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Tina Panetta, Mother on the Hill PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PANETTA FAMILY

By Margaret Foster Years ago, though it’s hard to imagine today, Republican and Democratic senators used to sit at the same table to share a meal in the Senate Dining Room. They would cross the aisle just to talk to beloved waitress Tina Panetta, an ebullient Italian mother and grandmother. “We talked like family, like brother and sister,” Panetta, now 95, recalls of her 23year career serving politicians and their guests — celebrities like Dick Clark, Joe DiMaggio, Don Rickles and Bob Newhart. “For me, those people didn’t look like senators; they looked like a brother and sister,” she said. “I remember everybody. They were so kind; I got so much joy” from the job. And she has been regarded as special by many politicians in turn. The late Vice President Hubert Humphrey once said, “If the Senate Dining Room is the heart of the Senate, Tina Panetta is what made it beat.” Senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming called her the “Queen of the United States Dining Room.” Now her grandson, Gian Panetta, wants Panetta to be remembered as the “Mother on the Hill.” He launched a petition drive last fall to honor her and her coworkers with a plaque or portrait in the Senate dining room. The former congressional intern also wants President Biden to acknowledge his grandmother in a State of the Union address. Gian Panetta has been working on this project for several years, ever since a memorable visit to his grandmother’s apartment in Silver Spring, Maryland. “She was telling me her stories, and she started breaking down, crying, saying, ‘Please don’t forget about me when I’m gone.’ “I promised her. I said, ‘Nonna, I promise I won’t let the country forget about you.’” By all accounts, Panetta hasn’t been for-

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Relax on the beach in the Florida Keys, then explore the islands’ state parks, animal sanctuaries and nature preserves; plus, check out D.C.’s new and lesser-known memorials page 34

As a beloved waitress for more than 20 years in the U.S. Senate Dining Room, Italian immigrant Tina Panetta served and mothered senators and their celebrity guests. Her grandson, Gian, left, wants to honor Panetta, now 95, by hanging a portrait of her in the dining room where she worked.

gotten. In fact, at Gian’s suggestion, on Jan. 8, 2020, U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin recognized her in a speech on the House floor. Thanking his constituent for her decades of public service, Raskin recounted her journey from Italian immigrant to American citizen. “At a time of polarization, Tina’s story reminds us of our common bonds, both in Congress and in the country,” Raskin said.

From poverty to politics Panetta’s life followed the arc of the classic American dream. As Sen. Paul Simon (D-Ill.) said on the Senate floor in 1990, the year she retired, “Her life story is the story of America.” Panetta grew up in a poor village in central See SENATE WAITRESS, page 40

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ARTS & STYLE

Billy Crystal’s new indie film and the roots of his life in comedy; plus, books about great moments in sports, and Bob Levey on tech page 39 TECHNOLOGY k How cons confuse you

FITNESS & HEALTH k Why are vaccines so scarce? k Four natural antihistamines

SPOTLIGHT ON AGING k Newsletter for D.C. seniors

LAW & MONEY 28 k Tax changes to know about k How to insure your nest egg ADVERTISER DIRECTORY

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When distrust boosts risk Our lives today are built around how we are wreaking havoc with people’s lives. Many older adults report herculean, yet might best survive this worldwide panfailed, efforts to obtain a covdemic of COVID-19. eted appointment, leading Because the SARS-CoV-2 family members and volunvirus that causes COVID-19 is teers to spend hours on the everywhere, yet invisible, and phone and computer trying because its effects on any parto help them. ticular person are generally unAnd yet, even while there knowable in advance, we all sensibly must take whatever has been a rush by millions to steps we possibly can to protect snag one of the few available ourselves and our loved ones. appointments, there are othOne of those steps appears ers who adamantly refuse the to be to get inoculated with FROM THE possibly life-saving vaccines. one of the vaccines that have, PUBLISHER Ironically, many of those amazingly, been produced in By Stuart P. Rosenthal who reject the vaccine are a matter of months by several among the groups who most drug manufacturers around the world. need protection and are ranked at highest Getting people vaccinated is becoming priority by the system: older adults, workers more important by the day because the in skilled nursing facilities, and people of virus has been quickly mutating into even color, whose communities have been hardmore transmissible (and possibly more est hit with severe illness and death. Why would those people refuse the vaclethal) versions. Unfortunately, the roll-out of this world- cine? I’m sure everyone has their own story, wide vaccination effort has not been going according to plan. Supplies have been but there seem to be a few common beliefs much less than originally promised by the and feelings that might explain it. drug manufacturers, to date at least. ComSome — especially healthcare workers, plex and overlapping rules to prioritize it seems — are worried about the safety of certain groups and require appointments a vaccine developed so quickly. They know

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The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Washington DC area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Greater Baltimore, Howard County, Md. and Richmond, Va. Readership exceeds 400,000. Half-price subscriptions are currently available for only $6 a year. D.C. and Maryland residents: add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Publisher/Editor – Stuart P. Rosenthal President/Associate Publisher – Judith K. Rosenthal Vice President of Operations – Gordon Hasenei Vice President, Sales & Marketing – Alan Spiegel Managing Editor – Margaret Foster Art Director – Kyle Gregory

it usually takes years to develop and thoroughly test a new drug or vaccine to ensure it is safe and effective. Some say they doubt it’s possible to have produced a safe, effective vaccine so quickly. However reasonable that fear may be, there are two key points to understand. First, researchers have been developing a completely new type of vaccine, utilizing messenger RNA (mRNA), ever since the original SARS virus appeared in China in 2002 and quickly spread worldwide. While that virus was contained (it was more lethal than COVID-19, but less transmissible) and has not been spotted since 2004, the fear of it and others potentially like it has impelled vaccine researchers to determine the best way to fight such viruses in the future. Lucky for us, they were far along in understanding the mRNA process and so were able to quickly develop today’s vaccines that have proven so effective against COVID-19. A related fear, that the vaccine might cause multiple or serious complications in many people, has also not come to pass. Not only have the clinical trials of the last few months inoculated tens of thousands of volunteers with very limited reports of bad reactions, but as of now, tens of millions of people throughout the world have been given one of the many vaccines out there, and the evidence is overwhelming that they are quite safe. While individuals who are allergic to components of the vaccine may be susceptible to a serious reaction, those can generally be noted and controlled within a half hour of inoculation. Even so, CDC guidelines recommend not giving the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to individuals with a history of severe allergic reactions to other vaccines or injected meds. On the other hand, I understand no cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome (a very rare neurological condition associated with certain flu vaccines) have been reported from the COVID vaccine trials. What about the large numbers of people of color who steer clear of the vaccine?

What is their rationale? Unfortunately, there is a reason many Black Americans fear scientific researchers. It largely stems from the immoral, inexcusable Tuskegee syphilis experiments that began in 1932 and continued for 40 years. Nearly 400 Black men with latent syphilis were recruited for a “clinical study” that promised to treat them for the condition. Instead, unbeknownst to them, the researchers purposely failed to treat the men in any effective way in order to better measure the lifelong ill effects of the condition. By 1947, penicillin was widely available and effective to control it, but it was denied to the men. Many Black Americans know of this history and have grown up with an understandable distrust of American medicine. An anti-vaccine advocacy group has also written about Tuskegee recently, aiming to alarm minority groups about the COVID-19 vaccines by reminding or informing them of it. However, it should be more widely known that precisely because of the inexcusable Tuskegee “study,” clinical trials today are now highly regulated and subject to public disclosure rules and wide oversight that would prevent such a travesty from ever occurring again. Furthermore, it should be clear that people of all races, religions and nationalities — throughout the world — are seeking and getting one or another of the new vaccines. These vaccines hold the best hope for protecting the entire human family from severe illness and death. If you’ve obtained the vaccine and have seen from experience that it produces no ill effects (other than, perhaps, a sore arm or brief fever), please let your friends and others know. Word of mouth from people like you will have the best chance to counter the effects of past wrongdoing and rumor mills.

Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or email to info@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification.

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The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (301) 949-9766 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Website: www.theBeaconNewspapers.com Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 10th of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 15th of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 47 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

CORRECTION: To order a copy of I Have Started for Canaan, the book described in our February cover story “Unearthing Sugarland’s story,” visit http://www.mocoalliance.org/buy-mcagear.html or send a check for $26 made out to Montgomery Countryside Alliance, P.O. Box 24, Poolesville, MD 20837. We apologize for providing erroneous information last month. Dear Editor: After much stress and struggle I now have a handle on how Maryland’s vaccine

distribution works and can explain what is working and what is not working. (I am 83 with high-risk conditions.) One-third of Montgomer y County’s vaccine allocation goes to the county government to distribute, and two-thirds goes to healthcare providers. The county government has a good distribution system, but the healthcare providers who receive and distribute two-thirds of the supply are See LETTERS TO EDITOR, page 45

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Technology &

Innovations Stay calm and think when con artists call By the Better Business Bureau of Central Virginia Want some advice about scams? Stay calm. Con artists use that feeling of alarm to trick victims into acting before they can think. BBB Scam Tracker is seeing reports of a con that claims your Amazon, PayPal or other account has been compromised. Scammers hope you’ll panic and fall for their scheme.

How the scam works You receive an email, call or text message informing you there’s been suspicious activity in your bank or another account, such as Amazon, Netflix or PayPal. You are told you need to “take immediate action” to prevent your account from being compromised or to avoid being charged for a fraudulent purchase. Don’t fall for it! The email version of this con uses the company’s logo, colors and language to make the message look just like an official alert. A link in the message leads to a website that asks for your account number, login and password information, or even

your Social Security or Medicare/Medicaid insurance number. If you share this information, you could well become the victim of identity theft and fraud. In the phone version of this scam, the caller claims to have noticed an expensive charge recently posted on your account, which “you didn’t make.” Some victims told BBB Scam Tracker that the caller pushed them to download phony “security software” to their phone or computer. This was actually malware, which gave scammers access to sensitive information stored on their devices. In other versions, the caller insists you need to buy prepaid gift or debit cards in order to reverse the fraudulent charges and secure your account. One victim told BBB Scam Tracker that they received a call from the “Amazon verification department.” After noticing fraudulent purchases, Amazon allegedly put a hold on their account. In order to lift the hold, the scam caller convinced the victim “to buy $200 of Google Play cards. This was needed to use the codes to cancel the orders. [The scam-

mer] said I needed to do it right away; the account could only be on hold for a short time.”

How to avoid scams like this Be very cautious with unsolicited calls, emails and texts. Don’t be quick to believe claims from unsolicited communications. This is a common tool of scammers. Understand how businesses handle communications. If you know how disputes and suspicious activity are handled, it will be easier to spot a scam. For example, PayPal clearly states that they will never send you an email asking you for sensitive information like your password, or ask you to download attachments or software. Look into the claims. Don’t take action without first verifying the claims. Without clicking on any links, log into your account or look up the company’s official phone number (check your bill or welcome email) and call them to confirm if there really is a case of suspicious activity associated with your account before you decide what to do. Don’t panic and don’t feel intimidated. Scammers want you to panic. They use intimidation tactics to pressure you into giv-

ing up your personal information or making payments. Legitimate businesses will not intimidate you in this way. Stay calm and think things through before you act. Never give your personal information to strangers. If you aren’t speaking or corresponding with someone you know and trust, don’t give them sensitive information.

For more information On BBB.org, read more about scams impersonating Amazon and how to protect yourself from phishing cons. If you’ve been the victim of this or a similar scam, report it to BBB Scam Tracker. Your report can help educate other consumers by raising awareness of scammers’ tactics. BBB serving Central Virginia was established in 1954 to advance responsible, honest and ethical business practices, and to promote customer confidence through self-regulation of business. Core services of BBB include business profiles, dispute resolution, truth-in-advertising, scam warnings, consumer and business education, and charity review.

New device beams music to your ears By Louise Dixon Imagine a world where you move around in your own personal sound bubble. You listen to your favorite tunes, play loud computer games, watch a movie or get navigation directions in your car — all without disturbing those around you and without headphones or ear buds. That’s the possibility presented by “sound beaming,” a new futuristic audio technology from Noveto Systems, an Israeli company. Last fall, it debuted a desktop device that beams sound directly to a listener without the need to wear anything on or in your ears. The company provided the Associated Press with an exclusive demo of the desktop prototype of its SoundBeamer 1.0 before its launch. The listening sensation is straight out of a sci-fi movie. The 3-D sound is so close it feels like it’s inside your ears while also in front, above and behind them. Noveto expects the device will have plenty of practical uses, from allowing office

workers to listen to music or conference calls without interrupting colleagues, to letting someone play a game, movie or music without disturbing their significant others. The lack of headphones means it’s possible to hear other sounds in the room clearly. The technology uses a 3-D sensing module and locates and tracks the ear position, sending audio via ultrasonic waves to create sound pockets by the user’s ears. Sound can be heard in stereo or a spatial 3D mode that creates 360-degree sound around the listener, the company said. The demo includes nature video clips of swans on a lake, bees buzzing and a babbling brook, where the listener feels completely transported into the scene. But even CEO Christophe Ramstein finds it hard to put the concept into words. “The brain doesn’t understand what it doesn’t know,” he said.

Hard to believe, people say In a Noveto demonstration conducted via Zoom from Tel Aviv, SoundBeamer

Product Manager Ayana Wallwater was unable to hear the sound of gunshots on a gaming demo that were heard clearly by this writer. That’s the point. But Wallwater does get to enjoy the reactions of people trying the software for the first time. “Most people just say, ‘Wow, I really don’t believe it,’” she said. “You don’t believe it because it sounds like a speaker, but no one else can hear it…it’s supporting you and you’re in the middle of everything. It’s happening around you.” By changing a setting, the sound can follow a listener around when they move their head. It’s also possible to move out of the beam’s path quickly and hear nothing at all, which creates a surreal experience. But generally, it follows the listener. “You don’t need to tell the device where you are. It’s not streaming to one exact place,” Wallwater said. “It follows you wherever you go. So, it’s personally for you — follows you, plays what you want in-

side your head. “This is what we dream of,” she said. “A world where you get the sound you want. You don’t need to disturb others and others don’t get disturbed by your sound. But you can still interact with them.”

A sense of freedom After his first listening experience, Ramstein asked himself how it was different from other audio devices. “I was thinking, ‘Yeah, but is it the same with headphones?’ No, because I have the freedom, and it’s like I have the freedom of doing what I want to do. “And I have these sounds playing in my head as if there would be something happening here, which is difficult to explain because we have no reference for that.” While the concept of sound beaming is not new, Noveto was the first to launch the technology, and their SoundBeamer 1.0 desktop device will be the first branded See MUSIC DEVICE, page 5

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consumer product. Ramstein said a “smaller, sexier” version of the prototype will be ready for consumer release in time for Christmas 2021. “I was trying to think how we compare sound beaming with any other inventions

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in history. And I think the only one that came to mind is…the first time I tried the iPod I was like, ‘Oh, my God. What’s that?’ “I think sound beaming is something that is as disruptive as that…There’s the freedom of using it. And it’s really amazing.” For more information, see noveto.com —AP

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Get the facts about the COVID-19 vaccine. AARP has the latest information. AARP is working to protect Americans 50+ by making sure you have the latest information you need about the COVID-19 vaccines and the distribution plans in DC. Find out who’s eligible for the vaccine, when and where vaccines will be available and what you need to discuss with your doctor before you decide. Just visit our website to get the most up-to-date information available about your vaccine options.

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Health Fitness &

MASK UP Two masks are better than one, the CDC says. Double up to fight virus variants GO WITH THE GRAIN Farro, quinoa, millet, teff and other ancient grains provide fiber and protein HELP FROM HOME A new study tracks COVID-19 hotspots in our area, and you can help from home BE CLEAR-HEADED Fight the toll that chemotherapy and other cancer treatments take on your brain

Why vaccines are in such short supply By Lauran Neergaard With demand for COVID-19 vaccines outpacing the world’s supplies, a frustrated public and policymakers want to know: How can we get more? A lot more. Right away. The problem: “It’s not like adding more water to the soup,” said vaccine specialist Maria Elena Bottazzi of Baylor College of Medicine. Makers of COVID-19 vaccines need everything to go right as they scale up production to hundreds of millions of doses — and any little hiccup could cause a delay. Some of their ingredients have never before been produced at the volume needed. And seemingly simple suggestions that other factories switch to brewing new kinds of vaccines can’t happen overnight. Just last month, French drugmaker Sanofi took the unusual step of announcing it would help bottle and package some vaccine produced by competitor Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech. But those doses won’t start arriving until summer. And Sanofi has the space in a factory in Germany only because its own vaccine is delayed — bad news for the world’s supply. “We think, ‘Well, OK, it’s like men’s shirts,

right? I’ll just have another place make it,’” said Dr. Paul Offit of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, a vaccine adviser to the U.S. government. “It’s just not that easy.”

Different vaccines, different recipes The multiple types of COVID-19 vaccines being used in different countries all train the body to recognize the new coronavirus, mostly the spike protein that coats it. But they require different technologies, raw materials, equipment and expertise to do so. The two vaccines authorized in the U.S so far, from Pfizer and Moderna, are made by putting a piece of genetic code called mRNA — the instructions for that spike protein — inside a little ball of fat. Making small amounts of mRNA in a research lab is easy, but “prior to this, nobody made a billion doses or 100 million or even a million doses of mRNA,” said Dr. Drew Weissman of the University of Pennsylvania, who helped pioneer mRNA technology. Scaling up doesn’t just mean multiplying ingredients to fit a bigger vat. Creating mRNA involves a chemical reaction between genetic building blocks and enzymes, and Weissman said the enzymes

don’t work as efficiently in larger volumes. AstraZeneca’s vaccine, already used in Britain and several other countries, and one expected soon from Johnson & Johnson, are made with a cold virus that sneaks the spike protein gene into the body. It’s a very different form of manufacturing: Living cells in giant bioreactors grow that cold virus, which is extracted and purified. “If the cells get old or tired or start changing, you might get less,” Weissman said. “There’s a lot more variability and a lot more things you have to check.’’ An old-fashioned variety — “inactivated” vaccines like one made by China’s Sinovac — require even more steps and stiffer biosecurity because they’re made with killed coronavirus. One thing all vaccines have in common: They must be made under strict rules that require specially inspected facilities and frequent testing of each step — a time-consuming task needed to ensure the quality of each batch.

