May 2018 | Howard County Beacon by The Beacon Newspapers

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Reducing opioids’ heavy toll PHOTO COURTESY OF BARBARA ALLEN

By Robert Friedman Ellicott City resident Barbara Allen — who lost a son, a brother and a niece to drug addiction — has become a key player in Howard County’s battle to stem the growing opioid crisis among its citizens, which includes many victims 50 and older. She has been appointed chair of the newly formed Opioid Crisis Community Council, intended to help the county rev up its fight against the overuse of opioids. Howard County executive Allan Kittleman, who appointed Allen in February, said the opioid council “will give the community a voice.” Since 2012, Allen, 71, has been executive director of James’ Place Inc., which helps fund recovery services and sponsors anti-addiction educational programs. She named the nonprofit for her son, who died in 2003 of a heroin and alcohol overdose. Allen also co-chairs Maryland’s Behavioral Health Advisory Council, and serves on Howard County’s Opioid Intervention Team and on the board of The Compassionate Friends, which provides support across the country to parents who have lost a child.

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Focusing on community The new council, which had its first meeting in early April, is composed of 23 members — county residents who have lost a loved one or are helping in the recovery of addicts — and 13 advisors, who are county employees dealing with health and addiction prevention. As of this writing, the council is considering a variety of projects. These include educational programs for seniors and the Asian community on the use and overuse of opioids, developing ways to get information about the crisis into both public and private schools, and creating an opioid “information bank” for the general public.

Barbara Allen, a long-time activist in local anti-addiction efforts, has been appointed chair of Howard County’s new Opioid Crisis Community Council. She is also executive director of James’ Place, which raises funds for addiction recovery services for those in need. It is named after her son, who died of an overdose in 2003.

“We want to reduce deaths and dying from the opioid crisis — that’s absolutely critical — and to prevent others from becoming addicted,” Allen said. She also pointed to the importance of grief counseling. “I went through a period of feeling like I was a loser because I couldn’t save my

son,” she said. “Until you’ve sat where I sat, you don’t realize that grief support is so critical to people who feel like there’s this freaking hole and it’s unfillable.” But the process of working with state agencies, nonprofits and fellow family See OPIOIDS, page 12

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Collage artist examines the subconscious and art; plus, an energetic cast enlivens Newsies at Toby’s Dinner Theatre page 31 FITNESS & HEALTH 4 k Why some have super memories k Can acupuncture replace opioids? THE 50+ CONNECTION 15 k Newsletter from Howard County Office on Aging & Independence LAW & MONEY k How to spot scams k No-haggle car buying

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From the Publisher I seldom cede my space in this column to another writer, but we recently received the article below from Bob Levey, a nationally recognized columnist, and I thought it was worth some special prominence. I hope you agree.

Please feel free to write to us with your thoughts on the topic.

A call to action by all drivers By Bob Levey My friend Ted is a solid citizen and a dutiful sort. He pays his taxes on time. He does the family grocery shopping cheerfully. When his 90-something parents need something, Ted arranges it, even though he and they live 1,500 miles apart. But sometimes your true nature pops out at moments when you don’t have time to think about it. So it went for Ted one recent evening. He was driving home, and the hour was late — about 1:30 a.m., as Ted remembers it. All of a sudden, he noticed a car halfway into a ditch to his right. The car was resting on its side. There had obviously just been an accident. Ted immediately braked and pulled over. He ran back to see if the driver was

all right. He wasn’t. Obviously woozy, perhaps a victim of whiplash, well over the age of 80 by Ted’s best guess, the driver couldn’t answer Ted’s questions and couldn’t track much of anything. “Obviously, this was a critical situation,” Ted said. Ted called 911 from his cell phone. The operator dispatched the police and an ambulance right away. Meanwhile, the driver had gotten out of the car (it was halfway down an embankment) and was clucking over the damage and his misfortune. Ted stayed with the driver until the sirens and red lights were on the scene, even though it was rainy and blustery, and even though he was due at work in six hours. The good news is that the driver sur-

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got none. The officer said the man had stood beside his wrecked car for 15 minutes before any motorist stopped. At the scene of another incident, the officer told Ted, an elderly driver’s car had caught fire on the Beltway. The driver, at least 75, had managed to limp his car off onto the shoulder. Smoke was pouring from under the hood. It was still daylight at the time, so any passerby could see that the driver was both old and in major need of help. But he got none. No one even called 911 for about three minutes, the officer said. As a result, the elderly motorist had to stand there and watch as his car, which might have been saved, burned to a crisp. I realize that sainthood in today’s world is rare. I realize, too, that it’s always safer not to get involved in anything untoward or unusual. But how in the world can dozens of motorists stream past a man with blood on his forehead, or another whose car is smoking, and not lift a finger? If this is truly age discrimination — and the police officer says it was — there’s only one answer, by my lights. All of us have to resolve never to pass up an older motorist in need. Not ever. At the very least, we can spend 15 seconds of our precious time calling 911. The one thing we shouldn’t do is assume that someone else will help, or blame our failure to stop on silly excuses like being late for dinner. As the saying goes, we’re all in this together. No one knows that better than older people. By the way, when Ted told his 90-something parents this story, they said he was a good son. He sure is. I know one woozy, needy older motorist who seconds the motion. Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

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vived, and his car probably has, too. He evidently fell asleep at the wheel and drifted wide on the ramp. It can happen to any of us. But the bad news — confirmed by both the police and the ambulance crew — is that Good Samaritan Ted was a rare bird. Almost no one stops to help in situations like the one that Ted came upon, the officials told him. That goes double if the driver is obviously old. You mean that a Grandpa type standing woozily beside a road is more threatening to the average passerby than, say, a teenager or a young man bearing tattoos? I would never have thought so. But the police explained it to Ted this way: It’s a very litigious world. People are more afraid than ever of getting dragged into a legal mess. So they step on the gas and keep going. If they stop to help an elderly person who has just been in an accident, that person may blame them, or he might collapse and his family might sue, or he might try to drive away and do even worse harm to himself when the Good Samaritan might have snatched his keys. No, it isn’t fair. No, it isn’t sensible. But it proves that older people are often seen as neon-flashing risks rather than deserving, needy citizens. The police officer who responded to the scene of Ted’s accident told him that he had been at the scene of four other accidents already that night. He told Ted that, in every case, the driver who was involved in the accident was elderly and alone. According to the officer, one man of about 75 had just been rear-ended and had ended up in a ditch. He had a big gash on his forehead. You couldn’t miss it if you tried. But even though that man got out of his car and waved for help, blood and all, he

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 found Dan Burrows’ article about cheap stocks (“Five cheap stocks to buy for $20 or less”) in your April issue of interest. However, what I would like to see is information about socially responsible investments. The financial world is so complex and interconnected that doing the research is extremely time consuming — and often frustrating. I want to make sure I am not funding arms manufacturers, or companies engaging in environmental destruction, or exploitative labor practices. While I, as an individual, may not be able to solve such problems, I wish to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. Linda K. Brown Via email

Editor’s Note: Thank you for your excellent suggestion. We will try to cover this subject in one of our next issues. Dear Editor: In a recent New York Times, I read an article stating Medicare’s plans to stop reimbursing for opioid prescriptions starting next January: “Medicare Is Cracking Down on Opioids. Doctors Fear Pain Patients Will Suffer.” Although I am not a big fan of these medications, I realize that a certain percentage of senior citizens cannot function without them. I know an 83-year-old whose back is totally beyond surgical repair and cannot take blood-thinning painkillers because she is on a blood thinning med, nor can she use a See LETTERS TO EDITOR, page 7

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Health Fitness &

SOMETHING FISHY? The verdict is in: Fish oil capsules are seldom helpful and can pose risks LOVE THOSE HORMONES The “love hormone” oxytocin affects both men and women, but differently MEN’S HEALTH Men should never ignore two symptoms, which could indicate cancer GET STUFFED Try quinoa-stuffed tomatoes for a meatless meal that’s healthy and filling

Why do some stay so sharp as they age? By Lauran Neergaard It’s pretty extraordinary for people in their 80s and 90s to keep the same sharp memory as someone several decades younger, and now scientists are peeking into the brains of these “superagers” to uncover their secret. The work is the flip side of the disappointing hunt for new drugs to fight or prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Instead, “why don’t we figure out what it is we might need to do to maximize our memory?” asked neuroscientist Emily Rogalski, who leads the SuperAging study at Northwestern University in Chicago.

Less brain shrinkage Parts of the brain shrink with age, one of the reasons why most people experience a gradual slowing of at least some types of memory late in life, even if they avoid diseases like Alzheimer’s. But it turns out that superagers’ brains aren’t shrinking nearly as fast as their peers’. And autopsies of the first superagers to die during the study show they harbor a lot more of a special kind of nerve cell in a deep brain region that’s important for attention, Rogalski told a recent meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). These elite elders are “more than just an

oddity or a rarity,” said neuroscientist Molly Wagster of the National Institute on Aging, which helps fund the research. “There’s the potential for learning an enormous amount and applying it to the rest of us, and even to those who may be on a trajectory for some type of neurodegenerative disease.” What does it take to be a superager? A youthful brain in the body of someone 80 or older. Rogalski’s team has given a battery of tests to more than 1,000 people who thought they’d qualify, and only about 5 percent pass. The key memory challenge: Listen to 15 unrelated words, and a half-hour later recall at least nine. That’s the norm for 50-year-olds, but the average 80-year-old recalls five. Some superagers remember them all. “It doesn’t mean you’re any smarter,” stressed superager William “Bill” Gurolnick, who turns 87 next month and joined the study two years ago. Nor can he credit protective genes: Gurolnick’s father developed Alzheimer’s in his 50s. He thinks his own stellar memory is bolstered by keeping busy. He bikes, and plays tennis and water volleyball. He stays social through regular lunches, and meetings with a men’s group he co-founded. “Absolutely, that’s a critical factor about keeping your wits about you,” exclaimed Gurolnick, fresh off his monthly gin game.

Social engagement may help Rogalski’s superagers tend to be extroverts and report strong social networks. But otherwise they come from all walks of life, making it hard to find a common trait for brain health. Some went to college, some didn’t. Some have high IQs, some are average. She’s studied people who’ve experienced enormous trauma, including a Holocaust survivor; fitness buffs and smokers; teetotalers and those who tout a nightly martini. But deep in their brains is where she’s finding compelling hints that somehow, superagers are more resilient against the ravages of time. Early on, brain scans showed that a superager’s cortex — an outer brain layer critical for memory and other key functions — is much thicker than normal for their age. It looks more like the cortex of healthy 50- and 60-year-olds. It’s not clear if they were born that way. But Rogalski’s team found another possible explanation: A superager’s cortex doesn’t shrink as fast. Over 18 months, average 80-somethings experienced more than twice the rate of loss. Another clue: Deeper in the brain, that attention region is larger in superagers, too. And inside, autopsies showed that

brain region was packed with unusual large, spindly neurons — a special and little understood type called von Economo neurons, thought to play a role in social processing and awareness. The superagers had four to five times more of those neurons than the typical octogenarian, Rogalski said — more even than the average young adult. The Northwestern study isn’t the only attempt at unraveling long-lasting memory. At the University of California, Irvine, Dr. Claudia Kawas studies the oldest-old, people 90 and above. Some have Alzheimer’s, some have maintained excellent memory, and some are in between. About 40 percent of the oldest-old who showed no symptoms of dementia in life nonetheless have full-fledged signs of Alzheimer’s disease in their brains at death, Kawas told the AAAS meeting. Rogalski also found varying amounts of amyloid and tau, hallmark Alzheimer’s proteins, in the brains of some superagers. Now scientists are exploring how these people deflect damage. Maybe superagers have different pathways to brain health. “They are living long and living well,” Rogalski said. “Are there modifiable things we can think about today, in our everyday lives” to do the same? — AP

Can acupuncture replace opioids for pain? By Jennifer McDermott, Dake Kang and Mike Stobbe Marine veteran Jeff Harris was among the first to sign up when the Providence VA hospital started offering acupuncture for chronic pain. “I don’t like taking pain medication. I don’t like the way it makes me feel,” he said. Harris also didn’t want to risk getting addicted to heavy-duty prescription painkillers. Although long derided as pseudoscience and still questioned by many medical experts, acupuncture is increasingly being embraced by patients and doctors, sometimes as an alternative to the powerful painkillers behind the nation’s opioid crisis. The military and Veterans Affairs medical system has been offering acupuncture for pain for several years, some insurance

companies cover it, and now a small but growing number of Medicaid programs in states hit hard by opioid overdoses have started providing it for low-income patients. Ohio’s Medicaid program recently expanded its coverage after an opioid task force urged state officials to explore alternative pain therapies. “We have a really serious problem here,” said Dr. Mary Applegate, medical director for Ohio’s Medicaid department. “If it’s proven to be effective, we don’t want to have barriers in the way of what could work.” The epidemic was triggered by an explosion in prescriptions of powerful painkiller pills, though many of the recent overdose opioid deaths are attributed to heroin and illicit fentanyl. Many opioid addictions begin with pa-

tients in pain seeking help, and acupuncture is increasingly seen as a way to help keep some patients from ever having to go on opioids in the first place.

