April 2023 | DC Beacon

The

We all can give voice to history

By Barbara Ruben

Oral history can bring the past to life in ways history books can’t — from a firstperson account of seeing a plane smash into the Pentagon on 9/11, to more pleasant recollections of Hot Shoppes restaurants, where waiters sprinted to cars with trays of milkshakes and burgers.

And in the Washington area, opportunities abound for people to both share their stories and read or listen to those of others.

Oral history is a form of storytelling that has been around for centuries and continues to be a powerful way to preserve culture and share experiences. It offers a unique perspective on the past, helping gain insight into people’s lived experiences.

“When people tell their story, it gives a better sense of belonging and ownership of the facts. Oral history can be important to the whole picture of our country’s story,” said Esther McCullough, chair of the Ethnic and Oral History Committee of the Fairfax County History Commission.

Often historians seek out older adults with a lifetime of unique memories.

“Interviewing our elders is a powerful way to preserve the most complete information — and the fullest connection to our community history,” said Anne Fisher, chair of the Oral History Committee of the Citizen’s Association of Georgetown, which has recorded oral histories from dozens of older residents since 2007.

In addition to Georgetown and Fairfax County, many local jurisdictions and civic associations collect oral histories.

For example, the D.C. Oral History Collaborative offers grants to organizations throughout the District to conduct oral history interviews. These have ranged from interviews with alumni from the 1970s and ‘80s of the School Without Walls, to inter-

views with Ward 7 and 8 mothers who have lost children to gun violence.

Preserving a story for posterity

Oral histories can take several different forms, although most incorporate an interview with a person about their history. The final product can be a written transcript, or an audio or video recording of the interview.

For Julieanna Richardson, founder and

Stylish Senior Living

president of the History Makers — a nonprofit that has recorded more than 3,000 personal stories of both well-known and unsung African Americans — a video is the best way to capture a full picture.

“Taping these histories is vital because without that you can’t see the twinkling in someone’s eye or hear the intonation of

See ORAL HISTORY, page 12

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ARTS & STYLE

page 20

A new musical at Ford’s about Sister Rosetta Tharpe, who bridged gospel, jazz and rock and roll; plus, a surgeon who lost his sight becomes a sculptor, and Bob Levey on being out of touch page 31

FITNESS & HEALTH 4

k Technology to reverse paralysis

k Myths your mother told you

LAW & MONEY 21

k Benefits of nonprofit credit unions

k Is tipping getting out of hand?

LEISURE & TRAVEL 26

k Tuscany with grandchildren

k Nearby B&B escapes

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Janice and Neal Gregory, longtime residents of Capitol Hill, shared their tales of D.C.’s earlier days with the Ruth Ann Overbeck Capitol Hill History Project, which collects interviews for posterity. Several groups throughout the region seek out older adults to interview for oral history projects, preserving their stories for future generations.

PHOTO BY JOHN SHORE

Who’s your real friend?

You probably either watched or read about the impromptu exchange at this year’s State of the Union address between President Biden and congressional Republicans concerning Social Security.

Did the rare display of politicians apparently in agreement that Social Security is “not to be touched” give you goosebumps — or chills?

I ask it that way because I firmly believe that any politician who pledges not to touch Social Security is not one who loves seniors, but rather one who disdains the more than 65 million people who are currently receiving benefits and the even larger number of Americans who will be expecting them in the future.

bank or other — this is not literally the case and never has been.

There is no huge government pension plan where the Social Security taxes you and your employers have been paying since you got your first paycheck get invested and grow over decades until you finally get to claim them in retirement.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

By Stuart P. Rosenthal

We have all known for decades that Social Security has been heading towards “insolvency” around the year 2030, give or take a few. The retirement of the baby boom generation (the last of whom will hit 60 in 2024) is part of the reason, but so is the rising longevity of Americans in general, thanks to the miracles of modern medicine.

You see, while politicians will tell you that Social Security is “your” money that you paid into the system — implying that it simply needs to be withdrawn from some

Instead, the wages of current workers are being taxed now to pay benefits to today’s retirees, just as they have been since 1935, when Social Security came into being.

The problem is, in 1935 there were 22 workers paying into the system for every retiree collecting benefits. Today, there are fewer than 3.

That’s a demographic fact no politician can afford to ignore: The smaller generations that followed the baby boom are carrying the burden of paying for the boomers’ (and their elders’) retirement.

Add to that the (generally) growing lifespan of each generation, and the problem we have long known was heading this way is now at our doorstep.

At the Beacon 50+ Expo in 2011, our keynote speaker was Charles Blahous, a public trustee of Social Security, who explained clearly that the popular program

Beacon

IN

TheFOCUS FOR PEOPLE OVER 50

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 and Howard County, Md. Readership exceeds 400,000.

Subscriptions are available via first-class mail ($36) or third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. 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

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Managing Editor – Margaret Foster

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was heading toward insolvency if it wasn’t fixed, and fixed soon, by Congress.

Now, insolvency doesn’t mean Social Security will disappear. But it does mean that, as presently operating, all beneficiaries will see a cut of about 25% in their benefits starting in 2030 or thereabouts.

Blahous also made the point that, for every year Congress kicks the can down the road, the cost to fix the program — and the pain it will cause — will grow.

Ten years later, in 2021, we presented another expert at the virtual Beacon 50+ Expo, Dr. Mark Warshawsky, a former deputy commissioner of Social Security. He brought us up to date with not only more dire projections, but also a dozen potential solutions to the problem.

Of course, any of the most likely steps could be politically damaging: risking the ire of recipients (who might get lower costof-living increases or wait longer to qualify), of workers (who might see more of their paychecks withheld), of employers (who would have to match their employees’ contributions), and of taxpayers (who might find their taxes go up).

If each of these constituencies were asked to bear part of the cost to help Social Security fulfill its future commitments, no one group or person would have to suffer inordinately.

So, are we hearing voices among our nation’s leaders saying we owe this to older Americans? Are they weighing the pros and cons of the multifarious ways they can tweak the program to keep it solvent?

No. On both sides of the aisle, our socalled leaders are grandstanding on television and in the press, preening before the cameras and loudly braying, “We won’t touch Social Security.”

A plague on both their houses! In order to preserve their coveted positions in Congress, nearly all politicians today are claiming to be your friend when, in fact, they are guaranteeing you (and your children, probably) will suffer serious financial harm through their immature behavior.

They need to get a spine and sit down rationally to discuss the many different ways — ways that have been identified clearly over the years — to correct the course of Social Security and not leave millions of older adults with reduced checks.

What are they afraid of? You. Voters.

So how can you help?

For one thing, talk amongst yourselves, and educate others about what’s really needed to preserve this essential program for us and future generations. The program isn’t going to fix itself.

Second, I would urge you to contact your congressional representatives and tell them they need to take action, now, to set Social Security on a sound fiscal path for the future.

And be sure to add that you won’t kick them out of office for doing so. In fact, you’ll only kick them out of office for NOT doing so!

Letters to the editor

Dear Editor:

I am a retired journalist who just read the March Beacon front to back when it arrived.

My response to your Publisher’s column is “Right on!” I agree writers and editors have a limited amount of time to compose an article (sometimes three a day!), but these time constraints equal inadequate reporting and a lack of critical thinking.

A course for students as you mentioned would be helpful.

Mary P. Felter Arnold, MD

enced much of what the article discussed.

A big part of my job as a caregiver is providing companionship to seniors who need socialization and support. I find the work I do to be very rewarding, and enjoy developing relationships with my clients, who are people I wouldn’t ordinarily meet in day-to-day life.

Some of my clients have become true friends — I am going to the theater with one of my clients. I also enjoy meeting the other caregivers, all of whom are active and civic-minded seniors.

Dear Editor:

I just read your March “From the Publisher” column on Critical Thinking and couldn’t agree with you more. Like law school with less pain?

Debbi Mack Columbia, MD

I enjoy the work I get to do every day, and the opportunity to serve the seniors in my community, while also financially providing for my family.

Sallie Lowe Laurel, MD

Dear Editor:

I can relate to your March cover article, “Don’t Retire; Reinvent Yourself.” I recently got a part-time job as a caregiver with Seniors Helping Seniors, and I have experi-

Dear Editor:

In your March issue, an article from Kiplinger details the various scams criminals undertake to impersonate a bank. This is followed by tips to protect oneself,

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MOTHER DIDN’T KNOW BEST

Health

Fitness &

Dairy doesn’t increase mucus and other untrue factoids about getting sick

FREE TO EAT FATS

A low-fat diet isn’t even healthy, but focus on good fats like olive oil, avocados

THINNING HAIR

It’s common for women to lose hair, too. Here are some potential solutions

MAGIC MUSHROOMS?

Lion’s mane mushrooms may improve cognition and boost the immune system

Tech may reverse paralysis due to stroke

By Lauran Neergaard

A stroke left Heather Rendulic with little use of her left hand and arm, putting certain everyday tasks like tying shoes or cutting foods out of reach.

“I live one-handed in a two-handed world, and you don’t realize how many things you need two hands for until you only have one good one,” the Pittsburgh woman said.

So Rendulic volunteered for a first-of-itskind experiment: Researchers implanted a device that zaps her spinal cord in spots that control hand and arm motion. When they switched it on, she could grasp and manipulate objects — moving a soup can, opening a lock and, by the end of the fourweek study, cutting her own steak.

It’s not a cure — the improvements ended after scientists removed the temporary implant — and the pilot study included only Rendulic and one other stroke survivor. But the preliminary results, published in February, mark a step toward one day restoring mobility for this extremely common type of paralysis.

“They’re not just getting flickers of movement. They’re getting something important,” said Dr. Jason Carmel, a Columbia University neurologist who wasn’t in-

volved with the new experiment but also studies ways to recover upper-limb function. “It’s a very exciting proof of concept.’’

Nearly 800,000 people in the U.S. alone suffer a stroke each year. Even after months of rehabilitation, well over half are left with permanently impaired arm and hand function that can range from muscle weakness to paralysis.

Experiments by multiple research groups have found that implanting electrodes to stimulate the lower spine shows promise for restoring leg and foot movement to people paralyzed after a spinal cord injury — some have even taken steps.

But upper-limb paralysis has gotten little attention and is inherently more challenging. The brain must signal multiple nerves that control how the shoulder lifts, the wrist turns and the hand flexes. Stroke damage makes it harder for those messages to get through.

“People still retain some of this connection; they’re just not enough to enable movement,” said University of Pittsburgh assistant professor Marco Capogrosso, who led the new research with colleagues at Carnegie Mellon University. “These messages are weaker than normal.’’

His idea: Stimulate a pathway of related

nerve cells, so they’re better able to sense and pick up the brain’s weak signal.

“We’re not bypassing their control. We’re enhancing their capabilities to move their own arm,” he said.

How the study worked

Researchers turned to implants the size of spaghetti strands already used to stimulate the spine for chronic pain treatment. The implants carry electrodes that are placed on the surface of the spinal cord to deliver pulses of electricity to the targeted nerve cells — which for hand and arm control are in the spine’s neck region.

Rendulic and a second, more severely impaired volunteer could move better as soon as the stimulator was switched on — and by the study’s end, showed improved muscle strength, dexterity and range of motion, researchers reported in the journal Nature Medicine. Surprisingly, both participants retained some improvement for about a month after the implants were removed.

Rendulic, now 33, was performing finemotor tasks for the first time since suffering a stroke in her 20s. That unusually young stroke, caused by weak blood vessels that bled inside her brain, initially paralyzed her entire left side.

She learned to walk again but — with the exception of those four weeks with spinal stimulation — cannot fully open her left hand or completely raise that arm.

“You feel like there’s a barrier between your brain and your arm,” Rendulic said. But with the stimulation on, “I could immediately sense that, like, oh my arm and hand are still there.’’

Two other researchers who helped pioneer experiments stimulating the lower limbs of people with spinal cord injuries say it’s logical to now try the technology for stroke.

While bigger and longer studies are needed, the new results “are really promising,” said Mayo Clinic assistant professor Peter Grahn.

Scientists have learned from research with lower limbs that “it may not matter where that injury occurs, if it’s something in the brain or it’s a spinal cord injury,” added University of Louisville professor Susan Harkema. “Targeting the human spinal cord circuitry has a lot of potential.’’

With National Institutes of Health funding, Capogrosso is studying the approach in a few more stroke survivors. The researchers also formed a company to develop the technology further. —AP

Brain stimulation therapy holds promise

By Robert H. Shmerling, M.D.

Imagine this as a morning routine that replaces your first cup of coffee: You wake up feeling a bit foggy, so you slip on a wearable device that looks like an extra-thick headband. You turn on the power source and settle in while electrical current flows into your brain.

Twenty minutes later, feeling more focused and energized, you start your busy day feeling grateful for this new technology.

If this scenario sounds strange to you, I’m with you. And yet, the hype around transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is growing for an expanding list of conditions such as depression, ADHD and even Alzheimer’s disease.

But before you give this a try, read on.

What is this stimulation?

Brain stimulation therapies aim to activate or inhibit parts of the brain. tDCS

has been around for years, but its popularity has spiked over the last decade.

tDCS devices use headgear that may look like a swim cap or headband to position electrodes against the scalp. When a power source is switched on, the electrodes deliver low levels of electrical current to the brain. A typical session lasts 20 to 30 minutes and may be repeated over days or weeks.

Three better-known brain stimulation therapies are:

• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): A device worn over the forehead stimulates specific areas of the brain by changing nearby magnetic fields. TMS is cleared by the FDA to treat obsessivecompulsive disorder and depression that hasn’t responded to standard medicines.

• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): An electric current flowing through electrodes placed at specific locations on the

scalp causes a brief seizure while a patient is under anesthesia. In use since the late 1930s, ECT can be highly effective for severe depression that hasn’t responded to standard therapies. It uses higher levels of electrical current than tDCS. That’s why it requires close medical supervision and is generally administered in a hospital or specialized clinic.

• Deep brain stimulation (DBS): Electrodes surgically implanted in specific areas of the brain generate electrical pulses. DBS is used to treat conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy or tremors that don’t improve with medicines.

What claims are made for tDCS?

The brain normally functions by sending and receiving tiny electrical signals between nerve cells. Stimulating specific regions of the brain with low levels of electricity might improve focus or mem-

ory, mood or even dementia, according to tDCS advocates.

Some claims say that tDCS can:

• improve mental clarity, focus and memory

• increase energy and motivation

• relieve so-called brain fog following COVID-19, Lyme disease, or other conditions

• reduce depression or anxiety

• reduce cravings among smokers or people with drug addiction

• improve symptoms of ADHD or Alzheimer’s disease.

Does tDCS work?

The jury is still out. Research suggests that tDCS holds promise for certain conditions, but techniques tested through research may differ from devices sold commercially for at-home use.

Brain stimulation

For example, in a research setting, electrodes may be positioned more precisely over an area of the brain, and how current is delivered, session length or the number of sessions may differ.

Currently, small, short-term studies show that tDCS may benefit people with:

• Depression: An analysis of 10 randomized trials found some participants were more likely to report fewer symptoms of depression, or remission of depression, after a course of tDCS treatment compared with sham treatment.

• Alzheimer’s disease: A review of seven studies found that tDCS lasting 20 to 40 minutes improved memory and other cognitive measures in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

• ADHD: One randomized trial of 64 adults with ADHD found improved attention after 30 minutes of tDCS daily for a month.

The FDA has not cleared tDCS for any health condition, and it is considered investigational. More research with positive results and reassuring safety data are needed before tDCS gets a thumbs-up from regulators.

That’s probably why some ads for tDCS note in fine print that it is not a medical device and is only for recreational use.

Does tDCS have downsides?

While the FDA assesses tDCS as safe for adults, there are downsides to consider. For example, treatment may cause itching, irritation or small burns at the sites of the electrodes. Some users complain of fatigue or headache.

There are no large, long-term studies of tDCS, so overall safety is uncertain.

Some experts believe at-home use raises many questions, such as how much of the brain beyond targeted areas is affected, what inconsistent approaches to tDCS use might do, and how long changes in the brain — intended or not — could last.

Very limited research has been done in children. So, the consequences for a child’s developing brain aren’t clear.

Finally, tDCS devices can be expensive (several hundred dollars or more) and generally are not covered by health insurance.

The bottom line: It’s not yet clear how tDCS should be used or who is most likely to benefit from it. If you’re interested in pursuing tDCS, understand there’s still a lot we don’t know.

If you’re more skeptical and riskaverse (like me), you may want to wait for more definitive research regarding its benefits and risks — and for now, stick with your morning coffee to clear your mind.

© 2023 by Harvard University.

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Much of mom’s wellness advice is myths

By Carmen Dargel, M.D. Dear Mayo Clinic:

My mom always scolded me for not drying my hair after washing it, telling me I’d catch cold. She also talked about dressing right for the weather, starving a fever and lots of other things.

I’m wondering if there is any truth in any of these sayings. With Covid still lingering, I’m trying to convince my grandchildren, ages 8 and 12, to

be more mindful about germs.

A: Does wet hair cause the common cold? The short answer is no.

Colds are caused by viruses, so you can’t catch a cold from going outside with wet hair. And wet hair won’t make you more attractive to germs.

The same is true with respect to dressing for cold temperatures. While it might be optimal to dress in warmer clothes when it’s cold outside, research indicates that cold weather — just like going outside

with wet hair — doesn’t make you sick.

People often associate going outside with wet hair or being underdressed with getting sick because exposure to germs is often more likely when you go outside.

The common cold is transmitted through bodily fluids, such as when people who are sick sneeze, cough or blow their nose. So, you have just as much of an opportunity to be exposed to germs indoors, especially when you are in close contact with others.

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Other myths I’m often asked about include:

Myth: Vitamin C will help stave off illness.

Fact: Though it has been subject to much research, no definitive body of work says high doses of vitamin C prevent or treat colds.

Myth: Starve a fever; feed a cold.

Fact: While it might be hard to remem-

Anyone 50 or over looking for employment opportunities is invited to participate in the JCA’s free Virtual 50+ Employment Expos: Friday, Apr. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for residents of Fairfax County and Northern Virginia, and Tue., May 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for residents of Montgomery County. Advance registration is required at vlrtualexpos.accessjca.org. Businesses looking to hire older adults may participate free of charge as well. For more information, email SeniorExpo@AccessJCA.org or call (301) 255-4209.

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Cold myths

From page 6

ber the adage, the bottom line is that when you don’t feel well, eating may not be on the top of your list. And that is OK.

Hydration is more important when you are ill. The best advice is to drink plenty of water or other fluids to stay hydrated, and rest and relax.

Myth: Avoid dairy products if you have a cold because they can produce more mucus.

Fact: Ingesting dairy products will not cause more mucus. Most likely, the texture of certain foods or drinks may coat your throat, which would give the feeling that you have more phlegm.

Certain dairy products can be good when you are under the weather, though. Cold ice cream can soothe a sore throat, and probiotics in yogurt can help alleviate stomach upset if you are taking antibiotics for an infection.

Check with your primary healthcare provider or pharmacist to get a list of foods you should avoid with medications.

Some advice worth following

The best advice I have is to rely on the most common safe behaviors to avoid falling ill:

Wash your hands. Clean your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Disinfect your space. Clean kitchen and bathroom countertops with disinfectant, especially when someone in your family has a cold. Be diligent about wiping down doorknobs and frequently touched surfaces. Use tissues — and masks. Sneeze and cough into tissues. Discard used tissues right away. Then thoroughly wash your hands. If you are wearing a mask, discard the mask and replace it with a clean one. Don’t share. Don’t share drinking glasses or utensils with other family members. Use your own glass or disposable cups when you or someone else is sick. Label the cup or glass with the name of the person with the cold.

Practice social distancing and safe behaviors, especially if others are ill. Avoid close contact with anyone who is ill. Consider wearing a mask if you are

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going to be out in public or around a lot of people in an intimate setting. Since Covid is still a threat, it’s important to practice safe behaviors regardless of whether you have been vaccinated for Covid. And cold and flu germs are still prevalent.

Take care of yourself. Eating well, getting exercise and enough sleep, and managing stress might help you avoid getting sick.

You can rest assured that if you go outside with wet hair, or without a jacket, you won’t increase your chances of getting sick, but it may cause temporary discomfort.

— Carmen Dargel, M.D., Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Onalaska, Wisconsin.

Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. Email MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit mayoclinic.org.

© 2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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PLAN YOUR RETIREMENT

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The reasons low-fat diets disappeared

By Howard LeWine, M.D.

Q: Why for so many years was a lowfat diet the craze and now it seems to be gone?

A: For decades, the message was loud and clear: High intake of fat causes weight gain, heart disease and maybe even cancer. The solution? Go low-fat.

Unfortunately, that often meant consuming more carbs and more sugar, and the advice turned out to be misguided.

Nutritionists now suggest people actually need adequate amounts of fat for optimal health — but only the right kind. Good fat gives your body energy and helps your body absorb vital nutrients.

