April 2017 | Howard County Beacon by The Beacon Newspapers

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When he volunteered to help doomed AIDS patients, he said, his often torturous memories receded. He has also spent two years working in homeless shelters, and seven years caring for dying patients in hospices. “I found that compassion heals,” he said. Nearly one out of every three Vietnam vets has suffered from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The U.S. action in Iraq reportedly brought that condition to one out of every five vets. Glenn’s latest novel, Last of the Annamese has just been released by the Naval Institute Press. (“An Nam” was an old name for Vietnam.) The novel is set

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Novels help heal war’s trauma By Robert Friedman For Ellicott City resident Tom Glenn, 80, “Not to write would be to accept damnation. If I gave up writing, my spiritual life would come to an end. I would be a husk, and cease to be a human being.” For Glenn, you see, writing is not only a compulsion — “I’ve been writing since I was 6 years old” — but also a therapy. It eases the post-traumatic stress that remains from the worst parts of the 13 years (1962-1975) he spent in Vietnam — whether in combat situations, or during a last-minute harrowing escape from Saigon as the city fell to the North Vietnamese, marking the humiliating end of the U.S. intervention there. Since then, while suffering from what he calls his post traumatic stress injury — he doesn’t believe the word “disorder” should be used for what is, after all, a war wound — Glenn has eased the troubling symptoms by writing four novels. Three are about Vietnam, and the fourth is about his five years caring for AIDS patients. “The wound to your mind means that you have been through something so ghastly you never get over it,” he said. After 42 years, since returning to the states, “I still have nightmares, flashbacks, but they are less frequent now.” Divorced, he lives alone, doesn’t own a TV, and spends his time reading, reading and writing, writing.

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ARTS & STYLE Tom Glenn’s new novel Last of the Annamese, published in March, is set during the fall of Saigon to the North Vietnamese. The Ellicott City resident says his writing serves as a sort of therapy to help heal the trauma he witnessed while serving in Vietnam for 13 years, most of them as a spy.

mostly in Saigon as the events of the fall unfold, and the protagonists make heartbreaking choices. The novel has been called a companion piece to Graham Greene’s The Quiet American in its accent on the devastating effects of the war on individuals — both Vietnamese and American — rather than being a strictly G.I. view, as are most of the classic books of the Vietnam War, such as The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien or Dispatches by Michael Herr.

A spy, not a soldier

One of the three main characters is Chuck Griffin, a retired Marine doing intelligence work in Vietnam for the United States. Not coincidentally of course, after his three years in the U.S. Army, Glenn

spent his time in Vietnam gathering intelligence for the National Security Agency. The other two principal protagonists are Vietnamese, and their lives, passions and points of view are thoroughly and sympathetically explored. What did Glenn’s real-life “spying” activities consist of? “What I can say is that I was frequently able to target the enemy, since I discovered where they were and what they were doing [by intercepting communications], and I was forewarned of attacks against U.S. forces,” said Glenn, who is fluent in Vietnamese, Chinese and French, among other languages. His work brought him into Army and See NOVELIST, page 35

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The pendulum swings Recently, there has been an explosion of four patients on long-term opioid therapy studies, lawsuits and newspaper articles in a hospital, rehab or nursing home struggles with addiction, accordhighlighting what many are ing to the CDC. calling America’s opioid crisis What surprises me in all this or epidemic. reporting is that no one seems While the term opioid into recall that, about a decade cludes illegal drugs like heroago, there was a drumbeat of in, it also encompasses a varistudies and articles on the subety of prescription painkillers, ject of pain management that including OxyContin, Percoled to a relaxing of the barriers cet and Vicodin. to prescription opioid use. The Centers for Disease Many of these reports deControl (CDC), referring to cried the inadequate recogniour nation’s “opioid overdose FROM THE tion of pain as a widespread epidemic,” notes that deaths PUBLISHER By Stuart P. Rosenthal problem, and the costs to pafrom overdoses of these types tients and to the nation’s econof drugs have more than omy of what was then called the under-treatquadrupled since 1999. Some of these deaths are of abusers ment of pain. I know we ran a number of articles on this who steal prescription drugs from family members or pharmacies, obtain prescrip- topic in the Beacon at the time, including tions illegally, or buy the drugs on the one about a major report on the subject issued by the well-respected Institute of Medblack market. But it appears that ordinary older adults icine (now called the National Academy of are among the biggest users and victims of Medicine). That report was actually mandated by the 2010 Affordable Care Act, showthese addictive drugs. The Inspector General of the U.S. Dept. ing that the concern over under-treatment of Health and Human Services recently re- had been around for some time. The IOM report, which came out in 2011, ported that nearly one-third of all Medicare beneficiaries received, on aver- opened by noting that acute and chronic age, five prescriptions or refills of opioid pain affects “at least 116 million U.S. adults burdened by chronic pain alone.” Its aupainkillers in 2015. One study found that more than 300,000 thors were so concerned by this fact that Medicare recipients battle with something they described the following as an “underlycalled opioid use disorder. Nearly one in ing principle” of the report: “Effective pain

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

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (410) 248-9101 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 39 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions. © Copyright 2017 The Beacon Newspapers, Inc.

management is a moral imperative, a professional responsibility, and the duty of people in the healing professions.” Among the report’s recommendations were calls for our healthcare system to take more seriously the issue of pain and those suffering from it, and to address the “significant barriers to adequate pain care,” which included “the regulatory and cultural barriers that inhibit the medically appropriate use of opioid analgesics.” The report did not ignore the risks of addictive drugs. Calling it a “conundrum,” the authors noted the serious potential for abuse, and raised questions about the drugs’ long-term use. But the report’s authors said they believed “when opioids are used as prescribed and appropriately monitored, they can be safe and effective.” I have not seen any studies or articles attempting to connect the issuance of that report in 2011 to today’s current epidemic. But it seems likely to me that the study, and the many supportive statements from other pain management professionals that followed, tilted our healthcare system toward a more relaxed approach to the use of opioids for otherwise intractable or chronic pain. I think the intentions at the time were completely honorable, and indeed, that the report addressed a real problem of widespread untreated pain at the time. The devil is in the details. The report and its aftermath seem to have not just raised the consciousness of the medical profession to the need to manage pain, but to have led to a disregard by those in the supply chain of the addiction risk posed to patients by these medications, and to turning a blind eye to those who greedily exploit those with addictions for personal gain. I speak of greed because recent reports indicate that literally hundreds of millions of pills have found their way from wholesale drug distributors to the black market nationwide. For example, the Washington Post, reporting on a lawsuit filed against drug dis-

tribution companies by the state of West Virginia — which has the highest opioid overdose rate in the country — said that 40 million pills were shipped by distributors to West Virginia’s Cabell County, whose total population is only 96,000 (that’s over 400 pills per person), and 66 million pills were sent to Kanawha County, with a population of 190,000. Furthermore, the deputy administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid testified before Congress in February that the agency “is aware of potential fraud at the prescriber and pharmacy levels through ‘pill mill’ schemes,” as reported by the Associated Press. My fear is that lawsuits like this and related publicity will cause the pendulum to swing too far the other way (a problem we seem to be having in this country in several other respects as well). There should be ways to limit the distribution and over-prescribing of addictive painkillers without making them inordinately difficult for those in true need to obtain them. One good step towards this was taken recently by the CDC. It has issued “guidelines” for doctors writing prescriptions for opioid painkillers. Among other things, they recommend that doctors weigh benefits against risks and discuss both with patients, start with the lowest necessary dose and increase slowly and only if needed, limit opioid therapy to a 3- to 7-day period in most cases, and offer additional treatments to patients with a history of abuse or dependence problems. These sound to me like common-sense guidelines that should have been in place for years. Let’s hope coupling this reasonable guidance with a crackdown on illicit activities will help us strike the right balance this time.

Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or e-mail to barbara@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Dear Editor: Here are some thoughts on your February editorial addressing decreased support for capital punishment and increased support for assisted suicide. (I think that term more accurately and directly describes it than “death with dignity.”) Less crime — at least less stranger-onstranger murder — means less demand for the ultimate punishment. If the risk of getting killed by a stranger is reduced, capital punishment is needed less. More people living longer — and kept alive though in poor health because of

modern medicine — means, especially in the context of people in this country becoming much less religious, more people wanting a painless way to die to be available to them. In both cases, I think of it as supply and demand: Less crime of certain sorts means less demand for the most extreme punishment. In the second case, more older people in declining and painful health means more demand that it be definitively ended. Steve Rossenberg Via Email

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Innovations Voice-activated assistants do your bidding By Mae Anderson Does your home really need a “smart speaker” that can answer questions, call you an Uber, turn off the lights, or play music when you ask? You may be about to find out. Two years ago, Amazon introduced the Amazon Echo, an unassuming, $180 cylinder that sits atop a kitchen counter or bookshelf, acting as a personal assistant that listens to you and does your bidding. Initially, the gadget’s main purpose was a little difficult to discern. But Echo and its Alexa voice-recognition software have since become a sleeper hit, with millions sold. The Echo’s hands-free operation filled an undiscovered niche in the smart-home universe. Users can just say the wake word “Alexa” and direct it to do a task, such as turn on lights or set a timer. Alexa can also respond to requests verbally, using its encyclopedic database to answer a variety of questions. The fact that you don’t need to use a smartphone or tablet to activate Alexa sets it apart from other smart home systems, like those offered by Samsung or Apple. Then last fall, Echo got some competition. Google is selling a similar smart speaker called Google Home, priced at

$129. It performs many of the same tasks as Echo, including playing music and fielding questions, plus controlling compatible lights and appliances. The Google Assistant that works with Home will also be able to access your Google Calendar, Google Maps and other services, if you allow.

Learning new skills

One key to the Echo’s success was Amazon’s willingness to work with third-party software developers, allowing it to add new functions each week, making it easy for owners of the speaker to discover new ways to use it. (It launched with a few dozen so-called ‘skills’ and now has thousands.) “Initially we got it for music,” said Brian Bishop, a business analyst in Tomball, Texas, whose family uses two Echos. “Later, when it controlled the lights and fans and outlets, that just made it even better.” Apple and Google have also opened up their personal assistants — Apple’s Siri and Google Assistant — so that third-party developers can create new features for them. Sony is working on Xperia Agent, a digital assistant that connects to devices in the home. All these companies are chasing the

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smart-home market, which could grow to be a $71 billion global industry by 2018, up from $33 billion in 2013 and $25 billion in 2012, according to Juniper Research. Interest in smart homes appears to be rising as more people become enamored with their smartphones. A recent online survey of more than 4,600 adults in the U.S. by Forrester Research’s Technographics found 57 percent of them either had used, or were interested in using, a smart home device — such as lights or thermostats — designed for remote control.

A box with personality

People seem to have an easier time talking to a speaker that has no other interface than they do talking to a smartphone. “I’ve never used Cortana [Microsoft’s personal assistant]. I don’t use Google, and my wife doesn’t use Siri. But everybody talks to Alexa,” Bishop from Texas said. “I couldn’t really tell you why. That was the only way to communicate, so we all got in the habit.” Buck Wise, an advertising executive in Portland, Oregon, tried several variants of smart home systems, but said the Echo

worked best for him because of the handsfree speaker. He has lights, blinds, and his garage door synced with the Echo. “Alexa truly is the brain of our home, and it would feel like 100 steps backwards to get through a day without her,” Wise said. What won him over? Commanding the device just by speaking — and without having to fire up an app — basically did the trick, he said. [But some users are beginning to worry about the privacy concerns raised by such devices. See “Are your appliances eavesdropping?” on page 4.] Amazon has also launched two other Echo-like devices, the smaller $50 Dot — which it now sells in six-packs so people can have one in every room — and the portable $100 Tap, to give Alexa even broader reach. Dave Limp, Amazon’s senior vice president for devices, says the goal is for Alexa to keep getting smarter as it continues to build new “skills” over the coming years. “The hope is you can ask Alexa anything, and it will be able to respond correctly, quickly and be able to be there,” he said. — AP

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Are your appliances eavesdropping? By Bree Fowler and Mae Anderson Alexa, are you spying on me? It’s a fair question in light of attempts by authorities investigating the slaying of an Arkansas man to obtain voice recordings collected by an Amazon Echo speaker and its Alexa digital assistant. Echo is a “smart speaker,” a nine-inch cylinder that connects to the voice-controlled personal assistant service Alexa, which responds to the name “Alexa.” The device can perform a number of

tasks using voice interaction — including music playback, making to-do lists, setting alarms, playing audiobooks, and providing weather, traffic and other real time information. The popularity and capabilities of voiceenabled products such as the Echo continue to grow. Whirlpool, Samsung and other manufacturers are unveiling new ways to use voice services to control laundry machines, refrigerators and other home systems.

Privacy concerns

Consumers are apparently willing to trade a certain amount of privacy for convenience. So what exactly is being collected, stored or shared by these devices? To do its job, the Echo must always be listening. Once it hears someone utter a keyword, such as “Alexa,” it shares what it hears with Amazon’s servers, which process a response. Those conversations are then stored indefinitely. Google’s Home speaker works in a similar fashion. The Echo “has to listen to everything. That’s kind of disturbing,” said Ryan O’Leary, vice president of WhiteHat Security’s threat research center. “It doesn’t capture voice until it hears the keyword, but it could [do so at any time]. You’re trusting the devices to not [listen in unbidden], but it’s entirely possible.” In the Arkansas case, authorities investigating the death of a man found floating face-up in a hot tub at a friend’s home requested the contents of the home’s Echo and Amazon’s stored recordings in hopes they might contain evidence. The friend is charged with murder. A judge has signed off on the search, but Amazon has balked. Amazon has declined to comment specifically on the case, but said the company objects to “overbroad or otherwise inappropriate de-

mands as a matter of course.” Some experts worry that allowing such a search would erode people’s privacy. “It’s not necessarily a direct threat for the average person, but the same thing can be said with any kind of privacy concern,” O’Leary said. “People say you shouldn’t be concerned if you’re not doing anything wrong, but that’s a dangerous precedent to set.”

