May 2017 | Howard County Beacon by The Beacon Newspapers

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A global mission to help others

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PHOTO BY SAM TARLING FOR CRS

By Robert Friedman Ellicott City resident Sean Callahan has spent half his life — 28 of his 56 years — working in countries throughout the world for Baltimore-based Catholic Relief Services (CRS). What accounts for his commitment to this organization? “Once you have had the opportunity to work with people — to offer them ways for respect and dignity in their lives — you feel something deep inside, you feel you have to continue. It becomes a vocation, not a job,” he said. In January, Callahan was named president of CRS, the global humanitarian arm of the Roman Catholic community in the U.S. The nonprofit works to make life better for 107 million people in 101 countries.

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Refugees on the rise In early April, when we spoke, he was set to take off for Uganda and South Sudan, the world’s newest nation, where famine and starvation have become the norm for millions. “The most recent figures show that 20 million people are at risk of starvation in the poor countries in Africa and the Middle East,” Callahan said, which makes getting enough food to people one of the two principal concerns for CRS. The other main concern is for the 66 million people who have been displaced from their homes around the world, causing the most serious refugee problem since World War II. “I don’t think Americans understand why so many leave their homes,” Callahan said. “It is not only for economic reasons, as many believe. But there are wars, there are threatening gangs and other violence in their everyday lives.” He added: “Many Americans seem to feel that displaced people simply want to come to the U.S. But if we provide those people with better opportunities to stay at home — with good livelihoods, with education, and with health opportunities — they do tend to stay in their own countries.”

Aid cut concerns These humanitarian efforts of CRS — to improve the lives of potential refugees so they will be able to remain in their homes

Sean Callahan has spent half his life working for Catholic Relief Services, becoming its CEO earlier this year. Here he speaks with young Syrian refugees at a school in Zarqa, Jordan. Callahan helps the organization work to combat poverty and hunger and help refugees in 101 countries around the world.

ARTS & STYLE

Beauty and the Beast enchants at Toby’s Dinner Theatre page 30

— could seem to jibe in one respect with the Trump administration’s stance on limiting immigration to the U.S. But the administration is also proposing massive budget cuts for such aid. Of the $900 million in private, church and government donations distributed by CRS last year in its overseas programs, almost $500 million came from federal grants, Callahan pointed out. “We have not been directly impacted — so far,” Callahan said. “But if some of the proposed reductions in foreign aid go through, even though we have had bipartisan support in Congress for our work around the world, well, then we can definitely be impacted.” According to Callahan, most countries in the Middle East and Africa, some of

which he recently visited in his CRS work, still see the U.S. as their best source for help in fighting poverty and health problems. “The assistance of the U.S. in the Ebola outbreak is still greatly appreciated in Nigeria,” he noted as one example. CRS serves countries and peoples of all religions, including Muslim countries, wherever its services are needed. “People of all faiths need to see that people care about them and are committed to helping,” he said. “We do what we do because we are Catholic, not because others are Catholic.” The scope of the organization’s work is mind-boggling. CRS focuses on three areas: emergency response, agriculture and health. In 2015 alone, for example, the See SEAN CALLAHAN, page 31

TECHNOLOGY k You phone as your wallet

FITNESS & HEALTH 6 k New lens improves close-up vision k Promising gene therapy for cancer THE 50+ CONNECTION 15 k Newsletter from Howard County Office on Aging and Independence LAW & MONEY k How safe are bonds today? k Fight insurance denials

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Growing like weed Last month, I addressed the subject of and less safe ways of prescribing and pain management in the context of opioid using these drugs. Educating both doctors pain relievers such as Vicodin and patients about the risks and Percocet. and benefits is becoming a Use of these painkillers — high priority (see “Guideboth by patients with legitilines offer safer ways to conmate prescriptions and by trol pain,” page 13). those obtaining them illegally This month, I would like to — has exploded in recent turn your attention to a differyears, leading many experts to ent, but somewhat related, speak of an “epidemic” of adtopic much in the news: The diction and overdose that is growing acceptance of mariclaiming many lives each year. juana use for medical purposThe problem of chronic or FROM THE es — such as pain relief, intractable pain is a real one PUBLISHER boosting appetite, and slowing By Stuart P. Rosenthal for many Americans, and docthe progression of glaucoma. tors and others who encourA nationwide movement to aged wider use of opioid pain relievers a legalize marijuana for these and other decade ago thought they were doing the claimed medical uses has generated great right thing. support. Today, 29 states plus the District We have since learned there are more of Columbia have passed laws legalizing

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ers is offered by Howard Community College on Friday, May 5 to learn techniques such as renaming, moving and copying files. The class will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the college’s Gateway Campus, 6751 Columbia Gateway Dr., Columbia. Tuition is $80, including $70 in fees, which may be waived for persons 60 and over. Call (443) 518-1700 for more information or visit howardcc.edu/ConEd.

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marijuana for certain medical conditions. The laws vary by state. Maryland, for example, allows, but strictly regulates, medical marijuana growers and suppliers. (Though the law permitting medical marijuana was passed in 2014, patients still do not have access to it, as lawsuits by companies denied licenses have delayed their opening.) Seven states and the District of Columbia permit its recreational use. California also legalized the cultivating of plants by individuals. Other states have decriminalized the possession of small amounts. Interestingly, Virginia passed a law decades ago that permitted doctors to prescribe marijuana for medical purposes. But in practice, this has not led to any legal use in Virginia because federal law — which treats marijuana as a drug with no medical use — prohibits doctors from prescribing (though not from “recommending”) it. A National Survey on Drug Use and Health found a significant jump in marijuana use among Americans over 50 in recent years — from 2.8 percent of the population in 2007 to 4.8 percent in 2013. (That’s a 71 percent increase.) The survey didn’t ask whether the increase is due to greater recreational or medical use. To some degree, it no doubt reflects the aging of the baby boom generation into the 50-plus category. (For comparison, in 2013, 19 percent of 18- to 26year-olds surveyed said they used pot.) Given the apparent growing acceptance, you might wonder why the federal government still considers marijuana to have no legitimate medical use. A recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine — a well-regarded nonprofit, nonpartisan body of scientific experts — says there is evidence for both benefits and harms, but that more research is needed. Reviewing studies published since 1999, the report found “strong” evidence that

marijuana can treat chronic pain and ease nausea from cancer treatment, but also strong evidence that its use raises the risk of schizophrenia and other psychoses, as well as of traffic accidents. It found “substantial” evidence that smoking pot worsens respiratory symptoms and chronic bronchitis, and “some” evidence that it can raise the risk for depression and lead to a dependence on, or abuse of, other drugs or alcohol. Evidence that it boosts appetite in people with HIV or AIDS and eases symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was “limited.” Researchers at New York University recently said that marijuana use in older adults can raise their risk of memory loss and falling. In short, concern over the potential harms of marijuana use doesn’t come close to that over opioids. The latter are highly addictive: recent research indicates a single prescription lasting seven days is enough to begin a cycle into addiction. And overdoses of opioid pain relievers can and do cause death. But there appear to be enough reasons to step back from an unconditional acceptance of marijuana use — especially among older adults — until further research is done. One problem here is that marijuana’s official status as an illegal drug under federal law has made it difficult for researchers to obtain the product or get studies approved. Perhaps we’ve put the cart before the horse by legalizing its use for medical purposes around the country before the evidence is there. But given that’s where we are today, it would seem to be in everyone’s interest to make research a priority at this point.

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 enjoyed your article regarding home robotics, “Voice-activated assistants do your bidding” in the April issue. I work full-time and attend college full-time — I am enrolled in a Master’s in Secure Information Systems in Cybersecurity at George Mason University. Home robotics (e.g., Alexa) open not only questions of privacy, but also questions of security. I am 60 years old, and through Facebook I hear many of my peers, especially my high school classmates, yearn for the day they can retire, and several have retired.

Vacations are fine, but sitting at home all day watching “The Price is Right” or other mindless drivel would atrophy my intellect. I can sharpen my focus on a difficult curriculum-network analytics- much better than when I attended law school 25 years ago. Age is only a number! No, I don’t move as quickly as I was when I was 20, but I have discovered that 60 is the new 30, that I expect 90 to be the new 50, and that I hope to live to be 110 when I will be shot to death by a jealous husband... Louis Peasley Via email

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Technology &

Innovations Your phone can safely become a wallet By Lauren Schwahn Smartphones have replaced lots of other accessories — cameras, flashlights, calculators. But many people are still reluctant to swap the wallets in their pockets for their digital counterparts. A key reason consumers are hesitant to use mobile payment services like Apple Pay and Android Pay, surveys say, is fear over security: High-profile retailer data breaches have made buyers wary of sharing credit card information. But while there’s cause not to rely 100 percent on your mobile wallet just yet — lack of widespread acceptance by merchants, for one thing — security concerns shouldn’t be holding shoppers back, experts say. “I think some people get nervous about the idea that ‘This thing is sending telepathic waves to that machine to say that I’m paying,’” said Mark Ranta, head of digital banking solutions at ACI Worldwide, a payment systems company. But your mobile wallet is arguably the safest way to pay, and it offers a few benefits to boot. Here’s why this payment method is worth considering.

