March 2017 | Howard County Beacon by The Beacon Newspapers

The Howard County

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Women named to Hall of Fame

I N S I D E …

CREDIT?

By Jamie Lee Pricer Without exception, the five women who will be inducted into Howard County’s Women’s Hall of Fame in March credit others for the support and encouragement that led to their success. The county’s Commission on Women has inducted its honorees each year as part of Women’s History Month since 1996. The women are heralded for their community service. “Once again, I am so impressed by the talent and achievements of these women who will be inducted into the Women’s Hall of Fame,” said County Executive Allan H. Kittleman. “From preserving historic sites and our agricultural heritage, to leadership of local nonprofits and youth programs, to philanthropy and support of worthy causes, these women have truly made a difference, and have made Howard County a better place to live,” he said. Here’s why each has earned a place in the Hall of Fame.

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Serving since childhood Community service has been part of Mary Catherine Cochran’s life since childhood. “My parents modeled it themselves, serving as advocates for education, human rights and accessible gover nment,” Cochran said. She and her five siblings were brought up “to look out for each other, our classmates, our neighbors, our community, and to firmly believe that we could make a difference.” In 2000, she founded the county’s first historic preservation program, updated the county’s historic sites inventory, and pushed for the addition of historic preservation in the county’s General Plan. Her work to preserve structures such as schools for African American children, bridges, barns and industrial architecture have helped tell the story of Howard County. In 2015, Cochran started to manage the Patapsco Heritage Area and the Patapsco Heritage Greenway that now sponsors free history and natural history programs. When Ellicott City was flooded last summer, Greenway teams helped property and business owners with cleanup, historic district processes, historic tax credits ques-

Five women will be honored for their community service when they are inducted into the Howard County Women’s Hall of Fame on March 9. Clockwise from top left, they are: Mary Catherine Cochran, Sandra Harriman, Margaret Schultz, Abbie Diane Martin, and Stacie Hunt in the center.

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A top-notch Show Boat cruises into Toby’s Dinner Theatre page 26

tions, and preservation programs. She gathered building material donations and raised funds for mold remediation services for woman-owned and operated businesses. In addition, Cochran served as director of the Claudia Mayer/Tina Broccolino Cancer Resource Center. Under her leadership, the center grew from serving 614 patients a year to more than 5,000. She credits those she has worked with. “I think of this induction as a pack award. In everything I’ve done, I’ve worked shoulder to shoulder with so many others,” she said. “Every accomplishment has been a swarm effect.” Her models? “Those who have taken the time to each me about implementing change. There are so many — but they were similar in that they were truth tellers

and they were kind and took the time to teach me.” Cochran likes to pass on her parents’ philosophy. “My children and I encourage each other by reminding ourselves to ‘live large, with an open heart.’

Raising funds One of Sandra Harriman’s longest terms of community service honors her mother, who became deaf at age 5 due to spinal meningitis. “She was from a poor family in Atlanta, Ga., and had few opportunities,” said Harriman, vice president of development of the Howard Hospital Foundation. “She encouraged me to get an education See HALL OF FAME, page 28

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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. Publisher’s note: As promised, we present this month a selection from the many letters to the editor we received in response to my recent columns on Social Security and assisted suicide. To provide more space, I am refraining from penning a new column this month. Dear Editor: The Beacon is one of my favorite publications, full of important information about finance, health, law, community events and many more issues. I especially enjoy the column “From the Publisher.” On another note, the opinion shared by the Baltimore writer in your January letters [regarding protests following the election] was disgraceful. When people want to be heard, they need to be respectful and polite, which he was not. Mary Anne Dupon Columbia Dear Editor: I hear your discussions with Eric Stew-

art on Mr. Stewart’s Sunday morning program, which I have listened to for many years, and located your [January 2017 From the Publisher column about Social Security] on your website. I opened the link to Wharton’s policy position on saving Social Security. The Wharton position does not address the most important and critical change: the Federal government must immediately stop spending the FICA tax withholdings! No more issuing Treasury bonds in exchange for the FICA taxes. Invest the funds in a highly diversified stock market fund. Had this occurred fifty years ago, today’s problem would not exist. Wharton offers six solutions to the Social Security deficit. [One is the] Progressive Benefit Reduction. This is the ‘Means Test’ analysis, i.e., your benefit will be based on your other income and likely net worth. This idea upsets me greatly. I started working when I was 8 years old, living on a

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dairy farm. I had my first paying job cleaning the coal bin at the local high school at age 13. At age 17, I was working construction, and had a family and children by age 20. I began paying into Social Security before the enactment of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). My very low income was not “means tested,” and during my struggles for many years my FICA was withheld from my paycheck no matter how difficult our finances were. In 1989, I was unemployed, work was scarce where I was living, and I was offered a good job in another state. I moved my family of my wife and four small children, only to discover that the employer had offered me the position in hopes of landing a contract in which he would need someone with my skills, but he was not awarded the contract. We literally had spent every dollar and borrowed some to move. We had not a dollar to our name. I swallowed my pride and applied for food stamps, but since we had not established the necessary 90-day residency, we were denied. That night I heard my children cry themselves to sleep because they were hungry. That was nearly 30 years ago, but I am reduced to shame every time I recall the sound. The government did not “means test” my income when I finally returned to work; no, I paid the required FICA regardless of my means to pay, which in those days was quite limited. Hell has not seen a day so cold as when I, and millions of others, will sit silent when the government “means tests” our Social Security. I will do everything legally in my power to object. If the government wishes to save Social Security, several tangible and necessary steps must be enacted: A. As described above, the immediate stop to the Congressional spending of FICA tax receipts. Invest the funds in a highly diversified stock market account managed by professional managers. B. Eliminate the national debt by cutting the federal budget. The reductions to federal agencies would replace those Social Security funds wasted on agencies over the years. C. Eliminate fraud in the Social Security system. Find and punish those who have unlawfully received Social Security benefits, including a permanent ban on future benefits. D. Taxing other than earned income. Perhaps real estate transactions, the sale of stocks and other investments, even 501(c) organizations should be taxed on their receipts. (Frankly, I think the 501(c) provision is the tax code has been so misused it should be eliminated.) Congress has avoided this disaster for too long. The changes necessary to save Social Security will require many difficult and painful choices. Hopefully (but unlikely) Congress will be forced to change Social Security’s underlying fundamentals. I enjoy the Beacon, quite thought provoking! Louis Peasley via email Dear Editor: Per the challenge to your readers last month: to have the conversation and think

about end-of-life issues [February From the Publisher, “Dignity vs. quality of life”], I assure you that I have thought about it long and hard. A new bill will be introduced to the legislature this session that would allow a person of sound mind who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness by two doctors, and requests both verbally and in writing (with a 15-day waiting period), to receive a prescription for life-ending medication. There must be two witnesses to the request (at least one of whom is not a relative or has any financial interest), and the medication must be self-administered. A similar law has been in effect in Oregon for 18 years, and statistics show that out of the 510,000 Oregonians who died between 1998 and 2014, only 859 hastened their death by a doctor’s legal prescription, less than 0.2 percent. No one is forced to request the meds. No physician, pharmacist, or facility has to participate if it is against their philosophy. And if one requests the drugs and takes possession of them, there is no mandate to take them. This is meant to allow a dying person some choice and autonomy at the end of life. I was concerned that your editorial referred to a growing number of suicides, and tied ending life with prescribed medication to suicide. Many suicides occur because of psychological rather than terminal illness. Suicide is done in private because it is secretive, often very messy, and a horror for the family — particularly the friend or family member who discovers a suicide victim. If anyone knows about or aids in suicide, it is illegal and subject to prosecution. Sometimes people commit suicide because they become ill, and the fear of the unknown and concern for what might be an untenable future is so very scary. The end-of-life medication option is just one of the options, including hospice care, stopping eating and drinking, or ending all medical treatment, and all must be explained to the patient requesting life-ending drugs as described in the legislation. I don’t know if I would ever use this law since I have no idea what the future holds for me. I am usually quite happy to let the universe unfold in a more natural way. But I would like to know that there is a safety net in case either physical or psychological pain was to become unbearable. The Oregon statistics also show that often when people have the prescription available, they are less stressed and more able to continue with their lives, even with harsh circumstances. The bottom line is that, even if this is something that you would never consider doing, do you think that it should be legal for me to have a life-ending medication option if I fall within the parameters of carefully thought-out legislation? A similar law passed in California (2015), Colorado (November 2016) and voted favorably (11 to 2) in Washington, D.C. Norma Cohen Mt. Washington See LETTERS TO EDITOR, page 4

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 7

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Innovations Get serious to protect against identity theft By Anya Kamenetz Having someone else pretend to be you is now something that has probably happened to you or to someone you know. And it’s not as fun as it sounds. According to Bankrate, a financial website, 41 million U.S. adults have now had their identities stolen, and another 49 million know someone who has. Having your credit card used without your permission is the commonest, and in some ways the mildest, form of ID theft. That’s because your bank’s fraud alert system will likely notify you, cancel the charges, and get you a new card before you lose any money. Letting someone get a hold of your Social Security number, date of birth and

other biographical information is much worse. You can be liable for thousands of dollars in charges, it can ruin your credit, and once the information is out there changing hands, these violations can be repeated again and again. I called up one of Bankrate’s analysts, Mike Cetera, for information on how to avoid this fate. Q: What’s the biggest mistake people make that exposes them to identity theft? A: The key one here is using the same or similar passwords [across websites]. And I think this is a big deal right now because of the Yahoo breach. [Last fall, the Internet company Yahoo! confirmed that information on 500 million customer ac-

counts had been stolen.] Our survey found that a little bit more than a quarter of people use exactly or mostly the same password across accounts. This is a bad idea. Q: So what should people do to keep passwords secure? A: It’s a good idea to create strong and unique passwords. Q: Is it safest to keep them written down on paper in my house? A: Yes, it’s more secure than [keeping them] anywhere electronic. But a lot of people have way more accounts than they realize. Q: So what’s an alternative? You tried a free online password manager, right? [See “Password managers make ID

security simple” on page 5.] A: After we ran the survey, I decided to download a password manager myself. I went through the process of having it look through all my online accounts — I had 109 of them! — and translate them to unique and difficult passwords to break. I’m going to be honest, it took me three hours to get it all done, but it’s done now. And I only have to remember one password. Q: You found that 36 percent of survey respondents are using unsecured wi-fi networks for personal business, like banking. Tell me what that looks like and why that’s a problem. See IDENTITY THEFT, page 4

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Identity theft From page 3 A: So when you go to your local coffee shop and they have free wi-fi, if you must use that network, don’t do anything sensitive. Don’t log onto your bank account. Don’t look at your credit card statements. The bad guys have the means to break into these free networks and watch what you’re doing.

Letters to editor From page 2 Dear Editor: I would like to offer you some of my thoughts about your outstanding editorial (“Dignity vs. quality of life,” From the Publisher, February 2017). As for application of the death penalty: I am in support of it, under certain rather controlled constraints. The question of actual guilt must be absolutely clear, as with Dylann Roof, the young man

M A R C H 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Q: And you also found that 42 percent of adults aren’t checking their credit reports regularly for unauthorized accounts. A: Yes, and a lot more privacy experts I speak with are saying that you should put a freeze on your credit. That means no new lenders have access to your credit report, so no one can take out a loan or open an account without contacting you for permission first.

Q: Really? I thought credit freezes were for people who had already been victims of identity theft. A: I feel like there’s a switch in philosophies here. Experts are saying, I know this is kind of a hassle, but it’s really not a bad idea to have it all the time, even if you don’t suspect you’ve been a victim. Q: OK, I’ll have to consider it. Any good news in the survey?