There are two main kinds of fat: saturated and unsaturated. Saturated fat is in animal products like beef and pork, and dairy products like butter, cream and cheese.

Saturated fat is also a staple in most fast, snack and processed foods, such as pizza, dairy desserts, bacon and cookies. If it’s considered junk food, odds are it contains saturated fat.

Unsaturated fat comes in two categories: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. Monounsaturated fats are found in avocados, peanuts, peanut butter and nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, pistachios and pecans. High amounts are also in oils, such as olive, peanut, safflower,

sunflower and canola oil.

Polyunsaturated fats include omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids. They are also considered “essential” fats because your body can’t make them, and you have to get them from food.

Omega-6s are in oils like soybean, corn, sesame and canola. They’re also abundant in walnuts, peanuts and pumpkin seeds. Omega-3s are in canola oil, soybean oil and walnuts, as well as in fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna and trout.

Good fats, bad fats

How does fat help — and hurt — your health? Too much saturated fat can raise “bad” LDL cholesterol levels. High blood LDL can lead to plaque buildup in arteries throughout the body, which increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and also erectile dysfunction and poor leg circulation.

If you cut out saturated fat in your diet, you can lower your risk for all these problems.

In comparison, consuming monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats helps lower blood pressure and reduce chronic inflammation, which translates to lower cardiovascular risk.

Another benefit of switching fats is that it might help keep your brain healthy. Observational studies suggest that following the MIND diet is linked to

a lower risk of memory loss and cognitive decline.

This research-based diet — the name stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay — advocates eating more of certain foods that are high in unsaturated fat, like nuts, fatty fish and olive oil.

The diet also stresses cutting down on foods that contain high amounts of saturat-

ed fat, such as butter, red meat, pastries, and fried and fast foods.

Howard LeWine, M.D., is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. For additional consumer health information, visit health.harvard.edu.

© 2023 President and fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Enjoy fat and salt in moderation

By Heidi McIndoo

Chips, french fries, tater tots — these are not usually foods you’ll find on any healthy eating lists.

That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them once in a while. But if you’re going to have them, you might as well try to choose those that are the healthiest.

The biggest downfalls for most of these foods are saturated fat and sodium, paired with very little in the way of other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and fiber. The best way to include these into a healthy eating plan occasionally is to address those issues.

While choosing foods that aren’t loaded with nutritional benefits is fine once in a while, it never hurts to try to get some nutrient bang for your buck. Start by looking for those with the least amount of sodium and saturated fat. This can vary greatly by brand.

Next, try to find those created from a nutrient-rich food. Check the ingredient list and look for ones in which the first ingredient listed is a whole

grain like popcorn or a nutrient-dense veggie like sweet potatoes.

When you’re looking to quench that salty, crunchy craving:

Check your serving. Salty snacks come in all different sizes — think onion rings versus popcorn kernels. Be sure to check the specific serving size for whichever one you’re enjoying.

Don’t replace. When adding a food like this to a meal or snack, instead of having it replace a nutrient-dense food, like a fruit or veggie, have a small portion in addition to a healthy option.

Go easy on the extras. Often the dips and sauces we enjoy with these snacks contribute extra saturated fat and sodium to our day. Be sure to indulge in them sparingly.

Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC, 1800-829-5384, EnvironmentalNutrition.com.

© 2023 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Can’t take statins? Try this new pill

Drugs known as statins are the firstchoice treatment for high cholesterol, but millions of people who can’t or won’t take those pills because of side effects may have another option.

In a major study, a different kind of cholesterol-lowering drug named Nexletol reduced the risk of heart attacks and some other cardiovascular problems in people who can’t tolerate statins, researchers re-

ported in early March.

Statins remain “the cornerstone of cholesterol-lowering therapies,” stressed Dr. Steven Nissen of the Cleveland Clinic, who led the study.

But people who can’t take those proven pills “are very needy patients; they’re extremely difficult to treat,” he said. This option “will have a huge impact on public health.”

Too much so-called LDL or “bad” cholesterol can clog arteries and lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Statin pills like Lipitor and Crestor (or their cheap generic equivalents) are the mainstay for lowering LDL cholesterol and preventing heart disease or treating those who already have it. They work by blocking some of the liver’s cholesterol production.

But some people suffer serious muscle pain from statins. While it’s not clear exactly how often that occurs, by some estimates, 10% of people who’d otherwise qualify for the pills can’t or won’t take them. They have limited options, including pricey cholesterol-lowering shots and another kind of pill sold as Zetia.

Nexletol also blocks cholesterol production in the liver but in a different way than statins and without that muscle side effect.

The new five-year study tracked nearly 14,000 people who were unable to tolerate more than a very low dose of a statin. Half got daily Nexletol and half a dummy pill.

The main finding: Nexletol-treated patients had a 13% lower risk of a group of major cardiac problems. Then researchers teased apart those different conditions and found a 23% reduced risk of a heart attack, the biggest impact.

The drug also cut by 19% procedures to unclog arteries. There wasn’t a difference in deaths, which researchers couldn’t explain but said might require longer to detect.

Prostate cancer treatment can wait for most men

Researchers have found long-term evidence that actively monitoring localized prostate cancer is a safe alternative to immediate surgery or radiation.

The results are encouraging for men who want to avoid treatment-related sexual and incontinence problems, said Dr. Stacy Loeb, a prostate cancer specialist who was not involved in the research.

The study directly compared the three approaches — surgery to remove tumors, radiation treatment and monitoring. Most prostate cancer grows slowly, so it takes many years to look at the disease’s outcomes.

“There was no difference in prostate cancer mortality at 15 years between the groups,” Loeb said. And prostate cancer survival for all three groups was high — 97% regardless of treatment approach. “That’s also very good news.”

www.goinghomecares.com

The data was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented in March at a meeting of the American College of Cardiology. The study was funded by Nexletol maker Esperion Therapeutics.

The results are “compelling,” Dr. John H. Alexander of Duke University, who wasn’t involved with the study, wrote in the journal. They “will and should” spur the use of the drug by patients unwilling or unable to take statins.

“It is premature, however, to consider bempedoic acid as an alternative to statins,” he cautioned. “Given the overwhelming evidence of the vascular benefits,” statins remain the top choice for most patients. —AP

The results were published in March in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at a European Association of Urology conference in Milan, Italy. Britain’s National Institute for Health and Care Research paid for the research.

Men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer shouldn’t panic or rush treatment decisions, said lead author Dr. Freddie Hamdy of the University of Oxford. Instead, they should “consider carefully the possible benefits and harms caused by the treatment options.”

A small number of men with high-risk or more advanced disease do need urgent treatments, he added.

Researchers followed more than 1,600 U.K. men who agreed to be randomly as-

What to do if food you bought is recalled

By Kimberly Holland, Real Simple Magazine

Food recalls are certainly unsettling. However, they can also be reassuring. Food manufacturers and inspectors are getting better at finding potential problems.

If you discover you have a food item that’s been recalled, don’t panic. Take these steps to protect yourself, your family, your animals and others — and possibly get your money back.

Educate yourself

Most food recalls are not the result of possible bacterial contamination, such as E.coli or Listeria. Instead, the majority of recalls are related to potential contamination issues from foreign objects (metal or plastic shavings) or undeclared allergens (milk, peanuts, eggs).

Some recalls are also a precautionary measure; a company may discover that proper inspection protocol was not followed. However, not every food recall gets national attention. Recalls for romaine lettuce, flour and ground turkey have made

Health shorts

From page 10

signed to get surgery, radiation or active monitoring. The patients’ cancer was confined to the prostate, a walnut-sized gland that’s part of the reproductive system.

Men in the monitoring group had regular blood tests, and some went on to have surgery or radiation.

Death from prostate cancer occurred in 3.1% of the active-monitoring group, 2.2% in the surgery group, and 2.9% in the radiation group, differences considered statistically insignificant.

At 15 years, cancer had spread in 9.4% of the active-monitoring group, 4.7% of the surgery group and 5% of the radiation

headlines in the past because the size of the recalls was quite large. Smaller recalls happen every day but may not be known.

To fully understand any food recall, see the Food and Drug Administration Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts web page at fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts.

Don’t eat any recalled foods

If a food has been recalled merely for an undeclared allergen, such as milk, and no one in your family has a milk allergy, you may feel safe eating the food. It’s still wise to heed the company’s recall.

Similarly, do not donate the food, give it to anyone else or feed it to a pet.

Don’t open the food

You cannot see, smell or taste foodborne pathogens like E. coli and Listeria. But you can transfer the bacteria from the contaminated food to your entire kitchen if you open the food and touch it.

If you must handle the food to throw it away, wash your hands afterwards with

group. The study was started in 1999, and experts said today’s monitoring practices are better, with MRI imaging and gene tests guiding decisions.

“We have more ways now to help catch that the disease is progressing before it spreads,” Loeb said. In the U.S., about 60% of low-risk patients choose monitoring, now called active surveillance.

Hamdy said the researchers had seen the difference in cancer spread at 10 years and expected it to make a difference in survival at 15 years, “but it did not.” He said spread alone doesn’t predict prostate cancer death.

“This is a new and interesting finding, useful for men when they make decisions about treatments,” he said. —AP

warm water and soap. Wash any containers in which the food was stored, too.

Follow the guidelines

With each food recall, companies are required to offer consumers guidance on what to do with the food. Companies will likely suggest you do one of two things:

• Throw out the food immediately. Wrap it in multiple layers of plastic and packaging to prevent animals or other humans from getting to it.

• Return the product to the store where you purchased it for a refund. If you cannot get to the store, just throw the food away.

Clean your kitchen

Once the food is out of your house, clean your refrigerator thoroughly. Use

antibacterial wipes or a bleach solution and paper towels to clean areas where the food may have been prepared or cooked.

Watch for future food recalls

You can continue to check the FDA’s Alerts website or sign up for its delivery alerts, which will be emailed to you with every new recall or withdrawal. (These happen frequently, so your inbox will be busy.)

Lastly, if you’re concerned about food recalls specifically because of allergy issues, you can monitor the Food Allergy Research & Education Allergy Alerts page at foodallergy.org.

© 2023 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Oral history

From page 1

their voice, or see the way they use their hands to express themselves,” she said.

Richardson said she started the History Makers to “create a record of the African American experience because that record doesn’t [always] exist in history books. So many people are ignorant of the contributions African Americans have made.”

The History Makers content can be viewed through a paid subscription online as well as at the Moving Image Research Center of the Library of Congress. Around 500 of the interviewees have ties to the Washington area.

How history interviews work

When Janice Gregory sat down with her husband, Neal, to offer their stories as part of the Ruth Ann Overbeck Capitol Hill History Project, she recalled far more than the frightening day in September 2001, when she saw black smoke billowing from the Pentagon. They told their personal story as well.

Janice, now 77, and Neal, 86, met on the Hill more than 50 years ago, when she worked for a member of Congress, and Neal, a reporter, came to interview him.

They lived on Capitol Hill for decades, raising three children, who roamed the neighborhood, even sometimes hopping aboard the subways that run in underground tunnels

beneath congressional office buildings.

Janice also remembers being in the forefront of maternity leave policy for congressional staffers after telling her boss what she wanted.

“I don’t know if I was the first, but I was certainly a test case,” she recalled in the written transcript of her oral history interview.

Janice, a lifelong Democrat, also talked about living across the street from thenSpeaker of the House John Boehner, a Republican, exchanging chitchat while in their yards.

What motivated them to tell their stories? Neal was inspired by fellow Capitol Hill resident Margaret Hollister, whom he succeeded as president of the Southeast Library’s Friends of the Library group.

He was fascinated by the history she shared, including her account of attending the 1963 March on Washington. Before Hollister died at age 101 in 2019, she shared her experience as part of an Overbeck Project group recording an oral history of the civil rights movement.

“There was a little uneasiness in the air, in fact a lot,” Hollister told the interviewer.

“And as you walked toward the Lincoln Memorial, you were waiting for something to happen, just plain happen. Because you were there under some risk.”

But then the mood shifted, she recalled.

“I still remember walking into the sort of circle near Martin Luther King. It was as if the tension was gone, and you were com-

pletely absorbed in the occasion, with this man standing here,” Hollister said.

A gift to children or grandchildren

Even if you never experienced a historic event, your description of the past could be important. For instance, Lynn Nicholas, 83, recorded her story about growing up and living in Georgetown since the 1950s for the Citizens Association of Georgetown.

“Anyone who lived in Washington or moves here would be quite interested in how people used to live,” she said. She also noted that oral histories can be a gift to your children or grandchildren so they can know what everyday life was like.

But Nicholas has a few qualms about oral history as well. As the author of books exploring the theft of artworks by Nazis and the treatment of children during World War II, Nicholas said her own research reminded her of how faulty memories can be, and that first-person accounts can be embellished or sanitized.

“I used a lot of oral histories and found some incredibly unreliable. Families all have myths they cling to,” she said.

“When it comes to [depicting] atmosphere, they may not remember details exactly right, but they remember how they felt, and that’s important to capture in oral history.”

Pandemic stories

Covid provided an opportunity to pre-

serve the voices of people living through a pandemic. For example, a project titled, “Living and Dying with Covid-19: The Maryland Stories,” provided recording equipment to several public libraries throughout the state so residents could offer their perspectives.

The project wrapped up recording recently, and the oral histories will be part of the Digital Maryland and Maryland State Archive collections.

The recordings are filled with personal struggles and loss, as well as the impact the pandemic had on everything from small businesses to the arts, said William Lord, founder and executive director of the Global Z Recording Project.

“The stories describe tragic personal loss, system-wide failures…and inabilities to serve those in need. But also some perhaps unexpected positive changes that came about as well, people who were able to step up and make a difference,” he said.

While that project is no longer making recordings, groups around the Washington area continue to collect oral histories. Fairfax County, for example, has recorded retired county leaders, and will soon move on to recording “the most elderly seniors who have helped make Fairfax County rich in resources,” McCullough said.

“We want to promote the idea that history is currently happening, rather than something only in the past. We are all making history each day, and we should be proud to share our life stories.”

A memory supplement from mushrooms

Recently, I was asked what the bestselling memory herb is. The truth is that there are many herbs and supplements marketed for memory and cognitive function, and it can be difficult to determine which one is the most popular.

So, my answer is it’s the one that people can remember the name of: Lion’s mane.

A type of mushroom known botanically as Hericium erinaceus, Lion’s mane has gained a lot of attention and has been clinically studied in recent years as a dietary supplement due to its potential cognitive benefits.”

from the mushroom’s compounds called erinacines and hericenones, which can stimulate the growth and regeneration of nerve cells in the brain and protect them from damage.

Some studies have shown that lion’s mane extract may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which can contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

cells and macrophages. This action helps your body fight off infections and diseases.

Lion’s mane is a medicinal mushroom sold as a dietary supplement (and it’s even in my own Memory Script supplement, which is patented). The mushroom is also eaten as a food, similar to portobello and shiitake mushrooms.

Lifestyle factors such as regular exercise and healthy eating habits play a crucial role in maintaining cognitive health. So, if you want to improve your memory,

don’t forget to exercise your brain along with your body.

I’ve written a longer version of this article at suzycohen.com.

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

By Suzy Cohen

Lion’s mane mushrooms got their name because these shaggy mushrooms have long, flowing tendrils.

Effect on cognitive function

Several studies have shown that lion’s mane extract may improve cognitive function, memory and concentration.

For example, a 2010 study found that lion’s mane extract improved cognitive function in elderly Japanese men and women. More recently, a 2019 study found that lion’s mane extract improved cognitive function in individuals with mild cognitive impairment.

The neuroprotective properties come

As for mood improvement, a 2013 paper outlined how lion’s mane extract reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, at least in menopausal women.

Some people who have Alzheimer’s also take a popular medication called Namenda®, and you may wonder if lion’s mane interacts with it. How the herb and the drug work is completely different, so I’d say it’s probably fine to take both — but ask your physician to be sure.

Potential immune system benefits

Another potential benefit of lion’s mane is its ability to boost the immune system. Animal studies have shown that lion’s mane extract can increase the activity of natural killer

Questions about hair loss and blackouts

By Howard LeWine, M.D.

Q: Since menopause, my hair keeps getting thinner. Why do older women lose their hair? What treatments are available?

A: Among postmenopausal women, as many as two-thirds develop hair thinning or bald spots.

The main type of hair loss in women is the same as it is in men. It’s called androgenetic alopecia, or female (or male) pattern hair loss.

In women, the condition begins with gradual thinning at the part line, followed by increasing diffuse hair loss radiating from the top of the head. A woman’s hairline rarely recedes, and women rarely become bald.

There are many potential causes of hair loss in women, including medical conditions, medications and physical or emotional stress.

If you notice unusual hair loss of any kind, it’s important to see your primary care provider or a dermatologist to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.

Almost every woman eventually develops some degree of female pattern hair loss. It can start any time after the onset of puberty, but women tend to first notice it around menopause, when hair loss typically increases. The risk rises with age, and it’s higher for women with a history of hair

loss on either side of the family.

Medications that can help with hair loss in women include:

Topical minoxidil. The FDA originally approved over-the-counter 2% minoxidil to treat hair loss in women. Since then, a 5% solution has also become available when a stronger solution is needed for a woman’s hair loss.

While it can produce some new growth of fine hair in some — not all — women, it can’t restore the full density of the lost hair. It’s also not a quick fix for hair loss in women. You won’t see results until you use the drug for at least two months.

The effect often peaks at around four months, but it could take longer, so plan on a trial of six to 12 months. If minoxidil works for you, you’ll need to keep using it to maintain those results. If you stop, you’ll start to lose hair again.

Anti-androgens . Androgens include testosterone and other “male” hormones, which can accelerate hair loss in women.

Some women who don’t respond to minoxidil may benefit from the addition of the anti-androgen drug spironolactone (Aldactone) for treatment of androgenic alopecia. This is especially true for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) because they tend to make excess androgens.

Iron supplements . Iron deficiency

could be a cause of hair loss in some women. Your doctor may test your blood iron level. If you do have iron deficiency, you will need to take a supplement and it may stop your hair loss.

However, if your iron level is normal, taking extra iron will only cause side effects, such as stomach upset and constipation.

Q: My husband blacked out at home and has no memory of what happened. I found out later and by then he was fine. Did he have a seizure?

A: A seizure is one possibility. But he should contact his doctor to report the episode.

The most common reason for temporarily blacking out is fainting from an overly sensitive response by the nervous system

known as reflex syncope. That occurs when the nervous system tells the heart to slow down and the blood vessels to dilate, which lowers blood pressure and diminishes blood flow to the brain.

The most common type, vasovagal syncope, refers to the effects of the vagus nerve (which regulates heart rate and blood pressure, among other things).

Most people remember feeling lightheaded before they pass out from reflex syncope. However, people who have a seizure often have no memory of what happened just before and just after the event.

If he has another episode witnessed by

Researchers study meditation for anxiety

By Margaret Foster

Can a once-a-week meditation class alleviate anxiety and depression? That’s what researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center want to find out.

Its previous study found meditation could be as effective as an anti-anxiety medication. In January, they published their findings in JAMA Psychiatry that a study of more than 276 people found mindfulness-based stress reduction was more effective than the antidepressant Lexapro. Comparing mindfulness with medication “had never been done before,” said Elizabeth Hoge, director of the Anxiety Disorders Research Program at Georgetown University Medical Center and the study’s principal investigator.

On the heels of that study, Hoge and her team at Georgetown have launched a new study for people with anxiety, this time focusing on another type of meditation called mindful self-compassion.

“The next step, which is the current

study, is to specialize the treatment to a population that has high levels of self-judgment. We found that a lot of patients with anxiety and depression have high levels of self-judgment — unfairly judging themselves and not having compassion for themselves,” Hoge said.

“Fortunately, there is a type of meditation that has been around for thousands of years in the Buddhist tradition called compassion meditation and Metta, or lovingkindness meditation.”

The new study aims to find out whether or not these ancient practices can alleviate anxiety and depression. Hoge’s team wants to see if “by focusing on people’s ability to be patient and kind to themselves, that would also decrease suffering,” she said.

What’s mindfulness?

What exactly is mindfulness? It’s a type of meditation that focuses on the present.

To do it, a person simply sits silently and

focuses on whatever is happening, usually breathing. At the same time, they try to accept the current moment, even unpleasantness like an achy back, a loud sound or an unhappy memory — “not trying to change it, but noticing what’s there,” Hoge said. Then, try to accept your thoughts in a friendly way. “The second part is to hold a mental stance of openness and curiosity and acceptance,” Hoge said.

“That tends to result in lower anxiety and depression because they’re not judging themselves, like, ‘Why am I having that bad thought?’ Just noticing, ‘Oh there’s that negative thought again.’”

Blackouts

From page 15

you or someone else, she or he should take notes right away — written or at least mental notes. He should have a prompt evaluation, and the doctor will want to know:

• How he was acting before the actual spell

• The very first things that you saw

• Details of what he was doing during the spell

• His muscle movements

• How long the episode lasted

• How many minutes passed before he was able to communicate with you

Most seizures stop on their own within a few minutes. Unless a seizure does not end, the only danger is injury.