More appliances get voice control

Meanwhile, companies keep asking consumers to invite them into their homes. Whirlpool is adding Alexa voice control to its smart-home appliances — including a washing machine, a stove and a refrigerator. Someone can instruct the oven to preheat to 400 degrees by speaking a command to an Alexa-enabled device, such as the Echo. Simplehuman has a voice-activated trash can, and GE Lighting has a table lamp using Alexa voice control. For now, voice control is mainly an addon feature rather than a core component of gadgets. It’s there for those who want to use it, but it’s not essential for the product to function. Many manufacturers are opting to use Amazon’s Alexa service for now, though See EAVESDROPPING, page 5

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some are embracing voice systems from Google, Apple or Samsung. Nvidia’s Shield TV streaming device, for instance, employs Google’s Assistant service so viewers can control video playback or find out the weather with just a voice command. Meanwhile, Samsung’s new Family Hub lets people use their voice to add items to shopping lists and order groceries online. Shawn DuBravac, chief economist of CES (Consumer Electronics Show, an annual trade show of new consumer products) said dozens of companies announced Alexa-integrated products during this year’s show, on top of more than 1,500 existing ones. As the smart home becomes more entrenched, DuBravac said, voice control could change the way we interact with technology in much the way the computer

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mouse did in the 1980s. “Connected microphones are starting to appear in everything from cars to children’s toys,” said James Plouffe, lead solutions architect at mobile-security company MobileIron. “Consumers should think carefully about how comfortable they are with the prospect of a live mic in common household items,” he added. Because Amazon says it uses information gathered by the Echo to improve its voice technology, that information has the potential to “live forever” online, Plouffe said. The issue first grabbed headlines a couple of years ago, after Samsung said sensitive conversations could be captured by its voice-controlled smart TVs. Based on the flood of new voice-controlled gadgets headed to market, tech companies are betting that consumers will get over their fears. — AP

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Eavesdropping

be hacked and used to rapidly deplete an implanted device battery, alter pacing, and potentially administer inappropriate and dangerous shocks to a person’s heart. The software patch issued by St. Jude “addresses vulnerabilities that present the greatest risk to patients,” Stark said. Stark said the company is working to address remaining vulnerabilities quickly. She said any new cardiac devices submitted to the FDA for review that use the affected transmitter will not be cleared or approved without the software update. — AP

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By Tami Abdollah and Matthew Perrone The Homeland Security Department recently warned about an unusual cybersecurity flaw for one manufacturer’s implantable heart devices that it said could allow hackers to remotely take control of a person’s defibrillator or pacemaker. Information on the security flaw, identified by researchers at MedSec Holdings in reports months ago, was only formally made public after the manufacturer, St. Jude Medical, made a software repair in

failure or arrest. Implanted under the skin of the chest, the devices electronically pace heartbeats and shock the heart back to its normal rhythm when dangerous pumping patterns are detected. The company’s Merlin@home Transmitter electronically sends details on the device’s performance to a website where the patient’s physician can review the information. But that device can also be hacked. The FDA’s review is ongoing, agency spokeswoman Angela Stark said. Its investigation confirmed the vulnerabilities of the home transmitter, which could potentially

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Heart devices can be hacked

January. MedSec is a cybersecurity research company that focuses on the health-care industry. MedSec CEO Justine Bone said on Twitter that St. Jude’s software fix did not address all problems in the devices. The government advisory said security patches will be rolled out automatically over months to patients with a device transmitter at home, as long as it is plugged in and connected to the company’s network. The transmitters send heart device data back to medical professionals. Abbott Laboratories’ St. Jude said in a statement it was not aware of deaths or injuries caused by the problem. The Food and Drug Administration also said there was no evidence patients were harmed. St. Jude’s devices treat dangerous irregular heart rhythms that can cause cardiac

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

A P R I L 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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Fitness &

Health

THYROID OVERLOOKED Thyroid disorders are common in older adults, but can be tricky to detect BACK AND LEG PAIN Newer drugs and physical therapy can help alleviate pain from sciatica DO YOU HAVE COPD? Join a health study and find out if indoor air cleaners can improve your health TUG OF WAR OVER TALC There’s no solid evidence that talc contributes to genital or ovarian cancer

Let your mind wander to lessen anxiety By Dr. Srini Pillay When we think of anxiety disorders, we generally think of them as uncomfortable emotional responses to threat. These responses may include symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, sweating, trembling or absolute paralysis. While there is nothing inherently wrong in thinking about anxiety this way, a recent study pointed out that there is an entirely different way of thinking about anxiety that may be even more helpful. According to psychologist Kalina Christoff and her colleagues, anxiety may be more appropriately thought of as “mind-wandering gone awry.” In your brain, there are circuits that promote mind-wandering and they are not all bad. In fact, these very circuits help you maintain a sense of self, understand what others are thinking more accurately, become more creative, and even predict the future. Without your mind-wandering circuits, your brain’s ability to focus would become depleted, and you would be disconnected from yourself and others too. In addition to the natural and frequent tendency for your mind to stray, it also has automatic constraints to ensure that it

does not stray too far. When daydreaming during a boring lecture, for example, your brain may jerk you back into reality.

Mind-wandering gone awry

One of the things that a wandering mind is in search of is meaning. By connecting the past, present and future, it helps you compose a narrative to connect the dots in your life. This narrative is constantly being updated. But sometimes, the wandering mind can encounter threats. Rather than proverbially “whistling in the dark,” the brain can overreact to these threats. In the brain of an individual with generalized anxiety disorder, for example, the anxiety processor (the amygdala) is disrupted. Although it has strong connections to the “inner eye” (attention), it lacks a connection to the brain circuits that signal how important or significant a threat is. Without the ability to assess the significance of threats, they can all feel the same. As a result, the “inner eye” gets fixated on negative thoughts. This fixation is a way of constraining the mind too, but it is not actually helpful. Anxious people focus more on external threats in an exaggerated way.

They become glued to the threats. Anything from being teased to being ticked off feels much more troubling than it would to someone without an anxiety disorder. And it’s not just conscious threats that grab your attention. It’s subliminal threats too. Such threats, of which you are completely unaware, can capture your brain’s attention.

How to escape a stuck mind

When this situation causes your brain to grab your wandering mind, stop it in its tracks and become fixated on threats, you have to loosen your mind’s grip and allow it to wander freely once again. Because your brain’s inner eye has its resources fixed on the threat, it gets progressively exhausted. You can’t really summon it to help you suppress the anxiety, or get your mind off of it. Instead, you have to reactivate your mind-wandering circuits to give your attention a break. Practically speaking, there are a few ways to do this. First, identify the negative spiral that has occurred like a pothole into which you have fallen on a mind-wandering journey. Simply name the feeling you are feeling and recognize that you need a mental reset.

Rather than deliberately trying to suppress the feeling, accept that your mind is wandering, and that the fixation on threat is not the constraint solution you are looking for. To counter this constraint, up the ante on the mind wandering — wander even more. If you’re at work, you could keep a knitting kit and start using it just when anxiety strikes, or if at home, you could go out and do some gardening. Meditation is also an effective way to get out of the fixedthreat hole. So when you’re next feeling anxious or wired, try allowing your mind to do what it naturally does — wander. You can bring it back to task gently, without fearing that you have lost your way. Or you can expect that it is wired to switch between wandering and focused states, and it will eventually come back on its own. The more you mindfully interact with this switch, the more adept your brain will become at initiating it. Srini Pillay, M.D., is a contributor to Harvard Health Publications. © 2017. President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Well-being is more complex than we think By Lauran Neergaard Your mother’s cholesterol is OK, but maybe your doctor should be asking about her social life, too. Think about health as you grow older, and a list of common ailments pops to mind. But that’s not the whole story. New research suggests factors such as loneliness and whether they’ve broken any bones since middle age also play a role in the well-being of older adults. In fact, layering on that extra information better predicts whether a senior’s next five years will be fairly robust or whether they’re at higher risk for death or disability than just focusing on what chronic diseases they have, researchers reported in a recent issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. “Aging is not a linear process of wear and tear,” said University of Chicago biopsychologist Martha McClintock, who led the study. “It’s a different way of thinking about aging.”

Studying risk factors

Using a government study of 3,000 middle-aged and older people, the researchers compared the medical conditions that doctors look for in the average check-up — blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, cancer — with information about psychological health, mobility, hearing and other sensory capabilities, and additional characteristics of day-to-day functioning. Of course having a cluster of serious diseases and being frail can mean a greater risk of death. Having uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure was particularly risky on top of other illnesses. But factoring in the extra harder-to-measure characteristics showed some seniors with chronic diseases actually were more likely to survive the next five years than their medical charts indicate. And about half who by disease diagnoses alone would be considered healthy really were more vulnerable to decline, the study found.

Those extra factors “are harbingers, they’re canaries in the coal mine of some biological processes that are aging,” said McClintock, who hopes the findings spur policymakers to focus more on these other non-disease conditions of aging. The work may help redefine how doctors determine older patients’ vigor and quality of life, said Dr. John Haaga of the National Institute on Aging, which funded the research. “We really have to look at more than the collection of diagnoses that they have. We’ve got to look at some of these life circumstances, and really ask a few questions about mental health, about recent events, that will help trigger more watchful care,” he said.

Among the findings

• Poor mental health, which affects 1 in 8 older adults, makes people more vulnerable to certain illnesses. The researchers weren’t measuring a diagnosis of depres-

sion, long known to complicate overall health. Instead, they asked whether people feel lonely, if they’re socially isolated, if they have trouble sleeping, if they’re anxious or stressed or have low self-esteem. Why did that matter? Separately, McClinton has studied the biology behind social isolation in rats caged separately or in groups, and found the loners got more aggressive breast cancer sooner, with a worse prognosis. The isolation triggered physiologic changes — hormones that overreacted to the stressors of everyday life, and differences in fatty breast tissue that supported the growth of cancer cells. • Breaking a bone any time since age 45 is a marker of future health problems. That’s surprising, and needs further study, said NIA’s Haaga, adding that meanwhile it’s something doctors might consider. See WELL-BEING, page 8

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

Thyroid disorders often missed in seniors Dear Savvy Senior, Can you write a column on the overlooked problem of thyroid disease? After struggling with chronic fatigue, joint pain and memory problems, I was finally diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Now, at age 70, I’m on thyroid medication and am doing great. For five years I felt lousy. I wish I’d have known what to do sooner. — Frustrated Patient Dear Frustrated: I’m glad to hear that you’re finally feeling better. Unfortunately, thyroid problems are quite common in older adults, but can be tricky to detect because the symptoms often resemble other age-related health problems. In fact, as many as 30 million Americans have some form of thyroid disorder, but more than half of them aren’t aware of it. Here’s a basic overview: The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck. It has a huge job. It produces hormones (called T3 and T4) that help regulate the rate of many of your body’s activities — from how quickly you burn calories to how fast your heart beats. It also influences the function of the brain, liver, kidneys and skin. If the gland is underactive and doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones, it causes body systems to slow down. If it’s

overactive, and churns out too much thyroid, it has the opposite effect, speeding up the body’s processes. The symptoms for an underactive thyroid (also known as hypothyroidism) will vary, but may include fatigue, unexplained weight gain, increased sensitivity to cold, constipation, joint pain, muscle stiffness, dry skin and depression. Some patients may even develop an enlarged thyroid (goiter) at the base of the neck. However, in older adults — where it is the most common type of thyroid disorder — hypothyroidism can cause other symptoms, such as memory impairment, loss of appetite, weight loss, falls or even incontinence. In contrast, with an overactive thyroid (or hyperthyroidism), which is more common in people under age 50, symptoms may include a rapid heart rate, anxiety, insomnia, increased appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, excessive perspiration, as well as an enlarged thyroid gland. Too much thyroid can also cause atrial fibrillation, affect blood pressure and decrease bone density, which increases the risk of osteoporosis. Those with the greatest risk of developing thyroid disorders are women who have a family history of the disease. Other factors that can trigger thyroid problems include: autoimmune diseases like Hashimo-

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to’s or Graves disease; thyroid surgery; radiation treatments to the neck or upper chest; and certain medications including interferon alpha and interleukin-2 cancer medications, amiodarone heart medication and lithium for bipolar disorder.

Get tested, get treatment

If you have any of the aforementioned symptoms, or if you’ve had previous thyroid problems or notice a lump in the base of your neck, ask your doctor to check your thyroid levels. The TSH (thyroidstimulating hormone) blood test is used to diagnose thyroid disorders. Thyroid disease is easily treated once you’ve been diagnosed. Standard treatment for hypothyroidism involves daily

use of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine (Levothroid, Synthroid and others), which is an oral medication that restores adequate hormone levels. And treatments for hyperthyroidism may include an anti-thyroid medication such as methimazole (Tapazole), which blocks the production of thyroid hormones. Another option is radioactive iodine, which is taken orally and destroys the overactive thyroid cells and causes the gland to shrink. But this can leave the thyroid unable to produce any hormone, and it’s likely that you’ll eventually become hypothyroid and need to start taking thyroid medication. For more information on thyroid disorders, visit the American Thyroid Association at www.thyroid.org.

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

Sciatica can resolve with time, treatments Dear Mayo Clinic: Three weeks ago I was diagnosed with sciatica. I didn’t have much pain initially, but it has been extremely painful the past few days — usually when I’m sitting. Would physical therapy be an option for treatment? I don’t like to take medications for pain. Are there other treatments I should try? Could surgery help? Answer: Sciatica can cause significant discomfort. The good news is that time

and treatment often successfully resolve this condition. In most cases, surgery is not necessary to treat sciatica. Sciatica typically refers to pain from irritation of one of the spinal nerves in your low back. Although the source of the irritation is in your back, you feel the pain of sciatica along the affected nerve where it is located in your leg after it exits the spine, typically in the buttock and leg. Sciatica usually affects only one side of the body. Sciatica pain is often a dull pain, but it also

can be sharp and, at times, you may feel the pain travel or shoot down your leg. Symptoms of sciatica may include numbness, tingling or weakness along with the pain.

What causes sciatica?

duce sciatica pain and lowers your risk for future injuries. In addition to physical therapy, staying active in whatever type of physical activity you can best tolerate can help ease pain and other symptoms, too.

Sciatica develops due to a change in one of the cartilage pads in your spine, called discs. A small component of the disc pokes into the spinal canal, creating inflammation or swelling. That, in turn, leads to inflammation of the nerve, and triggers the symptoms of sciatica. Pressure on the nerve from the disc may contribute to sciatica, as well. Other, less likely, causes of nerve irritation include bone spurs, cysts or other lesions in the spine that grow near a nerve. Physical therapy can be an excellent treatment option for sciatica. It often involves learning stretches to improve your flexibility, techniques for pain control, and exercises to strengthen and condition the muscles that support your back. This type of physical therapy helps re-

Newer drugs that help

Well-being

deed, prior fractures were a risk for poor later mobility. • Obesity seems to pose little risk to seniors as long as they’re otherwise in good physical and mental health — without the diabetes or heart disease that so often accompanies extra pounds. Haaga noted there’s controversy about whether being overweight in the senior years might even be helpful. • Sensory function — problems with hearing, vision and smell — also plays a role in seniors’ vulnerability. McClintock said it contributes to social isolation, and mobility and nutrition problems. — AP

From page 6

A broken hip during the senior years has long been known to send patients on a downward spiral. But this study implicated long-healed fractures of any type as early as middle age to poor health later on. Those breaks might be an early signal of bone-thinning osteoporosis, or the beginning of balance and muscle problems that increase the risk of later frailty, Haaga speculated. • Good mobility — no trouble walking quickly or getting up from chairs — is one of the best indicators of well-being. In-

Though you mention that you prefer to avoid medications, newer drugs are available that can work quite well for pain caused by sciatica. They are not potentially habit-forming like narcotic drugs, or opioids, can be. Drugs like gabapentin, duloxetine, nortriptyline and pregabalin can be useful for managing severe pain or pain that makes it hard to sleep. Corticosteroids are another treatment option. These potent anti-inflammatory drugs are delivered via an injection that places the medication just where it is needed. You have an imaging exam, such as a CT scan or an MRI, before a corticosteroid injection, so See SCIATICA, page 9

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

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Some Qs and As from Harvard physicians By Dr. Howard LeWine Q: I recently had an ultrasound that showed a fatty liver. What causes this? Is it dangerous? A: The largest organ inside your body, your liver performs hundreds of vital functions. It converts food into fuel, processes cholesterol, clears harmful toxins from the blood, and makes proteins that help your blood clot, to name a few. But an increasing number of people have a potentially dangerous accumulation of fat inside their livers. Doctors call it nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Prior to 1980, fatty liver disease was rarely diagnosed except in people who drank large amounts of alcohol. However, scientists discovered that excess body fat and diabetes can also cause fatty liver disease, even in people who drink very little. As Americans have gotten fatter, so

have their livers. Up to one-third of American adults have NAFLD. Nearly all people with severe obesity and half of people with diabetes have NAFLD. Some people with fatty livers have none of these risk factors, suggesting that genes and other factors play a role. Fatty liver disease does not cause symptoms. But it does increase the risk of developing other medical problems, such as heart disease and diabetes. Also it can progress to cause a more serious liver condition, called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In this condition, the fat within the liver causes the liver to become inflamed. In a subset of those with NASH, scarring of the liver will develop. Severe scarring, known as cirrhosis, increases the risk of liver cancer and end-stage liver disease. Treating fatty liver focuses on reducing or preventing further fatty buildup in the liver.