A: I think one of the things most Americans do tend to get right is, when you get important information in the mail, say from the Social Security Administration or a credit card application, shred it. About 71 percent of U.S. adults are doing that. Anya Kamenetz welcomes your questions at diyubook@gmail.com. © 2016 Anya Kamenetz. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

who killed nine church members in Charleston S.C. There is no question of his guilt, including the fact that he admitted he did it, and was found to be mentally capable. I am not in support of the death penalty for cases where the verdict is based upon legal operations, possibly extenuating circumstances. I am only for the death penalty for people who deliberately killed one or more of their fellow human beings. The penalty for their action should be death, and it should be done in a way that

works all the time, is swift and painless. This is by firing squad. Death is instantaneous. I can see no reason to support a life sentence. There should be a penalty for killing someone, under the constraints that I have noted above, and letting them live in relative comfort until they die of natural causes seems inappropriate. As for assisted suicide: I am for it under certain conditions. While religion (all kinds and types) believes in the sanctity of human life (I do too), I believe that it is eventually the deci-

sion of the person who will be affected. It is not the decision of, nor is permission required from, any other person or government. There are conditions, however. Any person who wishes to take their own life should be allowed to do so under certain conditions. First, they must be mentally competent. Old people (like me) may have lost their ability to reason clearly, and because of their wealth and estate, may have pressure on them from their family to take their own life. There should be some legal investigation to make sure that people who wish to take their own life are doing so without family or external pressures. You point out that in Holland, people may voluntarily end their lives. This seems reasonable to me. As an example, consider the implications of the growth of Alzheimer’s disease. There is no cure, or even mitigation of the advance. Eventually people die from it. If I am ever diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, I shall end my life at the appropriate moment while I still have control over my physical operations. Why not? I cannot think of anything worse than for my wife to be responsible for me while I sit in a chair, unable to function at all, but still breathing. Louis Solomon via email Dear Editor: There are much better and simpler arguments regarding death penalty and assisted suicide. Against death penalty: • It’s fallible and irreversible. Enough people have been exonerated from death row to make it extremely likely that innocent people have been executed. • Delays and repeated appeals make it more expensive than life imprisonment. In favor of permitting assisted suicide: • It avoids government and religious intrusion into the most personal decision possible. • It provides/preserves personal autonomy regarding quality-of-life. • It’s supervised/controlled with multiple independent verifications of free will, sound mind and intent. You strangely conflate dignity of life for a convicted criminal and someone suffering intractable disease. For the former, there are better arguments against execution than dignity. For the latter, who’s to evaluate dignity but the sufferer? And where’s the dignity in a prolonged death imposed by others? Gabe Goldberg via email

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The Department of Recreation and Parks has issued a call for nominations for the Community Sports Hall of Fame, with a deadline of April 15. The awards honor individuals such as coaches, managers and league officials who have made significant contributions to sports programs in Howard County. Recipients will be recognized at the county’s Celebration of Sports in October. Nominations should be delivered in person or mailed to Howard County Community Sports Hall of Fame, 7120 Oakland Mills Rd., Columbia, MD 21046.

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❏ Brooke Grove (see ads on pages 3, 22 & 32) ❏ Buckingham’s Choice/Integrace (see ad on page 6) ❏ Charlestown/Erickson Living (see ad on page 8) ❏ Fairhaven/Integrace (see ad on page 6) ❏ Gaitherings at Quarry Place (see ad on page 4) ❏ Heartlands of Ellicott City (see ad on page 9) ❏ Homecrest House (see ad on page 19) ❏ Lutheran Village at Miller’s Grant (see ad on page 11) ❏ Olney Assisted Living (see ad on page 13) ❏ Park View at Colonial Landing (see ad on page 28)

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The Howard County Bird Club, a chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, is inviting persons interested in promoting knowledge and protection and conservation of bird life and natural resources to attend the club meetings and learn more about its activities. The club meets at 8 p.m. the second Thursday of the month, September through May, at Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Ln., Columbia. For more information and a membership application, visit www.howardbirds.org.

COMMUNITY SPORTS HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS

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FOR THE BIRDS

Apr. 15

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Mar. 9+

The Howard Astronomical League (HAL) is hosting a family star watch party on Saturday, March 4 from 6 to 11 p.m. on the big screen at its new observatory in Alpha Ridge Park, 11685 Old Frederick Rd., Marriottsville. For more information, call (410) 313-4634 or email dbassett@howardcountymd.gov.

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Magazine’s number one choice in 2017 for password management. The magazine recommended LastPass because of new features that include a “sharing center” that helps manage shared passwords, and a way to hand down your passwords to heirs. The free version is better than some paid options, the magazine noted. Also recommended is LogMeOnce, which offers alternative login formats that don’t even use a master password, including logging in with a selfie. If you’re uncomfortable storing your passwords in the cloud, there are alternatives. KeePass stores all of your passwords in an encrypted file on your computer. As is the case with the cloud-based systems, you use a master password to access the file. Just make sure your computer is protected from hackers with strong antivirus software, or you’ll lose the benefits of storing your passwords locally. — Kiplinger’s Personal Finance with additional reporting by Barbara Ruben

Mar. 4

F R E E

Who has the time to come up with (and remember) difficult-to-decipher passwords for all of their online accounts? One solution is to use a password-management system that stores all of your passwords in a single file. All you need to remember is one master password (your dog’s name is not a good choice) to access all of your other user names and passwords. Most password managers offer a free basic version; you’ll need to update (and pay) to use the service on multiple devices. Unfortunately, these programs aren’t bulletproof. In 2015, LastPass, one of the most popular password-management systems, announced that its network had been hacked, exposing users’ e-mail addresses and password reminders. The company said encrypted master passwords were not compromised, although users were prompted to change them anyway. Despite this, LastPass remains PC

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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 7

M A R C H 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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Health Fitness &

COUGHS THAT WON’T QUIT Chronic coughs are often due to common ailments, like the flu, but can also be nerve-based HAD A HEART ATTACK? A study is testing a medication that may prevent heart attacks and stroke in those with cardiovascular problems. Volunteers are needed ADVISING A GRANDDAUGHTER How to talk about boys with a granddaughter who appears to be growing up too fast

Tips from the pros on how to lose weight By Marilynn Marchione A food behavior researcher has tested a bunch of little ways to tip the scale toward success. His advice: Put it on autopilot. Make small changes in the kitchen, at the grocery store, and in restaurants to help you make good choices without thinking. “As much as we all want to believe that

we’re master and commander of all our food decisions, that’s just not true for most of us,” said the researcher, Brian Wansink. “We’re influenced by the things around us — the size of the plate, the things people are doing...the lighting.” He heads the Cornell University Food and Brand Lab, has written books on tak-

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ing control of food choices, and has had government and industry funding. Some tips are gimmicks, and some may not work as well for you as they did in tests. But they “make a lot of sense,” and many are backed by other studies, said one independent expert, Dr. William Yancy, a weight specialist at Duke University’s diet and fitness center. To start: Make goals that are SMART — Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound, Yancy said. Instead of resolving to eat better, plan how to do it — such as having chips once or twice a week instead of every day. Rather than vague vows to get in shape, resolve to walk half an hour every day after dinner. Other tips from Wansink (and research to support them):

and quiet. Redo the fridge. Even though it shortens shelf life, move fruits and vegetables out of crisper drawers and put them at eye level. Keep healthy foods in clear bags or containers, and less healthy things (like leftover pizza) in aluminum foil. In one study, people who put fruits and vegetables on the top shelf ate nearly three times more of them than they did the week before. Keep no food out except a fruit bowl. Researchers photographed 210 kitchens to see whether countertop food reflects the weight of women in each home. Those who left breakfast cereal out weighed 20 pounds more than neighbors who didn’t. Those with soft drinks out weighed 24 to 26 pounds more. Those with a fruit bowl weighed 13 pounds less.

In the kitchen

At the table

Redo the pantry to put healthy stuff in front. You’re three times more likely to eat the first food you see than the fifth one. Tidy your kitchen before eating. Women asked to wait in a messy kitchen ate twice as many cookies as women in the same kitchen did when it was organized

Beware the glassware. Use narrower glasses, pour wine when the glass is on the table rather than in your hand, and use a glass that doesn’t match the color of the wine. A study found that people poured 12 See WEIGHT LOSS TIPS, page 7

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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 7

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Three immune-boosting myths busted By Brierley Wright, R.D. It’s that time of year when any sniffle, cough or sneeze is noticed — and if it didn’t come from you, chances are you’re subtly putting a little space between you and whoever it came from. There’s no better time than the present to talk about immune-boosting myths — from colds to allergies. Read on so that you’re not duped by these three myths about boosting your immunity.

#1 “Vitamin C wards off colds” It won’t. Vitamin C has long had a repu-

Weight loss tips From page 6 percent more wine when using a wide glass, 12 percent more when holding the glass, and 9 percent more when pouring white wine into a clear glass versus a colored or opaque one. Pour any glass only half full — this cuts the average pour by 18 percent. Use smaller plates and pay attention to color. Big plates make portions look small. In one study, people given larger bowls took 16 percent more cereal than those given smaller bowls, yet thought they ate less. People also take more food if it matches the color of their plate. But they eat less when the tablecloth or placemat matches the plate; it makes the food stand out more. Keep the TV off and eat at a table. A study of dinner habits of 190 parents and 148 children found that the higher the parents’ body mass index (a ratio of height and weight), the more likely they were to eat with the TV on. Eating at a table was linked to lower BMI. Try small portions of “bad” foods. Eat a bite or two, then distract yourself for 15 minutes to see if you feel satisfied. A study gave people different portions of chocolate, apple pie and potato chips, and had them rate hunger and craving before and 15 minutes after eating. Bigger portion folks ate 103 calories more, but didn’t feel more satisfied than those given less.

tation for helping prevent colds, but clinical studies have shown no effect for vitamin C in cold prevention in normal situations. However, research has shown that daily doses of 200 mg. or greater (more than twice the 60-75 mg. current recommended dietary intake for adults) may help reduce the duration of colds slightly. The likelihood of success seems to vary with the person — some people improve after taking vitamin C supplements, others don’t. Go ahead and try it, but don’t exceed 2,000 mg. per day. More than this can cause an upset stomach.

Similarly, zinc lozenges may also help cut the number of days you’re sick. In a study in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, adults who took zinc in lozenge form (13.3 mg. every two to three hours for as long as their cold lasted) within a day of noticing the telltale signs kicked the bug about three days sooner than those who got a placebo. Though that dose exceeds the recommended daily max of 40 mg., it’s safe for a three- to five-day period, said study author Dr. Ananda Prasad. Scientists think zinc binds to cell receptors in the mouth and throat, blocking the cold virus from attach-

At the grocery store

dessert. Diners in dim rooms ordered 39 percent more calories. Sit near a window. Researchers analyzed 330 diners’ receipts after they left. The closer they were to a window, the fewer foods and alcoholic drinks they ordered. Ask for a to-go box in advance. Half

Divide your shopping cart in half. Use a partition, purse or coat for a visual cue to fill at least half your cart with fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods. In two studies, half of shoppers were given divided carts and told to put healthier items in front. They spent more on produce than those given regular shopping carts. Be careful when buying in bulk. A study found that people who bought big containers of chips, juice boxes, cookies, crackers and granola bars ate half of it within the first week — twice as fast as they normally would. Tip: Repackage into single-serve bags or containers, or store it out of reach, such as the basement. Eat an apple first. People given a sample of an apple at the store increased spending on fruits and vegetables versus those given a cookie or no sample. A healthy snack may prime people to buy better foods, rather than the fast, processed foods they gravitate to when shopping hungry. Circle every island in the produce section. In a study of 1,200 shoppers, every minute spent in the produce section meant $1.80 more in fruit and vegetable sales.

At a restaurant Let the light shine. Researchers checked sales receipts of patrons at four casual chain restaurants. Those in brighter rooms were more likely to order healthier fish, vegetables or white meat rather than fried food or

ing and spreading. Go for the lozenges, and skip nasal sprays and swabs: They may damage your sense of smell. And zinc from food (beef, dark poultry meat, shellfish) probably won’t help either, as you can’t get enough that way.

#2 “Honey cures allergies” The theory is this: Honeybees gather pollen from the very plants that cause your itchy eyes, so consuming a small daily See IMMUNE MYTHS, page 8

of diners in a study were told before they ordered that the portions were big and that they could have a doggie bag. Those told in advance wound up taking more food home. To-go boxes encourage people to eat about a third less. — AP

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M A R C H 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

What to do when a cough just won’t quit By Dr. Monique Tello Who has never had a cough? I bet no one can raise their hand. We see this in clinic all the time. But chronic cough — one that lasts at least eight weeks — can be hard for patients to deal with and difficult for doctors

to figure out. In a recent issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, lung experts describe a step-by-step approach doctors can use to help treat patients with chronic cough. Most often a prolonged cough is due to one of the “usual suspects.”

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Mar. 16

But when it’s not, we have a long list of increasingly rarer conditions that we should run through and rule out. If it isn’t due to any of those, experts now recognize that the culprit may be overactive nerves that cause an exaggerated cough response to certain triggers.