Mixed study results For a long time in the U.S., acupuncture was considered unstudied and unproven — some skeptics called it “quack-u-puncture.” While there’s now been a lot of research on acupuncture for different types of pain, the quality of the studies has been mixed, and so have the results. Federal research evaluators say there’s some good evidence acupuncture can help some patients manage some forms of pain. But they also have described the benefits of acupuncture as modest, and say more research is needed. Among doctors, there remains lively debate over how much of any benefit can be

attributed simply to patients’ belief that the treatment is working — the so-called “placebo effect.” “There may be a certain amount of placebo effect. Having said that, it is still quite effective as compared to no treatment,” said Dr. Ankit Maheshwari, a pain medicine specialist at Case Western Reserve University, who sees it as valuable for neck pain, migraines and a few other types of pain problems. Many doctors are ambivalent about acupuncture, but still willing to let patients give it a try, said Dr. Steven Novella, a neurologist at Yale University and editor of an alternative medicine-bashing website. He considers acupuncture a form of patientfooling theater. Acupuncturists and their proponents See ACUPUNCTURE, page 5

The largest federal government insurance program, Medicare, does not pay for acupuncture. Tricare, the insurance program for active duty and retired military

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Medicare says no; military says yes

have been used without a strong evidence base. They’re more willing to try an approach and see if it works.” Her agency is teaming up the Pentagon and the VA to spend $81 million on research projects to study the effectiveness of a variety of nondrug approaches to treating chronic pain. While research continues, insurance coverage of acupuncture keeps expanding. California, Massachusetts, Oregon and Rhode Island pay for acupuncture for pain through their Medicaid insurance programs. Massachusetts and Oregon also cover acupuncture as a treatment for substance abuse, though scientists question how well it reduces the cravings caused by chemical dependency. — AP

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are “exploiting the opioid crisis to try to promote acupuncture as an alternative treatment,” he said. “But promoting a treatment that doesn’t work is not going to help the crisis.” Acupuncture has been practiced in China for thousands of years, and customarily involves inserting thin metal needles into specific points in the ears or other parts the body. Practitioners say needles applied at just the right spots can restore the flow of a mystical energy — called “qi” (pronounced CHEE) — through the body, and that can spur natural healing and pain relief. In government surveys, 1 in 67 U.S. adults say they get acupuncture every year, up from 1 in 91 a decade earlier. That growth has taken place even though most patients pay for it themselves: 2012 figures show that insurance covered the cost of acupuncture for only a quarter of adults.

acupuncture,” said Schoomaker, who is now a professor at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, a military medical school in Bethesda, Md. But he added there was also openness to acupuncture and other approaches among soldiers and sailors who, while overseas, had tried non-drug approaches for chronic pain. Schoomaker said he was inspired to seriously consider alternative approaches by his wife, a yoga instructor. Now two-thirds of military hospitals and other treatment centers offer acupuncture, according to a recent study. The military’s openness to alternatives is “because the need is so great there,” said Emmeline Edwards of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, a federal scientific research agency. “Perhaps some of the approaches

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From page 4

personnel and their families, does not pay for it either. But VA facilities offer it, charging no more than a copay. Jeff Harris signed up for acupuncture two years ago. The 50year-old Marine Corp veteran said he injured his back while rappelling, and had other hard falls during his military training in the 1980s. As a result, he has shooting pain down his legs and deadness of feeling in his feet. Acupuncture “helped settled my nerve pain down,” said Harris, of Foxboro, Mass. Another vet, Harry Garcia, 46, of Danielson, Conn., tried acupuncture for his chronic back pain after years of heavy pain medications. Acupuncture is “just like an eraser. It just takes everything away” for a brief period, and keeps pain down for up to 10 days, said Garcia. There’s a history to the open-mindedness in the military. About a decade ago, the military and Veteran Affairs began promoting a range of alternative approaches to pain treatment, including acupuncture, yoga and chiropractic care. In 2009, former Army Surgeon General Dr. Eric Schoomaker chartered a task force to re-evaluate the Army’s approach to pain, which had centered on opioids. The focus was understandable — “nobody who has his leg blown off screams for

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Fish oil capsules may not help your heart By Julie Corliss Every day, millions of people swallow fish oil capsules, many of them lured by the promise that the pills will help them cast off heart disease. In fact, the label of one popular brand includes the line, “May reduce coronary heart disease risk.” Don’t take the bait: these bold marketing claims haven’t caught up with the latest science. Last year, the American Heart Association (AHA) issued an updated advisory about fish oil supplements and their cardiovascular benefits. Their verdict: fish oil supplements may slightly lower the risk of dying of heart failure or after a recent heart attack. But they do not prevent heart disease.

Modest benefits for some “It’s probably not wise for any middleaged person to start taking fish oil supplements without the advice of a physician,” said Eric Rimm, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Even for people who do have heart disease, the potential benefits are quite modest, he noted. If you’ve had a heart attack, taking about a gram (1,000 mg.) of fish oil per day may lower your risk of sudden cardiac death by about 10 percent. In people with heart fail-

Letters to editor From page 2 TENS stimulator because of a pacemaker. She visits a pain center every month, is prescribed painkillers, and must account for every pill. With this opioid painkiller, she can walk her dog, go to church, take care of her needs — and she has never felt euphoria from them. The decision to stop Medicare reimbursement has, according to the Times ar-

ure, fish oil supplements may reduce death and hospitalizations by about 9 percent. The AHA’s earlier recommendation, published in 2002, advised people with known heart disease to consume about a gram per day of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, ideally from eating fatty fish. But people could also consider omega-3 fatty acid supplements in consultation with a physician. The early evidence for fish oil supplements looked promising. But over the past 15 years, many trials have compared them with placebos. There is no evidence that taking fish oil supplements offers any benefit for people prone to cardiovascular disease, including those with diabetes, atrial fibrillation, or stroke.

Not necessarily risk-free Even so, some people — including those who aren’t in that small group who might benefit from the supplement — may be tempted to keep taking fish oil. They figure that it can’t hurt and just might help. But that’s not necessarily true, according to Rimm. Although “there’s still good evidence that eating fish twice a week may help lower heart disease risk,” he said, the concentrated oil found in supplements is not entirely without risk.

ticle, been made by Dr. Demetrios Kouzoukas, Principal Administrative Director for Medicare, 7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore, Md. 21244. I am hoping that your publication will give senior citizens the heads-up so that any person who truly needs these medications, and their advocates, will convince Medicare to come out with a more flexible plan. Dorian Borsella Via website

As is true for all dietary supplements, there is no oversight or regulation regarding the source, quality or amount of active ingredient in these over-the-counter products. Some studies have detected trace amounts of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in some brands of fish oil supplements. Although these industrial chemicals were banned in 1979 after they were linked to cancer, they’re still found in fish exposed to water contaminated from soil runoff. Other research has revealed that some supplement brands don’t provide the amounts of DHA and EPA advertised on their labels. It’s also worth noting that fish oil may

reduce formation of blood clots. That’s potentially beneficial, but only up to a point. Too much fish oil may increase bleeding risk, particularly in people who also take anti-clotting medications, including warfarin (Coumadin) and low-dose aspirin. Many people take low-dose aspirin for heart attack prevention, Rimm pointed out. “Taking fish oil on top of that may not only have no benefit, it may even have some risks that we don’t realize because we haven’t studied them.” Julie Corliss is executive editor of Harvard Heart Letter. © 2018. President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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M AY 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Explaining love hormones, eye floaters By Dr. Howard LeWine Q: Do humans really have a love hormone? A: Yes, we do. It’s called oxytocin. It’s one of the many hormones released into the blood stream from the pituitary gland, a small structure at the base of our brain. It got the name “love hormone” because of its association with intimacy, both physical and mental. The pituitary gland releases oxytocin in response to a variety of stimuli. In women, it plays an important role in

childbirth by promoting contraction of the uterus during labor. Breastfeeding also raises levels of the hormone. Nipple stimulation sends signals to the pituitary gland to send out more oxytocin, resulting in a positive cycle of loving feelings and bonding with the baby. Sexual intimacy raises levels of oxytocin. But so do many other types of social bonding, like hugging, holding hands, or just having loving feelings about people close to us. Oxytocin is a natural stress reliever.

When our love hormone level rises, it acts on our brain to diminish anxiety and induce relaxation. In addition, a higher oxytocin level is associated with lower blood pressures and heart rates. While there are important biological benefits for women, men also make oxytocin. And they can release just as much of the love hormone as women do. But the mind and body response to oxytocin is not the same for both sexes. Testosterone dampens the positive effects of oxytocin; estrogen appears to enhance them. Researchers have found that there are distinct differences in the way women and men experience, and respond to, stress. This could be related to the dampening vs. enhancing properties of male verses female hormones. When under stress, both men and women release epinephrine and cortisol — the hormones that help ready us to fight or flee. Given the greater oxytocin influence in women, they are less likely to fight or flee when faced with stressors. Instead, their tendency is to “tend-and-befriend.” “Tending” is nurturing behavior designed to protect and relieve distress. “Befriending” refers to seeking and maintaining social connections. Men under stress release testosterone, which overrides any stress relieving prop-

erties of oxytocin. This makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint. Thousands of years ago a heightened fight or flee response was necessary for male survival. But in modern times, not so much. In fact, tamping down the stress response is an important part of a healthy lifestyle for everyone. So, what can a man do? As a male, I can’t naturally do anything to alter my testosterone level, and I don’t want to. But the suggestion that I might help boost my oxytocin level with more social bonding sounds very appealing. Q: I developed spots in my left eye. My doctor called them floaters. I wear glasses and, other than being a bit annoying, my vision seems fine. Will they go away? If so, how long will it take? A: As we age, the thick, jelly-like substance that fills the center of the eye — called the vitreous — can form blobs that look like spots, cobwebs or strings. Some of this debris may wind up floating around and blocking some of the light coming into your eyes. Most floaters are small and don’t bother vision much. But if they are larger or ringshaped, they might indicate that the vitreous, which normally hugs the retina in the back of the eye, has freed itself from the retina.

PARKINSON’S POINTERS “What’s in the Therapeutic Pipeline for Parkinson’s?” A free, livestream event followed by a question-and-answer session

Presented by Codrin Lungu, M.D., program director, division of clinical research, National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

wednesday, may 2 • 6:30-8 p.m. check-in & Hor d’oeuvres • 6 p.m. Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center 18131 Slade School Road • Sandy Spring, MD 20860

There are several exciting areas of development in therapies for Parkinson’s disease! During this seminar, sponsored by Brooke Grove Retirement Village in partnership with the Parkinson Foundation, you’ll learn about trials that are underway to repurpose existing drugs and develop new medications with the goal of halting disease progression or modifying its trajectory. For more information or to register, contact Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org by April 30.

www.bgf.org

See EYE FLOATERS, page 10

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 8

Men: never ignore these two symptoms By Dr. Eric A. Klein Do you put off seeing a doctor for regular checkups or to discuss a health concern? This can be risky. While symptoms often can be benign or require minimal treatment, in some cases, they also can be early signs of cancer. By dismissing them without talking to a doctor, you could miss a chance for early cancer diagnosis — and early treatment. Doctors identify each of the most common cancers in men — prostate, testes, bladder and kidney — differently. Some signs may suggest cancer, while others may indicate some other condition. Even if it is simply to rule out more serious problems, you should see a doctor if you experience these two symptoms: 1. Changes and pain in your testicles Testes cancer, or testicular cancer, occurs mainly in men between the ages of 15 and 35, but it can also develop in children and older men. The most common symptoms are pain, swelling, hardness or a lump in the testicle. You can detect all of these signs with a self-exam. If you do notice any of these changes in either of your testicles, see your primary care doctor for an evaluation. 2. Blood in your urine As a sign by itself, blood in the urine (hematuria) is usually associated with

other non-cancerous conditions, such as an enlarged prostate or a kidney or bladder stone. However, this is also one of the signs of both kidney cancer and bladder cancer. It’s important to talk to your doctor if you ever see blood in your urine. If you detect either of these two symptoms, it’s best to see your doctor first for an initial evaluation and further instructions. Your doctor may then send you to a urologist for a more detailed assessment and possible testing.