Sciatica

sive numbness in the buttocks and pelvic floor. When that happens, prompt surgical intervention is often required. When sciatica is the result of a disc problem — as it is in most typical cases — and surgery is required, it can be quite effective. The procedure involves removing the portion of the disc that’s affecting the nerve. This surgery usually takes about 75 minutes and requires only one day in the hospital. — Randy Shelerud, M.D., Spine Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. E-mail a question to MayoClinicQ&A@ mayo.edu, or visit www.mayoclinic.org. © 2017 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

From page 8

your healthcare provider can see where the medication should go. Imaging also is used to guide the injection as it’s being delivered to ensure safety and accuracy. In about 90 to 95 percent of sciatica cases, the problem is successfully resolved with time and conservative, nonsurgical treatments. If sciatica persists despite these treatments, though, surgery may be considered. Although uncommon, surgery may be recommended as a first step in treatment if weakness associated with sciatica is moderate to severe, if weakness gets worse over time, if symptoms affect both legs, or if you are experiencing incontinence due to sciatica. Very rarely, sciatica can lead to exten-

Exercise and losing weight are the mainstays of treatment. Even a little exercise and shedding just a few pounds can reduce liver fat. As for diet, the recommendation is similar to what doctors advise for preventing heart disease: Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grains, and modest amounts of lean protein, like fish and chicken. Avoid all sugary beverages and foods, and limit refined carbohydrates. Q: I recently heard about two friends diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. And I seem to be reading about more celebrities with the disease. Is it becoming more prominent? Is there a screening test? A: Indeed, the incidence of pancreatic cancer is rising. This year approximately 53,000 people in the United States will be

diagnosed with the disease. It occurs slightly more often in men than women. Although pancreatic cancer accounts for just 3 percent of all cancers, it has a poor prognosis. About 42,000 people die of pancreatic cancer each year. It’s the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. If the current trend continues, pancreatic cancer could become the second most common cause of cancer death in men, overtaking deaths due to prostate and colorectal cancer. In women, it could become the third most common cause behind lung and breast cancer deaths. Why is the incidence rate of pancreatic cancer increasing? It’s likely related to the See Q & A, page 10

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

Is the dementia rate rising or falling? Yes. According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2015 Facts and Figures sheet: “The number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias will grow each year as the size and proportion of the U.S. population age 65 and older continue to increase. The number will escalate rapidly in coming years as the baby boom generation ages.” Despite these alarming projections, a report from a recent issue of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) offered a few words of encouragement. Researchers from the longstanding Framingham study found that the rate of dementia has declined over the course of three decades. Framingham researchers had been studying more than 5,000 men and women since 1975. The participants had physical exams,

including tests for dementia every five years. The researchers determined that the five-year rate of dementia was 3.6 percent between 1982 and 1986, 2.8 percent between 1991 and 1996, 2.2 percent between 1998 and 2003, and 2.0 percent between 2009 and 2013. Moreover, the average age when dementia was diagnosed increased from 80 to 85 over the 30 years.

Grounds for optimism

Do these results fly in the face of the Alzheimer’s Association’s predictions? Perhaps somewhat, according to Dr. David S. Jones at Harvard Medical School. He notes that a 2005 report based on data from the National Long-Term Care Surveys showed that severe cognitive impairment

among Medicare recipients had decreased significantly between 1982 and 1999. The decrease in the rate of dementia was attributed largely to two things that we have some control over — education and heart disease. The decline was registered only in high-school graduates, but they made up most of the Framingham participants. The rate of cardiovascular disease — including stroke, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure — was also falling during the study period years. In that sense, the results give further support to evidence that education, which may build up a “cognitive reserve,” protects against dementia — and that cardiovascular disease, which restricts blood flow to the brain, may promote it.

Some evidence raises concern

But even as rates of cardiovascular disease declined, rates of obesity and diabetes were beginning to creep up among the Framingham participants. Both are also risk factors for dementia, as well as for

Q&A From page 9

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strong association with smoking. Fewer people are smoking now, but there are still many former smokers. Smoking cigarettes is linked to approximately 30 percent of the cases. The other major reason for the increase in pancreatic cancer is the rapid rise in obesity. It could be the extra weight, or the higher risk of diabetes in obese people. Diabetes seems to also increase the chance of developing pancreatic cancer. Too often cancer of the pancreas grows without symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they are often not specific, making

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early diagnosis challenging. Once the cancer becomes too large or has spread, it cannot be cured surgically. There is no screening blood test or imaging test that has been shown to decrease the chance of dying from pancreatic cancer in people at average risk for the disease. If early detection is still in the future, how about prevention? Studies do show that you can significantly lower your risk of pancreatic cancer by not smoking, limiting alcohol use, getting regular exercise, maintaining a normal body mass index, and adhering to a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern. © 2017 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed By Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

I’M NOT A SENIOR.

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heart disease, and their continued rise could dampen or even reverse a decline in the dementia and heart disease rates. Moreover, the overwhelming majority of Framingham participants are white and middle-class. Whether the results apply to people in other racial and ethnic groups and economic classes remains to be seen. As the Alzheimer’s Association predicts, the numbers of people with dementia may ultimately increase simply because people are living longer. At the same time, the Framingham researchers offer “cautious hope that some cases of dementia may be prevented or at least delayed.” The Framingham results bolster the notion that what’s good for the heart is good for the head. If you’re pursuing a hearthealthy lifestyle — following a Mediterranean-style diet, getting the equivalent of 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, managing your stress, and engaging with friends and family — you’re likely lowering your risk of dementia in the bargain as well. — Harvard Women’s Health Watch

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Health Studies Page

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

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Study examines if cleaner air helps COPD Johns Hopkins Medicine is currently conducting a study to investigate whether indoor air cleaners can improve air quality and the health of those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although the respiratory effects of outdoor air pollution are well-known, indoor environment is also of particular concern to researchers, as most people spend over 85 percent of their time indoors. COPD refers to a group of illnesses that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In people with COPD, the airways in the lungs become partly blocked, which makes it harder to breathe. COPD is a progressive disease, and is the third-leading cause of death in the

United States. More than 12 million people have been diagnosed with it, but many more may have it without knowing. Risk factors for COPD include a cough that doesn’t go away; shortness of breath, especially with physical activity; recurrent lower respiratory infections such as pneumonia; and chest tightness. COPD can be diagnosed by a test called spirometry, which measures how much air a person can blow in and out of the lungs and how fast.

An incurable disease

Unfortunately, treatment options for patients with this very common disease are limited. Quitting smoking can slow disease

progress and decrease mortality. However, not all people benefit from quitting, and many continue to have airway inflammation and respiratory problems despite abstinence from smoking. Currently, there are no therapies that can cure COPD, so the standard of care focuses on controlling the illness through medications and avoidance of factors that exacerbate the disease, such as poor outdoor air quality. Recent evidence from the Johns Hopkins research group led by principal investigator Dr. Nadia Hansel shows that increased indoor air pollutant concentrations in homes of former smokers with COPD are associated with respiratory ill-

ness — including increased respiratory symptoms, a worsened quality of life, and increased respiratory complications. Unlike outdoor air, the indoor air environment may be modified at the individual level by implementing simple methods to improve indoor air quality. The researchers have found that air cleaner intervention strategies improve respiratory symptoms in other chronic respiratory diseases, such as childhood asthma.

Smokers needed for study

The Clean Air COPD study is recruiting 120 former smokers with COPD who will be randomized in two groups. One group will receive HEPA and carbon filter air cleaners in their home, the other will receive sham air cleaners. The study lasts for nine months, and the start date is up to each participant. The study includes one clinic screening visit, five home visits, five clinic visits to confirm COPD status and monitor heart and lung function, and monthly phone calls. Indoor air quality monitoring will be conducted over a seven-day period in the bedroom and the room where the participant is expected to spend the most time over the monitoring period. All participants will be evaluated at the study site at Johns Hopkins University’s Bayview Medical Campus. Participants should be 40 or older with COPD, chronic bronchitis or emphysema, or cough or produce phlegm regularly. Study participants will receive up to $915 during the nine-month study for their participation and time. In addition, they will be able to keep the two air cleaners, which have a value of $1,530. No health insurance is required. All participants will receive test results upon completion of the study. For more information or to volunteer, contact the COPD Study Team at (410) 550-9345 or (410) 550-2810.

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Apr. 13

EMOTIONS AND YOUR HEALTH

Dr. Michael Miller, professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, will speak on Thursday, April 13 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Howard County Central Library located at 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. He will discuss how positive emotions can positively influence vascular and overall health. His book, Heal Your Heart: The Positive Emotions Prescription to Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease, will be available for purchase and signing. Registration is preferred. To register, call (410) 313-7800.

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

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Is talc cancerous? Juries ignore studies By Linda A. Johnson Two lawsuits ended in jury verdicts worth $127 million. Two others were tossed out by a judge who said there wasn’t reliable evidence that the talc in Johnson & Johnson’s iconic baby powder causes ovarian cancer. So who’s right? And is baby powder safe? Most research finds no link, or a weak one, between ovarian cancer and using baby powder for feminine hygiene — a practice generations of American mothers have passed on to their daughters. Most major health groups have declared talc harmless. Yet some 2,000 women have sued, and lawyers are reviewing thousands of other potential cases, most generated by ads touting the two big verdicts.

What is talc?

Talc is a mineral that is mined from de-

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Apr. 3+

DIABETIC? LEARN ABOUT SELFINJECTIONS

A certified diabetes nurse educator will explain how to safely administer and manage self-injections, as well as how to determine effectiveness and understand side effects, from 1 to 3 p.m. on Monday, April 3, at the Howard County General Hospital Wellness Center, 10710 Charter Dr., Columbia. The class will be repeated on Wednesday, April 12; Monday, April 17; and Monday, April 24 at the same times. For more information, call (410) 740-7601.

Apr. 4+

BRAIN GAMES EVENT

The Howard County Miller Branch Library holds a brain aerobics and games activity on the first Tuesday of every month from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The activity will challenge your brain with puzzles, word games, and other tasks. The Miller Branch Library is located at 9421 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. Registration is preferred. To register or for more information, call (410) 313-1950.

Apr. 4

THYROID DISEASE AND YOUR EYES

Learn how eyes are affected by thyroid disease, and how they can be treated medically and surgically. This free program features Johns Hopkins ophthalmologist Dr. Fatemah Rajali on Tuesday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Howard County Hospital Wellness Center, 10710 Charter Dr., Columbia. Advanced reservations are suggested. For more information and to register online, visit www.hcgh.org or call (410) 740-7601.

posits around the world, including the U.S. The softest of minerals, it’s crushed into a white powder. It’s been widely used in cosmetics and other personal care products to absorb moisture since at least 1894, when Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder was launched. But it’s mainly used in a variety of other products, including paint and plastics. Like many questions in science, there’s no definitive answer as to whether it causes ovarian cancer. Finding the cause of cancer is difficult. It would be unethical to do the best kind of study — asking a group of people to use talcum powder and wait to see if it causes cancer, while comparing them to a group who didn’t use it. While ovarian cancer is often fatal, it’s relatively rare. It accounts for only about 22,000 of the 1.7 million new cases of can-

cer expected to be diagnosed in the United States this year. Factors that are known to increase a women’s risk of ovarian cancer include age, obesity, use of estrogen therapy after menopause, not having any children, certain genetic mutations, and personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Two other kinds of research are possible. Neither of them, though, can conclusively prove something causes cancer. One looks back in time, after an illness has occurred. It compares two groups of people, one with the illness, one without, and asks about past exposures that might be factors. But people have trouble remembering details years later. The second approach follows a large group of people. It assesses their health at the start and follows them for years, recording any illnesses, while tracking

possible influences such as diet and use of medication, alcohol or other substances. Scientists generally find these “prospective” studies most reliable.

What research shows

The biggest prospective studies have found no link between talcum powder applied to the genitals and ovarian cancer. But about two dozen smaller, look-back studies over three decades have mostly found a modest connection — a 20 to 40 percent increased risk among talc users. However, that doesn’t mean talc causes cancer. Several factors make that unlikely, and there’s no proof that talc — which doesn’t interact with chemicals or cells — can travel up the reproductive tract, enter the ovaries and then trigger cancer. See TALC AND CANCER, page 15

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

Good ways to deal with grown children Dear Solutions: How to handle this? How much are we expected to cater to — Feel like a Hostage our grown children’s wants? Dear Hostage: My son wants to park his Surely you’ve heard of very big truck in my driveway “hostage negotiations.” Two while I’m away for the winter. suggestions: 1. If this continI have an arrangement ues next winter, allow the with a plowing company that truck to be parked in your will plow the driveway when driveway only until the first the snow reaches a certain big snow is predicted. After depth. I think the truck will any necessary plowing, he be in the way, and they won’t can put it back until the next be able to do the work, so I big snow heads your way. SOLUTIONS said no to my son. 2. Point out to your son that By Helen Oxenberg, He got very angry at me, it’s hard enough for his child MSW, ACSW and said he doesn’t want to to be part of a divorced family, have a relationship with me and that the more love he can anymore. I’m very upset about that, but get, the better off he’ll be. That’s where also about the fact that he has my only Grandma’s special, one-of-a-kind, uncondigrandchild. He’s divorced, and I only get tional love has no equal. to see the child when he visits my son. And, oh, one more thing. Tell your son

that whether he’s friendly to you or not, his child can be his passport to a visit in that warm place where you’re spending the winter. Good luck. I hope you’re a good negotiator! Dear Solutions: There are certain dishes that I’ve always cooked that my son always loved. He married recently, and I know his wife is not interested in cooking and never makes anything complicated. I’m invited to their house during Easter, and I’m wondering if it would be insulting to her if I made these dishes and brought them so he could have the food he loves. I don’t know if I should just bring them, say something to her first, or not bring it at all. What is the right answer? — Agnes

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Dear Agnes: “Not bring it at all” is the right answer — at least not yet. First, invite your son and his wife to your house for your food. Then ask your daughter–in-law if there’s something you can bring to the Easter gathering that will be helpful to her — including any food she would like you to make. Allow her to make suggestions, and follow those suggestions. It may be that your son will get to eat your food only at your home when invited, because what you think is better for his taste buds may not be better for his marriage. Dear Solutions: We saw your column at our mother’s house and hope you can give us some advice. Our parents have been separated for many years. Now, finally, my mother is going to sue my father for money he owes her. My sister, brothers and I love them both, but don’t want to take sides. My mother keeps trying to tell us why she’s doing this, and my father keeps trying to tell us how he has no money. We’re with my mother most of the time. How can we get her to stop trying to involve us? Thanks for your advice. — The Grown Up Kids Dear Grown Ups: Declare a neutral zone with your sister and brothers. Tell your mother that you love her, and whatever she has to do for herself is OK with you. Tell your father you love him, and will continue to do so no matter how this turns out. Tell them both to please leave all of you out of it and refuse to give an opinion. Recognize that your mother is trying to involve you because she’s afraid of losing your approval and love. Reassurance is what she needs. © Helen Oxenberg, 2017. Questions to be considered for this column may be sent to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915. You may also email the author at helox72@comcast.net. To inquire about reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684.

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

Talc and cancer From page 13

In fact, one large study published in June, which followed 51,000 sisters of breast cancer patients, found genital talc users had a reduced risk of ovarian cancer — 27 percent lower than in nonusers. An analysis of two huge, long-running U.S. studies, the Women’s Health Initiative and the Nurses’ Health Study, showed no increased risk of ovarian cancer in talc users. If there were a true link, large studies that tracked women’s health for years would have verified results of the smaller look-back ones, according to Dr. Hal C. Lawrence III, vice president of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. “Lord knows, with the amount of powder that’s been applied to babies’ bottoms, we would’ve seen something” if talc caused cancer, he said. The National Cancer Institute’s Dr. Nicolas Wentzensen said the federal agency’s position is that there’s not a clear connection.

BEACON BITS

Apr. 7

UNDERSTANDING ADVANCE DIRECTIVES

Howard County General Hospital is offering a free one-hour course on advance directives, covering what they are, how to get them, and how to complete them. The class will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 7 at the Howard County Wellness Center, 10710 Charter Dr., Columbia. To reserve a space, call (410) 7407601 or go to www.hcgh.org.

Apr. 8

YOGA WORKSHOP FOR ALL

Mar. 25

FREE CAREGIVERS PROGRAM

The Melong Ling Studio, 6315 Hillside Ct., Columbia, will host a workshop of yoga, art and science for all ages and levels of yoga on Saturday, April 8 from 10 a.m. to noon to benefit the KidsPeace Maryland Foster Care and Community Program. A minimum donation of $10 is suggested. For more information, email louanna.doll@kidspeace.org or call (410) 964-9329.