The usual suspects

INTRODUCTION TO ACUPUNCTURE

Seok Park, PhD, introduces the basics of acupuncture by explaining its history, mechanisms, and applications at a program at the Central Branch Library on Thursday, March 16 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.. Park studied acupuncture in Korea and completed masters and Ph.D. programs in acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine in the United States. The library is located at 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. Registration is preferred by calling (410) 313-7800.

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The authors describe a typical patient with chronic cough, and she is very simi-

Immune myths From page 7 dose of the local honey — and subsequently these pollens — may stimulate your immune system and reduce allergies. But it’s the windborne pollens that cause sneezing and congestion, not the pollens bees collect from flowers. So it’s not likely to make a difference, say researchers. But don’t nix honey quite yet. It may help soothe your cough. Researchers at Penn State University pitted honey against dextromethorphan — the active ingredient in most cough medicines — as a cough suppressant for children, and found honey to be more effective. That’s possibly because the part of the brain that registers sweet tastes and the part that causes coughing are located near each

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#3 “Dairy makes you congested” Some people avoid dairy products when they’re sick because they are thought to further increase mucus secretions. But scientific evidence has yet to support this. So go ahead and have that glass of milk or a latte — the vitamin D in it may help boost your immune system. Don’t skimp on yogurt, either. It contains good-for-you probiotics that may actually stimulate your immune system. EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com. © 2016 Eating Well, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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other, so sensing sweetness may affect coughing. One (major) disclaimer: Don’t give honey to a baby younger than 1 year old.

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lar to many of my patients. She’s a middleaged lady with a cough lasting many months. Of course, first we want to ask a whole lot of questions. • Has she had chronic allergy symptoms such as itchy, watery eyes and nose, stuffy nose and postnasal drip? If so, it’s worth trying antihistamines and nasal steroids. Undertreated allergies can lead

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ELLICOTT CITY SPEAKER SERIES HEARTLANDS AT ELLICOTT CITY 3004 North Ridge Road • Ellicott City, MD

TIME: 6:00 - 7:00PM Thursday, February 23 – Senior Tax Tips Learn how your medical expenses can qualify for tax deductions with Deborah L. Herman, CPA.

Tuesday, March 21 – Have Your Affairs In Order Prepare for your future and understand Power of Attorney, Estate Planning, and Advanced Care Directives with Richmond Davis, Elder Law Attorney.

Tuesday, April 4 – Step Up to Stop Falls See how simple exercises can help you prevent falls with Michael Winebrenner, PT, DPT, MBA, FiveStar Rehab & Wellness

Thursday, April 27 – Secrets of Selling Uncover tips and tricks for selling a home in today’s market with Nellie Arrington, Associate Broker, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Tuesday, May 9 – A Lifestyle Transition to Live For! Discover what it’s like to have a lifestyle transition with Beckyanne G. Theriot, SMM-C, Lifestyle Transition Administrator, Owner/Founder of AFCM.

Tuesday, June 6 – The ENRICH Approach Protect your brain-health using the ENRICH Approach as explained by William Mansbach, PhD.

Kindly RSVP to Lee Davis at 410-313-9414 or LADavis2@5ssl.com up to one week in advance of event date. We look forward to seeing you.

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M A R C H 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Cough From page 8 to chronic sinus infection, which causes cough by postnasal drip, so we may want to treat for this as well. • Could she have “cough variant” asthma that causes a cough but no wheezing? Many of my patients would rather not wait for an appointment with a lung specialist and undergo fancy tests. So, if we suspect cough-variant asthma, we simply begin inhalers. A few weeks of inhaled albuterol to help open the airways, and a steroid inhaler to quell inflammation, may both make the diagnosis and treat the problem. • Is she suffering from heartburn symptoms? Acid reflux can also trigger cough. So if someone describes heartburn symptoms, or even if we are not sure what is causing the cough, we often prescribe eight weeks of an acid-lowering medication. • Is she taking a medication for which

coughing is a side effect? Lisinopril or another blood pressure medication from the class called ACE inhibitors can cause cough in 20 percent of patients. A trial period off this medication may be warranted. • Is she among the 17 percent of Americans who smoke cigarettes? If so, her cough may be due to chronic bronchitis, where cumulative lung damage prevents the body’s normal ability to clear particles, the airways swell and make excessive mucus, and eventually areas die off and leave “dead space.” In a smoker, other symptoms with the cough may raise concern about a lung infection or even cancer. • Does she have other health risks or conditions? If she has been incarcerated or in a shelter, or perhaps is from a resource-poor country, we consider tuberculosis (TB). If she has a weakened immune system as well, due to HIV or longterm use of corticosteroids, TB and a host of other unusual organisms are on the list. • Are we stumped? Rare conditions to consider include pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, autoimmune diseases and anatomical abnormalities. Additional workup should include pulmonary and ENT evaluations.

Newly recognized causes But what do we do for patients who either do not respond to treatments for their common conditions, or for whom extensive evaluation rules out the less common causes of a chronic cough? Researchers are now describing a new family of breathing and cough conditions caused by nerve dysfunction. New evidence suggests that postnasal drip, acid reflux, or even forceful coughing in and of itself can aggravate nerve endings in the “cough centers” of the airways. These aggravated nerve endings then overreact to many other triggers — such as smoke, perfume or temperature changes — causing an overwhelming urge to cough. They label this condition “neuronal hyper-responsiveness syndrome,” and outline several approaches to treatment. But wait, there’s more. Other researchers describe a similar concept at the level of the larynx — a family of disorders under “laryngeal dysfunction syndrome” that can include “laryngeal hyper-responsiveness.” Many of the treatments they describe are similar to the treatments for “neuronal hyper-responsiveness,” and the most promising include the anticonvulsants gabapentin and pregabalin, the antidepressant amitriptyline, speech therapy, or a combination of these. Basically, medical experts are describing a new cause of chronic cough based on aggravated nerves and airway dysfunction. More research will result in better treatments. Monique Tello, M.D., M.P.H., is a contributing editor to Harvard Health Publications. © 2017. President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed By Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Health Studies Page

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Study seeks fewer heart attacks, strokes By Carol Sorgen When cholesterol deposits in our arteries lead to blood clots that rupture or break away, serious and fatal complications can occur — including stroke, heart attack and sudden cardiac death. Inflammation contributes to this condition, known as atherothrombosis, but it is not known whether the prevention or reduction of inflammation itself can reduce the number of cardiovascular events in patients. A study is underway, and seeking suitable local volunteers, to see if a drug that targets inflammation could lead to fewer deaths and disabilities from atherothrombosis.

Two local study sites The Cardiovascular Inflammation Reduction Trial (CIRT), sponsored by Brigham and Women’s Hospital, is currently investigating whether taking low-dose methotrexate will reduce heart attacks, strokes or death in people with type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome (conditions associated with inflammation) who have already had a heart attack or multiple coronary blockages. Methotrexate is currently used to treat several kinds of cancer, including cancer of the blood, bone, lung, breast, head or neck, in addition to treating rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The trial is funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and is being conducted at more than 500 locations in the United States and Canada. Locally, Sinai Hospital in Baltimore and IRC Clinics in Towson are recruiting patients. Participants in the trial must be 18 or

older and have either a documented past history of heart attack or past evidence of multi-vessel coronary artery disease demonstrated by angiography. They should also have a history of type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome, conditions that are associated with an enhanced likelihood of inflammation.

How the study works Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups in the study for a three- to four-year period. One group will get usual cardiovascular care plus a placebo; the other, the usual care plus methotrexate. The study is double-blind, meaning neither participants nor study staff will know which group is getting the actual study drug. The dose of methotrexate taken by that group will be 15 to 20 mg., taken orally six days each week. That dose is within the range commonly used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. By contrast, the drug dose taken by cancer patients is hundreds of times higher, so the chances of significant side effects are much lower in study participants. Nausea and vomiting are the most common side effects of methotrexate among those taking it for rheumatoid arthritis. Mouth sores are another common side effect. Methotrexate depletes the body of folate (a form of B vitamin), so all study participants will additionally take a 1 mg. folate supplement six days per week. Researchers will aim to minimize complications for participants through education programs for investigators, communication with study participants, and by limit-

ing enrollment to those with no evidence of cancer, hepatitis, kidney disease, chronic infection, pulmonary disease or other risk factors for toxicity. Before the study starts, doctors will give all participants the drug for five to six weeks to eliminate individuals who are either intolerant of, or unable to adhere to, treatment. Participants will have regular monitoring of liver function and blood markers to ensure safety and allow for dose adjustments. The primary objective of the trial is to gauge the rate of heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death, while researchers

also hope to determine mortality rates from all causes. In addition, they are looking at the incidence of events such as congestive heart failure, peripheral artery disease, atrial fibrillation and diabetes. Investigators hope that if the trial is successful — meaning methotrexate is shown to reduce inflammation, and thereby lower the risk of cardiac events and death — it will lead to improved treatment for cardiovascular disease. For more information, or to volunteer to participate, call (855) 437-9330. Refer to ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01594333.

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Ongoing

SPIRITUAL CARE VOLUNTEER TRAINING

Howard County General Hospital will hold a 12-week training program starting Thursday, April 27 for volunteers who want to provide multi-faith spiritual care for patients and their families. The hospital’s Chaplaincy Services Department is accepting applications for the program through March 15. The program was featured on the cover of the Beacon’s Dec. 2016 issue. See www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/select-stories/features/offering-comfort-all-faiths. The training program takes place at the hospital on Thursday evenings from 7 to 8:30, and provides training in empathetic listening and spiritual and emotional support. For an application or more information, call (410) 740-7898.

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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 7

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Advising one’s 12-year-old granddaughter Dear Solutions: against it, though I’m not convinced My granddaughter, who’s 12 years even after all his arguments. old, was visiting me with a The trouble is that by the couple of her friends. They end of our “discussions,” we were having just a fun disboth end up a little angry cussion about how to act and turned off. I want us to when they go out with boys. remain friends, so have you One of the girls said she got any advice about how to went to a movie with a boy end this? and he kissed her. He then — Ed told her she didn’t know how Dear Ed: to kiss because she didn’t First, you might tell him that open her mouth or close her SOLUTIONS you would agree with him if the eyes. first step to abolishing the death By Helen Oxenberg, She actually asked me MSW, ACSW penalty would be taken by the what she should have said murderers. (No murderers = no when this boy criticized her. I don’t think death penalty.) I gave her a very good answer because I There are so many different practical, was a little shocked by the whole conver- moral, philosophical, religious and other sation. dimensions that lead people to be for or What should she say in a situation against this issue. like this? Since your main goal is to remain friends, — Miriam tell him that the only thing you really want Dear Miriam: to kill is the arguing, not the friendship. Try She should say nothing, because if she’s to agree to let that rest in peace. going out with a boy at 12 years old, she’d Dear Solutions: better keep her mouth shut and her eyes I’m not sure whether to have a temper wide open! tantrum or not. I sent several proposals Dear Solutions: and samples for a really interesting workI am in a constant debate with a shop/group experience to a new commufriend of mine over abolishing the nity that I heard was looking for ideas. death penalty. He’s passionately I have not heard one word from the

so-called activity director, although I sent it twice. What is the best way to handle this? Should I express my anger at her/his inconsideration, or just forget it? — Frustrated Dear Frustrated: I understand your frustration. Fortunately, you have a choice. You can assume that this person is not going to hire you. Then you can have that temper tantrum, and rant and rave about his/her inconsideration and nastiness, and be relieved that you don’t have to work with such an unappealing person. Or you can just shrug and hold on to the good feeling of being superior to this silent person, realizing that the good shrug will

feel better than would a reply of rejection. Dear Solutions: I just wrote a play, which I’m feeling good about, and I’m about to send it to a producer. Some people are telling me I should send it to a drama critic first. That makes me nervous. Do you think they’re right? — D. Dear D: They may be right, but you’re also right to be nervous because the critic may read it and tell you something you don’t want to hear. If you think you can stand that, then go ahead. If not, be brave and just send it to the producer. Good luck. © Helen Oxenberg, 2017. Send questions to helox72@comcast.net.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon

50+

THE

NEWS and EVENTS from the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence

Connection

Department of Community Resources and Services

Volume 7, No. 3 • March 2017

Navigating the Challenges of Caregiving 5th Annual Caregiver Conference to be held Saturday, March 25 at Glenwood 50+ Center

aregivers are everywhere; in fact, almost everyone will become a caregiver at some point in their lives. “The well-being of the caregiver is at the heart of everything we do in the Caregiver Support Program of the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence (OOAI),” says Kathy Wehr, manager of the program. “We want to keep them well in both mind and body. It’s all about listening and providing support when needed so caregivers can continue to support those they love while remaining healthy themselves.” For the past five years, the Caregiver Conference has provided an opportunity to reach Howard County’s caregivers on a more personal level; the one day event offers access to information, education and resources, but it’s the personal contact that attendees have found to be most valuable. Recognizing that caregiving is a journey no matter what your stage or situation, the 5th annual conference is entitled “The Caregiving Journey, A Universal Voyage” and will take place on Saturday, March 25 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Glenwood 50+ Center, 2400 Route 97, in Cooksville 21723. “At this event, the caregiver is our priority,” says Wehr, “It’s a great opportunity for them to meet others who are dealing with the same challenges they face every day.” Steven A. Bullock, Director, Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS) will welcome attendees and introduce the keynote speaker, Dr. Nicole Absar, Medical Director of the Memory Clinic at Integrace Copper Ridge. Breakout sessions will feature three tracks to provide insight and discussion on a number of relevant topics, designed to reach caregivers at the different stages of their journey. The Board of Social Work Examiners of Maryland has qualified this training module for 3.5 Category I CEUs to social work professionals in attendance.