Testing for cancer If needed, tests for these cancers will include the following: — If you notice changes in your testicles, an ultrasound of the testicles is the first step; depending on the results, your doctor may order additional tests and treatments. — For blood in the urine, a urine culture and cytology test (to analyze contents of urine), CT urogram (imaging exam for urinary tract) and cystoscopy (visual exam of bladder) are typical tests. In prostate cancer, there are usually no symptoms, so it is usually diagnosed with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. This is a simple blood test to determine the levels of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate gland. I suggest having your first PSA test at age

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50. The results will determine how often you need to get tested in the future. If it is at or below average, then you should have another PSA in five years. If it’s above average, I recommend a PSA every two years. Younger men should also perform a monthly self-exam of the testicles and be aware of any changes or lumps that may develop. Watching for these symptoms, and checking with your doctor if you notice anything unusual, will increase your chances of detecting cancer early and get-

ting the necessary treatment. For self-exam instructions, see testicularcancersociety.org/testicular-self-exam.html. This information provided by Cleveland Clinic HealthEssentials. A Wellness Update is a magazine devoted to up-to-the minute information on health issues from physicians, major hospitals and clinics, universities and healthcare agencies across the U.S. Online at www.awellnessupdate.com. © 2018 www.awellnessupdate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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M AY 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

New, more secure Medicare cards coming By Barbara Albert As you may have already heard, between now and April 2019, new cards will be mailed to all Medicare beneficiaries. With both Maryland and the District of Columbia being in the first wave, you should receive your new card by June of this year. The new card will help protect your identity and keep your personal informa-

tion more secure by removing your Social Security number and replacing it with a new Medicare number that’s unique to you. Be assured that your Medicare coverage and benefits stay the same. There’s nothing you need to do to receive your card, other than making sure that your address on file with the Social Security Administration (SSA) is current. If

you need to update your mailing address, contact SSA at ssa.gov/myaccount or call 1800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778). Once you get your new Medicare card, take these three steps to make it harder for someone to steal your information and identity: 1. Destroy your old Medicare card right away. 2. Use your new card. Doctors, other healthcare providers and plans approved by Medicare know that Medicare is replacing the old cards. They are ready to accept your new card when you need care. 3. Beware of people who contact you

about your new Medicare card and ask for your Medicare number, personal information, or ask you to pay a fee for your new card. Treat your Medicare number like you treat your Social Security or credit card numbers. Remember, Medicare will never contact you to ask for your personal information. For more information about your new Medicare card, visit go.medicare.gov/ newcard. You can also visit Medicare.gov for tips to prevent Medicare fraud. — Barbara Albert is program manager of the Howard County State Health Insurance Program (SHIP).

884-7433. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit’s program, which helps provide trans-

Eye floaters

portation to Howard County older adults.

From page 8

gel — along with its floaters. It’s effective, but it has risks, including cataracts (cloudy lenses) and retinal detachment. It’s usually a last resort for people whose floaters make it hard for them to see. Another treatment called YAG vitreolysis uses a laser procedure to vaporize floaters by heating them. Although most eye surgeons don’t recommend it, a recent study suggested that for very large floaters it appears to be effective and safe, at least in the short run. However, the researchers acknowledge that larger and longer studies are needed. Howard LeWine, M.D., is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. For additional consumer health information, please visit www.health.harvard.edu. © 2018 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

May 5

NEIGHBOR RIDE HOLDS “BASKET BINGO” BENEFIT Baskets filled with prizes will be featured at the fourth annual

Neighbor Ride Basket Bingo, starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 5 at the FOP Lodge, 2832 Nine Mile Cir., Catonsville. Tickets including games and dinner are $20 and can be purchased online at www.neighboride.com or by calling (410)

May 5

MUSIC OF WORLD WAR I Columbia Pro Contare will feature “Over There” and other songs from the World War I era in a concert on Saturday, May 5 at 8

p.m. in the James Rouse Theatre, 5460 Trumpeter Rd., Columbia. A pre-concert lecture is scheduled for 7 p.m., and a post-concert reception follows the performance. Tickets are $23 ($20 for seniors and students). Visit www.procantare.org or call (410) 799-9321.

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When there is a sudden appearance of larger floaters, it may be caused by a detached or torn retina. If that happens, you should immediately call your eye doctor or primary care physician. A detached or torn retina requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. People at risk for retinal tears include those who are older, are nearsighted, have a family history of a retinal detachment, or have had eye surgery. Most floaters are usually just a nuisance. In many cases, floaters become less noticeable or more tolerable over time, and can even disappear. But how much they bother you and how long it lasts varies. In extreme cases, surgery can be considered. The traditional procedure is known as a vitrectomy. The eye surgeon removes the

BEACON BITS

May 12

ENCORE CHORALE SPRING CONCERT

A program of selections from West Side Story and other memorable compositions will be presented by the combined Encore Chorales of Columbia and Towson on Saturday, May 12 at Christ Episcopal Church, 6800 Oakland Mills Rd., Columbia. The 7:30 p.m. concert is free and open to all ages. For more information about the concert or the Encore Chorale programs for singers age 55 and over, call (301) 261-5747 or visit www.encorecreativity,org.

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; M AY 2 0 1 8

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Opioids From page 1 members of victims has, in some way, begun to fill that hole and bring her healing. “Meeting thousands who grieve loved ones has taught me about resilience. Collaborating with coalitions at the federal, state and local levels gave me a stronger voice for solutions and hope. “Every step taken these past years has molded me into a more effective person to lead this stellar group now serving on this council. “

Surprising numbers Maryland has been ranked the fifthworst state in the nation for opioid deaths. Even Howard County saw an increase of 25 percent in overdoses from 2016 to 2017, according to the latest data released by the Howard County Police Department. County deaths from overdoses rose nearly a third, from 43 to 57 in the same time period.

M AY 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

The powerful synthetic opioid Fentanyl accounts for most of the deaths in Maryland, according to the Baltimore Sun. Sometimes added to heroin or cocaine without the user knowing, fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin, and can kill those who come in contact with even small amounts of it. While it could not be learned how many older adults are included in those growing Howard County numbers, Allen said studies show that “the fastest growing population of residents overdosing on opioids are from 49 to 55 years of age.” She pointed out that while opioid overdoses have been experienced by people of all ages, older residents who suffer pain from recent medical procedures or conditions like arthritis are especially susceptible to becoming addicted to opioids. Authorities on aging have noted that older people often take several medications simultaneously to treat different medical problems, and may be confused about when

to take a prescribed drug. Or, they may not remember if the medication was taken, which may result in unintentional doses. Using opioids for pain relief also introduces another layer of potential risks for older adults, including confusion, dizziness, drowsiness and falls.

An outlet for her love Allen, who was born and raised in Phoenix, Ariz., moved to Maryland in 1990 and has lived in Howard County for the past 22 years. She had lost a daughter in childbirth. When her son and only surviving child, Jim, died in 2003, she was at a profound low. “What do I do with the unused love and devotion that should have gone to my daughter and son?,” she asked herself. Gradually, Allen said, she met other people who had lost loved ones to substance-related issues. And the more she spoke with them, the more of her love she could share. And that feeling help propel her along a

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The Greens at Hammonds Lane: 410-636-1141 Park View at Furnace Branch: 410-761-4150 Park View at Severna Park: 410-544-3411

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BALTIMORE COUNTY Cove Point Apartments I: 410-288-2344 Cove Point Apartments II: 410-288-1660 Evergreen Senior Apartments: 410-780-4888 The Greens at English Counsul: 410-789-3000 The Greens at Liberty Road: 410-655-1100 The Greens at Logan Field: 410-288-2000 The Greens at Rolling Road: 410-744-9988 Park View at Catonsville: 410-719-9464 Park View at Dundalk: 410-288-5483 Park View at Fullerton: 410-663-0665 Park View at Miramar Landing: 410-391-8375 Park View at Randallstown: 410-655-5673 Park View at Rosedale: 410-866-1886 Park View at Taylor: 410-663-0363

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HARFORD COUNTY Park View at Bel Air: 410-893-0064 Park View at Box Hill: 410-515-6115

HOWARD COUNTY Park View at Colonial Landing: 410-796-4399 Park View at Columbia: 410-381-1118 Park View at Ellicott City: 410-203-9501 Park View at Ellicott City: II 410-203-2096 Park View at Emerson: 301-483-3322 Park View at Snowden River: 410-290-0384

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY Park View at Bladensburg: 301-699-9785 • 55 & Better Park View at Laurel: 301-490-1526 Park View at Laurel II: 301-490-9730

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path with a new purpose. In addition to the love of her family, which includes a stepson, daughter-in-law and granddaughter, “I am equally blessed with the friendship now of hundreds met through [The Compassionate Friends.] “Meeting thousands of other families who lost loved ones to addiction has given me a mission,” she said. In choosing Allen to head the opioid crisis council, County Executive Kittleman said that she was “uniquely qualified,” noting that she has “seen firsthand the suffering this epidemic brings and has worked to combat it. Her motto of, ‘No shame, or blame. Just love,’ gets the effort she will lead off to a great start.”

Drug company role Well, Allen noted, it’s not all “no blame” in the current crisis. An increasing number of states, cities and counties — including Baltimore City and the counties of Baltimore, Montgomery, Anne Arundel and Harford — have filed law suits against pharmaceutical companies for encouraging people suffering pain to use opioids without awareness of the risks. The suit by the city of Baltimore charges that opioid manufacturers “used deceptive marketing and misleading statements that contributed to the addiction crisis which has hit the city particularly hard.” Howard County reportedly is preparing to file suit also. She noted that years ago, the pharmaceutical industry lobbied to have degree of pain added to the four body signs — body temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate and breathing rate — used to gauge a person’s physical condition. “Big Pharma got its way, and it was agreed that everyone should have pain medication, including opioids, which were more addictive,” she said. The suits against the pharmaceutical companies, she noted, are reminiscent of court action against the tobacco companies, which were punished with huge fines after denying for years that cigarettes were habit-forming or caused fatal diseases. Among Big Pharma fines was the $634 million penalty leveled against Purdue Pharma in 2007 for claiming that OxyContin, the opioid drug the Connecticut company manufactures, was less addictive than other pain medications. But now, more than a decade later, the epidemic has only grown in intensity. Allen cites progress, however, such as the formation of the Opioid Crisis Community Council, and the many individuals and families who have been spared additional pain through the efforts of many groups. Speaking of the mission she has found herself on, “tears spring easily to my eyes in gratitude for this journey that I could never have wished for or dreamt possible. There is no doubt that Jim, Bill and Amanda [her son, brother and niece] are guiding me forward,” Allen said. “Today, I have a purpose that excites and motivates me, when others my age are slowing down. And I love what I do for others! I am blessed.”

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 8

Try stuffed tomatoes instead of peppers By Melissa D’Arabian Does your meatless Monday game need an overhaul? As a meat-eater myself, I find that the trick to meatless meal-making is to have a small repertoire of recipes that can work as a side dish or first course, or be eaten in larger quantities as a vegetarian main dish. This is the same strategy I use when hosting a vegetarian in my home. Today’s Quinoa-Stuffed Tomatoes fits the bill perfectly. Serve one tomato as a tasty and toothsome side along some roasted chicken or sliced beef tenderloin, or double up for a vegetarian meal that will fill you up, even if you aren’t vegetarian. These tomatoes can be made in advance, so they are equally brilliant for both company dinners and weeknight family suppers. For this recipe, tomatoes, a favorite source of heart-healthy lycopene, are stuffed with quinoa and sauteed eggplant and mushrooms, both hefty, meaty vegetables. You can swap out the quinoa for brown rice, and use whatever veggies you find in the crisper drawer, or even in your freezer. Baking tomatoes is an excellent strategy for using up the less-than-perfectly-sweet ones that winter can bring. A big bonus: roasted tomatoes are simply gorgeous, appealing to our farm-to-table sensibilities.

While I don’t think you’ll miss the meat, if you must, feel free to add a little cooked ground meat right into the filling. Either way, you’ll have a healthy and hearty dish that is a nice change from the classic stuffed pepper. And as for the pulpy, fleshy middle of the tomato that you’ll remove to stuff it: don’t throw it out! Blend it up — juice, seeds and all — with a little garlic and onion, and then mix it into your next tomato-based pasta sauce, or use it as part of your liquid next time you make rice.

Quinoa-Stuffed Tomatoes Servings: 8 (side); 4 (main) Start to finish: 1 hour, including inactive cooking time 8 medium sized tomatoes 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 small yellow onion, diced (about 3/4 cup) 1 small eggplant, cut into small dice (1/2 inch), about 2 cups 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup roughly chopped or sliced white mushrooms 3 tablespoons dry white wine 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil 1 1/2 cup cooked quinoa 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper Preheat the oven to 375 F. Slice off the top of each tomato, reserving the tops. Run a paring knife around the inner rim of the tomato, loosening up the flesh on the inside of the tomato. Use a small spoon and scoop out the flesh, juice and seeds of the tomato. (Either discard or pulse in blender to use in a tomato sauce.) Sprinkle the insides of the tomatoes with half the salt and set aside. In a large saute pan, cook the onion and eggplant in the olive oil over medium high heat until vegetables start to soften, about 8 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the garlic and mushrooms and cook until mushrooms soften, about 5 more minutes. Pour in the wine and stir to let it evaporate. Add the basil, quinoa, remaining salt and pepper and turn off the heat. Stir in the parmesan cheese. Gently spoon the filling into the empty tomatoes, and top each one with a reserved tomato top.

