whether you ever withdraw that money (although your heirs must take withdrawals).

The RMD calendar If your 70th birthday falls between Jan. 1 and June 30, you’ll turn 70 1/2 in 2016, and you must take your first required distribution from your traditional IRAs. If your birthday is July 1 or later, your first RMD will come in 2017. Generally, you must take RMDs by Dec.

Pinpoint how much to withdraw

Stock market

ble balance sheets and healthy dividends, or funds that invest in such companies. Vanguard Dividend Growth (VDIGX), a member of the Kiplinger 25 list of great noload mutual funds, delivers steady returns with below-average volatility by focusing on companies with low debt, high profitability and a consistent history of raising dividends. PowerShares S&P 500 High Quality Portfolio (SPHQ, $22.32) is a good choice for ETF investors. Opportunistic investors can use market volatility to think about buying quality stocks on the cheap. One such stock is Apple (AAPL, $94.50), which has dropped

From page 23 traded fund that tracks intermediate-term Treasuries, has climbed 3.3 percent. In general, investors should own a mix of domestic and foreign bonds, U.S. and overseas stocks, and within the stock allocation, a variety of market sectors. No one sector should claim more than 5 to 10 percent of your holdings, said Ward.

Stick with high-quality holdings This is no time to speculate. Look for companies with dependable earnings, impecca-

You don’t need a computer or a degree in accounting to figure out how much you must withdraw from your IRAs. First, find the 2015 year-end balance of every traditional IRA you own. Second, add them together. Third, divide the total by a factor

provided by an IRS table that’s based on your age and life expectancy. For most IRA owners who turn 70 1/2 in 2016, the divisor is 27.4. So, for example, if your IRAs held a total of $500,000 at the end of 2015, your RMD for 2016 is $18,248. An IRA owner whose spouse is more than 10 years younger and the sole beneficiary of the account must use a different, larger factor. Once you know how much you must withdraw from your IRAs, you can choose which accounts to tap. You can withdraw the total RMD from a single IRA, or spread the withdrawal over several accounts.

Slightly different 401(k) rules Reaching age 70 1/2 also triggers required distributions for most 401(k) owners. But the rules aren’t exactly the same as for IRAs. First, if you have more than one workplace retirement plan, you must figure the RMD for each account (based on the same life-expectancy factor that applies to IRAs), then withdraw separate RMDs from each

28 percent from its record high because of worries about slowing iPhone sales. Apple’s shares sell for just nine times estimated earnings for the fiscal year that ends in Sep-

account. You can’t pick and choose which account to tap, as you can with IRAs. If you’re still working at 70 1/2 (and you don’t own 5 percent or more of the company), you can delay your first RMD until the year you stop working. Most RMDs are taken in cash, but they don’t have to be. If you own stock or mutual fund shares you’d like to hold on to, for example, you can have the shares transferred to a taxable account. As long as the value of this in-kind distribution equals your RMD, you’ll be square with the IRS. You’ll owe tax on the shares you transfer, just as if you had withdrawn cash. But your tax basis in the transferred securities — the amount you’ll use to determine the gain or loss when you ultimately sell them — will be the market value on the date of the transfer. An in-kind distribution might make sense if, say, you own shares that have fallen in value but that you expect to recover. If See RMDs, page 26

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Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

RMDs From page 25 you keep the shares in an IRA, any increase in value will be taxed in your top tax bracket when you ultimately pull the money out of the IRA. But if you move the shares to a taxable account and hold them for more than a year, any post-transfer appreciation will be treated as a tax-favored long-term capital gain, with a tax rate as low as 0 percent, depending on your other income.

Tax considerations

M A R C H 2 0 1 6 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Most payouts from traditional IRAs are fully taxed in the year you withdraw them. But it’s clear from the tax form that that’s not always the case. If you have ever made a nondeductible contribution to your IRA, then part of every withdrawal will be taxfree. That’s the good news. The bad news is that it’s up to you — not the IRS or the IRA sponsor — to know what’s what. You should have filed a Form 8606 with your tax return for each year you made a nondeductible contribution, and the most recent version should show the total of all your nondeductible contributions (minus

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any part that has been withdrawn). That amount is your basis in your IRA, and you need to figure the ratio of the basis to the total in all your traditional IRAs. If your basis is 5 percent of the total, for example, then 5 percent of your withdrawal will be tax-free. As a general rule, an IRA sponsor will withhold 10 percent of your payout as taxes to be sent to the IRS. But, unlike tax withholding on wages, this payment is completely voluntary. If you want to block withholding — or have more than 10 percent withheld — simply tell your IRA sponsor at the time you request the distribution. Withholding tax on your RMD may simplify your life if it permits you to avoid making quarterly estimated tax payments during the year. Some IRA owners, in fact, use large withholdings from late-in-theyear RMDs to cover their tax bill on both the IRA payout and investment earnings. Such withholding can protect you from an underpayment penalty because withholding is considered paid evenly through the year, even if it comes in late December. If you are withdrawing your RMD via monthly or quarterly payments from the IRA, you may need to file a Form W-4P with the sponsor to either block withholding or determine the amount to be withheld. If your state has an income tax, be sure to check on your state’s rules about tax withholding on IRA payouts.

What about penalties? One of our tax laws’ most draconian penalties is reserved for those who fail to take as much out of their IRAs as the RMD rules demand. The penalty is equal to 50 percent of the amount you failed to withdraw. It’s as though Uncle Sam were saying that, if you don’t want the money, he will be happy to take it off your hands. If you miss the RMD deadline, though, don’t automatically send a check to the IRS. The agency can, and often does, waive the penalty for taxpayers who have a good excuse — such as getting lousy advice from a tax preparer or IRA sponsor, or becoming seriously ill just before year-end when you had planned to make the required withdrawal. If you think you have a good excuse, the IRS will review your case before making you pay the penalty. First, though, get the required amount out of your IRA as soon as possible, to show good faith. Then, figure the penalty on Form 5329, but don’t send a check. Instead, attach a statement to the form explaining why you failed to meet the deadline. If the IRS agrees that your request for a waiver is reasonable, you’re okay. Otherwise, you’ll get a bill. Remember, the M in RMD stands for minimum. You can always take more out of your IRA than the RMD demands (although you’re probably best off leaving the See RMDs, page 27