So, if you are there, move your husband to the floor and take away any hard, near-

How the study works

Adults 18 to 75 years old who have an anxiety disorder can join the randomized study. One group will receive standard medical treatment. The other will attend a two-hour class once a week starting at 6:30 p.m. on Wisconsin Avenue in Glover Park. (Street parking is free at that time.)

For eight weeks, an experienced meditation teacher will guide them through mindfulness meditation practices, focusing on breathing and accepting the present moment. Participants will also be welcome

by objects. Do not try to put anything in his mouth.

For someone having a first seizure as an adult, the doctor will want to know what medicine the person takes and the doses. Another question will be about anything eaten or swallowed. This should include over-thecounter drugs, herbs and supplements.

Doctors perform common tests when an adult is suspected of having a first-time seizure. These include:

• Blood tests to make sure there is no chemical imbalance that could trigger a seizure

• Urine and blood tests to look for toxic substances

• An electrocardiogram (EKG) to rule out a heart problem

• An MRI or CT scan of the head

• A brain wave test (EEG)

© 2022 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Pair tender cutlets with a bright sauce

By America’s Test Kitchen

These sautéed, super-thin chicken cutlets are easy to make and look so good, they evoke the feeling of an evening out.

Paillard is a French term that refers to boneless meat that has been pounded thin to tenderize it and help it cook faster.

In this recipe, we halve boneless chicken breasts horizontally and pound them to an even thickness under plastic wrap, so they cook at the same rate and turn out moist, tender and juicy. (To make slicing the chicken easier, freeze breasts for 15 minutes first.)

To further ensure juiciness, we brown them on only one side. Getting a brown crust is key, but browning both sides dries the meat out.

The cutlets can be paired with a number of sauces. We offer the sweet, tangy combination of apple cider and cider vinegar with the kick of whole grain mustard.

Meditation

From

to attend a half-day retreat to reinforce the practices they learn in class.

Researchers will measure the effects of self-compassion with surveys and, if participants choose to enroll in a third, related study, an optional MRI.

“We know it’s healthy for people to have

Chicken Paillard

Servings: 4

Total minutes: 40

Ingredients:

4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, tenderloins removed and breasts trimmed

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

Instructions:

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 200 degrees. Halve chicken horizontally, then cover chicken halves with plastic wrap and use meat pounder to pound cutlets to an even ¼-inch thickness. Season both sides of each cutlet with salt and pepper.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Place 4 cutlets in skillet and cook, without moving, until browned, about 2 minutes. Using spatula, flip cutlets and continue to cook until second sides are opaque, 15 to 20 -

self-compassion, but we don’t know what’s going on in the brain,” Hoge said.

Scientists today are becoming more willing to test alternative treatments, she said.

“We’re now, more than ever, able to do studies like this because mindfulness has become more widely accepted,” Hoge said.

For more information, visit georgetownanxietystudy.org, call (202) 687-7283, or email aco51@georgetown.edu.

seconds. Transfer to large heatproof plate. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to nowempty skillet and repeat with remaining cutlets. Cover plate loosely with foil and transfer to oven to keep warm while making the sauce.

Mustard Cider Sauce

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1 shallot, minced

1¼ cups apple cider

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

2 teaspoons whole-grain mustard

2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions:

1. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from

skillet. (If necessary, add oil to equal 1 tablespoon).

2. Add shallot and cook over medium heat until softened, about 1 minute.

3. Adjust heat to medium-high and add cider and vinegar.

4. Bring to simmer, scraping pan bottom with wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits.

5. Simmer until reduced to ½ cup, 6 to 7 minutes.

6. Off heat, stir in mustard and parsley, then whisk in butter, 1 tablespoon at a time.

7. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately with cutlets.

Excerpted from the new America’s Test Kitchen cookbook, Modern Bistro

*Allparticipantswhoattendanestimated60-90-minutein-homeproductconsultationwillreceivea$50Visagiftcard.Retailvalueis$50. OffersponsoredbyLeafGuardHoldingsInc.Limitoneperhousehold.Companyprocures,sells,andinstallsseamlessgutterprotection. Thisofferisvalidforhomeownersover18yearsofage.Ifmarriedorinvolvedwithalifepartner,bothcohabitatingpersonsmustattendand completepresentationtogether.ParticipantsmusthaveaphotoIDandbelegallyabletoenterintoacontract.Thefollowingpersonsare noteligibleforthisoffer:employeesofCompanyoraffiliatedcompaniesorentities,theirimmediatefamilymembers,previousparticipants inaCompanyin-homeconsultationwithinthepast12monthsandallcurrentandformerCompanycustomers.Giftmaynotbeextended, transferred,orsubstitutedexceptthatCompanymaysubstituteagiftofequalorgreatervalueifitdeemsitnecessary.Giftcardwillbe mailedtotheparticipantviafirstclassUnitedStatesMailwithin10daysofreceiptofthepromotionform.Notvalidinconjunctionwith anyotherpromotionordiscountofanykind.Offernotsponsoredandissubjecttochangewithoutnoticepriortoreservation.Offernot availableinthestatesofCA,IN,PAandMI.Expires LeafGuardoperatesasTriStateLeafGuardinNewJerseyunderHICPAlicense numberPA126357.

ACTING DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

By Charon P.W. Hines

As we welcome the arrival of spring and look forward to warmer weather and flowers in bloom, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the challenging times we have been through and the resilience we have demonstrated as a city. Despite the difficulties, I am heartened by the progress our city has made towards recovery, and I am excited about the opportunities ahead.

Recently, Mayor Muriel Bowser released her Proposed Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Fair Shot Budget and Financial Plan to the DC Council, and I wanted to share some highlights with you. This budget builds upon the District’s road to recovery and the Mayor’s commitment to ensuring all residents, including seniors like you, have a fair shot. And despite the economic challenges faced, the proposed budget remains focused on the necessary investments that will energize DC’s comeback, unlocking the full potential of our older residents and our communities.

For us at DACL, we have been hyper-focused on helping more older Washingtonians truly live and thrive in the communities you have all come to know and love. Whether it is creating innovative programs to decrease senior food insecurity and increase nutrition equity through the Food4Choice Pilot Program, or ensuring we further alleviate the risk of falls by expanding the Mayor’s signature program, Safe at Home, our agency remains committed to using every tool in our toolbox to meet and exceed your needs.

In FY24, the Mayor is continuing to make investments in Safe at Home. She is investing an additional $1 million to increase the eligibility for the program. We know how critical it is to support you in making sure your homes are a place where you can age safely. With additional funds, we can ensure more seniors benefit from this longstanding program, creating greater independence and giving more older residents like you the autonomy to age how you want and how you choose.

Additionally, many of you have shared with us that transportation is the lifeline connecting you to medical care, food, the community, and social events that help you thrive. In FY24, the Mayor is making a $1.5 million investment in transportation access for seniors, giving DACL the opportunity to expand the ConnectorCard program. Through ConnectorCard, qualifying seniors can receive up to $100

Mayor Bowser Releases her FY24 Fair Shot Budget

On March 22, Mayor Muriel Bowser presented her proposed Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Budget and Financial Plan to the Council of the District of Columbia as part of the District’s annual budget process. The $19.5 billion FY23 Budget makes significant increased investments in public safety, housing and ending homelessness, affordability programs, and city services.

To learn more about the budget, visit budget.dc.gov.

Save the Date for the Annual Senior Fest!

On May 31, 2023, DACL will partner with Department of Parks and Recreation to host the annual Senior Fest at the Gateway Pavilion, 2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE. The event will feature music, live entertainment, exhibitors, health screenings, games, a hot lunch, and more. To learn more, please visit dpr.events.

Acting Director Hines Testifies before the Committee on Executive Administration and Labor

On March 3, Acting Director Charon Hines represented DACL at our annual Performance Oversight Hearing. To read the full testimony, please visit dacl.dc.gov/release/fy-2022-2023performance-oversight-hearing.

Acting Director’s Message

From page 19

a month in travel transit funds. These funds can be used towards transportation of your choice to get to and from any destination in the city, whether through Metro, includ-

ing MetroAccess, cabs, or rideshare services. With this investment, we can continue to prioritize helping you get around our great city.

The Mayor is also making significant investments to ensure housing in our city is more affordable for all residents, further closing the racial wealth gap and keeping longtime

Washingtonians in DC. These investments include:

• $31 million investment to fund the Housing Production Trust Fund at $100 million,

• $1.5 million enhancement for Heirs Property Services,

• $2 million investment to increase available funds for Single Family Residential Rehab, and

• $115 million investment to rehabilitate and modernize public housing units managed by the DC Housing Authority.

The investments, and others like them, prioritize seniors who are

both homeowners and renters, creating more access to dignified, affordable housing.

In closing, I want to reaffirm that our government and Mayor are dedicated to investing in our city's recovery, and I am so proud of the progress we have made so far. You can trust us to prioritize your needs and the needs of our communities, and we are confident that the FY24 Budget will energize our city's comeback. For more information about the budget, please visit budget.dc.gov. Thank you for your ongoing trust and support.

The Department of Aging and Community Living’s Safe at Home program provides in-home preventative adaptations to reduce the risk of falls for District residents age 60 and older and adults with disabilities.

This may include handrails, grab bars, bathtub cuts, shower seats, and stair lifts.

Income Qualifications

A maximum of $79,700 annually for an individual or $91,050 for a married couple.

In January 2023, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the expansion of Safe at Home 2.0, covering medication management, vision screenings, and balance/strength training. If you are a current Safe at Home participant and would like to learn more about additional services that will help reduce your risk of falling, please call 202-559-9856 or email safeathome@homecarepartners.org. Please note, Safe at Home 2.0 is a pilot program and will be provided upon request to participants already in enrolled in Safe at Home 1.0.

NOTE: All applicants may not qualify for the Safe at Home program. Applicants who do not qualify may receive referrals to other programs better suited for their specific needs.

Referrals to other programs are not a guarantee of eligibility.

Volunteers perform needed home repairs

By Glenda C. Booth

Awad Tanios, a double amputee, did not have an accessible bathroom or shower and could not get to the second floor of his townhouse in Montgomery Village, Maryland, so he slept in his living room.

Now, thanks to a nonprofit, Tanios has a customized chair lift to bring him to his second-floor bathroom, where he can access a new shower with his wheelchair.

A Maryland retiree was living alone in an unheated house without a functional kitchen. He had to prepare meals with a toaster oven or microwave and walk to the second floor for water. Now he has heat as well as a full kitchen with new flooring, drywall and appliances.

These men and many other homeowners can live more self-sufficiently in their houses thanks to Rebuilding Together, a nonprofit organization with 120 affiliates in

38 states, including Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. The organization provides free repairs for homeowners who meet income eligibility requirements.

Maury Peterson, executive director of Rebuilding Together Montgomery County, loves to share success stories like these. She describes how she has marshaled her staff and organized contractors and volunteers to make home improvements that “help preserve the current affordable housing stock, prevent displacement and homelessness, and stabilize entire communities,” she said.

Nationally, the group’s nearly 100,000 volunteers complete about 10,000 projects each year. The organization has pledged to make over a million repairs in more than 120 communities by 2030. Just over 200,000 have been completed to date.

Rebuilding Together’s services are free

to eligible low-income homeowners, including people with disabilities, veterans and people over age 63 with limited incomes. In Montgomery County, 63% of its clients are older adults, and more than half are women.

Maggi Klefstad, director of development for Rebuilding Together’s D.C.Alexandria affiliate, explains the organization’s philosophy: “We believe housing is a human right, that everyone deserves access to healthy housing,” she said.

“Our organization changes lives and creates homes for those who do not have the financial resources to do it themselves.” Her affiliate undertakes around 300 projects every year.

How it works

First, only homeowners can qualify. Financial eligibility depends on one’s annual median income (AMI), typically at or

Find Compassion, Care & Respect at Harmony

below 80% of the local AMI.

Each affiliate has different income requirements. The D.C.-Alexandria affiliate requires that a client’s income be 80% or less of the AMI of Alexandria and Washington, D.C. Montgomery County’s affiliate requires 50% or less of the county’s AMI, which is $120,000. Their average client has an income of around $22,000 a year.

Professionals first assess a home’s condition, generally following guidelines from the National Center for Healthy Housing. Using the center’s 25-item healthy homes checklist, they look for warning signs like peeling paint, musty odors and tripping hazards. Then they recommend repairs or retrofits.

Rebuilding Together assigns low- and high-skilled volunteers, many over the age of 50, to tasks like painting, yard work and basic carpentry. Common requests include installing smoke detectors, adding insulation, repairing windows and doing plumbing repairs. Volunteers can also install accessibility modifications like higher toilets, walk-in tubs, hand rails and grab bars.

For more complicated projects, the organizations fundraise and hire professional contractors. They typically complete jobs involving electrical wiring as well as roof, furnace and air conditioning repairs.

Rebuilding affiliates often partner with home products companies like Bed, Bath and Beyond and Lowe’s. Some partners donate supplies.

Founded in Texas

In 1973, a group in Midland, Texas, noticed that some houses in the community were in disrepair, so they volunteered to help their neighbors who could not afford repairs. Calling their effort “Christmas in April,” they intended to do repair and rehabilitation projects in their community every April.

As news of their work spread, more and more people became interested, and they formed partnerships. In 1988, the project took on the name Rebuilding Together and opened a national office to “repair homes, revitalize communities and rebuild lives,” according to Rebuilding Together’s website.

Today, its corporate partners include the American Red Cross, HGTV and DIY Network, Lockheed Martin, the National Basketball Association, Sherwin Williams and Wells Fargo.

In Maryland, in addition to Montgomery County, the group has affiliates in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Charles, Frederick, Howard, Kent and Queen Anne’s counties.

In addition to the Washington, D.C.Alexandria affiliate, Virginia affiliates are in Arlington and Fairfax Counties, Falls Church and Richmond.

Rebuilding Together’s 2021 survey found that after receiving home repairs, clients feel more included and have more pride in their homes, better health and less stress. In fact, the survey found, 89% of homeowners reported an increase in happiness after repairs.

That was certainly true for 76-year-old

What do independent living sites offer?

By Scott Witt and Taylor Shuman, SeniorLiving.org

You have a dilemma. The home where you raised your children, the place you came home to for 30 years, and the yard you manicured, is now too much to manage. You no longer have the desire to weed the flower bed, lug the vacuum upstairs, and listen to your neighbor’s car stereo booming at night.

But maybe the memories of this place stretch your entire adult life. Your kids took their first steps in the living room. Your grandkids love playing in the oakshaded backyard. So, what should you do?

Deciding to move into something more manageable is not easy at first. But once you see the necessity and start thinking about the possibilities of a new life in an independent living community, you may feel like a weight has been lifted.

We’ll try to make selecting an independ-

Rebuilding

From page B-2

Ellen Reed, who was grateful after Rebuilding Together Saratoga County installed wheelchair ramps in her house in upstate New York.

“It’s unreal what they did,” Ellen told Rebuilding Together. “This has brought the word ‘life’ back into the picture for

ent living community as easy as possible and arm you with questions, answers and everything in between!

What is independent living?

Independent living is for older adults who want to live independently among their peers and also have amenities and services tailored to their needs.

When you picture a retirement community, we’d bet that what you’re picturing is independent living. You have your own apartment or cottage, yet there are tons of similarly-aged people living around you.

You can go about your day, doing your own thing, or you can join scheduled group activities like yoga or shuffleboard, and outings like trips to the golf course. Plus, you aren’t dragged down by yard work, home maintenance or cleaning.

That’s independent living: Communities

me,” she said. “I’m crying happy tears because I feel like I’m alive.”

This April 29 is National Rebuilding Day, when all Rebuilding Together affiliates will undertake home rehabilitation projects all over the United States.

For more information on how to volunteer or obtain services, or to make a donation, visit rebuildingtogether.org, through which you can locate the affiliate for your area.

intentionally designed for people 55+ or 65+, where you can remain independent without feeling lonely or isolated.

Everything you need is generally right on campus, such as a library, dining options, a fitness center and social activities. It’s fairly similar to the residential side of college life.

What services and activities are available?

Independent living communities all offer different services and activities for residents. Some might have a golf course and golf carts on the property. Others are located in the middle of the city, making outings very accessible.

The following are some services and amenities commonly offered at inde-

pendent living communities:

• Fitness classes, a gym or outdoor recreational spaces

• Book clubs, cooking clubs, gardening clubs, Bible clubs, card clubs, etc.

• On-site lectures, seminars and classes

• Housekeeping, meal preparation and home maintenance

• Travel and cultural opportunities

• Dining facilities

• Movie nights, games nights, bingo

• Laundry and linen services

• Around-the-clock security

Is independent living right for me?

Choosing to move to an independent liv-

A coastal classic setting new heights. When you come to the coast, time slows down.

Once the waves hit your toes, your whole body relaxes and your spirit feels stronger. It’s a feeling you wish could last forever. Nobody likes having to leave the beach at the end of the day.

So don’t.

Introducing a brand new expansion to Westminster-Canterbury — The Bay Tower — 225 all new Independent Living apartments overlooking the very best in Virginia Beach.

When a day at the bay is not enough.

INDEPENDENT LIVING, page B-4

Independent living

From page B-3

ing community takes careful consideration, especially if it means you’ll need to sell your home.

As you do your research and mull it over, don’t forget to talk to any friends who may already live in an independent living community. Their first-hand stories might make deciding a bit easier.

You’ll likely hear a range of stories about why they decided to make the move, as everyone has their own reasons for choosing independent living. Here are a few common ones:

• You want to spend your retirement years among your peers.

• You no longer wish to care for an entire property.

• You’re looking for a built-in support network.

• You can care for yourself without assistance but like the idea of prepared meals, a cleaning service and a laundry service.

• You want to participate in social, educational and fitness activities without having to drive around.

• You want to move closer to your loved ones but don’t want to buy a house.

How to choose an independent living community

Deciding you want to move into an independent living community is only the first decision. Next, you’ll need to choose the right community for you.

Some older adults just know when they’ve found the right community. Others need to compare their options meticulously.

Considering the following questions can help you narrow down your search and compare communities.

What’s your preferred location? Knowing your desired location will narrow down your search.

Talk with your family to see what they think. If you live far from your family, it might make sense to choose a community

near a relative. Maybe you’ve always wanted to move to a warm-weather state. Now would be a great time to look into it.

You may also want to compare rural vs. suburban vs. city locations. Each has its benefits and drawbacks, so it’s a matter of what’s important to you.

If you enjoy staying busy and want public transportation, then the city might make sense. If you find the quiet country life more peaceful, look for a more rural facility.

Is your religion important to you?

Some independent living communities are directly affiliated with a religious group or denomination. At these homes, there’s often a church or synagogue on-site along with religious leaders. Activities offered might be rooted in that faith tradition too.

When comparing faith-affiliated communities, ask if you can attend their worship services. That can help you determine which one is the right fit.

Does it offer activities you enjoy and services you want? It might seem obvi-

ous, but make sure that the facilities you’re looking at offer what you want.

Ask to see a copy of last year’s activity calendar and a list of services offered. Find out how residents spend their time. Are they social and outgoing, or does everyone keep to themselves?

We also suggest asking how much influence residents have in what goes on. Is there an activity committee that helps plan and suggest events? When there’s a movie night, who picks the movie? Is it normal for residents to start their own clubs? You may feel more at home when you can contribute to the planning.

What security and emergency measures are in place? Retirement communities generally have some form of security, though some setups are more effective than others.

When you tour the property, be on the lookout for vulnerabilities. You could even check with the local police station for reports of crimes or disturbances at the address.

The community should provide security 24/7. Find out who provides the security and when the guards are on duty. Confirm that security will be in place during all days, nights, weekends and holidays.

Also, ask about emergency services in case police, fire or paramedics are needed. For example, how many minutes away is an ambulance?

Can you afford it? It’s essential to choose a place that you can continually afford. Many people sell their homes and use the equity to pay for independent living. Talk to your accountant or a trusted loved one to make sure the place you end up is a place you can afford to stay for as long as you need or want it.

When visiting a community, make sure to ask which services are included in membership fees and which are not. We recommend putting together a list that includes the cost of rent, membership fees, and the price of any additional services you want now or may want later.

Why is independent living important?

You might be wondering why, if a person can live independently, they wouldn’t just stay at home? That’s a great question.

The main difference between living independently at home and living in an independent living community is this: those who move into an independent living community might be living alone, but they aren’t alone.

That distinction makes all the difference because, among seniors who report feeling lonely, there’s a 45% increased risk of mortality. Feelings of social isolation and loneliness can also lead to depression, a higher risk of heart disease, and a higher risk of stroke.

Like independent living, senior living communities combat loneliness by providing older adults with plenty of social opportunities. There are informal opportunities, like befriending your neighbors, and formal opportunities, like joining organized clubs, outings and activities.