Place the tomatoes in a baking dish sprayed with a little olive oil from a mister (or nonstick spray). Then mist the tomatoes themselves with a quick spray of olive oil from a mister. Cover the dish with an oven-safe lid or foil. (Tip: Crinkle up foil into a ball if you need to secure tomatoes in baking dish so they don’t slide around.) Bake until the tomatoes are tender and quinoa mixture is hot, about 35 to 40 minutes. Chef’s note: The recipe works well with up to a half pound of cooked ground meat added to the filling, if desired. Nutrition information per serving: 115 calories; 26 calories from fat; 3 g. fat (1 g. saturated; 0 g. trans fats); 2 mg. cholesterol; 176 mg. sodium; 19 g. carbohydrate; 5 g. fiber; 6 g. sugar; 5 g. protein. Food Network star Melissa d’Arabian is an expert on healthy eating on a budget. She is the author of the cookbook, “Supermarket Healthy.” Online: http://www.melissadarabian.net

BEACON BITS

Apr. 25

PHOTOWALK AND EDITING WORKSHOP

Miller Branch Library will host a “photowalk” through its Enchanted Garden for users of phone or digital cameras, then offer instructions for editing them online. The walk and free workshop on Wed., April 25 will start at 2 p.m. at the library, 9421 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. For more information, go to www.hclibrary.org or call (410) 313-1950.

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M AY 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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Say you saw it in the Beacon

A Publication from the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence

Volume 8, No. 5 • May 2018

Older Americans Month 2018: Engage at Every Age

cross the country, older Americans are taking part in activities that promote wellness and social connection. They are sharing their wisdom and experience with future generations, and they are giving back to enrich their communities. For 55 years, Older Americans Month (OAM) has recognized older adults and their contributions to our communities. Led by the Administration for Community Living’s Administration on Aging, this year’s OAM theme, “Engage at Every Age,” emphasizes the importance of being active and involved, no matter your age or where you are in life. You are never too old (or too young) to participate in activities that can enrich your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It is becoming more apparent that remaining active and socially engaged can improve the quality of life for older adults. The Howard County Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) offers a wide array of programs for older adults in our area to maintain their health and wellness; get fit and stay active; engage in enriching art, music and cultural activities; make new friends or join a peer support group; and volunteer to support others in our community.

To stay engaged as you age requires access to reliable information, resources and services to support your transition through life’s stages. Maryland Access Point information specialists are available Monday through Friday to answer questions, identify available resources and provide referrals to other agencies. Contact MAP at 410-313-1234 or map@howardcountymd.gov. MAP’s no-wrong door approach can save you time and reduce frustration; be sure to ask for a free copy of the 2018 Resource Guide to Howard County! OAI’s Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) staff can help you navigate Medicare options; visit www.howardcountymd.gov/SHIP or call 410-313-7392 for assistance. If you are a caregiver, OAI’s Caregiver Education program can help you learn how to provide care safely in your home and manage the daily stress of caring for a loved one; contact Kathy Wehr at 410-313-5955 for more information. And, to make your home more accessibile, reach out to The Loan Closet at 410-313-0363, Howard County’s clearinghouse of durable medical equipment, part of OAI’s Aging in Place program. Visit www.howardcountymd.gov/aging or find us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/hococcommunity for more information about Howard County Office on Aging and Independence programs and services.

Connections Social Day Program Participates in Celebration of the Arts

Joyce Nagel-Mortell, assistant director of the Connections Social Day Program at Ellicott City, is passionate about art. So when she heard about the Beacon’s Celebration of the Arts she knew it presented an amazing opportunity for Connections members to try their hand at a new artistic endeavor. Ranging in age from 62 to 89, the group of amateur painters has been hard at work this Spring putting the finishing touches on their creations, which will soon be entered in the Beacon’s regional competition. Marty Hess, 88, and Ed Wheeler, 67, created striking silhouettes of horses and riders against a brilliant orange sky, while Dale Sansing, 62, and Elena Wermers, 89, captured floral gardens exploding with color on canvas. “I told them not to be afraid of color,” laughs Joyce. “Because even if they make a hundred mistakes, no one will ever know!” On a recent overcast day in April, newcomer Dorothy Rest, 78, was just beginning her painting; buoyed by the promise that “you can’t mess up” her fingers were soon dotted with bright yellow pigment as she happily filled her two panel canvases. Whether or not the paintings win awards is secondary to the fact that each artist has already succeeded in doing something they never thought they could. For more information about the Connections Social Day Program at Ellicott City, call 410-313-1425. Howard County Office on Aging and Independence also operates the Connections Social Day Program in North Laurel, 410-313-7218, and Glenwood, 410-313-5442.

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

The 50+ Connection

Online Cons Promote Fake Health Products By Rebecca Bowman, Administrator Howard County Office of Consumer Protection

Scammers will do just about anything to rip you off. They create fake websites, use fake endorsements from public figures, lie about the effectiveness of their products, and more. Recently, shady companies selling “brain booster” pills and assorted remedies to fight dementia and other health conditions have been using these tactics to promote their products. First, these con artists build spoofed websites that look like the news sites that we know and trust. These sites aren’t real news sites and the endorsements featured on the sites – often attributed to reputable scientists or well-known journalists – are fake. The spoofed news sites link you to the sales page for the product, which allows you to place an order with a credit or debit card. The scammers may claim that the pills are “proven” to work. For example, they may claim that you’ll experience a large percentage increase in concentration and memory recall. But, the sites lack the evidence to support their claims. It’s a scam. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) advises that you talk to your doctor to get the facts about health products before purchasing.

M AY 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

CONSUMER PROTECTION QUESTIONS? DISPUTES? IDENTITY THEFT • LANDLORD/TENANT • FINANCIAL ABUSE • FRAUD SCAMS • SECURITY DEPOSITS • PRODUCTS • SERVICES

We’ve got YOU covered. Take advantage of US before someone takes advantage of YOU!

6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046 PHONE EMAIL

410-313-6420 (VOICE/RELAY) consumer@howardcountymd.gov

www.howardcountymd.gov/consumer

If you already paid money to a scammer, you may still be able to get your money back.

2018

• If you paid by credit card, call the card company immediately using the phone number found on your monthly statement. Alert them to the fraudulent charge and request that it be removed from your bill. Also ask if you should get a new card with a new number to prevent more fraudulent charges. • While debit cards don’t provide the same protections from fraudulent charges as credit cards, many debit card companies will voluntarily try to assist you. Contact the card company immediately and ask if you are eligible to get your money back and what you can do to limit your exposure to additional charges.

MARYLAND LAW DAY

For more information on this and other consumer topics or to obtain this factsheet in an alternative format, call the Office of Consumer Protection at 410-313-6420 (voice/relay), email consumer@howardcountymd.gov or visit www.howardcountymd.gov/consumer.

Tuesday, May 1

9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

HOWARD COUNTY LAW DAY:

FREE Medical Decision Document Preparation Ensure that your preferences for medical treatment are honored should you become incapacitated or unable to express your wishes. Volunteer attorneys will offer free preparation of Maryland medical decision documents at these 50+ Centers.

Call the 50+ Center Nearest You for an Appointment: Bain 50+ Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia 21044 410-313-7213 (VOICE/RELAY) East Columbia 50+ Center, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia 21045 410-313-7680 (VOICE/RELAY) Elkridge 50+ Center, 6540 Washington Blvd., Elkridge 21075 410-313-5192 (VOICE/RELAY) Ellicott City 50+ Center, 9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City 21042 410-313-1400 (VOICE/RELAY)

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

Glenwood 50+ Center, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville 21723 410-313-5440 (VOICE/RELAY) North Laurel 50+ Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd., Laurel 20723 410-313-0380 (VOICE/RELAY)

www.Facebook.com/HoCoCommunity

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

www.howardcountymd.gov/aging

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 8

The 50+ Connection

ReadyRosie Comes to Howard County!

Say you saw it in the Beacon

May is National Arthritis Awareness Month!

LOW-IMPACT EXERCISE PROGRAM Tuesdays • 9:30 a.m. Thursdays • 10:45 a.m.

oward County Government is providing free access to ReadyRosie for all Howard County families. ReadyRosie is an innovative educational service that provides instructional videos which are delivered by email or text. ReadyRosie demonstrates how parents, grandparents and caregivers can turn every day activities into teachable moments that build school readiness skills. Activities shown in the videos are simple, take only a few minutes to complete and are available in English and Spanish. All you need to access ReadyRosie is a Howard County zip code. Go directly to www.ReadyRosie.com/register where you will be asked for some basic information, including name, language preference and delivery preference (text or email). Once an account is created, the parent or grandparent will immediately receive a welcome video in their selected language, have access to the entire video library and start getting the weekly playlists sent out by the ReadyRosie team.

ReadyRosie was created with the belief that parents and grandparents are a child’s first and best teacher. It offers ideas on how to better engage young learners at home, in the library, in the car, at the grocery store, or wherever they are spending time. There is always an opportunity for learning and talking with young children; it doesn’t take hours of practice. This is an easy way for parents and grandparents to support the crucial early learning years! For more information about the ReadyRosie program, or other parent and grandparent programs, visit the Office of Children and Families’ website www.howardcountymd.gov/children.

The VMF recognizes and addresses the growing needs of the 20,000+ VETERANS who call Howard County home. We are dedicated to providing guidance, information and resources for local veterans, military families, their dependents and survivors. TELE EMAIL

410-313-6400 (VOICE/RELAY) veterans@howardcountymd.gov

6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 300, Columbia, MD 21046 www.howardcountymd.gov/veterans • www.facebook.com/HoCoMilitary

Bain 50+ Center 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia 21044 • Low-impact physical activity program proven to reduce pain and decrease stiffness • Includes gentle range-of-motion exercises that are suitable for every fitness level and ability • Led by a trained program leader

Contact Jen Lee 410-313-5940 (VOICE/RELAY) • jlee@howardcountymd.gov

www.howardcountymd.gov/aging

This program is partially funded by Title IIID funds of the Older Americans Act of 1965.

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The 50+ Connection

M AY 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS Howard County 50+ Centers Go to www.howardcountymd.gov/50pluscenters for a complete list of events, programs and services.

Bain 50+ Center

East Columbia 50+ Center Thursday, May 10 • 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 8 • 11:00 a.m. to noon

Welcome May Swing Dance and Social

Phoenix Arts Presents: A Virtuosic Violin Duo Concert

Instruction will be provided for both singles and couples for the first half-hour; dance begins at 7 p.m. Offered in partnership with Transition Howard County and Columbia Community Exchange. $5 includes instruction, dance and snacks. Register: 410-313-7680.

Phoenix Arts is back! Join us for a virtuosic violin duo concert. FREE. RSVP: 410-313-7213.

Tuesday-Thursday, May 8-10 • 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Spring Plant and Bake Sale Sponsored by the Bain 50+ Center Council, our plant sale includes a variety of herbs, hanging baskets and assorted plants, plus a bake sale featuring home-baked items on May 8th.

Friday, May 11 • 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

8th Annual Mother’s Day Brunch Our annual Mother’s Day event honors all mothers and women who care for others, and features live entertainment by Full Circle. Cost: $10; purchase tickets at the center. Limited seating.

Wednesday, May 16 • 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Howard Community College — Bain 50+ Senior Choir Spring Concert Join us to enjoy the smooth melodies of the HCC-Bain Senior Choir. FREE. RSVP: 410-313-7213.

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

Ingrid Gleysteen

Wednesday, May 16 • 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Grab your Tiara and Get Ready for the Royal Wedding! Watch “The Crown” on NETFLIX while enjoying morning scones, afternoon tea sandwiches and sweets. FREE; donations accepted. RSVP: 410-313-7680.

Thursday, May 24 • 10:00 a.m.

Ageless Grace Demonstration Flex your mind and body in a new class which addresses aging factors in the body. Experience some of the 21 tools that focus on improved cognitive function while supporting ease of movement. Register for a FREE demo class: 410-313-7680.

Wednesday, May 9 • Noon to 2:00 p.m.

Pop-Up BBQ You’ve been waiting all winter to once again enjoy burgers, hot dogs, chips and fun. Join us deck side for lunch (a la carte pricing). Register: 410-313-7680.

Elkridge 50+ Center Get Fit, Stay Fit at Elkridge 50+ The Elkridge 50+ Fitness Equipment Room is now open! To begin using the new facility, you must first register as a member of the Elkridge 50+ Center, then join the Go50+ Package ($75/year). For more information: 410-313-5192.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Friday, May 4 • 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.

igleysteen@howardcountymd.gov 410-313-7461 (voice/relay)

Identity Theft

May 3 • June 7 • July 5

PFC André Lingham of the Howard County Police Department will share pointers on how you can protect yourself from identity theft. FREE. Register: 410-313-5192.

7:00 TO 9:00 PM

Thursday, May 10 • 11:00 a.m. to noon

Bain 50+ Center

Whether you want to lose weight, manage your chronic conditions, or just optimize your health, making simple, gradual changes to your diet can add up to major improvements. FREE; presented by Melanie Berdyck, RDN, LDN, ASCM-CPT. Register: 410-313-5192.

5470 Ruth Keeton Way Columbia 21044

Eight Steps to a Healthier Diet

Friday, May 11 • 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Mother’s Day Tea Celebrate all the mothers in your life with a tea party featuring delightful music, various teas, sandwiches and tea cookies. $20/person. Register at the front desk.