The Howard County Office on Aging and Independence is offering a day of free programs for caregivers on Saturday, March 25 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Glenwood 50+ Center, 2400 State Route 29, Glenwood. Featured speaker is Dr. Nicole Absar, medical director at Copper Ridge Medical Clinic. Training sessions will be offered on a variety of topics. including legal, medical and community resources. For more information, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/caregiver or call (410) 313-5969.

“A lot of ovarian cancers occur in women who have never used talc, and many women have used talc and not gotten ovarian cancer.” Research director Elizabeth Ward of the American Cancer Society says, “the risk for any individual woman, if there is one, is probably very small.”

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

and concluded the two aren’t reliable, noting they had previously written that there was no proof talc causes ovarian cancer. J&J attorney John Beisner said the

healthcare giant plans to fight every lawsuit, rather than settle, “for the fundamental reason that the science on which they’re based is totally lacking.” — AP

What lawyers and courts say

Like the studies, courts have produced mixed results. In the first trial two years ago, a South Dakota jury found Johnson & Johnson liable for one woman’s ovarian cancer but didn’t award any damages. Last year, state court juries in St. Louis awarded plaintiffs $72 million and $55 million — verdicts the company is appealing But U.S. District Judge Nelson Johnson in Atlantic City threw out the first two of the 400 lawsuits in his court. He reviewed the research and testimony from two doctors who are the plaintiffs’ key expert witnesses

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

April 2017

UPCOMING SEMINARS & EVENTS at a t Brooke B ro o k e G Grove r ov e r retirement e t i r e m e n t village v i l l ag e

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, unless otherwise n noted. register with Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 d Please e 8- 09 orr ttdavis@bgf.org. vis i bg

Support for the caregiver seminar: “The Savvy caregiver”

Thriving with PARKINSON’s: kickoff event

April 4, 2-4 p.m.

April 5, 7-9 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.

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.

Parkinson’s Exercise Classes Living Well Seminar: “What’s your stress type?”

Mondays & Wednesdays starting April 10, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

April 19, 1-2:15 p.m. Join Director Brian Sanderoff in identifying the five major stress types and the specific tools for addressing each one that can put you on the path to better health. Seminar preceded by complimentary lunch at 12:30 p.m. FREE. Register by April 17.

Our classes will help improve posture, balance and circulation while also increasing strength, muscle control and mobility of those with Parkinson’s or other neurodegenerative diseases.

Parkinson’s Support Group 2nd Wednesday of each month starting April 12, 2:15 p.m.

Independent living open house Westbrooke Clubhouse • 18310 Slade School Road April 20, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Discover the casual elegance and comfort of our independent living cottages. Tour a cottage and meet current residents. Explore Westbrooke Clubhouse, its restaurant and fitness center. Enjoy our 220-acre campus of lush pastures and hardwood forest. FREE. Register by April 18.

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

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. 4 • April 2017

Occupational Therapists Support OOAI Programs

ince 1980, April has been designated National Occupational Therapy Month; in 2017, the celebration continues all year as the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) marks the 100th anniversary of the profession. Today, more than 213,000 occupational therapy practitioners nationwide help people of all ages participate in the things they want and need to do, and live life to its fullest by helping them prevent — or live better with — injury, illness or disability.

A Message from Howard County Executive

Allan H. Kittleman Since taking office as County Executive, I’ve made it a priority to promote initiatives assisting residents of all ages and income levels to age in place in the County. Over the coming decades, we know our aging population will increase dramatically, and it is our hope that all residents will be able to remain in place in their homes if they choose. With that in mind, we have created or expanded tax credits we believe will help our senior population and retired military personnel. The expanded Senior Tax Credit lowers the eligibility age from 70 to 65, expanding the number of property owners who may qualify for a 25 percent tax credit from 26,000 to more than 40,000. To qualify, residents must use the property as their primary residence and have a gross household income of $81,200 or less. Also, the combined net worth of the household must not exceed $500,000. The new Aging-in-Place Tax Credit is geared toward older residents living on fixed incomes. To be eligible, a property owner must be 65 or older and have lived in the same dwelling for 40 years OR be 65 or older and a retired member of our Armed Forces. The Aging-in-Place Tax Credit provides a 20 percent credit on up to $500,000 of assessed property value for a period of up to five years. The Livable Homes Tax Credit helps seniors and individuals with disabilities make necessary improvements to their homes by providing a tax credit for the cost of installing accessibility features. Our recent expansion to this credit increased the amount from 50 to 100 percent of eligibility costs up to $2,500 per year. The amendment also expanded the types of projects that qualify. For more information, visit the Department of Finance’s website at taxcredits.howardcountymd.gov or contact the Department’s Tax Credit line at 410-313-4076.

The Howard County Office on Aging and Independence (OOAI) is one of the few area agencies on aging in the country that employs occupational therapy professionals. “We are nationally recognized for the unique work we do,” says Mary Becker, manager of AAOI’s Aging in Place program, “In fact, AOTA’s Federal Affairs office recently invited us to present our model program to senators working on legislation which could impact Medicare services for home safety assessments and durable medical equipment to help people remain in their homes.” Three major barriers to consumers staying in their home include access in/out of the home, moving from level to level and needing bathroom modifications. “We assist consumers with solutions to all of these and so much more,” explains Becker, “It’s never just about a piece of equipment.” Howard County residents Faye and Paul Green know firsthand how AIP services increased their home safety and helped them maintain independence through home modifications, a home safety assessment by an OT, Senior Care in-home aide assistance, and various items from The Loan Closet, OOAI’s clearinghouse of donated medical equipment. Occupational therapists work with other Aging in Place (AIP) staff, conducting home safety assessments for Howard County residents like the Green’s, and making recommendations for durable medical equipment and/or home modifications. “Most people want to age in place. Finding the right mix of equipment and home modifications can create a safer environment to help them maintain their independence,” says Carly Shilling, an OT with the AIP program.

The Loan Closet is an integral part of the Aging in Place program, providing Howard County residents and caregivers with donated medical and therapeutic equipment such as canes, walkers and wheelchairs, as well as instruction on how to safely use them, and referrals to other agencies which assist those who want to age in place. In May 2016, the Loan Closet relocated to the Long Reach Village Center, tripling its square footage and the number of people it can serve, from 800 to a projected 2,500 per year. The larger facility also enables it to accept a wider variety of donated items, including electric scooters, portable ramps and stair glides, which are returned to the Loan Closet when no longer needed. Continued on next page

The 50+ Connection

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

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

Protect Your Loved Ones’ Identity After Death

dentity thieves can strike even after death. An identity thief ’s use of a deceased person’s Social Security number (SSN) may create financial and other problems for family members, and also victimizes merchants, banks, and other businesses.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains a national file of reported deaths for the purpose of paying appropriate benefits. The file contains the following information: Social Security number, name, date of birth, date of death, state of last known residence, and zip code of last lump sum payment. The SSA generally receives reports of death from a family member or a funeral home. Sometimes delays in reporting can provide time for identity thieves to collect enough personal information to open credit accounts or take other fraudulent actions using the deceased’s information. To prevent this from happening, a surviving spouse or other authorized individual, such as an executor, can notify the credit bureaus. This will ensure that the deceased’s files are flagged with a “deceased” notation.

Notifying the Social Security Administration In most cases, a funeral director will report the person’s death to SSA. To ensure the death is reported promptly, a family member can make a report directly to an SSA representative by calling SSA toll-free, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, visit www.ssa.gov.

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

Ingrid Gleysteen, PROGRAM COORDINATOR 410-313-7461 • igleysteen@howardcountymd.gov

April 6 • 7 TO 9

Bain 50+ Center 5470 Ruth Keeton Way Columbia 21044

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

Notifying Credit Bureaus, Creditors and Others To flag the credit files of a deceased person, the surviving spouse or executor should notify the three national credit bureaus in writing; include a copy of death certificate and proof of executorship or marriage. Notifying creditors on the credit reports and others that have access to the deceased’s SSN (insurance companies, motor vehicle administration, utilities, etc.) can provide added protection.

If the Deceased’s Identity Has Been Stolen Notify the police in the decedent’s jurisdiction with any evidence of the theft and request a Police ID Theft Report. Provide all affected entities with a copy of the death certificate and police report and request an immediate investigation. For more information, contact the Howard County Office of Consumer Protection at consumer@howardcountymd.gov, 410-313-6420 or www.howardcountymd.gov/consumer.

OTs Support OOAI Programs continued from previous page Diane Gibson recently received the first motorized scooter and wrote a note thanking the Loan Closet staff for “giving me my mobility and independence back.” While larger items like stair glides, motorized wheelchairs and ramps are now available, the most requested items are transport wheelchairs, bathtub transfer benches, shower seats, and commodes. A partnership of OOAI, The Rotary Club, Way Station, Inc., and Rebuilding Together Howard County, the Loan Closet is open Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment Monday and Friday. Occupational therapists also offer support to older adults through other OOAI programs, including Connections and Kindred Spirits Social Day programs. The directors of Connections at Glenwood, Connections at North Laurel and Connections at Ellicott City are occupational therapy practitioners, as are several of the program assistants. Designed for older adults who require a more structured environment than a traditional 50+ center, Connections offers meaningful, therapeutic activities to encourage participants to maintain their highest level of independence. Outings to local bowling centers, restaurants and community centers provide even more outlets for socialization. The Kindred Spirits Social Club — offered at North Laurel and Glenwood — supports individuals with a diagnosis of an early memory disorder. Kindred Spirits offers a variety of activities which provide socialization, education, emotional support, and a continued sense of purpose and connectedness, all in a safe and nurturing environment. Both Connections and Kindred Spirits also provide respite and support for caregivers, who get a much needed break while knowing their loved ones are in good hands.

www.Facebook.com/HoCoCommunity 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.

To find out more about these and other services offered through the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/aging or call Maryland Access Point at 410-313-1234 (voice/relay).

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

The 50+ Connection

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Perplexed by Medicare Rules and Choices? By Bill Salganik, Counselor State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides local help with Medicare. SHIP’s unbiased and confidential services are available free of charge to Howard County Medicare beneficiaries of any age and their families or caregivers. Assistance is provided through public education presentations, such as the popular “Medicare 101” and “Medicare 102” sessions (for those new to Medicare) as well as one-on-one counseling.

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help. Call Us Today!

410-313-7392

SHIP Consultations Can Address the Following: • MEDICARE ENROLLMENT When do you need to sign up? What if you’re still working? • MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION INSURANCE How do you find a plan that covers your medications? How do you keep up with the changes every year? How does that “donut hole” work?

• INCOME-BASED ASSISTANCE Depending on your income and assets, you may be eligible for help with your Medicare costs. For example, there is a program that does not look at your assets and has a much higher income limit than you may think. We can advise on eligibility and help you fill out applications.

• MEDICARE ADVANTAGE/HEALTH PLANS What are the advantages and disadvantages, compared to “original Medicare” and supplemental insurance? How much are the premiums and co-pays?

• PROTECT YOURSELF — AND MEDICARE — FROM FRAUD How can you monitor whether you are being correctly charged for your healthcare services? What should you do if you think something is not right? What are some good practices to protect yourself?

• MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE What kind of insurance covers your deductibles and co-pays? How do you find information about the companies and plans that are offered in Maryland?

To view the schedule of upcoming presentations, visit online at www.howardcountymd.gov/SHIP. To schedule a one-on-one appointment (available at various locations around the County), call 410-313-7392 (voice/relay). Contact us today for assistance.

BUILD CONFIDENCE. REDUCE FALLS. Howard County Office on Aging and Independence

Medicare Education FREE Information Presented by SHIP Medicare 101

Exercise and Strategies for Fall Prevention SteppingON is a seven-week, evidence-based program designed to help reduce falls and increase confidence, strength and balance. Health and community-service professionals provide expertise on balance-related issues. The small group setting encourages active discussion, decision-making and behavior changes. WEEKLY TOPICS INCLUDE: Falls and Risks Safe Footwear Review of Medications Home Hazards and Vision Public and Community Safety Strength and Balance Exercises

$28 include includes 15 hours of workshop and materials To ach achieve the most benefits from this program, we encourage a commitment to attend all seven sessions TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION

CONTACT TELE EMAIL

Jeannie DeCray, EXERCISE SPECIALIST 410-313-6535 (VOICE/RELAY) jdecray@howardcountymd.gov

Wednesday, April 5 • 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Learn how Medicare Parts A (hospital), B (medical) and D (prescription drug) work, what the benefits are, and when to make decisions related to your coverage. Find out about programs that can help pay for Medicare health care costs.

Medicare 102 – Why Medicare Isn’t Enough Wednesday, April 12 • 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Determine which Medicare Health Plan is the right choice for you. Learn about Medicare Part C/Health Plans and Supplement Policies (Medigap Plans); how the different Medigap plans cover out of pocket expenses of original Medicare; how they are priced; and the best time to enroll. Learn how to protect yourself and Medicare from fraud.

Using Medicare’s Plan Finder Wednesday, April 26 • 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Learn how to use the Plan Finder tool to compare and review Medicare prescription drug and health plans.

North Laurel 50+ Center 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel 20723

If you need this information in an alternate format, contact Maryland Access Point at 410-313-1234 or map@howardcountymd.gov

www.howardcountymd.gov/aging

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

The 50+ Connection

A P R I L 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

Elkridge 50+ Center

Tuesday, April 4 • 10:30 a.m. –

Temporary Location: 5660 Furnace Avenue, Elkridge 21075

Retirement Planning: The Age of Longevity

Monday, April 3 • 10:30 a.m. – Coin Collection Presentation

Learn how longevity affects the financial risks we face in retirement, and how to avoid making mistakes that prevent financial success. FREE; register at 410-313-7213.

Tuesday, April 11 • 10:30 a.m. – Fire Safety/Fall Prevention

Drage Vukcevich, coin consultant, will show you how to liquidate your coin collection and protect your interests. FREE; details at 410-313-5192.

Friday, April 7 • 11:00 a.m. – Let’s Dish

Designed for older adults to learn household safety techniques and how to minimize every day risks. FREE; register at 410-313-7213.

The incredible, edible egg is full of healthy nutrients. Enjoy a deliciously light dish of deviled eggs and fresh strawberries. FREE; donations accepted. Register at 410-313-5192.

Tuesday, April 18 • 10:30 a.m. – Meet Author Tom Glenn

Wednesday, April 12 • 10:00 a.m. – Community Egg Hunt

During the fall of Saigon as the North Vietnamese overwhelm the South, Tom Glenn paints a vivid portrait of the high drama surrounding the end of a war... a city... a people. FREE; register at 410-313-7213.

Wednesday, April 19 • 11:00 a.m. – Ask Dr. Dan:

Making the Most Out of Life Transitions Transitions are a natural part of life, but can be stressful. Dr. Dan Storch will discuss how to make transitions work for you rather than against you. FREE. Register: 410-313-7213.

Wednesday, April 19 • 1:00 p.m. – Goldenaires Band Enjoy a free concert by the Goldenaires, featuring swing and big band music. Dancers welcome; refreshments provided. FREE; register at 410-313-7213.

Our annual egg hunt features games, music and a special egg hunt with the Easter Bunny. Join us! FREE; details at 410-313-5192.

Tuesday, April 18 • 10:15 a.m. – Planning Meeting When the new Elkridge 50+ Center opens, we want your input to make it great! Share your ideas and suggestions for the new center. Lunch served after the meeting. FREE; register at 410-313-5192.

Friday, April 28 • 10:00 a.m. – AARP Safe Driving Class Learn about the new rules of the road and how to stay behind the wheel. Insurance discounts may be available upon completion of this class. FREE; register at 410-313-5192.

Tuesday, April 25 • Noon – Spring Tea with “Deaux Eaux” Enjoy finger foods, fabulous wear, beautiful music, and assorted teas. $5; purchase tickets at the front desk by April 21. Limited seating available.

East Columbia 50+ Center Wednesday, April 5 • 9:30 a.m. – Antique Appraisal Brunch Reality check or pleasant surprise? To find out, drop your item off at 9:30 for appraisal, then enjoy brunch until the appraisal show begins at 10:30. Cost: $12. Register: 410-313-7680.

