May 2016 | Baltimore Beacon

FREE

I N

F O C U S

VOL.13, NO.5

F O R

P E O P L E

OV E R

MAY 2016

More than 125,000 readers throughout Greater Baltimore

Keep calm and mobile with yoga

I N S I D E …

PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER MYERS

By Carol Sorgen Suzy Pennington fell in love with yoga within the first five minutes of her first class.

“It wasn’t just the exercise or the social component,” she said. “It was the mindfulness and the sense of paying attention. It brought quietness to my mind that I hadn’t experienced before.”

Pennington was 39 at the time. Like many baby boomers who came of age in the ‘60s, she was familiar with the concept of yoga from hearing about musical groups, such as the Beatles, that traveled to India to learn yoga and meditation. But she hadn’t actually tried it then.

Pennington, who holds an MBA and was a former marketing executive, went on to establish Susquehanna Yoga and Meditation Center, which she still directs (www.syoga.com). When she opened it 20 years ago, there were only two other yoga studios in Maryland. “Now there are probably close to 100,” she said.

Pennington says most of her students are between the ages of 40 and 80. “Twenty-year olds are looking for their ‘edges,’” she said.

“Older adults are looking for their center.”

5 0

L E I S U R E & T R AV E L

Cruise news: bigger ships and submarine trips; plus, Nova Scotia’s mélange of cultures page 23

Popular with those 50+ Another thing older adults are looking for is a way to maintain their independence and mobility as they age. Yoga is becoming a popular way to do just that, according to the American Senior Fitness Association.

“Yoga has been shown to help alleviate or reduce many of the health challenges linked to a sedentary lifestyle, making it an increasingly popular exercise choice for our older adult population,” the association’s website says.

As a result, yoga classes today are offered in retirement communities, senior centers, private yoga studios and more.

Joan P. Cohen, who lives in Guilford, takes a yoga class right in her condominium community with a teacher who comes in from YogaWorks (www.yogaworks.com, formerly Charm City Yoga).

Cohen, 66, has been taking one or two classes a week for the past six years and notes that all the students are “of a certain generation.”

“It’s another form of exercise besides walking,” she said, observing that she’s

ARTS & STYLE Timonium resident Mark Hambleton practices yoga most every day to help stay strong and flexible — and as a form of meditation. An estimated 21 million American adults are learning and practicing yoga today. Studies indicate regular practice can decrease blood sugar, blood pressure and promote better sleep.

more limber than she otherwise might be without yoga. “It also gives me quiet time so I’m not so stressed,” she added. “The class is a time and a reason for me to be quiet.”

Mark Hambleton, 56, first began practicing yoga “on and off” when he was 20.

But for the past 12 years, the Timonium resident has been a faithful practitioner — doing some form of yoga almost daily at home, and taking classes weekly at Pennington’s studio in Towson.

“I started doing yoga as an exercise and meditation, and have been consistent in my practice in order to stay in shape and maintain strength in my shoulder, which has a history of dislocation,” Hambleton said.

Yoga not only keeps his body flexible and strong, but enables him to be both

“mindful and calm,” he added. Hambleton, who runs a computer software business, also teaches meditation and offers workshops on integrated healing, including nutrition and exercise.

Alvin Ailey dancer returns to her hometown; plus, chamber music concerts in a homey atmosphere page 27

TECHNOLOGY k Fashion goes high-tech

4

A history of benefits Yoga originated over 4,000 years ago as a wholistic Hindu philosophy and practice designed to liberate the inner self from the activity of body, mind and will. Today, most yoga studios focus on various stretches, poses and breathing exercises that induce a feeling of well-being and build physical strength.

In the last 20 years or so, such yoga classes have flourished, especially in the U.S. See YOGA, page 11

FITNESS & HEALTH 7 k Full-fat foods that are good for you k Avoid insurance surprises LAW & MONEY 17 k Negotiate at the grocery store k Stocks to buy low ADVERTISER DIRECTORY

31

PLUS CROSSWORD, BEACON BITS, CLASSIFIEDS & MORE

2

M AY 2 0 1 6 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

A healthy mind...

While I’ve long been interested in mental impairments and dementias of all types, it health issues, and the Beacon has always also refers to substance abuse and addiccovered these topics and the tion, the effects of brain inlatest research, in recent years jury, medication side effects, I’ve gained a deeper sensitivity and even delirium (when through some interactions common physical conditions with people close to me. like dehydration and urinary The combination of new intract infections cause confuformation and a growing sion and disorientation). awareness are starting to You may wonder why peohelp me understand present ple now lump all these condi— and even past — experitions together when they may ences in a new light. have very different causes or In that spirit, I want to FROM THE sources. In part, it’s due to a share some information I PUBLISHER growing understanding of our learned in a recent presenta- By Stuart P. Rosenthal mind-body connections. tion by Kim Burton, director For example, Burton noted, of Older Adult Programs at the Mental studies confirm that many physical health Health Association of Maryland (MHA). problems, including common chronic condiTo start with, let’s look at the term “be- tions like diabetes, heart disease and even havioral health.” If you’ve ever seen it and hearing loss, can increase one’s risk of denot been clear what it means, you’re not pression and anxiety. And at the same time, alone. The term, Burton explained, ad- we now know that depression can raise the dresses not only conditions that originate level of our stress hormones, which impair in the brain — what we might convention- our body’s ability to fight off disease. ally think of as “mental health issues” — In short, the old adage “a healthy mind but also many originating elsewhere in the in a healthy body” addresses only one asbody that affect the brain. pect of the mind-body connection. At all For example, while it includes psycho- times, the health (or disease) of our body logical and personality disorders, cognitive affects our mind and vice versa.

Beacon The

I N

F O C U S

F O R

P E O P L E

O V E R

5 0

The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Baltimore area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Howard County, Md., Greater Washington DC and Greater Palm Springs, Calif.

Subscriptions are available via third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. Maryland residents add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below.

Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher.

• Publisher/Editor ....................Stuart P. Rosenthal • Associate Publisher..............Judith K. Rosenthal • Vice President, Operations........Gordon Hasenei • Director of Sales ................................Alan Spiegel • Assistant Operations Manager ..........Roger King • Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben • Contributing Editor ..........................Carol Sorgen • Art Director ........................................Kyle Gregory • Advertising Representatives ............Steve Levin, ........................................................................Jill Joseph • Editorial Assistant ........................Rebekah Sewell

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (410) 248-9101 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Submissions:

The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 31 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

© Copyright 2016 The Beacon Newspapers, Inc.

As a result, the old-fashioned stigma that once attached to those with “mental illness” has become out of date and off the mark. That’s another reason for using the less pejorative, more inclusive, term “behavioral mental health.”

We can all see ourselves as susceptible to behavioral health issues, and therefore as needing to learn how to recognize and treat, or cope with, them — both inside ourselves and in interacting with others.

A friend recently reminded me that public buses in this area play a recording periodically that says, “Thank you for saving priority seating for older adults and people with disabilities. Remember: not all disabilities are obvious.”

While that last line is meant to refer to less evident physical conditions, my friend noted it’s also true that many of us, “in one way or another, face our own undercover disabilities. Each of us has something that challenges us in a deep way — emotionally, mentally or otherwise.”

Of course he wasn’t saying we can all start vying for those convenient priority seats on the bus. There are disabilities that make it more difficult to walk and to stand, and there are those that affect how we feel about ourselves, and we must respect that different accommodations are required for the former than the latter.

But he has a point. Behavioral health problems can be debilitating and yet quite hidden for the most part. We can all try to become more attuned to the less obvious, but nonetheless serious, struggles and challenges we, our friends and our family members face.

One reason behavioral health may be on

people’s minds more today than in the past is that so many of us are living longer than our forebears.

Burton reported that those with serious mental health issues used to pass away 25 years earlier than they do today. Today there really are more people suffering from these conditions.

Furthermore, despite the good health and medical care that has so extended our physical lives, Burton pointed out that many behavioral conditions that we may have escaped in our youth can develop after a long life.

This applies, for example, to substance abuse, which is a growing issue among older adults. While late-life depression and loneliness may be factors, the aging of our bodies may be even more important.

We simply have more trouble metabolizing alcohol and drugs as we age. Studies also suggest we become much more susceptible to addiction later in life, for reasons that aren’t yet fully understood.

And when we find ourselves changing as we age — developing conditions and facing challenges we thought would never affect us — we can have a particularly difficult time accepting that fact and taking steps to address it.

That may help explain why the highest risk for suicide is found among those 65 and over (particularly among men 80 and over).

I think we can all benefit from gaining a greater awareness of the effects our bodies can have on our minds and vice versa.

For those interested in more information on this topic, as well as practical advice, I See FROM THE PUBLISHER, page 25

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

Dear Editor: I moved to a senior community in Howard County in 2014 after living in Annapolis for 12 years. The day after that year’s mid-term election, I asked at our community’s weekly coffee get-together, “How did you like the election?” No one answered — and I was dismayed when they seemed unaware it had taken place.

So much for any political discussions here!

I sincerely thank Stuart Rosenthal for his column “Political musings” in the April issue — and for his tactful and inspiring analysis of how blessed we are to have the “checks and balances” of our form of government.

I have voted for many years and never strayed from the principle that Thomas Jefferson so eloquently expressed, “Government to grow — liberty to yield.” I fear, however, that I am part of a minority in Howard County and the state of Maryland.

Instead of voicing my personal political

views, I will try to emulate Mr. Rosenthal on espousing the importance of people becoming engaged in choosing our leaders.

I look forward to seeing the “Voters Guide” for the November elections. Furnishing addresses and phone numbers of our elected officials should continually be a part of the media’s responsibilities. More often than not, we go to the polls unaware of the candidates’ history and attributes.

Our freedoms are too precious to lose.

Barbara Green Elkridge Dear Editor: I just read your April editorial on government, and I am so glad you wrote it.

Every day I am listening to “the people” who cannot fathom what is going on with our election year politics. It is very hard for them to have a bigger picture.

You said it beautifully.

Laura Feldman via email

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 6

Say you saw it in the Beacon

3

4

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

M AY 2 0 1 6 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

Technology &

Innovations Fashionable tech can help you keep fit

By Sally Abrahms Salvatore Angelone has gym equipment in his Fremont, N.H., house that didn’t exactly get a workout. But last April, the financial services project manager donned a “smart shirt” made by OMSignal, a technology

company that works with fashion brands.

“It was a game changer,” said Angelone, 52. “I’m in the best shape of my life.”

The form-fitting compression shirt keeps sensors in place close to his body.

They monitor biometric data and relay it to

a mini-box that interprets the information and transmits it to an app on an iPhone, iWatch or iPod he sees in real time.

Besides measuring steps, heart rate and calories like other fitness trackers, the shirt monitors Angelone’s breathing rate and

WE MANAGE GROWING RISKS

depth, stress levels, exertion, and past performance against how he’s doing that day.

“You can go to a gym or lift weights in the basement and see changes over time, but this gives me that immediacy,” he said.

A video on his smart shirt app also lets Angelone train “alongside” professionals.

To clean the shirt, Angelone pops it in the washing machine (after removing the technology-laden mini-box).

At $250 a shirt, it’s the price tag that could cause some sweat. Yet, retail sales of smart garments like the OMSignal shirt are predicted to jump to $3.57 billion in 2020, from $1 million in 2013, according to research firm Gartner.

The exponential growth is fueled in part by aging baby boomers, who are determined to stay healthy — as well as fashionable and tech savvy.

“Nobody wants a piece of technology that identifies them as being frail or vulnerable,” said Dr. Arshya Vahabzadeh, innovation officer for the Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry Academy in Boston and an executive at a technology company developing wearables.

BGE’s commitment to electricity reliability goes beyond maintaining just the poles and lines— it extends to the trees surrounding more than 10,500 miles of overhead power lines. Our Tree and Vegetation Management Program includes pruning and removing trees that may cause electric outages, as well as managing the vegetation above our underground natural gas transmission pipeline network. All of this attention to trees has reduced tree-related power interruptions by more than 35% where branches have been cut back from the lines. To learn more about how smart energy gets more reliable every day, visit BGE.COM/Reliability.

RELIABLE ENERGY. SMART ENERGY.

TO KEEP JUDY’S BUSINESS HUMMING.

Dresses, shorts and more Available today are “connected dresses” by the French company Spinali Design (www.spinali-design.com). Its dresses, which go for $106 to $160, don’t provide health data but discreetly let you click a button on your dress that messages someone if, say, you are in trouble.

You can buy smart shorts from Athos (www.liveathos.com) that measure how hard your muscles are working. The company claims that its compression material reduces muscle fatigue.

Sensoria (www.sensoriafitness.com) sells a sports bra that measures your heart rate, and a sock that measures your running form, such as cadence and foot landing.

For those who meditate, a headband sold

by Muse (www.choosemuse.com) monitors brain signals — when you’re relaxed, you will hear the sound of calm winds, and when your mind is active, the wind sounds will pick up.

The smart shirts are big sellers. While some shirts on the market are designed primarily for professional athletes, “our biggest growth is in the average Joe looking to get fit,” said Dave Mackey, OMSignal’s commuSee FASHIONABLE TECH, page 5

5

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 6

$

3,999

tion or to sign up, call (410) 887-0770.

I N F O R M AT I O N F R E E ★ I N F O R M AT I O N

Phone (day)_____________________________(evening)_____________________________ E-mail_____________________________________________________________________________

Check the boxes you’re interested in and return this form to: or fax to (410) 248-9102.

★

Licensed #127265 & Insured

F R E E

HomeLifeRemodelinginc.com

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915

City_________________________________________State__________Zip____________________

BB5/16

(410) 317-4356

Address__________________________________________________________________________

FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★

Call For A FREE Roof Evaluation:

Name_____________________________________________________________________________

I N F O R M AT I O N

Additional fees may apply for extra layer removal ($2.50 per sq ft), steep roofs beyond 6/12 ($2 per sq ft), ridge vent ($5 per ft), square ft above 1600 ($4 sq ft). Offer can’t be used on any current or past jobs.

❏ Balance Study (see ad on page 15) ❏ Blood Clot Study (see ad on page 13) ❏ Brain Imaging Study (see ad on page 15) ❏ Cancer Clinical Studies (see ad on page 13) ❏ Diabetes Study (see ad on page 14) ❏ Fall Prevention Study (see ad on page 13) ❏ Heart Failure Study (see article on page 13) ❏ Hospital Stay Interview (see ad on page 15) ❏ Iron Supplement Study (see ad on page 14) ❏ Leg Pain Study (see ad on page 15) ❏ Memory Research Study (see ad on page 14) ❏ Urinary Leakage Study (see ad on page 13)

F R E E

• Includes: removal of 1 layer of existing shingles, installation of new Royal Sovereign shingles, drip edge, 15 lb. underlayment, flashing, pipe collars, ice guard, debris removal and magnetic sweep.

Health Study Volunteers

★

• Residential roofs up to 1600 sq ft. with a standard pitched roof (up to 6/12).