Greater convenience

You won’t miss out on rewards

Services like Apple Pay let users add multiple cards to their phones or smartwatches, theoretically giving them the option to leave overstuffed wallets and purses at home. At stores where shoppers can use their mobile wallets, it can also mean saving precious time at the register. A common complaint among dissatisfied chip-card users is the slow transaction process, as shoppers wait for the terminal to complete the transaction. Mobile payments can be a quicker alternative. Users open a payment app and hold their device over a terminal; a fingerprint or PIN verifies the purchase. Shopping online can be faster, too. For example, Apple Pay and Android Pay are accepted on certain websites and in apps like Airbnb, allowing shoppers to make purchases without entering card information — or keeping card numbers on file, which may assuage data-breach fears. And, like some bank apps, a mobile wallet saves your recent transaction history for reference, with the added benefit of allowing you to see all activity in one place even if your cards are from various banks.

Mobile credit card payments function just like regular credit cards. As long as your card is compatible with the service, you’ll continue to earn your usual rewards, like travel points or cash back. Mobile users can add certain retailer loyalty cards to Android Pay and Apple Pay wallets to seamlessly earn store-specific points. Samsung Pay accepts most membership cards. Samsung also has its own loyalty program, Samsung Rewards. In addition to credit card rewards, members earn points for Samsung Pay purchases; the points are redeemable for rewards like gift cards and fitness trackers.

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It’s safer than a credit card Mobile payment services also can offer more security than cash or traditional credit card use. “You never have to take out your credit card or debit card, so there’s a lot less chance of someone seeing [your number],” said Jason Chaikin, president of biometrics security company Vkansee. “For every transaction, (mobile wallets)

create a random, one-time number — a transaction token — and even if someone was able to know that number, it’s not valid later.” Samsung Pay, Android Pay and Apple Pay each use this process, called tokenization. Although you do upload your credit card number into the payment app, the actual card number is not shared with the merchant when you pay. Rather, a temporary code is issued in its place, similar to the way EMV chip cards work. EMV credit and debit cards have chips that create a unique code, or cryptogram, when inserted into a merchant’s payment terminal. However, in this method, the card remains in view while the terminal reads the chip. Mobile payments also provide security measures on top of existing bank protections that chip cards can’t match. Full card numbers are not displayed in mobile wallet apps, and users are able to authorize payments with their fingerprints, which can protect your card information in the event your phone is stolen (assuming you have a phone with a fingerprint reader). See MOBILE WALLET, page 5

Technology & Innovations | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Beacon Links & Apps By Talia Denicoff

Apps Stitching people together As opposed to most dating sites or apps, Stitch is for adults who are 50 and over and who are looking for companionship, friendship or a relationship. Members can choose to put their settings on romance only, friendship only, or friendship and romance in order to find the best match for them. Members in the same geographic area can create group meetings to make it easy for people on Stitch to meet many friends at once and just have a good time. Activities that members have organized include dinners and going out to the movies. Stitch is both a website and an app, which can be used on iPhones and Androids. Costs range between $80 and $120/year, depending on services selected. You can also pay by the month. www.stitch.net

A movie starring you Have you ever wanted to make a movie about your life? With the app, 1 Second Everyday: Video Diary, you can take a one second video reflecting something you want to remember each day, and make them into a movie for yourself. You can record more than 1 second if you want, or you can take 1 second or so from another video you’ve already shot. Overtime, the app combines all the short videos you have taken into one long, chronological video. By videoing something exciting or simple that happens to you each day, you can keep your favorite daily memories in one place. The app gives you the opportunity to decide how you want to remember each day for years to come as you look back on the movie created from all your personal moments. The app costs $4.99 for iPhone and Android. 1 Second Everyday: Video Diary

Stop, breathe and think Stop, Breath & Think is a meditation app that features a variety of breathing exercises of different lengths to help you

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practice meditation and deep breathing. The app asks how you feel physically and emotionally, and suggests the best types of meditation for you. Stop, Breath & Think focuses on mindfulness by paying attention to what is happening in the moment through two types of meditation. One is active thinking, which is when you direct your thoughts and daydreams to be positive ones. The other is resting the mind, where you let everything go and empty your mind of all thoughts that are going through it. Free for iPhone and Android. Stop, Breath & Think

Links Astronomy picture of the day This NASA site displays a fresh photograph of the cosmos every day, sometimes looking outward into space, and other days looking back from space toward earth. Along with the photo, each day there is a short paragraph describing what the scene of the day is. The website has been posting a picture a day since 1995. There is an archive of all the photos the website has posted since its establishment. There is also an index that sorts all the

photos by categories, such as different types of stars, planets, space technology and comets. https://apod.nasa.gov/

Tips on cybersecurity A new website called Protect Seniors Online helps older adults understand online security risks. The site includes a quiz that gives examples of ways people could be scammed through email, Facebook and advertisements. There are also tips and resources on cybersecurity, proactive steps to take to protect sensitive information, and a list of frequent senior scams. Some of the resources include videos on email security, password security and social media security tips. www.protectseniorsonline.com/

Picturing America’s pastime Excited for the baseball season? This site looks at photo exhibits presented by the Baseball Hall of Fame. There are a lot of good places to explore, but don’t miss See LINKS AND APPS, page 5

Links and apps From page 4

May 9+

LEARN 3D DESIGN AND PRINTING Learn how to design and print 3D images at the Savage Branch

Library, located at 9525 Durness Ln., Laurel. Registration is required for the free four-session series from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on May 9, 16, 23 and 30. Register by

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the link at the top of the page titled “Online Exhibit.” The page features photographs dating back to 1866 with quotes from people who

were at the scene in the picture. There is a wide array of photos on the online exhibit, from photos of action shots of players, to cheering fans, and filled streets around the stadium of the first World Series game. http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.o rg/Picturing-America-s-Pastime/

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Despite all these benefits, consumers don’t entirely trust mobile wallets, partly because availability is limited, Ranta said. Not all cards and loyalty programs are compatible with the payment services, and some stores are not equipped to take mobile payments. Establishments such as bars and restaurants may accept only cash or plastic. Apple Pay has the highest retailer acceptance rate among the mobile payment services, at 36 percent, according to sur-

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From page 3

vey data from the retail consulting firm Boston Retail Partners. “We’re still very much in the early stages of this,” Ranta said. “At the end of the day, it’s still that awkward, ‘Do you accept it?’ and if (not), then you’ve got to find an alternative way to pay, or just walk out of the store.” As technology advances, Chaikin said, innovations and improvements in security will likely make the process more comfortable and accessible for consumers and retailers alike. “Our mobile phone revolution is really just at the tipping point.” — Nerdwallet via AP

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Mobile wallet

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 7

M AY 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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Health Fitness &

ACTIVELY PREVENTING DEMENTIA Games, crafts and computers (but not books) may stave off Alzheimer’s HAVE A GOOD CRY Crying can release “feel-good” hormones, alleviate stress and kill bacteria KEEP IT MOVING Five natural ways to keep things moving along nicely through your gut PAIN CONTROL GUIDELINES The CDC released recommendations recently to prevent opioid addiction

Eye implant allows clear close-up vision By Lauran Neergaard Squinting while texting? Always losing your reading glasses? An eye implant that takes about 10 minutes to put in place is the newest in a list of surgical repairs for the blurry close-up vision known as presbyopia, a bane of middle age. But who’s really a good candidate to toss their specs? “It’s not bringing anybody back to being 20 again,” cautioned Dr. Shilpa Rose, a Washington ophthalmologist who tests whether patients’ eyes are healthy enough to qualify. “But it decreases the need to rush to get that pair of reading glasses every time you want to send a text or read an email.” Nearly everybody will experience pres-

byopia at some point, usually starting in the mid-40s. At first you may notice yourself holding restaurant menus at arm’s length. Eventually, even in good light, reading becomes a blur. How well you see has to do with how light is directed through the natural lens to the back of the eye. That lens stiffens with age, losing its ability to shift and bend light so that it becomes more difficult to focus close-up. The usual options are magnifying drugstore reading glasses or, for people with other vision problems, bifocals, multifocal contact lenses, or what’s called monovision — correcting for distance vision in one eye and near vision in the other. “I have glasses everywhere — the bed-

room, the office, the kitchen,” said Christianne Krupinsky, 51, of Marriottsville, Md., who’d never needed them until presbyopia struck. “Getting ready in the morning, even to put on jewelry I can’t see the clasp. It’s so frustrating.”

A removable implant And while surgery always carries some risk, corneal inlays that are implanted into the eye’s clear front surface are getting attention because they’re removable if necessary. “It’s not magic. It’s surgery. People have to remember this is not one-and-done,” but requires post-surgical exams and care, said Dr. Deepinder K. Dhaliwal of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, a corneal spe-

cialist who is watching studies of the inlays. Krupinsky was a little nervous while lying on the operating table to receive the new Raindrop near vision inlay. “The most you’re going to feel is pressure,” promised Washington refractive surgeon Dr. Mark Whitten, applying numbing drops to her left eye. A gel-like device that looks like a miniature contact lens, the Raindrop is smaller than the eye of a needle. It’s the first implant to treat presbyopia by changing the cornea’s shape, making it steeper to alter how light passes through. It’s placed in only one eye; both eyes See EYE IMPLANT, page 7

Gene therapy successfully fights cancer By Marilynn Marchione An experimental gene therapy that turns a patient’s own blood cells into cancer killers worked in a major study — with more than one-third of very sick lymphoma patients showing no sign of disease six months after a single treatment, according to the pharmaceutical company that makes the treatment. In all, 82 percent of patients had their cancer shrink at least by half at some point in the study. Its sponsor, California-based Kite Pharma, is racing Novartis AG to become the first to win approval of the treatment in the U.S. Called CAR-T cell therapy, it could become the nation’s first approved gene therapy. A hopeful sign: the number in complete remission at six months — 36 percent — is barely changed from partial results released after three months, suggesting this one-time treatment might give lasting benefits for those who do respond well. “This seems extraordinary... extremely encouraging,” said one independent expert, Dr. Roy Herbst, cancer medicines chief at the Yale Cancer Center. The worry has been how long Kite’s treatment would last and its side effects, which Herbst said seem manageable in the study. Follow-up beyond six months is still needed to see if the benefit wanes, he said, but added, “This certainly is something I would want to have available.”