Socialization makes a significant differ-

Affordable ways to improve curb appeal

By Family Features

Your home’s first big impression is its curb appeal, so if your place is in need of sprucing up, you may wonder how you can make some updates without breaking the bank.

These 10 ideas are easy on budgets, but they can also make a big impact on your home’s exterior image.

Paint your front door. As long as your front door is in good condition, there’s no need to replace it completely. A fresh coat of paint can instantly update your home’s facade. Go bold or stick with a classic hue — it’s all up to you.

Dress up the windows. Add character and charm by enhancing your front windows. You might add wooden shutters,

window box planters or both. Also look at the trim around the windows. If it’s chipped and peeling, adding a fresh coat of paint doesn’t just look nice, it can protect your windows from damage, too.

Clean up flower beds. An unkempt flower bed can drag down an otherwise stunning home. Keep beds tidy and vegetation trimmed, even during the offseason. Watch for weeds and replenish mulch or rock ground cover as needed to keep the beds looking healthy and inviting.

Install new lighting. Replacing outdated light fixtures can give your exterior an instant upgrade. There’s no right or wrong style; just choose a color and look that matches the rest of your design.

Replace worn welcome mats. A cheer-

Affordable Senior Communities

ful mat at your front door can be an inviting sight for visitors, but those mats inevitably wear with time, and what was once bright and charming becomes dingy and dull. A new mat can help bring back that cheery entry you once cherished.

Pressure wash the drive and walk. Over time, driveways and sidewalks collect a lot of grime. Pressure washing not only eliminates the filth, but the clean surfaces also add to your home’s visual appeal.

Independent living

ence in a person’s life, decreasing the risk of depression and increasing life span. A Wake Forest Alzheimer’s Disease Center study found that older adults with an active social life may have a slower rate of memory decline as well.

All in all, independent living communities provide ways to stay socially, mentally and physically active with built-in programs and services.

How much does independent living cost?

What’s great about independent living is that you can find facilities at nearly every price point. Wealthier people can comfortably afford a high-end, luxury facility or a facility in a high-income area, which tends to cost the most.

Those with limited resources can apply for Section 202 low-income housing to move into a low-income senior apartment that offers some services. There’s often a waitlist for these, so the sooner you send in your application, the better.

Independent living facilities typically cost a few thousand dollars per month. The cost might seem steep, but remem-

Add new vegetation. Landscaping is a relatively inexpensive way to introduce more personality to a yard. Aim for a mix of pretty and practical, such as some low flowering bushes and some trees or bushes that offer privacy and shade.

Keep up with basic maintenance. When your home is in poor repair, it shows. Pay attention to bent or rusting

ber, it includes more than rent.

At many facilities, the price of rent, utilities and access to amenities are bundled together. Some places include laundry, housekeeping and linen service in the monthly price too.

Personal income is the most common payment source for independent senior living. For low-income people, extra funds might be available through the Section 8 rent subsidy program.

Active adult communities generally cannot accept payment sources that commonly fund nursing homes and assisted living (like Medicaid and long-term care insurance).

To pay for retirement housing, individuals and their families commonly make these moves:

• Use Social Security and pension

• Withdraw from savings or collect annuity payments

• Cash out investment retirement accounts

• Get a loan or line of credit

Consulting with a trusted financial planner is highly advisable as you plan for retirement.

This article was excerpted from SeniorLiving.org and reprinted with permission. To read the full article, see seniorliving.org/independent-living.

INDEPENDENT & PERSONAL CARE COMMUNITIES

B’nai B’rith Homecrest House

301-598-4000

14508 Homecrest Road

Silver Spring, MD 20906

www.homecresthouse.org

Homecrest House is a non-profit, affordable, subsidized senior adult community nestled amidst 10 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds with its own lake, neighboring Leisure World, The three residential buildings on the B'nai B'rith Homecrest campus provide 235 apartments for Independent Living, some designed for adults with physical mobility challenges, and 42 apartments offering Enhanced Care Services. We invite you to come look at our elegant new appearance. Don't delay, call for a personalized tour now at 301-598-4000 ext. 79 or visit us at www.homecresthouse.org.

LIFE PLAN COMMUNITY

Vinson Hall Retirement Community

571-556-4136

6251 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA 22101

www.vinsonhall.org

Older adults wishing to continue their active lifestyle, meet new friends and enjoy their favorite pursuits will discover that Vinson Hall Retirement Community is the perfect place to call home. This vibrant Life Plan Community in McLean, Virginia, just across the river from Washington, D.C., offers inviting dining venues, social, cultural and educational opportunities, life-enriching amenities and first-class hospitality services. As a Life Plan Community, VHRC offers living options beyond Independent Living. Residents have access to a continuum of care in our highly-rated Arleigh Burke Pavilion, as well as Memory Support in The Sylvestery. To reserve your place on our waitlist, visit VinsonHall.org or call us at 571-556-4136.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Covenant Village Senior Apartments

301-540-1162

18889 Waring Station Road

Germantown, MD 20874

www.qpmgmt.com

• Spacious 1 and 2 bedroom plans with washer/dryer in each apt.

• Shuttle bus for shopping and local trips

• On-site fitness, game, and craft rooms, movie theatre, library, beauty salon, and courtyard garden plots.

It's about our residents, said Management staff, Debra and Janiece. They always ensure that they have interesting and exciting things going on. Some of the fun includes: Garden Party Cookouts, Trips to Washington, DC to see the Cherry Blossoms, the Franciscan Monastery, and the National Zoo, Black Hills Pontoon Boat Ride, Low-Impact Fitness Classes, Resident Birthday Celebrations, Craft Classes and Potlucks. Also, many guest speakers are invited to speak to our residents on topics that are relevant to them.

INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE

The Carnegie at Washingtonian Center

240-213-7383

Discovery Center:

129 Ellington Boulevard • Gaithersburg, MD 20878

www.LifeAtTheCarnegie.com

The Carnegie at Washingtonian Center is a unique concept for senior living in the heart of Gaithersburg. Welcoming residents in the spring of 2024, the seven-story complex offers spacious one- and two-bedroom floorplans for independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Situated on 8.5 acres beside RIO Lakefront at Washingtonian Center, The Carnegie is a Kisco Signature Community offering best-in-class standards and a fivestar experience. Anchored by integrity, dignity, and compassion, The Carnegie cultivates a life of intellectual enrichment, peaceful independence, and meaningful connections. For more information call 240-213-7383 or visit the full-size two-bedroom model at 129 Ellington Boulevard in Gaithersburg.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

The Grandview

Senior Living

1-855-479-8096

710400 Fernwood Rd. Bethesda, MD 20817

EricksonSeniorliving.com/The-Grandview

Introducing The Grandview. The Grandview, a brand new senior living community by Erickson Senior Living™ is coming soon to Bethesda, Maryland. Offering active, independent living and higher levels of care on a beautiful campus, it will be close to local shopping, dining, and entertainment. The Grandview will feature a variety of stylish, maintenance-free apartment homes that suit every need and budget, with impressive features and finishes. Residents can stay engaged with a host of amenities and enjoy predictable spending with a single, streamlined monthly bill. Perhaps best of all, experience peace of mind with a variety of health and well-being services right on campus. Call 1-855-479-8096 or visit TheGrandviewSeniorLiving.com today to learn more about vibrant senior living coming soon to Bethesda.

Brooke Grove Retirement Village

301-260-2320

18100 Slade School Road

Sandy Spring, MD 20860

www.bfg.org

You’ll feel it as soon as you drive onto our 220-acre campus of lush pastures and hardwood forest—all that makes independent living at Brooke Grove different. Beautiful cottages in a truly picturesque setting. Maintenance-free living, with more time for what you really want to do. Personalized fitness programs, meals prepared by talented chefs, clubs and social events. Neighbors who share your interests and passions. Come for a visit and see why Brooke Grove Retirement Village is one of the most soughtafter retirement communities in the state. Living here is simply different … because what surrounds you really matters.

IN-HOME CARE

OndeCare

703-775-4336

https://ondecare.com/

OndeCare is the Future of Home Care

Affordable, on-demand, in-home care. All the ease and security of an agency with the flexibility and control of private hire. Replace the work associated with finding, vetting, and coordinating schedules with caregivers.

1. Get options within minutes – for today, tomorrow, or all next month.

2. Select from a short list of qualified, professional in-home caregivers that match your desired rate of pay, schedule, and needs.

3. Get 24/7 concierge support and automated backup, if needed. The first $100 of care is on us!

3 All OndeCare Heroes are thoroughly pre-screened, backgroundchecked, and reference-checked care professionals.

3 No up-front or subscription fees. 3 Only pay when care is fulfilled. Call us today or visit ondecare.com.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Woodleigh Chase

Senior Living

1-877-211-6968

4595 Burke Station Rd. Fairfax, VA 22032

www.EricksonSeniorLiving.com/Woodleigh-Chase

Woodleigh Chase Coming Soon to Fairfax. Erickson Senior Living is known for creating and managing vibrant continuing care communities. Their newest, Woodleigh Chase, will offer active, independent living and higher levels of care on a beautiful campus in the heart of Fairfax, Virginia.

Woodleigh Chase residents can choose from a variety of stylish, open-plan apartment homes that suit every need and budget. Amenities will include a state-of-the-art fitness and aquatics center, multiple restaurants, and spaces for learning, hobbies, and socializing. A full range of health and well-being services will be delivered at the on-campus medical center. Get your FREE brochure today! Call 1-877-211-6968 or visit WoodleighChase.com.

REHABILITATION

Brooke Grove Retirement Village

301-260-2320

18100 Slade School Road

Sandy Spring, MD 20860

www.bfg.org

Imagine an extraordinary staff and the best therapies and equipment—in a beautiful environment that rejuvenates and restores. Physical therapy spaces bathed in sunlight. The quiet comfort of a garden walk or relaxing massage. Imagine getting back to the activities that matter to you. Our new, state-of-the-art rehab addition at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center offers innovative therapy services for seniors, including NeuroGym® Technologies mobility training, the Korebalance system and much more. Visit us to see why Brooke Grove Retirement Village is one of the most sought-after continuing-care retirement communities in the state. Rehab here is simply different… because what surrounds you really matters.

ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE

Brooke Grove Retirement Village

301-260-2320

18100 Slade School Road

Sandy Spring, MD 20860

www.bfg.org

This community hums with warm-hearted camaraderie and a zest for life shared by residents and staff alike. Experience all that makes assisted living at Brooke Grove extraordinary. Cozy, homelike dwellings with easy access to beautiful courtyards and walking paths. Caring staff trained in using memory support techniques, building independence and lifting self-esteem.

Innovative LIFE® Enrichment Programming with meaningful activities and off-site adventures. Visit us to see why Brooke Grove Retirement Village is one of the most sought-after continuing care retirement communities in the state. Living here is simply different … because what surrounds you really matters.

ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY

Chevy Chase House

202-905-0708

5420 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, DC 20015

www.chevychasehouse.com

Chevy Chase House provides boutique assisted living for older adults looking for personalized care without compromising lifestyle and active living. In addition to 24-hour nursing available, the community features Life Inspired, the daily activities program that promotes overall wellness, socialization, and a Chef-prepared dining experience. Unique to the Chevy Chase House is its partnership with FOX Rehab to not only provide on-site physical, occupational and speech therapies, but also employs a full-time exercise physiologist to help residents with improving balance and mobility, strength training, and fall prevention programming. Conveniently located on Connecticut Avenue in DC. Call 202-905-0708 to schedule a tour or stop by Chevy Chase House to learn more.

Ashby Ponds

877-664-5445

21170 Ashby Ponds Boulevard

Ashburn, VA 20147

AshbyPonds.com

Five Reasons to Love Senior Living at Ashby Ponds

There are so many benefits to life at Loudoun County’s premier continuing care retirement community! Here’s just a small sample:

1. Choose from a variety of maintenance-free apartment homes to fit your style and budget.

2. Discover a wealth of resort-style amenities and activities for virtually every interest.

3. Dine on delicious, chef-prepared meals in your choice of nine on-site restaurants.

4. Secure your future and gain peace of mind with our time-tested financial model.

5. Enjoy convenient health and well-being services just steps from your door. Get your FREE brochure today! Call 877-664-5445 or visit AshbyPonds.com.

‘Home care’ differs from ‘home healthcare’

By Kayla Carney, AgingCare.com

“Home care” and “home healthcare” are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they are very different in what they offer. Learn what senior care services each provides to determine the best fit for your needs.

Types of home care services

The first step in hiring in-home care services is identifying the differences in a caregiver’s duties and responsibilities between non-medical home care and home healthcare options.

It is important to understand this distinction, since the type of care will guide your search for the appropriate provider as well as determine how you will be able to pay for home care.

Two types of non-medical home care

Non-medical in-home care is supportive care that does not involve medical skill and is therefore provided by senior care aides. This type of home-based care may also go by the following terms: personal care, companion care, homemaker services, custodial care, unskilled care, and non-clinical care.

Professional care aides provide valuable social interaction, help with household chores, and assist with activities of daily liv-

ing (ADLs). [See our January 2023 issue for “Understanding ‘activities of daily living.’”]

Some states make a very clear distinction between personal care and companion care when licensing in-home care agencies. [For example, Maryland requires a license for agencies providing personal care.]

Personal care involves hands-on care like bathing and toileting assistance, whereas companion care focuses on social needs and daily household tasks.

When interviewing and selecting a home care agency, ensure you are specific about the services you require, as personal care services require a higher level of assistance and training.

Homemaker and companion care include:

• Companionship and socialization

• Meal planning and preparation

• Laundry

• Light housework

• Shopping and errands

• Transportation

• Mobility assistance

• Medication reminders

Personal care services include:

Personal care aides can provide all the services of a companion caregiver in addition to hands-on physical assistance, such as:

• Bathing or showering

• Toileting

• Oral hygiene

• Feeding

• Dressing

• Incontinence care

What is home healthcare?

Home healthcare is medical in nature and may also be described as clinical or skilled care. A prescription from a doctor may be required to obtain these services, which are provided by healthcare professionals, such as registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and physical, occupational and speech-language therapists.

Services may also be provided by home health aides (HHAs) who are acting under the supervision of a registered nurse. Home healthcare is often short-term and

Curb appeal

From page B-6

gutters, imperfections in the roof, and other maintenance matters that aren’t just aesthetic; left unrepaired, they can also result in major damage.

Pay attention to details. Functional items like the mailbox might not seem like much of a design element, but these small details can be a big distraction if they’re

is prescribed as a necessary part of a senior’s rehabilitation or treatment while they recover at home.

Home healthcare services include:

• Administration of medication (including IVs and injections)

• Monitoring vital signs

• Wound care

• Assistance with recovery from illness or injury

• Physical therapy

• Occupational therapy

• Speech-language therapy

• Monitoring of medical equipment

• Expertise in specific medical conditions (like Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias)

not in good condition. Update or replace as needed to keep your aesthetic in sync.

Add seasonal decor. There’s no need to go all out for every occasion, but some timely decorations that celebrate the holiday or season can make your entry fun and festive. Coordinate wreaths, planters, signs and other accent pieces for a cohesive look that says, “Come on in.”

Find more affordable ideas for upgrading your home and garden at eLivingtoday.com.

Consider co-buying a house with friends

By Abby Badach Doyle

Seven years ago, Phil Levin and his girlfriend, Kristen Berman, pondered a common question: Should we move in together?

Levin assumed they’d take a predictable path and find a more affordable apartment outside of pricey San Francisco. But Berman, a behavioral scientist, shared her reservations about leaving their friend network — and some facts to back up her concern.

“All the behavioral science research shows that that’s one of the worst things you can do for your happiness,” Levin said.

Instead, the couple rented a Victorian-era mansion in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley neighborhood and invited nine friends to move in. Today, they co-own a multi-unit property in Oakland, California, called Radish, which is home to 17 adults and two infants.

It took some effort to find the right property and figure out finances. But the now-married couple couldn’t imagine designing their life — or raising their daughter — any other way.

“Being able to have this extended family of ‘aunties’ and ‘uncles’ close by has been wonderful,” Levin said.

Many co-buyers operate on a smaller scale. But no matter the size of your group, co-buying requires extra planning and paperwork. If you’re willing to get vulnerable about your finances and long-term goals,

the payoff of companionship can be worth it.

Keep an open mind

In the National Association of Realtors’ 2022 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, a record-high 5% of first-time home buyers were “other household compositions” — that is, something different than single, married or coupled.

“It can be a great situation, and a way to enter the market that they wouldn’t be able to enter otherwise,” said Don Koonce, a real estate agent in Seattle who has helped dozens of co-buyers during his eight years in real estate.

Many co-buyers Koonce has worked with are platonic friends who have been living together for years. But they’re as diverse as the types of homes they buy — which range from traditional single-family homes to condos and duplexes.

The right home depends on your group’s size and tolerance of personal versus shared space. Houses with basements work well for separate living spaces, Koonce said, or you could remodel.

Recently, Koonce helped a mother and daughter buy a split-level that they renovated into two distinct units, including separate kitchens.

“It was beautiful,” he said. “I don’t see any problem with a resale on that, because

somebody could rent it out.”

Stress-test your relationship

Even for family members or experienced roommates, the financial commitment of co-buying raises the stakes.

Ashley Agnew is an investment advisor and financial therapist with Centerpoint Advisors, a wealth management firm in Needham, Massachusetts. When working with cobuyers, she role-plays worst-case scenarios to “stress test” the relationship, such as how they’d handle major home repairs or theft.

“You really do have to get a little bit financially naked with the person that you’re buying with,” she said. “There has to be a lot of transparency.”

Agnew always recommends that cobuyers seek legal counsel. An estate attorney can draft a cohabitation agreement — something that’s not just for romantic partners, she notes. That way, all parties know what to expect if someone wants out of the homeownership commitment.

“It’s almost like running a mini-business, especially if it’s not a coupleship,” Agnew said.

An estate attorney can also help co-buyers understand options for titling the home, such as joint tenancy or tenancy in common. Each arrangement has pros, cons and legal obligations.

Find the right team

To move your plans from dream to reality, it’s essential to find a lender that is familiar with — and supportive of — co-buyers’ unique needs. That’s often the first hurdle, Koonce noted.

Some realtors hesitate to work with cobuyers, too. “It’s a lot more paperwork,” he said, “and a lot more coordinating and getting people to agree.”

To provide better service, Koonce earned a professional certification established by Seattle-based real estate startup CoBuy. The company offers education for real estate agents, attorneys and lenders, as well as services for co-buyers themselves.

After establishing Radish, Levin found his inbox flooded with questions about cobuying and co-living. People craved trusted guidance on how to do this successfully.

So, in 2020, Levin teamed up with close friend Gillian Morris to co-found the Substack newsletter “Supernuclear.” It provides advice, templates and tools to navigate common challenges of co-buying and co-living.

“We didn’t invent this concept,” Levin said. “We’re standing on the shoulders of other people, so there’s sort of a pay-it-forward element where we wanted to have other people experience the happiness and meaning that we’ve gotten through this.”

AP/NerdWallet

Products that can make gardening easier

By Kimberly Blaker

Gardening offers many excellent mental and physical health benefits. First, it’s a healthy form of exercise. At the same time, it boosts your emotional health when you spend time outdoors while tending to your plants’ needs as they grow.

Unfortunately, all the bending, extending, kneeling, lifting and other tasks gardening requires can become painful or difficult.

If you find gardening is taking a toll on you, there are many handy products out there that can help. Gardening gadgets and equipment can reduce strain and support you through various challenges to make the experience more enjoyable.

If you have arthritis

Arthritis can make it difficult to grip and

maneuver traditional gardening tools that put your hands and wrists in uncomfortable positions. But there are a few great alternative tools.

Consider the Radius Garden five-piece tool set or the Bear Paws Cultivator Claw, tools specifically made to be lighter weight with a more ergonomic design.

For knees and backs

Some products are designed to reduce discomfort or eliminate the need for gardeners to kneel and bend.

If you struggle to put pressure on your knees for extended periods, you might want to try the Abcosport deep-seat garden kneeler. It can be used as a garden seat or kneeling pad.

There’s also the AMES Buddly Lawn

and Garden Cart, which doubles as an easy-to-pull wagon and a sturdy seat from which to garden.

A bad back makes it hard to bend over to pull weeds to keep them from taking over your garden. With Grampa’s Weeder, a stand-up weed puller means you can remove these invasive plants from the root without ever having to bend down.

Limited reach

Do you struggle with limited reach because of mobility issues? If so, there are tools to make it easier to tend to your plants from farther away.

With the Ymachray Long Handled Planter, you can easily plant your bulbs and seedlings in the ground without having to kneel down and reach into the garden.

You can also bring the garden up to your level with the Keter Easy Grow Raised Garden Bed that you can use while standing. There are many other types of raised beds of various heights and sizes to fit your specific needs.