What about the supply chain? Production depends on enough raw materials. Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel acknowledges that challenges exist.

With shifts running 24/7, if on any given day “there’s one raw material missing, we cannot start making products, and that capacity will be lost forever because we cannot make it up,” he recently told investors. Sometimes the batches fall short. AstraZeneca told an outraged European Union that, at least initially, it, too, will deliver fewer doses than originally promised. The reason cited: Lower than expected “yields,” or output, at some European manufacturing sites. More than in other industries, when brewing with biological ingredients, “there are things that can go wrong and will go wrong,” said Norman Baylor, a former Food and Drug Administration vaccine chief who called yield variability common.

How much is on the way? That varies by country. Moderna and Pfizer each are on track to deliver 100 million doses to the U.S. by the end of March and another 100 million in the second quarter of the year. Looking even further ahead, President Joe Biden has announced plans to buy still more over the summer, See VACCINES, page 8

Ten foods you should eat to lose weight By Carolyn A. Hodges Plenty of foods can support your weightloss efforts when included as part of a healthy diet. Eating these 10 foods regularly is a simple way to make the most of your meals. 1. Chia seeds Fiber slows digestion and keeps us feeling fuller longer. This is super important when we’re cutting back on calories, a common approach to weight loss. A 2-tablespoon serving of chia seeds satisfies a whopping 40% of daily fiber needs. 2. Fatty fish The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish like salmon, sardines and tuna may help to reduce body fat. Fatty fish is also high in protein, which helps curb hunger, keeping us full for hours. Consider using canned seafood to whip up easy salmon patties or a classic niçoise salad. 3. Cruciferous vegetables Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and

dark leafy greens. They’re low in calories and carbohydrates, making them the perfect non-starchy addition to any weightloss plan. Use them as the hearty base for meal-prep salads or as a low-carb swap for grains, or blend them into smoothies. 4. Whole grains You don’t need to give up starches like pasta, bread and rice when you’re trying to shed pounds. Just choose whole grains most of the time. In addition to vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, whole grains like whole-wheat pasta, brown rice and quinoa contain fiber to keep us feeling satisfied. 5. Apples Like vegetables, fruits are a smart addition to any healthy weight-loss plan. Apples are especially good to have on hand throughout the week because they’re inexpensive, keep for weeks in the fridge and make for super-portable snacks. Because of their high water content and fiber (be sure to eat the skin), apples are low in calo-

ries and filling. 6. Fermented foods A healthy balance of good bacteria in the intestinal tract may help to promote fat burning. Aim to include a few bites or sips of probiotic-rich foods most days. (Think kefir and yogurt, sauerkraut, kombucha and tempeh.) 7. Pistachios Nuts are satiating and satisfying thanks to their healthy fat, fiber and protein content. The key is portion control, as a serving of nuts (about 1/4 cup) can pack 160 to 200 calories. Try pistachios in shells — shelling them as you snack is a simple way to promote mindful eating! 8. Eggs The egg really is the perfect protein, especially when it comes to weight loss. Eaten at breakfast, eggs have been shown to enhance weight loss as part of a reduced-calorie diet. Plus, incorporating enough proteinrich foods like eggs at breakfast may keep evening snack cravings at bay. 9. Avocados

Avocados deliver a one-two punch of healthy fats and fiber, plus a buttery texture that adds richness to meals and snacks. While they’re higher in calories than other fruits and vegetables, research suggests avocado eaters — those who consume about half an avocado a day along with a healthy diet — have lower body weights and waist measurements. 10. Dark chocolate Yep, chocolate, and here’s why: A healthy weight-loss diet is more likely to be effective if it’s sustainable. Including foods you enjoy but initially perceive to be off-limits, like chocolate, may help you stick with a weightloss plan. Including an ounce of dark chocolate (aim for 70% cacao content or higher) might be just the indulgence you need to stay on track. EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at eatingwell.com. © 2021 Meredith Corporation. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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CDC finds two masks are better than one By Mike Stobbe U.S. government researchers found that two masks are better than one in slowing coronavirus spread, but health officials stopped short of recommending that everyone double up. Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the results of a lab experiment that spaced two artificial heads six feet from each other and checked to see how many coronavirus-sized particles spewed by one were inhaled by the other. The researchers found that wearing one mask — surgical or cloth — blocked around 40% of the particles coming toward the head that was breathing in. When a cloth mask was worn on top of a surgical

mask, about 80% were blocked. When both the exhaling and inhaling heads were double-masked, more than 95% of the particles were blocked, said the CDC’s Dr. John Brooks. Still, for now, health authorities acknowledge they have their hands full just trying to get more people to wear one mask and wear it correctly. “The first challenge is to get as many people as possible masking. And then for those that do mask, to help them get the best benefit out of that mask,” Brooks said.

Study reinforces earlier findings Brooks said agency officials heard about people donning two masks and wanted to evaluate whether it was beneficial.

The study had many limitations: The researchers used one brand of surgical mask and one kind of cloth mask, and it’s not clear if results would be the same with every product. But it echoes some earlier research that suggests two masks are better than one. “It works,” Brooks said. The CDC updated its guidance, saying people can wear a cloth mask on top of a disposable surgical mask “for better fit and extra protection.” If done correctly, the combination can tighten the gaps around the mask’s edges that can let virus particles in, the CDC said. The agency also said it will take down a make-your-own mask page, which went up

Vaccines From page 7 reaching enough to eventually vaccinate 300 million Americans. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla told a Bloomberg conference in February that his company will actually wind up providing 120 million doses by the end of March — not by speedier production but because health workers now are allowed to squeeze an extra dose out of every vial. Moderna recently announced it will be able to supply 600 million doses of vaccine

last year when masks were in short supply and the CDC was encouraging people to take steps to interrupt viral transmission. Some Americans have already started doubling up. Experts believe that’s at least partly out of concern about new strains of coronavirus that have been found to spread more easily than the one that has driven the U.S. epidemic for the past year.

Changing guidelines CDC guidance has evolved over the course of the epidemic. Mask-wearing has long been common in some countries during respiratory outSee MASKS, page 10

in 2021, up from 500 million, and that it was expanding capacity in hopes of getting to 1 billion. But possibly the easiest way to get more doses is if other vaccines in the pipeline are proven to work. U.S. emergency authorization of Johnson & Johnson’s one-dose shot is expected soon, and another company, Novavax, also is in final-stage testing. Penn’s Weissman urged patience, saying that as each vaccine maker gets more experience, “I think every month they’re going to be making more vaccine than the prior month.” —AP

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Mushrooms offer variety of health benefits By Kaley Todd, M.S., R.D.N. The ancient Greeks believed mushrooms provided strength for warriors in battle, and the Romans perceived them as “food of the Gods.” For centuries, Chinese culture has treasured mushrooms as a health food, labeling them as an “elixir of life.” Traditional Chinese medicine continues to highly value mushrooms, believing they offer numerous health benefits, and play a role in preventing and treating various ailments. Mushrooms are often placed in the vegetable category for dietary recommendations. However, they are actually neither a plant nor animal, but belong to the fungal kingdom. More than 2,000 varieties of mushrooms are edible, but the most common variety grown in the U.S. is white button, followed by crimini, portabello, enoki, oyster, maitake and shiitake. Mushrooms grow in nearly every state, but Pennsylvania accounts for approximately 60% of the total U.S. mushroom crop.

Vitamins and antioxidants Mushrooms have a unique nutritional profile. Key nutrients found in mushrooms include: B vitamins, selenium, copper, potassium, beta glucans, and the powerful antioxidants glutathione and ergothioneine. Plant-Powered Dietitian Sharon Palmer, M.S.F.S., R.D.N., notes that “the selenium found in mushrooms is unique in produce — the main intake of this antioxidant nutrient is most often from meats, dairies and whole grains.” The ability to produce vitamin D when exposed to the sun is also a distinctive attribute of mushrooms. “They can create vitamin D in a similar way humans can, with sun exposure,” Palmer said. Consumers can increase the vitamin D in mushrooms by exposing them to sunlight prior to eating. A preliminary trial demonstrated that vitamin D in mushrooms can be increased by at least 25% of

the Daily Reference Intake through exposure to sunlight for as little as 15 minutes on a clear or partly cloudy day. Mushrooms also provide fiber and protein, which can be particularly useful for vegetarian diets, considering they provide all the essential amino acids and have higher protein content than most vegetables. Mushrooms are naturally low in fat, calories and sodium, and do not contain cholesterol, sugar or gluten.

Health properties Although researchers have uncovered many benefits of mushrooms, additional studies are needed to understand their full range of health properties and how those differ among species. Mushrooms are reported to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardiovas-

cular-protective, antidiabetic and other properties. According to Palmer, “mushrooms contain special nutrients, as well as bacteria, yeasts and molds that appear to have health potential. Studies show that mushrooms are linked to anticancer activity, antioxidant action and immune-enhancing benefits. They have also been shown to have benefits for blood lipids and glucose.”

Mushrooms and aging Robert Beelman, director of the Penn State Center for Plant and Mushroom Products for Health, has been investigating how mushrooms may improve healthy longevity. He and his team found mushrooms have high amounts of ergothioneine and glutathione. These may protect against oxidative stress (associated with diseases of

aging, cancer, coronary heart disease and Alzheimer’s). “Countries that have more ergothioneine in their diets, like France and Italy, have lower incidences of neurodegenerative diseases,” Beelman pointed out, “while people in countries like the United States, which has low amounts of ergothioneine in the diet, have a higher probability of diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.” Whether this is a correlation or causation is unclear. Beelman and his team found the highest amounts of ergothioneine and glutathione to be in porcini mushrooms. The more common mushroom types, like white button, had less of the antioxidants. Animal studies have reported that shiitake mushrooms have anti-tumor, cholesSee MUSHROOMS, page 10

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Masks From page 8 breaks, especially in parts of Asia, but not in the United States. When the COVID-19 crisis began and masks disappeared from store shelves, U.S. health officials actively discouraged the

Mushrooms From page 9 terol-lowering and antiviral properties, while enoki mushrooms appear to have significant anti-cancer and immune-enhancing effects. Maitake may have anti-cancer, antiviral and immune-enhancing properties, and they may also reduce blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

M A R C H 2 0 2 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

general public from wearing them. “Seriously people — STOP BUYING MASKS!” then-Surgeon General Jerome Adams wrote in a tweet almost a year ago. Two months later, after it became clear that infected people who did not exhibit symptoms could spread the virus, the CDC began recommending people wear

masks in public. Mask-wearing increased and some places enforced mask mandates, but many Americans continue not to wear them. A recent University of California survey suggested that only about half of U.S. adults wear masks when in close contact with people outside their household.

Discussions about double-masking and higher-quality masks are important, said Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease scientist at the University of Toronto. “But if a significant proportion of your populations isn’t wearing a mask in the first place, then you’re having the wrong conversation,” he added. —AP

Versatility

mushrooms blend well with meat to make burgers, meatloaf and meatballs. This can be an effective way to reduce calories and fat, while boosting nutrition. For those who do not like the taste or texture of mushrooms, their nutritional and health benefits may still be obtained with mushroom powders found in the marketplace. These can be incorporated into smoothies, soups and sauces. Palmer emphasizes it is important that the powder or supplement comes from whole mushrooms, and from a good source

with third-party verification to ensure it is a quality product without contamination. Note: There are approximately 70 to 80 species of poisonous mushrooms, so acquire your mushrooms from a trusted source. If foraged, be sure to have an expert verify they are safe. Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC, 1-800-8295384, EnvironmentalNutrition.com. © 2021 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Mushrooms can be enjoyed raw or cooked and added to eggs, pizza, stir-fries and numerous dishes. Beelman recommends trying to consume approximately three ounces of button mushrooms, or one ounce of specialty mushrooms (shiitake, oyster or maitake) daily. He notes that cooking does not appear to significantly affect the compounds in mushrooms. Because of their rich, umami flavor,

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The best exercise, meds for osteoporosis By Matthew Drake, M.D., Ph.D Dear Mayo Clinic: What are the latest medications or exercise recommendations for women who want to avoid osteoporosis? I am 55 and went through menopause a few years ago. A: Although some bone loss is inevitable after menopause, developing a regular exercise routine can be useful in limiting that loss. Medications can be used to limit bone loss, too, but they are not necessarily for everyone. Your body regularly makes new bone and breaks down old bone. The hormone estrogen plays a key role in that process. When you’re young, your body makes new bone faster than it breaks down old bone, and bone mass increases. Most peo-

ple reach peak bone mass in their mid-20s to mid-30s. The higher your peak bone mass, the more bone your body has to sustain bone health throughout the rest of your life. Osteoporosis occurs when the body’s creation of new bone no longer can keep up with the breakdown of old bone. Bones then become weak, brittle and more easily broken. Menopause substantially raises the risk of osteoporosis because bone loss is rapid within the first six to eight years after menopause due to a rapid decline in estrogen.

Exercise can slow bone loss No natural approach can stop postmenopausal bone loss, but regular exercise may help slow it. A combination of

strength training and weight-bearing exercises usually is best. Strength training helps strengthen muscles and bones in your arms and upper spine. Weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, jogging, running, dancing, stair climbing or skipping rope, have benefits for the entire skeleton, particularly the bones in your legs, hips and lower spine. The overall strength of bones relies on their size and density. Bone density depends in part on the amount of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals contained in the bones. When bones contain fewer minerals than normal, they become weak and eventually begin to break down and lose their internal support structure. Medications for osteoporosis are geared toward slowing bone breakdown. The most common medications prescribed for osteoporosis are bisphosphonates. They work by decreasing the rate that bones break down, allowing the body to maintain bone density and structure longer. These medications generally are not prescribed before osteoporosis develops. But they may be appropriate in some cases when the risk for breaking a bone is high.

in your diet is also important to help keep your bones healthy. People between 18 and 50 need 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day. That increases to 1,200 milligrams when women turn 50 and men turn 70. Good sources of calcium include low-fat dairy products, dark green leafy vegetables, canned sardines with bones, canned salmon and soy products. Many cereals and juices are calcium-fortified. If you can’t get enough calcium in your diet, your healthcare provider may recommend a supplement. Vitamin D is necessary for your body to absorb calcium. While some people get all the vitamin D they need from sunlight, others do not, due to factors such as time spent indoors or the use of sunscreen. Your healthcare provider can do a blood test to check your vitamin D level. If it’s low, you may need a vitamin D supplement. A bone density test is one way to assess the health of your bones. It measures how many grams of calcium and other minerals are in a segment of bone. The higher the bone mineral content, the denser the bone. In general, the denser the bones are, the stronger they

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Have arthritis? Glucosamine might help study examining the efficacy and safety of the treatment of osteoarthritis knee pain is the Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT). The GAIT study evaluated glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate individually and in combination compared to a drug (celecoxib) and a placebo in nearly 1,600 people. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate alone or in combination didn’t result in significant pain relief in general, but was effective in a subgroup of individuals with moderate-to-severe knee pain. A follow-up study reported that the supplements improved pain and function but not significantly more than placebo or celecoxib. Another similar study, called the MOVES trial, observed that the combination of glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate was as effective at relieving knee pain and swelling as celecoxib. Mixed results between trials may be due to the variety of supplement types and doses examined.

By Bridget Cassady If you are one of the 242 million people who suffers from osteoarthritis, you likely know about glucosamine. Many praise its ability to ease hip and knee pain, while some experts disagree on its efficacy. Environmental Nutrition examines the data on this popular dietary supplement. Glucosamine, along with chondroitin, is a naturally occurring structural component of cartilage. Cartilage is the main type of connective tissue in the body, including in joints. Glucosamine is thought to protect cells that help maintain cartilage structure. Some individuals who experience painful inflammation and deterioration of cartilage with osteoarthritis or other joint disorders consider glucosamine supplementation in the hopes of stimulating cartilage production and reducing pain. Glucosamine is available in tablets, capsules or powders, most commonly in the form of glucosamine sulfate or glucosamine hydrochloride. Glucosamine supplements can be synthetic or derived from the shells of shellfish.

Safety and side effects Oral glucosamine is considered safe in appropriate amounts (~1,500-2,000 mil-

Some evidence of pain relief The most comprehensive long-term

Osteoporosis

provider to find out what’s best for you. — Matthew Drake, M.D., Ph.D., Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. Email a question to MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit mayoclinic.org. © 2021 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

From page 12 are and the less likely to break. In women who have never broken a bone and who don’t have other osteoporosis risk factors, a bone density test to screen for osteoporosis is recommended at age 65. But the specific age when you’ll need a bone density test depends on your osteoporosis risk. Talk to your healthcare

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ligrams/day) and is generally well-tolerated when taken with food. Side effects are usually mild and include nausea, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea or headache. Individuals with shellfish allergies should use caution. Some evidence suggests that glucosamine may cause insulin resistance and increase serum glucose.

Interactions Taking glucosamine alone or with chon-

droitin may increase the effects of blood thinners (warfarin) and increase risk of bleeding. Taking glucosamine sulfate in combination with acetaminophen may reduce the effectiveness. Before starting any new supplement, check with your doctor to make sure it’s appropriate for you. Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition. © 2020 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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By Matthew Kadey According to conventional wisdom, it’s good to be young. But when it comes to whole grains, being age-old is something to celebrate. Thanks to newly rediscovered ancient grains like quinoa, teff and spelt, the diversity of whole grains available to us has never been greater. These grains are dubbed “ancient” because their cultivation has been occurring among cultures for centuries — long before food scientists began altering modern-day wheat to bring about desirable traits such as increased yields. (Note: these alterations have occurred not through genetic modification, but instead through other forms of crop science). Some consumers may gravitate toward these grain options, believing that they are closer to what Mother Nature intended for us to eat.