❏ Briarwood (see ad on page 11) ❏ Buckingham’s Choice (see ad on page 26) ❏ Charlestown (see ad on page 8) ❏ Christ Church Harbor Apts. (see ad on page 20) ❏ Ednor Apts. (see ad on page 21) ❏ Evergreen (see ad on page 25) ❏ Fairhaven (see ad on page 26) ❏ Gatherings at Quarry Place (see ad on page 6) ❏ The Greens (see ad on page 25) ❏ Linden Park Apts. (see ad on page 32) ❏ Oak Crest (see ad on page 8) ❏ Park Heights Place (see ad on page 22) ❏ Park View Catonsville (see ad on page 29) ❏ Park View Dundalk (see ad on page 29) ❏ Park View Rosedale (see ad on page 29) ❏ Park View Taylor (see ad on page 29) ❏ Shangri-La Assisted Living (see ad on page 20) ❏ St. Mary’s Roland View Towers (see ad on page 20)

I N F O R M AT I O N

More details about this offer:

Housing Communities

F R E E

GET BOTH. Homelife Remodeling is A+ Rated with the BBB, has tons of great reviews, and is certified by GAF, the world’s largest shingle manufacturer. You get proven roofing materials installed by total pros at a terrific price!

For free materials on housing communities and health studies, just complete and clip this coupon and mail or fax it to the Beacon.

★

Donʼt Choose Between Quality And Price.

MAIL OR FAX FOR FREE INFORMATION

✃

I N F O R M AT I O N

★ FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★

★

25-Year Material AND Labor Warranty Included. A $7,750 Value for $3,999!

The class will be held on Wednesday, May 4 from 7 to 8 p.m. For more informa-

I N F O R M AT I O N

Complete Roof Replacement

Learn the basics of Microsoft Word in this class for beginners at

F R E E

It was only a matter of time before hightech jewelry made its debut. The Apple Watch is in this category.

So is Cuff (https://cuff.io), a two-yearold company that makes a tiny device that slips into its chic pendant or wrist wear.

You can move the device from one piece of

LEARN MICROSOFT WORD the Randallstown Branch library, 8604 Liberty Rd., Randallstown.

F R E E

Jewelry camouflages tech

May 4

★

Engineers are working on ways to not just monitor vital signs, but to predict or prevent problems. Someone with a triple bypass, for instance, might put on a smart shirt and have a medical team monitor the biometric data, or an alarm might go off if something seems wrong.

Helen Koo, an assistant professor of design at the University of California, Davis, designs smart clothing. She and two students have created a jacket with sensors called Enfold to help people with limited movement of their arms and legs to dress.

BEACON BITS

★

For those with disabilities

come together and a magnet fastens it.

The jacket is under patent review.

All contents © 2016 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

I N F O R M AT I O N

nity manager. In 2016, the company plans to come out with a smart shirt for women.

OMSignal (www.omsignal.com) has also teamed up with Ralph Lauren to produce a $295 men’s shirt, complete with black-box technology and a charging cable that will be out in time for the U.S. Open in the summer. It will read vital signs and transmit that information to an app that can customize workout programs.

There are other smart shirts on the market, such as Hexoskin and Cityzen Sciences’ D-shirt (as in “digital shirt”), as well as those made by Gymi and Xsensio.

One intriguing product is TruPosture (www.truposture.com), a $199 smart shirt that’s designed to improve posture and reduce back pain. Slated to come out in May, the shirt tracks the alignment of the spine and sends gentle vibrations if the user is leaning too far backward or forward. A mobile app or Web site provides visual displays of the user’s back alignment.

I N F O R M AT I O N

From page 4

Using origami techniques, the jacket has wires in the folds that memorize your shape, and bend and straighten the polyester fabric when electrical current goes through them. Two parts of the jacket

F R E E

jewelry to another. Cuff vibrates when you get a call or text. You can press the device if you have an emergency, and it will alert others of your location.

This month Cuff is adding a fitness tracking system. Prices range from $60 for a simple wristband to $215 for several pieces of jewelry.

For fancier fare, the company Misfit (www.misfit.com) has partnered with Swarovski crystals to create elegant bracelets. One bracelet ($169) has a violet crystal that is solar charged so you don’t need batteries.

Misfit also makes pendants and other wristbands. They all wirelessly track activity, such as steps, distance and calories.

They also monitor how many times a night you wake up and move around, so you get a sense of how soundly you are sleeping.

F R E E

Fashionable tech

6

Technology & Innovations | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Beacon Links & Apps

By Barbara Ruben

LINKS Tech on your terms The website Tech50+ features dozens of articles on new gadgets, social media and more for an audience of older adults.

As they say on the site, it’s tech “not through the eyes of a twenty-something working for a gadget site. Not through the eyes of a thirty-something marketing manager who is hoping to sell millions of whatever to people who aren’t us. Not

through the eyes of someone in a big box store who talks down to anyone with gray hair.

“We want our readers to know what products work for us, and which don’t.

We’ll tell you if we’ve had to call customer service to get some product to work right.

We’ll let you know if you’re going to need a magnifying glass to read the manual, and if you’ll need a translator who knows how to explain it.”

The site’s founder is Gary Kaye, a journalist who says he’s been covering technology since IBM introduced its first personal computer in 1981. www.tech50plus.com

Being neighborly Nextdoor is the private social network for you, your neighbors and your community. Its mission is to use the power of technology to build stronger and safer neigh-

M AY 2 0 1 6 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

borhoods. Thousands of neighborhoods are already using the free site to link residents, and it’s easy to add your community and invite neighbors if you’re not already a part of it.

People use Nextdoor for many reasons: to quickly get the word out about a breakin; organize a neighborhood watch group; track down a trustworthy babysitter; find a handyman or plumber; ask for help in finding a lost dog, and selling or giving away unneeded possessions. http://nextdoor.com

Get cooking Did you never get around to learning the basics of cooking? Or maybe you need to brush up your skills. Startcooking.com has you covered. It has dozens of easy recipes, along with videos on how to make them and learn basic cooking skills. http://startcooking.com

SAVE MORE THAN $65,000 ON A MOVE-IN READY HOME. Plus, get up to $10,000 in closing cost assistance.*

Gatherings at Quarry Place from the $250s 601 Quicksilver Court, Reisterstown, MD 21136 (intersection of Franklin Blvd. and Nicodemus Road)

55-and-better condominium homes overlooking a beautiful 30-acre quarry lake.

• Elevator-served, secured entrance buildings which provide extra security, peace-of-mind and low-maintenance living • Large, private garages with additional storage spaces available for purchase • Resort-like community amenities including a clubhouse with fitness center and swimming pool, dog park, community garden, and more • Shopping, dining and modern conveniences planned minutes from your front door • One mile walking path around the 30-acre quarry lake

Visit or contact us today: 410-630-1371

GET MORE IN A NEW HOME | BEAZER.COM *Offer valid on contracts executed between 4/1/2016 – 6/30/2016 that settle on or before 6/30/16. Offer is only available on Quick Move-In Homes at The Gatherings at Quarry Place. Actual savings will vary by home type and homesite. An incentive of up to $10,000 will be provided by Beazer Homes and issued as a closing cost credit to buyer at closing. This offer is subject to buyer satisfying their lender’s underwriting guidelines which are subject to change without notice and may limit third party contributions. Closing cost incentive may not be usable on all loan products; check with your lender for details. This offer is not redeemable for cash and may not be combined with any other offers. Available for owner-occupied homes only. The use of a preferred lender is required to receive closing cost incentive, however, Purchaser may use any lender of their choice. Pricing, features and availability subject to change without notice. See New Home Counselor for complete details. MHBR #93 ©2016 Beazer Homes. 4/16 131513

APPS Homegrown fitness app Local developers for personalized video workout app Sworkit vied for additional capital on the ABC show “Shark Tank” in February and walked away with a $1.5 million investment.

The free fitness app for both Apple and Android devices offers users both customizable and randomized workouts. Sworkit CEO is Washingtonian Ben Young, who was named Techpreneur of the Year by Black Enterprise Magazine.

Sworkit offers strength, stretching, cardio, Pilates and yoga, all demonstrated by trainers. Workouts can be synced to programs like Google Fit and MyFitnessPal. Sworkit Premium, a subscription service, includes ad-free workouts and an ask-atrainer feature. http://sworkit.com/

When you gotta go The RunPee name and tagline says it all: “Because movie theaters don’t have pause buttons.” The RunPee app gives movie theatre patrons a list of one to four moments in each movie when you can run and pee, and will describe briefly what you will miss while you’re out. It even has a timer you start when the movie begins so your phone vibrates before each time it’s safe to take a bathroom break.

The app also lets you know if there is anything during or after the end credits that you should stick around for. In addition, the RunPee app gives a synopsis of the first three minutes of most moves just in case you’re late.

Free for Apple and Android devices. http://runpee.com

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

FREE AUDIO MAGAZINES

Since 1962, Choice Magazine Listening (CML) has been serving adults with conditions that make it difficult to read standard print. Audio articles, stories and poems from more than 100 publications such as National Geographic, Time, The New Yorker, Smithsonian, Rolling Stone, Travel and Leisure and more are available. Four times a year, listeners receive 12 hours of professionally read magazine articles, along with a talking book player, free of charge. CML is also available as a download. For more information, call 1-888-724-6423 or visit www.choicemagazinelistening.org.

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 6

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Health Fitness &

7

DON’T SWEAT IT Some simple ways to trick yourself into looking forward to exercise LEFT SPEECHLESS A mystery brain disorder can prevent sufferers from being able to talk LIVING WITH PARKINSON’S No cure yet, but many treatments can relieve Parkinson’s symptoms NOT FEELING FRISKY? Try yoga, dark chocolate and DHEA to help get you in the mood

Four foods you can enjoy in full-fat form

By Lisa D’Agrosa, R.D If you lived through the relatively long era when fat was considered the enemy, you may have been surprised by recent research suggesting that fat — and even saturated fat — plays an important role in our diets.

With 9 calories per gram (versus the 4 calories per gram found in proteins or carbohydrates), fat is still a higher-calorie choice. But remember that fat adds flavor to foods and helps keep you full, because it takes a long time to digest.

Sometimes it might even be smarter to choose the full-fat version of certain foods, as their low-fat counterparts may include unhealthy fillers meant to replace naturally occurring fat.

Here are four foods you might want to consider buying and enjoying full-fat.

Full-fat natural peanut butter Peanuts have healthy monounsaturated fats that help to lower heart disease risk.

When the peanuts are partially defatted to

make reduced-fat peanut butters, the missing fat is replaced with added sugar and starches.

As a result, most reduced-fat spreads don’t give you much of a calorie savings. It depends on which brand you choose, but both regular and reduced-fat peanut butters deliver about 200 calories per 2-tablespoon serving.

Look for natural peanut butter, the kind that contains just peanuts and maybe a little salt, to avoid added hydrogenated oils and sugars.

Eat the whole egg Although not technically a “reduced-fat” version of a whole egg, egg whites are often viewed as a healthier choice. But when you toss out the golden yolk, you’re losing half the protein (about 3 grams), which helps make eggs a powerhouse choice for breakfast. Plus, the yolk is where healthy nutrients live, like calcium and eye-protecting lutein and zeaxanthin.

The center of the egg has been thought of

as a heart disease promoter, because yolks are a significant source of dietary cholesterol. But researchers now think that eating one whole egg daily is fine for most people.

Salad dressings The fats in most salad dressings are typically vegetable oils, so-called “good fats” that help lower levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol.

Furthermore, having some fat in the salad dressing actually helps you make the most of the nutrients in the salad greens and other veggies. Carotenoids like lutein, lycopene, beta carotene and zeaxanthin require a little fat for absorption. These fatsoluble compounds are associated with reduced risk of heart disease, macular degeneration and even some cancers.

And while the calories may be lower in many low-fat dressings, the missing fat is usually replaced with added sugars and starches, fake flavors and color enhancers.

Choose bottled dressings made with heart-healthy olive and canola oils (and

with a simple ingredient list).

Eat some full-fat dairy Full-fat dairy is making a comeback. A recent review of 16 studies that looked at the link between obesity and low-fat or fullfat dairy found that, in more than half of the studies, eating full-fat dairy instead of low-fat was actually associated with lower body weight. This may be because full-fat versions are linked with greater satiety, so you eat less.

Just remember that dairy still contains calories, so moderation is key. Maybe order a latte with whole milk instead of nonfat, or buy some whole-milk yogurt next time you’re grocery shopping. Your taste buds will thank you, and you probably won’t be doing your body any harm.

EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com. © 2016 EatingWell, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Surprise insurance fees after emergencies

By Matthew Perrone As health insurance plans become increasingly complicated, more patients are facing unexpected fees when they step outside their plan’s coverage network. In many cases, patients don’t even realize they’ve received out-of-network care until they’re slapped with a bill for hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Nearly a third of insured Americans who have financial problems tied to medical bills faced charges that their insurance would not cover, according to a recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

These out-of-network charges were a surprise to nearly 70 percent of patients, who did not know the services were not covered, according to the non-partisan policy group.

Here are some key questions and answers about out-of-network charges and potential steps for protecting yourself.

Q: How does this problem occur?

It usually happens when people need to be hospitalized for medical care. Even though services from their primary physician may be covered by their in-network insurance coverage, services provided by

other professionals — such as anesthesiologists, radiologists and emergency doctors — often aren’t. In those cases, the patient will be billed at out-of-network rates.

The often-hefty bills leave many consumers angry and confused. Determining whether various specialists are in your network can be difficult, sometimes impossible, particularly during emergency situations.

“You can’t wake up from a heart attack and say to the ambulance provider, ‘Excuse me, are you in my network?’” said Karen Pollitz, who has studied the issue for the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Q: How much do these fees cost consumers?

Experts say there is little hard data on the cost of out-of-network charges or how frequently they occur. But a 2011 study by the state of New York found that the average out-of-network emergency bill was about $7,000. After assistance from insurance and other services, most consumers still had to pay roughly $3,780.

Q: Is there anything I can do to protect myself?

If you have a scheduled surgical procedure coming up, experts say there are cer-

tain precautions you can take to insulate yourself from surprise fees. But they warn that even these will not guarantee you won’t be touched by out-of-network providers.

Call the hospital in advance and do what you can to make sure the surgeon and assistants handling the procedure are part of your insurance network. You can also talk to the hospital and request that any tests are sent to in-network laboratories for processing. Surprise fees often arise when hospitals send blood samples or medical scans to outside facilities for development.

Even in these situations, however, hospitals often cannot tell you which radiologist or anesthesiologist will be handling your particular procedure. That means even if you’ve tried to pre-manage the process, you may receive care from an out-of-network provider.

Q: I’ve already received a bill that includes these charges. What can I do now?

The first step is to call your insurance company and let them know what happened. Some employer-sponsored health plans have policies where patients are not responsible for out-of-network charges, especially if they occur during an emergency.

Even if your plan doesn’t have such a benefit, insurance companies can try and work with the hospital to negotiate lower fees.

You can also check if your state has a consumer assistance program to help patients with health insurance problems. Currently, nine states, including Maryland and the District of Columbia, run such programs.

Maryland’s consumer assistance program can be reached at 1-877-261-8807 or online at www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer.HEAU.htm.

In D.C., call 1-877-685-6391 or email healthcareombudsman@dc.gov.

Q: Is anyone working on a permanent solution to these problems?

Most experts who have studied the issue say legal changes are needed to protect consumers from surprise medical fees. In most cases, that means new laws at the state level.

New York recently implemented a law that relieves patients from out-of-network expenses that arise from emergencies or certain other circumstances. The law does not eliminate the fees, but instead requires insurance companies and hospitals to begin negotiations to resolve the charges.