Balance and strength issues

For those who struggle with balance problems or limited strength, gardening can put you in a dangerous position, increasing your risk of falling or sustaining an injury.

Cart tools around safely with a rolling mobile tool storage system like the Vertex Super-Duty Yard & Garden Cart. This will reduce heavy lifting and the need to carry gardening tools around.

Home care

From page B-10

Note that there may be some overlap in the provision of in-home care services. For example, a home healthcare company may also provide non-medical homemaker and personal care services if you identify a need for household assistance in your care plan.

Watering with a hose or heavy watering can may throw off your balance and be difficult to lift. To avoid this, install a drip system like the Raindrip Automatic Watering Kit. It automatically delivers an efficient amount of water to your hanging plants and containers.

Thinning skin

Plants can be particularly rough on thinning skin, especially when dealing with rose thorns or spiky weeds, which can quickly tear your skin up.

When you have more delicate skin, you want to make sure it’s protected. Think about investing in thorn proof rose pruning gloves that extend farther up your arms to protect yourself as you reach into thick growth.

Need for sun protection

With outdoor gardens, it’s vital to keep your skin protected from too much sun exposure, which can lead to sunburn and increased skin cancer risk. A Lenikis sun hat with a wide-brim and neck cover keeps you protected from UV rays.

You might also consider an indoor gardening system, like the Smart Garden hydroponics growing system, if you need to stay entirely out of the sun.

Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer. She also owns an online bookshop, Sage Rare & Collectible Books, specializing in out-ofprint, scarce, signed and first editions; fine bindings; ephemera and more at sagerarebooks.com.

Originally published on AgingCare.com, this article was reprinted with permission. AgingCare.com is an online resource that connects family caregivers, shares informative articles, provides answers and support through an interactive Caregiver Forum, and offers search capabilities for senior living options for elderly loved ones.

For more information, visit agingcare.com.

LIVING ALONE VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUP

Sibley Senior Association (SSA) invites you to join a discussion group on coping with living alone. All are welcome to share their experiences. This group meets on Mon., April 17, at noon on Zoom. For the link, register by calling SSA at (202) 364-7602 or by emailing Ken Gordon at kengordon@alum.mit.edu.

GRANTS FOR HOME MODIFICATION

DC’s Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program (SFRRP) administers grants for home accessibility modifications for persons with mobility or physical impairments. Join this free webinar on Tue., April 25, at 2 p.m. to learn about the SFRRP program from application start to loan closing. Register at housingetc.org/webinar-registration. For more information, email training@housingetc.org or call (202) 667-7606.

Housing News

By Beacon Staff

New community open in Waldorf

In February, a new senior living community opened in Waldorf, Maryland, 45 minutes south of Washington, D.C. Harmony at Waldorf has studios, onebedroom and two-bedroom units. The community offers three levels of care: 78 independent living apartments, 67 assisted living units, and 38 memory care rooms.

“We have some of the largest floorplans in the industry,” said Allison Waters, corporate director of marketing for Harmony Senior Services, which operates several retirement communities in Maryland and Northern Virginia, including Lorton and Herndon.

Harmony at Waldorf is unique because it has on-site physical therapy sessions for those who need it.

Each wing has its own restaurant-style dining as well as a shared café and a pub. There’s also a barbershop/beauty salon on site. A concierge is available all day to help with transportation or other needs.

“There’s always someone in the community who’s there to help,” Waters said.

All of Harmony’s properties have a Life Enrichment Director on staff who arranges

events and outings for residents.

“There’s a lot of live entertainment, like musicians or Elvis impersonators. They also do shopping and other outings,” Waters said.

For more information about Harmony at Waldorf, located at 11239 Berry Rd., Waldorf, see harmonyseniorservices.com, email info@harmonyatwaldorf.com or call (240) 435-4761.

Volunteer opportunities abound at communities

Two local retirement communities have robust volunteer programs, offering residents a chance to help out without going far from home.

Riderwood, located in Silver Spring, Maryland, has 650 resident volunteers who “work” both on and off campus — from a nearby elementary school to helping other Riderwood residents write letters or upgrade their computers. In fact, each of its 250 clubs was started by a resident.

“They truly make our community a better place to live and work,” said Fiona Divecha, director of Resident Life at Riderwood, an Erickson Senior Living community. “It’s a natural fit — they use skills from their prior professions and life experiences, share their hobbies, and form social connections to create a very active and

engaged lifestyle here at Riderwood.”

Fredericka Wall’s work experience came in handy when she moved to Ashby Ponds, another Erickson community, in Ashburn, Virginia.

Wall, one of 400 resident volunteers there, previously taught English as a second language and now gives free English classes to Ashby Ponds’ staff. She organizes other residents, who teach staffers for two hours a week “to make them feel like they’re more confident” with conversation, Wall said.

Wall also volunteers in Ashby Ponds’ memory care building, setting up tea parties and helping with art classes.

Volunteering is a great way to meet people and to “pay it forward,” Wall said. “Someday I may be [in memory care], and I hope that someone will come and do all these things with me.”

Maryland top-ranked for senior living

According to Caring.com’s 2023 report of “The Best and Worst Places for Senior Living,” Maryland made the top-10 list of U.S. states, ranking eight out of 50.

Using survey findings from 1,000 Americans over 55, Caring.com ranked 300 cities and 50 states on their quality of healthcare, senior living and housing, affordability, quality of life and transportation.

The report notes that Maryland has a below-average cost of independent living, continuing care retirement community (LifePlan) living and nursing home living.

To read the full report, visit caring.com/senior-living.

Smart Homes — Smarter Care:

“Smart Homes – Smarter Care” is the theme of a new initiative of the Montgomery County Commission on Aging. “Smart Homes — Smarter Care” refers to the wide range of electronic devices and related care services that assist older adults to remain in their homes longer and receive needed care, all the while staying safe, connected and independent.

education, access to rides and social interaction.

The demand for these types of devices is being driven by the longer-term needs of an aging population and the creativity of hi-tech engineers to meet those needs. The growth in the need for these devices is also being fueled by tech savvy baby boomers choosing to stay in their homes as they age and recognizing the desire for their families to be part of the care for them at home.

devices can detect falls, monitor movements around the house, provide medication reminders, and improve social interactions with family and friends.

Physical impairments increase as we age, and smart homes solutions can help maintain independence for people with limited mobility, limited sight, and age-related hearing loss. These devices can enable doctors and caregivers to monitor a patient’s vital signs remotely, monitor mental and physical states in real time, and provide rapid intervention when warranted.

The primary goal behind the Commission on Aging’s “Smart Homes — Smarter Care” initiative is to increase the use of these new electronic in-home devices and their applications.

To learn more about this and how it can make your life and those who care for you better, register to attend a free upcoming Public Forum on May 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Bohrer Park Activity Center in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Parking is free; food will be available.

There is an ever-growing market of new devices and apps that can provide home residents, especially those in need of caregiving, with an array of services including healthcare monitoring, remote caregiving, in-home safety and security, family connection, www.montgomerycountymd.gov/senior

These electronic “smart home” devices can help individuals do simple things like asking “Alexa,” a digital assistant, to dial 911 or call their daughter for them. Other

Register online (free) at: bit.ly/SmartHomesMoCo or email tremayne.jones@ montgomerycountymd.gov

Helping us remain safe and independent in our homes as we age

Falcons Landing

703-293-5054

20522 Falcons Landing Circle

Potomac Falls, VA 20165

www.falconslanding.org

Common Bonds and Extraordinary Living are what you find when you move to Falcons Landing! Nestled near the Potomac River in scenic Loudoun County, Falcons Landing is a vibrant hub for residents who have retired from work, but not from life! Designed for seniors with military and government backgrounds, their spouses, and surviving spouses, this nonprofit Life Plan Community offers the chance to be among peers with a common bond of service. Falcons Landing is the ‘2022 Best Retirement Community in the Northern Region,’ as well as ‘2022 Best of’ in Loudoun County in two local reader surveys. Contact 703-293-5054 or visit www.falconslanding.org to schedule your tour today!

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Riderwood Retirement Community

877-742-4390

3140 Gracefield Road

Silver Spring, MD 20904

Riderwood.com

Silver Spring’s Premier Destination for Senior Living Riderwood is the region’s favorite continuing care retirement community for a reason. Three reasons, to be precise:

1. Apartment Homes to Fit Your Budget

Choose from a variety of apartment homes that are free from maintenance and big on modern style.

2. Resort-Style Amenities and Activities

You’ll find opportunities for dining, fitness, entertainment, education, and more just steps from your door.

3. Services to Enhance Your Well-Being

Enjoy the convenience of an on-site medical center staffed by full-time providers, plus multiple levels of care, should your needs ever change. Get your FREE brochure today! Call 877-742-4390 or visit Riderwood.com

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

ASSISTED LIVING

Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay

757-496-1785

3100 Shore Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23451 www.wcbay.com/expansion

Start every day with vitamin sea. We're taking the luxurious, carefree lifestyle WestminsterCanterbury is known for to a higher level. Introducing The Bay Tower — our new 22-story waterfront Independent Living expansion. With sweeping, panoramic views overlooking Chesapeake Bay, The Bay Tower will offer the most exclusive views with the same inclusive philosophy of Westminster-Canterbury. There’s never been anything like it in Virginia Beach, and we can't wait for you to experience it. Call our Marketing Office today to learn more about our Bay Tower Expansion and our current inventory in the existing two towers. Want more options? Check out our sister rental community, Opus Select. Visit www.opusliving.com

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Greenspring Retirement Community

877-589-9570

7410 Spring Village Drive • Springfield, VA 22150 GreenspringCommunity.com

Greenspring. Vibrant Senior Living. Unmatched Peace of Mind. An active lifestyle, with peace of mind awaits you at Springfield’s premier continuing care retirement community.

Stylish Homes. A Wealth of Amenities.

Choose from a variety of stylish apartment homes to suit your needs and budget. You’re just steps from the fitness center, pool, clubhouses, and five restaurants.

Exceptional Financial Value

We make life predictable and simple. Your Monthly Service Package covers all utilities, home maintenance, and amenities in a single bill. Health and Well-Being Services

Receive convenient care when you need it at the on-site medical center. The community also includes higher levels of care If your needs ever change.

Get your FREE brochure today! Call 877-589-9570 or visit GreenspringCommunity.com

ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE

Harmony at Spring Hill

571-348-0575

8350 Mountain Larkspur Drive

Lorton, VA 22079

www.harmonyatspringhill.com

Harmony at Spring Hill offers Assisted Living and Memory Care situated within the lovely, gated neighborhood of Spring Hill. Our friendly community offers residents access to a host of activities at the Clubhouse. From water aerobics in the pool to games of bridge and billiards, there is an abundance of social engagement to peak anyone's interests. Come see for yourself! Upon arriving at the Spring Hill neighborhood entrance off Silverbrook Road, approach the brick column housing the kiosk. Press the button and our concierge will greet you and welcome you in through the security gates. Our community is immediately on your right. It is located less than a mile from Interstate 95 and less than 5 miles from the Capital Beltway.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Emerson House

301-779-6196

5999 Emerson Street Bladensburg, MD 20710

Our community features bright onebedroom apartments in a nine-story elevator building for today’s active and independent seniors who are 62 or older. Emerson House is subsidized for low- to moderate-income households. Activities are yours to choose from: gardening, Bingo, Wii bowling league, movie night, parties, bus trips, exercise classes, learning to line dance — it’s all waiting for you and more! Emerson House offers an in-house Resident Service Coordinator to assist with finding helpful resources. Please call today for an appointment to tour our community or request an application; 301-779-6196 Monday-Friday from 8:30 to 5:00.

Money Law & Credit unions share profits with members

By Melissa Lambarena

In the past year, the Federal Reserve has employed several interest rate hikes in an effort to stabilize the U.S. economy.

Depending on your situation and financial institution, your debt may have gotten more expensive or your savings might have grown. As rates continue to change, it’s worth exploring whether you’re still getting the best offer around.

Compared with big banks, a credit union can offer decent rates for stashing your cash or borrowing money, especially during these economic times.

“For folks who are looking for loans, they can often find a credit union with lower rates because credit unions are willing to spend some of their would-be profits on lower rates,” said Andrew Leventis, chief economist at the National Credit Union Administration, or NCUA.

“That’s one way, traditionally, credit

unions have helped out their members, particularly in times when you have rising rates and there’s more of an urgency to get the best deal.”

Here’s what you should know about these not-for-profit cooperative financial institutions and their potential to offer big savings:

How credit unions work

Unlike banks that have shareholders to consider, credit unions return their profits to their members. So, once you join a credit union, you have access to the benefits.

They offer many of the same products and services that banks do, but those might go by different names. For instance, a checking account may be referred to as a “share draft account.” Credit unions may also belong to an ATM network that allows you to perform transactions beyond a specific branch.

Generally, credit unions allow you to join based on where you live, work or worship.

Other avenues may include joining through a family member or making a small donation to a charitable partner organization.

“We’re required to have a field of membership, so the member coming in to open an account has to provide proof of that affiliation,” said Jim Norris, president and CEO of SkyPoint Federal Credit Union, an institution that serves counties in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia.

There’s typically a one-time membership fee to join a credit union, sometimes as low as $5, which may be used to open a savings account.

How they compare

Profits at credit unions are returned to members in the form of low fees, better rates on loans, and higher rates on savings.

The rates for specific products will vary by credit union. For instance, in the last quarter of 2022, the national average rate

for a “classic” credit card was 11.96% at credit unions and 13.34% at banks, according to data extracted by the NCUA from S&P Global Market Intelligence databases, a provider of financial information services.

And while rates may be lower at credit unions, they can still rise when the Fed makes increases. At SkyPoint Federal Credit Union, rates are automatically adjusted within a month based on Fed rates, Norris said, but there’s a limit.

Federal law caps the interest rate charged on most loans and credit cards at federally chartered credit unions at 15%, although the NCUA can raise that limit temporarily “if interest rate levels could threaten safety and soundness of individual credit unions,” according to an NCUA bulletin. For several years, the NCUA has maintained an 18% cap, extending it through

REITS offer ways to invest in real estate

By Edward E. Fernandez

With the equity market as volatile as ever, investors are increasingly turning to alternative assets to generate cash flow. One investment vehicle that’s drawing particular attention is real estate investment trusts, or REITs. Research by Nareit shows that investments in REITs have more than doubled over the past 10 years.

REITs come in many different forms, with varying criteria. However, many prospective investors might not understand the differences — and relative pros and cons — between publicly traded REITs and non-traded REITs. The latter category includes both publicly registered non-traded REITs and private REITs.

Traded REITS have liquidity

Publicly traded REITs are probably the most well-known type. These products offer some exposure to the real estate market through companies that invest in physical real estate assets. Rather than investing directly in a physical property, investors buy publicly traded shares of such a company on an exchange, where pricing is subject to market forces and volatility.

This type of REIT is highly liquid, and can offer investors a way into real estate

even though traded REITs act more like equities.

That said, publicly traded REITs fell about 25% in 2022 due to the combination of a highinterest-rate environment and investor fears. Now, in early 2023, with further interest rate increases likely on the horizon, publicly traded REITs may continue to suffer under volatile and uncertain market conditions.

The recent downturn in the equity market and accompanying decline of publicly traded REITs have opened the door for non-traded REITs to showcase their investment power. Unlike publicly traded REITs, which are susceptible to market whims and Federal Reserve actions, non-traded REITs can be more insulated from stock market volatility.

Benefits of non-traded REITs

While non-traded REITs are much less liquid (since their management controls any redemption process), this potentially offers benefits as well.

REIT managers can remain focused on long-term strategy, and the process of holding periods and suspending redemptions gives the manager more flexibility in executing that strategy without having to reserve cash for redemptions.

Both publicly non-traded and traded REITs are registered with the SEC and file regular, publicly available reports. These help investors understand where their money is going and provide an additional level of transparency that is delivered every few months, depending on the REIT.

Private REITs

Because private REITs don’t have a regular reporting requirement, they’re available only to accredited investors who are classified by the SEC as qualified to invest in unregistered securities based on satisfying one or more requirements regarding asset size, governance status, income, net worth or professional experience.

While the reduced regulatory oversight can be considered a risk of private REITs, the frequently lower operating costs can be seen as a benefit to counter that risk.

Private REITs are not only limited to accredited investors but typically have the highest minimum investment amount compared to other REIT options, potentially ranging from $25,000 to $100,000. Both these factors make them accessible only to high-net-worth investors.

Publicly registered non-traded REITs, meanwhile, are generally available to non-

accredited investors and often have lower minimum investment requirements as well.

Where to find REITs

Retail investors typically gravitate to publicly traded REITs, since these are open to all and typically have either no investment minimum or at least the lowest entry point of the three types.

Publicly traded REITs can also be found on investment apps like Robinhood or Fidelity, while publicly non-traded and private REITs are generally purchased only through specialized brokers.

In conclusion, no matter how you want to incorporate real estate into your portfolio, both traded and non-traded REITs offer industry exposure.

Non-traded REITs are less correlated to the traditional equity markets and can add stability to an investment portfolio, particularly during inflationary and uncertain times.

On the other hand, publicly traded REITs can give investors real estate exposure without locking down significant cash, and still can offer liquidity and dividend potential.

Fed up with requests for tips? See story on page 24.

© 2023 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

See CREDIT UNIONS, page 22

Keeping up with the federal gift tax rules

By Rocky Mengle

Thanks to the gift tax exclusion (a.k.a., the gift tax limit or gift tax exemption), you can give money or property each year to family members, friends and others without having to pay any federal gift tax or even file a gift tax return.

The federal gift tax rates range from 18% to 40%, so avoiding the tax can save you a lot of money. And not having to bother with a gift tax return can save you a lot of time.

So, if you’re feeling generous, read on to make sure you’re aware of the gift tax exclusion limit for 2023.

What is the federal gift tax?

Generally, the federal gift tax applies to

all gifts of property by an individual during the year. The tax is typically paid by the person who gives the gift, not by the person who receives it.

However, if the giver doesn’t pay the tax, the recipient may have to pay it. Or, if the person giving the gift dies before the tax is paid, their estate is responsible for paying the tax.

It doesn’t matter if the gift is made directly or indirectly. And the gift tax doesn’t just apply to cash gifts, either. It applies whether the property given is real, personal, tangible or intangible.

So, for example, deeding a plot of land, giving a car, forgiving a debt, assigning the benefits of an insurance policy, or transferring stock could all trigger a federal gift

tax bill. And if you’re giving something other than cash, the amount of the gift for gift tax purposes is the property’s “fair market value” on the date of the gift.

Generally, a gift is deemed “given” for gift tax purposes if you transfer property to someone else and you don’t expect something of at least equal value in return.

Fortunately, there are a number of gift tax exemptions that can be used to avoid paying the tax. The most well-known exemption is the annual gift tax exclusion.

This is a set dollar amount that you may give each year that isn’t subject to the tax (the amount is adjusted for inflation each year). And you can give up to that amount to

as many people during the year as you want.

If you’re married, your spouse can also give up to the same amount — even to the same people that receive a gift from you.

There are other gift tax exemptions that may apply, too. For example, the gift tax generally doesn’t apply to gifts to your spouse, to charitable or religious organizations, to political organizations, to educational organizations for tuition for someone else, and to doctors or other healthcare providers as payment for the medical care of another person.

It’s important to note, however, that there may be special requirements or other

Sept. 10, 2024, this year.

The cap is not affected by the Fed’s interest rate hikes, so the limit can be helpful for borrowers with loans or credit card balances with variable interest rates that might exceed that amount. If you tend to carry a balance, it’s one way a credit union credit card can lower costs.

Credit unions may also offer higher savings rates than big banks, depending on the account. For instance, in the last quarter of 2022, the national average rate for a five-year credit union certificate of deposit was 2.33%, compared with 1.58% at banks, according to that same data set extracted by the NCUA.

You’re likely to find higher savings rates at an online bank, but credit union rates make it easy to house accounts under one roof, if that’s your preference.

Other credit union services

Profits are also returned to members through educational programs. SkyPoint

Federal Credit Union, for example, works with a credit counseling agency to help members who are struggling to pay off debts. SkyPoint also offers Banzai, a financial education program for students.

Jayah Kai-samba, a credit union member based in Texas, has also seen many programs offered at his institution.

“They do a good job of educating their consumers, so they are always offering webinars or in-person sessions to do trainings on financial education,” he said.

Credit unions may also offer more options to save. SkyPoint Federal Credit Union, for instance, offers savings accounts for different goals including holidays and special occasions.

Kai-samba uses similar options at his credit union to save for specific goals like vacations, home expenses or holidays. He has automatic payments set up to each account from every paycheck.

“I can have it split up separately, and it clearly shows how I’m progressing in each one of those distinct accounts,” Kai-samba said.

—AP/NerdWallet

Understand the new RMD Rules for 2023

Dear Savvy Senior,

What are the new rules on required minimum distributions from IRAs and 401(k)s? I will turn 72 this year and want to be clear on what I’m required to do.