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“As whole grains, these are full of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which contribute to improved diet quality and overall health,” said Kate Geagan, R.D., cofounder of Food and Planet. “And levels are often higher than you’ll find in modern forms of wheat or refined grains.” For instance, South American amaranth has high amounts of magnesium, an essential mineral linked to a lower risk for Type 2 diabetes. Hailing from east Africa, teff is notably higher in iron than other whole grains. “Iron helps carry oxygen through your bloodstream and get it into the muscles where it’s used to create energy,” Geagan noted. Eaten daily in Africa and many parts of Asia, gluten-free millet has a subtle cornlike flavor along with useful amounts of bone-strengthening phosphorus. Chinese black rice — also sold under the trademarked name Forbidden Rice because legend has it that it was forbidden for anyone other than emperors of ancient China to eat it — is packed with the same type of disease-fighting anthocyanin antioxidants you find in berries. Perhaps a contender for the oldest grain around, barley is one of the best ways to infuse a diet with beta glucan, a unique type of fiber that can help lower cholesterol numbers. (Tip: To reap these rewards, you want to seek out hulled barley since it still contains the fiber-rich bran layer that is mostly stripped away when producing faster cooking pearled barley.) And both quinoa (pronounced KEENwah) and freekeh (pronounced FREAK-eh) have been heralded as being good sources

of satiating fiber and plant-based protein. “People forget that certain grains, including quinoa and freekeh, can contribute to daily protein needs,” Geagan said.

Flavor boost Beyond their nutritional might, the modern revival of ancient grains is owing to the interesting textures and flavor nuances they bring to the table. Popular among many generations of Italian cooks, farro has a wonderful chewy texture that can elevate salads, soups and stuffings. Middle Eastern freekeh is a “green” version of wheat that is harvested while still immature, then sun-dried and finally roasted, lending it a delicious smoky flavor that may make it your new favorite pantry staple. The gelatinous nature of teff can be leveraged to make puddings, corn-free versions of polenta, or even breakfast porridge. Spelt cooks up nice and plump with a nutty flavor that can serve as a great base for stir-fries and grain bowls. Black rice has a toothsome sweetness that you won’t find in brown or white rice. The mild, earthy flavor of sorghum is a perfect fit for pilafs and versions of taboulleh.

Green effects With resurgent interest in these oldworld grains, there can also be some environmental benefits to these foods. “These help us build a more biodiverse food system and utilize plants that are better equipped to handle a changing climate,” Geagan said. Keep in mind, however, that while some ancient grains like teff and sorghum are indeed gluten-free, people with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance need to be aware that not all of them are free of gluten. Spelt, kamut, farro and freekeh are in the wheat family and, therefore, do contain some gluten. Anecdotal evidence suggests that these wheat varieties can be easier to digest for some people (lower levels or milder forms of gliadin, a type of gluten protein, could be the reason), but there is some research showing they are not safe to eat for those with Celiac disease. To cook some of these great ancient grains, simply simmer them in the amount of water (or more flavorful broth) indicated until they are tender. Then drain any excess liquid. Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition. © 2021 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Preparing to part with a dying loved one By Steven Shefter The following is an excerpt from the book Preparing to Part: Love, Loss and Living, written by Steven Shefter after his wife, Susan, died of a terminal illness. The book both describes his family’s particular experience and draws general lessons that might be helpful to others facing a similar situation. As time was drawing to an end for Susan, she said to me, “Steve, I’m afraid I will be forgotten. I’m afraid the family won’t remember me and there will be no way for our grandchildren now, and any future ones, to know about me.” I told her, “Susan my love, you will be spoken of every day by me and our children. And your memory will be conveyed to our family.” But I knew she was not satisfied with that answer. Neither was I. I wanted Susan to know her life would be remembered for generations to come. She made a 75-minute video for our children, but that wasn’t enough. So, I came up with an idea. Throughout her illness, Susan received many cards from friends, family and coworkers expressing prayers, love and appreciation. I compiled all the notes and letters, and asked her coworkers and others to request additional notes for Susan. In two weeks, we had more than 50 letters.

A week later we had 85. On a cold winter evening, the house was quiet. Susan was tired and she was finding it harder to express emotion. I said, “Susan, I want you to know about a project the children and I are working on. We have compiled 85 letters written to you from friends and family — letters of love, caring and devotion sharing what you mean to them, what you’ve done for them, and how your memory will carry on — that your soul will forever remain in their hearts. The book is called “What Susan Means to Me.” I gave her the first 35 letters and told her I wanted her to see for herself [the book that] our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will have in their homes. In a quiet voice, she said, “This is a dream come true.” We hugged as if we never wanted to let go. Later, when I was calm, I wrote the cover page to the book — a love note, my last to her. Our oldest daughter jumped into frantic task mode; she got photographs, layout and spiral binding for the book done in record time. A few weeks later, my children and I presented Susan with the final version of “What Susan Means to Me.” We were in our bedroom. Susan had a beautiful pale but weary smile and a look of content-

ment. She got to see the book. Five days later she passed.

Further suggestions Not everyone will want to compile letters and notes into a book. After all, other priorities may get in the way, or perhaps many of your friends and loved ones are already gone and thus unable to participate. There are other ways to memorialize a loved one. The person who is ill can videotape messages to kids and grandchildren like Susan did. She even sang “Puff the Magic Dragon” for the amusement of our grandchildren. Our son did a video interview of questions he wanted to ask his mom. The questions were about the family history and her personal history. After Susan passed, my children and I each picked out a favorite piece of clothing and had a teddy bear made [of it] for each of us and each of the grandchildren. We also did a clothing drive in Susan’s memory, collecting dozens of bags of clothing for a homeless shelter. Letters can be written by the person who is ill too — letters to be opened later, perhaps on a birthday, graduation or wedding day. If you want your ill spouse to feel good, or a surviving spouse to have something special, framing a special photo or memen-

to — like concert tickets or a menu from a favorite restaurant — can be done by anyone who wants to help. If your loved one was active in a cause, donating money for a plaque somewhere important in that person’s name is something that lasts a long time. In retrospect, there are things I wish I had done, but I was too busy in the whirlwind. I wish we sat down with an iPad or iPhone and just recorded us talking to each other, for instance. However, life gets in the way, especially when you’re in crisis mode. And some may not want to admit their time with a loved one is coming to an end. But maybe you’ll have more time than you think — doctors don’t always get it right. And recording yourselves might prove to be fun. Find a way of creating additional memories if you can. That is the greatest gift you can give one another. Whatever you do, don’t be hard on yourself if you don’t get to do any of these things. That’s not the point. The point is to make things easier now and going forward. These are merely suggestions. Every relationship is different. To purchase Preparing to Part: Love, Loss and Living, published in March 2021, visit Amazon, BarnesandNoble.com or bit.ly/preparingtopart.

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Find a therapist with knowledge of aging By Alina Tugend Pat Walker was feeling particularly low. A sister had just died, and after having a heated fight with her daughter, she couldn’t get out of bed. For this active, engaged 74-year-old, that was unheard of. So, she sought therapy, which she had done in the past, but this time it was with a geropsychologist — someone who specializes in treating older people. For Walker, whose name has been changed to protect her privacy, that was life-changing. “It was extremely helpful to have someone with a knowledge of older people, who understands the whole notion that seniors go through periods of isolation and frustration mainly because of their age and their placement in life,” she said. Geropsychology only became a specialty in professional psychology in 2010, according to the American Psychological Association, and the number of practitioners is still small. Although about 15% of Americans are age 65 and over, only 3% of licensed psychologists in the U.S. identify their primary or secondary specialty as geropsychology.

Benefits of geropsychologists Older people have distinct phases and challenges that call for geropsychologists. “Changes come in predictable ways

as we age and require particular competencies and skills,” said Christina Pierpaoli Parker, a postdoctoral fellow of clinical psychology and behavioral medicine with a specialty in geropsychology at the University of Alabama. Too often, healthcare providers dismiss the mental and physical complaints of older people as normal aging, geropsychologists say. For example, while joints may become more painful with age, “having pain all over the body is not normal aging — that’s a common indicator of depression. The same is true with lack of concentration,” said Erin Emery-Tiburcio, an associate professor of geriatric and rehabilitation psychology and co-director of the Rush Center for Excellence in Aging in Chicago. Knowing the side effects of medications, and especially combinations of medications, is also essential. “I had a patient several years ago who was sharp as a tack, and then when he came to see me three weeks later he was very confused and stumbling,” she recalled. “That acute change is not normal.” Emery-Tiburcio asked the 80-year-old man if he was on any new medication. It turned out his doctor had prescribed a new drug for incontinence, whose side effects include confusion and fall risks. “He

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had been to his primary physician that week, who didn’t notice,” she said.

It takes a team Ideally, psychologists — and geropsychologists in particular — should work as a team with doctors, clinical pharmacists and occupational therapists, said Melinda Ginne, who has practiced geropsychology in Northern California for 40 years. Some geropsychologists include the family in treatment and are often practical in their advice. Ginne, who is also one of the founding instructors in the Professional Program in Aging and Mental Health at UC Berkeley Extension, said she might advise family members, for example, that their mother needs home help twice a

week for at least four hours, and suggest some agencies that can help. Pierpaoli Parker developed the University of Alabama’s Integrated Behavioral Medicine Service, which provides both psychiatric services and primary care, with an emphasis on helping change behavior. That includes creating exercise plans, even if it’s going outside with a walker for 15 minutes or working out in a chair. She found that patients may be more willing to discuss physical problems first, such as insomnia or chronic pain, before eventually opening up about depression. Some of the concerns many older people have revolve around isolation or resiSee THERAPIST, page 19

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RESOURCES FROM

and concerns about COVID-19. Fake and stolen vaccines are even being sold on the “dark web.” Please remember these consumer tips: You cannot pay to be put on a vaccine list. You cannot pay to get early access to the vaccine. No healthcare worker or insurance company employee should request your personal information, like your Social Security number, or bank account information, to schedule your vaccine appointment. Double-check any “too-good-tobe-true” news or claims.

An investigator with the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection helps county residents with their consumer questions at a pre-COVID event.

COVID-19 Pandemic Scam Warnings Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is warning consumers about scams and fraud related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the current scams are those claiming to sell products to cure the virus, offering priority placement for the vaccine, speeding up or increasing stimulus payments, or offering work-from-home opportunities. There are even “romance scams” targeting seniors who are quarantining and lonely at home. Despite frequent reports through the media by health professionals, and repeated warnings that there are no cures for the virus, scammers are trying to convince people that a

cure or preventions can be bought over the internet. The internet ha has also seen a rise in fake websites or fake marketplaces supposedly selling in-demand goods and cleaning products. Numerous new “phishing” scams have been devised by scammers to take advantage of consumers seeking information to pre-register for vaccines. These deceptive email, text or phone messages seek to trick consumers into providing their Social Security numbers, credit card information, or bank accounts. Scammers are clever and they seek to turn the latest news events into scams that exploit fears

For more information, or to report other possible scams or file consumer complaints, call 3-1-1 (in Montgomery County), contact Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection via email at consumer@ montgomerycountymd.gov or visit their website at www. montgomerycountymd.gov/ocp/. For other consumer questions, request a return call by leaving a message at (240) 777-3681.

For other county resources on aging, call (240) 777-3000 or visit www.montgomerycountymd. gov/senior.

Watch “Seniors Today”

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 2 1

Therapist From page 17 dential care. Ginne said she works to empower her patients. If the person resists getting help at home, she explains that “safety equals autonomy. If you have help at home, you can go out, you can have someone take you to the market and movies and senior center. I’ll say that about residential care as well.”

Coping with dementia Dementia is an inevitable part of working with some older patients, and geropsychologists say treatment varies depending on the type and stage of dementia. Part of that treatment is providing perspective, Emery-Tiburcio said. Depression tends to elevate the bad (my mind is deteriorating, and I can’t do some of the things I used to) while ignoring the good (my daughter loves and supports me, and I enjoy spending time with her). “If you focus on the losses, you are likely to get depressed,” she said, but if you

concentrate on the present, “it’s a lot easier to not only function well but improve mood.” Even if the person with dementia can’t remember the previous session, therapy can help, Emery-Tiburcio said. “Many people with dementia fear being a burden on their families. Having conversations with the family members present, talking about the future, and processing the emotions of the whole family can help to dispel myths and create plans that are acceptable to everyone involved. This experience can be very relieving.” Even if the older person forgets the session, the feeling of emotional resolution can continue, particularly if the family is able to remind the patient about the discussions and plan, she adds. When someone with dementia is agitated or aggressive, that behavior “almost always is in reaction to the environment,” EmeryTiburcio said. It might be a change in routine, a different caregiver, or a new pain or infection that the patient can’t describe. The geropsychologist can work with the family

and professional caregivers to identify the causes and possible solutions. Another way to help those with dementia, Pierpaoli Parker said, is to emphasize routine, such as waking up and having meals at the same time each day. She tries to encourage an older adult to go outside in the morning to sit or walk. “That not only makes you feel better, but tells your body when to be up and when to

be asleep,” she said. During her therapy, Walker, the 74-yearold who once struggled to get out of bed, focused on her goals and plans. Working with a geropsychologist, she said, has been eye-opening. “It took 70-plus years to come to this understanding about me.” © 2021 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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decode behavioral messages and intervene with challenging behaviors associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia. This event takes place Wed., March 10 from 3 to 4 p.m. To register, visit bit.ly/Dementia-relatedBehaviors or call (202) 895-9485.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 2 1

Medical alert systems offer many options tems, pressing the wearable help button allows you to speak to a dispatcher through a base unit located in your home. Many companies offer mobile medical alert options, too. You can use these systems at home, but they’ll also allow you to call for help while you’re out and about. Mobile alerts operate over cellular networks and incorpoDear Too Many, SAVVY SENIOR rate GPS technology. They A good medical alert sys- By Jim Miller allow you to talk and listen to tem is an effective and affordthe operator directly through able tool that can help keep your mom safe the pendant button, and because of the and living in her own home longer. But GPS, your location would be known in with all the different products and features order for help to be sent. available today, choosing one can be chalIf your mom doesn’t leave the house lenging. Here are some tips that can help. very often, she may not need a mobile system, but if she is still active, she may want Three key questions added protection outside the home. Medical alert systems, which have been Should her system be monitored or around since the 1980s, provide a wearable not? help button — usually in the form of a neck The best medical alert systems are pendant or wristband — that would put monitored, meaning that the help button your mom in touch with a dispatcher who connects you with a trained operator at a could summon emergency help or contact a 24/7 dispatching center. friend or family member as needed. But you also have the option to choose a To help you narrow down your options system that isn’t monitored. With these, and choose a system that best fits your when you press the help button, the device mom’s needs, here are three key questions automatically dials a friend or family member you’ll need to ask, along with some top- on your programmed emergency call list. rated companies that offer these products: These products can often be set up to Does your mom want a home-based call multiple people and to contact emeror mobile system? gency services if you don’t get an answer Medical alert systems were originally from someone on your list. designed to work inside the home with a Should you add a fall-detection fealandline telephone, which is still an option. ture? But since fewer and fewer households Most medical alert companies today now have landlines these days, most companies offer the option of an automatic fall detectoday also offer home-based systems that tion pendant for an additional fee of $10 to work over a cellular network. With these sys- $15 per month. These pendants sense falls Dear Savvy Senior, I am interested in getting my mom, who lives alone, a medical alert system with a wearable pendant button that will let her call for help if she falls or has a medical emergency. What can you tell me to help me choose one? —Too Many Choices

when they occur and automatically contact the dispatch center, just as they would if you had pressed the call button. But be aware that this technology isn’t foolproof. In some cases, this feature may register something as a fall that isn’t. The alarm might go off if you drop it or momentarily lose your balance but don’t actually fall down.

Top-rated systems Here are four top companies, rated by Consumer Reports, that offer home and mobile monitored medical alert systems: Bay Alarm Medical: Fees range be-

tween $20 and $40 per month; BayAlarmMedical.com; 1-877-522-9633. GreatCall’s Lively Mobile Plus: The device costs $50 plus a $25 to $40 monthly service fee; GreatCall.com; 1-800-650-5921. MobileHelp: Monthly fees run $20 to $45; MobileHelp.com; 1-800-809-9664. Phillips Lifeline: $30 to $50/month, plus a onetime device/activation fee of $50 to $100; Lifeline.Philips.com; 1-855-681-5351. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

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Health Studies

M A R C H 2 0 2 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Volunteer at home to aid COVID research By Margaret Foster Sometimes when you enroll in a health study, you have to drive to a hospital or clinic. Or you may have to roll up your sleeves and give blood. What if there was a way to help science just by taking a daily survey at home? If that sounds like the study for you, particularly during a pandemic, consider joining MedStar Health’s COVID-19 Community Research Par tnership, which launched in December. [Ed. Note: The author of this article is a participant in this health study.] Once enrolled — a 15-minute process done entirely by computer — you will receive a daily email asking about your overall health, any symptoms of illness, any interactions with infected people, whether or not you wear a mask, saw a doctor or received a vaccine.

The 30-second survey can be completed on a computer or smartphone. Designed by Oracle, the survey is attractive and easy to use, and it’s okay to forget or skip a day.