The therapy is not without risk. Three of the 101 patients in the study died of causes unrelated to worsening of their cancer, and two of those deaths were deemed due to the treatment. The treatment was developed at the government’s National Cancer Institute and then licensed to Kite. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society helped sponsor the study. Results were released by the company and have not been published or reviewed by other experts. Full results will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research conference in April. The company plans to seek approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by the end of March and in Europe later this year.

How it works The treatment involves filtering a patient’s blood to remove key immune system soldiers called T-cells, altering them in the lab to contain a gene that targets cancer, and giving them back intravenously. Doctors call it a “living drug” — permanently altered cells that multiply in the body into an army to fight the disease. Patients in the study had one of three types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a blood cancer, and had failed all other treatments. Median survival for such patients has been about six months. Kite study patients seem to be living

longer, but median survival isn’t yet known. With nearly nine months of followup, more than half are still alive. Six months after treatment, 41 percent still had a partial response (cancer shrunk at least in half) and 36 percent were in complete remission (no sign of disease). “The numbers are fantastic,” said Dr. Fred Locke, a blood cancer expert at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa who co-led the study and has been a paid adviser to Kite. “These are heavily treated patients who have no other options.” One of his patients, 43-year-old Dimas Padilla of Orlando, was driving when he got a call saying his cancer was worsening, chemotherapy was no longer working, and there was no match to enable a second try at a stem cell transplant. “I actually needed to park...I was thinking how am I going to tell this to my mother, my wife, my children,” he said. But after CAR-T therapy last August, he saw his tumors “shrink like ice cubes” and is now in complete remission. “They were able to save my life,” Padilla said.

More about risks Of the study participants, 13 percent developed a dangerous condition where the immune system overreacts in fighting the cancer. That rate is lower than in some other tests of CAR-T therapy. The rate fell during the study as doctors got better at

detecting and treating it sooner. Roughly a third of patients developed anemia or other blood-count-related problems, which Locke said were easily treated. And 28 percent had neurological problems such as sleepiness, confusion, tremor or difficulty speaking, but these typically lasted just a few days, Locke said. “It’s a safe treatment — certainly a lot safer than having progressive lymphoma,” and comparable to combination chemotherapy in terms of side effects, said the cancer institute’s Dr. Steven Rosenberg, who had no role in Kite’s study. The first lymphoma patient Rosenberg treated this way, a Florida man, is still in remission seven years later. There were no cases of swelling and fluid in the brain in this or any other study testing Kite’s treatment, company officials said. That contrasts with Juno Therapeutics, which has had a CAR-T study put on hold twice after five patient deaths due to this problem. Company officials would not say what the treatment might cost, but other types of immune system therapies have been very expensive. It’s also being tested for some other types of blood cancer. To learn more about lymphoma, see http://bit.ly/LymphomaInformation. More information about CAR-T therapy is available at http://bit.ly/CAR-Ttherapy, and gene therapy information in general is available at http://bit.ly/GeneTherapyInfo. — AP

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 7

Eye implant From page 6 still see at a distance. Patients can testwear a single contact lens to be sure they’ll like the effect before choosing surgery.

For healthy eyes only Rose, the ophthalmologist, checked for dry eye, underlying diseases like glaucoma, and whether the corneas were thick and healthy enough for the implant before turning Krupinsky over to her surgical partner. “Just look straight up,” Whitten said as he used a laser to slice a flap in Krupinsky’s cornea. He centered the Raindrop inlay over her pupil and lowered the flap to seal it in place. Minutes later, Krupinsky read lines on an eye chart she previously couldn’t make out without glasses, albeit still a little blurry. She’ll need eye drops for several months as her cornea heals so vision can sharpen. Maker ReVision Optics Inc. is gradually training eye surgeons to use the Raindrop properly, after the Food and Drug Administration approved it last summer based on a study of 373 people whose only vision problem was moderate presbyopia. Two years later, 92 percent had good near vision, 20/40 or better without glasses, in the implanted eye. Potential side effects include infection, dry eye, glare or corneal problems such as scarring. About 7 percent of study participants had the implant removed, mostly because they weren’t satisfied with their vision or experienced a haze or clouding of the cornea. Most returned to their pre-surgical vision, although one had lingering haze.

Other options available Another FDA-approved corneal inlay, the Kamra, is a doughnut-shaped device, also used in one eye and removable. It works like a pinhole camera, improving vision by focusing light through the center of the pupil. A more invasive operation replaces the natural lens in each eye with an artificial one, named Symfony, that can focus both near and far. Approved for cataract surgery, it also is being offered as a presbyopia fix for the middle-aged who don’t yet have cataracts. Unlike inlays, artificial lenses can’t simply be removed. Insurance doesn’t cover elective presbyopia surgery. Rose said the inlays average about $4,000 to $5,000, while the artificial lens in both eyes can cost twice as much. Patients should consult a surgeon experienced with all the options who can determine which best suits their eyes, advised Pittsburgh’s Dhaliwal. Each has pros, cons and unknowns. For example, elective lens replacement isn’t for the very nearsighted, because they’re at higher risk for a vision-threatening complication, Dhaliwal said. And the Raindrop hasn’t been studied in people who years ago underwent LASIK surgery to correct nearsightedness. That didn’t deter Mike Gray, 52, of Haymarket, Va., who lost his reading glasses so often that he bought bulk packs. To implant the inlay, Whitten had to avoid cutting the cornea in the same place as Gray’s long-ago LASIK, and advises such patients to pick a surgeon experienced in both procedures. “Everything is very clear and getting better every day,” Gray said about a month later. — AP

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Apr. 29

ADULT AND CHILD FIRST-AID CLASS Howard County General Hospital is offering a free class on clear-

ing airway obstructions in adults and children from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 29 at the hospital’s Wellness Center, 10710 Charter Dr., Columbia. The course is for ages 12 and up, and does not lead to CPR certification. For more information, visit www.hcgh.org or call (410) 740-7601.

May 6

REMEMBERING THE NAZI OCCUPATION Edith Cord, a Columbia resident who grew up during the Nazi

Occupation of Austria, will share some of her childhood experiences on Saturday, May 6 at 7 p.m. at the Howard County Historical Society Museum, 8328 Court Ave., Ellicott City. Tickets are $8 per person, and may be purchased by visiting hchsmd.org/events or by calling (410) 480-3250.

Apr. 26

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TOWN MEETING A workgroup including representatives of mental health and sub-

stance abuse organizations will hold a town meeting on Wednesday, April 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Health Department. 8930 Stanford Blvd., Columbia. This is the last in a series of meetings this spring exploring integrating the mental health and substance abuse services in the county. For more information about this meeting or the statewide program under consideration, contact Carl DeLorenzo, Director of Policy and Programs, Department of County Administration, at (410) 313-2172 or email cdelorenzo@howardcountymd.gov.

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M AY 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Games, crafts may help prevent dementia By Lindsey Tanner Even in your 70s and beyond, simple activities — including web-surfing, playing bridge and socializing — can stave off mental decline, new research says. Benefits were greatest in computer users and in those without a gene variation

linked with Alzheimer’s disease. But even among seniors with that genetic trait, mental decline that sometimes precedes dementia was less common among those who engaged in mind-stimulating activities. The study didn’t evaluate the costly, computer-based games that purport to

keep the brain sharp. The benefits were found from activities that most older adults have ready access to. “They don’t have to spend their life’s savings” on fancy gadgets, said Dr. Yonas Geda, the study’s senior author and a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic campus in Scottsdale, Arizona.

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May 11

INTRODUCTION TO A PLANT-BASED DIET

Dr. Zeeshan Ali, program specialist with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, will discuss the benefits of plant-based diets, as well as share useful recipes. The event will take place Thursday, May 11, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Central Branch Library located at 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia. Registration is preferred. For more information or to register, call (410) 313-7800.

Movies and computers The study, which was recently published in the journal JAMA Neurology, looked at five types of activities that are thought to help keep the mind sharp — computer use; making crafts; playing games, including chess or bridge; going to movies or other types of socializing; and reading books. The idea was to see if these activities could help prevent mild cognitive impairment. That condition involves problems with memory, thinking and attention that don’t interfere much with daily life but which increase risks for developing Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Almost 2,000 adults aged 70 to 93 without any memory problems participated. They lived in Minnesota’s Olmsted County, where

the Mayo Clinic in Rochester is located. Participants were asked whether they had engaged in any of the five activities during the previous year and, if so, how often. They were tested for cognitive impairment through mental exams at the start of the study and every 15 months thereafter for about four years. During that time, 456 study participants developed the mild impairment.