— AP

8

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

M AY 2 0 1 6 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

Ways to trick yourself into liking exercise

By Nicci Micco You know that exercise usually makes you feel better, but sometimes life, or excuses, can get in the way. You can spend 20 minutes debating about whether it might rain, or focusing on all of the reasons why right now is not a good time to walk — or you could just lace up your shoes and go.

When it becomes easier to talk yourself out of exercise than it does to just get out there, don’t give up: Give yourself a motivator. It never hurts to have goals (and rewards!) in place to help give you that extra push out the door.

Reward yourself Maybe you walk (instead of drive) to meet your friends at the coffee shop.

(Bonus: Going through the effort of exercising may help you resist the doughnut once you get there!)

Perhaps you make a deal with yourself that you can only watch your TV program while you’re on the treadmill or doing other exercises.

Eyes on the prize Remember those star charts that rewarded good behavior when you were a kid? Create one to keep track of your exercise. First define your prize: a night out at the movies (or a night at home with a rented one)? Some new music?

Then decide how many “stars” (or check marks) you need to get — maybe 12 over the course of a month — to earn your prize.

We specialize in short-term rehabilitation and long-term relationships.

sign up for. You may be motivated to train, and you’ll be helping a worthy cause.

Then, get moving!

Every little bit helps Walking with your dog is legitimate physical activity. Even vacuuming the house counts for something: it’s lifestyle exercise.

When you remember that these everyday chores count toward your get-healthy goal, it’s easier to get motivated — and accomplish a few tasks around the house.

Recruit a friend Ask a friend who also is trying to get healthier to join you on your walks. Knowing that he or she is counting on you may make it less likely that you’ll skip your planned activity.

And consider setting a big goal together.

Maybe there’s a 5K charity walk you could

“Me time” If you can convince yourself to think of exercising as “me time,” and not just another chore you have to check off your list, you might be able to see the act of exercise as a reward in itself.

Whether you’re at the gym, on a walk, or riding your bike, no one is likely to bother you. Think of it as a break from your normal reality, and it might even start feeling like the best part of your day.

EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com. © 2016 Eating Well, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

May 3+

FREE QUIT SMOKING PROGRAM The Randallstown branch of the library is hosting a free “Up in

Smoke” quit smoking program starting Tuesday, May 3, and running each Tuesday through June 7. The class is from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free nicotine patches, gum and lozenges will be available. The library is located at 8604 Liberty Rd.,

Mary came to ManorCare Health Service – Woodbridge Valley debilitated from an infection. Mary couldn’t even get out of bed!

Randallstown. To sign up, call Greta Brand at (410) 399-2001.

She told us ‘Ididn’t didn’tknow know what to expect. I’ve never been hospitalized.’

- Mary

As an added bonus, ManorCare’s exercise regimen jump-started a weight loss which helped her to resolve her diabetes. Mary says, “Thanks to ManorCare, I feel great!”

For more information, please call the location nearest you or visit www.manorcare.com: Dulaney

Ruxton

410.828.6500

410.821.9600

Roland Park

Towson

410.662.8606

410.828.9494

Rossville

Woodbridge Valley

410.574.4950

410.402.1200

FREE BROCHURE

TAKE A PAGE FROM OUR BOOK! See if maintenance-free retirement living is right for you. Call 1-866-938-0075 for your FREE Charlestown or Oak Crest brochure.

Get details about pricing, floor plans, on-site amenities—and more!

10131164

“Everyone was so wonderful. I’m glad I came here.”

After our rehab team worked with Mary, she was up on her own two feet, managing all of her own needs and, in no time, was discharged and back to her regular routine.

9

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 6

Mystery brain disorder robs one of words Argye Elizabeth Hillis of Johns Hopkins University. Often, it’s when those people reach neurologists who realize they aren’t repeating questions or forgetting instructions that the diagnosis emerges.

“Nobody’s talking to them, nobody’s involving them. It’s very sad,” said Dr. Margaret Rogers of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Yet for many, “they can handle their own finances, they can drive, they can appreciate music.

There’s a lot that still works for them.”

Damage to brain Speech and language are hugely complex. Just to speak requires activating 100 muscles between the lungs and lips to produce at least 14 distinct sounds per second, said Dr. Joseph Duffy of the Mayo Clinic.

Stroke or brain injury patients often have trouble making sounds or retrieving words. PPA occurs for a different reason, because the brain regions that control language become diseased and degenerate, resulting in communication difficulties that may mimic broader dementia.

Special MRI scans can tell the difference, Hillis said. They also can help identify whose aphasia will worsen faster, and who has a subtype that can morph to become Alzheimer’slike, where they eventually do lose memory and the ability to understand language.

Standard language therapy has patients match pictures to the correct word, to keep the wiring involved as active as possible. Now, Hillis’ team is testing if a kind of brain stimulation that sends electrical signals through the skull can rev up the effects of that treatment.

In the first 19 patients tested, people did better retrieving the right words for about two months after receiving the electrical stimulation than when they received sham zaps with their regular therapy, Hillis reported.

They were more able to name objects they hadn’t practiced, and brain scans showed better connectivity in the affected region. But it will take far more study to prove if the treatment produces lasting effects, she cautioned.

Assistive devices give voice Until there’s better medical treatment, Voogt, the Virginia patient, illustrates how assistive communication devices can help patients’ quality of life.

Now 66, Voogt was diagnosed 10 years ago with a form of PPA that makes him unable to say words even though he can understand and type them via email, text or his assistive device. He owns a brain-injury rehabilitation center, and knew how to track down a specialist for diagnosis when he first had trouble retrieving words.

Voogt patiently answered Hillis’ questions by typing into a device called the See BRAIN DISORDER, page 10

TECHNOLOGY SIMPLIFIED – BIGGER AND BETTER

NEW

Wow! A Simple to Use Computer Designed Especially for Seniors!

Now comes with...

Easy to read. Easy to see. Easy to use. Just plug it in!

There is finally a computer that’s designed for simplicity and ease of use. It’s the WOW Computer, and it was designed with you in mind. This computer is easy-to-use, worry-free and literally puts the world at your fingertips.

From the moment you open the box, you’ll realize how different the WOW Computer is. The components are all connected; all you do is plug it into an outlet and your high-speed Internet connection. Then you’ll see the screen. This is a completely new touch screen system, without the cluttered look of the normal computer

screen. The “buttons” on the screen are easy to see and easy to understand. All you do is touch one of them, from the Web, Email, Calendar to Games– you name it… and a new screen opens up. It’s so easy to use you won’t have to ask your children or grandchildren for help. Until now, the very people who could benefit most from E-mail and the Internet are the ones that have had the hardest time accessing it. Now, thanks to the WOW Computer, countless older Americans are discovering the wonderful world of the Internet every day. Isn’t it time you took part? Call now, and a patient, knowledgeable product expert will tell you how you can try it in your home for 30 days. If you are not totally satisfied, simply return it within 30 days for a refund of the product purchase price. Call today.

Call toll free now and find out how you can get your own WOW! Computer.

Larger 22-inch hi-resolution screen – easier to see 16% more viewing area Simple navigation – so you never get lost Intel® processor – lightning fast Computer is in the monitor – No bulky tower Advanced audio, Better speaker configuration – easier to hear Text to Speech translation – it can even read your emails to you!

U.S. Based Customer Service

FREE Automatic Software Updates

Mention promotional code 103336 for special introductory pricing.

1-877-810-0041

© 2015 first STREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.

81023

By Lauran Neergaard A mysterious brain disorder sometimes confused with early Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t rob patients of their memories, but of the words to talk about them.

It’s called primary progressive aphasia, and researchers say they’re finding better ways to diagnose the little-known syndrome. That will help people whose thoughts are lucid but who are verbally locked in to get the right kind of care.

“I’m using a speech device to talk to you,” Robert Voogt of Virginia Beach, Va., said by playing a recording from a phonesized assistive device at a recent meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. “I have trouble speaking, but I can understand you.”

Even many doctors know little about this rare kind of aphasia, abbreviated PPA, but raising awareness is key to improving care. A new study is underway to try to slow the disease by electrically stimulating the affected brain region.

PPA wasn’t identified as a separate disorder until the 1980s, and while specialists estimate thousands of Americans may have it, there’s no good count.

Families may not even seek care because they assume a loved one’s increasingly garbled attempts to communicate are due to age-related dementia, said Dr.

10

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

M AY 2 0 1 6 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

Parkinson’s progression is hard to predict

By Ryan Uitti, M.D. Dear Mayo Clinic: My father is 64 and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s last year. So far his symptoms are very mild, but I’m wondering what the typical progression of the disease is like.

I have read that deep brain stimulation is sometimes recommended.

When is this type of treatment usually considered? Is it safe?

Answer: The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, or PD, tend to begin very gradually and then become progressively more severe. The rate of progression is hard to predict and is different from one person to another. Treatment for PD includes a variety of options, such as exercise, medica-

tion and surgery.

Deep brain stimulation is one surgical possibility for treating PD, but it’s usually only considered in advanced cases when other treatments don’t effectively control symptoms.

Parkinson’s disease is a syndrome that typically has no known cause. The diagnosis is based on symptoms, of which there can be many. The most common include excessive slowness and lack of movement, as well as shaking or tremor.

Slow worsening of symptoms As in your father’s situation, symptoms are often mild at the outset. How quickly they get worse varies substantially, perhaps because there may be multiple un-

derlying causes of the disease. In most cases, symptoms change slowly.

Many people with PD have symptoms for at least a year or two before a diagnosis is actually made. The longer symptoms are present, the easier it is to predict how a person with PD will do over time.

In those who have tremor and symptoms on one side of the body only, the disease typically advances more slowly than in those without tremor who have symptoms that affect both sides of the body, as well as walking.

While life expectancy is marginally reduced, people with PD usually function quite well for many years. They are, however, at an increased risk to develop instability that could lead to falls. They also have a higher risk for dementia. These two possibilities represent the greatest potential difficulties for those with PD.

Symptoms are treatable While no treatment is currently available to slow the natural progression of PD, this condition is by far the most treatable of all neurodegenerative disorders.

The vast majority of patients see major improvements in their symptoms with treatment that includes exercise and medication. For example, most people who have PD are able to function better in their daily lives five years after they start med-

Brain disorder From page 9 MiniTalk, or calling up verbal phrases he’d pre-programmed into it. Asked to say “dog,” Voogt forced out only a garble. But asked what cowboys ride, he typed horses and the device “said” the word for him.

His form of PPA also impacts grammar so that he has difficulty forming full sen-

ication treatment than they were before they started treatment.

Surgery is only rarely required to treat PD, and usually is in the form of deep brain stimulation. This procedure involves placing an electrode into the brain that is connected to a battery. It delivers a small electric discharge into the brain, which influences the brain circuitry and improves symptoms.

Most people who undergo surgery for PD have had symptoms for at least five years. Surgery can be helpful when medications don’t consistently control symptoms, or when tremor persists despite medication. Serious complication rates for deep brain stimulation surgery are low, with most institutions reporting a 1 to 2 percent risk for serious side effects.

Several other disorders similar to PD, known as atypical parkinsonism, have a less favorable long-term outlook than PD. Working closely with his neurologist, it is likely that your father will be able to achieve acceptable PD symptom control. It’s important that he contact his physician if he notices changes in symptoms, so treatment can be adjusted as needed over time.

— Ryan Uitti, M.D., Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. © 2016 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All Rights Reserved.

Distributed By Tribune Content Agency, LLC. tences, Hillis said. Asked to write that “it’s a cold day in Washington,” Voogt typed a minute or two, and the device’s recorder emitted “cold Washington D.C.” Voogt typed that he started relying on the device in 2012, but lives independently and travels internationally. But asked how difficult the loss of language is to live with, he typed out a pretty bad rating — 70 percent.

— AP

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 6

Yoga From page 1 Yoga has been shown to offer numerous health benefits, including better sleep, a decrease in blood sugar and cholesterol levels, reduction in chronic pain and improved breathing.

According to the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, recent studies in people with chronic low-back pain suggest that a carefully adapted set of yoga poses may help reduce pain and improve the ability to walk and move.

Other studies suggest that practicing yoga (as well as other forms of regular exercise) might have other health benefits, such as reducing heart rate and blood

pressure, and may also help relieve anxiety and depression.

On the other hand, some studies suggest yoga is not helpful for asthma, and studies looking at yoga and arthritis have had mixed results.

Debbie Saag, 59, first took up yoga in 1997 during a period of “disruption” in her life. One class led to another, and soon she was adjusting her schedule to take as many classes as she could. Two years later she took a yoga training course and today is an instructor with YogaWorks Saag, who lives in Canton, said that yoga not only brings her peace of mind, but also improves her flexibility, balance, mobility and strength.

“As we get older,” she explained, “it’s easy to let gravity take over. We hunch

BEACON BITS

May 2

HUEY HELICOPTER SPEAKER

The Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum’s Free Aviation Speaker Series presents aircraft restorer Ray Helmick with a panel of speakers sharing their experiences with the UH-1M “Huey” helicopter, the iconic aircraft of the Vietnam War. The event takes place on Monday, May 2, at 7 p.m. at the Lockheed Martin Auditorium, 2323 Eastern Blvd., in Middle River, Although admission to this program is free, a photo ID is required for entry into the facility. For additional information, call (410) 682-6122.

Ongoing

BINGO THURSDAYS The American Legion Post 130, 8666 Silver Lake Dr., in Perry Hall, hosts bingo every Thursday from 7 to 9:45 p.m. Light dinner fare is available beginning at 5:30 p.m. For more info, call (410) 870-0625.

Treating Difficulty Standing, Walking, Sitting, and Sleeping attributed to Arthritis, Spinal Stenosis, Neuropathy, Fibromyalgia, Painful Swollen Legs, Poor Circulation, and "Growing Pains" in Children.

I am a patient who had severe foot pain for 2 years, with no relief in sight....by the end of the 4 days I was 85% pain free in both feet. I thank God for Dr. Goldman and his passion for research in healing people with foot and leg pain.

– Alvin, Baltimore

As a podiatrist with over 30 years experience, I have always focused on non-surgical treatment of foot and leg pain. I find that most people with foot or leg symptoms (arthritic, aching, burning, cramping or difficulty walking) , even those who have had other treatments, including surgery of the foot (or back), can be helped, usually in 1 or 2 visits.

Stuart Goldman, DPM

410-235-2345 20 Crossroads Dr, Suite 15 Owings Mills, MD 21117

New Location

— Dr. Stuart Goldman Fellow American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Marquis Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare Author, multiple articles on Foot & Leg Symptoms

WATCh reAL PATieNT TeSTiMoNiALS oN heLPForYourFeeT.CoM

over. We lose stability in our spine and our core. Yoga helps us fight gravity.”

Free outdoor classes While most yoga classes are offered for a fee (you can purchase individual classes

11

or group sessions), yoga instructors LA (Lee Anne) Finfinger and her husband Paul Wetzel founded Free Baltimore Yoga (www.freebaltimoreyoga.com) last year See YOGA, page 12

12

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Yoga From page 11 when they relocated to Baltimore from Pittsburgh.

Though there were already numerous yoga programs in Baltimore, Finfinger started FBY for two reasons. For starters, she was finding the “business” of yoga “exhausting.” And secondly, she loves that FBY’s classes are offered on a weekly basis in public spaces that are not existing yoga studios.

“This enables the program to grow in ways

that are not confined to a brick and mortar location. And it enables the program to provide yoga to people who may not otherwise have access to, or feel comfortable in, a traditional studio setting,” she said of the free classes.