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

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 8

The 50+ Connection

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Ellicott City 50+ Center

Glenwood 50+ Center

Thursday, May 10 • 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 9 • 1:30 pm

Real Estate Tips: Understanding the Listing Agreement

Yoga for Bone Health

This class will dissect the agreement between the seller and broker/ agent and identify questions you should ask your real estate agent. Topics include home inspection, disclosures or selling “as-is.” FREE. Register: 410-313-1400.

Practice gentle, mindful movement with attention to the breath as a way of quieting the mind, then invigorate your brain with laughter yoga, all in a workshop led by Mary Garratt. $12/person. Register: 410-313-5440.

Tuesday, May 15 • 11:00 a.m.

Law Day

Brain Hearing Seminar

Volunteer attorneys will be on site to offer free preparation of Medical Decision Documents. Call for an appointment: 410-313-5440.

Audiologist Dr. Mary Carson, Au.D., will discuss the relationship between hearing loss, cognitive decline, and dementia. FREE. Register: 410-313-1400.

Friday, May 18 • 12:30 to 4:00 p.m.

At the Opera House: Carmen Dr. Sam Stern presents Bizet’s powerful, melodic opera, “Carmen” on DVD. Latvian Elina Garanca stars as the gorgeous, free-spirited gypsy who teases men, loves and leaves them. FREE. Register: 410-313-1400.

Wednesday, May 30 • 12:30 p.m.

Monday, May 1 • 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Friday, May 4 • 10:00 a.m.

General Grant in Person Ken Serfass performs as General Grant in first person discussing the overall strategy and outcome of the Vicksburg Campaign. FREE. Register: 410-313-5440.

Wednesday-Friday, May 16-18 • 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Book & Bake Sale: Food, Fun & Fiction

Country Music Duo

Join us for this annual event featuring a wonderful selection of books and baked goods available to purchase. Information: 410-313-5440.

Enjoy country music at its BEST! Duo Maria Rose & Danny Elswick have recorded 10 albums and appeared on numerous national tv and radio shows. FREE.

North Laurel 50+ Center Friday, May 4 • 11:00 a.m. to noon

Cinco de Mayo Salsa Dance Social

Howard County 50+ Centers BAIN 50+ CENTER 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia 410-313-7213 • bain50@howardcountymd.gov

EAST COLUMBIA 50+ CENTER 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia 410-313-7680 • eastcolumbia50@howardcountymd.gov

ELKRIDGE 50+ CENTER 6540 Washington Blvd., Elkridge 410-313-5192 • elkridge50@howardcountymd.gov

ELLICOTT CITY 50+ CENTER 9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City 410-313-1400 • ellicottcity50@howardcountymd.gov

Spice things up at our Cinco de Mayo dance party with beginner salsa lessons and Latin open dance for all levels. Enjoy Mexican-themed refreshments, mock margaritas and a chips and salsa bar. $5/person. Register: 410-313-0380.

Wednesday, May 9 • 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Roaring 20’s Lunch and Learn Learn how the Roaring 20’s affected local businesses from conception to closing or modernization — Bethlehem Steel, BGE, Crown Central Petroleum, Kirk-Stieff, McCormick, and many more. FREE; suggested lunch donation for those age 60+. Register: 410-313-0380.

Friday, May 11 • 9:00 a.m. to noon

Mother’s Day Spring Sale & Dance Don’t miss the Spring book, jewelry and plant sale, sponsored by the North Laurel Senior Council, then enjoy a special student performance of ballet, lyrical and modern dance by the Reservoir High School Dance Troupe. Information: 410-313-0380.

Friday, May 18 • 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Flute and Jazz Ensemble Concert Enjoy a special concert from Patuxent Valley Middle School music students, which provides students a unique opportunity to share their talents while developing their skills as musicians. FREE. RSVP: 410-313-0380.

GLENWOOD 50+ CENTER 2400 Route 97, Cooksville 410-313-5440 • glenwood50@howardcountymd.gov

The Mental Health Players Present

LONGWOOD 50+ CENTER

Aging: Facts and Fiction

6150 Foreland Garth, Columbia 410-313-7217

Wednesday, May 23 Bain 50+ Center: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. North Laurel 50+ Center: 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

NORTH LAUREL 50+ CENTER 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel 410-313-0380 • northlaurel50@howardcountymd.gov

Watch three thought-provoking skits on living well in every way as we age. Using role play and audience participation, the MH Players expand awareness and educate the community about aging, mental health and other issues through actor dialogue. A narrator facilitates discussion and encourages audience interaction. FREE; refreshments provided.

www.howardcountymd.gov/50pluscenters

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The 50+ Connection

FREE ADMISSION

M AY 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

MEDICARE EDUCATION FREE Information Presented by SHIP

A CAREGIVER SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL SERIES PRESENTED BY

ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA The Latest Research and Tips from the Alzheimer’s Association

Ellicott City 50+ Center 9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City 21042

Medicare 101 and 102 Tuesday, June 5 and June 12 • 7:00 – 8:30 PM A two-part introduction for those new to Medicare to learn about original Medicare (Parts A and B), Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D), Medicare Health Plans (Part C), and Medicare Supplemental Policies

Medicare Refresher Wednesday, June 6 • 7:00 – 8:30 PM For those already on Medicare, deepen your understanding of coverage options, information sources and how to avoid some common problems.

Using Medicare’s Plan Finder Tuesday, June 19 • 7:00 – 8:30 PM

Monday, April 30 • 6:00 p.m. Healthy Living for Your Brain And Body The latest research in diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement. Learn tools to create a better plan for healthy aging.

Monday, May 21 • 6:00 p.m. Know the 10 Signs – Early Detection Matters

Learn how to use the Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov to compare and review Medicare prescription drug plans available to you. PRESENTATIONS TO BE HOSTED AT THE

Howard County General Hospital Wellness Center

If you or someone you know is experiencing memory loss or behavioral changes, it’s time to learn the facts.

10710 Charter Drive, Suite #100, Columbia 21044

Monday, June 18 • 6:00 p.m.

Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behavior Behavior is a powerful form of communicataion. Learn strategies to help intervene with some of the most common behavioral challenges of Alzheimer’s disease.

To register, contact Kathy Wehr 410-313-5955 (VOICE/RELAY) or kwehr@howardcountymd.gov

hcgh.org • 410-740-7601 For additional assistance with your Medicare questions and concerns, contact the Howard County State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

410-313-7392 (VOICE/RELAY) FOR OTHER UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS, VISIT

www.howardcountymd.gov/aging

www.howardcountymd.gov/SHIP

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 8

The 50+ Connection

Say you saw it in the Beacon

LIVING WELL HOWARD COUNTY HEALTH & WELLNESS CLASSES LIVING WELL: TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH is designed for people living with one or more chronic conditions and/or their caregivers. Weekly topics include techniques to handle pain, fatigue, frustration and isolation, nutrition and healthy eating, appropriate exercise, communication skills, stress management, and goal setting. The group meets once weekly for six weeks; each meeting is 2.5 hours. LIVING WELL WITH DIABETES is designed for people and/ or their caregivers living with Type 2 Diabetes. Weekly topics include goal setting, glucose monitoring, skin and foot care, stress management, communication skills, appropriate exercise, nutrition and healthy eating, maintaining a balanced blood sugar, as well as techniques to handle pain, fatigue, frustration, and isolation. The group meets once weekly for six weeks; each meeting is 2.5 hours. LIVING WELL WITH HYPERTENSION is designed for people who have been diagnosed with hypertension or high blood pressure wanting to learn how to better manage their condition. Topics include high blood pressure risk factors, nutrition and food label guidance, sodium content in common foods, medication management. This is a single class, which is 2.5 hours. STEPPING UP YOUR NUTRITION is a malnutrition risk/ food insecurity workshop for older adults. Participants learn about the strong correlation between nutrition status, muscle strength, and fall risk. Topics covered include the importance of protein and fluids on nutrition, recommended daily allowance, and how to set goals for behavior change to improve nutritional status and muscle health. Stepping Up Your Nutrition is a single class, which is 2.5 hours.

Low Vision Group Welcomes

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) Tuesday, May 22 • 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Bain 50+ Center in the Meeting Room 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia 21044 Sue Schafer, Program Manager of BISM’s Rehabilitation Department, will present information on new outreach services and discuss various programs offered by the organization. Bring your questions!

RSVP to Elaine Widom at 410-313-7353 (voice/relay) no later than May 15.

www.howardcountymd.gov/sentog Quality of Life Services for Older Adults, their Families, Caregivers, and Adults with Disabilities Howard County

YOUR LI N K TO HEALTH & SU PPOR T SER VI CES

AS EASY AS Course materials will be provided, and can be purchased on-site for a nominal fee. To achieve the most benefits from this program, we encourage a commitment to attend all sessions of each program.

To register or for more information, contact:

Carla Johnston Health and Wellness Coordinator Howard County Office on Aging and Independence

cjohnston@howardcountymd.gov 410-313-3506 (VOICE /RELAY) FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS, VISIT US AT

www.howardcountymd.gov/livingwell

1-2-3-4! 410-313-1234 Contact us for information, assistance and referral on: • Social Day Programs • Caregiver Support • Volunteer Opportunities • Long Term Supports Planning • Wellness Programs • Guardianship/Ombudsman and more! • Aging in Place Resources • Medicare Counseling • 50+ Centers

410.313.1234 VOICE/RELAY • 844.627.5465 TOLL FREE map@howardcountymd.gov

www.howardcountymd.gov/aging

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The 50+ Connection

M AY 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Howard County 50+ Centers

SPOTLIGHT ON THE

GLENWOOD 50+CENTER www.howardcountymd.gov/50pluscenters for all 50+ Center events

Discover this Gem in Western Howard County! By Regina Jenkins, Director, Glenwood 50+ Center The Glenwood 50+Center is housed inside of the Gary J. Arthur Community Center located at 2400 Rt. 97 in Cooksville. There is something for everyone at the Glenwood 50+ Center. Lifelong learning is popular and offerings include a Civil War Series, a National Parks Travel Series, Book Club, History Discussions, TED Talks, Genealogy, iPhone and iPad workshops, History of Broadway and speakers on local history. We also offer drop-in programs such as pinochle, bridge, Chinese mahjong, billiards and table tennis. Are you a hands-on type? Enjoy pottery, fused glass, and other DIY workshops, featuring a wide variety of projects. Stay active enjoying one of our six different offerings of Yoga, Pilates, Interval Training, Line Dancing, Tai Chi or Nature Walks. For those who prefer a gentler, low impact exercise experience, we offer Sit and Fit and Prime Time classes. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, you will find members lining up to play Pickleball and on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays the basketball courts are full. Your health and well-being is important to us at Glenwood. We encourage you to enjoy a healthy balanced lunch in the Glenwood Café. Scheduled programs and services include on-site physical therapy, reflexology, acupuncture, nutrition education, blood pressure screenings, and the opportunity to speak with a pharmacist. Stop in soon to find out more about our wide array of programs to boost your health and wellness, or subscribe to our newsletter by

SOCIAL CLUB A Program for People Diagnosed with Early Stage Memory Loss

Providing socialization, companionship, support, education, and a sense of purpose in a safe and nurturing environment.

Kindred Spirits at Glenwood Monday/Wednesday/Friday • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Glenwood 50+ Center 2400 Route 97, Cooksville, MD 21723 Judy Miller, Director • 410-313-5441 (VOICE/RELAY) EMAIL jumiller@howardcountymd.gov

sending an email to glenwood50@howardcountymd.gov. Register for a free Glenwood 50+ Center membership and you will enjoy walking on our indoor cushioned track year-round; sign up for the Go50+ Fitness Program ($75/year) and you can also access the fully-equipped fitness equipment room (as well as the fitness rooms at the Elkridge 50+ Center, North Laurel and Roger Carter Community Centers.) We hope to see you soon!

Discover a new hobby, expand your creative options, and make new friends at the Glenwood 50+ Center through a variety of hands-on DIY workshops, classes, and activities for all skill levels.

This specialized program for adults 18 and over and is specifically designed to maintain independence, enhance memory and improve the overall health of participants.

Connections Social Day Program at Glenwood Glenwood 50+ Center 2400 Route 97, Cooksville, MD 21723 Judy Miller, Director • 410-313-5442 (VOICE/RELAY) EMAIL jumiller@howardcountymd.gov Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9 AM to 1 PM A daily fee covers all program costs, trips, snacks and lunch; a sliding fee scale is available to Howard County residents. Transportation is the responsibility of family/caregiver; staff can provide information on public and private transportation options.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 8

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Money Law &

NO PENSION? Take Social Security at 70, stick with stocks, and draw down savings carefully to help your money last through retirement NON-NEGOTIABLE If you hate to haggle at auto dealerships, do your homework first to determine the best prices, and get offers via email

How to spot scams in the mail and online By Sean McDonnell There is no shortage of ways for crooks to try to separate you from your money. All it takes is letting your guard down for one moment, or overlooking the warning signs of fraud, for scammers to steal your personal information. In 2016, thieves stole more than $16 billion from 15.4 million consumers, according to a report by Javelin Strategy & Research. Older adults are frequently the targets. A report published last August in the American Journal of Public Health found that one in 18 older Americans falls victim to a financial fraud or scam each year. As a financial adviser to many retired clients, I can attest that identity theft and cybersecurity are among the top financial concerns of older adults. It’s now common for me to talk with clients not about their portfolios, but about a suspicious email or letter. I’ve also been the target of financial scam attempts myself. In the past couple of months, I’ve encountered three types of scams for the first time. All told, I’ve learned to decipher the tell-tale signs of financial scam artists. Here are three real-life examples of financial scams, and how to tell when someone is trying to take advantage of you.