Conference Sessions TRACK 1: PREPARING FOR THE JOURNEY • Beginning Legal Preparations (Barbara Coleman, Legal Aid) • Navigating Resources and Services (Emily Leclercq/Barbara Albert, OOAI) • Modifying/Adapting Environments (Aging In Place Program/OOAI) • Managing Medications (Dr. Fariborz Zarfesham, ALFA Specialty Pharmacy) • Protecting Vulnerable Adults (Nicole Patterson/Beth Silverman, DCRS) TRACK 2: NAVIGATING THE WATERS • Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (Yolanda Wright, Alzheimer’s Assoc.) • Parkinson’s (Arita McKoy, Johns Hopkins Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center) • Behavioral Health (Beverly Frances-Gibson, NAMI) • LGBT Community (Alex Kent, Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE)) • Nutrition Supporting Strength/Independence (Judy Simon, Maryland Department of Aging) TRACK 3: TAKING THE HELM • Finalizing Legal Matters (Blake Fetrow, Legal Aid) • Coping with Changing Behaviors (Kim Burton, Mental Health Assoc of MD) • Changing the Perception of Palliative Care and Hospice (Jessica Rowe, ElderCare Consulting LLC) • Making Mindful Transitions through Grief (Lisa Harvin, Gilchrist Hospice) • Living the Moment through Art (Carol Dana, Arts for Well-Being)

The caregiver conference fee is $10/person for lunch and conference or $40/person for lunch, conference and CEUs. The fee includes continental breakfast; lunch; seminars and handouts; access to over 20 industryrelevant exhibitors; door prize drawings and a goody bag for all attendees. Free on-site respite is provided.

The registration deadline for conference and respite is Friday, March 17. Register online at https://caregiverjourney.eventbrite.com. For details or to request accommodations to attend, contact Earnestine Thomas at ethomas@howardcountymd.gov or 410-313-5969 (voice/relay).

A Message from

Steven A. Bullock Director, Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services For more than 40 years, Gerda Lerner helped to spread awareness of women’s history through her narratives and activism to establish women’s history as a recognized formal academic field. When President Carter proclaimed the first National Women’s History Week in 1981, he quoted Lerner in his proclamation as saying, “Women’s history is women’s right — an essential, indispensable heritage from which we can draw pride, comfort, courage, and long range vision.” In 1987, Congress declared March “National Women’s History Month.” Every president since has issued a proclamation to honor the extraordinary achievements of American women. The 2017 theme, “Honoring Trailblazing Women in Labor and Business” recognizes the contributions of women who have successfully challenged the role of women in both business and the paid labor force. Each year, the Howard County Commission for Women marks Women’s History Month by inducting five exemplary women into the Howard County Women’s Hall of Fame (WHOF). The five women honored this year truly embody the spirit of the celebration and are impressive role models for all of us. They include: Mary Catherine Cochran, Sandy Harriman, Stacie Hunt, Diane Martin and Peggy Schultz. Join us for the WHOF induction ceremonies on Thursday, March 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building in Ellicott City. I would also like to take a moment to recognize the Howard County Government employees who helped us successfully complete renovations at the Bain and East Columbia 50+ Centers earlier this year. Thank you to the Bureau of Facilities staff for their attention to every construction detail; to Center Directors Linda Ethridge and Meridy McCague and their teams at Bain and East Columbia for minimizing the disruption to center members and the community; and to 50+ Center Division Manager, Barbara Scher, for her leadership behind the scenes. I am certain everyone is enjoying the results!

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The 50+ Connection

M A R C H 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Is Solar Energy Right For You? The installation of solar panels can be a great way to get renewable energy at home. But, before you commit, make sure it’s a great choice for you!

Do Your Homework Before You Invest • Review your utility bill to see how much electricity you used in the last year and what it cost so that you can accurately assess the amount of savings that solar panels will provide. • Consider how long you plan to stay in your home. A residential system is designed to stay on a home for at least 20 years. Will you be able to take full advantage of the system? How will the system affect your ability to sell your home? • Look carefully at your home. The amount of direct sunlight your roof gets, the condition of your roof, and other environmental factors will determine how much energy a solar energy system will generate.

Buying vs. Renting a Solar Energy System • Solar energy systems are expensive. In addition to the initial cost, you will also have to pay for maintenance and repairs. Buying, however, may result in a larger reduction of your annual electricity costs, and will enable you to take advantage of tax credits and other incentives. • Renting a solar energy system is less expensive but the solar panels belong to the solar energy company. While you should still get some financial benefits from the system, you will not qualify for most tax breaks or incentives.

March 5-11 is National Consumer Protection Week! Check out the various ways the Howard County Office of Consumer Protection can assist you at www.howardcountymd.gov/consumer • Both purchase and rental contracts for solar energy systems are complicated and have long term consequences. Make sure you fully understand the installation process and the contract terms before you sign. For more information, go to www.howardcountymd.gov/consumer for our latest fact sheet: “Lighting the Way – How to Evaluate Solar Energy for Your Home.” For information on other consumer issues or to file a complaint, contact the Office of Consumer Protection at 410-313-6420 (voice/relay) or consumer@howardcountymd.gov.

Save the Date for the 9th Annual

The 50+ Connection is published monthly by the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence. This publication is available in alternate formats upon request. To join our subscriber list, email kahenry@howardcountymd.gov 6751 Columbia Gateway Dr., Suite 200, Columbia, MD 21046 410-313-6410 (VOICE/RELAY) • www.howardcountymd.gov/aging www.Facebook.com/HoCoCommunity

Find us on

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

Saturday, April 29 • 10 am - 3 pm Gary J. Arthur Community Center at Glenwood 2400 Route 97, Cooksville, MD 21723 INFORMATION • INSPIRATION • IDEAS

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

Ingrid Gleysteen, PROGRAM COORDINATOR

for living a more balanced, healthier and fulfilled life! • • • •

Free Admission On-Site Parking 100+ Exhibitors Dynamic Seminars

• • • •

Engaging Workshops Important Health Screenings Cooking and Fitness Demos All Day Door Prizes

410-313-7461 • igleysteen@howardcountymd.gov

March 2 7 TO 9

Bain 50+ Center 5470 Ruth Keeton Way Columbia 21044

410-313-5440 (VOICE/RELAY) www.howardcountymd.gov/womenfest If you need accommodations to attend, contact Maryland Access Point (MAP) at 410-313-1234 at least one week prior.

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 7

The 50+ Connection

Say you saw it in the Beacon

GS REG GISTER NOW! NO

Intergenerational Programs to Enjoy

5th Annnual Howard C County

CAREGIV VER CONFFERENCE Featuring Nicole Absarr, MD MD,, Medical Dirrector ectorr, Memorryy Clini Clinic ic at Integrace Copper Ridge

Thursdayy, March 16 • 10 a.m. too 12:15 p.m.

West e Side Storyy

Saturday, Maarch 25, 25 2017 • 9 AM to 3:30 PM Glenwood 50+ Ceenter, 2400 Route 97,, Cooksville 21723

Mt. Hebron H High School 9440 R Route 99, Ellicott C City Doors open at 9:30 a.m m. for a FREE musical performance starring MHHSS sstudents, ude s, especially a y for o older o de adults. adu s If you aaree interested e es ed in attending, you MUST reeserve a space by calling 410-313-0380 4 by March 10. Parking is limited; carpooling is encouraged. REGISTRA ATION DEADLINE LINE for Conference/Respite: te: FRIDAY, MARCH 17

Wednesday,, Aprril 5 & April 12 • 9 a.m. to noon

Where Were Y You ou When? Wh hen? Glen nelg Country School 12793 Folly F ll Quarter Q t Road, R d Ellicott i tt City Share your “living histoory” with 8th grade history students from Glenelg Country Schoool with an initial interview aabout your life experiences; then returrn to hear the students tell your story. This FREE event includes brreakfast and a catered lunch. For more information or to registter, call Trisha at 410-313--0389 or email her at tolsen@howardcounntymd.gov by April 1.

$ $

10/person for lunch and coonference 40/person for lunch, confeerence and CEUs

Includes continental breakfast; lunch; seminars and handouts; access to 20+ industr ndustry-relevant exhibitors; goody bag and chances to win great door prizes!

FREE On-Site Respite Provided! This training module qualifiess for 3.5 Category I Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by the Board of Social Work Examiners ers of Maryland

https://careggiverjourneyy.eventbrite.com For additional dditional information,, contact:

Earnestine Thomas ethomas@howardcountymd.go s@howardcountymd.gov (VOICE/RELAAY) 4 410-313-5969 www.howardcountymd.go wardcountymd.gov/aging

BUILD CON NFIDENCE REDU NFIDENCE. UCE F FALLS. ALLS ALLS. Howard County O Office on Aging and Independence dependence

How to Be a GREA AT Grandparent! Grrandparent! Parenting has changed chaanged in mannyy ways sin since nce today’’ss grandparents werre raising their oown wn cchilldren so don’t miss this program!

Thursday, March 23 6:00 - 8:00 pm m Bain 50+ Center 5470 Ruth Keeton Wayy, Colum FREE, but space iss limited an FREE prre-rregistrration iss rrequir equirred!

Exercise and nd Strategies for Falll Prevention A seven-week, seven week evidencee-based e based program designed to help reduce falls and increase confidence, strength rength and balance. Health andd community-service professionals provide expertise xpertise on balance-related isssues. The small group setting encourages active ve discussion, decision-makingg and behavior changes.

BAIN 50+ CENTER 5470 Ruuth Keeton Way, Columbia 21044

TUESDA AYS Y • 1:30 to 3:30 PM March 14, 14 21 • April 4, 11, 11 18, 18 25 • May 2 $

■ Research-based practices to with your own tried & true sk ■ Great resources to t support y children in their new n role as p ■ Ways to safeguarrd your home for infants & todddlers ■ Your role as a gra grandparent andparent vs. a parent REGISTER AT: www.ho owardcountymd.gov/famiilyinstitute OR PHONE: 410-313--1440 (VOICE/RELAAY) Y)

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

28 includes 15 hours of workshop andd all materials To achie achieve ve the most benefits from this program, we encouragee a commitment to attend all seven even sessions.

WEEKLLY TOPICS INCLUDE: LUDE:

Z Falls/Risks Z Safe Footwear Z Review of Medications cations ti

Z Home Hazards/Vision d Z Public and Coommunity Safety Z Strength/Balance th/B lance Exer E cises i

To register or for more information, coontact: JEANNIE DECRA AY

jdecray@howardccountymd.gov 410-313-6535 6535 (VOICE/RELAY)

www.how wardcountymd.g gov/aging

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

The 50+ Connection

M A R C H 2 0 1 7 — 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

Ellicott City 50+ Center

Tuesday, March 14 • 10:30 a.m. — History Alive Presents:

Friday, March 10 • 11:00 a.m. —

Sally Ride: Who Wants to Be an Astronaut?