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 6

How to minimize taxes on IRA withdrawals By Elliot Raphaelson Many readers are concerned about tax issues, specifically the impact of the required minimum distribution (RMD) and what tools are available to mitigate it. Under current regulations, at 70 1/2, when you will be required to make minimum withdrawals from your traditional IRA, you should project what your taxable income is likely to be at that milestone. Consider additional taxable income from non-retirement assets, pensions and/or Social Security. Take these projections into account to estimate the minimum distribution you will have to make starting at 70 1/2. You may project that your tax bracket will be higher then than it is now. Moreover, as you get older, and the percentage you have to withdraw increases (because your life expectancy decreases), your marginal tax rate may become higher as you age. Is there a way you can avoid paying more tax than you have to?

individuals will be facing a higher marginal tax rate even without counting the required IRA withdrawal. Another option is converting some of your IRA funds into a Roth IRA. One advantage is that those funds will no longer be included in your traditional IRA when you reach 70 1/2. Accordingly, the amount you have to withdraw because of RMD will be less. Another advantage is that income from (and appreciation of) the securities in the Roth account will not be taxable. Moreover, your beneficiaries will have no income tax liability. The major disadvantage is that the funds you convert to a Roth will be taxable at ordinary income tax rates in the year you convert. Consider making conversions gradually to prevent increases in your marginal tax rate. If you do convert to a Roth, you may withdraw your initial principal without penalty. However, there is a penalty for withdrawing interest or dividends if you withdraw them before a five-year holding period.

Start taking withdrawals now One strategy is initiating a withdrawal plan from your IRAs before you reach 70 1/2, even if you don’t need the funds now. This could make sense if you know your marginal tax rate will be higher. For example, many readers have indicated that they intend to wait until 70 before they start receiving Social Security payments. For many recipients, much of this extra income will be taxable, so many

Consider a special annuity

RMDs

account. You have to pay tax on the distribution, yes, but you can immediately reinvest it in a taxable investment account. All contents © 2016 the Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

From page 26 money in the tax shelter until you need it). And there is no requirement that you spend the money once it comes out of the

Another option is the use of a qualified longevity annuity contract (QLAC). QLACs can be used in traditional IRAs for lifetime income starting at a future date. If you have a traditional IRA, you can defer 25 percent of the total of all your IRAs or $125,000, whichever is less. The only requirement is that payments have to start at a specified date no later

than at age 85. This alternative makes sense if you are concerned about ensuring future income and you want to minimize your taxes starting when you reach 70 1/2. An excellent source for QLACs is Stan Haithcock (website: www.stantheannuityman.com). Vanguard has put together an excellent webcast with a transcript on its website, vanguard.com. It’s called “Managing your IRA assets before and throughout retire-

ment.” In this webcast, specialists from Vanguard answer questions from callers on a wide variety of topics, including the impact of RMDs, use of Roth IRAs, effective tax policy, use of charitable deductions, and a wide variety of other topics that will help you manage your IRAs. Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at elliotraph@gmail.com. © 2016 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Mar. 1

COLUMBIA Qs AND As

The Columbia Association’s citizens academy, Excite Columbia, will hold the first of six weekly programs of speakers presenting information and answering questions on topics of concern to Columbia residents. To register for the March 1 program, visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/Excite. For more information, call (410)423-1891.

Mar. 16+

NEW PEDESTRIAN PLAN

Howard County is updating its 2007 Pedestrian Plan, a system of sidewalks, pathways, bus stops and roadway crossings to make walking easy and safe. Two open houses have been scheduled to solicit residents’ opinions and suggestions. On Monday, March 16, representatives will hold an open house from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Slayton House in Wilde Lake Village Center, 10400 Cross Fox Ln., Columbia. Another open house will be held Saturday, March 28, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd., Laurel. For more information, call (410) 313-3130, email info@walkhoward.org, or visit www.WalkHoward.org.

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M A R C H 2 0 1 6 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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This height-adjustable bed raises or lowers to a level that makes it easier to glide into or out of bed—even when transferring from a wheelchair, rollator or walker. When you’re ready to get up, you adjust the bed height with the wireless remote control until you can place both feet firmly on the floor. What a great aid to safety and independence! The mattress height adjusts from 28” to 18” and anywhere in between.

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M A R C H 2 0 1 6 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Travel Leisure &

Learn how to avoid crowded destinations — such as Daytona Beach, Fla., at spring break — on page 32.

Exploring Key West’s wildlife and wild life

Diversions galore On this tropical island of coral rock 1.5 miles wide and four miles long, also known as “Key Weird,” bars buzz at 11 a.m., tshirts broadcast brash messages, and

“Margaritaville” blasts out of storefronts. A dessert restaurant, Better Than Sex, promises “the most decadent sweet dining experience,” offering Tongue Bath Truffle and Kinky Key West Cream Pie. Over the years, the town’s laid-back, bohemian persona lured notables like Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams and John James Audubon, plus pirates, shipwreck salvagers, Cuban refugees and more. Cuba is 90 miles away; Miami, 150. Even the town’s above-ground cemetery, built in 1847 at the island’s highest point (18 feet), has its quirky side. One headstone says, “I told you I was sick.” Another, “Now I know where he is sleeping at night.” Strolling the streets is a favorite pastime. At all hours, there’s a parade of eccentrics — from the well off to the struggling, including hippies, oddballs, wayward youth and vacationers. On the “Duval crawl,” the 15-block asphalt ribbon between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, there are 66 bars, including Ernest Hemingway’s hangout, Sloppy Joe’s. Also known as Key West’s Bourbon Street, Duval is the route traveled by zombie parades, naked bike races, and the biggest blowout of all, October’s Fantasy Fest. This year’s theme is “Political Voodoo and Ballot Box Barbarians.” At the daily sunset street party in Mallo-

By Glenda C. Booth A mother hen and her three chicks were hell-bent on crossing the street, so I stepped out and stopped the traffic on the main drag that slices down the middle of Key West, Fla. Roosters crowed nearby. No one seemed to notice. Chickens and roosters in the middle of town? Key West marches to its own drum. Chickens, roosters, six-toed cats, owl butterflies, conches, frigatebirds, and sooty terns. There’s definitely wildlife, at these southernmost points of the U.S. But in Key West, the most salient feature is the wild life. Quirky, freewheeling, irreverent Key West, where U.S. 1 ends and begins, “is the greatest of all the endof-the-road towns,” wrote the late Charles Kuralt in his 1995 book, America. “This assures its lack of decorum,” Kuralt wrote. “The island is full of dreamers, drifters and dropouts, spongers and idlers and barflies, writers and fishermen, islanders from the Caribbean and gays from the big cities, painters and pensioners, treasure hunters, real estate speculators, smugglers, runaways, old Conchs and young lovers.”