Area residents needed MedStar Health hopes to enroll 60,000 people in the D.C. and Baltimore metro areas. Researchers will crunch the data from daily surveys about residents’ health and vaccination status in hopes of tracking the virus’ spread in our area. “This robust surveillance study will help us better understand the current state of the pandemic,” Dr. William S. Weintraub, director of Outcomes Research at the MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute and co-principal investigator on the study, said in a statement. “We will be able to track the transmission of COVID-19, monitor changes in its spread, and measure the effectiveness of

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prevention strategies.” The study will stay in touch with participants for about a year. Some volunteers can choose to take an at-home antibody test once a month for six months to see whether they have COVID-19 antibodies in their blood. There’s also a one-time supplemental survey about willingness to receive a vaccine. MedStar researchers say it’s an easy way to help out during a public health emergency. “There are plenty of folks who feel helpless [during the pandemic] and want to support our research. This takes less than 30 seconds a day,” said Kristen E. Miller, scientific director of the National Center for Human Factors in Healthcare at MedStar Health Research Institute, the study’s co-principal investigator. “It gives a nice opportunity for anyone in the community to participate.” The Community Research Partnership is open to everyone in the area, whether they’ve been infected with the virus or not. “Everyone is invited to the study,” Miller emphasized. “People might be hesitant if they don’t have symptoms or don’t

ever leave their house. But we want to know folks’ experiences in our area…It’s a comprehensive evaluation of what people are experiencing.” Because some demographic groups have suffered higher infection rates and morbidity rates, it’s essential to enroll a wide variety of people in the study, she said. “We’re looking at different factors like race, gender and Zip code,” Miller said. “We need lots of participants because they’re the folks that will benefit [from the research]. There’s really been a focus on what’s been referred to as ‘special populations,’ but that’s really our community.” So far more than 12,000 people in our area have “joined the fight,” Miller said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded this $25 million nationwide study, which includes six sites: MedStar Health, the University of Maryland, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Atrium Health, Tulane University and the University of Mississippi. No compensation is provided to participants. Sign up at MedStarHealth.org/JoinTheFight, email JoinTheFight@medstar.net or call 1-800-808-5759.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 2 1

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Helping your brain recover from chemo By Jorg Dietrich, M.D., Ph.D., Harvard Health Blog Some of the most common symptoms experienced by cancer patients are memory problems, difficulties with multitasking, and reduced attention and concentration. Historically, cancer patients with these symptoms were often diagnosed with depression. But research over the past decade has revealed that many cancer patients experience such symptoms as a consequence of specific damage to the brain caused by either their tumor or their treatment. While radiation to the brain has long been linked to cognitive difficulties, the effects of chemotherapy on brain structure and function have only recently been discovered. We now know that the majority of patients treated for cancer — including breast, lung, colon and many other cancer types — experience difficulties with memory, multitasking, cognitive processing speed, attention and concentration as a consequence of their treatment. The good news is that such symptoms may slowly improve over time in most patients.

Strategies for quicker recovery If you or someone you care for is having problems with memory or thinking following cancer treatment, it is important to un-

dergo a comprehensive medical evaluation to rule out other conditions that can mimic certain side effects from chemotherapy. For example, endocrine disorders (such as thyroid abnormalities), vitamin deficiencies, sleep deprivation or depression should all be ruled out (or treated), as these conditions can cause changes in memory and slowed thinking. Extensive research over the past decade has identified how chemotherapy targets brain structure and function — an unwanted side effect of cancer therapy. Those efforts have also started to shed light on the mechanisms that enhance brain regeneration and expedite recovery from brain injury, previously thought to be impossible. While various therapeutic interventions currently remain in clinical testing, the following lifestyle actions have been found to be effective: Regular physical exercise. Cardiovascular exercise is one of the strongest drivers of brain repair after injury, stimulating the growth of new neurons, facilitating connections between brain cells, and enhancing overall cognitive resilience. Sufficient restorative sleep. Chronic sleep deprivation damages brain cells, prevents brain regeneration, causes daytime fatigue, and reduces cognitive function. Poor

sleep also impairs the basic mechanism that eliminates toxic waste in the brain — a process that primarily happens during sleep. Simple behavioral changes to improve sleep hygiene include avoiding neurostimulants prior to bedtime (coffee, chocolate, beverages with high sugar content, etc.), and minimizing exposure to electronic devices in your bedroom. Meditation and various relaxation techniques can also improve sleep. Good nutrition. A diet rich in antioxidants can be helpful in minimizing cancer therapy-related damage to brain cells and unwanted cognitive side effects from cancer therapy. So, enrich your diet with fruits and vegetables. While a natural supply of antioxidants

and vitamins from food is best, some people who are unable to maintain a well-balanced diet may benefit from multivitamin supplementation. Positive and stress-reducing activities. Brain plasticity and nervous system regeneration can be enhanced when all senses are activated, particularly through activities that lead to new experiences and sensations (“environmental enrichment”). Engaging in new activities, learning a novel skill, or traveling can be of tremendous value. In addition, many patients find that engaging in spiritual practices can have a positive effect on healing. See BRAIN REHAB, page 24

zŽƵƌ ůŝďƌĂƌǇ ŝƐ ŶŽǁ ĮŶĞ ĨƌĞĞ͊ • D W> ŶŽ ůŽŶŐĞƌ ĐŚĂƌŐĞƐ ŽǀĞƌĚƵĞ ĮŶĞƐ͘ • ůů ĞǆŝƐƟŶŐ ŽǀĞƌĚƵĞ ĮŶĞƐ ǁŝůů ďĞ ǁĂŝǀĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ ĐƵƐƚŽŵĞƌ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚƐ͘ • ŚĞĐŬĞĚ ŽƵƚ ŵĂƚĞƌŝĂůƐ ǁŝůů ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞ ƚŽ ŚĂǀĞ ĚƵĞ ĚĂƚĞƐ ĂŶĚ ĐƵƐƚŽŵĞƌƐ ǁŝůů ƌĞĐĞŝǀĞ ŶŽƟĐĞƐ ǁŚĞŶ ƚŚĞŝƌ ŵĂƚĞƌŝĂůƐ ĂƌĞ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ďĞ ƌĞƚƵƌŶĞĚ͘ • ƵƐƚŽŵĞƌƐ ĂƌĞ ƌĞƐƉŽŶƐŝďůĞ ĨŽƌ ƌĞƚƵƌŶŝŶŐ ŵĂƚĞƌŝĂůƐ͘ • ZĞƉůĂĐĞŵĞŶƚ ĨĞĞƐ ĨŽƌ ůŽƐƚ Žƌ ĚĂŵĂŐĞĚ ŝƚĞŵƐ ƐƟůů ĂƉƉůǇ͘

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Fast, easy and flavorful citrus chicken By America’s Test Kitchen There are several steps you can take to elevate lean chicken breasts for a weeknight meal. We started with a bold citrus vinaigrette. For an intense hit of citrus flavor, we used lemon juice enhanced with both lemon and orange zest. Then, pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensured that they cooked at the same rate and stayed juicy. A little cinnamon and cumin rubbed onto the chicken added deep flavor and the heady aroma of warm spice to the dish. Dredging the seasoned breasts in flour before searing protected their exteriors from becoming tough. Plus, the seared flour created a textured surface for the vinaigrette to cling to.

Slicing the cooked chicken before topping it with the vinaigrette made each bite well-seasoned. A sprinkling of cilantro added a fresh herbal counterpoint to finish the dish.

Spiced Citrus Chicken Serves 4 to 6 For the vinaigrette: ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons minced shallot 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon grated orange zest ½ teaspoon grated lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons juice ¼ teaspoon table salt For the chicken: 1½ teaspoons table salt

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Mar. 23

1½ teaspoons ground cumin ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon pepper cup all-purpose flour 4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves Directions: 1. Combine all the vinaigrette ingredients in bowl; set aside. 2. Combine salt, cumin, cinnamon and pepper in a small bowl. Spread flour in a shallow dish. Place the chicken between two sheets of plastic wrap. Using a meat pounder, gently pound the thick part of the breasts to 3/4-inch thickness. 3. Sprinkle the spice mixture all over the chicken. Working with one breast at a time, dredge in flour, shaking off excess,

and transfer to a large plate. 4. Heat oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add chicken to the skillet and cook until well browned and registering 160 degrees, about 8 minutes per side. Transfer to a carving board and let rest for 5 minutes. 5. Slice chicken crosswise on bias and transfer to a serving platter. Stir dressing to recombine and spoon over chicken. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve. Recipe note: Use a rasp-style grater to grate the citrus zest. For 25 years, confident cooks in the know have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 athome recipe testers. See more online at americastestkitchen.com/TCA. © 2021 America’s Test Kitchen. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

VIRTUAL 50+ EMPLOYMENT EXPO The next free virtual expo for jobs in Montgomery County, Md.,

will take place Tues., March 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and once a month through June. Register in advance at virtualexpos.accessjca.org. Free to all participants and employers. Expos include workshops and job search training, as well as opportunities to network with employers. For more information, email lwilliams@accessjca.org.

Brain rehab From page 23

Medications may help Medications such as neurostimulants and anti-aging drugs may be used in conjunction with lifestyle interventions to improve memory and cognition after cancer treatments. Speak with your doctor about these options. New research suggests there may be a connection between the immune system, the bone marrow and the brain, highlighting new avenues for future pharmacological and biological therapies that may enhance brain function after injury and delay the process of brain aging.

Cancer survivor programs A thorough neurological evaluation can

be helpful in identifying areas of brain functioning that can be improved with specialized neurocognitive rehabilitation programs. Many patients benefit from this type of rehab as part of their cancer treatment. Collectively, while symptoms of brain dysfunction are common in cancer patients, there are several interventions that can be considered to help with recovery and enhance healing. Research in this area remains in its infancy, but the curtain has been lifted. There are promising pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapeutic interventions on the horizon, and there are many lifestyle changes you can start today. Jorg Dietrich, M.D., Ph.D., is a contributor to Harvard Health Publications. © 2020 by Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 2 1

Who knew? Four natural antihistamines This time of year causes a lot of grief for shave off the skin of a piece of raw ginger root. Cut a half-inch piece off and slice it, people who have allergies. then simmer in 3 to 4 cups of Of course, we have terrific water for about 15 minutes. antihistamines now, which Adding lemon will boost anyou can buy nationwide. I am tioxidant power. not opposed to them if you take them in moderation. Vitamin C is a natural imBut you should also lower mune supplement, and defiyour histamine burden through ciencies are known to indiet. Did you know you could crease risk of allergies. It can also make collagen, do that? which is needed for a healthy Many people do not realize immune response to shorten that the foods they’re eating DEAR the duration or severity of discontribute to the histamine PHARMACIST comfort. You’ll find vitamin C they liberate in their body. It By Suzy Cohen naturally in citrus fruits, kiwi, can ultimately cause or conbell peppers and squash. [See tribute to an existing autoimmune condition. (For a free food guide on “These foods have more vitamin C than oranges,” in our February issue or on our webhistamine, visit suzycohen.com/hashi.) Here are the four best natural antihista- site.] mines: As for the type of Vitamin C, if you’re Ginger is not only a histamine blocker, using more than say, 100 mg. per day of C, but is also great for your levels of cy- I’d recommend a naturally derived type of tokines and immune function. supplement with citrus bioflavonoids which Ginger is probably best known for its would offer the C from a food or fruit (like ability to ward off nausea and soothe stom- an orange, cherries or lemons). Syntheach aches. However, another important sized C from corn is shown on labels as medicinal component of ginger fights in- “ascorbic acid.” Quercetin is a naturally-occurring anflammation in the bones and joints. Ginger tioxidant found in many fruits, grapes, tea is easy to use and fast acting. To make your own fresh ginger tea, and especially capers!

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

TAX COUNSELING FOR 60+

The IRS offers free tax counseling for those over 60. For more information, including a searchable list of sites offering appointments, visit bit.ly/IRSTaxCounseling.

Ongoing

FREE TAX HELP IN MARYLAND

Taxpayer Services will help Maryland citizens prepare their taxes for free. For more information, call 1-800-MDTAXES or visit bit.ly/MDTaxHelp.

Caring for your aging parent or loved one? It’s not all up to you. Call us. 240-777-3000 ADS@ MontgomeryCountyMD.gov

Aging & Disability Services Mon and Fri: Tue, Wed, & Thur:

8:30am – 5:00pm 8:30am – 7:30pm

A free service of your County Government

A lot of scientific research suggests that having quercetin in your diet relieves allergy symptoms because this compound stabilizes mast cells, which cause allergic symptoms. As a perk, quercetin can improve mood due to a gentle lift in dopamine and downline catecholamine neurotransmitters. Do not take more than your supplement label advises because toxic amounts of quercetin can lead to temporary neuropathy and headaches. DHQ is short for dihydroquercetin and is a biologically available antioxidant very similar to quercetin. Thyme, a fresh-tasting herb, contains a lot of vitamin C as well as thymol, its major active medicinal component. Thymol has properties that block histamine release from mast

cells and can block it at the receptor site. Buy fresh sprigs of thyme at the grocery store, and include a few leaves in your recipes from now on. You can also buy pure essential oil of thyme and apply it to your bath, or you can diffuse it in the air. Some high-quality brands can be taken internally in a capsule. If you are allergic to oregano, however, you may also be sensitive to thyme. This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To contact her, visit SuzyCohen.com.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS

CaringMatters offers free virtual support groups for caregivers of all ages who live in Montgomery County. For more information and to register, contact Penny Gladhill at (301) 990-0852 or pennyg@caringmatters.org.

Mar. 26

HOME SAFETY

Learn about repairs and maintenance that can help keep you safe and healthy in your home in this free virtual talk by Don Ryan of Rebuilding Together. The event takes place Fri., March 26 from 11 a.m. to noon. For more information, visit bit.ly/TipsforHomeSafety.

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VOLUME XXXIII, ISSUE 3

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE By Laura Newland, Director D.C. Department of Aging and Community Living

In celebration of Black History Month, my team highlighted your stories the entire month of February. Stories like Robert “Bob” King, our city’s longest serving ANC Commissioner; or like Sandra Bears, member of the D.C. Senior Cameo Club and a founding member of the Jewels, a 1960’s music group that toured with James Brown. Their stories and so many others are among the many ways our oldest residents make Washington, D.C. the great city it is. As we enter Women’s History Month, I’m excited for us to share even more stories of how D.C. women like Virginia Ali of Ben’s Chili Bowl and Vanilla Beane of Bené Millinery & Bridal Supplies have paved the way. But business owners, political leaders and famous singers aren’t the only people who’ve made history in the District. Many of you are making history today. You’re making history by stepping up during a difficult time, reaching out to a neighbor just to check-in and say hello. You’re connecting with others in any way that you can, while keeping yourself and your neighbors and family safe. During challenging times, being a good neighbor is an extraordinary act, just as important to the community as being the first, the best, or the greatest. Checking in on an old friend you haven’t heard from in a while, stopping by to say hello to a neighbor you usually wave to from afar, sending a note, making a call, or delivering a meal are all extraordinary acts that will become a part of our stories when we look back on this time period in our city. Today, we are all bearing witness to history and, in our own way, we’re contributing our own stories for generations to come. Stories about the ways in which we serve and love one another, even when we can’t be together in person. While we celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of so many who came before us, and those who continue to pave the way today, let’s also celebrate the incredible contributions you’re making in our community with your families, your friends and your neighbors. You’re keeping these connections strong during a time when it’s so easy to lose touch. If you’re feeling alone and disconnected during this time, reach out to my office at 202-724-5626. We can help you get involved in activities, or connect you to someone just to chat. At DACL, we celebrate history every day by celebrating you! And we want to keep sharing your stories. Tell us how you live boldly and how you’re helping all of us thrive together. If you’re interested in sharing your story, please email my team at dacl.communications@dc.gov. I can’t wait to hear from you! Laura

M A R C H 2 0 2 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

A newsletter for D.C. Seniors

March 2021

Ms. Senior DC Visits the Glass Ceiling Breaker

In honor of International Women’s Day (March 8), Ms. Senior D.C. Trinette Chase made a visit to the latest art installation on the National Mall. Based on a portait by Celeste Solman, the newest piece on the Mall features Vice President Kamala Harris in broken glass, commemorating the glass ceiling broken when she was sworn in as the first woman, and first person of color, to hold the office of Vice President of the U.S.

Vacancies on D.C. Commission on Aging Are you interested in serving your community as an aging advocate? The District of Columbia Commission on Aging is a citizen’s advisory group to the Mayor, Council of the District of Columbia, Department of Aging and Community Living, and the general public on the needs and concerns of older Washingtonians. The Commissioners serve as advocates on behalf of the District’s more than 120,000 seniors, and accom-

plish their responsibilities through outreach to individuals and institutions, as well as to groups and governments. The Commission’s 15 members are appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council of the District of Columbia. To apply to become a member, visit the website of the Mayor’s Office of Talents and Appointments: http://motaboards.theresumator.com.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 2 1

Spotlight on Aging

Personalize Your Plate It’s National Nutrition Month, and this year the theme for National Nutrition Month is Personalize Your Plate. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition and health as we are all unique! What are you putting on your plate? According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the benefits of healthy eating add up over time, bite by bite. Small changes matter. Start simple with MyPlate and choose healthful foods you enjoy.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

DC Community creates more than 12,000 cards and letters of love for Valentine’s Day This Valentine’s Day, more than 6,000 homebound seniors received handmade cards and letters of love as part of DACL’s 5th Annual Cupid’s Kids Initiative. DC residents in all eight wards and members of neighboring communities in Maryland and Virginia joined us in spreading

love to seniors across the District. Gestures like these are more important now than ever before, ensuring our oldest residents know that we see them, we value them, and we love them. We are incredibly grateful for the support received from the entire community.

• Make half your plate whole fruits and different vegetables • Make half your grains whole grains • Vary your protein • Move to low-fat or fat-free dairy milk or yogurt (or lactose-free dairy or fortified soy versions) A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist/Licensed Nutritionist can tailor a personalized healthy eating plan. Contact one in your ward or call (202) 724-5626.

Director Newland joined Dr. Nesbitt for AARP’s COVID-19 Townhall On February 12, Director Laura Newland joined DC Health’s Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt and Councilmember-at-Large, Anita Bonds for AARP’s COVID-19 Townhall. All health experts shared the importance of getting vaccinated and more about the

vaccine distribution in the District. If you missed it, visit AARP DC’s Facebook page to listen to the entire town hall, www.facebook.com/aarpdc. For more information about the vaccine, please visit vaccinate.dc.gov or call 1855-363-0333.