Trending Now with Gary Kavanagh

Celebrate Women’s History Month with award-winning actress and Smithsonian Scholar Mary Ann Jung’s presentation of Sally Ride, America’s first female astronaut; learn surprising facts about life aboard the space shuttle. FREE; register at 410-313-7213.

An open discussion forum about current world events. Explore social media sources (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) plus traditional (newspapers and television). FREE; details at 410-313-1400.

Friday, March 17 • Doors open at 4:30 p.m. —

“Remembering When” Fire Safety Program

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration: The Teelin Irish Dancers

Howard County Fire and Rescue presents fire safety tips, how many smoke alarms you should have in your home, the proper use of space heaters, and other fire prevention tips. FREE; details at 410-313-1400.

Experience the energy of Irish dance presented by the Teelin Irish Dance Company. Corned beef sandwiches and green mocktails will be served; performance begins at 5:30. FREE, donations accepted. Reserve tickets by March 10 at the front desk.

Tuesday, March 21 • 11:00 a.m. to noon —

The SSA Chorus Returns to Bain The Social Security Administration (SSA) Chorus brings us show tunes, country music, favorites from the 1940’s through the 1970’s, plus movie theme songs. FREE; details at 410-313-7213.

East Columbia 50+ Center Six Fridays, beginning March 2 • 10:00 a.m. to noon —

Begin or Continue Your “Learn to Knit” Adventure No experience is necessary for this entry level and beyond beginners knitting class with a goal to complete an infinity scarf. $35/six weeks; includes all materials. Register at 410-313-7680.

Tuesday, March 7 • 6:30 p.m. —

Create Your Retirement Income Make a plan; maximize social security; look at risks in retirement and long term medical costs. FREE; register at 410-313-7680.

Wednesday, March 22 • 1:00 p.m. — Phytonutrients:

Wednesday, March 15 • 1:00 p.m. —

Friday, March 24 • 12:30 p.m. — Irishman’s Chorale Amhránaí Na Gaeilge is one of the largest all male Irish choruses in the United States, and dedicated to the preservation of Irish culture and history through music. FREE; space is limited. Register: 410-313-1400.

Glenwood 50+ Center Friday, March 10 • 11:00 a.m. — History Alive Presents:

Sally Ride: Who Wants to Be an Astronaut? See award-winning actress and Smithsonian Scholar Mary Ann Jung’s presentation on Sally Ride, America’s first female astronaut; learn surprising facts about life aboard the space shuttle. FREE; register at 410-313-5440.

Wednesday, March 15 • 10:00 a.m. — Civil War Series:

A Civil War Captain and His Lady Sponsored by “Books with a Past” Bookstore, author Gene Barr present a discussion of his book about Civil War Captain Josiah and his lady, Jennie. FREE; register at 410-313-5440.

Friday, March 17 • 11:00 a.m. — The Mighty Kelltones Join this local group for a lively hour of traditional Celtic Folk Music. FREE; register at 410-313-5440.

Defined and How They Can Help Prevent Disease?

Friday, March 24 • 11:00 a.m. — Baltimore: 100 Things To Do

Karen Basinger, MS, CFCS, LD, will discuss the importance of phytonutrients and maintaining a colorful diet. FREE; register at 410-313-7680.

Author Judy Colbert will join us to share stories and details of great places to visit in Baltimore. FREE; for information, call 410-313-5440.

Elkridge 50+ Center

North Laurel 50+ Center

Temporary Location: 5660 Furnace Avenue, Elkridge 21075 Monday, March 13 • 10:00 a.m. to noon —

Friday, March 10 • 10:30 a.m. — Shipbuilding in Baltimore

African History Presentation

Shipbuilding has a long and rich history in Baltimore. Learn about the Baltimore Clipper, Great White Cargo Fleet and Liberty Ships, and the those who built them. FREE. Register: 410-313-0380.

Members from the African Art Museum will present African Art and culture; refreshments served. FREE. Donations accepted.

Wednesday, March 15 • 11 a.m. — St. Patty’s Day Bash

Friday, March 17 • 10:30 a.m. — St. Patty’s Day Party Traditional corned beef and cabbage plus side dishes. Entertainment by Bob Stout; games and prizes. $4 plus lunch donation. Register at 410-313-5192.

Monday, March 20 • 10:00 a.m. – iPhone/Android Class Learn how to get the most from your cell phone’s many capabilities: get directions; find recipes; monitor your bank account; send/receive emails; take and send photos; and so much more. FREE; register at 410-313-5192.

Celebrate St. Patty’s Day with lunch and live celtic/folk music by the Mighty Kelltones. $3 plus lunch donation; register at 410-313-0380.

Tuesday, March 21 • 10:30 a.m. — Mediterranean Cuisine Our Healthy Tasting event explores foods rich in grains plus fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables. Learn new recipes and how to prepare healthy and flavorful meals. FREE; register at 410-313-0380.

Friday, March 24 • 11:00 a.m. — Hear America Sing Celebrate the American Spirit with the Fabulous 50+ Players, plus lunch. Call 410-313-0380 to reserve lunch by March 15. FREE program; lunch contribution accepted.

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 7

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Money

Law &

There are several tax deductions and credits available to help adult children caring for their parents. See story on page 21.

Children may have to pay for parents’ care By Eleanor Laise When an older adult racks up unpaid long-term-care bills, who’s responsible for paying the debt? In a growing number of cases, adult children are being held legally responsible for their parents’ nursing-home or other care expenses. The reason: More than half of U.S. states have “filial responsibility” laws obligating adult children to financially support their parents. These laws, which have gone largely unenforced for decades, are reappearing in court cases as an aging population struggles with care costs. “I get calls at least once a month from somebody saying, ‘I’ve never heard of this law. Why is somebody suing me?’” said Katherine Pearson, law professor at Penn State’s Dickinson Law School and an expert on these laws. For family members, the consequences can be severe. A 2012 Pennsylvania court decision ordered an adult son to pay roughly $93,000 to cover his mother’s unpaid nursing-home bills. Many families who don’t wind up in court are still being threatened with legal

action if they don’t pay a loved one’s bills. Court decisions such as the one in Pennsylvania have prompted more long-termcare facilities to mention filial-responsibility laws in letters demanding payment from residents’ families, elder law experts say. “A lot of that has been more posturing than action, but it works,” said Jamie Hopkins, professor of retirement income at the American College.

A long legal precedent State filial-responsibility laws can be traced back to 16th century English “Poor Laws,” which created an obligation for financially able family members to support indigent relatives as an alternative to the newly established public welfare system, Pearson said. At one time, nearly all U.S. states had such laws. But starting in the 1960s, when Medicaid became a safety net for people who couldn’t afford care, some of the laws were repealed — and those that survived were largely ignored. But that has changed in recent years as more seniors are living for many years with dementia or other chronic conditions,

requiring costly long-term care. Ideally, a senior who is running out of money and has no other resources would make a timely application for Medicaid, and filial-support laws would never come into play. But it doesn’t always work out that way. In some cases, seniors don’t apply for Medicaid on time, or they’re disqualified because they made gifts to their children before applying. (Seniors who give away assets within five years of applying for Medicaid generally trigger a period of ineligibility for benefits.) If there’s any coverage gap, large unpaid bills can accumulate quickly.

Who might sue While the laws vary from state to state, they generally apply only when the parent is indigent and the adult child has some ability to pay. In many states, the laws won’t apply if the child can prove that the parent abandoned or abused him. If the parent and child live in different states, courts will typically apply the filial-support law of the state where the parent lives.

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Depending on the state, filial-responsibility lawsuits may be filed by a parent or other family member, or by a third party, such as a long-term-care facility, that has an interest in the individual’s care. In some filial-responsibility cases, siblings are suing each other. In a case decided in Pennsylvania last year, a son who was caring for his elderly mother at home successfully sued his brother for filial support.

Laws in this region Locally, while Maryland has a filial responsibility law, Maryland bars nursing homes from holding children responsible for a parent’s nursing home bills unless the children agree in writing to be financially responsible, according to the nonprofit People’s Law Library. When reading nursing-home admissions contracts, watch out for any provisions asking for a financial “guarantor” or “responsible party.” Federal law prohibits nursing homes from requiring a third-party guarantee of payment as a condition of admission — but some facilities still try to get family members to volSee PARENTS’ CARE, page 21

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M A R C H 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

As tax season approaches, beware scams By Tina Orem Last summer, Cindy Hockenberry decided she’d had it with threatening phone calls claiming she was behind on her taxes. “One day — I’m not kidding you — I got called three times,” she said. Sometimes the calls were automated. But once, when she got a call from a live person, Hockenberry — who happens to be the director of education and research at the National Association of Tax Professionals — decided to play along. The caller told her she owed over $5,000 in back taxes. “He was pretty convincing,”

Hockenberry recalled. “”He was saying the right things...using the right tax lingo.” “Then I said to him, ‘Do you realize that it’s not lawful to impersonate an IRS employee?’...He came back and said, ‘Well, do you realize it’s unlawful not to pay your taxes?’ I said, ‘Yes, as a matter of fact, I do — which is why I know for a fact I have paid all my taxes.’” There was a pause, she said. Then the caller cursed at her and hung up.

An escalating problem Hockenberry’s story is just one example of how brazen tax scammers can be. In

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roughly the last three years, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the body that oversees the IRS, has received more than 1.8 million reports of calls from people impersonating IRS employees, and almost 10,000 victims have lost a total of nearly $50 million. Tax-related email phishing and malware incidents shot up 400 percent in the 2016 tax season, according to the IRS. Recent schemes include calls threatening arrest for an overdue, fictitious “federal student tax,” emails with fake tax bills attached, and IRS impersonators demanding payment via gift cards or prepaid cards. Joe Seifert, a CPA in Portland, Ore., said even tax preparers receive emails from scammers, asking for the usernames and passwords that let them access special IRS online tools. Criminals pose as state tax officials to make a buck, too. For example, the Kansas Department of Revenue has received complaints about calls from employee impersonators, according to a department spokesperson. Scammers are also issuing letters and emails under the state’s name.

menu to its deliveries centered at Bethany United Methodist Church, with meals prepared by Woo Chun’s in Anne Arundel County. To learn more

If scammers approach you

about the program, visit www.mealsonwheelsmd.org or call (943) 573-0924.

As tax season approaches, people will likely see more scams, the Federal Trade Commission warned. There’s little to pre-

vent a criminal from picking up the phone or sending a bogus email, but there are four things you can do when these fishy communications arrive: 1. Know how the IRS initiates contact. “The IRS should never, ever be contacting you by email, ever. They should never, ever be contacting you by phone. They should only be contacting you via letter,” Seifert said. 2. Report creepy messages. You can forward shady tax-related emails to phishing@irs.gov and report suspicious phone calls to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and the Federal Trade Commission. Collecting these reports recently helped the Department of Justice indict dozens of people in an alleged international call-center fraud scheme. 3. Verify issues with the IRS or your state tax authority. Question out-of-the-blue communications about alleged tax balances. If you owe back taxes, or think you might, call your tax professional, the IRS, or the state tax department directly, Seifert said. A new online tool at IRS.gov also lets you look up unpaid taxes, penalties and interest. 4. Never pay over the phone. Even if you owe money, the IRS never asks for credit, debit, prepaid card or bank information via phone, email, text or social media. If someone does, “Just hang up on them,” Seifert said. — NerdWallet via AP.