FBY’s classes are offered on Tuesdays at Patterson Park Youth Sports and Education Center, Wednesdays at Pixilated Photo Booth’s offices in Southwest Baltimore, and Thursdays at the Parks & People Foundation’s headquarters in Druid Hill Park.

Finfinger, 37, hopes to inspire others to love yoga as much as she does. “I was

M AY 2 0 1 6 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

never really an athlete as a child or in my 20s. When I found yoga, that changed completely,” said Finfinger.

“I found a physical practice that was fun, challenging and had wellness benefits that far exceeded just the physical. The moodboosting effects of yoga are the most powerful and important part of my consistent yoga practice.

“I became a certified, full-time yoga teacher soon after finding the practice, and I haven’t looked back!”

Despite the numerous reported physical benefits of yoga, Finfinger advises those who

already have health conditions to check with their healthcare provider to see that they are healthy enough for a consistent yoga practice. (Certain poses, or asanas, may not be indicated for those who suffer from high blood pressure or glaucoma, for example.)

According to Finfinger, there is no age limit on any style of yoga, although some styles are more vigorous than others. She recommends checking out different teachers, studios and classes.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” she said. “Most yoga teachers are happy to help students find a class that is a fit for them.”

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

MENTOR A MIDDLE-SCHOOL STUDENT

Volunteers are needed to mentor a middle-school student twice a month at Crossroads Charter Middle School. The curriculum focuses on the fundamentals of reading, writing and math, with a hands-on, interdisciplinary approach. For more information, call (410) 685-0295.

Caring places. Healing spaces.

Specializing in Skilled Nursing and Subacute Rehabilitation

Bel Pre

2601 Bel Pre Road Silver Spring, MD 20906

301.598.6000

BridgePark

4017 Liberty Heights Avenue Baltimore, MD 21207

410.542.5306

Ellicott City

3000 N. Ridge Road Ellicott City, MD 21043

410.461.7577

Fayette Health 1217 W. Fayette Street Baltimore, MD 21223

410.727.3947

Forestville

7420 Marlboro Pike Forestville, MD 20747

301.736.0240

Fort Washington MEMBERS OF THE

12021 Livingston Road Ft. Washington, MD 20744

301.292.0300

Marley Neck Serving with Pride.

800.989.7337 communicarehealth.com

7575 E. Howard Road Glen Burnie, MD 21060

410.768.8200

South River

144 Washington Road Edgewater, MD 21037

410.956.5000

Find the type of yoga best for you Among the most popular forms of yoga are: • Ashtanga (the type taught by Saag at YogaWorks), a challenging, nonstop series of yoga poses • Bikram, a sequence of 26 yoga poses done in a very hot room (check with your physician if you have hypertension or diabetes) • Hatha, a gentle form that is good for beginners to learn basic poses • Iyengar (taught by Suzy Pennington at Susquehanna Yoga), which uses props like belts, blocks and bolsters) • Kripalu, a gentle, slow-moving series of movements that focuses on mind-body awareness • Kundalini, which includes meditation, breathing techniques and chanting • Power Yoga, a challenging, athletic form of yoga that increases upper-body strength as well as flexibility and balance.

A newer and somewhat different form, Laughter Yoga, is just 21 years old, but is now practiced in 104 countries and at more than 6,000 “laughter clubs.”

Certified Laughter Yoga teacher

Alexa Fong Drubay, who trained in India with Laughter Yoga founder Dr. Madan Kataria, will be in Baltimore on May 4 at Ruscombe Mansion Community Health Center (www.ruscombe.org) to introduce this form of yoga.

Laughter Yoga, she explained, combines deep yogic breathing, mindfulness meditation and laughter exercises.

“You don’t need to hear a joke to laugh,” said Drubay. “You can train yourself to laugh, which offers a number of health benefits — including reducing stress, relieving anxiety and depression, introducing more oxygen to the body and boosting the immune system.”

Drubay notes that Laughter Yoga is being used by the U.S. Navy to help veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome, and by leading cancer clinics and cardiologists. Programs are also being developed in partnership with the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association.

“Laughter is indeed the best medicine,” said Drubay.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 6

Health Studies Page

13

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Study seeks to prevent rehospitalizations Nearly six million people in the United States have heart failure, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), and it’s one of the leading causes of hospitalizations for people age 65 and older. Furthermore, nearly one quarter of those patients will be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days after their initial hospitalization.

The LifeBridge Health Cardiovascular Institute has launched a pilot study in partnership with the AHA to evaluate the potential benefits of a wireless heart monitoring system for patients with moderate to severe heart failure.

The study is looking at whether the system, designed to be simple and easy to use, will result in a greater number of patients consistently using the devices, which track weight, blood pressure and other measures, automatically sending the information to doctors and staff at the Cardiovascular Institute.

“With heart failure, sudden increases in body weight and other measures could indicate that the heart is having issues pumping blood. However, these issues can often be corrected with early intervention, which is why tele-monitoring has the potential to be so effective in keeping people out of the hospital,” explained Dr. Mauro Moscucci, medical director of the LifeBridge Health Cardiovascular Institute and chief of medicine at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore.

“One of the challenges with tele-monitoring has been getting patients to measure their blood pressure and weight consistently and report their results,” Moscucci said.

Hence, a key component of the study is the “ease of use” for participants. They will receive training to take their own blood

pressure, glucose levels and weight measurement every day, with the simple-to-use device.

The doctors and other staff will automatically receive alerts if a participant’s numbers are dangerously high, so they can let the patient know, and take whatever immediate action may be necessary. The researchers can also track changes over time, so they may be able to spot a potential medical problem before it becomes more serious.

The study is the first clinical trial to include patient education and care plans developed by the AHA through its new technology initiative, known as Connected Heart Health. By combining the medical monitoring with the Connected Heart Health information, researchers will look to see if the program may keep participants motivated over time, including modifying or changing their behaviors.

Taking part in the study The trial is enrolling 50 people with moderate heart failure who will receive three months of tele-monitoring, along with a follow-up one month later. Along with evaluating the clinical measurements (weight, blood pressure and blood sugar), researchers will look at quality of life measures, patient engagement, behavior changes and hospital readmissions.

Participants will receive a daily email with their AHA “CarePlan” activities. Along with a summary of their medical data, they can answer questions about how they are feel — such as if they have any shortness of breath or if they are experiencing other symptoms.

They can also enter details about how they

are eating and exercising.

The AHA’s Connected Heart Health program provides personalized responses. One person may receive a tip about low cholesterol foods, while another may take an inter-

active assessment on sleep — all aimed at keeping participants interested and engaged.

The monitoring system, developed by See STUDY, page 14

Seeking Men and Women The University of Maryland & Veterans Affairs of Baltimore are conducting a research study to better understand balance & prevent falls as we age.

With your participation you will receive: • Health evaluation • Balance, step, strength, and/or flexibility exercises • Compensation for your time

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

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

14

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

M AY 2 0 1 6 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

Not as frisky as you used to be? Try this There are plenty of reasons you might not be feeling frisky enough for sex on any given day. But when you find yourself using excuse after excuse, it could be a sign of bigger hor-

monal problems, some of which I can help you with today.

Over 40 percent of adult women experience low libido, and I think that’s underre-

Diabetes Research Study 50-80 year old men & women with Type 2 Diabetes are needed to participate in an exercise research study at the University of Maryland/Baltimore VA Medical Center.

Parking and compensation for your time will be provided.

Call 410-605-7179.

Mention code: EPC-DM.

ported.

As a pharmacist, I saw this time and For men, it’s those “blue diamonds” time again: A woman taking birth control they want, meaning Viagra. pills for six months and then But they often don’t stop and suddenly there’s no interest in think, “Does my girl want to sex. do this too?” I mean, it looks Even worse if she has to so mutual in the commercials start thyroid medicine and/or doesn’t it? antidepressants. These drugs But ladies, what if you’re have an effect on testosterone “not in the mood” when your levels, as well as on minerals man is revved up on Viagra? that support thyroid and Ask yourself, do you take mood. any medications? These can If you’re having a problem, DEAR be a factor in crushing Cupid. PHARMACIST here are some ways you can Drugs that treat hypertension By Suzy Cohen get your va-va-voom back: and depression can squash liDHEA. Improving levels of bido in a women in about two “the fountain of youth horweeks flat. mone” can help with libido by increasing Of course, menopause can make sex un- testosterone levels. A study confirms that comfortable due to vaginal dryness. But DHEA supplementation in peri- and postironically, even estrogen-containing med- menopausal women improved sexual funcications (creams, pills and patches) that tion. are used to relieve menopause symptoms Ashwagandha. This thyroid-loving can interfere with desire. herb also increases DHEA, which goes on Estrogen medications — including birth to amplify your testosterone levels. The control pills, patches or shots in addition to aphrodisiac effect usually requires a those mentioned above — reduce other- dosage somewhere between 100 to 500 wise healthy levels of testosterone, the mg./day. hormone that ignites libido in both men See FRISKY, page 15 and women.

Study From page 13 Ambio Health, can also send reminders to patients to take their medicines and do their daily health assessments.

Ambio is also evaluating whether a more affordable tele-monitoring system could potentially lead to broader use for patients with heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure. (Due to the high cost, tele-monitoring has traditionally been reserved for heart

failure patients with more severe disease.)

Although not usually part of heart failure tele-monitoring, glucose monitoring is included in this study because people living with heart failure often have other chronic conditions, including diabetes.

While no compensation is offered for participation, all monitoring and tests are included in the study.

For more information, or to see if you qualify to participate, call Tonja Howell at Sinai Hospital, (410) 601-8461.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 6

Bow out of adult children’s squabbles Dear Solutions: a professional.

I have a good relationship with both Then, no matter what happens, you can my son and daughter-inbe a friend to both rather than law. Lately, they’re each inevitably becoming the calling me to complain enemy of one. about the other and ask Dear Solutions: my advice.

When I was growing up, I answer each one, but I we always called the adults feel like a juggler trying to in our neighborhood “Mr. keep a bunch of balls in the and Mrs.” Now, I’m not only air. I don’t want to antagoan adult but a senior, and I nize either one. What should find that my friends’ grand— J.J. I do? children who are visiting SOLUTIONS Dear J.J.: her call me by my first

By Helen Oxenberg, Juggler beware! Bow out — name, and I don’t like it. I MSW, ACSW or you’ll end up dropping all the think it’s bad manners. balls and being booed off cenAlso, I would like my ter stage. Sounds like they are using you to grandchildren to call my friends “Mr.” gloss over and avoid dealing with some deep- and “Mrs.” But my friends seem to er basic conflicts and issues in the marriage. want to be called by their first names!

If you act as a general in this war, you’ll What can we do about this, if anything? soon become the target. Move into a neu— Wondering tral zone and insist, sweetly but firmly, that this couple go for marital counseling with See SOLUTIONS, page 16

Frisky From page 14 Yoga. But only in women 45 years and older. After 12 weeks of yoga, participants noted significant improvement in the areas of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain.

Dark Chocolate. My friend literally hides her chocolate in the freezer and takes a few bites in between tucking her kids in bed. Chocolate stimulates more dopamine, a.k.a. “the love chemical.”

Researchers who studied female libido concluded that women who consumed

more dark chocolate enjoyed greater sexual satisfaction than women who did not eat chocolate. Mmm. Ladies, I will think nothing of it if I bump into you in the chocolate aisle, wearing a big hat, sunglasses and a black trench coat.

This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement.

Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To contact her, visit www.SuzyCohen.com.

Do your legs feel tired, painful, or cramp when you walk?

Men & women are needed to participate in a research study of exercise and weight loss at the University of Maryland / Baltimore VA Medical Center.

You will receive medical and fitness evaluations.

Call 410-605-7000 ext. 5431 Mention code: ACTION

15

16

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Solutions From page 15 Dear Wondering: Today it’s called address unknown, since nobody’s sure how to address anyone anymore.

There is a difference between adult and child, experience and inexperience, etc., and you’re entitled to recognize this by asking

your friends’ grandchildren to please call you “Mrs.,” since you feel more comfortable with that.

But you can’t control other people or tell them what they should want. Perhaps your older friends who insist that children call them by their first name are really afraid to grow older. They want to feel like “one of the kids.”

In any event, the manner in which you

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY Growing older brings with it certain challenges. The Baltimore County Department of Aging and the Mental Health Association of Maryland

are presenting workshops on how to be happier in your everyday life, no matter what is going on around you. For more information on dates and locations, call (410) 8872040 or visit www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/aging/healtheducation.

M AY 2 0 1 6 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

teach manners to your grandchildren is up to you.

Dear Solutions: I’m now retired, so why do I feel so guilty? Aside from being a homemaker (and wife and mother), I always worked at home on creative design projects.

Now I find myself sleeping later than ever and involved only in various games and social activities. I have no desire to design anything, even though it used to be a love of mine.

So I feel worthless, and guilty about not doing anything worthwhile. How can I get myself motivated to design things again, or how can I get rid of these feelings?

— Emily Dear Emily: Try one more design project. Design a guilt-free you.

How? Start to think of yourself differently. Are you just a design project creator, or

are you a whole person aside from that? Is it only your work that makes you worthwhile, or are you a good, kind human being even if you’re not working at a career?

Some day you may want to start your career again. Meanwhile allow yourself to enjoy your activities, and if you feel that you must do something more, try volunteering a little time somewhere that will make others feel good.

In the past, before so many women had careers, it was the men who felt a little lost when they retired. Now women have caught up, and guilt, lost status and feelings of low self esteem at retirement have become an equal opportunity condition.

Relax. Let go. Enjoy. © Helen Oxenberg, 2016. Questions to be considered for this column may be sent to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915. You may also email the author at helox72@comcast.net. To inquire about reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684.

BEACON BITS

Apr. 26

JUST SAY NO Learning to say no can be tricky, but is often necessary. Social

worker Jacke L. Schroeder offers three beneficial steps to help you learn to say no to people you care about. Reisterstown Senior Center will host this workshop at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 26. The center is located at 12035 Reisterstown Rd. For more information, call (410) 887-2040 or visit www.baltimorecountymd.gov/ Agencies/aging/healtheducation.

Join us this spring & experience the

KESWICK COMMUNITY

ATTEND)OUR)LUNCH)&)LEARN/) CONTAINER)GARDENS)FOR)ANY)SPACE!

MAY 10 | Keswick Multi-Care Library Registration is FREE & Lunch will be served RSVP to: 410.662.4363 or Communityhealth@keswick-multicare.org OR

VOLUNTEER!) One-on-one visits from volunteers brighten the lives of our residents.

For more information:

410-662-4380 or Volunteers@keswick-multicare.org

With 130 years of expertise, Keswick is Baltimore’s premier provider of services for older adults.

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 6

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Money Law &

17

FREE CREDIT SCORES Many credit card companies and banks now provide your credit score free. It’s knowledge that can come in handy, as there are ways you can improve it

FINANCIAL PLANNERS Recommendations for finding (and vetting) a new fee-only financial planner to help you invest your portfolio

How to buy low: some recommendations

By James K. Glassman Shoppers love bargains, except when it comes to stocks. When a stock’s price falls sharply, few investors react with giddiness at the prospect of getting something for less. More likely — especially if they already own the stock — they respond with anxiety or cold fear. Rather than buy the stock, they’re more apt to sell it.