Reading not as helpful Analysis found a protective effect from each activity except for reading books. Study participants who engaged in any of the other activities at least once weekly were 20 to 30 percent less likely to develop the condition over the four years than those who never did those activities. The researchers noted that the statistical link they found with reduced risk does not prove that the activities were responsible. Still, the results support the idea that “being engaged mentally is good for brain health,” according to Heather Snyder of the Alzheimer’s Association. — AP

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May 7

NATURAL ARTWORK

Nature-inspired artwork created and donated by professional artists, art students and local celebrities will be featured at the opening of the Howard County Conservancy’s gallery exhibit “The Art of Stewardship” on Sunday, May 7 at the Conservancy’s Mt. Pleasant Farm, 10520 Old Frederick Rd., Woodstock. Featured speakers include Greg Mort, internationally recognized artist and founder of The Art of Stewardship movement, who will speak on the role of environmental stewardship in the arts. A wine and cheese preview reception will be held at 6 p.m., with the gallery opening and sale beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets for the reception are $20; the artwork for sale is $100 per item. To learn more about the evening, visit www.hcconservancy.org or call (410) 465-8877.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 7

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Why crying is good for us in many ways When we think of crying, we usually relate Some other interesting benefits associit to grief, pain (whether it be emotional or ated with crying include enhanced comphysical), shame, and sometimes even guilt. munication, better coping skills and antiWe cry for a lot of reasons. bacterial effects. Let me exSometimes we cry because plain: “I’ll never let go, Jack” hapCrying releases stress. pens in a movie (remember Stress-crying releases toxins Titanic?). that assist the body in ridding When I was pregnant with itself of chemicals that are my daughter Samara in 1989, known to raise cortisol levels. I remember crying at some Cortisol is the hormone that totally inappropriate moment puts fat around your belly, so during the whale movie, Orca. controlling that could conIt was so odd, but to this day I tribute to weight loss. ControlDEAR recall how good it felt to let ling cortisol also helps you PHARMACIST those tears out and blow my cope with stress. By Suzy Cohen nose. It’s funny looking back. So remember: don’t allow Personally, I’m not a crier. your stress or emotions to reThat is, it takes a lot, but I do cry on occa- main bottled up inside you! sion, provoked by normal things such Tears are antibacterial. They contain grief, or the fear of losing someone I love, lysozyme, a naturally-produced antimicroor if I really, really hurt myself. (I once bial enzyme. An article published in Medstarted crying from the pain after cutting ical Daily found that tears can kill up to 95 my finger open while chopping an onion.) percent of bacteria in under ten minutes! Crying improves communication. BaWhy we feel better afterward bies cannot speak, so they let you know Any type of emotional surge, whether it about their discomfort by crying. As for is positive or negative, can trigger tears. adults, seeing another person’s tears When we’ve finished crying, we feel so quickly sums up the extreme level of much better! anger, frustration or sadness that words That feeling of relief we experience after fail to convey. crying comes from “feel-good” hormones I have a longer article at my website that and neurotransmitters that are released explains why some people prefer to cry during the episode. alone in the shower. Emotional crying contains leucineWherever you cry, it would be a disservenkephalin — an endorphin that both im- ice to yourself, your mental health, and proves mood and reduces pain. your physical body to prevent the occaThat’s right: our tears contain endor- sional vulnerable state (and euphoria) that phins, so when you cry, you can feel your- emotional crying provides. self start to settle down almost instantly In order to restore balance to both your after shedding some tears. As an added ef- body and mind, you should try to embrace fect, our emotional pain tolerance increases the lacrimation. after we have cried. This is human nature. Men especially take note: Crying is a

sign of a kind-hearted, sensitive man. There’s nothing wrong with letting your guard down. It is not a sign of weakness, like you might have been taught. This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your con-

dition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To contact her, visit www.SuzyCohen.com.

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M AY 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Natural ways to keep your system moving By Judith Thalheimer, R.D. Americans spend nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars a year trying to deal with constipation. It’s a side effect of certain drugs, a complication of some medical conditions, and a common complaint of aging. But constipation can also be caused by dehydration, a low-fiber diet, and/or a sedentary lifestyle — things within your control. Here’s what you can do to keep things moving naturally.

1. Eat more plants “An increase in fiber can improve constipation,” said Emily Haller, R.D.N., a dietitian with the University of Michigan Health System. “Fiber is found in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds.” How much do we need? “Most studies suggest that dietary fiber in the range of 20 to 30 grams per day is ideal,” said William Chey, M.D., professor of gastroenterology at the University of Michigan. If you, like most Americans, are not reaching

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this goal, ramp up the amount of your fiber intake slowly to avoid discomfort. There may be added benefits to getting fiber from fruit. “Many fruits contain sugars like fructose and sorbitol that can increase the frequency and soften the consistency of stools” said Chey. Chey and Haller particularly recommend dried plums (prunes), kiwi, blackberries, mangos and peaches. 2. Hydrate “Eating too much fiber without drinking enough water could worsen constipation, so drinking adequate fluid is also important,” said Haller. While how much fluid any individual needs varies, the general recommendation is 64 ounces per day. “Urine color can be a good indicator of hydration status,” said Haller. “Light or clear indicates a person is drinking enough fluid. If urine is dark, I would recommend increasing intake by one to two glasses and see if that helps.” Water is the beverage of choice, but other fluids — such as fruit and vegetable juices and clear soups — will also help the fiber in your diet work better. “Some people find drinking a warm beverage in the morning helps decrease their constipation,” said Haller. “And caffeine can have a laxative effect, so drinking coffee or tea in the morning may be effective.” 3. Try yogurt Cultured and fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, unpasteurized sauerkraut and Gouda cheese contain beneficial microorganisms known as probiotics. A 2014 scientific review of all available studies concluded that probiotics may help with constipation. “Probiotics may improve gut transit time, stool frequency and stool consistency,” said Kevin Whelan, professor of dietetics at King’s College London and one of

the authors of the study. “But we need better quality studies to be sure, and also more studies on different strains of probiotics, as many act differently in the body.” Research on Bifidobacterium lactis, found in some yogurts, kefir, buttermilk and unpasteurized fermented vegetables, seems particularly promising. 4. Get moving “Movement is essential for regularity,” said Haller. Aerobic exercise helps stimulate contraction of the intestines, moving food along more quickly. This faster transit time also means less time for water to be pulled from the stool, so it stays softer and easier to pass. Jogging, swimming and dancing are great, but even walking 10 to 15 minutes at a time several times a day can help, as can stretching and yoga. An after-dinner walk is fine, but wait an hour after a big meal before taking on any particularly vigorous exercise. Drawing blood away from the digestive tract to fuel the heart and muscles can actually cause constipation. 5. Limit triggers According to Chey and Haller, some people find red meat and dairy constipating, and bananas (typically thought of as a good source of stool-softening soluble fiber) can actually be constipating for some people. Pay attention to your body to figure out what works best for you, or seek out the help of a registered dietitian for tips on making the changes you need to get things moving. Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC. 800-829-5384. www.EnvironmentalNutrition.com. © 2017 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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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 7

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MOVING & TRANSITIONS FOR SENIORS THE WHAT, WHEN & HOW OF MAKING THE MOVE THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU!

TIME: 6:00 - 7:00PM Thursday, April 27 – Secrets of Selling Uncover tips and tricks for selling a home in today’s market with Nellie Arrington, Associate Broker, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Tuesday, May 9 – A Lifestyle Transition to Live For! Discover what it’s like to have a lifestyle transition with Beckyanne G. Theriot, SMM-C, Lifestyle Transition Administrator, Owner/Founder of AFCM.

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Health Studies Page

M AY 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Heart study seeks healthy volunteers By Carol Sorgen Resveratrol is a compound found in the leaves and skin of grapes, in peanuts, and in the roots of the Japanese knotweed plant. It became popularly known in the 1990s, when researchers began to suspect that resveratrol may be the major reason for the positive effect of wine on cardiovascular health. Since then, studies have found that resveratrol has a number of biological effects on blood vessels, cancer, blood sugar control, muscle activity and inflammation. Studies are also being conducted to explore whether resveratrol might have a positive effect on the aging process through its action on a class of proteins in

the body called sirtuins, which affect metabolism. Though resveratrol has been extensively studied in test tubes, cells and animals, it is only now being explored fully in people. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is currently conducting a study at Baltimore’s Harbor Hospital to test the effects of different doses of resveratrol on heart and blood vessel health in healthy volunteers. In prior animal studies, conducted by NIA in monkeys and rats, findings demonstrated a reduction in the stiffness of blood vessels over several weeks. The compound appears to have no harmful effects at doses up to 5 grams per day.

What the study entails Those taking part in the study will be separated into three groups. Two groups will take different dose levels of the study drug. The third group will take a placebo (inactive ingredient). The study involves five visits over a period of about 13 months. At the first visit, participants will undergo a physical exam and the researchers will take a medical history, blood and urine samples. Participants who qualify for the study on the screening visit will be given a list of foods to avoid eating while participating in it, and will be scheduled for further visits. The second visit will be within 60 days of the screening visit, while the remaining

visits will be approximately 16 weeks apart. Visits 2, 4 and 5 require an overnight stay at the NIA clinical unit located at Harbor Hospital, 3001 S. Hanover St. Meals will be provided during the overnight visits. Testing that will be done includes blood, urine samples and EKG’s. Body scans include a two-hour MRI scan to measure fat and muscle mass, and a bone density (DEXA) scan. Participants will also have exercise tests (treadmill, strength testing) and a muscle biopsy. The third visit will be a two-hour outpatient visit.

Compensation offered There is no cost to participants for testing done during the study. In addition, volunteers will be compensated up to $1,280 for completing all study visits. To be eligible to participate in the study, you must be age 50 or older. Your body mass index (BMI) must be between 25 and 35. You should not currently be on blood pressure or cholesterol medications. You must not have any history of diabetes, heart failure, liver or kidney disease. You may not currently use tobacco products. If you or someone you know may qualify, contact Sierra Kunkoski at (410) 350-3941, or email niastudiesrecruitment@mail.nih.gov for more information.