DACL Partners with the Humane Rescue Alliance DACL is excited to partner with the Humane Rescue Alliance to make connections with seniors and some of their pets in foster care. The goal will be to support our efforts in combatting isola-

tion by enabling homebound seniors to interact with pets, whether virtually or in-person. If you or a senior you know is interested in participating, please email us at dacl.communications@dc.gov.

Free Tax Prep and Filing Assistance for DC Seniors The DC Office of Tax and Revenue recommends the following free tax preparation services available throughout the District of Columbia and online: • VITA: By appointment only: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax preparation to low-moderate income taxpayers. Taxpayers can locate the VITA site nearest them by visiting http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/ or call 1-800-906-9887. • AARP (Tax-Aide Locator): By appointment only: The Tax-Aide Program offers free tax help for everyone, with priority assistance to taxpayers who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions, and retirement issues unique to seniors. To reach a DC Tax-Aide volunteer, send a text to or leave a message at 202-642-9037 or email the DC Tax-Aide Help Desk at DCTaxAide.Help@gmail.com. Someone will get in touch with you by email or return your call using the number 617-675-4444 and work with you to determine what type of assistance you need. • Self-Help Tax Assistance: OTR offers two convenient and easy options for residents to file their tax returns. Visit otr.cfo.dc.gov to learn more.

Director Spotlight on Aging is published by the Laura Newland Information Office of the D.C. DepartEditor DACL External Affairs ment of Aging and Community Living for D.C. senior residents. Advertising Photographer contained in the Beacon is not endorsed Richard Williams by the D.C. Department of Aging and 500 K St. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002 Community Living or by the publisher. (202) 724-5626 | www.dacl.dc.gov

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M A R C H 2 0 2 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

©KARENR/DREAMSTIME.COM

Money Law &

You may be able to avoid paying capital gains tax this year. See story on page 31.

2020 return tax changes and extensions The Internal Revenue is now accepting in- have a family plan, the contribution limit dividual tax returns for 2020. Here are some has increased to $7,100. key numbers and changes to be —The CARES Act specified aware of: that if you don’t itemize, you —The new standard deduccan make an “above the line” tion for singles is $12,400; for deduction for cash contribumarried joint filers it is $24,800. tions to a qualified charity for For heads of household, it’s up to $300 on both individual $18,650. returns and joint returns. For —The contribution limits for 2021, the marriage penalty has IRAs, traditional or Roth, have been eliminated, so on your not changed. The limit is $6,000, 2021 return (that is, the return with an additional $1,000 for inyou will file next year), you will THE SAVINGS dividuals 50 and over. be able to claim a deduction on GAME —The contribution limit for a joint return of up to $600. By Elliot Raphaelson —For 2020 and 2021, for 401(k), 403(b), and most 457 itemized returns, you will be plans was increased to $19,500. For individuals 50 and older, the “catch-up able to deduct up to 100% of your adjusted limit” allows an additional $6,500 to be con- gross income (AGI) if you make a cash contribution to a qualified charity that is tributed. —If you have earned income and are not a donor-advised fund or a 509(a)(3) older than 70 1/2, you are now allowed to supporting organization. make traditional IRA contributions. Prior —Any medical expenses in excess of to 2020, you could only contribute to Roth 7.5% of AGI may be deducted. [The rate IRAs after 70 1/2. had been raised to 10% for a few years, but —Health savings accounts (HSAs) have has now been permanently set at 7.5%.] numerous tax advantages. If eligible, you —Business meal deduction: For 2020 should consider these accounts. Individu- and 2021, you will be able to deduct 100% als can now contribute up to $3,550; if you of business meal expenses. Previously

only 50% was allowed. —Flexible spending account (FSA) balances from 2020 can be carried into 2021. Remaining balances at the end of 2021 can be rolled forward into 2022. Previously, there were limitations regarding the amounts that could be carried forward. —The tuition and related expense deduction has been replaced by a more generous lifetime learning credit. The deduction could be up to $4,000 for lower income levels, or up to $2,000 for middle income levels. —Eligibility for 2020 earned income tax credit and for the child tax credit can be based on 2019 earned income if you wish. There is no requirement of an intention to work. Even if you left the workforce in 2019, retired in 2020 or voluntarily did not work a significant amount in 2020, you may be able to receive one or both credits for 2020. —The CARES Act authorized employers to provide up to $5,250 of annual taxfree educational assistance for employee’s principal or interest of student debt. This has been extended through 2025. These payments can be made directly to a lender or to the employee, who can use the payments to reduce their student debt. —Historically, if a lender forgave debt on

a primary residence, the borrower would incur tax liability on the forgiven amount. In 2007, Congress provided a temporary exclusion for qualified canceled mortgage debt. That exclusion was recently extended through 2025. Starting in 2021, the maximum amount of debt that can be discharged has been reduced from $2 million to $750,000 for joint filers and from $1 million to $375,000 for single filers. For a quicker return of refunds, I recommend filing electronically. The IRS still hasn’t processed thousands of paper returns from 2019. And if you haven’t received either of the stimulus payments from 2020, you can request a recovery rebate credit on your 2020 tax return. You must request the rebate on either 2020 form 1040, or form 1040-SR. You should use the IRS recovery rebate credit worksheet for directions. If you are a non-filer because you did not have to file a return for 2018 or 2019, you will have to file a 2020 return in order to receive a payment. Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com. © 2021 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Living together? Sign a legal agreement By Robert Kohl If you are one of the growing number of Americans who are in a relationship and living with someone, a cohabitation agreement might not be top of mind — but it should be. You might ask, “Why should anyone go to the expense of paying an attorney to draft a cohabitation agreement when they are just living together?” The answer is simple: Even if you aren’t wealthy, you likely have financial, retirement or other concerns that should be addressed in the event you break up or one of you dies. Though it might not be romantic, research shows that non-married couples are more likely to go their separate ways after living together — especially early in the relationship. Some couples like the flexibility of cohabiting, as it gives them a chance to get to know their partner and then decide if they

want to move toward marriage. And despite the many financial advantages of marriage — such as lower taxes and potentially larger retirement and Social Security benefits — people are cohabitating more than ever before. According to the Pew Research Center, the number of cohabiting couples climbed 29% from 2007 to 2016. There are several reasons for this. People over 50 — who are the fastest growing age group opting to live together rather than marrying — want the benefits of an intimate partnership without the legal constraints that marriage involves. In contrast, millennials prefer living together to focus on their careers before settling down, and many want to establish a strong foundation for marriage.

Why a cohabitation agreement? A cohabitation agreement is a contract

between two people who are in a relationship and live together but are not married. Good cohabitation agreements are (ideally) crafted early on, and deal with issues involving property, debts, inheritances, other estate planning considerations and healthcare decisions. There are several things that a cohabitation agreement should include, and those details will depend on your circumstances, age and levels of wealth. People who are older generally have more assets and more complex financial lives and are more likely to benefit more from the protection provided by a cohabitation agreement. The agreement needs to make detailed provisions for the property you and your partner have now, the property you might acquire in the future, and dispositions of it in the event of one of your deaths or a breakup. It should discuss who is responsible for

retirement savings and how they would be divided, healthcare directives, and issues involving your children or children from previous relationships. It should also discuss the earning capacity of each party and the expectations surrounding financial support for one another. Some grapple with whether they should invest time and money into a cohabitation agreement. Keep in mind that cohabitation agreements can be inexpensive compared to the potential legal fees if there is a breakup or a death with no agreement in place.

Not a common law marriage Addressing the nature of a couple’s relationship is also imperative to a cohabitation agreement. The agreement should make clear that the relationship is one of See COHABITATION, page 30

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 2 1

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

When is a Roth conversion good for you? By Mark Kenney One day a forward-thinking couple arrived in my office with a plan. They wanted to bequeath the bulk of the money in an IRA to their two children, and they also wanted the children to receive that money free of tax. Nice idea, so together we set about crafting a strategy that would help make it happen. Here’s how: Bit by bit, we are converting money from their traditional IRA into a Roth IRA. Each year we will make conversions, but we are doing so while being careful in any given year not to bump the couple above their 24% marginal tax bracket, which for 2021 is up to $329,850 in taxable income for a married couple filing jointly. Yes, they must pay the taxes on any amount moved from the traditional IRA to the Roth, but once the funds arrive safely in the Roth, their savings can grow tax free. Under the SECURE Act, their children can defer any distributions from the inherited Roth IRA until year 10, allowing the money to continue to grow tax free that entire time. And the children won’t be taxed on the distributions when they do take them. This couple established for themselves a mission that included their children’s future, and they are well on their way to being able to say: “Mission accomplished.”

Now is a good time to do so Financial professionals talk a lot these days about Roth conversions such as the one my clients are using, and with good reason. These conversions are a great tool for reducing future tax liability, and now is an opportune time to take advantage of them. The tax reductions for individuals that came about with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 are set to expire at the end of 2025. That means, short of some last-minute congressional action, taxes will go back up in 2026. You will still be able to do a Roth conversion, but the taxes you pay when you move the money from a traditional IRA are likely to be higher. So, if you are a good candidate for a conversion, the time is ripe to act before the tax rate jumps back up.

People who can benefit But you might ask, what kind of person benefits from a Roth conversion? Among those who should consider converting to a Roth are: —Anyone who feels that, when they retire, they will have income that puts them in a higher tax bracket than their current one. How could that happen? One way is that, when you reach age 72, the IRS requires you to start taking a percentage of

Bernstein is pleased to announce that Joseph M. Brodecki has again been recognized as a Washingtonian Top Financial Advisor Joe cares for clients the same way he looks after family. Before he invests one dollar he listens carefully and takes the time to understand what matters most to you. Joe co-founded Bernstein’s DC office after a successful career as a nonprofit executive including leading fundraising that raised $200 million to create the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. Joe specializes in high net worth individuals/families and nonprofit organizations as an integral member of his clients’ trusted advisory team of attorneys, accountants and consultants. Multiple times these advisors have successfully nominated Joe as a “Top Financial Advisor” including recognition in January 2021 Washingtonian magazine. SPECIALIZATION Multi-generation families, life transitions, cross-border investors, nonprofits, associations, endowments, foundations; Minimum: $5 million DESIGNATIONS, AFFILIATIONS, and AWARDS Washingtonian Top Financial Advisor since 2002, CFP®, Economic Club of Washington, D.C., ASAE, STEP, Cosmos Club Greater Washington Estate Planning Council, Woodmont Country Club

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your money out of retirement accounts, such as a traditional IRA, in which taxes were deferred. Those withdrawals — when added to your Social Security, pension and any other income you might have — could bump you into a higher tax bracket. —Anyone between the ages of 60 to 72 who is retired and on a limited income of Social Security. Why the cutoff at age 72? That’s the age you must start taking those required minimum distributions, and IRS rules don’t allow you to convert RMDs to a Roth, so ideally you want to get the job done before you reach that magic age. —Investors like the couple I am working with, who want to leave a tax-free legacy behind for their heirs.

Not optimal for others Despite all the good you can say about Roth conversions — and there is definitely plenty of good to say — they aren’t for everyone. Let me tell you a story about another client who had a very different situation and for whom a Roth conversion did not factor into the solution. This client had heard about Roth conversions and about a year ago asked me about doing one. When I reviewed his tax returns, I discovered something interesting. He is retired on disability pay that is not taxable. In fact, he could take money out of his traditional IRA each year and still not owe taxes. See ROTH CONVERSION, page 30

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Cohabitation From page 28 love and support, but the parties do not intend to marry.

This is especially important in a small number of states that recognize common law marriage (which includes Washington, D.C.). If you merely want to cohabitate, you need to be mindful of the rules surrounding

BEACON BITS

Mar. 17

AVOID SCAMS AND FRAUD

Learn about common in-person, telephone and computer scams and how to avoid them in this free online program offered by Brooke Grove Retirement Village. The program takes place Wed., March 17 from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Register by March 15 at bit.ly/FraudandScamProtection. For more information, call (301) 637-8928.

Ongoing

FREE TAX HELP IN DC

Customer service specialists will help prepare D.C. residents’ individual income tax returns at a walk-in center at 1101 4th St., SW, Ste. W270. Bring a completed federal return, applicable schedules and W-2s. For more information, visit bit.ly/DCTaxHelp.

M A R C H 2 0 2 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

common law marriage so there is no confusion about whether you might end up in one. In most states that recognize it, there are four common requirements to establish a common law marriage: You must live together, have the capacity to marry (you are not married to someone else), intend to be married, and hold yourself out to friends and family as being a married couple. When crafting a cohabitation agreement, both parties should agree that the following things are not evidence of a common law marriage: jointly owned property, making each other parties to the other’s estate, commingling funds, naming the other party on the other’s health insurance, and joint ownership of a residence. It should also clearly state that both parties have no intent to marry now or be common law married in the future. Normally, if a couple then decides to marry, the cohabitation agreement is no longer legally binding.

Each of you needs a lawyer Ideally, both you and your partner

Roth conversion From page 29 Since his major source of income is tax free, he was not a good candidate for a Roth conversion. Anyone whose income is similarly tax free probably can skip the idea of moving money into a Roth. Others who should not consider a conversion are people with high incomes who are in their peak earning years. Remember, when you convert money to a Roth IRA, you increase your taxable income for that year. One other important factor to consider is that converting funds from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA could increase your fu-

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should have your own attorneys help you with the agreement to make sure the contracts comply with state law and ensure they accomplish your joint intentions. Formal disclosure of finances in the form of balance sheets or income statements is usually unnecessary. A cohabitation agreement should be distinguished from a pre-nuptial agreement. While the former is designed to order the affairs of two people who currently do not want to be married, a prenup is an agreement two people enter into to organize their finances before they get married. Both agreements should be drafted by an attorney, but a prenuptial agreement is more complicated and will require much more time, effort and detailed disclosure of finances by both parties. Bottom line: You should consider drafting a cohabitation agreement if you have significant interests that need to be protected. Weigh the benefits of the peace of mind that an agreement can provide. © 2020 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

ture Medicare part B premiums. Medicare Part B premium costs are determined by your modified adjusted gross income from two years prior. For 2021, monthly Medicare Part B premium costs range from a low of $148.50 to a high of $504.90. Any Roth conversions done for the tax year 2021 could affect your 2023 premiums. To become better informed about what a Roth might mean for you, consult a CPA or a Certified Financial Planner. They should be able to help you make the right move — and avoid the wrong one. Ronnie Blair contributed to this article. © 2021 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 2 1

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

How to pay no tax on your capital gains By Mike Piershale One opportunity that investors should never pass up is the ability to convert a taxable long-term capital gain into tax-free basis — without paying taxes to do so. This is known as harvesting long-term capital gains. It’s a process of intentionally selling an investment with a taxable longterm capital gain, in a year when — due to low income — that gain will not be taxed. Then, if you want to keep the investment, you buy it back immediately.

The income sweet spot The gain won’t be taxed when it occurs in a year when the investor is in the “0%” long-term capital gain tax bracket, which for 2021 occurs when they have a taxable income of $40,400 or less if single; $80,800 or less if a married couple. The genius of selling and buying it right back is that the process raises your “basis” in the investment from your original cost in the past to current fair market value. Whenever you sell an investment, you are taxed on the increase in value over your cost basis. If in this particular year you owe no tax on the increase over basis because you’re in the 0% bracket, you nonetheless will own the repurchased investment at today’s value, reducing the taxable gain you will owe when you ulti-

mately do sell in the future, when you are in a higher tax bracket. And many people do end up in higher tax brackets in the future due to things like pay raises, starting Social Security or pension benefits after retirement, or taking required minimum distributions at age 72. Even if your taxable income is normally too high to harvest gains with zero tax, there may be some years where it may fall to a point where you can take advantage of this strategy, such as when you are: —temporarily unemployed, —a self-employed person and your income varies from year to year, or —between the ages of 60 and 72 and retired, before you start taking required minimum distributions. Also, you can sometimes intentionally create a low-tax year that qualifies for gain harvesting by delaying a bonus until the next year, waiting to take taxable distributions out of retirement accounts until you’re required to do so at age 72 (or even later if you’re still working), and/or delaying your Social Security benefits until age 70.

How it can work For example, let’s say you’re married, you just retired, and your taxable income for the year is going to be $50,000. Remember, the first $80,800 of your taxable income is

taxed at a “0%” long-term capital gains tax rate — but for the sake of simplicity, and to build in a safety net so you don’t go over the limit, let’s round it down to $80,000. Therefore, you have $30,000 of long-term capital gains you can trigger without going over the $80,000 threshold and a “0%” capital gain tax rate will apply. In other words, you can capture this gain tax-free. If you own stocks or mutual funds in a taxable account and some of your positions have unrealized long-term capital

gains, you have a tax-planning opportunity here. You can sell enough of your investments to trigger $30,000 of long-term capital gain and pay no income tax on it. And, assuming you want to keep these investments, you could simply buy them back immediately, and the $30,000 worth of taxable long-term capital gains will be eliminated forever, with no tax consequences, when you go to sell the investments later. See CAPITAL GAINS, page 33

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Protect against risk of outliving nest egg By Ken Nuss Few of us would go without auto, home, life or health insurance. But the kind of insurance that protects against the risk of running out of money in old age is still greatly underutilized. It’s called a deferred income annuity or a longevity annuity. I believe most people planning for retirement should strongly consider an income annuity, and a Brookings Institution report confirms that belief. The concept of this type of annuity is simple. The buyer deposits a lump sum or series of payments with an insurer. In return, the insurer guarantees to pay you a stream of income in the future. That’s why it’s known as a deferred income annuity. Guaranteed lifetime income is a cost-ef-

fective way to insure against running out of money during very old age. You get to choose when your payments will begin. Most people choose lifetime payments starting at age 80 or older. The main disadvantage is that the annuity has no liquidity. You’ve transferred your money to an insurance company in exchange for a guarantee of future income. People who can’t afford to tie up any of their money shouldn’t buy a deferred income annuity.