Thursdays, starting April 6 • 2:30 p.m. –

Strength, Stretch and Core Our new exercise class emphasizes core muscles with minimal mat work in a fun and spirited atmosphere. April fee: $23; register at 410-313-7680.

Tuesday, April 11 • 10:00 a.m. –

Senior Safety, Sweets and Spring! Join us for conversation with André Lingham, HCPD Senior Liaison Officer; spring coloring; sweet treats and a hydrangea sale! FREE.

Thursday, April 13 • 10:00 a.m. –

Beyond Beginner Bridge Lessons Led by Paul Elstein, this class is for players who have a basic knowledge of Bridge and want to step up to the next level. $43/four weeks; register at 410-313-7680.

Wednesday, April 19 • 10:30 a.m. – Can You Hear Me Now? Join Dr. Julie Gilliam to tap into the potential of your mobile device. Bring your devices to learn about basic functionality, entertainment, finances, health and travel. FREE. Register: 410-313-7680.

Low Vision Group !"#"$%&'()*+,$-./01,$2)33$4'565#*$6"75$"#8$7&#9:;#"3$3)()#<$:46$*;$ 6&44;'*$)#8545#85#95$"#8$=")#*")#$8")3>$"9:():56?$/5<)6*'":;#$'5@&)'58?

Tuesday, April 4 • 10:15 to 11:45 a.m. Bain 50+ Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia 21044

Coping with Hearing Loss 15"'#$*;$="#"<5$>;&'$5#()';#=5#*$"#8$5A43;'5$!5"')#<$85()956$7';=$" B#)(5'6)*>$;7$C"'>3"#8$D4559!$"#8$%5"')#<$"&8);3;<)6*$"#8$<'"8$6*&85#*6? /5<)6*'":;#$85"83)#5E$F4')3$G$$H$$IJK$L69!;3"'6!)46$=">$M5$"(")3"M35N

Thursdays, April 13-May 4 • 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. North Laurel 50+ Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel 20723

Bereavement Group OA43;'5$*!5$=;&'#)#<$4';9566,$9;4)#<$6*'"*5<)56,$"#8$3)75$M5>;#8$<')57 )#$"$6&44;':(5$"*=;64!5'5?$/5<)6*'":;#$/5@&)'58$$H$$P;=)#"3$Q55$F443)56

Tuesday, starts May 2 • 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. North Laurel 50+ Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel 20723

Contact Elaine Widom 410-313-7353 (VOICE/RELAY) • ewidom@howardcountymd.gov

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

The 50+ Connection

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Ellicott City 50+ Center

North Laurel 50+ Center

Mondays, April 3 to 24 • 1:00 p.m. –

Mondays, April 3 to May 8 • 9:00 a.m. –

Russian History with Gary Kavanagh

Decluttering the Mind: Meditation & Movement Class

Explore the history of modern Russia from the Communist Revolution in 1917 to its current day government, economy and foreign policy. FREE; register: 410-313-1400.

This fusion class of meditation and light yoga is Spring Cleaning for your mind and body; let go of mind clutter to make way for new ideas. $35/ six sessions. Register: 410-313-0380.

Wednesdays, April 5 to 26 • 1:00 p.m. –

Tuesday, April 4 • 1:00 p.m. – Acoustic Jam Session

Exploring Life’s Mysteries with Doris Fountain

Bring an acoustic instrument of your choice and meet up with local music enthusiasts to play folk and classic songs in an afternoon jam session. FREE; drop-in! Information: 410-313-0380.

Designed to provide a forum for adults to share life experiences, thoughts, and feelings while getting to know one another socially; discuss a different topic each week. Register at 410-313-1400.

Wednesday, April 12 • 11:00 a.m. –

Wednesdays, April 5 to 26 • 10:00 a.m. – Calligraphy

This Land was Made for You and Me

Learn calligraphy using a felt-tip pen; form letters to make greeting cards and more. $30 + $3 supply fee, due at first class. Register at 410-313-1400.

Celebrate America as the great melting pot with patriotic and regional songs that highlight our common culture and aspiration for peace and unity. Presented by the Lyric Opera Baltimore. Call 410-313-0380 to sign up and reserve lunch by April 5. Lunch donation (age 60+).

Mondays and Wednesdays, April 3 to June 28 • 10:00 a.m. –

Active Adult Exercise Get moving with a cardio warm-up, strength training, and balance work to strengthen core muscles (requires a high level of independent balance ability). 25 classes/$106; no class 5/29. Register at 410-313-1400.

Wednesday, April 12 • 12:30 p.m. – Panama Rex Band Rex and his band play Jimmy Buffett-style music, a genre of oldies but goodies in a music program not to be missed. Parrotheads, pull out your tropical wear. FREE; register at 410-313-1400.

Tuesday, April 18 • 10:30 a.m. – Taking Tea:

Teatime Across the Centuries Learn the history of popular tea traditions and explore classic tea treats such as English muffins, crumpets, scones and clotted cream. $2; register at 410-313-0380.

START LIVING WELL TODAY!

Thursday, April 20 • 1:00 p.m. –

Living Well: Take Charge of Your Health

Aromatherapy with Adrienne Hausman Join Adrienne for a scent-filled afternoon to learn about this ancient therapy for mind, body, and spirit. FREE; register at 410-313-1400.

Glenwood 50+ Center Thursdays, 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. – New Line Dancing Classes Choose a beginner or improver level class with instructor, Sharon Grimet. $55/ten weeks; register at 410-313-5440.

April 1 to 29 – The Beauty of Nature Watercolor Exhibition Don’t miss an exhibition of artwork by Brenda Kidera. A gifted artist and Maryland native, Brenda is a a member of several watercolor societies, and has taught for over 20 years. Details at 410-313-5440.

Monday, April 3 – Physical Therapy Comes to Glenwood Physical therapist, Teresa Heitzman, helps people get back to the lifestyle they love. Call for details and to make an appointment: 410-313-5440.

Monday, April 3 • Noon – Take Me Out to the Ballgame Enjoy traditional ballpark fare, including peanuts and Cracker Jack, trivia and fun surrounding the Orioles home opener. $6; re-register at 410-313-5440.

Friday April 7 • 11:00 a.m. – The Fabulous Fifties Join us as singers from the Lyric Opera House perform the toe-tapping hits of a bygone era. FREE; details at 410-313-5440.

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HoCoCommunity Stay connected to the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services. Like us today!

Designed for those living with one or more chronic conditions, this six-week, evidence-based, self-management program can help participants experience positive health outcomes, as well as reduce health complications and the need for emergency care.

Medical Pavilion at Howard County Wellness Center, Columbia Conference Room 10710 Charter Dr., Suite 100, Columbia, MD 21044

FRIDAYS • 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM April 21, 28 • May 5, 12, 19, 26 $

28 includes 15 hours of workshops and all materials To achieve the most benefits from this program, we encourage a commitment to attend all six sessions.

Weekly Topics Covered include: • Nutrition & Healthy Eating • Appropriate Exercise • Techniques to Handle Pain, Fatigue, Frustration and Isolation

• Communication Skills • Stress Management • Goal Setting

To register or for more information:

NICOLE JONES njones@howardcountymd.gov 410-313-3506 (VOICE/RELAY)

howardcountymd.gov/livingwell

The 50+ Connection

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

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

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

Don’t miss Howard County’s 9th Annual

Seminars, Workshops and Demos: BE CALM Treat your senses at this workshop and explore aromatherapy and essential oils, see how you can easily incorporate them into your life and create your own personal spray mist.

Saturday, April 29 10 AM - 3 PM

BE CURRENT AND CLUTTER FREE Join these accredited

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

staging and decorating professionals as they walk you through the steps to update your look and declutter your surroundings creating a new and peaceful space.

HIGHLIGHTS

BE AWARE Scams are a fact of life. Learn how to stay safe when shopping, banking, and connecting with friends on-line.

BE EMPOWERED Need a little help pushing yourself to the next level in your personal or professional life? Join this informationpacked seminar to help empower yourself and get where you want to be in life.

BE INFORMED Get educated about this epidemic. From painkillers

• • • • • •

Dynamic Seminars Engaging Workshops Important Health Screenings Over 100 Vendors and Exhibitors Cooking and Fitness Demos PLUS, all Day Door Prizes!

to heroin, opioid addiction is everywhere; learn how it is impacting families from someone who has walked this path. Know the signs, get support, and just maybe, help save a life.

SPECIAL GUEST

Ashley James

Meet Chef Taueret Thomas from Khepera’s Kitchen SPRING INTO SOUPS COOKING WITH QUINOA

ABC2 News Anchor 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

AND THE

FREE ADMISSION AND CONVENIENT ON-SITE PARKING www.facebook.com/HoCoCommunity

“SPOTLIGHT ON WOMEN” PROGRAM PARTNERS:

#HoCoWF17

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 — A P R I L 2 0 1 7

The 50+ Connection

Say you saw it in the Beacon

2017

VETERANS

Resource Fair

Friday, May 12 9 am to 2 pm Ellicott City 50+ Fitness Center

Tuesday, April 4 5 TO 8 PM

WELLNESS EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Ellicott City 50+ Center 9401 Frederick Road Ellicott City 21042 An event to provide local veterans the opportunity to meet with more than 42 businesses and non-profit organizations dedicated to providing services, support and jobs to veterans. ALL veterans (active, guard and reserve) are invited to attend. For a full list of exhibitors, visit

9411 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042 Health Education Experts Important Health Screenings Fitness Equipment Demonstrations Future Planning 101 Seminar Lunch and Learn: Nutrition 101 FREE Admission Limited Seating www.howardcountymd.gov/aging

BOX LUNCHES Available for Purchase ORDER BY MAY 9 410-313-1400

Don’t Miss the 2017 Howard County

CYCLING SEASON KICK-OFF!

www.howardcountymd.gov/veterans GUEST SPEAKERS

Allan H. Kittleman HOWARD COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Tom Glenn

A non-competitive, peer-led, bicycling club for adults of all ages and abilities!

AUTHOR AND HOWARD COUNTY VETERAN

Many of Glenn’s prize-winning stories came from the 13 years he shuttled between the U.S. and Vietnam on covert signals intelligence assignments before being rescued under fire when Saigon fell. His writing is also inspired by his experiences working with AIDS patients, helping the homeless and caring for those in the hospice system. PRESENTED BY

Tuesday, May 2 • 9:00 a.m. Ellicott City 50+ Center MEET AT THE SIDE PARKING LOT AT

9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City 21042

LEARN MORE ABOUT C2H AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE BIKE SAFETY CHECKS Pre-register online. Join us for the first ride of the season! This is a recreational program for the benefit of exercise and to explore the natural beauty and sights of Howard County. A $15 annual fee is required and will be collected at registration and applied to the spring through fall riding season. Rides vary in length and difficulty.

For additional information, contact:

Lisa B. Terry at 410-313-0821 (VOICE/RELAY) lbterry@howardcountymd.gov

TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT

Jeannie DeCray, Program Coordinator 410-313-6535 (VOICE/RELAY) jdecray@howardcountymd.gov

www.howardcountymd.gov/C2H

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

The 50+ Connection

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

Where adults who need guidance and supervision can stay active, have fun, and remain connected to the community.

FREE STUDIO WORKSHOP

“CONSTELLATION” the 2017 Mosaic Art Project /<=>?&@A<&B=CDE&@<EA?DFG<C&HI&JHC=DEKJ=LD?M8&D?ENGOD?M& MN=CCKEG@@D?M&=?O&M>HG@D?M8&=?O&EHJPN<@<&=?&D?D@D=N&@=L<K AHJ<&PD<E<Q&&-><=@<&=?&<N<J<?@&@H&B<&EHJBD?<O&D?@H&=& N=>M<KCE=N<&D?C@=NN=@DH?8&RADEA&RDNN&B<&=S=DN=BN<&IH>&PGBNDE& SD<RD?MQ&&;GC@&B<&=&9HR=>O&-HG?@T&*+,&-<?@<>&J<JB<>& @H&P=>@DEDP=@<Q&&)H&P><SDHGC&<UP<>D<?E<&?<E<CC=>TQ $P=E<&DC&NDJD@<OV&><MDC@<>&@HO=TW

North Laurel 50+ Center

9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel 20723

Thursdays, April 20 – May 4 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Michelle Feng XYZ[\ 410-313-0380&]^Z_`\/a\bcde \fc_b yfeng@howardcountymd.gov

Daily Seated Exercise Memory Enhancement Intergenerational Programs This program is for adults 18 and over and Lifespecialized Review Activities specifically designed to maintain independence, enhance Trips and Outings memory andDance improve the overall health of participants. Music and Cards and Games Enroll at Your Nearest Location: Creative Arts and more! Social Day Program at Ellicott City Connections Ellicott City 50+ Center 9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042 Felicia Stein, Director • 410-313-1425 (VOICE/RELAY) EMAIL fstein@howardcountymd.gov Monday thru Thursday: 10 AM to 2 PM • Fridays: 10 AM to 1 PM

Connections Social Day Program at Glenwood Glenwood 50+ Center 2400 Route 97, Cooksville, MD 21723 Judy Miller, Director • 410-313-5442 (VOICE/RELAY) EMAIL jumiller@howardcountymd.gov Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9 AM to 1 PM

Connections Social Day Program at North Laurel North Laurel 50+ Center 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel, MD 20723 Nancy Riley, Director • 410-313-7218 (VOICE/RELAY) EMAIL nriley@howardcountymd.gov Monday thru Friday: 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM A daily fee covers all program costs, trips, snacks and lunch; a sliding fee scale is available to Howard County residents. Transportation is the responsibility of family/caregiver; staff can provide information on public and private transportation options. This program is certified as a Senior Center Plus program by the Maryland Department of Aging.

Thursday, April 20, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Bain 50+ Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia, MD 21044 Jane Ranier, owner, Lucky Dog Wellness, specializes in canine massage and energy work to help pets regain and maintain balance and well-being. Jane will demonstrate canine massage. And, Karen Hull, Howard County Office on Aging and Independence, will facilitate a program on pet bereavement. FREE. !"#$%! &'%&('#)&*+,&-!)%! &. &-'//&01+231324513&&6&&7/!'$!8&).&7!%$&&6&&/#"9%& !: !$9;!)%$ More info: Karen Hull at khull@howardcountymd.gov OR 410-313-7466

www.howardcountymd.gov/aging

Sponsored by:

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

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Law &

Money

DRIVING A BARGAIN New and used car buyers ought to find good deals throughout this year. Learn how to maximize your savings. HIGHER RATES FOR SAVERS Interest rates are on the rise, so you should seek out banks that pay more. But read the fine print first.

How to invest wisely in today’s market Many readers have written asking for ad- term bonds, especially if those holdings vice about how to invest for consistent in- represent money you will need in 2017. come in 2017 with minimal risk. What investments would As I have emphasized many benefit from this scenario? times, it’s impossible to reap Treasury inflation-protected sehigh returns on your investcurities (TIPS), or mutual funds ments — whether it’s in the or ETFs investing in them, form of income or equity apshould do well. You won’t repreciation — without assumceive a great deal of income or ing some risk. capital gains in these investThat being said, it is possiments, but you won’t be taking ble to anticipate likely occura great deal of risk, either. rences in 2017 and make inOther investments that THE SAVINGS vestments taking these into GAME should do reasonably well in account. this scenario are investments By Elliot Raphaelson in high-quality bank loan portRising interest rates folios whose income is based What is likely? It is likely that the Feder- on variable interest rates. If the Fed does inal Reserve will increase short-term inter- crease rates, then the return on those loans est rates a few times in 2017. Most experts will increase accordingly. following the Fed agree. Will stock investments do better than If that is the case, then bond markets bonds in 2017? No one can be sure. There will be volatile, and some long-term invest- are reasons to believe that corporate profments — such as long-term Treasury itability will increase because it is likely bonds — will likely decrease in value, even that Congress will enact legislation that if only in the short term. will reduce the corporate tax rate. Accordingly, I would caution investors The incoming administration camnot to have significant holdings in long- paigned on that basis, and most members

of the incoming Congress seem to agree. However, common stock prices are at a pretty high level, in terms of price-earnings ratios, so there is no guarantee that stock prices will continue to increase in 2017. As I have said many times, there are time frames in which bonds outperform stocks and vice versa, and no expert is right all the time. That is why for the last 20 years in my own retirement I have maintained a balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds. I don’t pretend to know in which year one or the other category of investment will do better.