Key West visitors can enjoy glorious sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico, this one viewed from the southernmost point in the keys. A daily sunset party in Mallory Square includes acrobats, magicians and other performers.

This Key West home, where Ernest Hemingway wrote such books as A Farewell to Arms in the 1930s, is now a museum that features his typewriter and other mementos, along with numerous descendents of the writer’s six-toed cats.

ry Square, aspiring acrobats, magicians, buskers and fire jugglers perform for free. Key Westers brag that the morning sun rises like a fireball over the ocean and melts into the ocean at twilight.

Hemingway and Truman homes Beyond the ubiquitous hawkers of tacky souvenirs and garish T-shirts, Key West has some small-town charm and intriguing nuggets, including 3,000 historic structures. Many houses combine classical New England with Bahamian features like wraparound porches. Victorian and pre-Victorian homes have elaborate lattice work. The second floor porch of the “eyebrow houses” covers windows to keep houses cool. The steamy island environment inspired Ernest Hemingway in the 1930s to pen novels like A Farewell to Arms and Death in the Afternoon. At what’s today called the Hemingway House, “the spirit moved him,” tour guides maintain. The two-story, Spanish colonial home and carriage house-studio featuring his Royal typewriter are preserved a la Papa. Descendants of his six-toed cats meander through the gardens. The lighthouse across the street, built

in 1846, perhaps helped “befuddled” Ernest find his way home from Sloppy Joe’s. It offers great views at the top of its 88 steps. Another famous home is the Little White House, where President Harry Truman and wife Bess escaped from the Washington White House — a mansion the president called “the big white jail.” On a 45-minute tour of this Bahamianstyle home, guides explain that 85 to 90 percent of the furniture is authentic, such as the fold-up poker table Bess commissioned so she could disguise Harry’s favorite amusement. Truman, visitors learn, was dubbed the “uncommon common man.” Reporters called him, “Truman, the human.” Six presidents have stayed there. A respite from the town’s frenzy is the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens, built between 1846 and 1859. Today it showcases 28 first-edition, hand-colored lithographs and engravings of 22 birds, exquisitely done by John James Audubon. Examples: roseate spoonbill, sooty tern, and brown pelican. Another de-stressor is the Butterfly and See KEY WEST, page 33

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 6

West of Key West — Dry Tortugas Park the fort in 1864. The most famous was Marylander Dr. Samuel Mudd, who set the leg of President Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth. Imprisoned for being a “conspirator,” Mudd also helped treat yellow fever patients while he was there. President Andrew Johnson pardoned him in 1869. Visitors can visit Dr. Mudd’s cell, from which he wrote his wife, “After every rain, our quarters leak terribly, and it’s not unusual to dip up from the floor 10 and 12 large buckets of water daily.” Visitors can see the officers’ quarters, barracks, magazines and cannons. The Dry Tortugas offer adventurous snorkeling because of numerous shipwrecks, including the Norwegian Windjammer wreck, a ship also called Avanti, which sank in 1907. Coral reefs and sea grasses are home to creatures like stingrays, the queen conch, and brain coral. For travel and other information, visit www.nps.gov/dr to and www.dr ytor tugas.com. Day trips from Key West are the most practical option via ferry, the Yankee Freedom. Day trip rates, which include a tour, breakfast and lunch, are $165 for those 62 and older, $175 for other adults. Call 1-800-634-0939. Beware: There are no restrooms, snack bars, or lodging (except camping) on the islands.

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Mar. 13

VISIT MOTOWN AT THE HIPPODROME

The musical Motown is the destination for a Department of Recreation & Parks excursion to the Hippodrome Theater on Sunday, March 13, with the bus leaving at 11 a.m. and returning at 5 p.m. Cost is $145. For more information, email viruss@howardcountymd.gov or call (410) 313-7279.

By Glenda C. Booth Seventy miles west of Key West is the “flip side” of that raucous isle — the slowpaced, undeveloped, near-quiet Dry Tortugas National Park, a seven-island cluster of coral reefs and sand. This 100-square-mile park gets its name from the sea turtles that greeted Ponce de Leon in 1513, and from the absence of fresh water, hence “dry.” Visitors go for a Civil War prison, coral reefs, birds and shipwrecks. It may be dry, but there’s life there. The islands have sea grapes and trees like the Portia tree, Geiger tree, buttonwood, date palms, and coconut palms. Floridians joke that the gumbo limbo tree is “the tourist tree” because its red peeling bark reminds them of naive tourists who end up with sunburned, peeling skin. Birders delight in species rarely seen north of Florida. Between March and September, 100,000 sooty terns nest on the islands, joined by 10,000 brown noddies and others. Magnificent frigate birds with eightfoot wingspans soar like hang gliders. Fort Jefferson, built between 1845 and 1876 but never finished, stands as an example of 19th century masonry fortification. Located on Garden Key and armed with eight-foot thick walls, the fort helped protect ship traffic and patrol the Gulf of Mexico and the Straits of Florida. The Union Army held 800 prisoners in

Dry Tortugas National Park features the 19th century Fort Jefferson, once used to protect ship traffic and patrol the Gulf of Mexico. During the Civil War, it housed about 800 Confederate soldiers, including Dr. Samuel Mudd, who set the leg of President Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth.

BEACON BITS

Apr. 1

“COFFEE CONCERT” AT KENNEDY CENTER

The Department of Recreation & Parks is offering a bus trip to the Kennedy Center for a morning concert on Friday, April 1, leaving at 9:30 a.m. and returning at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $69, lunch on your own. To learn more or to register, email viruss@howardcountymd.gov or call (410) 313-7279.

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M A R C H 2 0 1 6 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Where not to go — and when — this year While you may be reading plenty of “where to go in 2016” stories elsewhere, I’ll be a contrarian and address the question of places and times you should seek to avoid.

school, but the high season is March through early April. Popular destinations tend to vary from year to year, too, but for the most part you encounter lots of breakers on Florida’s East Coast beaches, Spring break the Texas Coast, and nearby Young folks age 16 to 21 Caribbean and Mexican recan be quite nice when sorts. Mass-market cruises they’re alone or in small can also be break targets. groups. But hundreds or even If you’re considering a vacathousands of them, each trytion during the spring break TRAVEL TIPS ing to see who can drink the period, either avoid beach desBy Ed Perkins most beer or smoke the most tinations entirely or choose an pot, can render a destination area uninhab- obscure one. And if you’re thinking about itable for their elders. a cruise, have your cruise agency check Spring break dates vary from school to on whether a sailing has a lot of spring

break bookings before you commit.