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Ongoing

SENIOR MEDICARE PATROL

The state Senior Medicare Patrol program, which assists recipients and caregivers in reporting healthcare fraud and errors, can be contacted by Howard County residents to file a complaint, volunteer, or find information about the program. Call (410) 3137392. For more information, visit http://aging.maryland.gov/Pages/S MP.aspx or call the Maryland Department of Aging, (410) 7671000 or 1-800-243-3425.

May 6

ENCORE CHORALE PERFORMANCE

The Encore Chorales of Columbia and Towson will present a free concert of music ranging from Broadway to spirituals on Saturday, May 6 at 7 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 6800 Oakland Mills Rd., Columbia. The chorales are composed of singers age 55 and over affiliated with Encore Creativity, a national program with 15 chorales and 5 rock ‘n roll choruses in the Maryland, D.C. and Virginia area. For more information, visit www.encorecreativity.org or call (301) 261-5747.

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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 7

Guidelines offer safer ways to control pain In the past, if you had minor surgery or an injury your doctor would often prescribe an opioid pain killer to ease your discomfort. That is less likely under new guidelines for physicians. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released the first federal opioid prescription guidelines. They are written for primary care providers, but patients should know about them, too, said pain management specialist Dr. Richard Rosenquist. “The goal is to help physicians prescribe opioids in a rational fashion,” he said. “We have an incredible number of people dying from overdoses, and prescriptions must be more aligned with the medication’s proper use.” The Food and Drug Administration may soon be addressing the issue as well. Scott Gottlieb, the doctor nominated to head the FDA, told senators in early April that his first priority would be tackling the opioid crisis. Gottlieb said opioid addiction is “the biggest crisis facing the agency” and as serious a public health challenge — for the entire government, not just FDA — as infectious diseases like Ebola or Zika. He said tackling the crisis will “require dramatic action,” including finding ways to spur development of non-addictive alternative painkillers as well as addiction treatments. An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association on the guidelines said more than 165,000 people died from opioid overdoses between 1999 and 2014. In 2013, roughly 1.9 million people abused their prescriptions. Another startling statistic: Overall, the United States — which makes up about 5 percent of the world’s population — uses 80 percent of all prescription opioids. And, opioids are often over-prescribed, Rosenquist said. Doctors either write prescriptions for too many pills or they offer opioids when there are better choices. The new guidelines, he said, will help them identify how and when a patient really needs an opioid.

Working with your doctor Here are changes you may see in your doctor’s approach. According to the CDC’s suggestions for managing pain, your doctor should: • Look for non-opioid therapy options first. He or she should think about an opioid to treat chronic pain only when benefits outweigh risks. • Work with you to create a plan to treat your pain. The plan should set realistic goals and focus on limiting opioid use. You and your doctor should also discuss how you will stop taking the drugs when the time comes. • Talk to you about the risks and benefits of controlling pain with opioids. You should discuss this before you first take them and, over time, for as long as you take them. • Try immediate-release opioids first. He or she should opt for extended-release drugs

only if immediate-release opioids don’t work. • Start low; go slow. He or she should take care to start your therapy with the lowest dose necessary, and increase the dose slowly — and only if needed. • Limit your opioid therapy for acute pain to less than three days. Prescribing opioids for more than seven days should typically be rare. (Long-term use and abuse often begin with doctors treating pain from an injury or surgery.) • Use strategies to reduce risks. He or she should focus on your history and risk factors. • Review your controlled-substance history every three months. Your doctor should check to make sure you are using prescribed drugs safely. • Give you a urine test before prescribing opioids. This will help him or her double check on what prescribed drugs and other substances you use.

• Avoid prescribing opioids and benzodiazepines (tranquilizers) at the same time, if possible. Using them at the same time puts patients at greater risk for a potentially fatal overdose. • Offer assisted treatments for patients with a history of abuse or dependence problems. The CDC suggests using drugs like methadone along with behavior therapy as an alternative.

Opioid side effects Rosenquist said, opioids can help control pain, but higher doses do not necessarily make them work better. And, opioid use has serious risks. If you take them long-term, they sometimes cause: • Constipation • Slower gastrointestinal function • Decreased endocrine function

• Nervous system inflammation • Greater response to less pain • Erectile dysfunction Large daily doses of opioids — 200 mg morphine equivalents or — may put your risk of death at 1-in-32, Rosenquist said. Combining opioids with a drug such as Valium boosts your risk of death between four and 10 times. Ultimately, Rosenquist said, the guidelines should help doctors use opioids in a more rational and appropriate way and help head off problems before they start. “People have begun to turn the faucet back on the availability of opioids,” he said. “The goal is not to eliminate their use altogether, but rather to use them in a more effective fashion and to reduce the incidence of prescription drug abuse and death.” © 2017 www.awellnessupdate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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M AY 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNICARE FAMILY OF COMPANIES

Dear Solutions: is having a terribly hard time. There are My friend’s son has just opened his problems, mostly financial, some about own dental practice in my children and others. neighborhood. My friend I want to help if I can, but keeps hinting about me when I say I’m so sorry and using him as my dentist. ask if there is anything I can I don’t feel comfortable do, she just gets annoyed at going to him since I’ve me. I could help her finanknown him since he was in cially, but I don’t want to diapers. I know that doesrisk insulting them — mostn’t make him a bad denly her husband. tist, but... Should I just keep asking How do I get out of this? what I can do until she tells SOLUTIONS Should I say anything or me something so she’ll By Helen Oxenberg, just ignore her hints? know I mean it? MSW, ACSW — Eve — Kate Dear Eve: Dear Kate: Say nothing. You can’t use a dentist if No! Don’t ask, because she won’t tell. you refuse to open your mouth! Act! You can help financially? OK. Write Actually, wish him luck, tell her you will a check and just give it to her. Tell her in mention him to others, but say you can’t no uncertain terms that this is not a loan, leave the dentist you’ve been with for but a helping hand. Friends are allowed to many years. hand help to each other. You might mention that you have this ir© Helen Oxenberg, 2017. Questions to be rational obsession — you don’t feel comfort- considered for this column may be sent to: able unless your dentist and your doctor are The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, at least one month older than you are. MD 20915. You may also email the author Dear Solutions: at helox72@comcast.net. To inquire about A friend of mine whom I really admire reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 7

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50+

THE

NEWS and EVENTS from the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence

Connection

Department of Community Resources and Services

Volume 7, No. 5 • May 2017

MAP Supports Older Adults as They “Age Out Loud”

elebrated each year in May, Older Americans Month (OAM) highlights important issues and trends affecting older adults. The 2017 theme, Age Out Loud, is intended to give aging a new voice—one that reflects what today’s older adults have to say about aging. More than ever before, older Americans are working longer, trying new things, and engaging in their communities. They’re taking charge, striving for wellness, focusing on independence, and advocating for themselves and others. Most older adults expect to continue to live their lives to the fullest for as long as possible, but they need access to information and resources to make that possible. Older Americans Month is the perfect time to highlight what the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence can do to support older adults who want to continue to live and work independently in our community, as well as those who need support services. Maryland Access Point (MAP) is the name of the unit within the Office on Aging and Independence that provides a “No Wrong Door” approach for individuals seeking information and assistance services. No Wrong Door is a virtual single point of entry to access public and private health and human supports for older adults and adults with disabilities in Howard County. No one wants to spend endless hours looking for information and services only to find you’ve contacted the wrong agency. The vision of No Wrong Door in Howard County is to provide comprehensive information and streamlined access to available short and long term supports through collaborative partnerships. MAP’s No Wrong Door community partners contribute their unique expertise and collaboration to streamline access and maximize efficiencies, saving you time and minimizing frustration.

Designated as an Aging and Disabilities Resource Center, Maryland Access Point addresses issues and coordinates services not only for Howard County’s older adults, but also for younger persons with disabilities who are age 18 and older. MAP’s main objective is to help people navigate and understand complicated public and private resource systems. Information specialists evaluate your needs, provide resource information, and help you get connected to available services. MAP’s highly trained staff has over 30 years of combined experience in the fields of aging, social work, and health care. Two are bilingual in Korean; interpretation services are available for other languages. Services are available by telephone, e-mail, home visits, at 50+ centers, through education and outreach sessions or a combination of the above. MAP is also the “gateway” to learn about the programs the Office on Aging and Independence has to offer. Older adults have come to rely on us as a trusted resource to learn about and get connected

to important programs such as National Family Caregiver Support, the State Health Insurance Assistance (SHIP) Program for Medicare counseling, in-home assistance options, health and wellness offerings, 50+ centers and social day program options, transportation options, long-term futures planning, and much more. During Older Americans Month, reach out and let us know what we can do to help you successfully “Age Out Loud.” Contact Maryland Access Point at 410-313-1234 (voice/relay) or map@howardcountymd.gov. Information specialists are available Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on non-holidays. Visit us online at www.howardcountymd.gov/MAP.