Why are people reluctant? Given that traditional company pensions have largely gone away, there should be great demand for income annuities, Martin Neil Baily of Brookings and Benjamin

Harris of the Kellogg School of Management write in the 2019 Brookings Institution report, titled “Can Annuities Become a Bigger Contributor to Retirement Security?” But the demand just isn’t there. Why? A few reasons: People overestimate their ability to invest money wisely. They’re also concerned that if they don’t live long enough, the annuity won’t be worth the cost. But that’s a wrong-headed view, according to Baily and Harris, because it’s the insurance that’s the most valuable aspect of the annuity. And the topic is confusing to consumers, in part because of the terminology. As Baily and Harris point out, annuities include both income annuities as well as fixed, indexed and variable annuities, which are primarily savings or investment vehicles.

How do income annuities work? Income deferral is a key part of the equation. The insurer invests your money so it grows until you begin receiving income. For instance, if you buy an annuity at age 55 and don’t start income payments until 85, you reap the advantage of 30 years of compounded growth without current taxes. You could reap the same growth and tax advantages with a 401(k) or an IRA, but with a nonqualified annuity (one that’s not in a retirement plan) you don’t have to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) starting at age 72, and thus can extend tax deferral. Furthermore, nonqualified annuities aren’t subject to annual limits on contributions like IRAs and 401(k)s are, so you can stash away much more if you like. The longer you delay taking payments

from deferred income annuities and the older you are when you start taking them, the greater the monthly payout. It’s true that buyers who do not live to an advanced old age subsidize those who do, but such risk-sharing is how all insurance works — whether it’s home, auto or longevity insurance.

No worries about destitution A deferred income annuity provides unique flexibility in planning your retirement. Suppose you plan to retire at 65. You can use part of your savings to buy a deferred income annuity that will provide lifetime income starting at 85, for example. Then, with the balance of your retirement money, you only need to create an income plan that gets you from age 65 to 85 — instead of indefinitely. You don’t have to deal with the uncertainty of trying to make your money last for your entire lifetime. The Brookings report makes a similar point. An income annuity can substitute for bonds in a portfolio. For instance, suppose a couple’s allocation is 60% equities and 40% bonds. The couple could safely sell all their bonds and use the proceeds to buy an income annuity. Holding an annuity provides stability in a retirement portfolio, making it unnecessary to hold bonds, or to hold the same amount in bonds. Another benefit: since you know you’ll have assured lifetime income later on, you can feel less constrained about spending money in the early years of your retirement.

Annuity options to consider If you’re married, you and your spouse See ANNUITIES, page 33

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 2 1

Capital gains From page 31 You do not have to wait 31 days to buy the investments back to abide by what is known as the “wash sale” rule, because that applies only to investors taking capital losses, not capital gains.

What to watch out for Before you use this strategy, be sure to check to see if you have any capital gains distributions that may pay out on mutual funds that you own in taxable accounts. Mutual funds distribute capital gains each fall, although some funds distribute these funds as late as mid-December. These are gains that can be triggered even if you have not personally sold any of the

Annuities From page 32 can each buy individual longevity annuities. Or you can purchase a joint payout version, where payments are guaranteed as long as either spouse is living. What happens if you die before you start receiving payments, or after only a few years, when the total amount of payments received is less than the original deposit? To deal with that risk, most insurers offer a return-of-premium option that guarantees your beneficiaries will receive the

mutual fund shares. You’ll want to know what these gains are before you decide to intentionally realize additional gains. Otherwise, you could get thrown into a higher long-term capital gain tax bracket, which will be at least 15%, and end up paying tax on part of the gain. Also, remember capital gains taxed in the 0% tax bracket are still income and will therefore increase your adjusted gross income, which could potentially increase your taxes in other areas. For example, it could result in reducing or disallowing the medical expense deduction if you itemize, or trigger the taxation of otherwise nontaxable Social Security benefits. So, while you have to do your homework to avoid some of these tax landmines, the fact remains that strategically

harvesting gains in low-income tax years may reduce your future tax liability and put more income in your pocket.

BEACON BITS

Mar. 25+

TENANT RIGHTS Are you worried about your housing situation? Do you want to know more about your rights as a tenant during a public health

emergency? Attorneys from D.C.’s Neighborhood Legal Services Program will provide information about your rights via Webex in a free program that takes place Thurs., March 25 and Tues., April 20 at noon. To learn more, visit bit.ly/DCTenantsRights or call (202) 727-1101.

original deposit premium. This is a popular option, but it does reduce the payout amount slightly when compared to the payout amount without the return-of-premium guarantee. If you don’t have a spouse or anyone else you want to leave money to, you won’t need this option. The Brookings report “Can Annuities Become a Bigger Contributor to Retirement Security?” can be downloaded at bit.ly/incomeannuity. © 2021 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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PHOTO BY MATTHEW BENSON

Travel Leisure &

Jumbo jingle: A bell tower rings out free concerts in Arlington, Virginia. See story on opposite page.

More to Florida Keys than just Key West driving time without stops — follows the 113-mile Overseas Highway, U.S. 1. Almost immediately after leaving the mainland, travelers are immersed in local atmosphere. Bridges and piers are lined by fishermen seeking their dinner. Boats harbored in marinas are available for deep-sea fishing excursions and rides to snorkel and dive sites.

Key Largo The popularity of water sports becomes immediately evident on Key Largo, the first island you reach while driving south from the mainland. Film buffs associate it with the 1948 motion picture starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. While several tourist spots claim they had a part in making of the film, most scenes were shot on a sound stage in Hollywood. Nearby is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, which covers 178 square miles of coral reefs, mangrove swamps and seagrass beds. Divers and snorkelers enjoy close-up encounters with more than 50 varieties of multihued coral and 600-plus species of fish, while landlubbers can identify resident and migratory birds. Other state park amenities include rental canoes, kayaks, snorkeling, glass-bottom boat tours, hiking paths and two manmade beaches. Many people are surprised to learn that

PHOTO BY LAURENCE NORAH/FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU

By Victor Block One afternoon during a recent visit to the Florida Keys, I photographed my wife as she swam with stingrays and other denizens of the sea in an enormous tank of water, and then gingerly shoved live fish through a small opening in a plexiglass wall to feed hungry sharks on the other side. The island chain that stretches in a gentle curve southwest from the tip of Florida combines close-up encounters with nature with quirky touches of crass commercialism. Throughout the limestone islands, landscaped parks abut shops selling sandals, shells and T-shirts (“four for $10”). Recreational vehicle and trailer lots lie in the shadow of upscale resorts. An environmentally conscious tattoo artist donates half a month’s income to coral reef restoration. Key West offers a variety of tempting things to see and do, from funky and fashionable to historical and hysterical. But my wife, Fyllis, and I had another goal: We wanted to see if other islands in the Keys have enticing attractions that warrant a look. We found plenty. For starters, there’s the setting itself: dots of land so narrow that we could watch the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean, stroll across the highway and see it set hours later into the Gulf of Mexico. The Keys include some 1,700 islands, only about 40 of which are inhabited. The journey by car from the first island, Key Largo, to Key West — about three hours

PHOTO BY ANDY NEWMAN/FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU/HO

Alexeen Simms, a masked server at the Hungry Tarpon Restaurant in Islamorada, Florida, delivers a tasty lunch to outdoor diners. Many Florida Keys restaurants, including this one, offer to “cook your catch” after a fishing excursion.

The modern Seven Mile Bridge, left, near Marathon, Florida, is the longest of 42 bridges that comprise the Florida Keys Overseas Highway. Its predecessor, the Old Seven Mile Bridge, right, has become a popular biking, running and fishing spot for visitors and locals. It should be fully restored by this December.

there are few stretches of inviting sand in the Keys. That’s because reefs east of the islands reduce the beach-building action of the surf. Fortunately, there are some inviting exceptions. Anne’s Beach on Lower Matecumbe Key is fronted by an elevated wooden boardwalk that meanders through a wetland hammock. White-sand Sombrero Beach, set against a backdrop of grassy lawns shaded by palm trees, is a favorite among locals because of its isolated location off the main drag. Many sun worshippers rank the babypowder-soft sand at Bahia Honda State Park among the best anywhere.

Wildlife refuges The fact that there are relatively few outstanding beaches on the Keys has its upside: more time to discover other treasures. One of these is the variety of animals encountered in the wild and at national refuges and state parks. Most appealing is the tiny and adorable Key Deer, a subspecies of white-tailed North American deer found only in the Keys. The miniscule animals, listed as endangered, stand about two feet tall. Most live on Big Pine and No Name Keys, in a federal refuge. The misnamed Blue Hole on Big Pine Key, an abandoned quarry that’s no longer a hole but a freshwater lake, is home to

wading birds, turtles, numerous fish and a resident alligator. During spring and fall migrations, refuges provide habitat for more than 250 species of birds. While I’m no ornithologist, I enjoyed searching the sky for winged visitors with intriguing names like sooty shearwater, brown noddy and dark-eyed junco. At the Florida Keys Wildlife Bird Center on Key Largo, birds recover from accidents or disease. Those nursed back to health include a peregrine falcon, redshouldered hawk and roseate spoonbills. Sea turtles are patients at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, which treats animals that have been injured and, when possible, returns them to the wild. The facility even has its own Turtle Ambulance which, on occasion, visitors will spot on a rescue mission. Our tour included views of the examination and surgery rooms, and face time with 74 resident reptiles, as turtles are classified, including those identified as Brianna, M&M and my namesake, Victor. A personal favorite site was the Crane Point Museum and Nature Center, a preserved pocket of thatch-palms that represent the natural habitat of the Keys. We began our visit in the museum, viewing exhibits that range from a 600-year-old dugout canoe and See FLORIDA KEYS, page 36

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 2 1

See lesser-known Washington memorials By Glenda C. Booth Albert Einstein sits on a white granite bench in downtown Washington, D.C., with a notebook in hand and a pensive look on his bronze face. But the four-ton, 12foot statue of the world-famous physicist is often overlooked by tourists and locals, despite its location in front of the National Academy of Sciences, just across the street from the National Mall.

Of course, many of D.C.’s large, imposing monuments, such as those honoring Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln, are familiar. But sprinkled around the city are many intriguing hidden gems. This spring, safely explore these free outdoor sites.

Vietnam Women’s Memorial A short walk from the Einstein Memorial is the acclaimed Vietnam Veterans MePHOTO BY M. PAYNE

reminder of military service at the Korean War Veterans Memorial. The soldiers are depicted trampling over granite strips amid scrubby junipers that suggest Korea’s rugged terrain. Their windblown ponchos recall the harsh weather they endured. A polished black granite wall displays etched images of the faces of Americans who served. On it, a plaque reads, “Our nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and people they never met.”

morial. Just south of Maya Lin’s famous wall, however, is the lesser-known Vietnam Women’s Memorial, recognizing the 265,000 women who served in that war. Titled “Legacy of Healing and Hope” and designed by Glenna Goodacre, it is the first memorial in Washington to honor military women. The 15-foot bronze sculpture depicts three women caring for a wounded soldier. Women served as nurses, doctors, air traffic controllers and in many other roles in the Vietnam War. Nurses tended to more than 300,000 service members in the war, saving almost 98% of those who reached hospitals.

LBJ Memorial

Korean War Veterans Memorial

Lyndon Johnson was a big man full of bravado, but the capital’s tribute to him is

A short walk from there, a stainless-steel squad of 19 soldiers on patrol is a striking

See D.C. MONUMENTS, page 37

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Florida Keys From page 34 early Keys explorers, to remnants of pirate ships and a realistic, simulated coral reef cave. Then we checked out the labyrinth of nature trails, wild bird center and butterfly meadow.

Bridges for walking, biking, fishing Another part of the Keys story is the Seven Mile Bridge, completed in 1912 as part of the railroad built by industrialist Henry Flagler to connect the Keys to the mainland. After the demise of the railroad, the bridge became part of the Overseas Highway. Since a new span was built alongside it in 1982, the old structure has been a favorite route for walkers, bike riders and so many fishermen that it’s referred to as “the longest fishing pier in the world.” Fishing from bridges and boats is so popular that I have included it in “Victor’s laws for people who wish to live in the Keys.” Other rules: Own a boat. If you don’t know how to fish, learn. Develop a taste for all kinds of seafood. Relax. That last admonition was spelled out on a roadside sign I spotted, which succinctly summarizes perhaps the greatest appeal of the Keys: “Honestly now, what’s your hurry? You’re here!”

If you go During the pandemic, facial coverings are required in all Florida Keys businesses as well as outdoors when social distancing of six feet or more is not possible. I recommend staying on Marathon Key, located near the midpoint of the archipelago. The Skipjack Resort & Marina (19 Sombrero Blvd., Marathon) has a pleasant tropical feel and overlooks a golf course. Its private marina offers boat docking, charter fishing, diving and snorkeling tours. Rates begin at $145 a night. For

more information, visit skipjackresortmarathon.com or call (305) 289-7662. Appropriately named Tranquility Bay Beachfront Hotel & Resort (2600 Overseas Highway, Marathon) is set among 12 acres of lovely landscaped grounds, with a private beach, three heated swimming pools and a putting green. Accommodations are in hotel rooms and two-andthree-bedroom villas. Rates start at $200 a night. For more information, see tranquilitybay.com or call (844) 489-9665. Not surprisingly, seafood is the highlight of many restaurant menus. It doesn’t get any fresher than at the Clawsa Blanca, perched above a seafood market (3502 Gulfview Ave., Marathon). The menu at this pleasantly disheveled eatery and bar is limited but the options are fresh off the boat and bargain-basement priced. They include stone crab claws ($3 each), tasty smoked fish dip ($5) and steamed clams in garlic butter ($9.95). For more information, call (305) 743-4353. While the Cracked Conch Café (4999 Overseas Highway, Marathon) offers a full menu, not surprisingly it specializes in serving meat of the sea snail for which it’s named. Owner Joe DeConda explained that conch (pronounced conk) may be prepared every way that veal is. For him, that includes Parmesan (with marinara and cheese), Capri (tomatoes, cheese and basil), and Marsala (marsala wine and mushrooms). All come with several sides ($24.95). For more information, visit conchcafe.com or call (305) 743-2233. To book the one-hour Coral Reef Snorkel Encounter ($65), contact Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters at (305) 4073262 or visit floridakeysaquariumencounters.com. If you’d like to plan a trip to the Florida Keys, get started by calling (800) 352-5397 or visiting fla-keys.com.

BEACON BITS

Mar. 16

BUILDING A PORTFOLIO

The Alexandria Library hosts financial advisor Tim States for a free virtual discussion on how to create a sustainable investment portfolio. This event takes place Tues., March 16 from 7 to 8 p.m. via Webex. To register, visit bit.ly/BuildAPortfolio.

Mar. 16

BACK TO WORK

Learn tips and strategies for reentering the workforce after a career break with this free virtual program on Tues., March 16 from 3 to 4 p.m. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/ReenterWorkforce.

Mar. 18+

WINTER MEMORIES

Share your winter memories to help the Maryland Center for History and Culture’s upcoming exhibition, “Losing Winter.” Learn about the project and record your memory with artist Lynn Cazabon in a free virtual workshop that takes place Thurs., March 18 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Additional workshops take place April 29 and May 27. To register for a workshop and learn more about how to share a memory, visit bit.ly/LosingWinter. For more information, call (410) 685-3750.

Ongoing

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Overseas Adventure Travel offers a free book of 101+ tips for solo women travelers. The book can be viewed online, or a hard copy can be mailed to you. For more information, visit bit.ly/101TipsforTravelers or call (800) 955-1925.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 2 1

D.C. monuments From page 35 anything but. The quiet Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove is co-located with Lady Bird Johnson Park on what used to be called Columbia Island. It lies alongside the Potomac River, with a view of the city’s more famous monuments in the distance. “President Johnson came here often when he needed to escape,” notes the National Park Service’s website. “After he died, his wife chose this place for his memorial.” The entire island was later named for her and much of it landscaped in homage to her advocacy for highway beautification. M. Meade Palmer designed a living memorial of pine trees, azaleas and winding paths against the backdrop of the river, recalling the Johnsons’ strong ties to the natural setting of their Texas ranch. The site is accessible by car and footbridge from the George Washington Memorial Parkway.

Dutch foundry for restoration. The foundry will cast three new bells dedicated to George C. Marshall, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Eleanor Roosevelt. Later this year, the new bells will be added to the current 50 bells, and free, automated daily concerts will resume.

Capitol Grounds The U.S. Capitol’s grounds, a 58-acre park landscaped by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1874, may be the stage for protests, but it is also an accredited arboretum with more than 100 labeled varieties of trees and shrubs, many gifts from states. In the west front lawn of the Capitol is the hexagon-shaped Summerhouse, an open-air brick structure Olmsted completed in 1880. It’s surrounded by a grotto and rocky stream, and its park benches and fountain provide a place of cool respite from the heat — thermal and political. (As of press time, the Capitol Grounds were fenced off to the public.)

Two new memorials Nearby, located on the grounds of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, a patch of watery wildness lies within view of the U.S. Capitol. The new National Native American Veterans Memorial was dedicated in November 2020. Designed by Vietnam veteran Harvey Pratt, of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes of Oklahoma, the “Warriors’ Circle of Honor” invites people in via an elevated walkway. After passing seals of the branches of the U.S. military, visitors can contemplate a large steel circle centered in a gently flowing pool of water. The overall presentation is a soothing juxtaposition to the traditional, marble monuments around Washington. Across Independence Avenue, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, designed by world-famous architect Frank Gehry, highlights chapters of the 34th president’s life — from Kansas prairies to Normandy Beach in World War II and then

to the White House. The four-acre outdoor memorial was dedicated in September 2020. “Ike” is commemorated by large bronze sculptures, stone bas reliefs, and a statue of the young boy from Abilene, Kansas. “The proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene,” said the man who was the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in World War II, led the D-Day attack on Nazi-occupied France, and won the war for the Allies. The most striking feature of the sandstone memorial is a unique, stainless-steel tapestry, 447 feet wide and 60 feet tall, of 600 panels and 82 million welds depicting France’s Normandy coastline.

If you go All of these sites are free and outdoors. Most are accessible from a Metro station or via the DC Circulator bus (free to seniors transferring from Metro). Masks are required on public transportation.