Your long-lost relative Although digital data breaches and pandemic malware get the headlines, thieves continue to use old-fashioned forms of communication, such as the phone and regular postal mail, to deceive their victims. You should have seen the looks on my teen sons’ faces when I showed them the letter that arrived in our mailbox. It was sent from Alfred Consultants in Newmarket, Ontario, and it detailed some fantastic

news — my recently deceased ancestor, James McDonnell, had left me $4.2 million. The letter looked official. It had the consultant’s name in big bold letters. It was marked “private and personal” and it even listed a reference number. The consultant explained in the letter that he was already in possession of the funds and could easily transfer them to me. My boys were excited about our newfound wealth and asked how soon we would get the money. That’s when I pointed out the letter’s many flaws, which are also prevalent in spam emails: • There were many grammatical errors and inconsistencies. For example, the letter omitted proper salutations and my first name. It was addressed not to “Sean” or “Mr.” but to “Dear McDonnell.” Further, the contact email provided was bernardoconsultants@gmail.com, which is not consistent with the company’s name, Alfred Consultants. (Not to mention, using a gmail address rather than an official company email address is suspicious in itself.) • The consultant requested that we only communicate by email or fax — not by phone or mail. That’s a red flag suggesting they are attempting to avoid federal antifraud laws. • While I do have multiple ancestors named James, it’s also a common name that could have been easily pulled from public records or simply guessed. • The consultant should not already have possession of the funds, even if they really existed, for obvious reasons. • Finally, the consultant had already deemed me as the sole heir, instead of first trying to determine if I was of any relation to the late James McDonnell he spoke of.

BEACON BITS

Apr. 26

INVESTMENT PLANNING

Glenwood Branch Library will host a program on investment terms and risks on Thursday, April 26 at 7 p.m. at the library, 2350 State Route 49, Cooksville. Registration is required; call (410) 313-5577.

May 7

IDENTITY THEFT PROGRAM

The Central Branch Library will host a Howard County Police Department program on detecting and deterring identity theft on Monday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Branch Library, 1075 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. To register, call the library at (410) 313-7800.

While it may seem that these apparent mistakes are the work of an unintelligent scammer, there’s actually a method to the ineptitude. Fraudsters purposefully place errors in letters and emails to quickly weed out more discerning individuals who are least likely to give up valuable personal information. Needless to say, my sons’ dreams of shiny new sports cars for their 16th birthdays were dashed. But they learned the valuable lesson that things that seem too good to be true often are.

Social media quizzes Social media is, well, social. Every day we share photos and experiences with our friends and family. But, unknowingly, we may be also sharing valuable information with unwanted strangers. With more than 2 billion active users worldwide on Facebook alone, scammers are all over social media platforms, searching for users to con. One popular ploy used by scammers are those quizzes and surveys people frequently complete and share. They typically promise a free gift, or offer to reveal what movie character you’re most like or what city you should live in. All you have to do is answer what seem like innocuous personal questions, such as: What’s your favorite color? Who was your favorite teacher? What’s the name of the street you grew up on? Who was your best man/maid of honor? What was the model of your first car? And, so on. Take a moment to think about these questions. You may realize they are familiar. That’s because many websites require you to answer similar security questions before you can gain access to things like your bank or credit card account. What seems like a harmless gimmick is a way for scammers to collect personally identifiable information that can be used to defraud you. By filling out one of these surveys, you could unwittingly be giving crooks the keys to your money. Further, people often click “accept” on the terms and conditions of a social media site or app without a second thought, granting permission to pass on their data. When in doubt, never click on an unfamiliar link or widely share your personal details. Consider even setting your social

profiles to private so that you can better control who sees your posts. Social media can be a great way to keep in touch with family and friends, but always be careful with what you share. There’s no way to know who is keeping watch.

Warning! Warning! Click this link! Imagine that while you’re reading this article, a window pops up on your computer screen that said: “*Microsoft Warning Alert*: Your computer has been hacked! Please call us immediately at 800-555-5555. Do not ignore this critical alert. If you close this page, your computer will be disabled. If you do not call in the next five minutes your data will be lost.” Scammers like to try to use our emotions against us. In this case, preying on our anxiety when an alert suddenly appears. A friend of mine recently received a warning message just like it, and with no time to spare, quickly called the number listed. A member of the “Microsoft Security Team” informed him that he did, indeed, have a breach on his computer. They told him they could clean the hard drive remotely for $550. All he needed to do was provide his banking information and then click on a link in an email they would send, which would allow remote access to his computer. The red flags in this scam are relatively easy to spot. First, Microsoft is not going to contact you about a hack on your individual computer. Second, no one other than a legitimate financial institution should ever ask for your bank account information. Finally, no one with good intentions will solicit you for remote access to your computer. Once in, scammers can further infect your computer with malware and steal any personal information that you may have stored or that you enter thereafter. Commands to take immediate action to resolve an issue should be met with a healthy dose of skepticism. Better yet, always treat anyone or anything that involves your money or personal information with the utmost caution. Ask a lot of questions. When in doubt, seek the advice of friends or relatives. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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M AY 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

No pension? How to make your money last By Anya Kamenetz Delay retirement until age 70. Invest in stocks, not bonds. And draw down your retirement account savings in line with IRS rules on required minimum distributions (RMDs), which start at 3.6 percent a year at age 70 1/2. That’s the safest recipe for retirement planning, according to a new analysis (“How to Pensionize any IRA or 401(k)”) from the Stanford Center on Longevity at Stanford University. Steve Vernon, who calls his strategy Spend Safely in Retirement, has spent his career as a consulting actuary for big companies’ retirement plans. For this report, he used statistics to actuarially compare 292 different retirement strategies. “There is no perfect income solution for retirement, and people can shoot holes in anything you suggest,” he said. But “this one came out looking pretty good.”

Take Social Security at 70

Stick with stocks

The first dictate of his strategy — pushing retirement to age 70 — is probably the biggest stumbling block psychologically for a lot of people. But Vernon’s calculations show that about the worst thing you can do for your long-term planning is take early Social Security benefits at age 62. For every year you delay up to age 70, you get more in monthly benefits for the rest of your life. And that’s a good deal for most people with today’s life expectancies. “You get a better deal if you can wait,” Vernon said. The only time he would endorse taking the distribution early is if you have a terminal illness. Even folks who are overweight or smokers should keep working as long as they can, he said. However, it’s OK to leave a high-powered job and work just to cover living expenses for most of your 60s. Even delaying until age 68 will capture a lot of the benefit here, too.

The second big insight is that this plan essentially treats Social Security as the guaranteed-income portion of your retirement portfolio. Classic portfolio planning theory prescribes shifting from all stocks in your early working years, to a mixture of stocks and bonds as you get older, and finally to nearly all bonds at retirement. Vernon’s calculations show that there is no need for this. For most people with less than a million dollars at retirement, Social Security will represent 66 to 80 percent of your retirement income — and, again, that is a guaranteed, predictable monthly amount. (This analysis doesn’t take into consideration the chances of Social Security going away any time soon.) Vernon’s top recommendation for investment allocation (again, based on actuarial projections) is a 100 percent stock index fund at retirement. But he knows that idea will freak a lot of people out, so he’s willing to permit using a “target-date fund” instead. [These funds automatically adjust their allocation among stocks, bonds and cash investments based on an expected year of retirement.]

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Vernon said too many people have a haphazard approach. They either sip their drink too slowly and die with money in the bank, or take it down in big gulps and have nothing for a rainy day. People can spend a lot of money on an annuity that promises guaranteed income, but Vernon said that’s one of the worst things you can do because of the high costs. Instead, create a predictable income stream out of your own savings by following the IRS RMD standards for 401(k) plans, traditional IRAs and certain other defined-contribution plans. [These are designed to annuitize your withdrawals to help your money last for the rest of your life expectancy.] This rule of thumb will help you calculate your monthly budget in retirement. If needed, you can start looking now for ways to reduce living expenses. The Spend Safely in Retirement system is so simple that people should be able to enact it on their own. “This is a way that people who don’t work with a financial adviser can generate income from an IRA or 401(k),” he said. “And it’s also a strategy that any 401(k) operator can put in their plan.” To read the full report, go to http:// bit.ly/no-pension. Anya Kamenetz welcomes your questions at diyubook@gmail.com. © 2018 Anya Kamenetz. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 8

How to negotiate a car if you hate haggling By Philip Reed A short stint as a car salesman taught me that dealers are pros who negotiate all day for a living — and they always have the home field advantage. Later, while buying dozens of test vehicles for an automotive website, I was on the other side of negotiations, and experienced the tricks dealers use to pressure buyers. I’ve found that simple, non-confrontational negotiating tactics can even help car shoppers who hate to haggle still get the best deal possible. These strategies, combined with online tools, can keep car shopping from turning into a battle with the dealer. Here are five ways to level the playing field:

1. Know your numbers In the car business, there’s a saying: “Hit ‘em with high numbers — then scrape them off the ceiling and make a deal.” But if you have a good idea of what you should pay for a car, this trick won’t work. Picture this: The dealer said an SUV is $27,500, but your research found the current price is $24,500. Do you think you’ll have trouble saying no? Research the key numbers first, and that knowledge will guide you through the negotiation and depersonalize the interaction, since you’re relying on data rather than opinion or emotion to establish the sales price. Here are the numbers you should know: — The current market value of the car you want to buy, which you can research on sites like Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book or TrueCar — Any incentives you might qualify for,

such as customer cash back or low-interest financing — The trade-in value of your current car — Estimated fees and local sales tax With these figures, you can determine a target price to empower you in negotiations.

2. Negotiate remotely Once you test drive the car and know what you want, leave the dealership, as you can do almost everything else from home. This means that if you don’t like the numbers or how you’re being treated during a negotiation, you don’t have to physically leave the dealership. Instead, you can just say goodbye if you’re on the phone, or simply stop email or text communications. To use this approach, call the dealership and ask for the Internet department. Or email the Internet manager through the company’s website. Often the response to a remote query will be, “Come on down! We’ll take care of you!” Instead, say: “I already test drove the car and I know what I want. Now, I’m shopping for my best price.”

3. Shop your price Once you get a price from one dealership, you can “shop” it by contacting other dealers for a quote. Tell the other dealers that you already have an offer in hand. Dealers often test competitors prices so they know what figure they’ll have to offer to win the sale. A dealer might say, “We’ll beat any competitor’s price.” Instead of tipping your hand and giving them a number to beat (so they can shave off a few hundred bucks),

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4. Be unpredictable Salespeople are encouraged to control customers by pressuring them into a test drive, getting them into a sales office, and working to close the deal quickly. If you prefer to visit a dealership to hammer out a deal — which I don’t recommend — make sure you’re calling the shots. A quick way to show you can’t be controlled is to be unpredictable. When you make an offer on a car, and the salesperson leaves to “take the offer to my boss,” you should also leave the sales office. Tell the salesperson, “I need to get something from my car.” Or leave without explanation and walk around the showroom. Believe me, they’ll find you in a hurry.

5. Negotiate with your feet I had a retired friend with time on his hands who liked to go to dealerships, kick-

ing the tires on a new car. He let the salesman talk awhile, and then he would walk out — twice. On the third visit, my friend bought the car, figuring the salesman negotiated himself down to his lowest offer. Another friend of mine brought his restless 2-year-old into the sales office. When negotiations stalled, he picked up his child and prepared to leave. That simple move dropped the price $750. Remember, body language can speak louder than words. Make sure enticing offers are really as good as they appear. Before you agree to any deal, ask for a breakdown of fees to see the total — or the “out the door” — price. In some cases, dealerships insert bogus charges or inflate the documentation fee to try to take back some profit they gave away. Once you know the total price, and if it still looks good, you can buy with the confidence of knowing that you’re a savvy negotiator. — AP

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M AY 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 8

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Travel

Leisure &

Lose weight while enjoying the food at Deerfield Spa in Pennsylvania. See story on page 28.

A look at new ships and trends in cruising Cruising with grandkids The Cruise Lines International Association, which represents most of the world’s major cruise brands, noticed another new phenomenon: “skip-gen” cruising. Grandparents are cruising with grandkids, but sometimes skipping a generation by sailing without mom and dad. Most cruises provide a range of children’s programming so grandparents aren’t baby-sitting all day, while also offering activities, excursions, meals and shows that all ages can enjoy together. The cruise industry continues to grow, with 27 million cruisers expected in 2018, a million more than last year and up from 18 million in 1979. There are also 27 new ships coming out in 2018, according to CLIA: 10 for river cruising, 17 for ocean. “We’re in our golden age,” said CLIA Chairman Arnold Donald, who is also CEO of Carnival Corp., at a Jan. 25 meeting in New York. “Cruising has never been more popular.”