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 7

Tax help for those caring for parents Dear Savvy Senior: of your mom’s living costs (housing, food, Are caregiving expenses tax de- utilities, medical and dental care, transductible? I provide a lot of portation and other necessifinancial support to my eldties), and her 2016 gross inerly mother, and would like come (not counting her Social to find out if I can write any Security benefits) was under of it off on my taxes. $4,050, you can claim your Supporting Son mom as a dependent on your Dear Supporting: tax return and reduce your There are actually several taxable income by $4,050. tax deductions and credits Also note that your mom available to adult children doesn’t have to live with you to who help look after their qualify as a dependent, as long SAVVY SENIOR aging parents or other relaas her income was under By Jim Miller tives. Here are your options, $4,050, and you provided more along with the IRS requirethan half her financial support. ments to help you determine if you’re eligiIf your mother does live with you, you can ble to receive them. include a percentage of your mortgage, utilities and other expenses in calculating how Dependency deduction much you contribute to her support. IRS If you’re paying for more than 50 percent Publication 501 (see www.irs.gov/pub/irs-

Parents’ care From page 19 untarily agree to pay the bills. In one situation, Marylanders can be on the hook for parents’ costs even without agreeing: If a parent under 65 is under the care of a state psychiatric hospital, the state can use the law to get the children to

reimburse the state for the parent’s care. To minimize your odds of being saddled with a parent’s care costs, have open family discussions about long-term care planning, and understand the Medicaid rules, said K. Gabriel Heiser, a retired elder law attorney and expert on Medicaid planning. © 2017, Kiplinger. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Get yours today at PenFed.org or call 866-367-0231. To receive any advertised product, you must become a member of PenFed Credit Union. Rate and offers current as of February 11, 2017 and are subject to change. 1. Cash advances, credit card checks and balance transfers do not earn cash rewards. 2. Purchase and Cash Advance APR is 9.24% to 17.99% when you open your account, based on your creditworthiness. Your APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. Rates are based on an evaluation of applicant credit. Your actual APR will be disclosed at the time of credit approval. Not all applicants will qualify for the lowest rate. A 5% or $5 minimum cash advance fee applies to each cash advance. 0% APR promotional balance transfer rate for 12 months on Balance Transfers made February 11, 2017–March 31, 2017. After that, the APR for the unpaid balance and any new balance transfers will be 9.24% to 17.99% based on your creditworthiness and will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. A 3% balance transfer fee applies to each transfer. This transaction is subject to credit approval. 3. To be eligible to participate in the Honors Advantage program, you must qualify through either: 1) Military service of either the primary or joint borrower (active military service status, a member of the Reserves or National Guard, honorably discharged U.S. Military Veteran or retired from such service) or 2) Ownership of any existing open or newly established PenFed Credit Union checking account product, excluding PenCheck Limited accounts. Member must be primary owner on both credit card and checking account to receive bonus rewards. © 2017 Pentagon Federal Credit Union

pdf/p501.pdf) has a worksheet that can help you with this. You can download all IRS publications and forms for free online. To receive printed IRS publications or forms via mail, call 1-800-829-3676.

Shared support If you share the financial responsibility for your mom with other siblings, you may be eligible for the IRS multiple-support declaration.

Here’s how this works. If one sibling is providing more than half the parent’s financial support, only that sibling can claim the parent. But if each sibling provides less than 50 percent support — but their combined assistance exceeds half the parent’s support — any sibling who provides more than 10 percent can claim the parent as a dependent. So can they both claim the credit? No, only one sibling can claim the tax break in any See SAVVY SENIOR, page 22

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Savvy Senior From page 21 given year. But siblings can rotate the tax break, with one claiming the parent one year, and another the next. The sibling who claims the parent as a dependent will need to fill out IRS Form 2120 (www.irs.gov/pub/irspdf/f2120.pdf) and file it with his or her tax return.

Medical deductions If you can’t claim your mom as a dependent, you may still get a tax break for helping pay her medical costs. The IRS

M A R C H 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

lets taxpayers deduct money spent on a parent’s healthcare and qualified longterm care services, even if the parent doesn’t qualify as a dependent. To claim this deduction, you still must provide more than half your mom’s support, but your mom doesn’t have to be under the $4,050 income test. And the deduction is limited to medical, dental and long-term care expenses that exceed 10 percent (or 7.5 percent if you’re 65 by Dec. 31, 2016) of your adjusted gross income. You can include your own medical expenses in calculating the total. See IRS publication 502 (www.irs.gov/pub/irspdf/p502.pdf) for details.

Dependent care credit If you’re paying for in-home care or adult day care for your mom so that you are free to work, you may also be able to claim the Dependent Care Tax Credit, regardless of whether or not your mom qualifies as a dependent on your tax return. This credit can cut up to $1,050 off your tax bill for the year. In order to claim it, you must fill out IRS Form 2441 (irs.gov/pub/irspdf/f2441.pdf) when you file your federal return.

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LIBRARIES OFFER TAX PREPARATION PROGRAMS

Three Howard County branch libraries are hosting a tax preparation seminar in March focusing on understanding deductions and credits, including the effects of the Affordable Care Act on the return. Roy Yenoli of Making Change is the featured speaker at all three sessions. Phone registration in advance is required for all sessions. They will be held: Wednesday, March 8 at 10:30 a.m. at the Miller Branch Library, 9421 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City, (410) 313-1950; Wednesday, March 8 at 6 p.m. at Central Branch, 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, (410) 313-7800; and Wednesday, March 15 at 6 p.m. at the Savage Branch, 9525 Durness Ln., Savage (410) 313-0760.

Beverly L. Heckrotte, P.A. Professional

In addition to the federal tax breaks, more than 20 states offer tax credits and deductions for caregivers on state income taxes. Check with your state tax agency to see what’s available. For links to state tax agencies, see www.taxadmin.org/state-tax-agencies. Send your questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

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CONSUMER MEDIATION HELP

The Maryland State Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division offers a mediation service to residents who are experiencing disputes with businesses in the state. For information on the service, call (410) 528-8662 or toll free 1-888-743-0023 or file a complaint online at www.oag.state.md.us/comsumer /complaint.htm.

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Don’t face Parkinson’ kin nson’s alone ne! B Brooke Grov Grove Retirement Village is pleeasedd to partner tner with the Parkinson Foun F ndation on tto offer er exercise classes and a suppportt grroup for tho hose with P Parkinson’s or other neurodegenerative egen ve diseases. During this event, veent, Dr. Stephen en Grill, co-founder cco founder d of the h Parkin nson n’s and Mo n Movement ent Disorder rd Center of Maryland, will share his expertise and Teerrie rrie Daniels, Brooke oo Grove’ ove s senior fitnness ss and wellness lln specialis cia st, will provide vi detailed tail class lass infoormation. mat

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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 7

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Travel

Leisure &

Use the right credit or debit card to avoid lousy exchange rates overseas. See story on page 24.

St. Augustine, Fla., America’s oldest city

A place of many firsts Given that history, it’s no surprise that the city is replete with attractions touted as the “first” and “oldest” in the nation. Together, they offer visitors a setting that captures not just the stories but also an authentic atmosphere of the past. The appeals of St. Augustine wear the soft veneer of centuries, and attract guests seeking to explore and experience times gone by. Granted, the influx of tourism has

brought with it touches of commercialism. Sprinkled among the history-rich centuries-old buildings, monuments and museums is a smattering of tourist trappings. But they’re overwhelmed by the authentic remnants of the settlement’s colorful past, which are scattered throughout the 144 square-block historic district. The Colonial Quarter is a good place to begin exploring. That bustling two-acre complex recreates the changing chapters of St. Augustine’s colorful past as it evolved from a 16th century Spanish colony, to 17th century fortified town, to 18th century garrison. The neighborhood is a living history museum. A blacksmith, carpenter and other costumed historic interpreters combine facts with fun as they help onlookers relive the way things were over the centuries.

PHOTO BY SEAN PAVONE

By Victor Block In 1607, a small band of settlers founded the first permanent English outpost in the Americas — Jamestown, in the Colony of Virginia. But by that time, another town already had existed since 1565, further south on what would later be called the East Coast. Each November, we recall the Thanksgiving celebration that took place in 1621, when pilgrims in Plymouth, Mass., shared a feast with friendly Native Americans in appreciation for a bountiful harvest. What’s less well known is that 55 years earlier, Spanish explorers much further south had participated in a similar occasion with members of another Indian tribe. Last year, St. Augustine, Fla., where that often-overlooked event took place, celebrated its 450th anniversary. That supports its claim to be the oldest continuously-occupied European settlement in America.

The 90-year-old Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine crosses the intercoastal waterway. It’s far younger than the city itself, which celebrated its 450th anniversary last year. St. Augustine remained under Spanish rule from 1565 to 1821, which accounts for its ornate Mediterranean architecture.

Spanish colonization St. Augustine traces its European heritage to 1565, when an expedition led by Don Pedro Menendez-de Aviles, a Spanish admiral, landed and set up an encampment near a Timucuan Indian village. That tribe was one of a number of Native American groups which began occupying the area some 10,000 years ago. Menendez was not the first Spanish explorer to come ashore in the region. In 1513, Ponce de Leon led the first known European expedition there in a quest to PHOTO COURTESY OF FLORIDASHISTORICCOAST.COM

The Oldest Wooden School House, which dates back to 1716, is open to the public. It features an animatronic schoolmaster and pupils, dressed in period clothing, who describe what classes were like 300 years ago.

find and claim uncolonized islands — a journey that gave birth to the legend of the Fountain of Youth. At the time, a fable about vitality-restoring waters was familiar on both sides of the Atlantic, but there is no historical evidence that de Leon was seeking to find that allegedly magical potion. Somehow, accounts of his supposed search found their way into history books after his death and the story stuck. The combination of fiction with fact does not detract from the historical significance of the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. This is the place where Menendez encountered the friendly Timucua people and wrote the first chapter of American Colonial history, establishing the settlement which over time evolved into present-day St. Augustine. Attractions include a reconstructed portion of the Indian village, ship building and other exhibits, a planetarium, and cannon and weapons demonstrations. As St. Augustine grew, so did its role in Spain’s efforts to expand its influence and fortunes. Perched at a strategic point along the route followed by that country’s treasure fleet carrying gold, silver and other valuables from the New World to Europe, it served as a vital frontier fortress. Other than a brief interlude (1763-1784) when Great Britain gained control of Flori-

da, St. Augustine remained under Spain’s rule. That accounts for the Mediterranean architecture and other reminders of Spanish influence. By the time the United States took possession of the city by treaty in 1821, it was already 256 years old.

Recreating the past Reminders of those early years line the cobblestone streets. A section of the Gonzalez-Alvarez house, aka “The Oldest House,” was constructed in the 1720s and is part of a small museum complex that traces 400 years of life in St. Augustine. The home was built in the Spanish Colonial style, with touches of Britain’s Colonial architecture, which were added when that country briefly controlled St. Augustine. There’s more action of a sort at the Oldest Wooden School House, which records date back to 1716. The modest one-room timbered structure served as a dwelling before a second story was added and it became a school. Speaking animatronic figures of the schoolmaster and pupils dressed in period clothing introduce themselves and describe a typical day of classes. The Old Drug Store traces its history to about 1875 when, along with medicine and tobacco, it sold ancient Indian remedies See ST. AUGUSTINE page 25

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M A R C H 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

How to use credit and debit cards abroad If you’re heading outside the United Credit card concerns States, you will have to cope with foreign Unfortunately, the credit card isn’t as exchange. And despite all foolproof as it could and those stories you see about should be: currency “secrets,” what you • Although your current need to know is really pretty card is as likely as not to have a simple. chip on it, most U.S. chip cards Overall, your best bet is to still require a signature rather use plastic as much as possithan a four-digit PIN when ble: credit cards for big-ticket used. And although merchants purchases, debit cards for almost everywhere accept chiplocal cash. and-signature, a few automated When you use a credit card ticket and gasoline dispensing outside the U.S., the most you TRAVEL TIPS machines require a PIN. lose on any transaction is 3 By Ed Perkins Over the last three years, percent, as long as you don’t fall for a scam. Almost all credit cards issued by U.S. banks carry no more than a 3 percent conversion fee, and over the last few years, most of the big banks now issue at least one card with no foreign transaction fee. At most, you still pay the 1 percent fee that international MasterCard and Visa networks charge for making the actual conversion, but that’s trivial.

I’ve used a chip-and-signature card in a dozen countries, and the only time it didn’t work was at an automatic gasoline pump in Mount Cook, New Zealand. I’ve asked experts several times, but nobody can give me a coherent reason why a chip card can’t be designed to use either a PIN or a signature, depending on the local hardware, but that hasn’t happened. For now, you’re stuck with chip-and-signature,

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but that’s apparently a relatively minor problem. • The rip-off you’re most likely to encounter is a seller’s attempt to get you to accept a billing in U.S. dollars rather than local currency. When a seller bills in dollars, the seller sets the exchange rate — which is almost always a lot worse than the official rate. You won’t avoid any foreign exchange surcharge, either; your bank adds it on any charge originating outside the U.S. regardless of currency.