Football weekends In October, two years ago, I planned to visit a friend in Boone, N.C. But when I checked, all the local motels were either sold out or posting prices triple what I expected. Unfortunately, I had picked the weekend of a big football game at Appalachian State University for my visit, and the local hospitality industry decided to cash in on the huge surge in demand. Fortunately, I was able to find a reasonable rate in Lenoir, just 25 miles away. But that scenario is re-enacted hundreds of times during the fall season, whenever a university with a big-time football program hosts a game in its small-town setting. This

problem won’t arise for another 10 months, however, so if you plan to visit a “college town,” you have plenty of time to check dates before you book accommodations.

Europe in August When you visit Paris or London in August, you often wonder where all the locals went. The answer is simple: They went to the beach or the mountains. So if you hanker for a week in Normandy, make that week some time other than August. Of course, the folks who run visitor attractions don’t leave, so the tourist spots will run full-tilt for the benefit of foreign visitors. But throngs of visitors can clog a city, too, so maybe just avoid Europe in AuSee WHERE NOT TO GO, page 33

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Apr. 6

D.C. CHERRY BLOSSOM RIVER CRUISE A Potomac River cruise to enjoy the cherry blossoms is available

through the Department of Recreation and Parks on Wednesday, April 6. The tour bus leaves at 9:30 a.m. and returns at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $99 and include lunch. For more information or to register, call (410) 313-7279 or email viruss@howardcountymd.gov.

Mar. 24

COMMUNITY HEALTH FORUM The Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition will discuss ways to improve health outcomes and reduce health dispari-

ties in the county in a program on Thursday, March 24, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Miller Branch Library, 9421 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. Reports from the Howard County Health Department will be presented. For more information and to register for the program, visit www.hclhic.org/news-events/forum.

Don’t Miss the Fun, Excitement and Energy! The 8th Annual WomenFest – designed ffor women of all ages to live a more balanced, healthier and fulfilled life

Saturday, April 30 HIGHLIGHTS • • • • • • • •

Free Admission On-Site Parking 100+ Exhibitors/Vendors Dynamic Seminars Engaging Workshops Important Health Screenings Cooking and Fitness Demos All Day Door Prizes

•

10 am - 3 pm

Gary J. Arthur Community Center at Glenwood 2400 Route 97, Cooksville, MD 21723

New for 2016!

CORE CAMP Grab a Friend & Meet Us at the Mat! 45-minute Energizing Sessions PILATES: 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. YOGA: 12:30 – 1:15 p.m. YOGALATES: 2:00 – 2:45 p.m.

410-313-5440 or www.howardcountymd.gov/womenfest

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 6

Where not to go From page 32 gust entirely if you can.

Blockbuster events You can’t blame hotels and restaurants for hiking prices when their city or region hosts a blockbuster event. After all, Economics 101 says that price sets the balance between supply and demand. Although you can encounter major events almost anywhere, anytime, these are so big that, unless you’re attending, you really want to avoid them: • Political conventions. The GOP convenes in Cleveland July 18 to 21; the Dems convene in Philadelphia July 25 to 28. • Olympic Games. The 2016 Olympic Games will be in Rio, Aug. 5 to 21. Host cities are notorious for hiking prices, and if Rio follows London’s 2012 pattern, hotel prices will be at least double the usual

Key West From page 30

rates, and restaurants will either hike prices, be mobbed, or both. Steer clear of Rio during the Games — but expect some good post-games deals. • Public holidays. Many non-Christian countries celebrate Christmas because they enjoy the festivities and the commercialization. Beyond Christmas and New Year’s, however, public holidays vary a lot around the world. Check publicholidays.global/ for any area you’re likely to visit. • Trade fairs. In my experience, trade fairs don’t overwhelm a host city as much as they used to, but if you’re heading for Europe, check www.trade-shows.eu before you commit to a major European city. Send e-mail to Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net. Perkins’ new book for small business and independent professionals, “Business Travel When It’s Your Money,” is now available through www.mybusinesstravel.com or www.amazon.com. © 2016 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Feb. 26

TELL ME A STORY

An evening of local storytelling of real-life stories in Howard County will be offered by the Howard County Conservancy on Friday, February 26 at 7 p.m., at Mt. Pleasant, 10520 Old Frederick Rd., Woodstock. Admission $10. A storytelling workshop limited to 24 participants will be held that afternoon at the same location. To register for the workshop on creating and telling a good story, call (410) 465-8877. A fee of $75 covers the workshop, light dinner and admission to the evening program.

Mar. 4

NOMINATE A VOLUNTEER

Nominations for the 2016 Volunteer of the Year award, recognizing persons who perform outstanding volunteer service in Howard County, are due Friday, March 4. To learn more about the award and to download a nomination form, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/voy.htm. Award winners and all nominees will be recognized at a ceremony and dessert reception on Wednesday, April 13 at 7 p.m. in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Dr., Ellicott City. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (410) 313-2023 or email voy@howardcountymd.gov.

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Nature Conservatory. Around 60 butterfly species from around the world flutter among a garden of flowering plants. They are captive bred in the tropics on their native host plants, not collected from the wild. You might see the world’s largest — the owl butterfly, with an eleven-inch wingspan — and what looks like an eight-winged butterfly. It’s actually a breeding pair, coupling. Elsewhere on Key West, opportunities abound to sunbathe, swim, snorkel, sail, fish, golf, or simply do nothing. While seafood — fish, conch, crab, shrimp, lobster — is prominent on menus, eating in Key West is a diverse fusion of styles and tastes. Many delight in the Cuban dishes, like roast pork, black beans and rice, arroz con pollo, and boliche, a beef-sausage dish. Tropical fruits like mangos, papayas and coconuts are easy to come by. Serious foodies stress that true Key lime pie uses only Key limes, Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk, and a pastry crust, not graham cracker. Oh, and it is yellow; never green. While enjoying patio dining, you might find chickens or roosters pecking around your feet. It’s all part of Key West’s eggcentric charm. For a full range of lodging, dining and activities information, including coming events, visit www.fla-keys.com. (Flakey, get it?) You can fly directly to Key West, or fly to Miami and then drive or take the Keys Shuttle, Keys Express Shuttle, Key West bus, or Greyhound bus. Currently, the lowest round-trip fare BWI to Key West is $600 on Delta in mid-March. However, it’s $316 on Delta to Miami.