Royal, Norwegian and Holland

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas will be the world’s largest cruise ship when it launches this spring. Its inaugural season will be in Europe, with sailings from Miami beginning in November. Features include a laser tag arena, Bionic Bar where robots make drinks, a 10-story racing slide called Ultimate Abyss, rock climbing and ice skating. The ship will host a production of the Broadway hit Hairspray and its sports bar will feature 30 big-screen TVs. A luxury family suite for eight includes a two-story slide, private movie theater, Lego wall and secret Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas, which set sail for the first time in April, is the world’s largest cruise ship, with room for 9,000 passengers. The ship includes a “Central Park,” with more than 12,000 trees and plants.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HOLLAND AMERICA

By Beth J. Harpaz What’s new in cruising this year? As usual, there’s lots of razzle-dazzle — laser tag, water slides, zip lines and massive LED screens — along with a continued emphasis on healthy lifestyle options, from dining to fitness. But there are also changes underway in ship design, itineraries and who’s cruising. New ships are offering more outdoor spaces and views of the sea — with promenades, boardwalk-style decks, glass walls, transparent walkways and see-through slides. Small ships, river ships and expedition cruises are booming, with more itineraries in cold-water destinations like Iceland, Greenland and the polar regions. Alaska cruises are as popular as ever, for big and small vessels. There’s a new focus on marketing to millennials, many of whom cruised as kids. Royal Caribbean says its shorter cruises — like three- and four-night Miami-Bahamas trips on the Mariner of the Seas next summer — appeal to younger travelers who may prefer shorter vacations over weeklong trips. Uniworld is offering “U by Uniworld” river cruises for ages 21 to 45 only, with European itineraries that include music festivals.

Holland America will launch the Nieuw Statendam cruise ship in December. In addition to the outdoor pool and hot tubs, the ship will feature a stage with a two-story, 270-degree wraparound LED screen, and three lounges for various musical genres.

crawl space. But it’s not for budget cruising: It’s priced in the tens of thousands of dollars. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Bliss also launches this spring and heads to Alaska. It’s designed for enjoying natural scenery, with a 180-degree observation lounge perfect for watching glaciers. Recreation includes laser tag, a race course for electric go-karts, and a waterslide with a transparent tube that swooshes you along the side of the ship. Other features include a Beatles club with a cover band, and a spa with a snow room and a salt room. Norwegian is starting to move away from the celebrity chef craze, but dining options will include a barbecue spot called Q, Los Lobos for Mexican food, and Food Republic, where dishes like ceviche or Asian noodles can be ordered from an iPad. Holland America Line launches the Nieuw Statendam in December. The ship’s features include World Stage, an entertainment venue with a two-story, 270-degree wraparound LED screen; Music Walk, where three lounges offer different genres of music; and BLEND, where guests can blend their own wine. Holland America is also continuing a partnership with O, The Oprah Magazine, through 2018, on 300 cruises with programs for meditation, health, style, and even a book club that’s included onboard

appearances by authors like Elizabeth Strout. Holland America Line is also starting round-trip Boston-Cuba trips this year.

Celebrity, Carnival and MSC Celebrity Edge begins sailing in November. Its futuristic design concepts include the Magic Carpet — a cantilevered movable deck that will serve as a walkway as well as a place to enjoy ocean views and a space for live music and themed dining. The new ship also features a venue called Eden with a three-level window on the ocean, al fresco seating, walkways, and an “Eve at Eden” experience that will blend performance art and unique culinary offerings. Carnival Horizon debuts in April with a Dr. Seuss-themed water park, an eatery called Smokehouse Brewhouse featuring Guy Fieri barbecue and craft beers brewed onboard, and an LED Dreamscape atrium sculpture that will show artwork by patients of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a Carnival charity partner. Carnival Vista already has the threedeck-high Dreamscape light panels. Other fun features on Carnival ships range from “Green Eggs and Ham”-themed breakfasts for kids, to “Lip Sync Battles” a la the popular Spike TV (now Paramount) show, to custom cocktails at the Alchemy Bar. See CRUISING, page 29

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M AY 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

A weight-loss spa with delectable cuisine By Fyllis Hockman I’d never heard of Lo-Wei (low-weigh, get it?), a unique exercise class that combines yoga, strength training and flexibility. But it stretched my body in ways my mind never thought possible. But it is only one of almost three dozen fitness classes offered as part of the dawn-todusk workout, weight loss and education focus of the Deerfield Health Retreat and Spa in East Stroudsburg, Pa., where my friend Kathy and I recently spent three nights.

This all-inclusive, one-of-a-kind experience is a nearly four-hour drive from downtown Washington, yet it claims to be the closest such destination spa. The education aspect offered almost as many options as fitness classes. OK, I wasn’t all that interested in the discussion on Pilates as an aid for back pain, or the importance of self-massage. But just the fact that it was offered — along with lectures on sleep deprivation, portion control, top 20 exercise mistakes and many other top-

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ics — was impressive.

Fitness classes galore The first morning’s dilemma? Should I start with a sunrise hike, morning stretch, water aerobics, Pilates, yoga or a circuit class? I followed morning stretch with Butts and Guts — and all I kept thinking was, “Man, am I going to feel this tomorrow!” which right there is a high recommendation for the class. Kathy, a pool enthusiast, started her day with a water aerobics Pilates class. You’re never far from food at Deerfield — three meals and two snacks included daily — and our first exposure at lunch upon arrival was a tomato Florentine soup filled with veggies. I thought if everything else is this good (and it was), I’m never going home! But more on that later. Time for more exercise. I’m a novice yoga-ite so admittedly I had some difficulty visualizing the cleansing of my lungs, but I could still appreciate the relaxing — and, oh yes, centering — nature of the exercise as I learned to follow the instructor admonishing me to “enjoy the stretch.” But I’m a veteran hiker, and beginner, intermediate and advanced hikes are offered, depending on the day. We were forewarned that the Beginner Hike was a stroll in the park compared with the Intermediate, and admittedly the guide took one

look at Kathy and me (age 70-plus can be deceiving) and tried to talk us out of it. But our experience on the Appalachian Trail over the years stood us in good stead, and the hike was not only eminently doable but beautiful as well. And then, of course, it’s time for the “Morning Boost” snack because, after all, it’s been at least two hours since we last ate. But in truth, we rarely had the time or inclination to fit snacks into our schedules. We opted instead for a little circuit training to add some cardio and weights to the mix.

Low-calorie feasts And then there’s lunch. There are multiple choices for each meal, plus daily specials, all calorie counted. Dinners — salad, entrée, veggie, dessert (and ohhh, those desserts!) total 600 calories (half of the 1200 we were allotted each day). Plus, of course, the aforementioned snacks. Are they sure this is also a weight loss center? And it is, as many guests attested. Despite the campfire at the fire pit with s’mores. (OK, all sugar-free but still…) Then there was the cooking class with Karen, the nutritionist, who kept up an informative patter about the pros and cons of multiple foods. I found out that all rice conSee WEIGHT-LOSS SPA, page 29

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 8

Weight-loss spa From page 28 tains arsenic, which is nutritional information I could have done without. She made jerk chicken with mango salsa, rice with pecans, and asparagus. It was like eating another whole dinner — but was a mere extra 200 calories. And the rice was so tasty it was easy to rationalize ingesting the life-threatening ingredient. I felt obligated to actually count my day’s intake at least once — I choose a day that didn’t include either the cooking class, s’mores, or the Saturday night Mocktails. Still, it consisted of breakfast of bruschetta omelet with cheese plus cantaloupe balls; lunch of Mexican corn soup, a huge plate of cottage cheese, tuna salad and fresh fruit; and dinner of spinach salad with strawberries and walnuts, baked fish with string beans, and ice cream with a sweet strawberry topping. Throw in some half and half with my morning coffee and, voila — 1065 calories. Hard to believe. Plus, I was stuffed. But still, there are more workouts on the horizon. As I headed to class one day, I overheard a guest excitedly exclaim: “Just being in the hammock is one of my favorite places.” I hardly even knew there was a hammock. And that’s one of the most appealing aspects of Deerfield. If you want just to relax and de-stress, that’s fine. If you want to work your butt off, that’s fine, too. But I didn’t have time to think about it as a Cybex Circuit class was calling, followed by Core on the Floor, which one older participant characterized as “elder abuse.” I discovered that, contrary to popular be-

Cruising From page 27 MSC Cruises are better known in Europe than North America, but the brand is working to change that. In December, MSC Seaside launched and was named best new ship of 2017 by CruiseCritic.com. It features an interactive aqua-park, open-air promenade with glass-floor cat-

lief, the core extends well beyond the abs and includes butt, back, lats, spine, obliques and every body part in between — all of which were unmercifully tested. Getting up off the floor was the biggest challenge. But don’t worry — all classes offer easier options to accommodate every workout preference. Another option unknown to me was Tabatas, a high-intensity interval training class. In between all this, Kathy found more time for her pool aerobics, including a 90minute Restorative water class which was equivalent to walking four miles. According to Kathy: “Constant motion without excessive effort combine for a total body workout.” She was water-logged but happy. But what also makes the Deerfield experience so special is the ambiance, the camaraderie, the laid-back atmosphere where everything feels natural and comfortable. At times in the evening, after that night’s lecture or other activity, folks just hung out in the lounge. With 80 percent of guests being repeat customers, staying anywhere from three days to two months, the talk often turns to war stories accumulated over the years. It felt very much like a family. And that includes the staff, from whom a love for the spa readily radiates. That due in large part to owner Joan Wolff, whose mother started Deerfield in 1979. I was surprised to find out there was no tipping allowed. As Joan explained: “The wait staff, trainers, masseuses and housekeepers are never tipped as much as they deserve, so it’s all processed into their salaries.” Which might explain why most of her staff have been there for more than 10 years.

walks, two zip lines, a four-deck atrium, Aurea spa with a snow room, and beach like condo suites. You can even see the sea from glass elevators. Seaside, with a 4,100-guest capacity, is based in Miami for Caribbean itineraries. Its sister ship, MSC Seaview, launches in June with Mediterranean cruises for its inaugural season. — AP

BEACON BITS

Apr. 29

AFRICAN AMERICAN PLAYWRIGHTS Try It Out Theatre presents an afternoon with four African American playwrights on Sunday, April 29 at 3 p.m. The event will

take place at Kittamaqundi Community Church in Oliver’s Carriage House, 5410 Leaf Treader Way, Columbia. Arrive early because parking in the area is limited. The event is free, but a $5 donation to the church is requested. To reserve your seat, call or email Rich Madzel at rmadzel@hotmail.com or (443) 745-0332.

May 1+

ARTWORK INFLUENCED BY ISLAMIC CULTURES The Artists Gallery in Ellicott City will host a show by Sadaf Mukhar featuring art work influenced by Mughal and Islamic cul-

tures from Tuesday, May 1 through Sunday, May 27. A reception for the artist will be held May 5 from 2 to 5 p.m. The Artists Gallery is located at Taylor’s Collective, 8197 Main St., Ellicott City. For open hours and other information, visit the website www.artistsgalleryec.com or call (443) 325-5936.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

So what do you need after a full day of hiking, weight lifting, water aerobics and yoga? A massage, of course. So naturally that’s also included. The next day, Kathy dragged me kicking and screaming to the car — but not until we had enjoyed another two meals

and four classes before we left. A three-night, all-inclusive, weekend stay, double occupancy, ranges from $770 to $1,145 per person. Deerfield is open from mid-April to late October. For more information, visit www.deerfieldspa.com or call 1-800-852-4494.

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M AY 2 0 1 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 8

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Style

Arts &

Newsies dances across the stage at Toby’s Dinner Theatre. Read a review on page 32.

Artist examines the subconscious and art

BY GEORGE SAKKAL

latest discoveries in neuroscience and cognitive psychology with the retina, said Sakkal. In other words, the eyes and the psyche work together in the finest of art. So how does his theorizing affect Sakkal’s production of collages, which have appeared in art galleries in and around Howard County, Baltimore, Washington and New York? Well, he said, his self-imposed collagemaking hiatus has been painful, and he is “ferociously desiring to get back” to creating. “But,” he added, “in order to do my best, I only do one project at a time, and right now my purpose is to write this book. “I’m an artist, but I’m also an art theorist, a teacher [at Howard Community College] and a lecturer. Right now, I’ve put aside my art creation for my art manifesto. I believe it is just as important to write about the truth of what art is; how we create it.” Sakkal, who was born and bred in Brooklyn, N.Y., said his life in art started in 1962 when he made his first collage. He also spent many years (1973-2001) working for the Maryland state government as a planner and budget analyst. He studied city planning at Harvard, where one of the course sub-

jects was how Columbia came into being. “I was knocked off my feet” learning about the community, he said. So after other studies and endeavors, such as serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Iran before the hostage crisis there, he decided to check out Columbia and found it a great place to live.