What stock sectors are best?

As for equities, which sectors are better to invest in? Many of the experts believe that when interest rates are expected to increase, the banking sector does well. However, bank stocks have already increased in value recently, so there is no guarantee that they will outperform other sectors in 2017. I try not to concentrate my investments in one or two sectors, because it is difficult to predict which patterns will persist and for how long. That is why I think it is prudent to invest

in low-cost, well-diversified index mutual funds or ETFs. For example, I like the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (VTSAX) because of its low costs and broad base of investments. Other fund families such as Fidelity and T. Rowe Price have similar offerings. I also like investing in funds that have a long history of increasing dividends and low costs. For this reason, for many years I have invested in the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund (VDADX).

Bond funds to consider

As for bond investments, I generally prefer investments in intermediate-term funds, especially when it’s likely that interest rates will increase. Two of my favorite funds for long-term investors are the Vanguard IntermediateTerm Investment Grade Fund (VFIDX) and the Vanguard High Yield Corporate Fund (VMEAX). There is more risk in high-yield funds, but I have found that on a long-term basis, it is worth the higher risk. Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com.

Seven ways to file your taxes for free By Sandra Block Most do-it-yourself filers prepare their own taxes for one and only one reason: They want to save money. But tax software isn’t cheap, and hidden costs can sometimes blindside you. You might be forced to upgrade to another product midway through your tax return, or to pay extra to file your state tax return. Fortunately, the tax software business is fiercely competitive, and in an effort to attract new customers, software providers have expanded their free offerings. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to prepare and e-file your federal and state tax return without paying a dime. Make sure you read the fine print and disclaimers before you start plugging numbers into an online program. Otherwise, you could discover that you don’t qualify for the free product, forcing you to switch to a paid version or to abandon your tax return midway through a program. Neither option makes for a satisfying tax-

paying experience. And keep information security in mind throughout your tax prep and filing. Use a strong password for your software log-in (not “password” or your dog’s name). Be wary of e-mails purporting to be from your software provider; so-called phishing e-mails are used by scammers to obtain your personal information. Don’t click on links included in e-mails. If you need to communicate with the software provider, do it through the provider’s website. Here are ways to get filing — for free!

H&R Block More Zero

Who can use it: Taxpayers who file 1040EZ or 1040A, and itemizers who claim the most common deductions on Form 1040 State tax return included: Yes In an audacious move to attract new online customers, H&R Block has significantly expanded eligibility for its free online

program. Taxpayers who deduct mortgage interest, charitable contributions and/or medical expenses on Schedule A of Form 1040 can file a federal and state tax return free. Block estimates that 87 million taxpayers will be eligible to use the new product. Users can electronically import last year’s tax return, whether it was prepared using H&R Block’s program or a competitor’s product. You can use More Zero if you have income from interest and dividends. However, if you need to report capital gains and/or losses on Schedule D, or if you have self-employment income, you’ll need to pay to upgrade to H&R Block Deluxe or H&R Block Premium.

TurboTax Absolute Zero

Who can use it: Taxpayers who file 1040EZ or 1040A State tax return included: Yes This is a good option for taxpayers with

simple tax returns. But you’ll have to pay to upgrade to TurboTax Deluxe if you have investment or self-employment income, or if you contributed to a health savings account last year. The free Absolute Zero product lacks some of the features that have made TurboTax the most popular tax prep program. For example, you can’t electronically import last year’s return, even if you used TurboTax to prepare and file your return.

Credit Karma Tax

Who can use it: Most taxpayers, including those with self-employment and/or investment income State tax return included: Yes Unlike many other free tax prep programs, Credit Karma Tax isn’t restricted to users with simple tax returns. Taxpayers with income from investments or selfemployment can use this program. See FILE TAXES, page 26

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

File taxes From page 25

There are a few limitations — the program won’t handle income from estates, for example — but 90 percent of taxpayers will be eligible to use the product, according to Bethy Hardeman, chief consumer advocate for Credit Karma. As it does with its offer of free credit scores, the company plans to market related products to taxpayers based on the personal information they provide when filling out tax forms. For example, Credit Karma could use

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

your income to trigger an offer for a specific credit card. If you sign up for the credit card, Credit Karma receives a fee. If that makes you uncomfortable, you can opt out and still use the tax-filing product.

DIY Tax

Who can use it: All taxpayers State tax return included: Yes This program, offered by tax preparation company Liberty Tax, is available to all taxpayers, even those with complex forms. So why would Liberty Tax, which has more than 4,300 tax preparation offices in

the U.S. and Canada, offer this giveaway? It’s counting on DIY fatigue. A “find an office” link is always visible when you use this program, and a Liberty tax preparer can pick up where you left off — for a fee, of course. But if you don’t need help, this utilitarian program will help you get the job done free. It’s not as flashy as other online programs, but it does offer online support, and you won’t discover midway through the process that you have to upgrade to a paid product.

TaxSlayer

Who can use it: Taxpayers who file 1040EZ State tax return included: Yes Eligible taxpayers can prepare, e-file and print their tax returns free. E-mail and phone support are included at no extra cost. If you have taxable income of more than $100,000, have dependents, or have taxable interest of more than $1,500, you must pay to upgrade to TaxSlayer Classic.

TaxAct

Who can use it: Taxpayers who file 1040EZ or 1040A State tax return included: Yes TaxAct has expanded its free product to include tips and guidance on 19 “life events” — such as getting married or buying a home — up from two last year. You can electronically import a previous year’s TaxAct return for $5. In the past, users who wanted to import a prior year’s tax return had to upgrade to a paid product.

While Form 1040A allows you to report income from investments and capital gains, if you itemize and/or have taxable income of more than $100,000, you must pay to upgrade to TaxAct Plus.

IRS Free File

Who can use it: Taxpayers with 2016 adjusted gross income of $64,000 or less State tax return included: Varies, depending on tax software company This year, 12 private tax software companies are participating in the Free File program. Each participant has its own criteria. TurboTax All Free, for example, is limited to taxpayers with AGI of $33,000 or less, or who are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. eSmart Free File is available to anyone with AGI of $64,000 or less, as long as they’re between the ages of 18 and 54. Some programs are only available to taxpayers who live in specific states. Find the right tool for you via the IRS’ look-up tool. Free File isn’t limited to taxpayers with simple returns. If you itemize, or have income from investments or self-employment, you can prepare and e-file your federal tax return (and in some cases, your state tax return) free, provided you meet the AGI requirements. Copyright 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors All contents copyright 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

BEACON BITS

Apr. 18

ESTATE PLANNING ESSENTIALS

Attorney Stephen R. Elville will discuss the essentials of estate planning and elder law. The talk will take place on Tuesday, April 18 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Howard County Central Library located at 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. Registration is preferred. To register, call (410) 313-7800.

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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 — A P R I L 2 0 1 7

Car buyers will find good deals this year By Dee-Ann Durbin U.S. car shoppers will find plentiful deals, relatively low interest rates, and lots of high-tech choices in the market this year. “It’s a good time to buy a car now, and it should be for the rest of the year,” said Jessica Caldwell, an analyst with the car-shopping site Edmunds.com. New-vehicle sales hit a record of 17.55 million in the U.S. last year. While they’re not expected to top that this year, demand is still strong. Many of the factors that fueled sales last year are still in place, like solid consumer confidence and low gas prices. New technology like Apple CarPlay and automatic emergency braking is luring buyers. And many people still need to replace aging cars. The average age of a vehicle on U.S. roads climbed to 11.6 years in 2016. Here are some things to watch in the car market this year:

Prices

The average price people pay for a new car rose to $32,000 in December, a monthly record, according to the consulting firm LMC Automotive. Analysts say new-vehicle prices will continue to rise in 2017. There are two main reasons: More customers are buying SUVs, which are pricier than cars. And they’re loading them up with features, like the premium audio and automatic lift gate package that adds $940 to the cost of a Toyota RAV4 SUV. As a result, more buyers are leasing, which helps lower the monthly payment. The average monthly lease payment for a

new car is currently $405, while the average monthly loan payment is $495, according to Experian Automotive. Buyers are also lengthening the terms of their car loans to lower their payments. The average new-vehicle loan term is now 68 months, up from 62 months in 2009. About 1 percent of loans stretch out 85 months or more.

Incentives

Prices may be at record levels, but — luckily for consumers — deals are, too. Automakers were offering around $4,000 per vehicle in incentives at the end of 2016, and that could inch up even further this year, said Jesse Toprak, CEO of the carshopping site CarHub.com. Deals are often coming in the form of bonus cash, or low- or zero-interest financing. Look for some of the highest incentives on slow-selling small and midsize cars, like the Toyota Camry and Chevrolet Sonic, as well as hybrids like the Ford C-Max. Incentives will likely pick up in March and April, when more buyers tend to head to dealerships. Analysts say automakers are trying to be smarter with incentives, having been burned in the past. Deals are targeted at specific vehicles, regions, and even individual dealerships. Incentives could also taper off a bit if automakers cut car production to match the lower demand.

Used cars

A big supply of vehicles leased two or three years ago is returning to the market.

BEACON BITS

Apr. 1+

TAX CREDIT DEADLINES

The deadline to apply for Howard County’s new Aging in Place Tax Credit, which reduces property taxes, is Saturday, April 1. To be eligible, a county property owner must be at least 65 years old and have lived in the same house for the last 40 years, or be 65 and a retired member of the armed forces. The recently expanded Senior Tax Credit also reduces property taxes for residents 65 and older with household incomes less than $81,200. The deadline to apply for this credit is Sept. 1. To learn more about these credits, see the recent Beacon article at www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/select-stories/lawmoney/expanding-tax-credits-aging-place. For more information, or to apply for the credits, go to taxcredits.howardcountymd.gov or call (410) 313-4076.

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Prices for used SUVs and trucks, which are in high demand, will likely stay stable this year, but used car prices will fall, said Michelle Krebs, a senior analyst with AutoTrader.com. Krebs said buyers will have to do their homework to see if they should buy a new or a nearly-new car. New cars might have the latest technology, but a certified-pre-owned car might offer perks like free maintenance or a few months of OnStar or satellite radio. The current average monthly payment on a

used car is $362, Experian said, up only slightly from a year ago. One downside for consumers: Falling used-car values mean they’ll get less for vehicles that they’re trading in, said Patrick Min, a senior industry analyst at the car-buying site TrueCar.com.

Low gas prices, interest rates

Low gas prices have fueled the U.S. SUV See CAR BUYERS, page 28

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

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

Hunt for higher rates on bank accounts By Margarette Burnette The year 2017 is shaping up as one of rising interest rates. For some people, that will mean loans and credit cards will become costlier. But for some bank and credit union customers, there’s also a benefit: the potential to earn more money. “If you’re willing to shop around for a higher yield now” on checking and savings accounts, financial planner Eric Hutchinson said, “you get the immediate benefit of earning more money. You’ll also be positioning yourself to take advantage of future rate hikes.” The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate for banks from 0.50 percent to 0.75 percent in December. Rising rates provide incentives for banks to increase their annual percentage yields on deposit accounts to attract customers, said

Hutchinson.

Car buyers

cent. The rate has been near zero since the recession. Toprak said the impact on car buyers will likely be negligible. Even an increase of 2 percentage points would only add about $50 per month to a car payment, he said. “That’s not going to stop people,” he said. But increasing interest rates could cause lenders to tighten their criteria, which could shut some buyers out of the market. — AP

From page 27

boom, and that’s likely to continue. Gas prices — which ended 2016 at $2.25 per gallon — are expected to average $2.38 per gallon this year and $2.41 in 2018, according to the U.S. Energy Department. The Federal Reserve boosted its benchmark rate by a quarter-point last month, to a still-low range of 0.5 percent to 0.75 per-

Very low current rates

That’s no guarantee that a bank will increase annual percentage yields (APYs). In fact, the national average interest rate on savings accounts is 0.06 percent, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. — the same as before the Fed’s December rate hike. But Hutchinson said financial experts believe that rates will gradually increase over the next year. Suppose you started 2017 with $2,000 in a basics savings account that had an APY of 0.06 percent. If you left the money untouched for a year, it would earn a meager $1.20 in interest. But if you put the cash in a savings account with a higher yield — say 1 percent — you would earn about $20 in interest by

the end of the year. It may not make you rich, but it’s a smart financial move. And if yields rise throughout the year, the money would grow faster. Here are some tips to get higher rates on your deposit accounts: Review institutions of all sizes: Large banks are known for convenience and branch access. But many smaller credit unions and banks, and online-only institutions, beat larger competitors when it comes to interest rates. Check the websites of nearby banks or credit unions for rates. You can also find more information and reviews about these institutions on comparison sites. Watch out for monthly fees: Many financial institutions require a minimum balance of about $300 in savings accounts to avoid monthly maintenance fees.

If you don’t meet the requirement, the fees could add up to more than $140 a year. That would probably erase all of your earnings and then some. Know your time frame: Financial institutions often offer higher interest rates on certificates of deposit. In exchange, you can’t touch the money for a certain amount of time, usually from three months to five years. Read the fine print: Some banks and credit unions have better rates for customers with higher balances — usually $50,000 or more. Make sure you’ll have, and be able to keep, the required amount in the account before opening it. See FDIC’s site for weekly national interest rates: www.fdic.gov/regulations/resources/rates/#one. — NerdWallet via AP

BEACON BITS

Apr. 4+

CIVIL AND FAMILY LAW ASSISTANCE The Howard County Library System is partnering with the Howard

County Circuit Court to help self-represented litigants in Howard County. On Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m., attorneys will provide free legal assistance for walk-in clients who are income-eligible. Registration is not required. Meetings occur at the 50+ Center located at 9401 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. For more information, contact Circuit Court Law Librarian Sandy Brewer at (410) 313-2135.

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Leisure &

Travel

Many sites are worth seeing in “flyover country.” See page 32.

All things French without going to France liquid mercury at night. The river’s tide can reach 20 feet, and ice breakers have to make it navigable in the winter. Québec, the oldest port in Canada, is North America’s only walled city north of the Rio Grande. But the 2.9-mile wall today is not a barrier. It’s a key part of four centuries of history. A walk along the top offers spectacular views and perspectives. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, full of historical superlatives — for example, the continent’s first stone church, oldest hospital, and Canada’s first Anglican cathedral and first girls’ school. And they all remain in some form.

PHOTO BY MEUNIERD

By Glenda C. Booth Starting in the 1600s, and escalating in the 1700s, the British and the French battled back and forth over eastern Canada. In the end, the French won in what is today’s Québec province, at least culturally, making a trip to Québec City a vicarious visit to France. The city, about 160 miles northeast of Montréal, is Québec’s provincial capital. Its twisting warren of cobblestone streets, chic boutiques, and sidewalk cafés exuding enticing aromas create a Parisian ambience. Québec City also has soaring cathedrals, 18th and 19th century buildings, fine French cuisine, and the sounds of the mellifluous French tongue. The fleur de lis, symbol of the old French monarchy, adorns the flag. French is the official language of the Parliament’s debate. Move over New Orleans! French explorer Samuel de Champlain founded Québec City in 1608, and the residents (called Québécois) consider the province to be the cradle of French civilization in North America. The city’s motto is: “Je me souvenir,” which translates to “I remember” — meaning, “I remember my origins, my history.” The city’s location is stunning, 300 feet above the mighty, 2,500-mile-long St. Lawrence River. Champlain named it Kebec, the Algonquin word meaning “the river narrows here.” Some say the St. Lawrence looks like

Roaming around town

The ideal way — most say the only way — to fully absorb this city, its aesthetics and its vibes is by leisurely meandering along the labyrinthine streets of the historic Old Town, Vieux Québec. A funicular, which opened in 1879 and travels at a 45-degree angle, connects Old Town’s two parts: Haute Ville (Upper Town) and Basse Ville (Lower Town). The city’s architecture is distinctive — steep sloped roofs of tin, aluminum and copper that can last 200 years, modeled after French chateaus. The slopes and ladders on the roofs help deal with the typical winter’s 150 inches of snow. Old Town is crammed full of 100-yearold granite buildings with mansard roofs

Québec City’s skyline is dominated by the hotel Château Frontenac. With its soaring turrets and copper roof, the 1893 hotel can been seen from anywhere in the city. It is located within the historic Old Town area, which is itself a UNESCO World Heritage site.