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M A R C H 2 0 1 6 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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Style Arts &

Fine craft work with beads can be exacting and relaxing at the same time. See story on page 37.

Songs still carry the show in South Pacific

THE COLUMBIA ORCHESTRA

Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair,” “There Is Nothing Like A Dame,” “This Nearly Was Mine,” “Happy Talk,” “Honey Bun,” “A Wonderful Guy,” “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught (to Hate).” Definitely no updating needed there.

Thwarted love The action focuses on the usually upbeat, perky nurse Nellie Forbush, who describes herself as a “hick” from Little Rock, Arkansas. She becomes shocked when she learns that Emile de Becque, the middle-aged, selfexilled French planter with whom she falls in love, had once been married to a Polynesian with whom he fathered the two adorable mixed race children who live with him. Nellie breaks off their relationship, believing that she can’t help herself, that racial prejudice was born in her. She does recant before curtain time, when she, her lover and the two cute kids are reunited. Meanwhile, Lt. Joe Cable. This Princeton grad beds a native girl, Liat, at the insistent invitation of the girl’s mother, the earthy Bloody Mary, who sees a wedding on the beautiful Bali H’ai horizon. Unfortunately, the lieutenant, who does fall for the sweet, fragile girl, also ends the affair, because he believes his hometown Philadelphia upper crust would be outraged at the pairing. The American Seabees on the island are all cutups, and they exuberantly do their things, which include “There Is Nothing Like

a Dame” and “Honey Bun,” in wonderfully, if by now rather clichéd, musical numbers.

Strong performances Teresa Danskey, who plays the crucial role of Nellie (played by Mary Martin on Broadway, Mitzi Gaynor on film, and on TV by Glenn Close), brings an innocent, spirited and sweet personality to the performance. She is both shy and forthright in her big numbers, “Cockeyed Optimist” and “I’m Gonna Wash that Man Right Out of My Hair.” The role of Bloody Mary is always is a potential showstealer. Crystal Freeman doesn’t steal so much as solidify — you can believe that she is the hustling business woman/big

mama called for in the role. And she hits the right plaintive notes of a special place when she sings the beckoning “Bali Ha’i.” The two male leads, Russell Rinker as the independent Frenchman turned war hero, and Jonathan Helwig, as the ill-fated See SOUTH PACIFIC, page 35

PHOTO BY JERI TIDWELL PHOTOGRAPHY

By Robert Friedman It wasn’t a completely enchanted evening. Nevertheless, the production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific at Toby’s Dinner theater in Columbia did at times exuberantly, dramatically and tunefully evoke that mid-20th century period when America fought an all-out war and Broadway provided the country’s maximum musical expression. The lives and times of the Navy Seabees, their officers, some attractive nurses, and a few of the natives on two Pacific islands not yet (till the end of the last act) affected by WWII action are based on James Michener’s short stories in his Pulitzer-Prize winning book, Tales of the South Pacific. However, I found the stories of the two parallel love affairs in South Pacific so outdated as to no longer be believable. True, times were radically, racially different from today in 1949, when the play began its record run on Broadway. Still and all, the bigotry of two of the story’s main protagonists seems out of sync with their onstage personalities. The message of racial tolerance by Oscar Hammerstein and Joshua Logan, who wrote the book together for the musical, was progressive for the time. But I wonder if it is out of the question to give the story a more subtle tone in present-day productions. Still, the songs! So many, with such wonderful words and music: “Some Enchanted Evening,” “Younger Than Springtime,” “Bali Ha’i,” “Cockeyed Optimist,” “I’m

Cast members from Toby’s Dinner Theatre’s production of South Pacific perform in the show’s musical-within-a-musical — the “Thanksgiving Follies” put on to raise troop morale on the island. South Pacific also includes such timeless Rodgers and Hammerstein’s songs as “I’m Gonna Wash that Man Right Out of My Hair” and “Some Enchanted Evening.”

Concert sponsored by:

2015-2016 Chamber Music Series Saturdays at 8:00 PM Smith Theatre ! Columbia

SYMPHONIC POPS MAR192016 7:30pm Jim Rouse Theatre Get your tickets now for our most popular concert of the year! Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with the Teelin Irish Dancers, music from the Emerald Isle and Finian's Rainbow, as well as favorites from Les Misérables & more!

Tickets range from $10-$25 ($3 service fee may apply) 410-465-8777 www.columbiaorchestra.org

Quatuor Ébène March 12, 2016 Beethoven's late quartets, considered the greatest of his works, will be performed by “[i]nterpreters of rare understanding and communicative flair.” — The Strad ALL-BEETHOVEN PROGRAM: String Quartet No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 131 String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat Major, Op. 130 (with Grosse Fuge) www.candlelightconcerts.org

410-997-2324

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 6

South Pacific From page 34 Lt. Cable, have fine, if not booming, baritone voices. Rinker’s several reprisals of “Some Enchanted Evening” do not shake the rafters, but make the song a singing dialogue that goes along with the emotional context of his role. I was disappointed in the short shrift given to “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught,” sung by Helwig in what felt like a shortened version, and with less emphasis than it should have been given. The song carries the musical’s essential message that racial discrimination is a result of nurture rather than nature. On the other hand, Helwig put proper feeling into the beautiful “Younger Than Springtime.” Jeff Shankle got most of the laughs as the wild and wily Seabee Luther Billis. Robert John Biederman was officious enough as Captain Brackett, and David Boxley-Reynolds was sufficiently salty as Commander William Harbison. Mark Minnick directed the play and its oft-times rousing choreography, while Reenie Codelksa was the musical conductor. Toby’s theater in the round, where large food carts are parked before showtime, does not lend itself to much scenic display. Still, there were really only minimal hints of a tropical island in any of the scenes. While South Pacific now seems more of a cultural artifact, the words and music of

its songs remain alive and beautiful. South Pacific runs until March 20 at Toby’s Dinner Theater, located at 5900 Symphony Woods Rd. in Columbia. Doors open two hours before curtain time — 6 p.m. for evening dinner performances (5 p.m. on Sundays), and 10:30 a.m. for Wednesday and Sunday brunch matinees. There are no shows on Monday. Tickets range from $55 to $60 for adults, depending on performance, and are $41.50 for children 12 and under at all performances. An all-you-can-eat meal immediately precedes all performances and is included in the price of your ticket. The food is plentiful, with dinner including a large salad bar, a variety of cold salads and hot side dishes and entrees, a carving station for roast beef, ham and turkey, and concluding with a choice of rich desserts and a do-it-yourself ice cream sundae bar. The matinee brunch cuts down on the entrees and sides in favor of a variety of breakfast treats. Specialty drinks of all types (alcoholic and not) can be ordered for additional cost. Many come with souvenir glasses. Patrons are expected to tip the wait staff based on the full price of their ticket plus any additional items ordered. In fact, tips are the chief source of income for most of the cast members. For more information, visit www.tobysdinnertheatre.com. To purchase tickets, call the box office at (410) 730-8311 or buy online from Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com/venue/172479.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

REPORT SUSPCIOUS CALLS The National Fraud Information enter invites seniors who suspect

they are being targeted by a fraud or scam to call the center at (800) 876-7060 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The center’s website www.fraud.org offers “Fraud Watch on the Web” that includes current fraud alerts.