Certainly there are valid reasons for stocks to lose value. But you need to train yourself to see such declines as opportunities, not as calamities. Warren Buffett, the most successful stock investor of modern times, put it well: “Look at market fluctuations as your friend rather than your enemy.”

The sell-off that began in early December serves as a good illustration. The market as a whole fell about 10 percent in two months, but individual stocks fell a lot more. Consider these three, all members of the Dow Jones industrial average: American Express (symbol AXP, $61) fell from $72; Boeing (BA, $131), from $149; and Citigroup (C, $42), from $55.

They are up from the lows in February.

But if you want to become an owner of three great companies for the long haul,

seize the day. (All returns, prices and related figures are as of March 28; investments in boldface are those I recommend.)

Energy: bottom of the barrel However, the declines of these Dow stocks pale in comparison to the devastation in the energy sector, as the price of oil crashed from more than $100 a barrel to about $26, before recovering to $32 in early February. SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP), an exchange-traded fund, fell 29 percent in 2014, 36 percent in 2015, and 10 percent in the first five weeks of 2016.

Meanwhile, prices for other commodities, from copper to wheat, have tumbled because of weakening demand in Asia and Europe. And Chinese stocks are down by nearly half since June because of concerns about slowing growth in the world’s second-largest economy.

Opportunities abound today, but so do risks. The old Wall Street warning about not trying to catch a falling knife exists for a reason.

When United States Oil (USO), a security that reflects the price of West Texas In-

termediate crude, fell by more than half from July 2014 to December 2014, it looked like a bargain — only to drop by half again by January 2016. Similarly, Wynn Resorts (WYNN, $93), a casino company that has traditionally benefited from the management skill of its eponymous founder and CEO, Steve Wynn, sank from $219 a share in July 2014 to $96 a year later. Good entry point? Maybe not.

Mistakes, such as buying Wynn in the second half of 2014, will happen. But you will rarely triple or quadruple your investment by purchasing a stock when everyone is lusting for it.

Here are four tips on how to buy low — or at least try to.

Buy what you love Think of buying a stock as becoming a minority partner in the business. When the price falls, you can acquire a bigger stake in the business for less. But you have to have confidence in the business itself.

And it’s even better if you love it.

Here’s an example. When I encountered Netflix (NFLX, $101), it was love at first sight. I liked the original idea of sending

DVDs through the mail on a subscription basis. And it seemed clear to me from the start that as technology improved, Netflix had a good chance of becoming the leading video-delivery service.

From last December 4 through February 4, Netflix shares plunged 31 percent, but bounced back up a bit by late March.

They could fall another 30 percent. I don’t care. As long as the business remains sound and the company maintains its powerful competitive position, I want to own as much of Netflix as I can afford.

I feel the same way about Whole Foods Market (WFM, $32), which has lost a little less than half of its value since February 2015.

Avoid the psychological torment of falling share prices by engaging in dollarcost averaging. Put a set amount of money into a stock or mutual fund each month or quarter or year.

If you invest $1,000 a month and the stock you love trades at $100, you’ll add 10 shares to your portfolio. If the stock plummets to $83 the next month, your $1,000 See BUY LOW, page 19

Yes, you can negotiate at grocery stores

By Kyle James The idea of negotiating a lower price at the grocery store is often something shoppers shy away from. Whether it’s the fear of rejection or embarrassment, negotiating is rarely used as a way to save money.

Well, I’m here to tell you that if you know what grocery items to look for, and have the proper negotiating strategy in place, it can be successfully done.

Here are some items worth negotiating, along with tips to make it happen:

Deli and butcher counter Many shoppers are not aware that there exist great opportunities to negotiate a lower price at the deli and butcher counter.

Always look for hams and roasts that are less than two pounds in size. These have typically been sliced from larger cuts, and the remaining amount is often too small to prep for lunch meat, meaning they are hard to sell by themselves.

So, politely ask the employee behind the

counter if you can take it off their hands for a slight discount. I typically ask for 20 percent off and end up with a 10 to 15 percent discount most of the time.

deals, the freshest items and upcoming sales — and be more willing to lower the price for you, too.

Wrongly priced items Fruits and veggies The single best way to negotiate a deal on fruit and veggies at the grocery store is to look for slightly damaged items and ask for a small discount. Maybe a bunch of bananas is slightly bruised, but it won’t affect your fruit smoothie. Or maybe a head of lettuce is slightly wilted on the outside, but the leaves underneath are just fine.

Politely start a conversation with the employee in the produce department, point out the defect, and ask for a small discount. This always works better if you’re buying a large quantity, as the employee will want to keep you happy.

Also, if you do the majority of your shopping at a single grocery store, try to build a relationship with the produce employees. They’ll be able to tip you off to great

Almost every grocery store has a section dedicated to clearance or markeddown items placed for a quick sale. Without fail, there are always items placed in this section that appear to still be marked at full price.

This happened to me recently when I found some expensive K-Cups for my Keurig brewer on the clearance rack that were not marked down. On a hunch, I asked a nearby employee if they were actually on sale. He did a quick price scan, and, sure enough, they were incorrectly priced at full retail.

He did a price adjustment for me, and I walked out of the store with a sweet deal.

Now, I make it a habit to always check the clearance rack when I visit the grocery store.

Bakery items A great way to save money on cupcakes, cakes and pastries is to look for items that are a day or two from the “sell by” date.

Once you find these items, simply ask the employee if they’ll be marked down soon, since they’re nearing expiration.

Instead of spending the time marking them down, often the employee will happily let them go to you now at a discount. If the employee doesn’t volunteer an immediate discount, ask about the possibility of you taking them off their hands for 25 percent off.

Keep in mind that, in the end, you’re actually doing them a favor, as it takes time to mark down these items, and they run the risk of having to remove them from the store if unsold.

Meats The biggest key to saving money is to See NEGOTIATE, page 18

18

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

M AY 2 0 1 6 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

Find us on Facebook. www.facebook.com/BeaconNewspaper

Negotiate From page 17 know what day and time your grocery store marks down their meats that are nearing their “sell by” date. Most do it on weekdays before 10 a.m., but just ask and they’ll happily tell you.

Once you know, shop right after their markdowns and then ask for a quantity discount when buying multiple cuts. Remember, it’s only a “sell by” date and not an expiration date. Plus, the cuts are still great for freezing and using later.

The key to making this work is to politely ask for a discount when buying at least five or more items that are nearing their “sell by” date. Most butcher counters are happy to clear out these items at an extra 10 to 15 percent off, as they want to get rid of them quickly before they take a loss on them.

Cases of wine My local grocery store will happily sell a case of wine, typically 12 bottles, for a dis-

count. While I’m not a wine drinker, I’ve seen several customers get discounts ranging from 10 to 15 percent by purchasing in bulk.

The key to your success is to look for wine that may be overstocked, or on sale, as those are the vintages the store probably wants to clear out to make room for new inventory.

If your grocery store refuses to discount, check specialty stores like BevMo!, Total Wines, or a local beverage retailer. They’ll usually happily offer you a case discount.

The keys to negotiating at the grocery store are always to be polite and have a friendly conversation rather than be demanding. Throw in a legitimate reason to ask for that discount, and you stand a great chance of saving money on your next trip.

This article is from Kyle James of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website.

All contents © 2016 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Apr. 25

DON’T GET SCAMMED

Jeannine Robinson of the Consumer Protection Division of the Maryland Attorney General’s Office discusses the telltale signs of a scam and highlights common scams on Monday, April 25 at 11 a.m. The Consumer Protection Division offers free mediation services to help consumers resolve complaints against businesses, medical billing disputes, and help consumers understand complex health insurance claims. The program will be held at the Bykota Senior Center’s Classroom A, 611 Central Ave., Towson. Call (410) 887-3094 for more information.

Ongoing

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEMINARS AVAILABLE

Baltimore County American Job Centers offers professional development seminars at Eastpoint, Hunt Valley and Liberty Center.

Topics include: Basic Computers, Mathematics Skills Survey and Review, Writing a Winning Resume, Job Search, Interviewing and Social Media Fundamentals, and Federal Job Search Guidelines. For more information, call (410) 288-9050 (Eastpoint), (410) 887-7940 (Hunt Valley), and (410) 887-8912 (Liberty Center).

LOOKING FOR A LOW-COST, LEGAL ALTERNATIVE TO BANKRUPTCY? Are you a Senior, Veteran or Disabled Person Living on Social Security, Disability, Pensions or Veteran’s Benefits?

AT PENFED, WE MAKE IT EASY TO APPLY AND GET THE GREAT RATES YOU DESERVE.

FOR HARD WORKERS

FOR HOMEBUYERS Home Equity Loan

Daily balance of $20,000 or more, up to $50,000

0.50 0.20 % APY1

Daily balance of less than $20,000

.74 % APR

3

2

80% Loan to Value for 60 Months

% APY1

Visit PenFed.org/GreatRates or call 866-367-0231.

No military service required.

To receive any advertised product, you must become a member of PenFed Credit Union.

1. APY (Annual Percentage Yield). Account is a variable rate account. APY is valid as of last dividend declaration date of April 1, 2016. Accounts with direct deposits of $1,000 or more AND a daily balance up to $50,000 per statement cycle can earn dividends. Once an account is eligible to earn dividends, daily balances less than $20,000 earn 0.20% APY, daily balances of $20,000, or more, up to $50,000 earn 0.50% APY. APY and tiers are subject to change at any time. Fees may reduce earnings on account. $25 minimum deposit required to open the account. When an account is terminated prior to the end of a statement cycle, dividends will be paid if the aggregate direct deposit requirement is met on the date of account termination.

2. Rates and offers in effect as of April 7, 2016, offered for a limited time, and subject to change without notice. Rate applies to owner-occupied properties with LTV up to 80% and loans up to $400,000. Rate depends on loan term length, loan to value (LTV), fair market value (FMV) owner occupancy, and use of funds. Rates are higher for non-owner occupied properties. Fixed Home Equity Loan Payment Example: For an owner occupied property and a loan amount of $25,000 at 3.74% APR; 60 monthly payments of approximately $457.02 each. Fixed equity products are not offered on properties that reflect Penfed in first lien position. LTV ratio requirements: In Texas, the maximum owner occupied LTV allowed is 80%; 75% LTV for non-owner occupied. In states other than Texas, the maximum owner occupied LTV is 90%; 80% LTV for non-owner occupied. The maximum LTV for a condominium in all states is 70%. Property insurance is required. Borrower pays cost of appraisal if needed to determine LTV. Other terms and conditions may apply. Call 800-970-7766 Extension 6400 to talk to a representative for details. © 2016 PenFed Credit Union. All rights reserved.

Federal law protects your income from creditor garnishment. Debt Counsel for Seniors, Veterans and the Disabled (DCSD) can protect you from creditor harassment. If you can’t pay your credit card or medical bills or your student loans or payday loans, you can stop paying them without filing for bankruptcy.

We are celebrating 15 years of helping seniors with their debt without filing for bankruptcy and protecting them from letters and calls from collection agents. You too can live worry-free, as thousands of our clients do.

Call Debt Counsel for Seniors and the Disabled For a Free Consultation at 1-800-992-3275 EXT. 1304 Founded in 1998 Jerome S. Lamet Founder & Supervising Attorney • Former Bankruptcy Trustee www.debtcounsel.net info@lawyers-united.com

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 6

Buy low From page 17 will fetch 12 shares. Instead of feeling as if you’re losing wealth, you’ll feel as if you’re gaining it.

Make a wish list. Write down a few companies you would be thrilled to own at lower prices. Among stocks that aren’t quite cheap enough now but may be soon are ExxonMobil (XOM, $84), Lululemon Athletica (LULU, $61) and Starbucks (SBUX, $59).

Don’t be shortsighted Capitalize on the myopia of your fellow investors. When a company runs into trouble, Mr. Market frequently assumes that the problem will continue.

The truth is that you don’t have to know how a company will solve its current problem. You just have to look at the track record of the firm and its management, and have a strong belief that it will solve it somehow. I call this approach faith-based investing, and it applies mainly to companies with strong brand names and impressive balance sheets.

A good recent example is McDonald’s (MCD, $123). Starting in 2011, revenues began to stagnate, profits started to fall, and the stock went into a funk from 2012 through 2014. The company’s board of directors replaced the CEO, and the new leader made quick changes, including instituting an all-day breakfast. The stock began to recover in January 2015. Over the past year, it returned 32 percent.

Today, Wynn Resorts epitomizes the concept of a faith-based stock. Steve Wynn is a perfectionist and an innovator. Right now, he’s having problems in Macau, a former Portuguese colony that is a specially administered part of China — and suffering from China’s current economic malaise. But Wynn will find a way to right his company, just as he did after the Great Recession, when the stock traded below $20.

Energy stocks are probably the best example right now of good values caused by investors being shortsighted. Stocks in the sector are valued as if oil prices will never recover.

The best strategy today is to invest in high-quality industry leaders that can withstand further adversity and will benefit as their competitors go broke. Consider Schlumberger (SLB, $73), the giant Paris-based energy-services company. Its price has fallen by more than 40 percent since mid 2014 as profits have declined.

But Schlumberger’s balance sheet remains strong, and the company earns a top rating of A++ for financial strength from the Value Line Investment Survey. Analysts, on average, see earnings decreasing this year, then rising by more than 80 percent over 2017 and 2018.

Meanwhile, investors who have soured on China are missing a key trend: a shift toward more consumer spending. Among Chinese stocks, consider telecom provider China Mobile (CHL, $54), whose stock has fallen 27 percent since April 2015, and

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

BALTIMORE COUNTY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS Baltimore County Volunteers (BCV) has volunteer opportunities

throughout Baltimore County. It’s easy to get started: Visit http://volunteer.truist.com/baltimore-county/volunteer, call (410) 887-2715, or email volunteers@baltimorecountymd.gov.

Frank, Frank

& Scherr, LLC

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Elder Law, Estate & Special Needs Planning Medical Assistance Planning and Eligibility Advance Medical Directives / Living Wills Trusts / Estate Planning and Administration Wills / Powers of Attorney Disability Planning / Special Needs Trusts Guardianship

410.337.8900 | www.frankelderlaw.com | 1.888.338.0400 Towson | Columbia | Easton

Concord Medical Services (CCM, $5), which runs a network of radiology centers in 56 cities around the country. The stock, which has a market value of only $220 million, has fallen by more than half over the past two years.

Alert readers will remember that I recommended Concord in February 2015 at a higher price. Admonish me if you must, but remember the words of J.P. Morgan.

When asked by a young elevator operator

19

what the stock market would do, the great financier replied, “It will fluctuate, my boy.

It will fluctuate.”

James K. Glassman, a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, is the author, most recently, of Safety Net: The Strategy for De-Risking Your Investments in a Time of Turbulence. Of the stocks mentioned, he owns Netflix. © 2016, Kiplinger. All Rights Reserved.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

20

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

M AY 2 0 1 6 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

Banks are giving out free credit scores

By Ken Sweet It might be the most important piece of financial information about you — and it’s finally easier for you to actually get a look at it.

Big banks and credit card companies are increasingly offering customers free access to their FICO score. This score — named after Fair Isaac Corp., the software and analytics company that developed it — is used by lenders to determine how much of a credit risk you are when they are deciding whether to issue you a new credit

card, mortgage or auto loan.

Banks have been able to make scores available to customers for four years as a result of a FICO initiative. But they have been slow to do so.