Congressional Cemetery Two colorful totems and a crossbar carved from giant red cedar trees are attention grabbers looming above the tombstones in the Congressional Cemetery, the resting place for some former members of Congress, J. Edgar Hoover, John Philip Sousa, other luminaries and less eminent souls. Called 9/11 Healing Poles, the totems, carved by Native American artist Jewel Praying Wolf James, are gifts from Washington state’s Lummi Nation to honor the 2001 terrorist attack’s victims. In the crossbar’s center, a turtle with a piercing stare symbolizes the Piscataway Tribe, whose homeland was along the Anacostia River. (Although Congressional Cemetery is currently closed to the public, the Healing Poles are easy to spot.)

Netherlands Carillon The 127-foot Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia, was a thank-you gift from the Netherlands for U.S. help during World War II. In the spring, tulips bloom around the tower. The Royal Netherlands Embassy, which operates the bell tower, sent its bells to a

BEACON BITS

Mar. 5+

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY

For three weekends in March, the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the University of Maryland will host a free virtual symposium called “Making African America: Immigration and the Changing Dynamics of Blackness.” Listen to talks by scholars, journalists, filmmakers, writers, curators and activists. The lectures take place on Fri. and Sat., March 5 and 6, March 12 and 13, and March 19 and 20. Visit nmaahc.si.edu/making-africanamerica to register for each day’s events. For more information, call (844) 750-3012.

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Call the community of interest to you to inquire about eligibility requirements and to arrange a personal tour.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 2 1

Style

Arts &

Three books relive great moments in sports history. See story on page 42.

Q&A with Billy Crystal on his new movie Associated Press over Zoom to talk about his roots, his history hosting the Oscars, and returning to his hometown for a film shoot. Comments have been edited for clarity and brevity. AP: Did being back in Long Beach for “Standing Up, Falling Down” bring back childhood memories? CRYSTAL: One day when I was in the makeup chair for the film, and I’m sitting in a makeshift little space that we had because there was no dressing room, there’s no doubt we changed in the car. We changed in the restroom if we were shooting at a restaurant or bar. And I’m sitting there putting the stuff on my face and the smell of the makeup and the powder was exactly the same as I remember in third grade for the school play. And (I remember) how excited I was that the parents were out there and that there was an audience, you know, on the other side of that curtain. I just couldn’t wait to get out there. I’ve been on that hook since I was a kid. AP: Your performance is being lauded. With awards season coming up, is that something you’ve thought about? CRYSTAL: I have to admit, it’s very nice

PHOTO BY GAGE SKIDMORE

By John Carucci After hosting the Oscars nine times, Billy Crystal wouldn’t necessarily rule out a tenth. But the 72-year-old actor would prefer some wider attention for his low-budget indie film, “Standing Up, Falling Down.” Perhaps even a longshot Academy Awards nomination. “If it happened, it would be unbelievable. I’m really thrilled just to be in the discussion and not for, ‘Hey, would you host again?’” Crystal said. In the movie, released in February 2020, Crystal plays an alcoholic dermatologist who befriends a down-on-his-luck comedian, played by Ben Schwartz. Crystal also serves as executive producer of the movie, shot in his childhood hometown of Long Beach, New York. A key scene takes place in the temple where he was married in 1970. After starring in polished Hollywood classics like “City Slickers”’ and “When Harry Met Sally,” Crystal jokes that his latest project was a bit more scaled down. “My character, Marty, with no last name, that’s how small the budget was. We couldn’t even afford a last name for him,” he said. The Emmy-winning actor spoke with the

Billy Crystal, pictured in Phoenix in 2018, is receiving rave reviews for his starring role in a new film. The low-budget independent comedy-drama “Standing Up, Falling Down,” which Crystal also produced, can be rented on Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV.

to just be in the conversation and mentioned. Whether that happens or not is such a long shot. But it’s very satisfying, I have to say. I just really want people to see the movie

because the movie’s a little powerhouse that had no budget for publicity. See BILLY CRYSTAL, page 41

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Senate waitress From page 1 Italy called Ovindoli. Desperate for work, her husband emigrated to Venezuela, leaving her alone with their two children for five years. When he returned in 1955, the couple decided to join relatives in America. The family settled in Washington, D.C., where Tina quickly found a job at Sholl’s Cafeteria. They became citizens five years later. In 1968, her brother landed her a position waiting tables at the Senate Dining Room, where he was head chef. Although Panetta found it “humiliating” that she wasn’t fluent in English, she quickly became a favorite waitress, thanks to her affectionate manner. “You make everybody happy,” she remembers her manager telling her after a week on the job.

M A R C H 2 0 2 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Senators would request her table and introduce her to their families, who often joined them for breakfast. Some brought her presents when they traveled abroad. Sen. Phillip Hart of Michigan, for whom the Hart Senate Office Building is named, once presented her with a wrapped letterbox from Italy, she recalled. “I kiss him, hug him, I open up the box, and I said, ‘Senator, you mean you went to Italy to buy an empty box?’ So he cracked up.”

Memories of Dole, Grassley, Biden With a smile and a kind word for everyone, Panetta soon became close to politicians and their families. She served honey every morning to Sen. Russell of Georgia, for whom the Russell Senate Office Building was named in 1972. When Sen. Bob Dole of Kansas asked

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her for marriage advice, she suggested he marry Elizabeth — and was later invited to their wedding. She babysat for the children of Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska, whom she nicknamed “Blue Eyes.” When she broke her arm, almost all the senators signed her cast. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa still sends her a Christmas card every year. And Panetta remembers now-President Biden well. “I remember when his wife died, and he came in the dining room with his two boys in their little suits,” she said. “He’s a very nice guy. He talked very kind, very gentle.” Panetta tended to senators under five presidents, her smile as reliable as the Senate bean soup she served every day. She retired reluctantly in 1990, at her husband’s request, to spend more time with their grandchildren. “When we left, they gave us a big huge party. I didn’t want to quit,” she said. “But that’s all done, and it broke my heart.”

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Preserving a legacy Upon her retirement, many senators thanked Panetta — in public speeches and in personal letters — for being kind, helpful and friendly during her decades of public service. Her grandson, Gian, pointed

out that kindness worked both ways. “My family’s success can be traced back to the tangible actions the senators took to make sure my family was successful in America,” he said, citing internships, jobs, letters of recommendation and even economic support. To preserve his grandmother’s life story, Gian Panetta has produced a twominute video about Panetta and her memories. He scanned the faded photos and handwritten letters she had collected, preserving everything online. He was also interviewed for a podcast last year, describing his grandmother’s impact. Gian Panetta hopes his efforts will catch the eye of Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, chair of the Rules and Administration committee, who can approve the installation of a plaque to honor the working-class women of the Senate Dining Room. In a letter to Tina Panetta, Leahy wrote, “You were a great asset to the Senate, and we miss you.” Panetta brought people together, her grandson said, and that’s worth honoring. “She doesn’t understand the politics,” he said. “She just sees the people.” To sign the petition for a marker to honor Panetta and other working-class women in the Senate Dining Room, visit bit.ly/TinaPanetta.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 2 1

Billy Crystal From page 39 AP: You’ve done so much in your career, from standup and big movies to directing and Broadway. When did you know this is what you wanted to do? CRYSTAL: When I was 4 or 5, I got up in front of the family with my two brothers and we would memorize Carl Reiner and Sid Caesar and Howie Morris routines and then do them. We didn’t think we were stealing. We didn’t know. We just loved them so much. And they were such an influence on us. Then I would get up and do my own stuff and imitate the relatives because their accents were interesting. The characters were so great. These Eastern European and Russian relatives that we had with great faces and sounds. And they were joyous and they loved to laugh and they loved to be entertained. And I loved entertaining them. And I just continued that. AP: Did your early penchant for entertaining help lead to hosting so many Oscars shows? CRYSTAL: Honestly, I didn’t feel that much different, except the world is watching. From the time I started, you really have to want to be up there and you really have to want to be that guy or that person to host the show. I put my own stamp on it. And that was fun. I mean, I had a good time and I need-

ed to relax them as well. And it was a step up because I’m at that point when I started in 1990 now, I mean, “Harry and Sally’’ [had] just come out and before that “Throw Momma from the Train.” I had earned my spot that I was now a member of the movie industry, you know. So, when I walked out there, I had more cred as a member of the community. I relished that and I was able to poke fun at it, but respect it at the same time. Those first years of doing the show were wonderfully exciting and satisfying. AP: This year the Oscars will probably not have an audience. Last year, it didn’t have a host. What are you expecting? CRYSTAL: Yeah, it’s very tough now. I thought that they did a very good job with the virtual Emmys. Jimmy Kimmel did a wonderful job. It’s just so awful, the condition that we’re in. So any kind of entertainment that we can bring to people to ease their pain is really important. I think that if the show can find a way to do it and do it well and really celebrate the work part of it and the entertainment part of it, it’s OK. But I think one of the years I hosted we were in a bad recession, and the economy was terrible. And I said, “This is what we want to see — millionaires giving each other gold statues.” I think we have to really find the right way to do it. AP: If they asked you, would you ever

do it again? CRYSTAL: Oh, I know you were going to — as soon as we got there, it got a little chilly in here.

I don’t know. We’ll have to see. I don’t know. I don’t know if they would ask me. That would be a tough, tough thing to consider, but we’ll see. —AP

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

MUSIC CLUB CELEBRATES 135TH ANNIVERSARY The Friday Morning Music Club celebrates its 135th anniversary

with a film that’s equal parts concert and documentary. It showcases eight performances by internationally recognized artists, including recent winners of two international competitions sponsored by FMMC. There will also be music from the FMMC’s Avanti Orchestra and Arioso Chorale. View the film free of charge any time at fmmc.org/135years. For more information about the organization, which is open to musicians of all levels and presents dozens of free concerts each year (including virtual ones every Friday at noon), visit fmmc.org

Arts & Style | Subscribe online! See how on p. 45

M A R C H 2 0 2 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Read the stories of sports champions Fans love to reminisce about iconic The book also explores the “Baby Shark” coaches, championship seasons and un- phenomenon and the introduction of a Latin forgettable upset victories by vibe in the clubhouse. Buzz their favorite teams. These Saw retells the fulfillment a books by sports insiders are decade later of the promise of sure to enhance those mema first overall draft pick (who ories. was named Series MVP) and Buzz Saw: The Improbaeven the leave-taking of a highble Story of How the Washprofile former first overall draft ington Nationals Won the pick. Washington Post beat reWorld Series, by Jesse porter Jesse Dougherty is a Dougher ty, 320 pages, talented journalist who makes Simon & Schuster hardTHE exciting and interesting, with cover, 2020, 336 pages BIBLIOPHILE fresh material and new inSimon & Schuster paperBy Dinah Rokach sights, a story whose happy back, April 2021 ending we already know. Nats fans who gave up on the season after the disastrous start of 19 I Came as a Shadow: An Autobiograwins and 31 losses, and those who jumped phy, by John Thompson with Jesse on the bandwagon close to the climactic Washington, 352 pages, Henry Holt and World Series Game Seven win, will enjoy Co., hardcover, 2020 reading this chronological account of the Georgetown University basketball 2019 Washington Nationals season. coach John Thompson died in August at Buzz Saw explores the elements that age 78 in Arlington, Virginia. His posthutransformed the dream of winning the mous memoir is candid and outspoken, a World Series into a reality and erased the reflection of the man who led the Hoyas pain of all the previous heartbreaking from 1972 to 1999. near-misses. The intangible mix of stars, A native of the District, Coach Thompveterans, a young phenom, timely trades, son emerged onto the national stage and exceptional performances by average play- transcended the world of sports. His memers, clutch hitters and previously lacklus- oir not only describes Anacostia’s housing ter pitchers forms a lively storyline. projects, the Boys Clubs and schools of

African-American D.C., but the hallowed courts of the Big East, the NCAA, the Olympics and the NBA. Relive the exhilarating wins and heartbreaking losses. Thompson showers with loving tribute his mentors, teachers and facilitators — especially his mother, a graduate of Dunbar High, and his father, who was born on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The book vividly describes prodigies, college stars who flamed out in the pros, and those whose skills were renowned only on neighborhood playgrounds. Thompson reminisces about future superstars he nurtured — Ewing, Iverson, Mutombo and Mourning — rival coaches he admired and his Georgetown staff. His post-coaching career in broadcasting allowed Thompson to express then-controversial ideas that, in time, many in the mainstream have come to embrace. This memoir is more than a book about sports. Thompson writes about confronting racism as a youth and through the ranks of professional athletics. He describes his lifelong fight to right the wrongs of discrimination. Thompson considers himself an educator, first and foremost. In this parting gift, he teaches all of us about tolerance and understanding.

The Making of a Miracle: The Untold Story of the Captain of the 1980 Gold-Medal Winning U.S. Olympic Hockey Team, by Mike Eruzione and Neal E. Boudette, 288 pages, Harper paperbacks, 2021 The U.S. victory over the USSR on the road to the hockey gold medal at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y., is remembered as the Miracle on Ice. The Making of a Miracle is an insider’s account from the perspective of a key player, Mike Eruzione, who scored the game-winning goal. It is the story of the emergence of a young man from small town sports-loving, family-centric Winthrop, Massachusetts, to the pinnacle of athletic attainment at the Olympics. That uplifting victory was achieved against the background of the Iran hostage crisis, when the country was beset by malaise. Eruzione did not play professionally, as did many of his teammates who joined the NHL; he turned to broadcasting. His charming reminiscences are told with an assist by a professional journalist, Neal Boudette, New York Times automotive reporter. Read about the miracle and recapture the joy you felt more than four decades ago.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 2 1

A hopeless romantic, mired in past tech I was e-mailing with a former colleague I take the street side when I’m walking the other day. Oh, that rancid coffee in the along a sidewalk beside my wife. My mothcommon pot. Ah, the rotten er always taught me that this pay. Golly, all those brown is what gentlemen do. Protect hairs that have turned white, them from mud splatter, she or disappeared. said. And wow, remember those I still hop to the street side, nuts who used to call? Why, every time. It’s a deep-seated today, the switchboard would reflex — like wetting the brisnever put them through, I detles of the toothbrush before clared. applying toothpaste, like getMy former colleague roastting to the phone before the ed me. second ring. HOW I SEE IT “You are showing your age, By Bob Levey I still pay all my bills by Bob,” he said. “There are no check — because it was so exswitchboards anymore.” citing to do that when I opened my first acHow right he is. And how abruptly his count, way back in 1962. comment brought me up short. Please don’t tell me that it’s easier to do Are all my frames of reference hopeless- it online, and “hey, dopey, you don’t need a ly mired in 1967? Your honor, l plead guilty. stamp.” I know, I know. The evidence: But I get a little tickle every time I sign I have no idea what Wi-Fi is. I cannot fig- my name in the lower right-hand corner ure out Microsoft Word. I have never used and let my signature trail off into a scribthe word “download” in a sentence. ble, as it has since penmanship class in When I think of music, I visualize 45s — 1955 (somehow, I passed). we called them “platters” back in the day. Today’s phones can do so much. RememWhen I listen to a song, the lyrics that ber the last number you dialed. Take a mesgrab me refer to trains, not jets. sage. Conference a call. Mute the ring. Whenever I park my car, I still reach for But whenever I punch up a number the emergency brake — the kind that sat these days, my muscle memory still pokes below the dashboard. You had to pull it at me. A piece of my brain is telling me to out, not stomp on a pedal or flip a switch. pick up the receiver (plain, black), balance

it under your chin, stick your index finger into the hole of the first digit, pull it all-l-l-l the way around. Then let go and do that six more times. I still request all my consumer statements on paper. Every month, various banks and credit card companies implore me to switch to digital. Faster, easier, more convenient, more ecologically sane, they say. But I’ve never agreed. Somewhere, deep in my 20th-century soul, there sits a little voice that tells me: “It isn’t an official statement unless you can hold it in your hand and stuff it into a file folder.” Sports? They are more like video games these days. Basketballers who can leap tall buildings in a single bound. Footballers who weigh 320 pounds and can run as fast as people who weigh 120. As for their equipment, I’m still startled not to see basketballers in very short satin shorts. Meanwhile, football helmets now

have cages across their fronts that look as if they could stop a speeding bullet. Way back when, we never even wore mouth guards. Food has gone way uptown. Once upon a time, an entrée was simple and unadorned. Now, everything is drizzled with something crimson and mysterious, all in the name of…art, I suppose. As for men’s clothing, I still own 18 ties and several suits. If you can figure out what “business casual” means, please call me collect. Speaking of calling… I told my former colleague that I actually appreciated his dig. No longer will I pine for — or even remember — switchboards, I said. “Next time I want to find you, I’ll send a telegram,” I told him. “Bob, old man,” he said, “you’re hopeless.” Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

BEACON BITS

Mar. 22

MUSICAL SOULMATES

What really happened between pianist Clara Schumann and composer Johannes Brahms? Choralis artistic director Gretchen Kuhrmann explores their centuries-old love story in this free virtual lecture that takes place Tues., March 22 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. To reserve a space, visit bit.ly/ClaraandJohannes.

Arts & Style | Subscribe online! See how on p. 45

M A R C H 2 0 2 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Crossword Puzzle

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

By Stephen Sherr 5

13 16

20 22 24 31

36 39

45 52

46 54

48 55

Across 1. Approver of COVID vaccines 4. ___ of least resistance 8. Ivory Coast neighbor 13. Illuminated 14. Tax receipt provider 15. The period before the big event 16. One who commits a violent attack 18. Chew the scenery 19. Ability to stay calm 21. MGM movie opening sound 22. Econ. measure 23. Finale 24. Half of the full NELSON 26. Two-time loser to D.D.E. 27. Small battery size 30. Sense of determination 36. “A face is ___ map of someone's life” (photographer Chuck Close) 37. Extra digits in a phone no. 38. Yiddish sigh 39. Inability to discern 42. Draped hat popular in the 1920’s 43. Morse code: ... --- ... 44. Neighbor of Ger. 45. Used a loveseat 46. Queue after Q 48. Famous ___ 52. Fortuitous circumstances 56. Lent a hand 57. Name on an envelope 58. Pick a pocket 59. State flower of Indiana 60. Workbench staple 61. Ice cream parlor offering 62. Balance beam stabilizers 63. Starfleet Academy grad.