Using debit cards The situation with using debit (ATM) cards for local currency is a bit more complicated. When you withdraw cash from a foreign ATM, your own bank may add a transaction fee, a conversion fee, or both, and the bank that operates the ATM may also add a charge. Your best approach here is to use a debit card issued by a U.S. bank that does not surcharge foreign withdrawals and absorbs foreign-bank fees. This includes a handful of online banks, many savings banks, and many credit unions. If your regular bank’s ATM policy is not friendly to foreign travelers, I suggest you do as I do: find an online or savings bank that absorbs foreign ATM fees, maintain a small account with that bank, transfer

funds into it for foreign trips, and use its debit card for whatever currency you need. Regardless of which debit card you use, you have to be careful about where you use it. In recent years, retail foreign-exchange outfits such as Travelex have made exclusive ATM deals with major airports, and they’ve recently expanded into city areas where tourists tend to congregate. The scam here is that although these ATMs add no fees, they make the exchange at a really bad rate — as bad as they give you at the retail counter, which is usually very bad indeed. When you need local cash, make sure you get it through a major bank, not a foreign exchange outfit or a local retailer. And what about exchange rates? I’m glad I don’t speculate in currencies, because I thought the pound would bounce back quickly after the Brexit vote shock, and that the euro would take a hit. Neither happened. So at least for now, with the pound still near a 10-year low, Britain is relatively affordable. The Canadian dollar, euro and Swiss franc remain pretty stable. Send your e-mail to Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net. Also, check out his new rail travel website at www.rail-guru.com. © 2017 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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 7

St. Augustine From page 23 and concoctions formulated by the pharmacist. The Oldest Store Museum recreates the “modern” wonders of a general store that opened for business in 1900. Clerks demonstrate turn-of-the-century — the 20th century, that is — wonders like “health underwear,” a gas-powered iron, and a goat-driven washing machine! Given its important role at a time of exploration and conflict in the New World, St. Augustine has its share of forts. Most imposing is the Castillo de San Marcos, a massive 17th century stronghold built by the Spanish to defend the Florida coastline. The fort was built of coquina (ko-KEEnuh) — soft limestone composed of broken sea shells — which absorbed the force of cannon balls and did not crumble. Some rooms surrounding the central courtyard are furnished to reflect garrison life, while others contain exhibits about military history. A different story comes to light at the site of Fort Mose (Moh-say), hidden away in marshes north of St. Augustine. There, in 1738, a group of slaves who had escaped from British colonies built a log fortress and founded the first free community of ex-slaves. While the original structure is long gone,

a small museum describes the events by means of videos, interactive exhibits and objects found during archaeological digs.

Speaking of archaeology... St. Augustine’s age makes it an archaeologist’s dream location. A wealth of artifacts has been uncovered over the years, and much more remains buried beneath the streets, buildings and back yards. So seriously do locals take this quest for knowledge that St. Augustine claims to be the only city in the country with an archaeologist on its payroll. Some 100,000 artifacts have been uncovered at the Fountain of Youth Park, including Native American pottery, carved beads, shell tools and three dog burial sites. Work at the Fort Mose site has uncovered objects that shed light on the social, religious and military life at that unique settlement. There’s often a dig underway somewhere in the city that interested visitors may observe. While the more than 60 historic sites and attractions are the main reason most people visit St. Augustine, it also manages to keep one foot planted firmly in the present. Sun worshippers find a choice of inviting beaches that stretch some 40 miles north to Ponte Vedra. The two-mile long beach at Anastasia State Park consists of gleaming white quartz sand. Aptly-named Crescent Beach

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is one of the most scenic and unspoiled in the area. Places to stay and dine can become part of the immersion in St. Augustine’s history and atmosphere. The St. Francis Inn was constructed in 1791, and it clings proudly to vestiges of its Spanish Colonial heritage. Complementary amenities include breakfast featuring hot entrees, and evening wine, beer and tasty treats. Rates begin at $149. For more information, call 1-800- 824-6062 or log onto www.stfrancisinn.com. The name of Barnacle Bill’s Seafood House indicates its focus, and the good food and budget-stretching prices attract

many locals. Florida ‘gator tail (yes, it tastes like chicken), costs $10.95, and a choice of shrimp dishes prepared any of nine ways is priced from $13.25 to $16.25. Several of the 16 side dishes can constitute a meal in themselves. For more information, call (904) 824-3663 or log onto www.barnaclebillsonline.com. The closest major airport to St. Augustine is in Jacksonville, about 40 miles away. The lowest roundtrip fare from BWI in midMarch is $315 on American Airlines. For more tourist information on St. Augustine, call 1-800-653-2489 or log onto floridashistoriccoast.com.

M A R C H 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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Show Boat plays at Toby's Dinner Theatre through March 19.

A top-notch Show Boat cruises at Toby’s Show Boat — which features thoughtful lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and excellent music by Jerome Kern — is presented at Toby’s with terrific acting and superb vocals, particularly by the performers portraying the black workers on the boat. Equally impressive is its social commentary on racism, which continues to feel relevant today.

A racially charged story The 1927 premiere of Show Boat on Broadway has been called a watershed moment in the history of American musicals. Compared to the trivial and unrealistic operettas, light musical comedies and “Follies”-type musical revues that defined Broadway in the 1890s and early 20th cen-

tury, Show Boat was a very different and ambitious show. It also shattered racial boundaries by featuring black and white actors on the

same stage. No show before had done this, or given such a sympathetic voice to its black characters. See SHOW BOAT, page 27

PHOTO BY JERI TIDWELL

By Rebekah Alcalde With its the soaring score, complicated love stories and realistic portrayal of racism, Show Boat, now on stage at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, treats the audience to an epic story that is both fun and dynamic, but also serious. Show Boat tells the story of those living aboard the Cotton Blossom, a 19th century show boat travelling the Mississippi River. The musical follows the “family” of performers and staff over a 40-year period — from their show boat’s height as a fixture of river-town entertainment in the 1880s, to the late 1920s, when the Roaring Twenties were in full bloom, and the rise of film rendered such crafts obsolete.

In one of Show Boat’s most famous songs, “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man,” leading lady Julie La Verne, played by Julia Lancione, tells her young friend Magnolia (Abby Middleton) to be careful about love. Looking over their shoulders is standout Samantha McEwen Deininger as the boat’s cook, Queenie. Show Boat, which follows the lives and struggles of the performers and workers living on a travelling show boat, is at Toby’s Dinner Theatre through March 19.

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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 7

Show Boat From page 26 The show opens with the boat’s black stevedores (dockhands) singing how they “work while the white folks play… Gettin’ no rest till de Judgment Day.” Their song shows how difficult and unfair their lives are, and immediately inspires compassion. But the show quickly moves onto Captain Andy — played to perfection by Robert John Biedermann — who introduces the audience to his cast of actors. Among them are the show boat’s leading man, Steve Baker (Justin Calhoun), and roughneck engineer Pete. It is revealed that Pete has been stalking Steve’s wife Julie La Verne (the very likeable Julia Lancione), the show’s leading lady, and a sudden fight breaks out between the two men. A note on the use of racist terms: As years have gone by, some of Show Boat’s lines have been altered to be more racially sensitive, especially changing the n-word to “colored folk” or other derivatives. Toby’s mostly follows suit, except when Pete uses the original word to insult the ship’s black cook, Queenie. Its use villainizes Pete as a character, and provokes an audible gasp from the audience. Also in Act I, we meet handsome and charming gambler Gaylord Ravenal, who falls in love with Captain’s Andy’s sheltered daughter Magnolia, nicknamed Nola. Most of the main plot line follows their bittersweet

relationship — from their romantic Romeo and Juliet-style meeting, to their later more complicated and difficult adult lives. Russell Rinker nails Ravenal’s initial gentlemanly persona, but his voice does falter a few times throughout the show. He consistently makes up for it, however, with his excellent acting. Abby Middleton’s Magnolia nicely balances Ravenal’s boisterous voice with her pure and easy soprano. To her credit, Middleton is obviously well-trained classically and has one of the best vocal ranges of the cast. Towards the end of Act I, Nola tells Julie about her new beau, and Julie warns her to be careful about giving away her heart, since it can be difficult to retrieve. Here, Lancione shines with “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man,” a bluesy melody you will hear a few more times throughout the show.

Man River” is stunningly beautiful and emotionally stirring. He’s honestly reason enough to come see the show. The exceptional Samantha McEwen Deininger plays Joe’s wife Queenie and is the show’s other standout performer. You can often hear her lovely voice in the background before, after and even between scenes. Kern and Hammerstein always intended for the black actors to serve as the show’s Greek chorus, commenting on the action, and Deininger often solos this part. It’s also worth noting that Queenie and Joe’s romance is the show’s most authentic relationship.

Toby’s may not do anything earth-shattering with this production of Show Boat, but it is nonetheless beautiful and a must-see for the songs and solos alone. It also firmly keeps the black characters in the spotlight, even as they serve in the background and as the unspoken heroes of the plot.

Seeing the show Show Boat continues through Sunday, March 19 at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, located at 5900 Symphony Woods Rd. in Columbia. The show runs seven days a week with See SHOW BOAT, page 28

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Thanks to the Cotton Blossom’s other dynamic duo, Frank and Ellie, comic relief is always around the corner in many otherwise dramatic scenes of Act II. Jeffrey Shankle plays the boat’s villain Frank, complete with over-the-top gestures and scowls, and Elizabeth Rayca is infectious as the hilarious Ellie, a rising star. Rayca’s performance of “Life Upon the Wicked Stage” is particularly fun and memorable. The show’s standout performance, though, is by actor Marquise White as the black dockhand Joe. His rendition of “Ol’

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TIME FOR THREE Fri Mar 31, 8 pm

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A 60-minute intereacative performance designed for young audiences.

Tickets: $12

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Hall of Fame From page 1 to make sure I had a better life. I was the first person in my family to get a college degree, and it was because of her faith in me. I served on the Maryland School of the Deaf board of trustees for 12 years to carry on her belief in education and to help others.” That is far from her only boost for others. Since 1990, Harriman has raised philanthropic funds to support priorities for educational and medical institutions, first at Howard Community College and now at Howard County General Hospital. She secured a $5 million gift for the hospital, believed to be the largest individual charitable gift to a nonprofit in Howard County. “I believe in giving back, to make sure our community is even better for our children and grandchildren,” she said. Harriman’s community roles, including local politics, have been recognized numerous times. She was a Community Hero

M A R C H 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Torchbearer for the 1996 U.S. Olympic Torch Relay, was selected in 1997, 2005 and 2008 as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women, and was named to the Circle of Excellence, an honor that notes her professional and community service leadership. How does she stay focused and grounded? “Always be honest and trustworthy,” she said. “I have been an active member of the Rotary Club of Columbia Patuxent, and I share the motto of Rotary International — ‘Service Above Self.’ Serving others through Rotary has brought me great satisfaction, wonderful comradery and lifelong friendships.” With a note of pride, Harriman said she enjoys genealogy research. “I discovered two of my ancestors were patriots in the Revolutionary War.”

Shaping community leaders Stacie Hunt follows the principles of Greenleaf “servant leadership,” which advocate roles that focus on the growth and well-

being of people and the communities to which they belong. “You encourage people to step up and step in. I live and breathe that,” said Hunt, the president and CEO of Leadership Howard County (LHC) since 2002. LHC recruits a cross section of applicants from nonprofits, small businesses and government agencies for its 10-month long program, which averages 45 students a year. “They can expect a class full of people not necessarily like themselves,” she said. “We look for students to bring different experiences.” The goal of the program is to launch graduates “on their own leadership journey and uncover their ability to transform their communities to be more positive, inclusive and dynamic.” Current and former Howard County leaders have noted the impact of the LHC program. County Executive Allan Kittleman said, “Leadership Howard County helps make our great county even stronger more dynamic and vibrant by identifying emerg-

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ing leaders from various backgrounds and empowering them to make a difference and have a significant impact on the community.” Hunt also guides two other leadership programs: Leadership Essentials, managed in collaboration with Loyola University Maryland, and Leadership U for high school students. Hunt attributes leaders she’s met around the country for her ability to move forward with confidence. “I’ve met community leaders whose capacity to do and grow I admire,” she said. “They have supported and encouraged me to step forward and to ask, ‘Will this work here?’” Hunt admits she knew nothing of community leadership in high school or college. “Now I know every day this is what I want to do.”