Discover Financial was the first major credit card issuer to give its customers access to their FICO scores in 2013. But banks like JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup among others have adopted the program in the past year.

“This is a piece of information that grades

you and judges your ability to borrow, and because it is so crucial, you should be entitled to have it,” said Chi Chi Wu, an attorney at the National Consumer Law Center.

It’s the latest move by the banks to give credit information to consumers since Congress required that the three credit bureaus offer credit reports to individuals once a year. Credit reports contain much of the information that goes into determining your score, but not the actual number.

A borrower’s FICO score is used in 90 percent of lending decisions, but until recently a person had to pay for it — if it was

available at all. Worse, borrowers looking for their credit score would sometimes be provided what’s known as an “educational score,” which guesses a person’s FICO score but is not the score used to determine a person’s ability to borrow.

Knowledge is power Knowing your credit score can help you negotiate for better rates and shop for better loan deals. Also, if you know your score is weak, you can work to improve it and posSee CREDIT SCORES, page 22

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

BALTIMORE BAR FOUNDATION ASSISTANCE

Program staff and volunteer attorneys for the Baltimore Bar Foundation provide advice and consultation, direct representation and education/outreach services. Volunteers speak to senior groups about legal topics affecting the elderly. Volunteers speak Spanish, Hebrew and Yiddish.

Program staff and volunteers handle pro bono, non-fee generating civil cases, involving public benefits and pensions as well as consumer, healthcare, housing and credit-related problems. For more information, call (410) 396-5277 or email info@baltimorebar.org.

May 5

CINCO DE MAYO TACO BAR AND GAME NIGHT

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the Pikesville Senior Center, 1301 Reisterstown Rd., on May 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. Enjoy a delicious taco bar and join your friends in mah jong, bridge, canasta, board games, pinochle and more. Cost is just $10. Register at the front desk. For more information, call (410) 887-1245.

Senior Apartments LIVE WELL FOR LESS Roland View Towers • One- and Two-Bedroom as well as Efficiencies • Rents from $456-$767* Utilities Included!

• 24/7 on-site Maintenance and Reception Desk • Beauty/Barber Shop on premises • Bus Trips and Social Events and many more amenities!

• Only 2 blocks from Hampden’s ‘The Avenue’

!"#$%!&'$()&*+,-.//$+0 Services & Amenities:

Spectacular View

Mention the Beacon for FREE Month’s Rent!

To schedule a personal tour call

410-889-8255 St Mary’s Roland View Towers

Most Affordable Memory Care Program in Catonsville Designated Memory Care Area Short-Term Respite Care Available Social, Educational and Recreational Activities Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy In-House Delicious, Well-Balanced Meals & Snacks Gorgeous Scenic Views in Home-like Setting

Contact us today to schedule a tour!

Rooftop Restaurant

410-744-8433

3838/3939 Roland Ave • Baltimore, MD 21211

www.ShangriLaSeniorLiving.com

www.rolandviewtowers.com

6348 Frederick Road, Catonsville

*All residents must meet specific income guidelines.

Previously known as Paradise Assisted Living

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 6

21

How to find a good financial planner

By Elliot Raphaelson “suitability standard” merely must recomMany people believe they need a finan- mend investments that are suitable — a cial adviser, but are unsure how to choose much lower threshold — and may steer you among the many firms and to investments that earn him people who offer such servicor her commissions you don’t es. These are the guidelines I necessarily know about. recommend: Verify the planner’s expeUse a “fee-only” financial rience. You don’t want to hire planner. He or she charges dia planner that does not have rectly for establishing a plan several years of experience. and providing advice, and does Ask for references from clients not earn commissions from who have been with the advisselling you financial products. er for more than a few years.

You can find a fee-only planner Discuss the planner’s inTHE SAVINGS through the National Associa- GAME vestment philosophy, which tion of Personal Financial Advi- By Elliot Raphaelson should be consistent with your sors (www.napfa.org) and the own. For example, if you are a Garret Planning Network conservative investor, you (www.garrettplanningnetwork.com). should not hire a very aggressive planner Verify credentials. Advisers who man- who tries to time the market and turns over age money must file an Investment Adviser clients’ portfolios frequently. A responsible Public Disclosure form with the Security and planner will spend a great deal of time disExchange Commission (you can search an cussing your investment objectives. If he or adviser’s record at AdviserInfo.sec.gov.) The she doesn’t, look for a different planner. form discloses educational background, Understand your total costs. Are you fees, investment methods, whether they are looking for continuous annual portfolio truly fee-only, and whether there are any management? Or do you want only an initial regulatory actions against the adviser. plan prepared, and prefer to use the planner The form also lists credentials. Those as needed on an hourly basis in the future? with certified financial planner (CFP), Check for complaints. If the planner chartered financial analyst (CFA) or char- is licensed with FINRA, you can go to the tered financial consultant (ChFC) creden- BrokerCheck database at FINRA.org to tials likely have a greater understanding of determine whether any complaints have personal finance issues. been made.

Determine whether the adviser is held to a “fiduciary standard.” This Keeping costs down means that he or she is required to act in Readers sometimes ask if they have to your best interest. An adviser held to a pay a fee of 1 percent of their assets to an

adviser to obtain advice.

Some major financial firms offer advice that is less expensive. For example Vanguard, with whom I have invested successfully for more than 20 years, now offers an advisory service that costs 0.3 percent per year. (Minimum asset size is $50,000.)

Other low-cost advisers operate online.

Some charge a percentage of your assets and/or monthly fees. The annual fees often amount to less than 1 percent of your assets, but the services offered are typical-

Please patronize our advertisers.

They keep the Beacon free!

,

,

ly less extensive than with fee-based financial planners.

If you only need investment advice, consider investing primarily in target funds consistent with your age, managed by a reputable low-cost company. This gives you a diversified portfolio without the need to pay additional fees to an adviser.

Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at elliotraph@gmail.com. © 2016 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

22

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Credit scores From page 20 sibly save hundreds of dollars on a future loan, or thousands of dollars on a mortgage.

FICO estimates that only half of Americans have accessed their score in the past year, and far more don’t know what their score is.

Jim Wehmann, executive vice president of scores for FICO, said the company recently developed what it calls its “Open Access” program partly because banks were already paying for borrowers’ FICO scores, and there was little to no cost for

banks to pass along the score.

“There was lots of confusion out there about what a FICO score is, and those educational scores were not helping. We felt the banks were the natural conduit to get consumers FICO scores, because that’s where the credit process begins,” Wehmann said.

Wehmann estimates 100 million Americans now have access to their FICO score through a credit card or their bank.

Measures financial behavior There are a number of different types of credit scores that FICO calculates, but the most common is a number between 300 and

M AY 2 0 1 6 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

850 points. The higher the score, the more creditworthy that borrower is. The average U.S. credit score is about 695, FICO says.

FICO uses a formula — it does not share the exact calculations — that factors in a borrower’s payment history, how much debt the person has, if they have ever filed for bankruptcy, and other financial behavior.

Free FICO scores have become a selling feature for banks. When Chase added free FICO score access to its Slate card in March 2015, applications and usage rose, said Pam Codispoti, president of consumer branded cards at Chase. Codispoti said the bank is considering adding the FICO score feature to its other cards.

“It was really about stepping up to meet a consumer need. Everyone benefits when our customers have more tools to handle

their financial lives,” she said.

Getting your credit score through your bank won’t impact your credit score, FICO says, since the borrower is not actively looking to get new credit. Some credit card companies, like Chase and Discover, also provide tips on how a customer can improve their credit score, like making sure you don’t max out credit cards or miss payments.

Consumer advocates — regular critics of big banks — back the trend.

The increased availability of free FICO scores could mean decreased revenue for the three main credit agencies — Equifax, TransUnion and Experian — that sell credit scores, credit monitoring and credit reports to consumers. The agencies’ main source of business, though, is compiling, maintaining and selling credit reports to banks. — AP

BEACON BITS

Apr. 30

WORLD TAI CHI AND QIGONG DAY World Tai Chi and Qigong Day will be celebrated internationally on

Saturday, April 30, at 9 a.m. at The U.S. Kuosho Academy, 11000 Owings Mills Blvd., Suite 5, in Owings Mills, and in Centennial Park, East Entrance, 10000 MD108, in Ellicott City. Open to the public, free of charge, this is an introductory session to explain the benefits of incorporating the ancient traditions of tai chi

-

-

and qigong into your daily life. Participants of all ages are welcome. Increased strength, decreased stress and better balance are just a few of the positive results one finds from the practice of tai chi and qigong. For more information, call (443) 394-9222, (443) 545-5566 or visit www.uskuoshuacademy.com.

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 6

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Travel

23

Leisure &

Maritime Nova Scotia retains vestiges of Scottish, English and French settlers. See story on page 24.

Cruises: big new ships, submarine trips

Voluntourism in Cuba Fathom, a new brand from Carnival Corp., offers “voluntourism” trips to the Dominican Republic in April and to Cuba in May. Passen-

gers will work with locals on everything from learning English to reforestation, while immersing themselves in the culture.

New from Celebrity Cruises: Passengers on certain sailings in the Caribbean and Europe are participating in the Chef Market Discoveries program, in which they shop with chefs in local markets for ingredients used in the meals they’ll eat onboard that night.

New from Princess Cruises: Chocolate Journeys with chocolate-infused menus and other treats designed by chocolatier Norman Love, plus menus by celebrity chef Curtis Stone, on-deck stargazing in a partnership with Discovery Channel, and a magic show and musical revue, “Magic to Do,” with music by Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz of Wicked and Godspell fame.

Disney Cruise Line features a “Star Wars” day on each of eight Disney Fantasy ship sailings in the Western Caribbean beginning this month, with “Star Wars” characters, activities and themed celebrations.

In June, the Disney Magic ship will sail its first British Isles itinerary, to Scotland, England and Ireland.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VIKING

By Beth J. Harpaz Underwater sightseeing in a glass submarine, shopping with a chef for dinner ingredients, and volunteering with locals: These are some of the new options this season for cruise passengers.

This year, Royal Caribbean launches the world’s largest cruise ship, and a new ship from Carnival features a biking track suspended high above the water. And for cruisers with deep pockets, luxuries range from round-the-clock personal assistants to long-term leases for residences at sea.

Crystal Cruises has just launched Crystal Esprit, a 62-guest yacht that offers among its excursions a ride in a submersible vessel.

The underwater excursions take place near the Seychelles islands in winter and on the Adriatic Coast in spring and summer. The glass capsule holds two people and a captain.

Thirty-minute rides are $599 per person.

Later this year, Crystal launches a yacht for river cruising in Europe, Crystal Mozart, with four more river yachts in 2017. Crystal is also getting into the airplane business with charter flights on four jets connecting to trips by ship and on land. And later this year Crystal launches residences at sea, with long-term leases for staterooms on three new ocean vessels, prices to be determined.

Biggest ship in the world In June, Royal Caribbean launches what will be the world’s largest ship, Harmony of the Seas, with a capacity of 5,479 passengers. Harmony will feature the “neighborhood” areas already found on other Royal Caribbean ships, including Central Park PHOTO COURTESY OF ROYAL CARIBBEAN

In June, Royal Caribbean will launch the world’s biggest cruise ship, Harmony of the Seas, with a capacity of 5,479 passengers. The ship will boast numerous water slides, a surfing ride and a zip line.

The Viking cruise line, best known for river cruises, began offering ocean cruises on the Viking Star last year. The ship is shown at its christening in Bergen, Norway.

and Boardwalk.

Harmony will also have robot bartenders, a mini-golf course, surfing on a FlowRider machine, waterslides, a zip line and, for guests who need their every whim catered to, round-the-clock personal assistants called Royal Genies.

Another new Royal Caribbean ship, Ovation of the Seas, debuts in April, designed primarily for service in China.

Over-the-top attractions Carnival Cruise Line launches its largest ship in May, Carnival Vista, which can carry 3,954 people based on two per cabin. Vista’s showcase attraction, SkyRide, lets guests cycle on bikes suspended from an 800-foot long track, 20 feet above the top deck and 150 feet above the water. Vista will also have an onboard brewery and a 455-foot-long tube slide.

Holland America Line, celebrating its 142nd anniversary this month, debuts the Koningsdam, with staterooms for families and for singles; a theater with two-storyhigh LED screens, and music options ranging from B.B. King’s Blues Club to nightly chamber music. HAL is also collaborating with a travel planning service called Utrip so guests can go online and create customized shore itineraries.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship,

Escape, debuted in the fall of 2015 with an urban craft beer hall, Mondavi wine bar, a Margaritaville and a tapas bar. Norwegian is also introducing a new “Free at Sea” promotion inviting guests to pick a free amenity from four options: a beverage package, specialty dining package, excursion credits or WiFi package.

Regent Seven Seas Explorer launches in July with the $10,000-a-night super-luxurious Regent Suite, complete with private spa and grand piano. Despite the price tag, the suite is already sold out for its entire first season.

Viking, once known just for river cruises, is launching the second of its oceangoing ships, Viking Sea, in April. A sister ship, Viking Star, launched last year.

Seabourn expects its first new ship in five years, Seabourn Encore, to be delivered in December for a January 2017 launch. The ship will have all-suite staterooms and a Thomas Keller restaurant.

And Cunard is renovating the Queen Mary 2, adding staterooms for solo travelers and expanding the number of onboard kennels where guests are permitted to keep their dogs. The QM2 will be out of service for the redo from May 27 to June 21. Looking ahead to 2017, the Queen Victoria will become the largest ship to ever navigate the Amazon, on Cunard’s first voyage to that part of the world.

— AP

24

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

M AY 2 0 1 6 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

Nova Scotia’s maritime mélange of cultures

By Victor Block There are plenty of reasons to visit Nova Scotia (Latin for “new Scotland”) — one of the three Maritime Provinces of eastern Canada.

Many people head for Cape Breton island in the northeastern corner of the province.

They may take the famous Cabot Trail roadway, which winds along the island’s rugged Atlantic coastline — reason enough to head to that portion of Nova Scotia, But rather than follow those crowds dur-

ing a recent visit, my wife Fyllis and I set our sights on the southern part of the territory to see what it has to offer. We found an enticing combination of Mother Nature at her best, fascinating history and an intriguing mix of cultures.

You’re never more than 35 miles from the sea, and the shoreline is pocked by inlets and bays that are overlooked by tiny fishing villages. The interior changes from forests to low hills to lake settings, while the inviting Annapolis Valley is blanketed

by scenic farms.

4,000-year history What now is Nova Scotia was first inhabited by the Abnaki and Mi’kmaq people, Native Americans who were part of the Algonquian language family.

The first recorded exploration in 1497 by a European, John Cabot of England, was followed by efforts to establish colonies by French explorers, and later by settlers from Scotland.

The 17th and early 18th centuries were marked by armed conflict between England and France over control of the territo-

ry, which finally reverted to Great Britain.

Nova Scotia became part of the Dominion of Canada in 1867.

The cultural influences imparted by English and French settlers were just the beginning. Other people also arrived, stayed and left their imprint. Vestiges of their differing lifestyles invite visitors to relive times past, and immerse themselves in the unique mixture of traditions.

The narrative begins with the 4,000-year history of the Mi’kmaq First Nation people. Some of their ancestors still live in and See NOVA SCOTIA, page 25

PHOTO © GARY YIM

Visitors are never more than 35 miles away from Nova Scotia’s picturesque coastline. The town of Lunenburg sits on the Canadian province’s south shore and was established by the British in 1753.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 6

Nova Scotia From page 24 around the village of Bear River. Their story is told in depth at Kejimkujik National Park and Historic Site.