—Planning Ahead

Dear Planning,

Thanks to the SECURE Act

2.0 that was passed by Congress last December, there are several new rules that affect required minimum distributions (RMDs) from traditional IRAs, 401(k)s and other taxdeferred retirement accounts.

There’s also a work waiver for RMDs you should know about. If you are still working beyond age 73, and you don’t own 5% or more of the company you work for, you can delay withdrawals from your employer’s retirement plan until after you retire.

SAVVY SENIOR

By Jim Miller

These changes, which build on the original SECURE Act of 2019, are a benefit to retirees by increasing the RMD age and lowering the penalty for missing a withdrawal. Here’s what you should know:

Starting age has changed

As of Jan. 1, 2023, the starting age for taking RMDs is now 73, up from 72. And it rises to age 75 in 2033. This change means that if you turn 72 this year, as you stated in your question, you can delay your RMDs one more year, allowing your savings in these accounts to grow longer, tax deferred.

But once you turn 73, you must start taking annual RMDs from the tax-deferred retirement accounts you own — including traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s and 457(b)s — and pay taxes on those withdrawals. Distributions are taxed as ordinary income in your tax bracket. There are, however, a few exceptions. Owners of Roth IRAs are not required to take a distribution, unless the Roth is inherited. And starting in 2024, Roth 401(k)s will not be subject to RMDs either.

But if you have other nonwork-related accounts, such as a traditional IRA or a 401(k) from a previous employer, you are still required to take RMDs from those after your turn 73, even if you’re still working.

Deadlines and penalties

Generally, you must take your distribution every year by Dec. 31. First timers, however, can choose to delay taking their distribution until April 1 of the year following the year they turn 73.

But be careful about delaying, because if you delay your first distribution, it may push you into a higher tax bracket because you must take your next distribution by Dec. 31 of the same year.

Also note that you can always withdraw more than the required amount, but if you don’t take out the minimum, you’ll be hit with a 25% penalty (it was 50%) on the amount that you failed to withdraw, plus the income tax you owe on it. This penalty drops to 10% if you take the necessary RMD by the end of the second year following the year it was due.

Distribution amounts

Your RMD is calculated by dividing your tax-deferred retirement account balance as of Dec. 31 of the previous year by an IRS estimate of your life expectancy. A special rule applies if your spouse is the beneficiary and

is more than 10 years younger than you.

IRA withdrawals must be calculated for each IRA you own, but you can withdraw the money from any IRA or combination of IRAs. If you own 403(b) accounts, they too allow you to total the RMDs and take them from any account or combination of accounts.

With 401(k) plans, however, you must calculate the RMD for each plan and withdraw the appropriate amount from each account.

To calculate the size of your RMD, you

can use the worksheets on the IRS website — see IRS.gov/Retirement-Plans and click on “Required Minimum Distributions.” Or contact your IRA custodian or retirementplan administrator who can do the calculations for you.

For more information, see IRS publication 590-B at IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p590b.pdf.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org.

Many say tipping is getting out of control

By Haleluya Hadero

Across the country, there’s a silent frustration brewing about an age-old practice that many say is getting out of hand: tipping.

Some fed-up consumers are posting rants on social media complaining about tip requests at drive-throughs, while others say they’re tired of being asked to leave a gratuity for a muffin or a simple cup of coffee at their neighborhood bakery.

What’s next, they wonder. Are we going to be tipping our doctors and dentists, too?

Automatic prompts annoy

As more businesses adopt digital payment methods, customers are automatically being prompted to leave a gratuity — many times as high as 30% — at places they normally wouldn’t. And some say it has become more frustrating as the price of items has skyrocketed due to inflation.

“Suddenly, these screens are at every establishment we encounter. They’re popping up online as well for online orders. And I fear that there is no end,” said etiquette expert Thomas Farley, who considers the whole thing somewhat of “an invasion.”

Unlike tip jars that shoppers can easily ignore if they don’t have spare change, experts say the digital requests can produce social pressure and are more difficult to bypass. And your generosity, or lack thereof, can be laid bare for anyone close enough to glance at the screen — including the workers themselves.

Dylan Schenker is one of them. The 38year-old earns about $400 a month in tips, which provides a helpful supplement to his $15 hourly wage as a barista at a Philadelphia café. Most of those tips come from consumers who order coffee drinks or place carryout orders. The gratuity helps

cover his monthly rent and eases some of his burdens while he attends graduate school and juggles his job.

Schenker says it’s hard to sympathize with consumers who are able to afford pricey coffee drinks but complain about tipping. And he often feels demoralized when people don’t leave behind anything extra — especially if they’re regulars.

“Tipping is about making sure the people who are performing that service for you are getting paid what they’re owed,” said Schenker, who’s been working in the service industry for roughly 18 years.

Not the same as a restaurant

Traditionally, consumers have taken pride in being good tippers at places like restaurants, which typically pay their workers lower than the minimum wage in expectation they’ll make up the difference in tips.

But academics who study the topic say many consumers are now feeling irritated by automatic tip requests at coffee shops and other counter service eateries where tipping has not typically been expected, workers make at least the minimum wage, and service is usually limited.

“People do not like unsolicited advice,” said Ismail Karabas, a marketing professor at Murray State University who studies tipping. “They don’t like to be asked for things, especially at the wrong time.”

Some of the requests can also come from odd places. Clarissa Moore, a 35-year-old who works as a supervisor at a utility company in Pennsylvania, said even her mortgage company has been asking for tips lately.

Typically, she’s happy to leave a gratuity at restaurants, and sometimes at coffee shops when the service is good. But Moore believes consumers shouldn’t be asked to tip nearly everywhere they go — and it shouldn’t be something that’s expected of them.

“It makes you feel bad. You feel like you have to do it because they’re asking you to do it,” she said. “But then you have to think about the position that puts people in. They’re paying for something that they really don’t want to pay for, or they’re tipping when they really don’t want to tip — or can’t afford to tip — because they don’t want to feel bad.”

No need to feel embarrassed

In the book Emily Post’s Etiquette, authors Lizzie Post and Daniel Post Senning advise consumers to tip on ride-shares, like Uber and Lyft, as well as food and beverages, including alcohol.

But they also write that it’s up to each person to choose how much to tip at a café or a take-out food service, and that consumers shouldn’t feel embarrassed about choosing the lowest suggested tip amount, and don’t have to explain themselves if they don’t tip.

Digital payment methods have been around for a number of years, though experts say the pandemic has accelerated the trend towards more tipping.

Michael Lynn, a consumer behavior professor at Cornell University, said consumers were more generous with tips during the early days of the pandemic in an effort to show support for restaurants and other businesses that were hard hit by COVID-19.

Many people genuinely wanted to help out and felt sympathetic to workers who held jobs that put them more at risk of catching the virus, Lynn said.

Tips at full-service restaurants grew by 25.3% in the third quarter of 2022, while gratuities at quick service restaurants went up 16.7% compared to the same time in 2021, according to Square, one of the biggest companies operating digital payment methods. Data provided by the company shows continuous growth for the same period since 2019.

As tip requests have become more common, some businesses are mentioning it in their job postings to lure in more workers

exceptions to these exemptions, or other exemptions that may apply in certain situations. So, it’s best to check with a tax professional before making any sizeable gift to be sure whether an exemption applies.

How much is the limit for 2023?

The gift tax exclusion for 2023 is $17,000 (it was $16,000 in 2022). As a result, you may give up to $17,000 to as many individuals as you want in 2023 without having to worry about paying the federal gift tax.

And, again, if you’re married, your spouse can also give $17,000 to the same people. Between you and your spouse, that’s a total of $34,000 per person in 2023. In addition, if you stay under the gift tax limit for each gift recipient, you don’t have to file a gift tax return for the year.

So, for example, if you’re married and

Tipping

From page 24

even though the extra money isn’t always guaranteed.

Some customers, like those who’ve worked in the service industry in the past, want to tip workers at quick service businesses and wouldn’t be irritated by the automatic requests.

have two married children and four grandchildren, you and your spouse can give up to $34,000 in 2023 to each of your kids, their spouses, and each of the grandchildren without having to file a gift tax return or pay any tax. That’s $272,000 in tax-free gifts!

Just remember that the $17,000 (or $34,000) limit is an annual limit, so you have to make your gifts before December 31, 2023 (gift checks must also be deposited by that date).

What if you exceed the annual gift tax limit?

If you give more than $17,000 to anyone in 2023, and no exemption applies, then you’ll have to file a federal gift tax return (IRS Form 709).

However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll owe any tax. There’s also a lifetime gift tax exclusion that can shield your gifts from tax — and it’s a rather high limit, so most people never end up having to pay

But for others, research shows they might be less likely to come back to a particular business if they are irritated by the requests, Karabas said.

The final tab might also impact how customers react. Karabas said in the research he did with other academics, they manipulated the payment amounts and found that when the check was high, consumers no longer felt as irritated by tip requests. —AP

any gift tax at all.

For 2023, the lifetime gift tax limit is $12.92 million (I told you it was high!).

That’s up from $12.06 million for 2022 (the figure is adjusted annually for inflation).

Plus, if you’re married, the lifetime limit is double, just like the annual limit. (The lifetime gift tax exemption is the same as the annual estate tax exemption.)

So, each year that you exceed the annual gift tax exclusion for any recipient, the excess amount is reported on Form 709 for that year. However, you don’t have to pay gift tax unless and until the total amount reported on all your 709 forms over the course of your life exceeds the lifetime gift tax limit for that year.

As a result, only wealthier Americans who are giving large sums of money or property away ever get hit with a gift tax bill. Most people don’t have to worry about it.

Decreased lifetime gift tax limit in 2026

The lifetime gift tax exclusion is scheduled be cut in half in 2026. Estimates put the 2026 lifetime limit at around $6.8 million. Congress could permanently adopt the current amount, but at this point there’s no reason to believe that will happen.

Fortunately, though, IRS regulations will allow use of either the lifetime gift tax exclusion that applied when gifts are made or the exclusion amount applicable when the donor dies, whichever is greater.

As a result, people who make large gifts before 2026 don’t have to worry about losing the benefits of the higher gift tax exclusion amount after it’s lowered.

© 2022 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Leisure & Travel Leisure &

Three-generation travel adventure to Italy

By Ann Cochran

Our lovely two-bedroom apartment in a Tuscan villa is all warm yellows and muted shades of rose. Vineyards and olive groves surround the villa, stretching far into the hills.

Through the large windows, we can see the pool sparkling and, in another direction, the terrace where our family gathers for breakfast.

Our eight grandchildren often run across the driveway and up the steps from their villa to ours for a snack.

Later, two by two, they arrive with toothbrushes and PJs to spend the night in the twin beds of our second bedroom.

Our oldest grandson, age 12, brings his late-rising grandmother, LaLa, an espresso every morning.

Heaven? No, Tuscany! But it felt like heaven.

After the Covid years, which included two family members’ bouts with cancer and one death, my husband and I rented a villa in the Chianti region of Tuscany and invited our four adult children and their families.

Why Italy? Why not? But in my case — because my late mother was Italian, and Italy has always been a big part of my identity — I wanted my sons and grandchildren

to appreciate their heritage. Not a hard sell.

Better than the pictures

When you rent, you never know completely how your accommodations will look, feel and smell. But our villa was glorious — even better than the photos.

As a bonus, it had an almost identical second building with an office on the ground floor, plus two full apartments. My husband and I chose the second-floor, twobedroom apartment for its view.

We assigned all the rooms beforehand, so there was no scrambling or hard feelings. They were all beautiful.

The 18 of us arrived at the villa in waves — and during a heat wave. July was a lessthan-ideal time to go, with high temperatures and bees buzzing around the poolside flowers. But with so many school-age grandchildren, we couldn’t schedule the trip in a more desirable month.

Our six grandsons and two granddaughters, toddler to pre-teen, skipped all over the place on arrival, exploring everything from the outdoor pool to the indoor spa.

Our family joined millions of others in Italy last summer. We called it our “trip of a lifetime,” partly because we spared almost no expense. But as a survivor of stage 3 lymphoma, I say go for it if you can.

Hired some experts to help

We hired a wonderful small company to plan our week. Pam Mercer, owner of Tuscany Tours, and her team did an excellent job mixing day trips — always including large, delicious lunches — with enough relaxed time at the villa. With eight children, pool time was a priority.

We visited Siena, Montalcino and Lucca. The longest bus ride was 90 minutes, but it was relaxing and fun. The kids had snacks and played with each other in various combinations. The oldest three joined the adults as fans of Wordle and Spelling Bee.

Every excursion began with gelato and coffee. Tours followed, always with a second guide dedicated to the children. There were Italian language lessons at the beginning and along the way.

In Siena, we learned about the ancient traditions of the Palio horse races. My husband and I met with my Zoom Italian teacher, Chiara, for a joyful in-person coffee.

In Lucca, most of us rented bikes and rode along the thick city walls under canopies of leafy trees. One son veered off to visit a tailor and had a suit made.

In Montalcino, those not doing a Brunello wine tasting explored a large

fortress and had more gelato before lunch.

Local flavor and cooking lessons

Since we were in Italy, food was a huge focus. The refrigerator and cabinets had been fully stocked for us at the villa, according to a list I had emailed our host a week ahead.

Giuseppina, the owner of a cooking school called Cucina Giuseppina, prepared our first and last dinners. She also taught the grandchildren to make pici from scratch. Made with just flour, water, salt and olive oil, this thick Tuscan pasta dates back to the Etruscans.

Of all the outings, the cooking lessons with Giuseppina and her family were a family favorite. With the benefit of her 20 years of experience, she set up the lunch lesson well for this group, ages 2 to 75. Even the littlest one was handed a mezzaluna knife and, with supervision, chopped rosemary.

The kids did so much: mixed dough, rolled gnocchi and prepared zucchini flowers and sage leaves for frying. One of her sons laid out a checkered blanket, and the

Ann Cochran and her husband splurged on a trip to Italy for their children and grandchildren. They rented a villa in Tuscany and took day trips to Siena and other towns.

PHOTO BY SIENA HILT

For a relaxing mini-break, stay at the L’Auberge Provençale Bed & Breakfast, above, or another nearby inn. See story on facing page.

Cucina Guiseppina’s staff passes on Italian cooking techniques to tourists. Taking a cooking lesson while on vacation is a great way to meet local chefs, learn a few skills and have fun.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CUCINA GIUSEPPINA

PHOTO BY L’AUBERGE PROVENÇALE BED & BREAKFAST

Nearby, off-the-beaten-path B&Bs to try

By Alice Shapin

There are times I need to get away but don’t want to spend weeks planning a trip or having to fly. I just want a change of scenery, good food and some interesting activities. A quick getaway, maybe a day or two, is all I need.

So, I decided to look into B&Bs within a couple hours’ drive of our area.

The fun thing about B&Bs is that no two are alike. And even within one B&B, no two rooms are the same.

Of course, all serve a gourmet breakfast, often have coffee and home-baked goodies available all day, and a few even host a cocktail hour. Most have a communal dining table or smaller tables if you prefer not to socialize. Many innkeepers mingle with the guests and happily help you plan your day.

Some B&Bs are housed in historic homes or estates with beautiful antiques, four-poster beds, fine linens, comfy common rooms and fireplaces, while others look more like grandma’s house.

So, anytime I book a getaway, I check the website and the reviews first. A few negative reviews never bother me, but if there are many, that’s a definite red flag and a deal-breaker.

Inn at White Oak, Gettysburg, PA

For my first foray into B&Bs, I chose the Inn at White Oak in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. And it didn’t disappoint. Actually, it was beyond our expectations.

It’s nestled on 30 private acres with ponds, woodlands, waterfalls and, in season, beautiful gardens. Yet it’s just minutes from historic Gettysburg.

Upon arrival, my husband and I were greeted by innkeepers Shiree and her husband, Craig, who gave us a tour of the bil-

LIVE YOUR ADVENTURE

liard room, tea room, library, formal parlor and small spa. A big bonus is the romantic indoor pool, complete with a fireplace.

In addition to the main house, there are two free-standing outbuildings: the twobedroom, two-bathroom Carriage House (with a full kitchen), and the one-bedroom, two-story Cottage House, where we stayed.

All guest rooms have high-end linens, plush robes and a luxury bathroom. Shiree’s love for interior design and attention to detail was on full display with our Sleep Number bed, custom frame and headboard, matching dresser and antiques everywhere.

The two-course breakfast served in the bright dining area included a poached pear with a delicious sauce and an artfully plated egg dish. Coffee, tea, Shiree’s signature gingerbread chocolate chip cookies and other goodies were available all day.

As the seasons and holidays change, so does Shiree’s decor.

L’Auberge Provençale, White Post, Virginia

L’Auberge Provençale Bed & Breakfast in White Post, Virginia, beckons wine lovers, foodies and those wanting to explore nearby Shenandoah National Park or stroll through Middleburg.

The restored main house (dating from 1753) has 11 guest rooms and suites. Your room may have an aromatherapy steam shower, whirlpool tub, mountain views, sitting room, fireplace, private balcony or private entrance. The rooms are decorated with faux-finished walls, French fabrics and artwork.

Three miles from the main house is a second campus, Villa La Campagnette, on

18 landscaped acres, with three rooms and a swimming pool open to all guests.

The inn is known for its French-American gourmet cuisine. Its owners proudly say they’ve been doing “farm to table” long before it became trendy. For more than 30 years they’ve been using fresh herbs, vegetables and fruits from their orchard and

supporting local vendors.

The bar area is less formal and offers a bistro menu as well as fine dining. The charming, cozy restaurant has a tasting menu and a la carte choices.

We chose the tasting menu and started

See B&Bs, page 29

The Renoir Room is one of 11 chic rooms at L’Auberge Provençale Bed & Breakfast, a 1793 inn and restaurant 90 minutes from D.C.

PHOTO BY L’AUBERGE PROVENÇALE BED & BREAKFAST

How to avoid illness traveling outside U.S.

By Raj Palraj, M.D. Dear Mayo Clinic:

I have a group of friends with whom I love to travel. We plan several trips a year, and we are planning to visit the Caribbean next. We will stay at an all-inclusive resort in a popular destination and do a few sightseeing day trips in the area.

Are there things we should do to be safe while traveling?

A: Travel is always a fun activity to enjoy with friends. In addition to just transporting you to a different place, travel can broaden your perspective, increase your happiness, give you a chance to try new things, boost your creativity and help you recharge.

As I’m sure you have found, even plan-

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

ning a trip can be an exciting task. The anticipation of mapping an itinerary and scheduling your must-see attractions can bring a lot of joy and happiness.

Unfortunately, nothing can ruin a trip like illness. Even in an all-inclusive resort, knowing how food is prepared or the quality of the water supply is not possible. Mosquitos and other insects remain a concern.

Here are four things to remember as you plan your travel, regardless of your accommodations:

Get vaccinated

First, I recommend that all travelers be vaccinated against the flu and be up to date with Covid vaccines and boosters. In addition, it’s important to complete the adult

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vaccination schedule that includes vaccinations for chickenpox; diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis; pneumococcal bacteria; measles, mumps and rubella (MMR); polio and shingles.

Additional vaccines may be recommended depending on your travel itinerary. For example, hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for people traveling to Southeast Asia. This is because some infections are more prevalent in tropical settings than in temperate climates.

Typhoid fever and hepatitis A are more common in Southeast Asia because these communicable diseases can be spread through contaminated water. Some areas of Africa and South America have a higher prevalence of yellow fever and malaria.

If you are unsure if other vaccines are recommended for your destination, I recommend having a conversation with your primary care clinician and reviewing the CDC recommendations.

Food and water precautions

Second, food and water safety are important while traveling.

Only eat well-cooked food. Avoid eating uncooked foods, like salad and raw vegetables, and from roadside stands.

Drink bottled beverages only, including bottled water. This is especially important if you travel in resource-limited regions during sightseeing day trips.

Personal hygiene

Third, hand hygiene is essential at home and overseas. Wash your hands often using soap and hot water.

Follow respiratory etiquette by covering

Italy

From page 26

eight kids gathered there, talking and playing, framed by olive trees and hillsides. It was a scene out of a movie or a dream.

When we returned and told friends about the trip, many remarked that the time must have flown by. In part because so much planning was in place, I didn’t let it. I soaked in every moment, holding on, appreciating this dream becoming a reality.

I can close my eyes right now and feel the cool terracotta tiles under my feet. I can hear the laughter of a granddaughter and grandson playing in the next room, too giddy to sleep. I can taste the homemade lasagna, the zucchini flowers and the delicious grocery store pizza.

Perhaps my favorite memory was the afternoon one grandson came up to me when we were alone in the apartment and, in a serious tone, said, “LaLa, I’m glad you’re my grandmother.”

I lowered my post-chemo, barely-haired head to him and said, “I am so lucky to have you!”

Some tips if you go Round-trip tickets to Italy in the sum-

your mouth and hands when you sneeze or cough, and washing your hands after. Consider optional masking in crowded and indoor spaces.