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BEACON BITS

Feb. 20

OLD-FASHIONED ROMANCE The Howard County Historical Society presents “P.S. I Love You,”

an evening of letters from historic figures connected to Ellicott City, in a program on Saturday, Feb. 20 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the HCHS Museum, 8328 Court Ave., Ellicott City. Wine and chocolate will follow the presentation. To purchase tickets at $10 per person, go to www.hchsmd.org/events or call (410) 480-3250.

Feb. 23

CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AUTHOR Author and Columbia resident John Milton Wesley will present a slide show depicting his life as a young black male growing up

during the civil rights movement in the Mississippi delta on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 10 a.m. at the Bain 50+ Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia. For more information, call the center at (410) 313-7213.

Feb. 21

HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING The annual membership meeting of the Howard County Historical Society will be held Feb. 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Miller Branch

Library, 9421 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. In addition to election of officers and committee reports, the program will feature a lecture by Henry Sharp on “Ellicotts’ Mills and the New Story of America’s Industrial Origins.” For additional information, email hocohistoricalsociety@gmail.com.

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M A R C H 2 0 1 6 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Tying up loose ends with an old flame My 50th college reunion is fast approach- forge an excellent career, and launch a ing. So is my college girlfriend. I’m not sure Facebook account where she regularly which prospect is more discondisplays pictures of her certing. grandchildren. The good news is that, 50 I went on to marry, have years down the pike, I’m still two kids, type for a living, and drawing sufficient breath to launch a Facebook account be typing this. that I rarely use and couldn’t The bad news is that it ended understand if my life dependbadly with said girlfriend 50 ed on it. years ago, and I’m feeling imBut now we’ve been thrown pelled to settle scores. together — despite that epic Not to get back together HOW I SEE IT evening in my apartment 50 with her. No way. Bite your By Bob Levey years ago when she said, um, tongue. Heaven forbid. uh, I don’t know how to tell you The reasons are many, and they are ex- this, but there’s someone else. cellent. I’m happily married. She lives We’re both on the reunion committee. 3,000 miles away. I’ve seen her only once We join conference calls every month or so in these 50 years, and that was an awkward to plan our Big Event. The talk is all about mess of a cocktail hour. I couldn’t — and venues, menus, fundraising, and which didn’t — wait to leave. music from the 1960s was best. She went on to marry, have two kids, It’s all very polite, very businesslike, al-

BEACON BITS

Feb. 20

AFRICAN AMERICAN PLAYS

See six short works by up-and-coming black playwrights from Chicago and London in “Black Lives, Black Words” at Howard Community College on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. Admission is $15. The performance takes place in the Monteabaro Recital Hall, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia. For more information and tickets, see http://columbiafestival.org/black-lives-black-words or call (410) 715-3044.

most vanilla. She never mentions our old couplehood, and none of our classmates do, either, even though many people on the conference calls remember it. So, for the two of us, the real agenda is not whether to serve chicken or fish in early June. The real agenda is whether and how to button up the past. I don’t quite know what I mean by that. I don’t want vengeance. I don’t want the chance to yell at her. I think I want to win a debating point. I think I want her to say that she was wrong to lower the boom on me, wrong to seek her future elsewhere. I think I want an apology. But how can I arrange that? Could I really ask her for an apology? If I ask for one, is it still an apology? Or is it a line in a script that I, the playwright, will have written for her, my co-star? No, I decide. I’ll settle for a good, honest discussion of our former relationship. It flamed hot so fast, and flamed out so fast. Why? How? Could it have prospered? Should we have tried harder? One afternoon, I was thinking about how to proceed — and whether to proceed — when the phone rang. “Hi, it’s Kathy,” said a familiar voice. “Hi,” I said. We were as tentative as two teenagers. But then she pulled back the tarpaulin and

told the truth. “I’ve been thinking about you,” she said. “I’ve been thinking about how self-absorbed I was then. I’ve been thinking that I owe you an apology.” Well, well. Ever the gentleman, even when I wasn’t feeling so gentlemanly, I told her no, nonsense, you don’t owe me an apology. “Oh, but I do,” she said. “I would never treat anyone today the way I treated you then. I just wanted you to know that.” So I accepted that apology. And we proceeded to catch up on 50 years. The bumps and the bruises. The deaths of parents. The kids who never quite make the decisions we wish they’d make. It soon became like talking to an old friend, not to an old flame. No recriminations. No agendas. No lashing out. Fifty years later, we had become adults. And we had started to bury the hatchet. “See you in June,” I said, as we rang off. “Oh, I’ll be there. Wouldn’t miss it,” she said. Had I settled a score or simply tied up a loose end? I can’t say for sure. But, I, too, am looking forward to June. The hatchet needs to be buried some more. Wouldn’t miss it. Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 6

Artist revives longtime interest in beads

An ancient art form Beading is believed to have originated in Mesopotamia. From there, it spread to Egypt, where Egyptian artisans created images of gods, kings and mortals wearing broad collars fashioned from molded tubular and teardrop beads. Beadwork in Europe has a history dating back thousands of years to a time when shells and animal bones were used as beads in necklaces. At the end of the 14th century, glass beads began being made in Murano, Italy, and beaded flowers became popular in France around the 16th century. In the Americas, glass beads have been in use for almost five centuries, with the Cherokee using bead work to tell stories through patterns in the beads, which they made from dried berries, gray Indian corn, teeth, bones, claws or sea shells. Beadwork continues to be a popular Native American art form today, mostly using glass beads imported from Europe and, more recently, Asia.