Periodic drumming demonstrations and birch bark canoe building activities help visitors get a taste of life back when.

You can also hike ancient paths, viewing the petroglyph rock carvings they left behind, drop by former encampment areas, and paddle along Mi’kmaq canoe routes.

The cultural alphabet soup that poured into the region from Europe began when French explorers established a settlement in 1605, which they called Acadia.

In 1621, King James of England and Scotland granted territory to establish the area he named Nova Scotia. The region then became the flashpoint for more than a century of conflict over all of present-day Canada between the French and British.

Later, settlers from Germany and other German-speaking European countries arrived along with their surnames, holiday celebrations and lifestyle.

Also adding to the mosaic were people who lived in the American colonies but who remained loyal to the British Crown. Forced to leave during the Revolution because of their sympathies, many fled to the future Canada, where they were greeted as United Empire Loyalists. Among them were Black Loyalists who had fought against the British and whose descendants still reside in several communities in Nova Scotia.

A center of Acadian culture is found in villages strung out along the shore of St. Mary’s Bay. There, French is the predominant language, bilingual signs guide visitors, and Acadian flags adorn many houses. Restaurants serve food that would be at home in Paris. At the Historic Village in West Pubnico, costumed interpreters pro-

From the publisher From page 2 refer you to a helpful book published by the MHA: Mental Health in Later Life: A Guidebook for Older Marylanders and the People Who Care for Them. It can be downloaded free of charge in pdf format from www.mdaging.org or ordered in print form (including in bulk) by calling (443) 9011550, ext. 210.

BEACON BITS

May 3+

ENJOY THE CASINOS IN ATLANTIC CITY

Join Cockeysville Senior Center’s trip to Atlantic City on May 3 and 4. Enjoy the casinos and walks on the boardwalk. Cost is $120 double occupancy, $160 single. Call (410) 887-7694 for details and reservations.

vide an in-depth introduction to the area and its many stories.

There are also opportunities to experience traditional Scottish singing, fiddling and step dancing. During the Antigonish Highland Games, which have taken place each year since 1863, burly men wearing kilts compete at tossing the spruce log “caber,” hammer throw and other heavyweight events.

Scenic drives and tides If you choose to drive through Nova Scotia, many itineraries are available for those wishing to explore a particular interest. For example, the Lighthouse Route hugs the southeastern shoreline, gentle in some places and rugged in others, and leads past picturesque fishing villages.

The Aboriginal Road Trip leads to museums and natural settings associated with the Mi’kmaq First Nation people. Another drive, which is focused on seafood, includes opportunities to meet local fishermen, haul in lobster traps and learn to

shuck oysters.

The most famous scenic route is the Evangeline Trail, which snakes along the western coast of Nova Scotia and passes through not only varied landscapes but also some of North America’s earliest European history.

It leads past forts and fishing villages, through the scenic farmlands of the An-

25

napolis Valley, and by the Bay of Fundy, which is famous for having the highest tides in the world (they have been recorded to rise as much as 54 feet).

Adventurous souls may opt for a unique tidal bore rafting experience, riding a crest of water created when the incoming tide See NOVA SCOTIA, page 26

26

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Nova Scotia From page 25 battles against the river outflow to generate 13-foot-high waves.

Fyllis and I opted to observe the tidal phenomenon in a more sedate way in the town of Digby. Our anticipation was whetted by a clock in town center that indicates the time of the next high tide, and by establishments with names like Rising Tide Café and Changing Tides Diner. We watched boats that rested at pier level during high tide descend to well below the dock as the water drained out of the bay.

Then we saw local residents venturing out on the exposed mud flats to gather clams for that evening’s dinner.

By the way, clams, along with lobster and a variety of seafood, make Nova Scotia the leading fishing province in Canada.

But Digby is best known for another mollusk. It lays claim to the title “scallop capital of the world” because it is home to a large scallop fishing fleet, and their haul has a reputation for outstanding flavor.

Waterfront towns Yarmouth, another town in the southern reaches of Nova Scotia, long has been associated with fishing. A walking tour leads past a number of the nearly 200 elaborate homes that were built in a variety of styles by ship owners and captains during the late 19th century, when the town’s prosperity reached its peak.

A stroll through Shelburne’s Waterfront Heritage District transports visitors back to the late 18th century. That’s when an influx of Loyalists from the former American British colonies arrived. Some of the homes they built still stand, and a display at the Shelburne County Museum invites children to “Dress up like a Loyalist.”

If you can find time to spend a day to stroll through Annapolis Royal, do it. The area is where the French established the first permanent European settlement here in 1604. The colony changed hands a number of times as the French and English battled for control. After a decisive victory by England in 1710, it was named Annapolis Royal in honor of Queen Anne.

M AY 2 0 1 6 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

St. George Street, which runs through the middle of town, is lined by buildings built over the course of three centuries. Among the oldest are a wooden house constructed in 1708 by a French officer, and the 1710 home of a silversmith, which later served as an inn and today houses a small museum.

Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal occupies one of the most hotly contested pieces of land in North America. The first fort was erected on the site in 1629 by the Scots, and several forts were constructed later by the French. The fortress that stands today was built by the British. Visitors may walk the earthen walls that date back to 1702, explore a gunpowder magazine, and check out the British field officers quarters, which house an interesting museum.

A very different setting is encountered nearby at the impressive Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens. It features areas devoted to Mi’kmaq, early Acadian and 17th century English gardening practices and designs.

A replica of a 17th-century Acadian home overlooks salt marshes and the dykes that were constructed by farmers to transform them into arable land. It offers a peek back at the lives of French-speaking settlers — one among the many stories that bring the history of Nova Scotia to life.

If you go Digby Pines Golf Resort & Spa combines an aura of history with a strong record of ecotourism. Low-level electricity is used

throughout the hotel with an emphasis on natural light, the kitchen recycles to such a degree that nothing goes to a landfill, there’s a green roof atop the spa, and the rooms’ headboards are made from recycled doors. In cabins with fireplaces, compressed sawdust replaces wood because it has a zero percent carbon footprint.

The resort is open from mid-May to mid-October. Rates begin at $159 (depending upon the exchange rate at the time).

For more information, call (800) 667-4637 or log onto digbypines.ca.

An inviting budget-stretching alternative is Hedley House by the Sea, which overlooks Smith Cove from a four-acre setting of lawns and gardens. The 14-room motel is blanketed by fresh flowers. Rates begin at $71. For more information, call (877) 826-2500 or log onto hedleyhouse.ca.

Not surprisingly, many a restaurant menu includes Digby scallops in some form. Among ways I saw them prepared were pan seared, fried, grilled, encased in prosciutto, wrapped in bacon, on pizza, in salad and swimming in chowder.

Electing to eat something other than scallops during two dinners at the appropriately named Dockside Restaurant in Digby, I opted for grilled haddock ($14 with sides) and fish and chips ($9), both excellent. For more information, call (902) 245-4950 or log onto fundyrestaurant.com.

For information about visiting Nova Scotia, call 1-800-565-0000 or log onto novascotia.com.

BEACON BITS

May 2

LAW DAY IN BALTIMORE COUNTY

Visit the Baltimore County Circuit Court for a variety of events in celebration of Law Day, Monday, May 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Attend Law Day Ceremonies, visit the 911 call center, and meet with a deputy in the K9 unit. Cost is $25. Transportation is provided from the Pikesville Senior Center, 1301 Reisterstown Rd. For more information, call (410) 484-5285.

Senior Moment. !"#$$!%"&"'($!)*+'!"#$ ",!-(.('(*+"&/0"12#(1!"*2&*"3%#4(0!)" +#5"/!6"#33#%*5/(*(!)7"8-3!%(!/1!"+#5%"(/0!3!/0!/1!"&/0" !/%(12"+#5%"'($!7" !"#$%&'$()#$*+!*#+(,$-#.($./0(#'$(!$,!/1 233$!+$40.0($/.$2( www.Integrace.org

©2016 Integrace. All rights reserved.

301-644-1604 410-795-8801

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 6

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Style

27

Arts &

Daniel Weiser coordinates chamber concerts for small audiences. See story on page 28.

Alvin Ailey dancer returns to hometown

Started dancing as a teen Just 13 at the time, Green had never before taken a dance class, “but I was flexible and a ‘busy body,’ always running around the house.” In fact, the first time she put on a leotard and tights and attended a ballet class was for her audition.

“It was weird,” Green laughed, recalling that her shy teenage self was less than comfortable in the new setting. Despite her inexperience, she was accepted into the school and began her dance training under the direction of Norma Pera, Deborah Robinson and Anton Wilson.

She went on to graduate from the Ailey/Fordham B.F.A. Program in Dance, and received the Martha Hill Fund’s Young Professional Award and the Dizzy Feet Scholarship.

Green began her professional career as a member of Ailey II (made up of young dancers working with emerging choreographers), and joined the main company in 2011.

Green credits dance with helping her express herself, develop self-confidence and positive self-esteem, and make new friends. “It gave me a different world from the one I had known,” she said.

Now making her home in New York, Green still visits Baltimore often. She arranges her visits around the company’s busy performance schedule, which includes two New York “seasons,” a national tour, and an international tour (this year,

!"#$%"&'()*+,(!-.,/0(&*,(!-1"*,(2*+3"14 :,0)0-@7;*+01,7;0-1A,1-=A,7B)7B-A/>*0-C-,1-,7D-01,B*-)7-E)F*-C-)0!"#$%&'()$*+,$-./!+,-0$(1!-$2,+%.--$!-$"&,(1.,$%+32'!%4(. $56$(1.$ /.7.,8./ !/9$%1+!%.-$4/ $%+-(-$4--+%!4(. $:!(1$4--!-(. $'!7!/9$+2(!+/-)$

.'/-%0,-)'&12%13+4)'-%54226%

G- <..($:!(1$6+&$=$"4%.8(+8"4%.$=$(+$%4,."&''6$4--.--$6+&,$-2.%!#$%$/.. -) G- >,.4(.$6+&,$+:/$&/!?&.$2,+#$'.)

G- @,.-./($4$,.#$/. $'!-($+"$-&!(45'.$-./!+,$4--!-(. $'!7!/9$%+33&/!(!.-) G- A%1. &'.$(+&,-$4/ $4%%+324/6$6+&$+/$7!-!(-)

5*16./6(7"-,,.(7*8.'9 !!"#$!%#$&!'

()*++,-./01*+2-3452-(/60/72-89 (/60/7#:,0)04*7)/+5;<)0/+0#=/> ()*++,?:,0)04*7)/+5;<)0/+0#=/>

;&,$-.,7!%.-$4,.$45-+'&(.'6$!"##$--(A*+*-)0%&'%(')*-1/-D/@#-#+,-$

PHOTO BY PAUL KOLNIK

By Carol Sorgen When Jacqueline Green appears in Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Baltimore engagement at the Lyric on April 26 and 27, the young dancer will be coming home to be greeted by family and friends — and new audiences.

Green, who is 26 and grew up near the Alameda in Baltimore, was a self-described tomboy — “running around outside throwing sticks” — when she auditioned for the Baltimore School of the Arts.

“I was one of five children, and my mother wanted us all to go to college,” said Green, speaking between rehearsals during the company’s national tour. (Baltimore will be the 16th of 20 engagements.)

“She heard that BSA had a good track record of getting their students into college, and she thought I should audition.”

A scene from the dance “Awakening,” Robert Battle’s first new piece since becoming artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The dramatic number is one of several being performed in a Baltimore premiere April 26 and 27.

the company will perform throughout Great Britain).

Premiere performances The repertoire for the Baltimore performances will include hip-hop choreogra-

pher Rennie Harris’ new work “Exodus” (hailed as “arresting…a miraculous conversion,” by the Financial Times) and “Awakening,” Robert Battle’s first new piece since See ALVIN AILEY, page 29

28

Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

M AY 2 0 1 6 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

Chamber concerts in a homey atmosphere chamber music concerts in both Asheville and Baltimore, where he moved in 2013 when his wife, who is a physician, took a position at GBMC. The couple and their twin daughters now live in Guilford in a home they bought because Weiser took one look at it and thought it would make an ideal “living room concert hall.”

According to Weiser, the objective of AmiciMusic, whose Baltimore concerts began

Cars, boats, furniture, antiques, tools, appliances Everything and anything is sold on

Radio Flea Market Heard every Sunday, 7-8:00 a.m. on 680 WCBM

about a year and a half ago, is to break down barriers between performers and the audience by including brief discussions of each composer with the performances.

All is offered in a relaxed and informal real-home atmosphere in hopes of enticing new concert-goers — especially younger audiences who may not have been exposed to classical music previously.

“We want the audience members to enjoy the energy of the performances, and the spirit of community and camaraderie,” he said, adding with a laugh, “And food and drink help the ambience.”

Monthly concerts

er performs on the piano, and is joined by other musicians — some of whom are from Baltimore, with other colleagues and friends who come into town.

Each concert has a theme. Past shows, for example, have included “Cellicious,” See HOUSE CONCERTS, page 29

PHOTO COURTESY OF DANIEL WEISER

By Carol Sorgen Daniel Weiser wants to bring chamber music “alive” for Baltimore audiences.

“This type of music isn’t meant to be performed in large venues,” the Peabodytrained pianist said. “It’s made for a more intimate setting.”

With that in mind, Weiser, who is in his late 40s, founded AmiciMusic, meaning “music among friends,” about five years ago in Asheville, N.C. He performs regular

About once a month, Weiser presents a concert for about 30 to 45 people at his home, usually on a weekend afternoon. WeisPianist Daniel Weiser founded AmiciMusic, a program presenting chamber music concerts in intimate settings, including area retirement communities and a venue in his own home.

Building Caring and Compassionate Communities

iConnect Generations Expo 2016 A day of fun for all ages Saturday, May 7, 2016 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Stadium Place 1000 E. 33rd Street Baltimore, MD 21218

A free event for the public!

Bring your family!

Highlights of the day include: Tai chi, zumba, health screenings, cooking demonstration, Family Fun Walk, face painting, resource fair with giveaways, food vendors, and more!

Call 410-243-0188 or visit us at http://www.gedco.org/iconnect2016 for more information!

Free Parking at Johns Hopkins - Eastern.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 6

Alvin Ailey From page 27 becoming artistic director of the company.

The New York Times says Battle “has injected the company with new life.”

On April 26, the Company will also perform a new production of the classic, “Cry,” the woman’s solo created by Ailey for “black women everywhere, especially our mothers,” made famous by Judith Jamison in the 1970s, as well as the perennial favorite, “Revelations,” the most popular and critically acclaimed work of Ailey’s.

House concerts From page 28 with music by Popper, Prokofiev and Rachmaninoff, performed by Weiser and cellist Cecylia Barczyk, and “By George,” with Weiser performing music composed by George Gershwin from 1916 to 1928.

Upcoming concerts include “The B’s in Spring,” including works by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Bernstein. That takes place on Sunday, April 24 at 3 p.m., with Weiser on piano and guest artist Tim Schwarz playing both violin and viola.

“By George, Part II” takes place on Saturday, May 14, at 4 p.m., concluding the twopart series on the life and music of George Gershwin. This concert will focus on his music after 1930, including several arias and scenes from “Porgy and Bess,” with singers Sabrina Clark and Robert Cantrell.