A Message from the

Howard County Commission on Aging Our democracy was built on representative government. Of course to have this system really work, the people must communicate or reach out to their representatives from time to time about the issues that they care about. Today, more than any other time in our history, we can connect easily by phone, e-mail, town halls, or through government sub-agencies and Commissions like the Howard County Commission on Aging, directly with our state, county, and Federal government representatives. Legislators at federal, state, and county levels have a real and genuine interest in hearing from people they represent – especially senior citizens. Why? Seniors do actually get out and vote! What seniors care about is important to our representatives. Maryland is a state with a rapidly growing and aging population. Howard County has one of the fastest growing aging populations in our state. A recent report by Howard County government showed that the number of people age 50+ will increase by 38 percent over the next 25 years. The rate goes up even more for other senior segments: age 65+ (114 percent); age 85+ (272 percent). Some of the legislative areas that were addressed in the last session resulted from direct feedback from seniors to their representatives and included: the high cost of prescription drugs and drug policy, property tax credits for seniors who meet defined criteria, elder abuse (increasing awareness and appropriate actions), and education and support for caregivers to seniors. Those interested in reaching out directly about issues they care about can contact: Howard County Maryland Delegation hoc1@mlis.state.md.us Howard County Commission on Aging aging@howardcountymd.gov Howard County Council councilmail@howardcountymd.gov Howard County Office on Aging and Independence aging@howardcountymd.gov • 410-313-6546

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The 50+ Connection

Spring Into Home Improvement As the weather gets warmer, many homeowners’ thoughts turn to home improvement projects. If you are thinking about remodeling or making repairs to your home, the Howard County Office of Consumer Protection urges you to consider these tips: • Do not use an unlicensed contractor. Make sure that the contractor is currently licensed with Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) by calling 410-230-6309. The MHIC’s Guarantee Fund provides recourse to consumers for substandard or incomplete work but only if the work was performed by a licensed contractor.

M AY 2 0 1 7 — 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

• Beware of contractors who come to your home unsolicited. Most “traveling” home improvement contractors do not have valid home improvement licenses. Beware of any offer that sounds too good to be true and assume that any offer that is made on a “now or never” basis is fraudulent. • Get more than one estimate before contracting for repairs or service. Ask for explanations for price differences between bids, and don’t automatically choose the lowest bidder. If the contractor tells you that an expensive or major appliance should be replaced, ask for the contractor’s price in writing. Consider purchasing replacement appliances yourself and shop around for the best price.

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

• Check the complaint history of the contractor with MHIC, or contact the Howard County Office of Consumer Protection at 410-313-6420. Also, ask for references of recently completed jobs and check them.

www.howardcountymd.gov/veterans • www.facebook.com/HoCoMilitary

For more information, contact the Howard County Office of Consumer Protection at consumer@howardcountymd.gov, 410-313-6420 or www.howardcountymd.gov/consumer.

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

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

www.Facebook.com/HoCoCommunity Kim Higdon Henry, Editor kahenry@howardcountymd.gov

Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the Office on Aging and Independence or by the publisher.

May 4 • 7 TO 9

Bain 50+ Center 5470 Ruth Keeton Way Columbia 21044

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 7

The 50+ Connection

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Are You Prepared for an Emergency? Ellicott City residents know all too well how one storm can change your life and community. That’s why Howard County recently launched Ready HoCo – a new campaign and website from the Office of Emergency Management to help keep your family and business prepared in care of an emergency! Since Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 7 through 13, it’s a great time to visit www.readyhoco to access available resources and review the four steps you and your family can take to be prepared: 1. STAY INFORMED – understand the common hazards in Howard County and follow the Howard County Office of Emergency Management on Facebook and Twitter. 2. MAKE A PLAN – design a personal plan for yourself, your family, and pets to follow in case of an emergency. Visit www.readyhoco.com to find out how. 3. BUILD A KIT – assemble a disaster supply kit with basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. For suggestions, go to www.ready.gov/build-a-kit. 4. GET INVOLVED – attend Howard County’s quarterly Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meetings; call or email OEM for details. To sign up for Hands-Only CPR and Stop the Bleed Training, email outreach@hcdfrs.org or call 410-313-2016. For more information on Ready HoCo, email emergencymanagement@howardcountymd.gov or call 410-313-6030 and request a free readiness packet. For more tips on how to prepare for a hurricane, visit www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

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

Exercise and Strategies for Fall Prevention SteppingON is a seven-week, evidence-based program designed to help reduce falls and increase confidence, strength and balance. Health and community-service professionals provide expertise on balance-related issues. The small group setting encourages active discussion, decision-making and behavior changes.

Ellicott City 50+ Center 9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042 FRIDAYS • 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

May 19, 26 • June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 $

28 includes 15 hours of workshop and all materials

To achieve the most benefits from this program, we encourage a commitment to attend all seven sessions. WEEKLY TOPICS INCLUDE: Falls/Risks Safe Footwear Review of Medications To register or for more information, contact:

Home Hazards/Vision Public/Community Safety Strength/Balance Exercises

JEANNIE DECRAY 410-313-6535 (VOICE/RELAY) jdecray@howardcountymd.gov

www.howardcountymd.gov/aging

Call the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to assist you with Medicare questions and concerns!

410-313-7392

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The 50+ Connection

M AY 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Howard County 50+ Centers

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

Bain 50+ Center

Elkridge 50+ Center

Tuesday, May 2 • 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. –

Temporary Location: 5660 Furnace Avenue, Elkridge 21075

The Way We Sing on Old Camp Ground

Monday, May 8 • 10:00 a.m. to noon – Memory Screenings

Bain’s Gospel Choir takes us on a journey to the “Old Camp Ground” where the use of drama to present spiritual material will be one that should not be missed. FREE. RSVP: 410-313-7213.

Is it just forgetfulness or something more? Take a simple test today to find out! FREE; register at 410-313-5192.

Thursday, May 4 • 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. –

Friday, May 12 • 10:30 a.m. to noon – Mother’s Day Party

LGBT/Bain Film Event: Letter to Anita

Listen to the sounds of the Lyric Opera House then enjoy lunch with delicious crab cakes and side dishes. Afterwards, it’s time for the Fabulous 50+ Players and some trivia fun. $20/person; register at 410-313-5192.

Don’t miss the film showing and discussion; Social work CEU’s available. Refreshments served; doors open at 6:00 p.m. FREE; registration is required. Register at 410-313-7213.

Tuesday-Thursday, May 9 to 11 • 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. –

Spring Plant and Bake Sale Sponsored by the Bain 50+ Center Council, our plant sale offers a variety of herbs, hanging baskets and assorted plants for sale. Don’t miss our bake sale featuring home-baked items on May 9.

Friday, May 12 • 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. –

Wednesday, May 17 • 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. – Pancake Breakfast Enjoy a delicious homemade pancake breakfast featuring eggs, sausage, Danish and fruit. Donations accepted. Register: 410-313-5192.

Friday, May 19 • 11:00 a.m. to noon – Let’s Dish Join Marcus, our nutrition specialist, as he cooks up something delicious. Large portion samples will be served! FREE; donations accepted. Register: 410-313-5192.

7th Annual Mother’s Day Brunch

Wednesday, May 24 • 10:00 a.m. to noon –

Honoring all mothers and women who care for others. Featuring live entertainment by The Winstons. All are welcome; limited seating. $5/ person, purchase at the front desk. Info at 410-313-7213.

Knitting with the Expert

Friday, May 19 • 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. –

Sam Barsky will show us some of his beautiful knitting creations and share his story. You will be amazed by his wonderful, beautiful work. FREE. Register: 410-313-5192.

BETA Presents: When Green Spills Into Me The Bain 50+ Center’s “Enjoying the Arts Program” will present a poetic performance piece featuring the work of Vanita Leatherwood . FREE. RSVP by May 12 to 410-313-7213.

East Columbia 50+ Center Tuesday, May 16 • 1:00 p.m. – Clutter Busters Attend our monthly meetings to support your quest for organization, minimalism and more time to do the things that give you meaning and purpose. FREE; register at 410-313-7680.

Thursday, May 18 • 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. – Seated Massage Short on time? Try our new 20 minute massage. You deserve it! Cost: $23; appointments required. Call: 410-313-7680.

Thursdays • 2:00 p.m. – Strength, Stretch and Core Susan Bisson leads this moderate exercise class, using weights, stretch bands and some floor exercise to stretch and strengthen core musles. $23/month. Register: 410-313-7680.

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

Take Charge of Emotional Wellness, Too! Enjoy three thought-provoking sketches on aging well over the lifespan, performed by the Mental Health Players and directed !"#$%&'"(')%*)'+,"-./$'&0'"$&1'*%023&"'&03.*%)'/4 FREE. Light refreshments served. Call Karen Hull at 410-313-7466 for more details or to register.

Tuesday, May 9 • 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Bain 50+ Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia 21044

Moment to Honor 53&3*"16'"7$)&$80%&1"9'39+'"$&"!3.*"+$:'";63"%*'"&3"+3&)'*";$16".7,"" <.$'1"*'='023&>"+$?'"@.7$0>"%&/"%")*3.9"03@@'@3*%2?'"%02?$1!,"" Free and open to all; light refreshments served. RSVP to Elaine Widom, 410-313-7353 by May 26.

Wednesday, May 31 • 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Bain 50+ Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia 21044

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 7

The 50+ Connection

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Ellicott City 50+ Center

North Laurel 50+ Center

Wednesday, May 10 • 12:30 p.m. – Big Band Bash

Wednesday, May 3 • 1:30 p.m. – Spring Origami Workshop

The Bykota Senior Center Players present senior musical theater at its finest. Enjoy a performance packed with old favorites from Glenn Miller, drive-ins, malt shops and more! FREE; register at 410-442-4419.

Learn how to make a jewelry box using the ancient craft of origami. FREE; no experience necessary, all materials provided. Register at 410-313-0380.

Friday, May 12 • 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Wellness Matters U

Tuesday, May 23 • 10:30 a.m. –

The 50+ Fitness Center will host Wellness Matters U, a health fair with screenings, fitness demonstrations and wellness seminars. Hepatitis C testing will be offered (limited to first 50 registrants). FREE; register at 410-313-1400.

Travel Talk: Let’s Go on Safari Africa is home to unforgettable wild animals and extraordinary scenic beauty. Join travel enthusiast, Rick, to learn more about South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. FREE; register at 410-313-0380.