PHOTO BY SONGQUAN DENG

The Fontaine (fountain) de Tourny’s 43 water jets are illuminated at night. It stands in front of the Québec City Parliament Building, which was completed in 1877 and stands just outside the walls of Old Town. The fountain was added just 10 years ago.

reflecting the city’s French roots. The “crown jewel” of the city’s architecture is the world-famous, iconic Château Frontenac hotel, which opened in 1893. With soaring turrets, it is perched like an elegant castle atop Cap Diamant (Cape Diamond). The hotel’s signature copper roof is visible from all over the city. Tourists are welcomed and, in fact, expected to wander through the lobby — a place that usually has more tourists than hotel guests. A bit of trivia: Château Frontenac was designed by Bruce Price, father of manners guru Emily Post. From 1693 to 1831, the French and British took turns constructing La Citadelle, a starshaped fort nicknamed “the Gibraltar of America” because of its strategic location above the river. Today, visitors can beef up on military life from colonial times to the present in the fort’s museums. La Citadelle is still home to the Royal 22 Regiment, a squad also known as the Vandoos. Its ceremonial changing of the guard occurs at 10 a.m. daily in the summer. The French and British clashed in the city’s Plains of Abraham multiple times. For example, in 1759 the Brits scaled 300 feet up the cliff and, after a 15-minute battle, defeated General Montcalm. There’s no sign of conflict today at what some call the “lungs of the city.” At 103 acres, it’s the tenth largest park in North America, and to locals is what Central

Park is to New Yorkers. It’s been the stage for artists like the Beatles, Celine Deleon, Rush and more. Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, built by the French in 1647 and rebuilt in 1925 after it burned to the ground, is the final resting place for four governors. The priest preached from its elegant pulpit, completed in 1784, before the microphone’s invention. Louis XIV gifted the pewter sanctuary lamp, one of the few pieces of the cathedral’s early history to survive the fire.

Earliest inhabitants

The European invaders were not the first people in the region. The Museum of Civilization offers a tutorial on Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories, the history and people, including the First Nations. Visitors learn from a model how the Iroquois lived in log houses near the river. You can also gain insights into the Inuits’ lifestyle from over 500 objects on display, including a 3,000-year old copper necklace. An Inuit stone lamp is fueled by whale oil because there’s no wood above the 56th parallel. These hardy people made snow goggles from bone to protect against the snow’s glow. Inukshuks, figures of piled stones, served as landmarks or navigational aids for Inuits in the Arctic snow. See QUÉBEC CITY page 31

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

Québec City From page 30

There is no charge to tour the Parliament Building, Hôtel du Parlement, completed in 1886. Bilingual guides explain how laws are made Canada-style, based on the United Kingdom’s system. A stained glass window — Champlain greeting North American native people — reminds visitors of the province’s French heritage (or invasion, depending on your point of view). Busts of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill stand on the grounds because they planned World War II’s Normandy invasion here.

Gastronomy

This is a place to seriously eat and eat seriously, to channel your inner Julia Child and Larousse Gastronomique. In intimate cafés, cozy bistros and fine restaurants, classic French food and good wine can be found at all prices. Always popular and tasty are the tourtières, hearty meat pies of venison, beef, pork and

even elk. Savory crêpes, pâtés, frog legs, escargots, quiches, cheeses and baguettes rarely disappoint. Or in the pricier range, scrumptious Cognac-infused lobster bisque, caribou filet mignon, beef Bourguignon, deer tartare and duck confit delight. Fondues and raclettes are staples. For dessert, chocolate mousse, multicolored macaroons, éclairs, truffles, petits fours and more abound.

Recreated First Nations village

For a glimpse into some of the people the French encountered when they arrived, the Huron-Wendat traditional site, a 30-minute drive from Québec City, travels back in time to a recreated village of 1,000 Huron people on the Akiawenhrahk River. The museum and log house are a journey into a proud First Nations’ culture. Outside are examples of traditional gardens planted with corn, beans and squash — “the three sisters” that support each other (The beans climb the corn and fix nitrogen which the corn needs. The squash leaves help prevent weeds.)

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The site’s restaurant serves wild game charcuterie, deer sausage, maple cream sauce, braised bison shoulder, and smoked meat sandwiches. Powwows are held once year in June or July.

If you go

You can easily navigate in English as most locals are bilingual. Visit www.quebecregion.com, and when in Québec City, start at the tourist information office, 12 Rue St. Anne, where a very efficient, helpful staff can provide information on tours, festivals, maps and more. The Hôtel Clarendon at 57 Rue Sainte-

Anne is a centrally-located base for touring the city on foot, by bus or horse-drawn carriage. Rooms start at $101 in Canadian dollars, which is currently $72 in American money. See www.hotelclarendon.com or call 1-888 222-3304. June to September are the most popular months for tourists, with high temperatures in the 60s and 70s. Spring and fall have smaller crowds, but note that the average high temperature is 46 °F April and 51°F in October. Roundtrip flights to Québec City from BWI in early April start at $311 on Air Canada Express.

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

Inexpensive, rising Rust Belt destinations By Beth J. Harpaz Here’s why tourists should take the Rust Belt about as seriously as they take politicians these days: Because the food, art and sightseeing in “flyover country” is well worth your precious vacation days — not to mention cheaper than in trendier destinations. In the last two years, I’ve visited Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin — sampling art museums, historic sites, architecture, hipster neighborhoods, ethnic cul-

ture and great food. I was mostly in big cities, but I was also able to enjoy botanical gardens, hiking and biking trails, along with spectacular Great Lakes waterfronts. I live in Brooklyn, N.Y., but I can honestly say that neighborhoods like Fountain Square in Indianapolis and Midtown in Detroit give my home turf a run for the hipsters’ money. Not to mention that the farm-to-table cuisine at a restaurant like Braise in Milwaukee is much better than what often

passes for locally sourced meals in Manhattan — and at half the price. And it’s not just me who thinks this part of the country deserves to be high on travel go-to lists. Indianapolis and Cincinnati turned up on Travel + Leisure’s list of best destinations for 2017. Cincinnati also turned up on Thrillist’s “where to go next year” list, along with Columbus, Ohio. Even international visitors have discovered some of the region’s attractions: The Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee draws visitors from around the world, as do the Motown Museum in Detroit, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

Flyover country?

Unfortunately I also find plenty of fellow Americans — especially those who live on either coast — who are more likely to cross Paris or Machu Picchu off their bucket lists than Indianapolis or Milwaukee. “As soon as someone says ‘flyover country,’ I know you’re from New York or Los Angeles,” said Stephanie Klett, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. Folks who grow up near the ocean, she added, are often especially surprised when they first catch sight of one of the Great Lakes.

“When they fly into Milwaukee, they notice Lake Michigan,” she said. “They thought it was a little lake, but they see how massive it is.” Understandably, the region is rarely a first stop in the U.S. for foreigners. But on a second or third trip — after they’ve done New York, Orlando and Vegas — that’s when tourists from Britain and Germany come “looking for a little bit of the real America,” said Toby McCarrick, executive director of the regional marketing organization Great Lakes USA. “It’s the small towns, the backroads, the real people. We want them to pull over and see Aunt Bee’s Cafe that makes homemade cherry pie with Michigan cherries.”

Eating well

The Midwest’s food scene doesn’t always get the attention other destinations receive, but I had many memorable meals on my travels there. In addition to Braise in Milwaukee, another spectacular dinner was in Cleveland at Michael Symon’s Lola. But I don’t just go for upscale dining when I travel. I like the fun and funky spots too. When in Detroit, you’ve got to sample coneys — what the locals call hot dogs — See RUST BELT, page 33

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

From page 32

at either or both Lafayette Coney Island and American Coney Island. I also liked the crazy hot dog toppings at Happy Dog in Cleveland. In Indianapolis, I loved the old-school goodness of corned beef at Shapiro’s, shrimp cocktail with the hottest horseradish on earth at St. Elmo’s, and the ‘50sstyle decor at Edwards Drive-In. And I’d get the pierogis at Sokolowski’s in Cleveland again in a heartbeat. I also had fun shopping the food stalls in Cleveland’s beautiful, historic West Side Market. But it’s Wisconsin that holds a truly special place in my heart. Two words: cheese curds.

Works of art

For me, there’s no better way to spend a day on vacation than wandering around a museum. And these cities don’t disappoint. The Indianapolis Museum of Art is wonderful not only for its art collection, but for sprawling grounds which include formal gardens, rustic trails, and a 100-acre park with outdoor installations like the haunting “Park of the Laments” — a walled field with stone walls and a tunnel. I visited the Detroit Institute of Arts not long after a judge worked out a deal to save the museum’s most valuable works from being sold off to help solve the city’s fiscal problems. Knowing how close Detroit came to losing some of these jewels

made seeing them truly special. The Diego Rivera murals are perhaps the museum’s best-known works, but any visit should include a look at “The Wedding Dance” by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, “Annunciatory Angel,” by Fra Angelico, and Tintoretto’s “The Dreams of Men,” installed in a ceiling that was designed specifically for it. If I had to pick a favorite art destination on my travels through the Rust Belt, though, it would have to be the Milwaukee Art Museum. Sure, the collection is wonderful — the spooky, unforgettable “Saint Francis of Assisi in His Tomb” and lots of Georgia O’Keeffe. But here the building is its own work of art: a white, winged Santiago Calatrava structure that seems ready to soar, or sail, right into the water of one of those Great Lakes (in this case, Lake Michigan). It’s a sight that this New Yorker will not soon forget. — AP

PHOTO BY JEFF MILLIES

Rust Belt

The Milwaukee Art Museum is an architectural landmark. Its graceful Quadracci Pavilion, shown here, is a postmodern addition designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Highlights of the building include a cathedral-like space with a vaulted 90-foot-high glass ceiling, a moveable sunscreen with a 217-foot wingspan that folds and unfolds twice daily, and the Reiman Bridge, a pedestrian suspension bridge that connects the museum to the city.

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Colonial Landing 410-796-4399 Columbia 410-381-1118 Ellicott City 410-203-9501 Ellicott City II 410-203-2096 Emerson 301-483-3322 Snowden River 410-290-0384

Maryland Access Point (MAP) of Howard County offers individual counseling sessions for those 62 and over

available online at map@howardcountymd.gov and www.howardcountyaging.org or by calling (410) 313-5980.

Ongoing

SENIOR MEDICARE PATROL The Maryland Senior

Medicare Patrol helps Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers detect and report healthcare fraud, errors or abuse. The patrol is sponsored by the Maryland Department of Aging in part-

Catonsville 410-719-9464 Dundalk 410-288-5483 Fullerton 410-663-0665 Miramar Landing 410-391-8375 Randallstown 410-655-5673 Rosedale 410-866-1886 Taylor 410-663-0363 Towson 410-828-7185 Woodlawn 410-281-1120

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY Bladensburg 301-699-9785 55 AND BETTER! Laurel 301-490-1526 Laurel II 301-490-9730

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

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Arts &

Style

Several one-act plays from this work are being performed at Venus Theatre through April 9.

Venus Theatre focuses on women writers (D.C. Metro Theater Arts website critic Michael Poandl called the avant garde Venus theatre â&#x20AC;&#x153;a remarkable gem in the D.C.-area theatre landscape.â&#x20AC;?)

Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suffrage plays

Season 17 started on March 16 with a presentation of one-act plays about womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suffrage in turn-of-the-20th-century England. The plays are culled from The Methuen Drama Book of Suffrage Plays. In keeping with the unique production values of the theater, after the members of the audience are given colorful resumes of the eight available one-act plays, they get to vote each night on which three or four they want to see over the next 90 minutes or so. This means most likely that the same plays will not be presented each night during the suffrage run, which ends April 9. The Edwardian Era plays are mostly comic views on the womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vote, pro-and-con, cockney and upper-class. Randall noted that there were â&#x20AC;&#x153;some 400 female playwrights between 1900 and 1920â&#x20AC;? in Great Britain, and lots of them were writing about gender equality at the polling station, as well as in other places.

C OMING JUNE 15

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TobysDinnerTheatre.coo m Due to the nature of theatrical bookkings, DOO VKRZV DQG GDWHV DUH VXEMHFW WR FKDQJH Â&#x2021; 7RE\ÂľV 'LQQHU 7KHDWUH &ROXPELD 0'

Some 120 plays were submitted to Venus for their 2017 season, somewhat less than the usual 200 or so that Randall said she reads yearly for possible staging. In addition to the British womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suffrage plays, this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s selections include the premiere from an American playwright, and plays from Greece and Australia. Randall, a 50-year-old performer and playwright as well as director, is a native of Prince Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s County. For the past several years, she has resided in the North Laurel section of Howard County, an area she says she loves. Randall sees theater The female-focused Venus Theatre, in Laurel, Md., is now more as a means of per- presenting a series of one-act plays about the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sonal survival than a suffrage movement in the early 20th century. Performers star-is-born proposition. shown here, left to right, are Jean H. Miller, Christine Jacobs, Emily Sucher (back row); Allison Frisch and Erin â&#x20AC;&#x153;The theater saved my Hanratty (front row). life as a kid,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It gave me an alterAlthough she has performed onenative way to look at life, an alternative woman shows and been in plays in D.C. way to live. In my 20s, when I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do theater for a time, I tried to go into insurance. and area theaters, â&#x20AC;&#x153;My goal was never to I got sick, I had migraines sitting all day in See VENUS THEATRE, page 36 a cubicle.â&#x20AC;? PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBORAH RANDALL

By Robert Friedman Deborah Randall says her audiences have an â&#x20AC;&#x153;immersion experienceâ&#x20AC;? at the Venus Theatre in Laurel, and this could include, as it recently did, sharing a dinner being cooked up on stage. In Soft Revolution, a play about Afghans in Australia, Venus founder-director Randall felt the recent production needed a sign of authenticity, so a pot of Kabuli palaw, the Afghan national dish, simmered on stage throughout the one-act play. After the curtain descended, the crockpot was hauled into the lobby and the audience was served plates of the steamed rice mixed with raisins, carrots and lamb. Nothing, apparently, goes to waste at the North Laurel theater, which has been operating since 2001 on a bare budget of about $30,000 a year. It is currently located in a former Chinese restaurant that was converted into a 30-seat playhouse. The theater usually stages four productions a year. The stage works are all written by women. They come from all over the world, and the productions have received kudos from critics and fans who have journeyed to Laurel for the performances.

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Novelist From page 1

Marine units, and he “got caught in combat” a number of times. “My experience during combat and escaping under fire from the fall of Saigon are the sources of my PTSI,” said Glenn, who spent 30 years with the NSA before his retirement in 1992. He was a linguist (he knows seven languages) and cryptologist for the top-secret agency at Fort Meade, where he worked at “higher level communications.” His work, from 1975 to 1992 is still classified, he said.

Under attack

In a piece in the Baltimore Post-Examiner entitled “Bitter Memories,” Glenn recalled the time when he realized an attack on Saigon was imminent, and he wanted to evacuate the 43 men working for him and their families. He was told by then-U.S. Ambassador to South Vietnam Graham Martin that no assault was imminent, and that he and his men should remain. Glenn proposed that if the ambassador let his staff go, he (Glenn) would stay in Saigon with a skeleton crew. The ambassador turned him down. (Wikipedia notes that Martin, who died in 1990, “seriously underestimated the severity of the South Vietnamese situation, to the point that in the spring of 1975,

when most American officials were convinced that South Vietnam was doomed to collapse, he continued to believe that Saigon and the Mekong Delta area could be held...” ) Glenn acknowledged that he “cheated, lied and stole” so that none of his men and their wives and children were killed or wounded, and that he got them out of the country by many ruses. He remained behind, with two communications technicians who volunteered to stay. Some days later, the North Vietnamese onslaught began, and Glenn and his men were shelled in their location. They escaped the next day in helicopters. The aircraft carrying Glenn was hit by fire, but managed to get through. Glenn gives thanks for his rescue to then Marine Col. Al Gray, who went on to become commandant of the Marines. When he arrived back in the states, Glenn was diagnosed with, among several other ailments, amoebic dysentery, pneumonia and ear damage from the shelling. For his work in Vietnam, he received the civilian Meritorious Medal, awarded for, among other things, having “exhibited unusual courage or competence in an emergency, while performing assigned duties, resulting in direct benefit to the Government or its personnel.” Glenn said that, for many years after the war, “Americans were so disgusted about Vietnam, they didn’t want to hear about it.”