Green will be performing in both pieces. “Revelations” is the work that inspired her to join the company. “I saw it when I was in college and kept going back again and again,” she said. She will be performing the role of “woman with the umbrella,” to the song, “Wade in the Water.”

And her performance in “Cry” will be an emotional moment for her. “My mother will be in the audience, and this will be the first time she will see me perform in this dance,” said Green.

“I’m honored — and a bit overwhelmed — to be chosen for this role and to per-

form it in my hometown in front of my mother. I know it’s going to be demanding, both physically and emotionally.”

The repertoire for April 27 features Ronald K. Brown’s Cuban-influenced world premiere “Open Door,” which is set to the vibrant music of Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra’s latest album, “Cuba: The Conversation Continues.”

The company premiere of Paul Taylor’s “Piazzolla Caldera” takes place in a smoky tango club, and is “a sizzling addition to the Ailey repertory,” according to The New York Times. Also included will be the dreamlike

“After the Rain Pas de Deux” by Christopher Wheeldon, and an encore of “Revelations.”

Green’s plans for her post-dancing life include a career in social work where she can have a long-term influence on people. For now, though, she knows that “every night for two hours, I can touch somebody’s life.”

Performances for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater begin both evenings at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $30.50 to $70.50 and can be purchased at the Lyric box office (10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Friday, 140 W. Mt. Royal Ave.), online at www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling (410) 547-SEAT.

cation life.

He has performed throughout the world, from the Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall, to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the Dame Myra Hess Concert Series in Chicago, as well as in Israel, Thailand, Holland and France.

Besides founding AmiciMusic, Weiser co-founded and still serves as artistic di-

rector for Classicopia, a similar type of chamber music organization based in New Hampshire. He was also a founding member of the Adirondack Ensemble, which won a Chamber Music America award for inventive programming and outreach.

In addition to performances at his home, Weiser brings his concerts to retirement communities, and hopes to expand to other

venues as well, while still keeping things intimate.

“It’s a special thing, for both the audiences and the musicians, when they can connect with each other,” he said.

Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased online at www.amicimusic.org.

(The address for the concerts will be on the website.)

lifestyle

Your NEW begins here

AL

communLi are SMOKties E FREE

FROM PAGE 30 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

HARFORD COUNTY

Furnace Branch 410-761-4150 Severna Park 410-544-3411

Bel Air 410-893-0064 Box Hill 410-515-6115

BALTIMORE CITY

HOWARD COUNTY

Ashland Terrace 410-276-6440 Coldspring 410-542-4400

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

BALTIMORE COUNTY

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD T R A D E

R A D A R

U N D Y E D

L I D E R A D A Y B D A Y U N D M O A P A Y

E D I T

S Y N O N A Y M M S F T I A J L I O N S

I M P N A I L C A E A I L M E A G H I O N E E D

D A U B

E R N E

A S K A N R E C A W E V E E G D R A E G T S A W A I L G E

O R P C H O A E N D A B S M A O V I I M E A S C

D A Y B A T H S S O N A T A

E C R U

S E E M

E R E N K S

E G G E R

U S E R S

-

APARTMENT HOMES FOR THOSE 62 AND BETTER

Well-traveled performer Weiser earned a doctorate in piano/ chamber music from the Peabody Conservatory, where he studied with Samuel Sanders and Robert MacDonald. He won the Richard Franko Goldman prize for outstanding contribution to musical and edu-

29

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

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

EASTERN SHORE

ALL PARK VIEW COMMUNITIES

Easton 410-770-3070

ARE

PET-FRIENDLY

www.ParkViewSeniorLiving.com Call the community nearest you to inquire about eligibility requirements and to arrange a personal tour or email parkviewliving@sheltergrp.com.

Professionally managed by The Shelter Group. www.thesheltergroup.com

30

M AY 2 0 1 6 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Crossword Puzzle

PUZZLE PAGE

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

2

3

4

By Stephen Sherr

5

6

7

16

17

18

19

21

35

36

28

32

33

37

45

13

30

31

52

53

34 39

42

43

46 49

54

29

38 41

12

25

27

40

11

22

24 26

55

56

44

47

48

50

51

57

58

59

60

61

62

63

64

65

66

67

Across 1. Lines up evenly 6. Inkling 10. Praiseful poems 14. American Idol judge, with Simon and Paula 15. Pathfinder destination 16. Biathlon or triathlon 17. Sundae supplement 18. Rocker, circa 1975 19. Funeral fire 20. Regular Florida sunrise watcher 23. Once before 24. Soccer nothing 25. Agency for the Natl. Weather Service 26. Preschool 32. Compressed lyon-ess 33. In complete shock 34. Date for Foghorn Leghorn 35. Barriers between coffee and doughnuts 38. Wall : St. :: Madison : ___ 39. Sends a letter to Dear Abby 40. Important time 41. Rank partner 43. Pygmalion playwright, pronto 45. Soaps 49. Mexican state, ___ California 50. Self-importance 51. Just the vowels in Charles Foster Kane’s final vow 54. Summer time 59. Annul 60. Caucus state 61. Polaroid residue 62. Bellyache 63. Creator of Oscar and Felix 64. Dinner theater attendee 65. Stops at the first drive-through window 66. Result of colliding planes 67. Bullfighters’ mementoes

Down

10

15

23

BB5/16

9

14

20

Scrabble answers on p. 29.

8

2. Character played by the same actor in both the movie and TV versions of M*A*S*H 3. Naturally blonde 4. Cut scenes from the movie 5. Happy, for glad 6. Chevrolet’s all-time best seller 7. Slap on 8. Sea eagle 9. Distrustingly 10. Babe Ruth or Snow White 11. Spa options 12. Neutral shade 13. Come across as 21. On one of Santa’s lists 22. Like some dorms 27. Usual alarm clock selections 28. Gave two big thumbs up 29. Ram-ma 30. “Hey; I think I saw a mouse” 31. Blood bank tellers (abbr.)

35. Was in front at the final turn 36. Gershwin’s investment, perhaps 37. Gradually over time 38. Barley brew 39. Cool cucumber connection 41. Pacific archipelago 42. John Lennon’s best-selling single 43. Tony Bennett singing partner, Lady ___ 44. Cheaply made films 46. Hawk hooks 47. Flea market deal 48. Cars.com’s most affordable midsize sedan of 2015 52. Halloween hurler 53. Computer operators 54. Say “we can still be friends” 55. Small buffalo 56. Removed weeds 57. Trunk ... bough ... branch ... ___ 58. Apple offering, since 1998

1. Barter

Answers on page 29.

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 6

CLASSIFIEDS The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on the right.

CAVEAT EMPTOR! The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibility for the integrity of either.

Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment.

EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS: We will not knowingly or intentionally accept advertising in violation of federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap in connection with employment or the sale or rental of real estate.

Caregivers ELDERLY CARE – FEMALE care provider, English speaking, with car. I cook, clean and take to all appointments. I'm experienced in caring for people with MS, Alzheimer's and other health problems. Excellent references. 301-275-7283.

AMAZING CAREGIVING F/T & P/T home care and transportation for daily living. Pam, 410-977-2040.

Financial Services ACCOUNTING, TAXES, AND BOOKKEEPING, eldercare. CPA 38 years, reasonable rates.

Call 410-653-3363.

For Sale/Real Estate WESTERN, PA: RUSTIC HOUSE, barn, nut grove, approximately 28 acres. New septic.

Summer place or hunting camp. $182,900. 567 Wilt Hollow, Zip 15559. 410-461-5908.

2 CEMETERY LO TS, GARDENS OF FAITH – Valued $9,995. Sale $2,800. Also G.E. Washer, 3.9 CU Ft., Top Load. High efficiency, paid $638. Used one year. Sale, $225. 410-2881278.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

For Sale/Real Estate MARYLAND LANDMARK PRINTS – Milton Inn, Cockeysville, Schools, Firehouses, & others available from artist William Gardner. Call 410-321-1939, email artbill100@gmail.com. Examples www.yessy.com/artbill100.

For Sale CHEERFUL-INSPIRING BOOKLET – Poetry For The Working Class by Lorraine June Mack. Stop And Thank Them. In Large Print $10 P.P.D. To order call, 443-564-5121.

2 SALVADOR DALI woodblock prints from Dante’s Divine Comedy. Signed and framed.

Asking $900 for the pair. Can email pictures if desired. Call Steve, 410-913-1653.

Home/Handyman Services SANFORD & SON JUNK REMOVAL. Trash + Junk removal, house & estate cleanouts, garage+ basement cleanouts. Demolition – Shed, deck fence + pool removal. Licensed + insured. Free estimates over the phone. Call 7 days a week, 7 am to 7 pm. 410746-5090.

BALTIMORE’S BEST JUNK REMOVAL – Clean Outs: Whole House, Emergency, Attics/Basements. Furniture and Junk Removal, Yard Waste Removal, General Hauling, Construction Debris Removal. Free estimates.

10% Senior Discount. Licensed, Bonded and Insured. Call Jesse, 443-379-HAUL (4285). www.baltimoresbestjunkremoval.com.

Personals

TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED Deadlines and Payments: Ad text and payment is due by the 5th of each month.

Note: Only ads received and prepaid by the deadline will be included in the next month’s issue. Please type or print your ad carefully. Include a number where you can be reached in the event of a question. Payment is due with ad. We do not accept ads by phone or fax, nor do we accept credit cards.

Private Party Text Ads: For individuals seeking to buy or sell particular items, or place a personal ad. Each ad is $10 for 25 words, 25 cents for each additional word.

Business Text Ads: For parties engaged in an ongoing business enterprise.

Each ad is $25 for 25 words, 50 cents for each additional word.

Note: Each real estate listing counts as one business text ad.

Send your classified ad with check or money order, payable to the Beacon, to:

The Beacon, Baltimore Classified Dept.

P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 Wanted

Wanted

BOY SCOUT PATCHES – Looking for patches, neckerchief sliders & Order of the Arrow from Broad Creek Scout Camp, 1949-1970.

Denny Urbach, 410-282-0844.

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

CASH BUYER FOR OLD COSTUME JEWELRY – wrist and pocket wrist watches (any condition). Also buying watchmaker tools and parts, coins, quilts, old toys, postcards, trains, guns, pocket and hunting knives, linens, fishing equipment and tackle boxes, fountain pens, Christmas garden items, crocks and jugs, lamps and lanterns, pottery, military items, sports memorabilia, advertising signs, paintings and contents of attics, basements and garages. Professional, no pressure individual with over forty years of experience. Lloyd D. Baker. 410-4094965. 717-969-8114, office.

SWF AGE 60 EDUCATED, seeks Christian male, ages 58-72, with good interpersonal communication skills for friendship or dating. Call 443-851-0726.

CAMERAS AND LENSES, CASH OR BARTER – Hobbyist seeks DSLR, digital SLR, and 35mm cameras. Cash or Barter lawncutting, yardwork, hedges, light hauling. 443-9359024.

Wanted

VINTAGE ELECTRIC SLOTCARS and accessories (all scales) from the 1960s through 1970s including Aurora, Atlas, Tyco, Cox, K&B, Revell, Monogram, etc. Call Bill at 410-615-7043.

WE BUY GOLD AND SILVER JEWELRY. Costume too. Gold and silver coins, paper money, military, crocks, old bottles and jars, etc.

Call Greg, 717-658-7954.

WE BUY STERLING SILVER FLATWARE, tea sets, single pieces of silver, large pieces of silver plate. Attic, basement, garage. You have something to SELL, we like to BUY. Call Greg, 717-658-7954.

D AND D ESTATE SALE – Liquidation of contents of house. www.DandDEstateSales.com.

Call Dan, 410-602-2430.

FINE ANTIQUES, PAINTINGS AND QUALITY VINTAGE FURNISHINGS wanted by a serious capable buyer. I am very well educated [law degree] knowledgeable [over 40 years in the antique business] and have the finances and wherewithal to handle virtually any situation. If you have a special item, collection or important estate I would like to hear from you. I pay great prices for great things in all categories from oriental rugs to Tiffany objects, from rare clocks to firearms, from silver and gold to classic cars. If it is wonderful, I am interested. No phony promises or messy consignments. References gladly furnished. Please call Jake Lenihan, 301-279-8834. Thank you.

COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, weapons, rifles, shot guns, knives, swords, bayonets, web gear, uniforms, etc. from all wars and countries. Large quantities are okay.

Will pay top prices for my personal collection.

Discreet consultations. Call Fred, 301-910-0783.

BEACON BITS

May 15

FREE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, located at 8501 Loch Raven Blvd. in Towson, will sponsor a free concert, open to the public, on Sunday, May 15, at 4 p.m. It featuring the United States Army Field Band Chamber Woodwind Sextet playing arrangements of music by Bartok, Dvorak, Saint-Saens, Harold Arlen and others. For more information, call (410) 668-7935.

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Research Studies

Balance Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Blood Clot Study . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Brain Imaging Study . . . . . . . . . .15 Cancer Clinical Trials . . . . . . . . .13 Diabetes Research Study . . . . . . .14 Falls Prevention Study . . . . . . . . .13 Hospital Stay Interview . . . . . . . .15 Iron Supplement Study . . . . . . . .14 Leg Pain Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Memory Resarch . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Urinary Leakage Study . . . . . . . .13

Dental Services

Mishpacha Dental . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Events

GEDCO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Financial Services

Bennett Senior Services . . . . . . . .19 Complete Money Management . .18 Debt Counsel for Seniors and the Disabled . . . . . .18 JS Richardson Insurance . . . . . . .19 PENFED Credit Union . . . . . . . .18

Hearing Services

Hearing & Speech Agency . . . . . .11

Home Health Care

DAR Healthcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Independent Home Care . . . . . . .21 One Day At A Time Personal Care .26 Options for Senior America . . . . .24

Housing

Briarwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Buckingham’s Choice/Integrace . .26 Charlestown/Erickson . . . . . . . . . .8 Christ Church Harbor Apts. . . . . .20 Ednor Apts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Evergreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Fairhaven/Integrace . . . . . . . . . . .26 Gatherings at Quarry Place/ Beazer Homes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Greens, The . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Linden Park Apts. . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Oak Crest/Erickson . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Park Heights Place . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Park View Apartments . . . . . . . . .29 Shangri-La Assisted Living . . . . .20 St. Mary’s Roland View Towers . .20

31

Housing Referral Service

Oasis Senior Advisors . . . . . . . . .27 Senior Placement Service/Care Patrol . . . . . . . . . .21

Legal Services

Disability Support Services . . . . .10 Frank, Frank & Scherr Law Firm . .19

Medical/Health

Dr. Richard Rosenblatt, DPM . . .16 Eldorado Hair Replacement . . . . .26 Physical Therapy and Wellness Center . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Stuart Goldman, DPM . . . . . . . . .11

Pharmacies

Professional Pharmacy Group . . .10

Real Estate

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

Services

Greg Young, Exterminator . . . . . .19 Homelife Remodeling . . . . . . . . . .5

Shopping

Wow Computers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Radio Flea Market . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation

CommuniCare Health . . . . . . . . .12 Keswick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Manor Care Health Services . . . . .8

Subscriptions

The Beacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Theatres/ Entertainment

Meyerberg Center . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . . .27

Travel

Eyre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Festive Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Utilities

BGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

32 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

M AY 2 0 1 6 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N