Saturday, May 13 – Caregiver Support Program Tea

Thursday, May 11 • 11:00 a.m. –

Caregivers, join us a day of tea, pampering and comradery, with free respite available for your loved one. FREE; limited to 50 attendees. RSVP by May 5 to Kathy Wehr, 410-313-5955 or kwehr@howardcountymd.gov

Tuesday, May 16 • 12:30 p.m. – Footsteps “Footsteps” presents Civil War facts with perspective, passion and humor. Re-enactor, Eddie Roberts portrays his great-grandfathers in a captivating Civil War conversation. FREE; register at 410-313-1400.

Saturday, May 20 • 2:00 p.m. – Show Time Singers Concert Featuring Broadway tunes, as well as popular standards. Program supported by grants from the Howard County Arts Council and Howard County Government. FREE; tickets available at front desk.

Tuesday, May 23 • 1:00 p.m. – White House If you want to learn the inside scoop about the real Eugene Allen, on whom the movie “The Butler” is based, don’t miss former White House butler Alan DeValerio sharing his experiences. Register at 410-313-1400.

Wednesday, May 24 • 1:00 p.m. – Eating Mindfully Karen Basinger from Howard County Consumer Sciences will discuss the latest tips, trends and reports on healthy eating – where to buy, what to stay away from, what you didn’t know and more! FREE.

Glenwood 50+ Center Friday, May 5 • 10:30 a.m. – Book Talk: Sacred and

Stolen: Confessions of a Museum Director Join author Gary Vikan, the story of a Minnesota kid who started out at his father’s small-town newspaper and ended up as director of the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. FREE.; register at 410-313-5440.

Friday, May 12 • 8:15 to 10:15 a.m. – Nature Walk with

Kurt Schwarz, Howard County Bird Club Walk the paths of Western Regional Park, and seek out migrating songbirds, such as warbler, orioles, and sparrow. Wear sturdy footwear; bring binoculars and water. Please arrive no later than 8:15 at the Community Center entrance. Register at 410-313-5440.

Monday, May 15 • 11:00 a.m. – The Keys to Senior Housing Join author Roberta Benor on how to stay in your current home or move to alternate housing. The program guides older adults and their adult children through the process to find the best options. FREE.

Tuesday, May 23 • 1:00 p.m. –

Mother’s Day Appreciation Dance An inter-generational program to honor the women in our lives, this showcase features students from Reservoir High School, performing ballet, modern and jazz dance. FREE; make your reservation at 410-313-0380.

Tuesdays, May 16 and June 20 • 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. –

Handbuilt Ceramics: Exploring Texture Explore techniques in handbuilding to create a functional piece of artwork embellished with texture and enriched with glaze. $48/includes materials and instruction. Register no later than May 12 at 410-313-0380.

Wednesday, May 24 • 11:00 a.m. –“Age Out Loud”

Older Americans Month Celebration Celebrate Older Americans Month with our 50+ Center members as they share their talents. Followed by a special lunch and live music by the “Just Us Band.” Cost: Lunch contribution for those 60+.

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 TEMPORARY LOCATION: 5660

Furnace Ave., Elkridge 410-313-5192 • elkridge50@howardcountymd.gov

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

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

The WWI Navy: Second to None Captain James C. Rentfrow, a military professor of History at the U.S. Naval Academy, will discuss how the U.S. Navy dealt with the clash of powerful forces that engulfed Europe during WWI. FREE; register at 410-313-5440.

Wednesday, May 24 • 10:00 a.m. –

The New Face of the Washington Area The Washington area is a global community of a million people, one-third of them born outside the United States. Steve Roberts of Bethesda Magazine will discuss the modern history of immigration and its impact on Montgomery County communities. FREE; register at 410-313-5440.

LONGWOOD 50+ CENTER 6150 Foreland Garth, Columbia 410-313-7217

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

www.howardcountymd.gov/50pluscenters

The 50+ Connection

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

M AY 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

A Howard County Office on Aging and Independence program, providing socialization, companionship, support, education, and a sense of purpose in a safe and nurturing environment.

www.howardcountymd.gov/aging

Kindred Spirits at Glenwood

Kindred Spirits at North Laurel

Monday/Wednesday/Friday • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday • 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Glenwood 50+ Center 2400 Rt. 97, Cooksville 21723 Judy Miller, Facilitator 410-313-5441 (VOICE/RELAY) jumiller@howardcountymd.gov

North Laurel 50+ Center 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel 20723 Nancy Riley, Facilitator 410-313-7691 (VOICE/RELAY) nriley@howardcountymd.gov

START LIVING WELL TODAY! Living Well: Take Charge of Your Health Designed for those living with one or more chronic conditions, this six-week, evidence-based, self-management program can help participants experience positive health outcomes, as well as reduce health complications and the need for emergency care.

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

TUESDAYS • 6:00 – 8:30 PM May 16, 23, 30 • June 6, 13, 20 $

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

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

2017 MARYLAND LAW DAY Monday, 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 !!"#$%&'()*++(",%#(-#%%(.#%. # !*"$("-(/ #&+ $0(1%0*2 +(0%2*'*"$( 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 East Columbia 50+ Center, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia 21045

410-313-7680 Elkridge 50+ Center, 5660 Furnace Avenue, Elkridge 21075

• Communication Skills • Stress Management • Goal Setting

410-313-5192 Ellicott City 50+ Center, 9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City 21042

410-313-1400 Glenwood 50+ Center, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville 21723

To register or for more information:

JEN LEE jlee@howardcountymd.gov 410-313-5940 (VOICE/RELAY)

howardcountymd.gov/livingwell

410-313-5440 North Laurel 50+ Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd., Laurel 20723

410-313-0380

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 7

The 50+ Connection

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Get Tested for Hepatitis C at Wellness Matters U Did you know that people born from 1945–1965, sometimes referred to as baby boomers, have the highest rates of Hepatitis C, yet most don’t know they are infected? Undetected, Hepatitis C can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer, yet many people can live with the disease for decades without noticeable symptoms. That’s why the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all baby boomers get a blood test for Hepatitis C. The Howard County Office on Aging and Independence will offer free Hep C testing at Wellness Matters U on Friday, May 12, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ellicott City 50+ Fitness Center, 9411 Frederick Road, Ellicott City. Free Hep C testing is limited to the first 50 attendees. For more information or to order a box lunch, call 410-313-1400; lunch must be ordered no later than May 9.

Treatments are available that can cure this disease. Get tested for Hepatitis C and talk to your doctor. Early detection can save lives. Where adults who need guidance and supervision can stay active, have fun, and remain connected to the community. ! Daily Seated Exercise ! Memory Enhancement ! Intergenerational Programs program is for adults 18 and over and !This Lifespecialized Review Activities specifically designed to maintain independence, enhance ! Trips and Outings memory and improve the overall health of participants. ! Music and Dance !Enroll Cards at andYour GamesNearest Location: ! Creative Arts and more! Social Day Program at Ellicott City Connections Ellicott City 50+ Center 9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042 Felicia Stein, Director • 410-313-1425 (VOICE/RELAY) EMAIL fstein@howardcountymd.gov Monday thru Thursday: 10 AM to 2 PM • Fridays: 10 AM to 1 PM

Connections Social Day Program at Glenwood Glenwood 50+ Center 2400 Route 97, Cooksville, MD 21723 Judy Miller, Director • 410-313-5442 (VOICE/RELAY) EMAIL jumiller@howardcountymd.gov

Friday, May 12 9 am to 2 pm Ellicott City 50+ Fitness Center 9411 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042

WELLNESS EVENT HIGHLIGHTS Health Education Experts Important Health Screenings Fitness Equipment Demonstrations Future Planning 101 Seminar Lunch and Learn: Nutrition 101 FREE Admission Limited Seating www.howardcountymd.gov/aging

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

Don’t Miss the 2017 Howard County

CYCLING SEASON KICK-OFF!

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

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

9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City 21042

Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9 AM to 1 PM

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT C2H AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE BIKE SAFETY CHECKS On-Site Vendors: Howard County Office of Transportation Mt. Airy Bicycles | Princeton Sports

Register now and join us for the first ride of the season! A $15 annual fee is required and will be collected at registration and applied to the spring through fall riding season. Rides vary in length and difficulty. TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT

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

www.howardcountymd.gov/C2H

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The 50+ Connection

M AY 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

May is National Arthritis Awareness Month!

IN RECOGNITION OF

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Join Maryland Insurance Commissioner Al Redmer and Other State and Local Agencies to Learn About the Latest

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

FRAUDS AND SCAMS

TARGETING OLDER ADULTS Thursday, June 15 • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Howard County Library, Miller Branch 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City 21042

Bain 50+ Center

5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia 21044

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT

• 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 Jeannie DeCray 410-313-6535 (VOICE/RELAY) decray@howardcountymd.gov www.howardcountymd.gov/aging — THIS PROGRAM IS PARTIALLY FUNDED BY TITLE IIID FUNDS —

James Mobley TELE

410-468-2024 •

PRESENTED BY

james.mobley@maryland.gov

AND EXHIBITORS AND VENDORS INCLUDE

Howard County Office of Consumer Protection Howard County Police Department • Howard County Sheriff’s Office Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office Maryland Department of Human Resources Maryland Deparment of Labor, Licensing and Regulation and the Maryland Insurance Commission

FREE EVENT • SEATING is LIMITED

Howard County Department of

Community Resources and Services Providing vital human services through its offices of: • ADA Coordination • Aging and Independence • Children and Families • Consumer Protection • Community Partnerships • Local Children’s Board • Veterans and Military Families

Our Boards & Commissions also uphold our core values: • Board to Promote Self Sufficiency • Commission for Women • Commission on Aging • Commission on Disability Issues • Commission on Veterans and Military Families • Consumer Protection Advisory Board • Local Children’s Board

Sharing the same core values: • to serve multiple generations • tailor services to diverse cultural values • promote full inclusion for individuals with disabilities

410-313-6400 (VOICE/RELAY) www.facebook.com/HoCoCommunity WWW.howardcountymd.gov/communityresources

THERE IS NO WRONG DOOR... LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN HELP YOU.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 7

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Money

Law &

Claims specialists can help you fight insurance denials by spotting errors. See story on page 24.