Exacting, but relaxing On her website, www.theafine.com, Fine notes that while other people might find beading exacting and methodical, she finds “playing with beads” freeing and artistically satisfying. Each piece of her bead art — which ranges from jewelry to Judaica — is hand-sewn by Fine herself, one tiny glass bead at a time. “It’s very exacting work, but I find it relaxing,” she said. “It grounds me.” Fine’s designs are inspired by her travels (Italy and Russia, for example, provided a wealth of ideas), by history and, at times, just by whim. “Sometimes I don’t know what I’m doing,” she said. “But then it will start to happen.” She may pair beads of different colors with crystal, semiprecious stones or found objects. Then she hand-sews the beads and other objects together to create a look that can vary from organized lines and geometric forms, to a freewheeling, freeform manner. A tiny “signature” — a single purple bead — is hidden in each piece. Many of Fine’s works are one-of-a-kind, others are replicable limited editions, and still others have been commissioned by customers, including some that were remade — revived and restyled from old, tired or broken jewelry. Fine’s work can be custom-ordered, and she also exhibits in shows such as the American Craft Council show, coming to the Baltimore Convention Center from Feb. 19 to 21. Prices for her work range from $55 to $3,000. A member of the Baltimore Bead Society, Fine observes that beading as a hobby may not be as popular as it once was. For Fine, however — whose home is filled with boxes of beads and ongoing projects in various states of completion — beading is more than a hobby.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THEA FINE

By Carol Sorgen Thea Fine is a self-described “recovering health policy wonk who writes.” Now, though, after a long career in the federal government, Fine prefers to describe herself as a beading designer. The Ellicott City resident first learned how to bead as a child during summer vacations with her maternal grandmother, Rose — “a Renaissance woman who never met a craft she didn’t love.” Fine, now 66, turned away from beading when she was in her teens, but picked it up again about 15 years ago. After years trying every other craft she could think of, “I took one refresher class and I was off and running,” Fine said. “My hands were happy again.”

Thea Fine’s bead art designs are inspired by her travels, history and her imagination. She will display her work at the American Craft Council Show, Feb. 19 to 21 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

“It’s a continuation of a career I started as a child,” she said. “It’s connecting yesterday to today through my grandmother. For me, it’s a labor of love.” The American Craft Council Retail Show will feature handmade creations from more

than 650 of the country’s top contemporary craft artists, who will be selling jewelry, clothing, furniture and home décor. The show runs from Feb. 19 to 21. For admission prices and hours, visit www.craftcouncil.org/baltimore.

FROM PAGE 38

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

H E M H O T A Q U A N S R T A T A L E S N E E I N A L I D S L E A P S O M A T T E R R S E A S A Y

P S T U T E E A P R L E D S A M M E L E T E S L

G E M I N I A O N E A X E

I V E R L I T E L E A P S U S A S T O N T H E D O A E A P D A Y H O I D B O U N O L D S I S A T P O F F A A N A L D S A L

C O N T R A B A N D

B L U E

S E N D

R A N K S

K R I S

H I L L

I S T H E Y S

Through March 20

This lush, exotic musical of two love stories, both filled with the passion of wartime romance and the challenge of overcoming prejudice for love. Based on availability. Due to the nature of theatre bookings, all shows, dates and times are subject to change.

TOBY’S DINNER THEATRE OF COLUMBIA 5900 Symphony Woods Road • CALL 410-730-8311

D in

ner & Sho w

TobysDinnerTheatre.com RESERVE YOUR SEATS TODAY!

M A R C H 2 0 1 6 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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Crossword Puzzle

PUZZLE PAGE

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

By Stephen Sherr

20 23 27

41 46

39 44

40 45

54 61

Across 1. Rope fiber 5. Santa Claus, famously 10. 60 Minutes network 13. ___ the dickens 14. Well beyond ordinary 15. Bullfight shout 16. Dramatic advancement 18. She gets into the habit 19. Miss, (Latin) America 20. 7th notes 21. Yucaton you 23. Adolescent 25. Richest passenger on The Titanic 27. Risky maneuver 32. Look from Elvis 33. Vowels of LOCALES 34. Common joke setting 35. ___ tizzy 36. Feature of February 2016 40. “Gimme ___!” (start of an Ithaca College cheer) 41. Mason jar sealers 43. Homer Simpson’s grunt 44. Comments from Muppet Professor Strangepork 46. Rapid progress 50. W.W. I battle site 51. Assembly line pioneer 52. Gloss-less 54. “Rose ___ rose ...” 55. It means war 59. Botch 60. Trust without evidence 64. Plain on the moon 65. Lyndon Johnson, for one 66. Long after (on Cheers) 67. “See something, ___ something” 68. Iditarod transport 69. It’s fair in war

Down

33 37

HC3/16

Scrabble answers on p. 37.

2. Coup d’___ 3. Florida’s state marine mammal 4. Christmas time in the City (of Angels) 5. Sign of twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen 6. Misfortunes 7. Compete 8. Guess, at Athens International Airport 9. Communal opinion 10. Black market products 11. Color, or off-color 12. Gmail button 13. Super-hero hangouts 17. Its stadium is The Sun Bowl 22. Mr. Pibb or Dr. Pepper 24. Marquess-ed down 25. Just slightly 26. Citi Field predecessor in Queens 27. Tony-award best musical of 1977 28. Corrupt 29. One with low degrees 30. Creates a “Top 10” list 31. Kristofferson or Kringle 32. Pie perch 37. Big cheese, in Holland 38. Top rated 39. ___ be surprised 42. Attribute of a firehouse dog 45. Use the setup disk 47. Refines ore 48. Atomic particles 49. One of five Norse kings 52. Neat freak’s phobia 53. Furlong : Distance :: Acre : ___ 54. Apple Store display item 56. It aspires to grow to a mountain 57. The end of Brooklyn and Manhattan 58. Socially reserved 61. Slippery swimmer 62. Lizzie Borden’s weapon 63. Fed. org with a compass in its logo

1. 60 minutes

Answers on page 37.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 6

CLASSIFIEDS The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on 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. EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS: We will not knowingly or intentionally accept advertising in violation of federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap in connection with employment or the sale or rental of real estate.

Financial Services TAXES, ACCOUNTING, AND BOOKKEEPING, eldercare. CPA 38 years, reasonable rates. Call 410-653-3363.

For Sale 2 SALVADOR DALI woodblock prints from Dante’s Divine Comedy. Signed and framed. Asking $900 for the pair. Can email pictures if desired. Call Steve 410-913-1653.