Prepare for Mother Nature

Finally, plan for the sun and bugs. Mosquitos and bugs can transmit parasites and diseases, like yellow fever and malaria.

Prophylactic malaria medications are available and are started before the travel, continued during the stay and for a certain duration after returning home. A travel medicine specialist can review the risks and benefits of all prevention and treatment options.

Also, use mosquito repellents and mosquito nets, if appropriate, in your travel destination.

Additionally, don’t forget to pack your sunscreen, as you also want to reduce your risk for sun damage, which can create other challenges while traveling.

If you plan additional trips in the future that have a complex itinerary with multiple countries, or are traveling to Southeast Asia or Africa, it’s best to make an appointment with a travel medicine specialist about two months before travel.

I also recommend that if you or your friends have any immunocompromising conditions, you seek travel medicine consultation to reduce the risk of illness during travel.

— Raj Palraj, M.D., Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin

©2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

mertime can be pricey. At press time, the lowest-priced roundtrip ticket from D.C. airports to Rome was $1,200. There are no direct flights from D.C. to Milan, near Lake Como.

If you’re planning a large group vacation in Italy, here are some tips: Hire a bus. Our bus and bus drivers were wonderful, and we never had to worry about navigating unfamiliar roads, directions or parking.

Rent a villa with air conditioning. We also made sure to rent a villa where the windows had screens. We didn’t open the windows in July’s heat, but they’d be great in spring or fall.

Hire a professional photographer. Even though iPhones take fantastic shots, you will want some of the whole family. Carry along snacks for children. Even though you can buy food everywhere, pulling something out of a bag or backpack is nice if you are stuck.

Make time before and after the trip to rest. Arriving a couple of days early in Rome allowed us to adjust to the time change. Moving on to Lake Como afterward gave us a much-appreciated rest after the joyful chaos of the family week.

B&Bs

From page 27

with the best French onion soup I’ve ever had, along with homemade bread. Everything is exquisitely plated. The wine list reads like an unabridged novel, and the sommelier can help you choose the perfect pairing.

Breakfast included homemade croissants, breakfast bread, creative entrees, fresh juice and café au lait.

Hambleton Inn Bed & Breakfast, St. Michaels, MD

We kicked off 2023 at Hambleton Inn Bed & Breakfast in St. Michaels, Maryland. Owner-innkeeper Debra Alms, architectural designer, and her partner Richard

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Apr. 22

P. Beavers, who works in construction, took a neglected waterfront B&B and totally restored and renovated it.

They modernized the historic 1840 shipbuilder’s home with a Victorian ambiance and filled it with antiques, rugs and chandeliers. As we toured the house, Debra showed us pictures of the original structure and artifacts they found during the renovations.

Each of the seven rooms in this luxurious B&B has a unique decor. Of course, they all have plush robes, bedspreads and pillows, and a magnificent faux fur throw draped over each bed. Its ensuite bathrooms have jetted tubs and showers; one even has a large copper tub.

Outdoors, guests can sip wine or make

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Disability Expo on Sat., April 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at The Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, 7801 Alumni Dr., College Park, MD. The free expo, organized by the nonprofit Caring Communities, includes free wheelchair inspection and repair, and showcases durable medical equipment, personal care products, services, agencies and more. Reserve your spot at bit.ly/DisabilitiesExpo.

WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD FESTIVAL

May 13

Learn about hummingbirds, osprey and other birds with hands-on activities, games, crafts, bird walks and more at this free bilingual event. Meet at Lacey Woods Park Picnic Shelter, 1200 N George Mason Dr., Arlington, VA, on Sat., May 13, from 10 a.m. to noon. Registration is not required.

s’mores at the firepit while enjoying water views and local wildlife like green herons, mallards, ospreys and bald eagles. And for a little extra romance, there’s Honeymoon Bridge — a late 19th-century pedestrian bridge in St. Michaels.

For the Eastern Shore gourmet breakfast, we had orange juice, toast with caviar, bacon, homemade biscuits and two fried green tomatoes, topped with large crabcakes and a poached egg finished with Hollandaise sauce. During the day, our hosts offered snickerdoodle cookies and coffee.

Everything in St. Michaels is within walking distance, so we parked in the private lot and explored the town’s boutiques,

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galleries, shops, museums and varied dining options. Debra recommended places for dinner and what to see.

Now that we’ve experienced the wonderful world of nearby B&Bs, we’re ready to discover more hidden gems.

For more information, visit innatwhiteoak.com, laubergeprovencale.com and hambletoninnbb.com.

In addition to reading reviews on Tripadvisor and Yelp, look them up on selectregistry.com, which lists B&Bs that meet a set of standards.

Note: Some B&Bs have steep stairs, so if you have mobility issues or don’t want to climb stairs, ask for a first-floor room.

NIA START-UP CHALLENGE VOLUNTEER

The 2023 National Institute on Aging Start-Up and Accelerator seeks entrepreneurs, scientists and investors to coach emerging entrepreneurs while they pursue start-up ideas and build businesses to support healthy aging. Volunteer mentors will be paired with individual finalists to advise them remotely from August 2023 through January 2024. Sign up at bit.ly/NIAchallenge. For more information, contact Jamie Lahvic at NIAstartupchallenge@mail.nih.gov.

JOB SEARCHING IN THE DIGITAL AGE

May 3

Visit the Aspen Hill Library to learn how to use social media and online tools like LinkedIn in your job search. This Senior Planet technology lecture will also cover freelance work and how to supplement your income in innovative ways. The free in-person class takes place on Wed., May 3, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 4407 Aspen Hill Rd., Rockville, MD. For more information, call (240) 773-9410.

Avoid foreign exchange gouges abroad

Since at least Biblical times, money changers have been gouging foreign visitors exchanging their currency for local shekels.

Fortunately, if you’re going outside the U.S. this summer, you can avoid most of the gouge.

Unless you’re a currency speculator, you’ll almost always lose a little in exchanging your dollars for whatever. That’s because the actual cost of exchanging currency is the 1% or so that the international Visa, MasterCard or American Express networks charge to do the exchange job.

they can — running the cost up to 5% or even more.

Retail foreign exchange desks can use a combination of lousy rates and fees to run your cost up to 10% or more.

But if you’re using the right credit and debit cards, you can limit your loss to the basic 1%.

TRAVEL TIPS

By Ed Perkins

But many credit and debit card issuers add their own foreign charges and fees for doing nothing — they gouge because

Credit Card. These days, a lot of credit cards, especially cobranded travel-related cards, have stopped surcharging foreign charges. They no longer charge a fee at all, or add just the fee of 1% or less to cover the network transaction cost.

To keep losses to a minimum, the traveler’s key rule is to put as many bills on a nosurcharge credit card as possible.

Debit Card. You may not need much local currency, but the best way to get what you need is to get it from a local bank’s ATM. But finding the right card and the right ATM can sometimes take some digging.

Although a large foreign bank’s ATM generally uses the bank rate for conversion, when you use a debit card at a foreign bank’s ATM you face up to three possible fees:

— Your bank may assess a fee — typically around three or four dollars — for every ATM transaction at any “foreign” bank, regardless of the amount.

— Your bank may also add a conversion surcharge.

— The foreign ATM may assess a withdrawal fee.

To avoid these gouges, you need a debit card account with a bank that (1) charges

ENTERPRISE RESIDENTIAL

MOST COMMUNITIES ARE 62 AND BETTER

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The Greens at Irvington Mews: 410-644-4487

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Park View at Ashland Terrace: 410-276-6440

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Cove Point Apartments I: 410-288-2344

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Evergreen Senior Apartments: 410-780-4888

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The Greens at Liberty Road: 410-655-1100

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Park View at Catonsville: 410-719-9464

Park View at Dundalk: 410-288-5483 • 55 & Better

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no exchange fees on foreign withdrawals and (2) absorbs some or all foreign-bank fees as well.

If your regular bank doesn’t offer such an account, do what I do: I maintain a small no-fee checking account with a small local bank that I transfer money to before a trip but otherwise keep idle. Your best bets for such a “travel money” account are credit unions, former savings banks and online banks.

Cashless Traveling . Forget the old “tip” that you need to get some local money before you depart. Last October, I traveled from Gatwick Airport to my London hotel without handling a single pound or pence. And when I tried to buy a can of Sprite at St. Pancras station using coins, the attendant said, “Sorry, we don’t take cash here.”

Avoid Traps. Keep away from three major gouges:

— Airport exchange offices almost always give very poor rates — you can lose up to 10%.

— Many foreign airports have given local exchange agencies an exclusive franchise to operate all ATMs at the airport. Those ATMs proclaim “no fees,” but they give the same lousy rates as the exchange office. Find a major bank’s ATM instead.

— Some foreign merchants may offer to bill you in dollars rather than local currency. Even if your card adds no junk fees, the merchant will almost certainly give you a lousy exchange rate. Don’t fall for it.

Exceptions . The recommendations above apply to countries with stable currencies. Unfortunately, there are still places — Argentina, most noteworthy — where the official exchange rates are unrealistic. Check before you visit any country that might have a currency problem.

What’s in your travel wallet? Check the card(s) you normally carry. If your cards don’t avoid the fees, get some that do before you leave.

Email Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net. Also, check out Ed’s rail travel website at rail-guru.com.

© 2023 Ed Perkins. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

SEARCHING FOR SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

The Folger is celebrating the 400th anniversary of the printing of Shakespeare’s First Folio during the entire month of April in partnership with the D.C. Public Library. The free events include an exhibition, a worldpremiere play, a citywide scavenger hunt, Shakespeare’s Birthday Lecture, family programs, workshops and more at library locations in all eight wards. For a complete list of events and details, visit folger.edu/searching.

Arts & Style

Musical tells story of jazz, R&B pioneer

By Mark Dreisonstok

In the 1940s, an Arkansas woman with an electric guitar began playing gospel music in night clubs, and music has never been the same.

Shout, Sister, Shout!, now playing at the historic Ford’s Theatre, is a unique and meaningful musical about her life. Written by Cheryl L. West and based on a biography by Gayle F. Wald, it is the story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915-1973), an influential American gospel singer, guitarist, jazz performer and early pioneer of rock and roll.

Tharpe is played to perfection by Carrie Compere. She wonderfully shows how her character’s initial shyness gradually blossoms into transcendent charisma, edging into jadedness late in her career.

Compere’s scenes with her Pentecostal mother, Katie Bell Nubin, compellingly portrayed by Carol Dennis, are particularly powerful.

Family conflict, self-doubt explored

Indeed, their relationship anchors the show, as it fluctuates between simple parental love, to a conflict over Rosetta’s “sinful” decision to become a secular performer at Harlem’s Cotton Club nightclub venue, and eventual reconciliation and mutual respect between mother and daughter.

Yet the show does not only depict parent-child conflict. It also examines Sister Rosetta’s own complex feelings, and occasional doubts, about both her religious upbringing and her rising fame.

These manifest as she wrestles with her relationship with performing partner Marie Knight (memorably acted and sung by Felicia Boswell), as well as with the varied reactions of her fellow churchgoers to her bringing gospel music into popular settings and blending it with other musical forms.

Tharpe also feels obliged to counter accusations that she “borrowed” from Elvis Presley, pointing out instead that Presley and rock and roll were instead influenced by her, along with African American churches’ musical traditions and rhythm and blues.

A very welcome aspect about the production is that some of the songs associated with Tharpe are not merely performed but incorporated into the plot. For example, “Lonesome Road” is sung by her mother as Rosetta is leaving home, traveling down a “lonesome road” to follow her dreams.

Jazz greats make cameos

Fans of jazz will enjoy the inclusion into the musical storyline of jazz music greats Dizzy Gillespie (played by a charismatic Keenan McCarter) and Cab Calloway.

Joseph Anthony Byrd as Calloway is particularly impressive in channeling the legendary swing bandleader and showman — gliding across the stage while conducting, dancing and lending his full personality to the bygone era of the Cotton Club.

Kelli Blackwell does a wonderful turn singing as famed gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.

When it comes to great musical person-

alities of the past, we would like to have seen more exposure given to Lucky Millinder (depicted well by David Rowen).

Here he is presented primarily as an obstacle to Tharpe. In real life, though, many

of her signature tunes, including “Rock Me,” “That’s All,” “Down by the Riverside,” and even the show’s title song “Shout, Sis-

He went nearly blind, then started creating art. See story on page 32.

Carrie Compere plays Sister Rosetta Tharpe in Shout, Sister, Shout! The new musical is playing at Ford’s Theatre through May 13.

PHOTO BY BRONWEN HOUCK

PHOTO COURTESY OF KESSLER FAMILY

Surgeon lost sight and became a sculptor

By Margaret Foster

Dr. Matthew Kessler was working as a dental surgeon and teaching at two D.C.area universities when he noticed changes in his vision.

“It came on pretty quickly,” Kessler, now 88, said. “It looked like someone put Vaseline on everything.”

Diagnosed with macular degeneration about 25 years ago, which blurred his central vision, Kessler had no choice but to retire. Although clear eyesight never returned, the Silver Spring doctor has reinvented himself as a sculptor.

Kessler was inspired by the famed blind sculptor Michael Naranjo, about whom he learned at his appointments with doctors at the Veterans Administration. Naranjo was blinded by a grenade but went on to

Musical

From page 31

ter, Shout” (all performed engagingly within the show), were recorded at one point with Millinder and his swing orchestra.

Millinder, somewhat like Sister Rosetta Tharpe herself, has been neglected despite his contributions to American popular music, and this musical would have been an effective opportunity to correct this unjustified obscurity.

make a splash in the art world.

“You’d be amazed to see what a person like that can do. So, I figured I may not have his talent, but I can see better than he can,” Kessler said.

In 1998, Kessler signed up for an introduction to art class and a sculpture class at Montgomery College’s Takoma Park campus. Despite his vision loss, he learned as much as he could.

“I was always very curious and imaginative and very, very persistent, like a dog with a bone,” he said.

Grew up poor in Brooklyn

Kessler grew up in the 1930s and 40s in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. “It was a tough place to be, and I was very lucky to be able to over-

Top-notch direction, choreography

The direction by Kenneth L. Roberson is excellent, and the choreography by William Carlos Angulo is superb, especially in the sequences with jazz, doo-wop and gospel numbers.

For the fine orchestrations, equal credit is due to arranger and orchestrator Joseph Joubert and music director Sheilah V. Walker.

Indeed, all of the ensemble performances are toe-tapping. One particularly impressive one occurs when Sister Rosetta is

come a lot,” he said.

The son of working-class parents (“My father made big investments. One was in food; the other was in rent,” he joked), Kessler won full scholarships to college and dental school. At the beginning of his career as a periodontist, he worked in the Pentagon’s medical clinic.

His past work ethic persists today — but instead of maintaining a dental practice, he creates art.

Making art “is like telling a story,” Kessler said. For instance, he created a sculpture of two women side-by-side that describes the Biblical story of Ruth and Naomi. “Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay,” Ruth tells Naomi after the loss of her husband and sons.

That loyalty is present in Kessler’s family

introduced to the infectious sounds of the new swing music, and joins in on a performance of the Jimmie Lunceford classic “Four or Five Times.”

We attended a matinee performance during the week, when school groups were also attending. Ford’s Theatre hands out a brochure for young audience members, asking pupils to list books, films, albums and role models that have gone into forming their identities, paralleling Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s development of identity

as well. His adult children remain close to him after the death of their mother in 1991.

Kessler said he’s motivated to create art for his children and grandchildren. “I’m not against money, but this is better than money,” he said. “I want to leave behind myself, not money, for them.”

During the pandemic, Kessler kept up his artwork, thanks to an art historian and friend, Carol Hinds, who provided art therapy lessons during the lockdowns. He kept busy in the home studio that his adult daughter built for him.

Almost every room of Kessler’s ranch house — and even his yard — contain his sculptures and wall art. A concrete, lifesized sculpture of two dancers stands in See SCULPTOR, page 35

and sense of self through her musical artistry.

Perhaps this question should be considered not just by elementary, middle school and high school students, but by all who enjoy this meaningful and entertaining production.

Shout, Sister, Shout! appears at Ford’s Theatre through May 13. Senior discount available to people over 60 for matinee performances. Tickets are available at fords.org or by calling 1-888-616-0270.

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This I Is s the Rope: A Story from the Great Migration

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APRIL 2 | CONCERT HALL

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George W Waalker: Sinfonia No. 4, “Strands”

Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2 (THU. & SAT.)

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Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel: Overture in C major Robert Schumann: K Koonzertstück for Four Horns

Felix Mendelssohn: Overture: The Hebrides (Fingal’s Cave)

Franz Schubert: Symphony No. 3

APRIL 27–29 | CONCERT HALL

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Ideas and advice for venturing outdoors

Time to head outdoors and enjoy springtime. These books offer ideas for activities close to home.

AIA Guide to the Architecture of Washington, DC: Sixth Edition, by G. Martin Moeller, Jr., 383 pages, Johns Hopkins University Press softcover, 2022

This comprehensive guide covers more than 400 structures of distinction in the nation’s capital. Whether you’re an inveterate local sightseer or have avoided crowded tourist destinations, you’re bound to find new neighborhoods to visit. You may have walked past buildings a multitude of times without realizing their significance.

from the highly popular Mall and Capitol Hill to the less well-trod Foxhall and Meridian Hill. You’ll be guided through neighborhoods, such as Shaw and NoMa, that are off the beaten track. Explore the Capitol Riverfront and Logan Circle.

THE BIBLIOPHILE

By Dinah Rokach

AIA Guide to the Architecture of Washington begins with an introduction to the District — its history and architecture from 1791 to 2021.

The guide outlines 19 walking tours in all,

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

DO

Read a concise account about the origin and development of each neighborhood, accompanied by a historic archival photo. Each tour begins with a map showing your itinerary, ranging from six to 40 stops.

Individual stops are then illustrated with postage-stamp-sized blackand-white photos. A short description including date, history and architect accompanies each photo.

In the final chapter, you’ll find an additional 30 structures that are not included in walking tours but merit stand-alone mention.

Moeller, who is in his 60s, is an inde-

YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO SERVED ON USS INTREPID?

In honor of the 80th anniversary of the commissioning of USS Intrepid, the Intrepid Museum is searching for former crew members for a reunion and celebration in April on board the ship. The museum is also seeking donations of personal artifacts and memorabilia from former crew members and their families. Visit intrepidmuseum.org/80 or email fcm@intrepidmuseum.org.

pendent curator and editor of ArchitectureDC, AIA’s quarterly magazine. A resident of Logan Circle, he has written both previous editions of this guide.

50 Things to Do in the Urban Wild, by Clare Gogerty, 144 pages, Princeton Architectural Press hardcover, 2022

Observing nature uplifts spirits and calms the soul. You may be looking for new ideas on how to spend time outdoors without traveling a distance. Or perhaps you’re searching for projects to pursue together with your grandchildren.

50 Things to Do in the Urban Wild is the perfect instruction book, offering creative ideas for city dwellers and suburbanites.

Learn how to construct a weathervane and a rain gauge. Identify the constellations in the night sky. Build a home for bats or a hedgehog highway for small underground creatures. Master the names of cloud formations and what kind of weather they may portend.

You’ll find practical information on several types of gardens, such as herb gardens and container gardens, cultivating houseplants, planting microgreens and mini orchards, as well as utilizing shed roofs and walls for planting.

Author Clare Gogerty moved from London, where she worked as a magazine editor, to a small town in Herefordshire in the West Midlands of England. There she raises chickens and writes books. Illustrator Maria Nilsson, whose charming blue-and-

white drawings accompany the text, lives in London.

This is a Book for People Who Love Birds, by Danielle Belleny, 146 pages, Running Press Adult hardcover, 2022

Birds enrich our lives with beauty and song. This compact book is a primer for those who are intrigued by our feathered friends and wish to acquaint themselves with the science of ornithology. In time, you may become a full-fledged birder, as birdwatchers are now called.

This is a Book for People Who Love Birds provides readers with a solid orientation before they delve into the pages of a field guide. You’ll be prepared to take flight armed with basic information.

The book highlights 40 North American bird species. Each profile includes an illustration, scientific name, habitat range, and a delightful exposition on the behavior that makes that bird unique.

Learn about birds, their biology, the source of their songs and their ability to fly and navigate. Urban birders-to-be need not despair. You’ll find practical tips on where to find birds in your vicinity; after all, 85% of U.S. birders enjoy their pastime within one mile of home.

Author Danielle Belleny is a Texas wildlife biologist. She is a member of the Black AF in STEM Collective, which inspires Black environmental professionals and encourages wider audiences to engage in nature. The book’s charming illustrations are by Torontonian Stephanie Singleton.

Facing up to my limitations at a singalong

We graying (or gray) souls have all had one or more of these experiences:

We attend a business meeting and we’re the oldest person there.

We mention “November 22, 1963” in a room full of Gen Xers and are met with a sea of uncomprehending faces.

We read “OMG,” “ICYMI” or another hip digital abbreviation, and we have no idea what it means.