Down

Jumble answers on p. 47

Scrabble answers on p. 47.

1. Pizazz 2. Bee Gees' genre

3. On the Love Boat 4. Tetris game piece 5. Playwright Chekhov 6. Get ready to drive 7. Frau's partner 8. City that has hosted the most ACC basketball tournaments 9. Muggy 10. Mysterious quotation notation 11. Pistachios and pecans 12. Friend of Tarzan 14. Request payment 17. Space station crisis 20. Swerve suddenly 25. Equestrian position 26. Prefix meaning “self ” 27. Woody's character in Annie Hall 28. To the safe side, nautically 29. Fonzie's approvals 30. Skip several meals in a row 31. The 9th named Atlantic storm of 2017, and the 3rd strongest ever recorded 32. Location on a Clue board 33. Longings 34. Moronic beginning 35. Where contact lenses are shaped 40. Letta afta theta 41. Improvements 45. Quarterback's run 46. Actress Winona Of Stranger Things 47. Town near Gomorrah 49. Tricky billiards shot 50. Neptune's realm 51. Distorts data 52. Dancing ___ the Stars 53. Inventor's inspiration 54. Spanish snack 55. Heroine of Star Wars episodes VII - IX 56. Numbskull

Answers on page 47.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 2 1

Letters to editor From page 2 doing a very poor job. Each provider has a poorly explained request procedure — and no help hotline. Most require us to check their websites each day to see if requests will be accepted that day. The covidvax.maryland.gov website is also confusing. Bottom line: County Executive Elrich did a good job in setting up distribution of the one-third supply that he receives. But the state did a very inadequate job in setting up the distribution of the two-thirds of the supply that external healthcare providers receive. Thus, the share of the external providers should be drastically reduced, and the remainder of the vaccines should be given to Elrich to distribute with his much better system. Richard C. Kreutzberg Bethesda, MD Editor’s note: The Maryland Department of Health and the Maryland Department of Aging have set up a telephone support line to help older adults who lack internet access set appointments for a vaccine. Calls to 1855-634-6829 are answered seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. to identify vaccine providers closest to the caller’s home, and to help schedule appointments at Maryland’s mass vaccination sites. Dear Publisher: I appreciate the truth and honesty of the approach taken in your February column, “How we talk about aging.” The FrameWorks Institute may well have good intentions, but their approach seems to border on patronizing the elderly. Gratitude to you and your spouse for persevering in producing an excellent publication every month. I learn a lot from reading it and hope that the Beacon continues to shine a bright light on all aspects of aging. John Bayerl Rockville, MD Dear Editor: Referencing Hedy Peyser’s letter to the editor in the February issue of the Beacon, I think her idea of using social halls in places of worship for the administration of Covid-19 vaccines has merit and would work IF those institutions would let outside (retired or otherwise) nurses and doctors into their facilities without said professionals being tested on an ongoing

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

basis. Of course, all protocols would have to be in place and mandatory, i.e., masks required, sanitizing stations. The biggest problem in Montgomery County at the time of this writing is the lack of enough vaccine doses. Once things loosen up, we are hoping that the pharmacies, hospitals, county and state sites will be able to accommodate all of us seniors that have been frustrated with the lack of how things have been run to this point. Sharon Levin North Potomac, MD

BEACON BITS

Mar. 17

LESSONS FROM PAST PANDEMICS

As part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Women Filmmakers Festival, join filmmaker Mariam Ghani for a virtual conversation about her documentaries for the 100th anniversary of the 1918 pandemic. This event takes place Wed., March 17 at 5:30 p.m. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/PandemicFilm.

Ongoing

FLOOD STORIES

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is seeking stories from Virginians about their experiences with floods. Participants can submit a written narrative, audio, video or photographs. For more information, visit bit.ly/FloodStories.

WB321

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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 page 47. 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. Business & Employment Opportunities MARYLAND SENIOR CONCIERGE SERVICES, LLC - Personal Services For Seniors. We offer a wide range of services including: transitions, moving, decluttering, packing, medical escort, help with shopping, bills and errands. Please let us know how we can serve you. We help you maintain your independence & gain control of your active life. www.mdseniorhelp.com Call: Christine Callahan, CSA - 301.452.5730. A HOME HEALTHCARE- Experienced nurses, CNA, GNA are available 24/7. Cooking, companionship, personal care, housekeeping, driving. Full/Part-time or live-in care. Flat rate for live-in. 15 years’ experience. 240-533-6599.

Caregivers

M A R C H 2 0 2 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Financial

Miscellaneous

Wanted

TAX PREPARATION: All types of returns, reasonable rates. 34 years of reliable service. Located in Gaithersburg near Quince Orchard/Great Seneca Hwy. Diane Christen CPA, 240-355-1135 cell. Text or call!

HELENA NKHAGAA MGHANGA LOST HER PASSPORT # AB289122 Issued by the Government of Tanzania. If found kindly contact her @ 240-645-2131 or drop it to the nearest police station.

WANTED: OLDER VIOLINS, GUITARS, BANJOS, MANDOLINS, UKULELES. Musician/collector will pay cash for older string instruments. Masks & safe distance. Jack (301) 279-2158, leave message.

For Sale

Personal Services

I AM SELLING A BURIAL PLOT at “Parklawn Memorial Park and Gardens” located at Veirs Mills Road, Rockville, MD. Two sites side by side with Custom Built Crypts and “C” Bronze Memorial 44x14 with Vase & Granite. We are asking $3,000 per site OBO. Sites currently selling for $7,295 per site. Please call 301570-1924/leave a message.

CONTINENTAL MOVERS Local long distance. $80 x two men plus one hour drive $80 Moving -deliveries- pick ups - hauling -packing Established since 1995 Cmora53607@msn.com www.continentalmovers .net 202-438-1489 — 301-340-0602.

GENERAC STANDBY GENERATORS provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable. Prepare now. Free 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free quote today! Call for additional terms and conditions. 1-866964-8106. PUT ON YOUR TV EARS and hear TV with unmatched clarity. TV Ears Original were originally $129.95 - NOW WITH THIS SPECIAL OFFER are only $59.95 with code MCB59! Call 1-833-934-0843.

Health PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-851-0949. DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-844366-1003 www.dental50plus.com/320 #6258. LIFE ALERT. One press of a button sends help FAST, 24/7! At home and on the go. Mobile Pendant with GPS. FREE First Aid Kit (with subscription.) CALL 240-847-6732 FREE Brochure. MOBILEHELP, America’s Premier Mobile Medical Alert System. Whether You’re Home or Away. For Safety and Peace of Mind. No Long Term Contracts! Free Brochure! Call Today! 1240-650-9189

Home/Handyman Services SLOWING DOWN AFTER 39 YEARS OF CONTRACTING. Small to medium jobs, mainly residential but will do some commercial. $42.50 an hour from arrival on job. Will work all over DC area. Andy 703-906-5429.

MOBILE HAIR AND NAIL SERVICES - WE COME TO YOU. Professional Licensed Stylist / follow COVID Procedures. Women and Men’s Services - All Hair Types. Shampoo, Cuts, Sets, Color, Perms, Mens Cuts & Facial Grooming, Manicures & more. 301-338-8251.

THINKING ABOUT INSTALLING A NEW SHOWER? American Standard makes it easy. FREE design consultation. Enjoy your shower again! Call 1-844-536-0485 today to see how you can save $1,000 on installation, or visit www.newshowerdeal.com/tbn

CAREGIVER I WILL CARE for your loved ones. Night/Days good References/own transportation. Call 301-502-2258.

THE BATHROOM OF YOUR DREAMS for as little as $149/month! BCI Bath & Shower. Many options available. Quality materials & professional installation. Senior & Military Discounts Available. Limited Time Offer - FREE virtual in-home consultation now and SAVE 15%! Call Today! 1-855-653-0087.

A CARE AGENCY - Been in business for more than 10 years. Experienced nurses, CNAs, GNAs. Any hours you need. Flat rate for live-in. Duties include cooking, housekeeping, bathing, errands, etc. Tel: 667-231-823 ELDERLY CARE-FEMALE CARE PROVIDER with car. I’m experienced in caring for people with MS, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other health issues. I cook, clean and take to appts. Excellent Ref. 301-275-7283

Financial WESLEY FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts. Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt and fees cancelled in 2019. Get free informational package and learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 855-626-8703. TAX PREPARATION: Individual, Partnership, Corporate and Fiduciary tax returns prepared, and accounting/bookkeeping services provided. Over 35 years of experience. Patrick Trager, CPA, 516-359-5576. Serving DC, MD and VA.

Legal Services

DO YOU NEED HELP WITH CLEANING? Then call me to clean on Saturdays, first four hours $70 with all-natural products. Every customer will be given a free antibacterial hand soap with every appointment. Call JP @ 301/598-3627. READY TO MOVE OR DOWNSIZE? Do you feel overwhelmed and stressed? Downsizing Specialists is here to help! Our process helps you determine what to keep, gift, sell, donate, or discard with a compassionate specialist, while always remaining COVID safe. Services include downsizing, decluttering, moving prep, estate sales and consignment of antiques, jewelry, coins, and collectibles. We also buy estates, vehicles, and real estate. DownsizingSpecialists.com or call/text 301-219-3600 for details.

TV/Cable DISH NETWORK. $64.99 for 190 Channels! Blazing Fast Internet, $19.99/mo. (where available.) Switch & Get a FREE $100 Visa Gift Card. FREE Voice Remote. FREE HD DVR. FREE Streaming on ALL Devices. Call today! 1844-560-5837. DIRECTV - Every live football game, every Sunday - anywhere - on your favorite device. Restrictions apply. Call IVS - 1-888-572-4953.

Wanted USED & RARE BOOKS WANTED. Quality books in all subjects. We also buy old maps, menus, post cards, advertising & travel brochures, posters, road maps, old magazines. Contact Dale 301-495-2732. Experienced seller since 1977 LOOKING TO BUY PRETTY THINGS. Favorites include Dresden, Herend, Royal Copenhagen and Shelley. English bone china cups and saucers, figurines by various makers and dish sets. Art, collectibles, pottery and sterling. Teak furniture. Serious collector of vintage Christmas and Halloween decorations. Please call (301) 785-1129. MD Precious Metal License 2753. BOOK COLLECTIONS WANTED. Moving? Downsizing? Estate? Together the Bonafide Book Buyers have over 85 years experience as professional buyers & sellers of quality books in the D. C. area. Best prices paid for good books. Examples: Easton Press, Folio Society, First Edition Science Fiction & Mysteries, Military, History, Scholarly & Academic Press publications. Call Nelson at 240-472-4615 for an appointment at your house. Also will consider DVDs & CDs. Curbside pickup possible, phone for details.

CASH FOR JEWELRY: Buying jewelry, diamonds, gold, platinum, silver, watches, coins, flatware, etc. Ask for Tom. Call anytime, 301654-8678 (Reg. 883). TIRED OF POLISHING YOUR SILVER? Turn it into cash which does not tarnish. I will come to your home to 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). Gold 4 Good pays an additional 5 percent to all sellers who are veterans of the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy or Marine Corps. And we extend the same courtesy to their spouses. We honor our servicemen (and their spouses). Gold 4 Good is a Maryland licensed precious metals dealership. Call Bob, (240) 938-9694. ANTIQUE ESTATES BUYER Montgomery County resident buying jewelry, gold, silver, watches. Also, Military items, firearms, old toys, art books, sports, old coins, etc. Call Tom for a free evaluation at 240-476-3441. WILL BUY MILITARY, WWII, WWI, Civil War memorabilia items. Uniforms, weapons, helmets, photos, war souvenirs, medals, photos or any other items associated with U.S., German, Japanese or other military history. Call Dave (240-4640958) or email (david.obal63@gmail.com). ALWAYS BUYING OLD STUFF! Old Silverware, Flatware and Holloware (even some silverplate ), Old books (pre-1930), Costume Jewelry, Pinup magazines before 1970, Comic Books, Old School Rings, Old Coins: U.S. & Foreign, Dental Gold (Yellow or White), Pocket/Wrist Watches, Old Toys/Games, Broken Jewelry (damaged, missing stones, etc.), Sports Cards, Risque paperback books, Old Adverting Signs, Old Metal Lunchboxes & other old stuff. What do you have? Call Alex : 571-426-5363 ~ I’ll come to you! TOP PRICES PAID FOR FINE ANTIQUES, artwork and decorative objects including decorated crocks and jugs, unusual antique clocks, music boxes and mechanical things, coin operated devices, furniture, rare antique dolls and toys etc. I am 67 years old , well educated, financially capable, and have over 40 years in this business. Why pay outlandish auction house, estate agent or consignment store commissions when you can get a fair upfront price for your pieces with no hassle? If you have something interesting or unusual, rare and valuable and are prepared to sell it I would like to speak with you. Please call Jake Lenihan, 301 279 8834. No calls after 7 pm please.

Thank you for reading the Beacon!

BEACON BITS

Mar. 17

ST. PATRICK Learn more about St. Patrick — the man and the myth — in this

APPLYING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY or Appealing a Denied Claim? Call Bill Gordon & Assoc. Our case managers simplify the process & work hard to help with your case. Call 1-866-970-0779 FREE Consultation. Local Attorneys Nationwide [Mail: 2420 N St NW, Washington DC. Office: Broward Co. FL (TX/NM Bar.)] THE LAW OFFICE OF ALEX COFFIN, LLC provides professional legal services to individuals in the Maryland and New York Area. Practice areas include Auto Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home Abuse, Elder Law, Wills and Trusts, Divorce, Prenuptial/Postnuptial Agreements, and more. I work quickly and efficiently, providing every client with individualized attention. www.alexcoffinlaw.com Call (410) 216-3339 for a free consultation. I am available at any time, seven days a week.

free virtual talk given by historian Jennifer Paxton. The talk takes place via Zoom on Wed., March 17 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. For the Zoom link, visit bit.ly/StPatrickLecture. Or dial in for audio only by calling (301) 715-8592 and entering meeting code 984 8006 5020. For more information, call (240) 777-0002.

Mar. 19

NATIVE PLANTS FOR YOUR GARDEN Join the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia for a free Zoom conversation about how to choose native plants for your home gar-

den. This event takes place Fri., March 19 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. To learn more and to RSVP, visit bit.ly/MGNVNativePlants. For more information, contact MGNV at (703) 228-6414.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 2 1

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

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ANSWERS TO JUMBLE Jumbles: SORRY BERRY POETIC DEBATE Answer: The clever Hungarian exterminator named his new company —“BOOT-A-PEST” BEACON BITS

Mar. 20

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

To place your classified ad, visit www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds BEACON BITS

Mar. 13+

CITY PAPER DESCRIBE-A-THON

PLOT AGAINST HUNGER The Arlington Friends of Urban Architecture are kicking off a

Learn how to create metadata – descriptions – to help viewers digitally search old issues of the Washington City Paper. This free virtual event

week of online and outdoor events as part of their Plot Against Hunger Spring

takes place Sat., March 20 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Registration is required and

Garden Kickoff. The events begin on Sat., March 13 and continue through Sat.,

can be done by visiting bit.ly/WCPMetadata or calling (202) 727-0321.

March 20. To learn more, visit bit.ly/PlotAgainstHungerEvent.

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Studies COVID-19 Plasma Research Study . . . . . . . . . 22, 23

Events 2021 Beacon Virtual 50+Expo . . .32

Home Health Care/Companion Services Best Senior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Capital Caring Health . . . . . . . . .19 Options for Senior America . . . . .32

Financial Services AllianceBernstein L.P./ Joseph M. Brodecki . . . . . . . . .29

Funeral Services Going Home Cremation . . . . .40

Government Services

Housing Appleton at Spring Flats . . . . .10 Ashby Ponds/Erickson . . . . .1, 8 Brooke Grove Retirement Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3, 15 Chesterbrook Residences . . . .13 Chevy Chase House . . . . . . . .35

Park View Apartments . . . . . . . .37 Residences at Glenarden Hills . .12 Riderwood/Erickson . . . . . . . . .1, 8 Sanctuary, The . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Sommerset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Springvale Terrace . . . . . . .10, 19 Tribute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Wilshire Estates . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Legal Services Farr Law Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Law Offices of Nancy Feldman . . . . . . . . . .31

Retail Perfect Walker . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Quingo Scooter . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Scootle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Wonder Book . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Zoomer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Manor Care Health Services . .21 Oak Manor Center . . . . . . . . . .10

Subscriptions

Law Offices of Paul Riekhof .33

Beacon Newspapers . . . . . . . .45

DC Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Churchill Senior Living . . . . .21

Medical/Health

Technology

DC Office on Aging . . . . .26-27

Enterprise Residential . . . . . . .37

AARP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Montgomery County Aging and

TheBeaconNewspapers.com . .41

Falcons Landing . . . . . . . . . . .16

DialMD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Friendship Terrace . . . . . . . . . .17

Judy Oh, DDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Greenspring/Erickson . . . . . .1, 8

Medical Eye Center . . . . . . . . .13

Theatre/ Entertainment

Harmony Senior Services . . . . .9

Steven Friedman, DDS . . . . . .24

Senior Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Disability Services . . . . .18, 25 Montgomery County Home Sharing Program . . . .30 Montgomery County Public Libraries . . . . . . . . . .23

Homecrest House . . . . . . . . . .39 Homewood at Frederick . . . . .35 Livingston Place . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Maplewood at Park Place . . . .12 Quantum Property Mgmt . . . . . .14

Real Estate Long & Foster/ Eric Stewart . . . . . . . . . .33, 36

Thirteen, The . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Volunteers & Careers JCA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

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M A R C H 2 0 2 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

March 2021 | DC Beacon

Articles inside

SPOTLIGHT ON AGING