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Home/Handyman Services SANFORD & SON HAULING & RECYCLING. Trash + Junk removal, house & estate cleanouts, garage + basement cleanouts. Demolition – Shed, deck fence + pool removal. Licensed + insured. Free estimates over the phone. Call 7 days a week, 7 am to 7 pm. 410746-5090. BALTIMORE’S BEST JUNK REMOVAL – Clean Outs: Whole House, Emergency, Attics/Basements. Furniture and Junk Removal, Yard Waste Removal, General Hauling, Construction Debris Removal. Free estimates. 10% Senior Discount. Licensed, Bonded and Insured. Call Jesse, 443-379-HAUL (4285).

Wanted FiNE ANTIQUES, PAINTINGS AND QUALITY VINTAGE FURNISHINGS wanted by a serious capable buyer. I am very well educated [law degree] knowledgeable [over 40 years in the antique business] and have the finances and wherewithal to handle virtually any situation. If you have a special item, collection or important estate I would like to hear from you. I pay great prices for great things in all categories from oriental rugs to Tiffany objects, from rare clocks to firearms, from silver and gold to classic cars. If it is wonderful, I am interested. No phony promises or messy consignments. References gladly furnished. Please call Jake Lenihan, 301-279-8834. Thank you. WE BUY JEWELRY, SILVER, GOLD, AND COSTUME. Coins, Paper Money Too. Watches, Clocks, Military Badges and Patches Old and New. Call Greg, 717-658-7954.

Health

OLD AND NEW, WE BUY STERLING SILVER FLATWARE, Tea Sets, Single Pieces of Silver, Large pieces of Silver Plate. Attic, Basement or Garage. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. You have something to SELL, we are looking to BUY.

MOBILE EYE EXAMS – Comprehensive and/or low vision eye exams provided to Baltimore seniors with limited mobility. Visit www.HomeEyeOD.com or call 443-802-9920 for more information.

VINYL RECORDS WANTED from 1950 through 1985. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or 78s, Larger collections of at least 100 items wanted. Please call John, 301-596-6201.

TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED Deadlines and Payments: Ad text and payment is due by the 5th of each month. Note: Only ads received and prepaid by the deadline will be included in the next month’s issue. Please type or print your ad carefully. Include a number where you can be reached in the event of a question. Payment is due with ad. We do not accept ads by phone or fax, nor do we accept credit cards. Private Party Text Ads: For individuals seeking to buy or sell particular items, or place a personal ad. Each ad is $10 for 25 words, 25 cents for each additional word. Business Text Ads: For parties engaged in an ongoing business enterprise. Each ad is $25 for 25 words, 50 cents for each additional word. Note: Each real estate listing counts as one business text ad. Send your classified ad with check or money order, payable to the Beacon, to:

The Beacon, Baltimore Classified Dept. P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 Wanted COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, weapons, rifles, shot guns, knives, swords, bayonets, web gear, uniforms, etc. from all wars and countries. Large quantities are okay. Will pay top prices for my personal collection. Discreet consultations. Call Fred, 301-910-0783.

Thanks for reading!

BEACON BITS

Mar. 23

ALL ABOUT GI TESTS

A free presentation dealing with common gastrointestinal tests and procedures will be offered by Dr. Rudy Rai on Wednesday, March 23 at 7 p.m. at the Howard County General Hospital Wellness Center, Room 100, 10710 Charter Dr., Columbia. For further information and to register, visit www.hcgh.org or call (410) 740-7890.

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Research Studies

Cancer Survivor Spirit Study .....................17 Dementia Behavior Study ..........................17 Fall Prevention Balance Study...................16 Vitamin D Fall Prevention Study ...............16

Events

Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center......................................5 COGS Monthly Meeting............................24 What’s Next Boomer Summit ....................26 WOMENFEST...........................................32

Financial Services PenFed Financial Services .........................25

Funeral Services Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home, Inc. .................................24 Going Home Cremations ...........................26 Sol Levinson & Bros., Inc............................4

Hearing Services

Miracle-Ear ..................................................7

Home Health Care

A-1 Action Nursing Care ...........................13

Homewatch Caregivers ..............................11 Options for Senior America .......................14

Housing

Alta at Regency Crest ................................17 Brooke Grove.......................................15, 40 Buckingham’s Choice/Integrace ................35 Charlestown/Erickson Living ....................14 Country Gardens Assisted Living ..............32 Fairhaven/Integrace....................................35 Gatherings at Quarry Place/Beazer Homes...................................33 Heartlands of Ellicott City ........................10 Homecrest House .......................................31 Homewood at Frederick.............................12 Olney Assisted Living................................12 Park View .....................................................6 Shriner Court/Quantum................................4 Somerford Place/ 5 Star Senior Living..................................10 Vantage House .............................................18

Legal Services

Frank, Frank & Scherr, LLC ......................25 Law Office of Karen Ellsworth..................27

Medical/Health

Medical Eye Center....................................13 World Class Chiropractic .............................9

Real Estate

The Bob Lucido Team..................................3

Retail

Adjustable Bed...........................................29 Comic Book Collector ...............................37 Columbia’s Village Centers .......................14 Wow Computer ..........................................28

Senior Services

The Senior Connection .........................19-22

Skilled Nursing & Rehab

CommuniCare ............................................11

Theatre/Entertainment

Candlelight Concert Society ......................34 Columbia Orchestra ...................................34 Columbia Pro Cantare................................35 Toby’s Dinner Theatre................................37

Tour & Travel

Eyre Tour & Travel ....................................31

Volunteers/Careers

Family and Children’s Services ...................9 Meals on Wheels of Central MD ...............13

INDEPENDENT LIVING OPEN HOUSE

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M A R C H 2 0 1 6 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

simply

DIFFERENT

because what surrounds you really matters.

Thursday, March 3, 2016 11 A.M. – 2 p.m. Westbrooke Clubhouse • 18310 Slade School Road • Sandy Spring, MD 20860

Discover the casual elegance and comfort of our independent living cottages. TOUR two large cottages and MEET current residents. Explore Westbrooke Clubhouse, its restaurant and fitness center. Enjoy our 220-acre campus of lush pastures and hardwood forest. MAINTENANCE-FREE LIVING NEVER LOOKED SO BEAUTIFUL

An optional, informal “Lunch and Learn” presentation by Retirement Counselor Laura Wright Learn how to become a no-obligation priority list member, examine financial options and review the long-term benefits of a secure lifestyle with continuing care options. Sessions will be held at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. p Please register with Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org by March 1.

Independent living assisted living rehabilitation long-term care memory support 301-260-2320 or 301-924-2811 • www.bgf.org