But the times once more are changing. On several recent speaking tours, he has discovered a new-found interest in Vietnam and America’s role there. Books about the era have recently reached the best-seller and top awards lists. The Sympathizer, by Viet Thanh Nguyen, about a Vietnamese communist who goes to California to carry out his spying work after the fall of Saigon, won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. “The young are fascinated about how we got there,” Glenn said of his speaking engagements. ”And the older people who remember the war now realize that we shouldn’t have blamed the soldiers who fought there; we should have blamed the government.” Glenn remembered, sadly, that on his trips back to his then-home of San Francisco between his NSA tours to Vietnam, returning soldiers were called “butchers” and “baby killers” and even spat upon. “That reaction really tore me up,” he said.

Lessons learned?

So what are the lessons the United States should have learned from its Vietnam involvement? “Number one, that we should support people who want independence, not the colonialists. Before he got help from the communists, Ho Chi Minh (the Vietnamese revolutionary leader) was more a nationalist than a communist. He asked

the U.S. five times for support in his war against French colonialism and was turned down each time,” Glenn claimed. Then Russia took up Ho’s cause and we went into Vietnam supposedly to stop the spread of Communism around the world. “Number two,” Glenn said, “you don’t pull out and leave behind the people who have worked for you so that they are at the mercy of the enemy.” Has the U.S. government learned those lessons? “My judgment is that we are still doing it, especially now by trying to ban from entry into the U.S. immigrants from seven countries, including Iraqis who risked their lives working for the U.S. government as translators and in other capacities.” [Since this interview, Iraq has been removed from the proposed ban on immigration.] And what has his four score of deeply experienced longevity taught him about life and about other people? “I feel a deep compassion for the characters I meet in my books, and it’s much the same for those in life. I feel a certain level of sympathy for almost everybody.” He added: “At this point in my life, my understanding is so much broader: about people, their weaknesses and strengths, their vulnerabilities.” And, perhaps most important for Tom Glenn, “the older I get, the better my writing gets.”

BEACON BITS STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS

Apr. 21

The Howard County Conservancy is hosting an afternoon and evening of storytelling on Friday, April 21 at its Mt. Pleasant headquarters, 10520 Old Frederick Rd., Woodstock. Part of Columbia’s 50th birthday celebration, the workshop from 2 to 6 p.m. will be led by Leigh Tillman. At 7 p.m. an evening program features 12 local residents recalling their stories of life in Howard County. The workshop fee is $75 and includes the evening program. The evening program alone costs $20. Advance registration is required for both events. To register for one or both programs, call (410) 465-8877.

Apr. 2+

ARTISTS GALLERY PAINTINGS

“Flora,” a show of paintings by Diane Dunn, will be on display through April 30 at the Artists Gallery in Taylor’s Collective, 8197 Main St., Ellicott City, with a reception for the artist Sunday, April 2 from 3 to 5 p.m. Gallery hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call the gallery at (443) 325-5936.

THE TH HE H E CO COLUMBIA C OLUM OL LUMB BIA IA A ORCHESTRA

TIME FOR THREE Fri Mar 31, 8 pm ”Simply put, they’re a knockout! . . . I would recommend them for anyone looking to see how all types of American Music can develop, when life and passion such as this are breathed into it.” --Sir Simon Rattle

Tickets: $35

Concert sponsored by: Dr. John Steinberg & Joyce Cox

Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle (concert performance) featuring Robert Cantrell and Kyle Engler Kyle Engler, mezzo soprano

Winners of the 2017 Young Artist Competition

Tickets range from $10-$28 ($3 service fee may apply) Call 410-465-8777 or visit www.columbiaorchestra.org

Sat Apr 29, 8 pm “Impressive...breathtaking...brilliant...” --Gramophone Magazine

The Lark Quartet continues its distinguished tradition of collaborating with the country’s most celebrated composers with the exciting world premiere of John Harbison’s String Quartet No. 6. The Larks will also be joined by top Peabody Preparatory musicians for a side-by-side performance of Mendelssohn’s beloved Octet in E-flat Major, Op. 20.

APR 22 7:30PM 2017 Jim Rouse Theatre

Robert Cantrell, baritone

LARK QUARTET

Tickets: $35

7 pm FREE PRE-CONCERT 7 pm PRE-APRIL FOOLS’ RECEPTION:

PERFORMANCE

CRAFT BREWS AND SLIDERS. $15 Sponsored by Manor Hill Brewing Company and Whole Foods Market

Arrive early to hear the exceptional musicians from the Peabody Prepararatory Pre-College Violin Program

Smith Theatre, Horowitz Center, Howard Community College 410-997-2324 www.candlelightconcerts.org

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Venus Theatre From page 34

be a star,” she said. Another, deeper version of the theater life appeals to her. “I like to be involved in alternate stories that haven’t been heard,” she said. “We need the other side, the other perspective.” Although Venus productions are all written by women and reflect their issues, Randall said that plenty of men show up for Venus productions and find them relevant. “I’ve had men tell me after a production, maybe about domestic or parental violence, ‘You’re telling my story,’” she said. Randall pointed out a note of recent tragedy. She has dedicated the Venus pro-

FROM PAGE 38 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

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

ductions to Trisha McCauley, an actress and yoga instructor who was raped and murdered in D.C. last Christmas Day. “I loved her very much,” Randall said of McCauley, her longtime friend and theater collaborator.

Upcoming shows

The Venus Theatre’s other 2017 season productions include: Tunnel Vision, May 11-June 5, by Andrea Lepcio, in which two unacquainted women find themselves “stuck” in an unfamiliar, unidentified space. They are unsure how they got there, and struggle to maintain their composure and avoid confronting the circumstances that brought about their arrivals, as well as their grow-

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD R O L L A W A I F E V E A S A L L T E A M E M O S P R A C O S T O U T O S T A R T A G A G E R E D

T R I B E I N S F A C E

U N C L M O L A S P R I N A M C E R E A K S D T I A N F N G F O R E C M I N E S P R I N A L E D L E A K S O B R A N E M Y

E R G

A T T F A P R I H I N E D W A R Y O E A D G Y E S P R I T O D S E

W O O I N G

E M E R G E

D U R K A E W N G O S T A

ing attraction to one another. Among the themes are the problems of balancing motherhood with a career, the stigma attached to not traveling the traditional gender path, the difficulty and fear that comes with love. The play ultimately is a “journey of acceptance and redemption from which truth, purpose and love unexpectedly emerge.” Aglanike’s Tiger, Sept. 7-Oct. 1, is a world premiere by Claudia Barnett about Greece’s first female astronomer, who was able to predict lunar eclipses but whose science was suspect because she was a woman. To survive, she goes on to bill herself as a sorceress, claiming she can draw down the moon. Her story is presented in a series of challenges, both scientific and magical, as the play draws on both ancient Greek traditions and postmodernism, with the use of masks and puppets to explore its politi-

cal, ecological and scientific themes. The Ravens, Nov. 2-26, a U.S. premiere by Alana Valentine, set in Sydney Australia, concerning a “sex worker” trying to quit her profession. She comes into a considerable payout of cash, which causes more of a problem than a relief. The play, first presented on radio, won the 2015 BBC International Radio Writing Award. Its stage premiere at Venus Theatre explores lesbianism and prostitution as well as “fierce insights and compassion” about the struggle of women against violence. Admission for each presentation at the Venus Theatre is $40 “for those who can afford it,” said Randall. “If you say you are a friend of Venus, the charge is $20,” she added. Venus Theatre is located at 21 C St., Laurel. For more information and tickets, see www.venustheatre.org or call (202)236-4078.

BEACON BITS

Apr. 9

BELMONT MANOR SPRING OPEN HOUSE The 18th century Belmont Manor House, and its 68 acres of park-

land and gardens, will be open to the public at no charge on Sunday, April 9 from 1 to 5 p.m. Located at 6555 Belmont Woods Rd., Elkridge, the site includes the original barn, carriage house, cemetery and aqua gardens. The Howard County Conservancy will provide a junior naturalist scavenger hunt, and crafts from the past will be displayed. For more information, call (410) 313-0200.

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

Howard County’s 9th Annual

Saturday, April 29 • 10 AM to 3 PM Gary J. Arthur Community Center at Glenwood 2400 Route 97, Cooksville 21723 FREE ADMISSION AND CONVENIENT ON-SITE PARKING

HIGHLIGHTS

PLATINUM MEMBERS: The Beacon Newspapers • Vantage House Retirement Community GOLD MEMBER Howard County Oﬃce on Aging & Independence SILVER MEMBERS Brightview Rolling Hills • Brooke Grove Retirement Village Gentiva Home Health – An Aﬃliate of Kindred at Home • Home Call of Maryland • Oasis Senior Advisors Right At Home In-Home Care & Assistance • The Bob Lucido Team of Keller Williams Integrity BRONZE MEMBERS ComForCare Home Care of Howard County • Let’s Move, LLC • Williams Asset Management PATRON MEMBERS Alzheimer’s Association - Greater Maryland Chapter • Assisting Hands Home Care • Country Gardens Assisted Living, Freedom Mobility • Genesis SelectCare • Home Instead Senior Care Home With You Senior Care • Integrace Copper Ridge • Integrace Fairhaven • Luba Services, Inc Neighbor Ride, Inc • Shangri-La Senior Living • The Lutheran Village at Miller’s Grant Visiting Angels • Winter Growth, Inc.

• • • • • •

Dynamic Seminars Engaging Workshops Important Health Screenings Over 100 Vendors/Exhibitors Cooking and Fitness Demos PLUS, All Day Door Prizes!

SPECIAL GUEST Ashley James ABC2 News Anchor 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM FOLLOW US!

#HoCoWF17 facebook.com/HoCoCommunity 410-313-5440 (VOICE/RELAY) • howardcountymd.gov/womenfest

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

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Crossword Puzzle

Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus On Daylight Time 1

27 30 34

35 38

57 61

43 48

41 46

32 36

HC417

Scrabble answers on p. 36.

18 20

By Stephen Sherr

44 50 55

54 58

67 70

Across

Down

1 Start a Monopoly turn 5 Claudius, to Caligula 10 Shock and ___ 13 Plan to meet with Godot 15 Root canal locale 16 Male turkey 17 Sudden desire to play instead of study 19 Item on a podiatrist’s top-10 list 20 30% of the land on Earth 21 Merced, CA airport code 22 Like Snow White 23 ___ kidding aside 25 When Florida’s beach population swells 28 Alternative to coffee or me 29 Home security co. 30 Be contingent upon 31 Office note 33 Ending for thesp- or lesb35 Employee of the US government 36 What all of this puzzle’s theme answers do 41 “I would like to purchase ___, Pat” 42 XVII x LIII 43 ___ place or mine? 45 “Peace if possible; truth at all ___” (Martin Luther) 48 Portia DeGeneres ___ de Rossi 50 Rap sheet letters 51 Emerge from a cake 55 Frost : winter :: ___ : summer 56 Name above the title 57 Ginger drink 58 Modifies beer for St. Patrick’s Day 60 Identify the person in a photo 61 Start to take on water 65 Improve (as wine) 66 More common name for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act 67 Task list items 68 Type of blood cell 69 Lex Luthor, to Superman 70 ___ record (qualify for the Guinness book)

1 UK defenders in the Battle of Britain 2 Have a car loan 3 Dorm room lighting 4 Prevarications 5 Arbiter of what’s really fair 6 14th tropical storm, in some years 7 Activate a web link 8 Destinations for lovers (or bowlers) 9 A little bit of work 10 Achieve a goal 11 Pursuing (romantically) 12 Exit the cocoon 14 Nickname for the Cleveland Indians 18 Rider on a crowded subway car 22 Start of a 3-day weekend 23 20’s dispenser 24 Writers Harper and Spike 26 “GATE”, crashed 27 “That was a close one” 32 Public speaker 34 Grp. of 16 football teams 35 2000’s top-rated sitcom 37 I Left My Heart ___ (T. Bennett tune) 38 Potent beginning 39 Lemonade stand location 40 John Wayne nickname 44 Extremely undercooked 45 Name below the title 46 Power failure 47 Planned out ahead of time 49 Filming location for The Mummy Returns 52 Beauty parlor 53 West Point freshman 54 Improve the arsenal’s stock 59 A love god 61 Good reveal on Card Sharks 62 “Kick” start 63 ___ a dry eye in the house 64 Govt. property overseer

Answers on page 36.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — A P R I L 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.

Caregivers LICENSED, EXPERIENCED RN seeks private position caring for your loved ones. Sterling references available. Overnight only. If interested, please call Jacqueline at 301-787-3555.

For Rent/Real Estate ROOMS MONTPELIER/LAUREL: Female, non-smoker, no pets, upstairs, drug free and quiet. Kitchen (own refrigerator), laundry, patio. 1-301-676-3996.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

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.

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) 938-9694.

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 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. 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.

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.

CASH FOR ESTATE BUYOUTS, estate clean-outs, jewelry to furniture, one item or whole estate. Free Estimate, Will Travel. 301520-0755.

BEACON BITS

Apr. 9

NATIVE PLANTS AND POLLINATORS

Chris Puttock of Chesapeake Natives will present a workshop on the declining population of native plants that pollinators feed on and plants to grow that will reverse the trend. Puttock will speak at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 8 at the Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Ln., Columbia. Tickets are $20 per person. To register, visit www.visithowardcounty.com/event or call (410) 313-0400.

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Studies

Housing

Senior Services

Gestalt Healthy Volunteer Study .12 Resveratrol Study . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Bayleigh Chase/Integrace . . . . . .10 Brooke Grove . . . . . . . . . . . .16, 40 Buckingham’s Choice/Integrace .10 Charlestown/Erickson Living . . . .7 Fairhaven/Integrace . . . . . . . . . . .10 Gatherings at Quarry Place/Beazer Homes . .14 Homecrest House . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Ivy Manor Normandy . . . . . . . . . .8 Olney Assisted Living . . . . . . . . .8 Park View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Somerford Place . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

50+ Connection . . . . . . . . . . .17-24

Legal Services

Theatre/Entertainment

Events COGS Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 WOMENFEST . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Financial Services First Maryland Disability Trust .27 PENFED Financial Services . . . .26

Funeral Services

Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home, Inc. . . . . . . . . .32 Going Home Cremations . . . . . .27 Sol Levinson & Bros., Inc. . . . . . .9

Frank, Frank & Scherr, LLC . . . .26 Law Office of Karen Ellsworth .27

Hearing Services

Medical/Health

Designer Audiology . . . . . . . . . . .3 Maryland Relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Miracle-Ear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Lee Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Medical ED Therapeutics . . . . . . .9 Medical Eye Center . . . . . . . . . .15

Home Health Care

Retail/Services

A-1 Action Nursing Care . . . . . . .8 ComForCare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Options for Senior America . . . .32

Columbia’s Village Centers . . . .28 Crossroads Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . .4 Kugler’s Design Center . . . . .29, 37

Skilled Nursing & Rehab CommuniCare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Subscriptions The Beacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Technology Services Senior CompuCare . . . . . . . . . . . .3 TechMedic4U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Candlelight Concerts Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Columbia Orchestra . . . . . . . . . .35 Columbia Pro-Cantare . . . . . . . .34 Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . . .34

Tour & Travel Eyre Tour & Travel . . . . . . . . . . .31 Festive Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Nexus Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

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

DIFFERE DIF F ERRENT ENTT

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