Educational achievement Dr. Diane Martin comes by her strong sense of learning and teaching naturally. “I was reared among a family of educators who expressed the need for family and community to be actively engaged, not just as the first teachers of their children, but to continue as a ‘village’ that supports all children to excel in school,” said Martin, director of the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement for Howard County Public School System. She certainly followed her family’s trend: first as a teacher for 15 years, then a vice principal, followed by a post as a principal prior to her county job. Martin not See HALL OF FAME, page 29

Show Boat From page 27

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evening and matinee performances. Doors open at 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, for dinner prior to the evening performances, which begin at 8 p.m. For Sunday evening performances, which begin at 7 p.m., doors open at 5 p.m. for dinner. On Wednesdays and Sundays, there are matinee performances, which open for brunch at 10:30 a.m., with shows beginning at 12:30 p.m. Reservations are required. Ticket prices range from $43.50 (for children under 12) to $62, depending on the performance. Ticket prices include buffet dinner or brunch, tea and coffee. Specialty drinks, like this show’s Strawberry Banana Piña Colada (aptly named the “Cotton Blossom”) are priced separately. While not five-star cuisine, Toby’s buffet-style meals offer something for everyone. Our meal featured prime rib, roast beef, marinated mushrooms, a variety of vegetables and salads, and more. Dessert is included (except specialty treats). You can also arrange to have coffee or tea brought to you during intermission. At Toby’s, the show’s actors also wait on tables. Their tips constitute much of their pay for their performances, so be sure to tip well. For more information or to reserve tickets, call (410) 730-8311 or visit www.tobysdinnertheatre.com.

Hall of Fame From page 28 only worked with students, but was one herself — earning a master’s degree in reading (literacy instruction) from Johns Hopkins University and a doctorate in education from Howard University. Martin’s volunteer community service has concentrated on advancing the lives and social standing of women and children. She developed programs for afterschool services for middle and high school girls, as well as mentoring programs in schools. She serves on the Howard County Self Sufficiency Board and the African American Community Roundtable that connect students and their families with resources and information to enhance their learning and their lives. For more than 12 years, Martin has worked with the Maryland Math, Engineering and Science Achievement Program that pairs community organizations and schools. In relating her education role to her community projects, Martin said “All students can learn, and we must meet students where they are academically. And we must have high expectations for all students, while nurturing and supporting them along the way to success.” It’s not always easy, she admits. “The best advice I give myself is work hard and play hard. Finding a balance is tough for me, but we have to rejuvenate ourselves to

stay on the course of supporting others.” Her work has been awarded by numerous organizations, including the Maryland State Department of Education, the Howard County NAACP, and several educational sororities.

A half century of helping youth It’s really not correct to call retired educator Margaret (Peggy) Schultz “retired.” With horses to feed every day, a county fair to help run and maintain, and raising money for a food bank, she’s far from idle. Schultz worked in the Howard County Public School System as a teacher for three years, and in a post that addressed the educational, social-emotional and medical needs of at-risk youth for 49 years. She also coordinated home and hospital instruction for the system, and designed a program of services for pregnant and parenting young women. Beyond the classroom, Schultz chaired a committee of county agencies to improve cross-agency programs for at-risk youth. Her work to preserve and promote the agricultural heritage of Howard County continues as a member of the county fair board, where she is an advocate for the equestrian community. Since 1952 she has been an officer of the Maryland Western Horse Association that promotes horse care and showing western horses. She gives kudos to her mother for her interest in community service. “It’s sort of inborn,” she said, explaining that her

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mother set the example. As a young woman, the world of education beckoned. “I liked school and was good at it,” she said. “I followed my passion. Lots of people helped me. “I give a lot of credit to my first supervisor. He was always there for me and helped me develop self-esteem and the ability to move forward. He and the board of education helped me broaden my attitude and see a bigger world.” Education is key, Schultz said. “We can’t control the way our life goes, but a way to head off some of the downs in life is education.” Shultz suggests community activity involvement was easier in the 1960s. “The

timing was right,” she said. “It was a smaller group of people. It might be harder now.” Although she’s busy with horses and committee work, she’s found time to appreciate “the wonderful programs at the senior center just down the road.” “Who knew?” she said. “I took a little painting class, and went to a great workshop on coinage. It’s finally time for me to hone in on some of the things I always wanted to do.” The induction ceremony for the 21st Annual Women’s Hall of Fame will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9 in the Banneker Room of the Howard Building, 3430 Court House Dr., Ellicott City. To learn more, call (410) 313-6400 or email women@howardcountymd.gov.

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

FROM PAGE 30 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

R I C H

A C H E

T H D A S T

G R A I L

P E E W E E

V E I L

E U C L I E D Y E T W A I C T I N T E S S

R P M A L I I O C N E C O N S U M E

C A G E O A T

O F T T O T S E E R A S

A U N T

P R E S E F T R E L S I H E

E R A E T S A C L H E A S

F L O R I O A C R G E E D

S A B I N

T I T N E R O C L E A L

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O P A L

S O S O

P A S T S

A A L I E R S T E W

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By Stephen Sherr 5

21 24 29

22 26 31

38 44

37 43

39 46

40 47

49 52

53 55

HC317

Scrabble answers on p. 29.

Across

Down

1. Wild incoherent orator 6. Silly escapade 11. Cease to be inflated 14. Become frosty 15. Heavenly glows 16. Historic period 17. Stylish refrigerator adornments 19. St. Elsewhere extras 20. High-water front 21. Gives permission 22. Counterbalance to liability 24. Revenge of the Sith episode nbr. 26. Pastries which mean “flashes of lightning” in French 28. Maritime physician 33. Calendar square 34. Close in on 35. “Z __ zebra” 36. Editor’s second thought 38. Prefix appearing twice in AT&T 40. Org. that awards over 250 trophies to universities each year 43. City midway between Dallas and Austin 46. Prepare flour for baking 49. He won his first heavyweight belt in 1964 50. Part of a dog breeder’s ad 53. Take up a new hobby 54. Countdown conclusion 55. Monopoly payments 56. The brothers Gibb, for example 59. She was sew important to the American Revolution 63. Amazement 64. Roast reptiles 67. -y, pluralized 68. Attract the attention of the Federal Trade Commission 69. Flat paper 70. “___ Miserables” 71. Removed tension 72. Give a green light to

1. High-calorie 2. Head or heart ailment 3. It hides brides 4. The “father of geometry” 5. Engine stat. 6. Actor Nicolas, originally named Coppola 7. Khloe Kardashian (to North West) 8. Arranged ahead of time 9. ___, Pray, Love 10. Second-hand houses 11. Siamese sidekick 12. Foul-tempered 13. Intense histories 18. She said “I don’t want to go among mad people” to a cat 23. Pioneer of polio prevention 25. Final three of a million 27. Half of a Latin dance 28. NFL stars’ six-pointers 29. Magician’s hiding spot 30. First-hand reporter 31. Porridge ingredient 32. Just picked 37. Unspoken 39. Misstatement 41. Brewpub selection 42. Publicize dirty laundry 44. Take in calories 45. Frequently 47. Lowest point 48. Metal abbreviated as Sn on the periodic chart 50. Youth sports level 51. Bellhops 52. Toyota model produced until 1999 53. Subject of a knight’s day-dream 57. Latest fad 58. Finished preparing a cake 60. Autumn birthstone 61. Unexceptional 62. Remain agitated 65. Mermaid’s home 66. Ending for pay or Cray

Answers on page 29.

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 7

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 Over 40 years of experience, 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.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Personal Services TURN YOUR SILVER AND OLD GOLD jewelry into cash and do something good for yourself. Gold 4 Good buys gold and silver jewelry, including broken pieces, all sterling silver, gold watches and gold and silver coins. I will come to your house and give you a free evaluation of what I can pay. If you decide to sell, I can buy your items at that time, but there is no obligation. Licensed with both Maryland and Montgomery County (lic. #2327). Call Bob, (240) 9389694.

Wanted WE BUY GOLD AND SILVER JEWELRY. Costume too. Gold and silver coins, paper money, military, crocks, old bottles and jars, etc. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. WE BUY STERLING SILVER FLATWARE, tea sets, single pieces of silver, large pieces of silver plate. Attic, basement, garage. You have something to SELL, we like to BUY. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, weapons, knives, swords, bayonets, web gear, uniforms, etc. from all wars and countries. Also Lionel Toy Trains, and coin operated machines. Will pay top prices for my personal collection. Discreet consultations. Call Fred, 301-910-0783. 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.

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 TIRED OF POLISHING YOUR SILVER? Turn it into cash which does not tarnish. I will come to your home and give you a free evaluation of what I can pay. I buy all gold and silver jewelry, including broken pieces, all sterling silver, gold and silver coins, gold watches, etc. I am licensed with both Maryland and Montgomery County (lic. #2327). If you decide to sell, I can buy your items at that time, but there is no obligation. Call Bob, Gold 4 Good, (240) 938-9694.

Thanks for reading the Beacon!

BEACON BITS

Mar. 4

MEET THE AUTHOR

Miller Branch Library will host playwright Willy Conley, professor of theater arts at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., for a discussion of his first novel The Deaf Heart on Saturday, March 4 at 2 p.m. in the Miller Branch Library, 9421 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. Conley’s story centers on a deaf photographer straddling the deaf and hearing worlds, chronicled through a series of short stories and letters home.

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Events

Housing

Retail/Services

COGS Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Jewish Federation of Howard County . . . . . . . . .24, 29

Bayleigh Chase/Integrace . . . . . . .6 Brooke Grove . . . . . . . . . .3, 22, 32 Buckingham’s Choice/Integrace . .6 Charlestown/Erickson Living . . . .8 Fairhaven/Integrace . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Gatherings at Quarry Place/Beazer Homes . . .4 Heartlands of Ellicott City . . . . . .9 Homecrest House . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Lutheran Village at Miller’s Grant . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Olney Assisted Living . . . . . . . .13 Park View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Columbia’s Village Centers . . . .26 Crossroads Pharmacy . . . . . . . . .27 Kugler’s Design Center . . . . .12, 14 Senior CompuCare . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Financial Services First Maryland Disability Trust . .7 PENFED Financial Services . . . .21 Moriarty Financial Services . . . .21

Funeral Services Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home, Inc. . . . . . . . . .24 Going Home Cremations . . . . . .22 Sol Levinson & Bros., Inc. . . . . .27

Hearing Services

Legal Services

Miracle-Ear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Frank, Frank & Scherr, LLC . . . .19 Law Office of Karen Ellsworth .20

Home Health Care

Medical/Health

A-1 Action Nursing Care . . . . . .11 ComForCare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Hands That Touch . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Options for Senior America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Lee Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Medical ED Therapeutics . . . . . . .7 Medical Eye Center . . . . . . . . . . .6 Virginia University of Oriental Medicine . . . . . . . . . . .7

Senior Services Senior Connection . . . . . . . . .15-18

Skilled Nursing & Rehab CommuniCare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Subscription Services The Beacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Theatre/Entertainment Candlelight Concerts Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . . .26

Tour & Travel Eyre Tour & Travel . . . . . . . . . . .25 Festive Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Nexus Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

32 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

M A R C H 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

March – April 2017

UPCOMING SEMINARS & EVENTS at Brooke Grove retirement village

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

Support for the Caregiver Seminar: “Yoga designed for the brain”

Living Well Seminar: “Easy and healthy cooking for one”

March 14, 2-3 p.m.

March 15, 1-2:15 p.m.

Discover how simple yoga tools can help caregivers stay calm and focused. Learn breathing and meditation techniques to reduce stress and improve your mood. FREE. Register by March 12.

Join Master Chef Bonita Woods for a cooking demo and tips on how to easily “health up” your meals. Seminar preceded by complimentary lunch at 12:30 p.m. FREE. Register by March 13.

Alzheimer’s Support group March 15, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Thriving with PARKINSON’s: kickoff event

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.

April 5, 7-9 p.m. Don’t face Parkinson’s alone. Learn about Brooke Grove’s new monthly support group and twice-weekly exercise classes for those with Parkinson’s or other neurodegenerative diseases, offered in partnership with the Parkinson Foundation. FREE. Register by April 3.

Support for the caregiver seminar: “The Savvy caregiver” April 4, 2-4 p.m. This is the first in a six-week series offered by the Alzheimer’s Association that provides clinical-level training for family caregivers. You’ll learn the skills needed to assess the abilities of your loved one, set and alter caregiving goals, and explore strategies to manage activities of daily living. You’re encouraged to return each Tuesday through May 9. FREE. Register by April 2.

Independent living

assisted living

rehabilitation

long-term care

memory support

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