COURTESY OF GEORGE SAKKAL

By Robert Friedman Columbia artist George Sakkal, known for making dynamic collages out of little bits of torn paper, is now concentrating on what he considers the biggest of pictures — how seeing and the subconscious interconnect in the creation of art. Sakkal, 76, said in a recent interview that he has laid aside his paper-on-canvas work to explore through written words the true nature of great art through the ages. He is writing a book, he noted, that will prove that the art movement he calls CUVISM — with a V, not a B — is the way to go for all artists. CUVISM, which stands for Cognitive Unconscious Visualism, interweaves the

Creating collages Sakkal noted that while he started doing art with acrylics, he eventually chose collage as his medium “because I found I could achieve a visual dynamism working with paper on canvas, which can’t be achieved with paint. You have to wait for paint to dry. It’s not the same with paper.” His 300 to 400 collages have all been created out of pages from National Geographic magazines. He has some 7,000 copies of the magazine, acquired over the years, stored in his workshop. “National Geographic,” he said, uses “the highest quality paper with low acidity, and has some of the world’s best photographs,” which, nevertheless, he tears into bits for his collages. Ironically, some years ago, the maga-

George Sakkal

zine’s legal department, upon learning of Sakkal’s collage material, warned him it would get a cease and desist order for violating copyright laws. But when the lawyers learned that the photos he used were torn into tiny pieces, he was given the go-ahead and wished the best, the See COLLAGE, page 33

NOW ON STAGE - JUNE 10

George Sakkal’s collages, including his “Polarized Society,” are composed entirely from tiny bits of photos torn from National Geographic magazines.

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M AY 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Energetic cast enlivens Disney’s Newsies round. A dozen newsies manage perfectly synchronized dance moves, handstands and even aerial flips without crashing into each other as they move the story along.

On strike

HC518

And the story is this: Pulitzer decides he wants to add to his vast fortune by forcing the newsies to pay a higher wholesale price to buy the papers (or “papes” as they’re called in the vernacular of the time) that they sell on the streets. As the boys bemoan this latest twist of fate, leader Jack Kelly takes a stand and calls for a strike by the newsies in his neighborhood. Then he works to organize a strike throughout all of New York’s boroughs. Scabs are called in to take over the jobs. Thugs crash onto stage to bash the newsies in several scenes of violence. Somewhat incongruously tacked onto this is a love story between Jack and reporter Katherine Plumber, who endeavors to cover the strike before her boss censors her. Katherine, along with the sporadic appearance of Medda Larkin, who owns a vaudeville theater, may be in Newsies because they are the only two women with roles of any substance in a show filled with young men portraying the newsies and older ones in the newspaper’s management. At the same time, the story of the

PHOTO BY JERI TIDWELL PHOTOGRAPHY

By Barbara Ruben The ragtag group of orphans and homeless youth who hawked newspapers on street corners in 1899 never could have dreamed how the delivery of news would be transformed 120 years in the future. Nor could they have imagined that their story would be danced across stages throughout the country. But the story told by Newsies has quite literally leapt from a dusty corner of history into an adroitly acrobatic musical. Now onstage at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, the show tells the story of how the impoverished New York newsies staged a strike against the newspaper magnates of the day, Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. It’s not exactly the kind of story you’d expect from Disney, but the company known for generally fluffier fare attempted to breathe life into the tale as musical movie in 1992 — and it promptly bombed at the box office. However, it found a cult following on video, and Disney took it to Broadway a decade later, where it played for two years and garnered two Tony Awards: for Best Score, by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman, and for Best Choreography. The same infectious energy that helped Newsies win for choreography carries over to Toby’s small stage at its theater-in-the-

Gregory Banks, who plays newspaper boy Specs in Newsies at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, leaps into the air in a scene from the musical, which is filled with song, dance and acrobatics.

newsies seems to flag a bit in the middle, and all the fleet-footed dancing can’t disguise a book by Harvey Fierstein (who also wrote La Cage aux Folles and Kinky Boots) that can be a bit flat.

Excellent, energetic cast Toby’s has worked to overcome that by casting superb actors in many roles. Nineyear-old Cooper Trump as the youngest

newsie Les may be Toby’s most outstanding newcomer. In his first acting role ever, he’s both adorable and shrewd, not to mention gymnastically gifted as he walks on his hands across the stage. Tyler Smallwood, who played Michael in Toby’s production of Mary Poppins, portrays Les on alternate nights. See NEWSIES, page 33

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 8

Collage From page 31 artist said. His collages look uncannily like abstract paintings, with the bits of paper appearing as brush strokes. They have somewhat abstract titles, too, such as: “Ghost Warriors of Afghanistan,” “Who Am I: Where Am I Going,” and ”From Lies and Deceit to Shock and Awe.”

Let the unconscious decide He comes up with the titles not at the start, but rather some three-quarters of the way in. “I begin the work,” he said, “with no idea what the visual end result will be. By the time I realize what the work appears to

Newsies From page 32 Matt Hirsh ably carries the role of Jack, who before leading the strike, pines to leave New York for the wide open space of Santa Fe. He implores his friend Crutchie (movingly played by Tyler Witt), so named for a disability that makes it difficult for him to walk, to go with him instead of dodging incarceration in the ironically named orphanage, the Refuge. Gregory Banks, who plays newsie Specs, is a standout dancer and gymnast, defying gravity again and again. In fact, all the newsies deserve credit for their agility and sheer energy, clambering up and down the scaffolding that cleverly serves as additional performance space above the audience. Each hour-long act, while they are in near-constant motion, must be exhausting, but they appear to never tire. In an era of fake news accusations and ever-shrinking newspaper newsrooms, it’s refreshing to see just how dynamic and vital newspapers — and the boys who sold them — were to the fabric of daily life in the 19th century. Newsies continues through June 10 at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, located at 5900 Symphony Woods Rd. in Columbia, Md. The show runs every day except Mondays, with evening and matinee performanc-

want itself to be, I begin to enhance it along that presumed subject area.” He added: “I am against conceptualizing. CUVISM is about the unconscious mind doing the deciding.” According to Sakkal, his theory gives the lie to the post-modernist movement, which now prevails in art education circles, and among many contemporary artists. Since 1980, neuroscience has “amassed a great volume of new knowledge about the workings of the unconscious mind,” he noted. Neuroscientists, who study the nerves, have expanded their research from the molecular and cellular levels of individual neurons to looking into the workings of the brain as a whole. es. Doors open at 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, for dinner prior to the evening performances, which begin at 8 p.m. For Sunday evening performances, which begin at 7 p.m., doors open at 5 p.m. for dinner. On Wednesdays and Sundays, there are matinee performances, which open for brunch at 10:30 a.m., with shows beginning at 12:30 p.m. Reservations are required. Ticket prices range from $45.50 (for children under 12) to $64, depending on the performance. Ticket prices include buffet dinner or brunch, tea and coffee. Alcoholic drinks are extra. The buffet meal features a selection of meats and sides (all helpfully marked vegetarian or gluten-free if applicable), including prime rib, roast turkey, fried fish, cocktail shrimp, a variety of vegetables, salad bar and more. Included on the menu during Newsies are Pulitzer’s Pasta with a three-cream sauce and Crutchie’s Chicken, with apples, onions and peppers. Cake and unlimited ice cream are also included. You can also arrange to have coffee or alcohol brought to you during intermission. At Toby’s, the show’s actors also wait on tables. Their tips constitute much of their pay for their performances, so be sure to tip well. For more information or to reserve tickets, call (410) 730-8311 or visit www.tobysdinnertheatre.com.

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

FROM PAGE 34 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

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U N S I G H U L T M I L S L Y S D A K

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T A B L E C H E O L A N S B E E B S O T A T D V O E S P N I T D G E O N E

S P R E E

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T I T F O R O W L S

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U T I C A

E S T E R

ANSWERS TO JUMBLE Jumbles: BATHE GUARD SUBMIT FORMAL Answer: When the sculpture was unveiled, critics said it was -- FOR THE "BIRDS"

Sakkal pointed to French-American artist Marcel Duchamp (1887-1968) as the prime post-modernism culprit. Duchamp championed what he called “anti-retinol” art. He claimed that “retinol” art was intended only to please the eye, when art should primarily serve the mind. For instance, one of Duchamp’s so called “ready-mades” — defined as ordinary objects that become works of art because the artist chooses to exhibit them — was a urinal mounted on the wall and called “Fountain.” His post-modern theory led to, among other things, “conceptual art,” where the idea of the work became

the raison d’etre of the creation — as, say, in Pop Art. “This theory of ‘concept art” is substantially without substance,” said Sakkal. He noted that it is being taught for advanced degrees in art, which is “like teaching advanced students of evolution the theory of intelligent design.” Sakkal said painter Paul Cezanne was closer to the truth of “understanding the brain’s process involved with human visual creativity.” The great French post-impressionist espoused the modern art theory that “creativity in art stems from subconscious brain activity.” he said.

M AY 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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Crossword Puzzle Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus Fast Food 1

ByStephen StephenSherr Sherr

30 34

38 41

Jumble answers on p. 33.

Scrabble answers on p. 33.

8 15

29 32

Across

Down

1. Weeps 5. A Yoga accessory 8. Ocean’s Eleven targets 13. Mr. E Coyote, to pals 14. Man from Sudan 16. TV teaser 17. “Thanks ___!” 18. Get on one’s nerves 19. Nick at Nite broadcast, usually 20. Fast ... dairy/seafood 23. Scarecrow and ___ King 24. IRS term for “Employer Identification Number” 25. “Wow; what a great matador”, briefly 26. 23 Across network 29. SCIENCE center 30. Response to a ques. 31. Lower-case end to TN state capital 32. ... appetizer 36. Smell or taste 37. Annual HS volumes 38. Little map in a big map 39. ... sidedish 42. End in ___ 43. Ft. Sumter summer setting 44. Busiest airport in TX 45. Ice beer container 46. Ice cream container 47. ___-doo economics 48. Numberless billiard ball 51. ... veggies 55. The U in UHF 57. The U in ICU 58. Legal document 59. Long-distance runner 60. Slight advantage 61. Real head-scratchers 62. ___ a fox 63. First across in every puzzle 64. Use a hot-air balloon

1. Bee plentiful 2. Wildcatter 3. ‘net diaries 4. ___ poor example 5. Gin and vermouth 6. Suffix with parliament7. After-bath powder 8. Indulgent outing 9. Greek god who could have used anger management classes 10. Take back a house 11. Bird which lays two-pound green eggs 12. Cain, to Adam 15. Tell the truth 21. Giggle sound 22. Ultimatum ender 27. Royal and baby 28. Natl. Bourbon Heritage Month 29. ___ Really Going Out with Him? 30. Monastery leader 31. “The future ___!” 32. Consumed a second time 33. Not looking good 34. Two-time Outstanding Drama Emmy winner in the 90’s 35. ___ tat 36. 60-ft. tall Washington state 40. Fifth book of the OT 41. Chosen child 46. Peter and Paul (but not Mary) 47. Victorious hand-gesture 48. Knickknack 49. Erie canal city, inside the word NAUTICAL 50. Poly-___ blend fabric 52. Output of the liver 53. Opposite of ecto54. Those that violate Ben Franklin’s sleep advice 55. Speaker’s filler words 56. “___ Abner”

Answers on page 33.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 8

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For Sale 2 SALVADOR DALI woodblock prints from Dante’s Divine Comedy. Signed and framed. Asking $900 for the pair. Can email pictures if desired. Call Steve 410-913-1653.

ENJOY 100% GUARANTEED, DELIVERED to-the-door Omaha Steaks! Save 75% plus get 4 more Burgers & 4 more Kielbasa FREE! Order The Family Gourmet Buffet — ONLY $49.99. Call 1-844-302-3754, mention code 51689JCT or visit www.omahasteaks.com. DONATE VEHICLES. Your donation to Auted helps train disadvantaged at-risk youths in basic auto repairs and maintenance, also vehicles donations to low-income families. MVA Registered Charity Accepted to Receive Donated Vehicles. 100% Tax-deductible. Complete donation form at www.auted.org or mail@auted.org, 301-355-9333.

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may 2018

UPCOMING SEMINARS & EVENTS at Brooke Grove retirement village

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

Parkinson’s Support Group WEDNESDAY, MAY 9 • 2-3:15 P.M.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 23 • 1-2:15 P.M. Caregiver connection: “Caregiver Response to Elopement and Wandering” TUESDAY, MAY 22 • 2-3 P.M. Many individuals with Alzheimer’s have a propensity to wander, and police officers are often called to assist a caregiver in locating their loved one. Explore the steps that you can take to prevent wandering and, at the same time, best prepare for that possibility. FREE. Register by May 20.

Get the facts about fraud and scams targeting seniors! During this seminar, you’ll learn about common elements used by scam artists, discover available resources to keep up-to-date with ongoing threats, and review ways you can help our community in the fight against fraud. Preceded by a complimentary lunch at 12:30 p.m. FREE. Register by May 21. PFNCA EXERCISE FOR PARKINSON’S CLASSES MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS ONGOING, 3:30-4:30 P.M. Improve posture, balance and circulation while also increasing strength, muscle control and mobility. FREE with a $30 annual Parkinson Foundation registration fee.

18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860

301-260-2320 · www.bgf.org

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