Followed by some Bruce Springsteen creation that everyone sang at the tops of their lungs. They all knew all the words. I did not know a single one.

I was left to mumble along and try not to be noticed. I managed the first. I doubt that I managed the second.

HOW I SEE IT

Now I have another log to toss onto this fire. I call it Musical Deserts. I live in a big one. I’m sure I’m not alone.

By Bob Levey

Recently, I found myself scrambling through the musical desert sands at a latenight singalong.

A man (about 30 years younger than I am) was tinkling the ivories. Perhaps 25 people were gathered around. Nice atmosphere. Nice scene.

Then…the tinkler played a song by Elton John that I had never heard, much less sung. Followed by a Simon and Garfunkel number that I only vaguely recognized.

Sculptor

From page 32

his front yard. One is a likeness of his grown son, who is a professional dancer.

Kessler had a retrospective show at the Jewish Community Center in Rockville about 10 years ago. This year, he hopes to participate in another local art show to display his works.

With or without recognition, though, he plans to continue sculpting. “I want to keep doing it as long as I can,” he said.

If only the piano man had trotted out “South Pacific” (I know every word to every song). Or some early Bob Dylan (ditto).

Or an even earlier selection. Something by Bing Crosby, maybe, or that deathless Sinatra number about a man who danced with his wife.

Long and the short of it: My repertoire came to a screeching halt in about 1966, when my adult life was born.

Previously, I had had plenty of time to buy records (remember them?) and to harmonize along. But now, I was 21. Suddenly, I could vote, buy life insurance, order a scotch.

Leisure time instantly took on new meaning. There wasn’t much of it.

Each day, I balanced a demanding career, a book manuscript or two, a girlfriend or

In addition to his art, Kessler has written a children’s book and a fictional autobiography. He hopes his story will inspire other people to reinvent themselves — or to simply persist.

“There are three people who think I’m the greatest sculptor in the world: my grandchildren,” Kessler said.

“I try to let my grandchildren know that you’ve got to keep on trucking. I tell them that ‘you can do whatever you want.’

“Look at me and realize, if I can do what I do, what could you accomplish?”

July 9–14, 2023

• Lectures

• Master Classes

two. Then as now, a day contained only 24 hours. Something had to give. Music gave.

Across decades, I hot-wired my musical education by watching the halftime show at the Super Bowl. Whoever they booked each year had to be the hottest thing since sliced bread, right?

But ask me 15 minutes later who he or she was — or to hum the signature song that had just filled my living room — and I would have been stumped.

I can even go back a couple of centuries to prove how musically ancient I am. Would you like me to sing every song from “H.M.S. Pinafore,” the brilliant Gilbert and Sullivan operetta? I could do it when I was 11. I can do it still.

But who would want to hear this? No

one, I’m sure.

And how about Christmas carols? Every kid in my era learned them all, even if he or she was not Christian. I can still knock out a mean bass harmony on “Good King Wenceslas” with the best of them.

Aren’t you dying to hear it?

What’s that, you’re not?

Our late-night singalong hit list did click with me a few times. I dredged up most of the words to “River,” by the great Joni Mitchell. I boomed out our swan song, “God Bless America,” with the entire crew. (Some things never change — none of us knew the second verse!)

And then, I got patronized. A woman

DATES:

6 Performances: Fridays and Saturdays, April 28, 29, May 5 and 6 at 8 p.m.; Sundays, April 30 and May 7 at 2 p.m.

TICKETS: $22 Adults; $20 Seniors and Students

• Workshops

• Faculty Recitals

• Individual Lessons and Recitals (optional) peabody.jhu.edu/

667-208-6640

by Lydia R. Diamond

See BOB LEVEY, page 37

Scrabble answers on p. 39.

Crossword Puzzle

Find

Across

1. Beanie or beret

4. Lose color

8. Skedaddle

13. John Belushi wore one in Animal House

14. Word visible in a dark theater

15. Going to ___ (Smokey Robinson tune)

16. An enthusiastic boy has one

19. Goal of the United Nations Security Council

20. Whole lotta

21. Seal up a balloon

22. Ground breaker

24. Average number of ovaries per person

25. “___ my regards”

26. Spruce-ups

31. Paint swatch element

32. Most of a martini

33. “__ work and no play...”

34. Captivate 37. Roundabout routes

41. Debt that is part of your subconscious 42. Rep. from NYC 43. Stage manager’s signal 44. Any AARP member 50. MOLTEN center 51. Diminutive 52. Cry of surprise 53. Lyric poem 54. “When a poor man ___ chicken, one of them is sick” (Fiddler on the Roof) 56. Traveler’s rest stop 60. Conclusion drawn from this puzzle 63. Not slouched 64. “Holy Toledo!” 65. Religious offshoot 66. 7-Up and Coke Zero

67. Paul and Howard 68. Cy Young’s lowest was 1.26 in 1908 Down

1. There was a new one in Star Wars: Episode IV

2. The Taj Mahal’s city

4. Battleship marker

5. The x usually runs horizontally

6. Tallest U.S. president

7. Gas with 6 hydrogen atoms around 2 carbons

8. Backtalk

9. Maritime security orgs.

10. Misfortune

11. Advancing through demographics

12. Vehicles with both motors and pedals

13. 1/96th of a pint

17. One of six naturally occurring noble gases

18. “I haven’t got the faintest ___”

23. Subject of 60% inflation in 2022

25. Farm structure

26. Murder, ___ Wrote

27. “A backwards poet writes inverse,” for example

28. Eligible to vote

29. Intro to Roman Studies course numbers

30. ___ King Cole

35. Clue murder weapon

36. Days of ___ Lives

37. Leader of the Seven Dwarfs

38. Nymph cursed to only be able to repeat words

39. Regret

40. One of 100 in D.C.

42. Way back when

44. Gallows requirements

45. One who knows all the tricks

46. ___ my finger at them

47. Start of -lands or -world

48. 95% of their diners are actually in the U.S.

49. Like 60-grit sandpaper

54. MDs that treat adenoids

55. Big ___ ox

57. Litigant

58. Ancient Peruvian

59. Cpl.’s superior

61. End for basil- or arab-

62. Radical 60s org. Jumble

3. Chinese shadowboxing

Bob Levey

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

who had been singing next to me for the better part of an hour said she had really liked my voice.

“Too bad you didn’t get to use it very often,” she said.

It’s mighty dry out here in the musical desert, dear friends.

Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

Letters to editor

From page 2

including the by-now-ridiculous tip to add your phone number to the Do Not Call database.

By definition, scammers are criminals. They don’t check the DNC database and then say, “Oh, no, we can’t call that number!”

To imagine that being on the Do Not Call list is going to deter robocall spammers is like thinking that putting your license plate on a Do Not Steal list will prevent car theft.

Please stop promoting this list, from your own writers or in syndicated content. It does nothing except insult readers’ intelligence and cast doubt on the credibility and value of the other tips.

Chris Raymond Falls Church, VA

Classifieds cont. from page 38.

LOOKING TO PURCHASE QUALITY

From page 35 Wanted

BRIC-A-BRAC AND SMALLS . I collect Royal Copenhagen, Herend, Shelley, English bone china cups and saucers and antique Christmas and Halloween decorations. Have recently changed my look a little and developed an interest in Midcentury pottery and glass and Chinese antiques. Need to clean out a house in a hurry? I may be able to help. Please call Susan (301) 7851129.

BUYING VINYL RECORDS from 1950 to 1990 JAZZ, ROCK, BLUES, R&B, DISCO, SOUL, REGGAE, & GOSPEL, ANY VINYL FORMAT 33 1/3 RPM Albums, small 45 RPM’s & some 78 RPM, Also CD’s, Prefer LARGER COLLECTIONS AT LEAST 100 items, PLEASE CALL JOHN 301-596-6201

BUYING JEWELRY, COINS also gold, silver, art, old toys, guns, military items, old baseball cards, memorabilia, older golf, football items, records, books, older Christmas & Halloween decorations, guitars, violins, antique Asian items. Tom 240-476-3441

WANTED: OLDER VIOLINS, GUITARS, BANJOS, MANDOLINS, UKULELES. Musician/collector will pay cash for older string instruments. Jack (301) 2792158, leave message & phone number (please speak slowly).

CASH FOR RECORDS, CDS AND DVDS. Best price guaranteed. Free appraisals. All types of music {33, 45, 78 & CDs.} Also buying turntables and stereo equipment. Will make house calls with CURBSIDE PICKUPS. Call or text Steve at 301-646-5403.

CASH FOR JEWELRY: Buying jewelry, diamonds, gold, platinum, silver, watches, coins, flatware, etc. Ask for Tom. Call anytime, 301654-8678 (Reg. 883).

COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY

ITEMS: helmets, antique weapons, knives, swords, web gear, uniforms, WW2 jeep parts, etc. from all wars and countries. also slots/pinball/jukeboxes and all coin op machines. Covid safe. call Fred 301-910-0783

WANTED OLD MOTORCYCLES: 1970’s & Older. Any condition good or bad. Buying AS IS paying CASH & PICKING UP. Kawasaki

Norton Honda Triumph BMW Yamaha Harley BSA Suzuki Ducati Etc. Call for cash offer 1(800)220-9683, website: www.wantedoldmotorcycles.com

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 (240-464-0958) or email (david.obal63@gmail.com).

INVENTION-CON 2023

Do you have a great idea for an invention? If so, join the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its free conference Wed., May 10 through Fri., May 12, from noon to 4 p.m., online and in person. Learn from successful innovators, inventors, entrepreneurs and business owners; discover available resources; and connect with business experts who can help you develop a strategy for taking your product from idea to market. The in-person event on May 12 takes place at the Clara Barton Auditorium of the Madison Building, 600 Dulaney St., Alexandria, VA. For more information and to reserve your spot, visit bit.ly/InventionCon23.

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VIETNAM WAR

The National Mall in Washington, D.C. welcomes Vietnam Veterans and their families to celebrate their enduring legacy on Thu., May 11 through Sat., May 13. The commemoration includes formal ceremonies, a multimedia celebration, daily interactive engagements, entertainment, historical and museum exhibits, nightly sundown concerts, rally points, a veteran services hub and more. All events are ADA accessible. For more information and a complete list of events and details, visit vietnamwar50th.com/welcomehome.

EARTH DAY CLEANUP

Join the C&O Canal Trust for an Earth Day cleanup on Sat., April 22, from 9 a.m. to noon, to pick up trash, paint or remove invasive plants. This event takes place at Great Falls Park, 9200 Old Dominion Dr., McLean, VA. For more information and to register, visit canaltrust.org or call (240) 202-2625.

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; Obituaries; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on page 39.

CAVEAT EMPTOR!

The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibility for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment.

EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS:

We will not knowingly or intentionally accept advertising in violation of federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap in connection with employment or the sale or rental of real estate.

Caregivers

ASSISTED LIVING REFERRER AGENCY. Lic. ALR0071. Let’s help you find an Assisted Living Home for your loved one. All you have to do is register for our service and leave the rest to us. We are licensed and have been in business for 21 years. For more info call Joan: 301-792-9571.

WOODRIDGE ASSISTED LIVING PLACE. Bed available for a female resident. Level two care, 65-79 years, services provided incudes adult day program and all medical third party services. Call Joan for more information 301-792-9571.

A HOME HEALTHCARE - Experienced nurses, CNA, GNA are available 24/7. Cooking, companionship, personal care, housekeeping, driving. Full/Part-time or live-in care. 15 years’ experience. 2405336599)

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: 667-231-8235

PROBLEM WITH YOUR PC/MAC OR NETWORK? Computer Systems Engineer will come to you with help. Call David G. at: 3013282112 / 3016424526

COMPUTER, CELL PHONE & ELECTRONICS HELP For Seniors. We offer patient and thorough help for seniors with all matter of technology. Beacon Customers get 20% off first job! Call Senior Tech Pro at 301-337-0028. Available 24/7. Ask for Philip.

RUN FOR A BRIGHTER PALESTINE with Iqraa running group and raise funds for scholarships. Join us May 6th, 8:00 am first training. Train May- Oct. contact Iqraa coordinator kirkcruachan@yahoo.com to sign up. https://Iqraadc.org

TAX PREPARATION: Licensed CPA for 36 years, reasonable rates, all types of returns. Located in Gaithersburg, MD near Quince Orchard Rd and Great Seneca Hwy. DIANE CHRISTEN CPA; 240-355-1135 cell; dianechristen@aol.com.

PROTECT YOUR INCOME WITH LIFE INSURANCE. Protect your legacy, prevent unexpected expenses and prolong your life. Get insured today. I will get you coverage call 202-3156333.

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.

BURIAL PLOT FOR SALE. National Memorial Park on Lee Hwy in Falls Church, Va. TWO Choice Sites / desirable “Garden of the Last Supper”. Double Depth A&B Sites/ Reg $16,995 for both. Sale: $9,995 for both. Contact Jeff at jpolucci@mieleusa.com. I will call you to discuss when I get your email.

TWO CEMETERY PLOTS AT NATIONAL MEMORIAL PARK, Falls Church, VA. Retails for $6,495 each. Will sell for $2,995 each OBO. Contact David at (336) 508-6648 for more information.

NATIONAL MEMORIAL PARK, Falls Church, Va. Two choice cemetery sites. Valued at $10,995 each, asking $4,500 each. Contact: Lew Hankes (910)575-0258. Email: hankes@atmc.net

PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES

TODAY with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Money Down + Low Monthly Payment Options. Request a FREE Quote. Call now before the next power outage: 1-866-964-8106. VIVINT. SMART SECURITY. Professionally installed. One connected system for total peace of mind. FREE professional installation! Four FREE months of monitoring! Call now to customize your system.

1-844-758-7925.

LIFE INSURANCE, WHOLE LIFE, No medical exams, Cash value, FREE Contract review, DON’T leave your family with debt, but with dollars, insures from 30 days - 85 yrs old, policy won’t decrease, premium won’t increase. Covers Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, etc. CALL TODAY! 202-258-6152

ONE STEP MOBILITY - Home Mobility Equipment Sales, Service & Repair! One Step Mobility Can Help You With All Your Home Mobility Needs 24/7: Stair Lifts, Power Chairs, Scooters, Ramps & More. Please call 301-7675070 or visit: onestepmobility.com

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.

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.

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.

DOWNSIZING OR LIQUIDATING AN ESTATE? Doing it yourself? DON’T THROW YOUR MONEY AWAY! Our easy process determines what to keep, gift, sell, donate, or discard. Services include: estate liquidation, downsizing, whole house clean-outs; emptying storage units, junk removal, and estate sales. We buy estates, vehicles, and real estate. Call/text Philip at 301219-3600 or visit DownsizingSpecialists.com for more information. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure, and we know the difference!

THE GENERAC PWRCELL, a solar plus battery storage system. SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home. Full installation services available. $0 Down Financing Option. Request a FREE, no obligation, quote today. Call 1-866-944-0699

SAFE STEP. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-theline installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-866-478-2363.

DON’T LET THE STAIRS LIMIT YOUR MOBILITY! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-866-365-5170.

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.

SLOWING DOWN AFTER 41 YEARS OF CONTRACTING. Small to medium jobs mainly residential but will do some commercial. Will work all over DC area. $45.00 an hour from arrival on job. Andy 703-906-5429.

CIRCLE OF LIFE ESTATE PLANNING

WORKBOOK (188 pages) removes the stress and anxiety of Will and Trust preparation. All you need to do is to fill in the blanks that relate to you. When completed, you will have a complete inventory of your estate. Order by credit card to: Workbook, PO BOX 169, Kensington, MD 20895. All major credit cards accepted. (301)565-2917. Cost: $59.99 plus tax, s/h free 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.)]

CONSUMER CELLULAR. Switch and save up to $250/year on your talk, text and data. No contract and no hidden fees. Unlimited talk and text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. Limited time offer - get $50 off on any new account. Use code GIFT50. For more information, call 1-833-742-1303

YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONE CAN’T CLIMB STAIRS in your home any longer, contemplating installing a Stairlift? Call Frank for your free quote-703.615.3262

DECLUTTER, ORGANIZE, DOWNSIZE, AND OFFICE WORK — Personalized services designed for the 55+ community. Take control of your life and your home. Call Christine, Certified Senior Advisor at 301.452.5730, ccallahan@mdseniorhelp.com — visit my websitewww.mdseniorhelp.com

HOUSECLEANING SERVICES for Apartment/Condo in Silver Spring/Olney area. Do you need your 1-2 BD apt/condo clean on the weekend (Saturday morning/mid-afternoon) on a biweekly basis? I provide all natural cleaning supplies. Basic cleaning; dust/vacuum, kitchen counters, stove top, sink, bathrooms, change your bed linen, etc. Experience, wear mask and references. Very affordable rate, starting at $70 for 2-hrs. Call JP @ 301/598-3627 for visit on base rate.

HOME ORGANIZER I look forward to working with you and helping to make your life more organized and pleasant. Whether you need to bring more order into your office or living space, or whether you are trying to decide what to keep or give away prior to a move, it can be useful to have some experienced help. I would enjoy creating custom solutions for your organizational needs. For more info, call Joanne at 301-5903050 or visit www.OrganizersOnTheMove.com

GET DIRECTV for $84.99/mo for 24 months with CHOICE Package. NEW 2 YEAR PRICE

GUARANTEE. First 3 months of HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz and Epix included! Directv is #1 in Customer Satisfaction (JD Power & Assoc.) Some restrictions apply. Call 1888-572-4953

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.

TOP PRICES PAID FOR FINE ANTIQUES, ARTWORK and unusual and rare things including decorated crocks and stoneware, antique clocks and music boxes, classic cars, coin operated devices, toys and dolls, furniture, lamps, art glass and pottery. I am 69 years old, well educated [ law degree ] financially capable and have over 40 years in the business. Why pay outlandish auction house, estate agent or consignment store commissions when you can get a fair upfront price for your valuables with no hassle? If you have something rare, unusual and valuable and are prepared to sell it I would like to speak with you. Please call Jake Lenihan 301 279 8834. Thank you.

CD OR DVD COLLECTIONS WANTED. House calls possible. Call Nelson at 240 472 4615. Thank you.

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. UP TO $15,000.00 OF GUARANTEED

LIFE INSURANCE! No medical exam or health questions. Cash to help pay funeral and other final expenses. Call Physicians Life Insurance Company - 866-212-1092 or visit www.Life55plus.info/beacon

STROKE AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE are leading causes of death, according to the American Heart Association. Screenings can provide peace of mind or early detection! Contact Life Line Screening to schedule your screening. Special offer - 5 screenings for just $149. Call 1-844-485-7035.

IN-HOME PRIMARY CARE MEDICINE: Ikon Health is a leading provider of primary care medicine for the geriatric and home-bound communities in Montgomery County, MD. We provide patient care from the comfort of your home and accept Medicare and most supplemental insurance plans. Visit our website at www.ikonhealthmd.com or call us at 301-6644209 to learn more about how we can help you.

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES/ESTATE LIQUIDATION: We provide full estate liquidation/home cleanout services — and we’re always buying great stuff! Especially looking for collections of vintage toys, old signs & other advertising pieces, comic books, sports memorabilia, gold & silver coins, pre-1965 American coins, jewelry, historical objects, historical memorabilia, autographs, antique paintings, bronze sculptures, folk art, vinyl records, and valuable collections of all kinds. Based in Silver Spring MD, we serve Montgomery, Howard and Baltimore Counties, Washington D.C., NOVA and beyond. Also provide appraisal services for insurance/estates. We’re experts at clearing hoarder houses, too. Call Chris on cell (202) 731-9447. www.OrionsAttic.com.

BEGINNER PIANO LESSONS. Learn to play popular and classical pieces by ear and from music. Teacher with 40 years’ experience. Price: $40/60 min. Home studio, 2 blocks from Cleveland Park Metro Station, DC. Call or text Neil, 202-669-2962.

I BUY OLD GUNS (Military/Civilian) and MILITARY MEDALS, uniforms, insignia, books & more from the Civil War, World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam to present. I have a Federal Firearms License to purchase firearms from estates and individuals. Located in MD -but will travel. I also buy West Point & Naval Academy memorabilia and items from Generals and Admirals. Client testimonials on my website: www.midatlanticmilitaryantiques.com Call, email or text. Tim Frank 703-447-7243 historian1975@gmail.com

ANSWERS TO

HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

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 edition).

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.

Jumbles:

Answer:

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

Housing

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Medical/Health

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THIS YEAR LIVE WELL

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Exceptional independent living in an energetic and supportive community • State-of-the-art rehabilitation that inspires and restores

• Assisted living that nurtures freedom of movement, choice and self-discovery

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• Dedicated and compassionate staff committed to helping you get the most out of LIFE®

• Walking paths and outdoor gathering spaces in a healing environment

... because what surrounds you really matters.

18100 Slade School Road

Sandy Spring, MD 20860

301-637-8928

www.bgf.org