What to expect from your bonds this year By Stan Choe The safest part of your 401(k) isn’t as safe as it used to be. But there’s still nothing safer, fund managers say. Investors have long taken comfort in the steady returns their bond funds have provided, particularly when stocks go on another of their gut-wrenching drops. But the bond safety blanket is getting more threadbare, a result of simple math. Bonds don’t pay as much interest as they used to, following a decades-long drop in interest rates. That means bonds pay less in income, and also raises the threat of a rise in interest rates. Higher interest rates mean prices for bonds — whether individual ones in your brokerage account or the ones in a bond fund you own — will fall, because their payouts look less attractive than those of newly issued bonds. Even though bond funds provide less cushion than before, they still are the best defense for a 401(k) account, fund managers say. Bond funds will still hold up better than stocks during downturns. And investors may be in need of some safety soon. U.S. stocks are more expensive relative to their earnings, after more than tripling since early 2009, and Wall Street questions how much more they can rise without strong growth in profits. President Trump’s promise to shake up the status quo could also mean big swings for stocks. Bonds will likely have positive returns

in 2017, though smaller than in prior years, making for a boring year, said Colin Lundgren, head of U.S. fixed income at Columbia Threadneedle. But that’s not a bad thing. “I think boring is OK in this environment, because other parts of your portfolio could be far more volatile,” he said. “In a world in which the equity market can go up or down dramatically based on the latest tweet or global event, this provides a stabilizing force.” Here’s a look at what fund managers say investors can, and can’t, expect their bond funds to do for their savings: How bad would a terrible year for bond funds be? Critics have been warning of a bubble in the bond market for years, so it’s natural to ask how bad a bond-fund investment could go. The worst year for high-quality U.S. bonds in the last four decades was 1994, when the Federal Reserve raised interest rates six times. Bonds lost a shade less than 3 percent that year. “And we think of that as a disaster,” said Lundgren. Compare that with the 37 percent loss that the largest stock mutual fund by assets suffered in 2008, when the financial crisis was at full flame. And that’s just one of four times that stocks have lost more than 10 percent in a year since 2000. Of course, rates are lower today than in 1994. So losses could potentially be bigger if the Fed begins raising rates sharply and

at an aggressive pace. But fund managers say a worst-case scenario would still have annual losses of below 10 percent for a high-quality bond fund. “The math of bonds means that it’s difficult for bonds to go down more than 3 or 4 percent in a year,” said John Smet, fixed-income portfolio manager at Capital Group, parent of American Funds. What kind of returns should I be looking for in 2017? Start with how much interest bonds are paying out. For high-quality U.S. bonds, it’s close to 3 percent. Returns could be roughly there, or even better if interest rates fall, which would push up prices. Most economists expect the opposite to

happen, though, and a rise in rates would mean high-quality U.S. bonds would return less than 3 percent in 2017. If rates rise enough, it could push bond funds to losses for the year. Last year, the average intermediate-term bond fund returned 3.2 percent, but only after a 2.5 percent loss in the fourth quarter trimmed returns. Bonds issued by companies with weak credit ratings, also known as junk or highyield bonds, offer higher interest rates, which means a higher starting point for returns. But those 6 percent yields come with more risk: Junk-rated issuers are more likely to fail to make good on their inSee BONDS, page 25

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M AY 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

How to fight medical insurance denials By Kimberly Lankford When you or a family member experience a medical crisis, it can be hard enough to focus on getting the best care. The last thing you want to deal with is an overwhelming pile of medical bills. Health insurance claims specialists can help. They serve as experts, advocates and detectives — knowing how to deal with the mysterious and complex insurance system, translate the jargon and codes, understand when you need to pay a bill and when to wait, and how to fix errors and build a case for an appeal. Claims specialists tend to charge $75 to $95 per hour, and they’ll generally give you a free consultation with a cost estimate and some basic advice. “It’s not a process [most people] get good at because hopefully you don’t go through it very much,” said Kathleen Hogue, presi-

dent of Mediform Inc., in Twinsburg, Ohio, who has been a medical claims specialist for 37 years. Her job has changed a lot during that time, especially now that more people have high-deductible health insurance policies, complex out-of-pocket cost rules, and narrow provider networks.

Get help before you pay If you suspect there is an error in a medical bill, it helps to contact a claims specialist before making arrangements to pay. “You don’t want to negotiate 50 percent off something you didn’t owe to start with,” said Pat Palmer, a medical claims specialist in Roanoke, Va. “You want to contact someone with experience to do a thorough investigation into those charges.” Contacting a claims specialist soon after discovering a problem can help avoid hours of frustration and missed deadlines.

Specifics vary by plan, but you generally have 180 days to file an appeal. “Many times people try to resolve [the matter] on their own, and they make a million phone calls and fight with the insurance company,” said Denise Sikora, president of DL Health Claim Solutions, which has an office in Monroe Township, N.J. “By the time they get to me, these claims are often more than a year old, and sometimes two and three years old,” said Sikora.

Strategies to fight denials A claims specialist may be able to spot an error to get a claim paid quickly without filing an appeal. Pat Shea, a specialist in Green Bay, Wis., said about 80 percent of the denials he deals with are reversed once he resubmits the claim with extra information or coding mistakes fixed. Only about 20 percent go to a formal appeal.

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Shea first studies the denial letter from the insurer. “You look at the reason for the denial, and that’s what gives you the way forward,” he said. If payment was denied because the procedure was cosmetic, such as removal of a skin lesion, he asks the doctor to provide evidence that the procedure was medically necessary, for example. If the diagnosis or treatment was miscoded, Shea fixes it and resubmits the claim. He tries to deal with insurers through email, so he has a paper trail. (His website at www.medicalclaimshelp.org offers more strategies.)

Get approval in advance Shea can also help people avoid claims trouble ahead of time. Anne Richardson of Alexandria, Va., contacted Shea when she was helping her adult daughter get coverage for cochlear implant surgery. Her daughter works in Atlanta, but the surgeons recommended for her complex case were in Chicago. Before scheduling surgery, Richardson contacted Shea to find out if there was anything he could do to get coverage at the distant hospital. Shea found that her daughter’s plan has a reciprocal arrangement with certain outof-state hospitals in the Midwest. He made sure that her surgeons, radiologists, anesthesiologists and follow-up therapy providers would all bill at in-network rates. Richardson said the full price for the surgery and therapy would have been about $90,000. But with in-network coverage they paid just $6,000 (plus $225 for Shea’s help). “If you are facing a complicated surgery, get someone to check on the coverage ahead of time,” said Richardson. You can find claims specialists through the Alliance of Claims Assistance Professionals at www.claims.org. Some prefer to work locally; others have clients throughout the U.S. © 2017, Kiplinger. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

May 8

COMMUNITY DIALOGUE CIRCLES

Two groups, Choose Civility and the Meditation and Conflict Resolution Center at Howard Community College, will host a community dis-

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cussion about divisive issues on Monday, May 8 from 7 to 8 p.m. Participants will be able to share ideas and listen in a small group setting. Dialogues will be held at the Central Branch Library, 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia. Registration is required. For more

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Bonds From page 23 terest payments. That’s why many bond fund managers say to expect returns in the low single digits, possibly in the mid-single digits, for 2017.

What about inflation and the Fed? This is the big threat. If inflation spikes and forces the Fed to catch up by aggressively raising rates, it would move the bond market toward its worst-case scenario. Inflation is indeed on the rise, but fund managers say it still appears manageable. And the U.S. economy doesn’t look likely to accelerate much in 2017, Smet said. That could mean the Fed raises rates fewer times than investors are expecting. “If you think back to last year at this time, everyone was saying the Fed would raises rates two times, maybe three times, in 2016,” Smet said. The Fed ended up raising rates just once. “The surprise to the market this year may be that the Fed is

not able to raise rates two times.” Can bonds still be a stabilizer given the low yields? They have been recently. A year ago, stocks tumbled on worries that a recession may be lurking, and the Standard & Poor’s 500 index lost 5 percent that January. The average intermediate-term bond fund returned 0.8 percent during the same month, according to Morningstar. That’s not much, and it’s less than bond funds returned in similar down months for stocks in prior decades. But it still provided comfort to investors who held a mix of stocks and bonds in their retirement accounts. “Even in a terrible market for bonds, you still get much better protection than you would get in equity markets,” said Katie Nixon, chief investment officer at Northern Trust Wealth Management. “It’s tempting to say, ‘Ditch your bonds’ because of interest rates, but we don’t abide by that. You need to have that diversification, to allow you to live to fight another day in the equity market.” — AP

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Apr. 22+

INSURANCE QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Staff members of the Maryland State Insurance Administration will be on site at three Howard County events in April to answer consumer questions on all types of insurance products, from annuities to title insurance and health, auto and homeowners insurance. On Saturday, April 22, representatives will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at GreenFest 2017 at Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. On Tuesday, April 25, staff will be at the Maryland Financial Education Summit 2017 at the Double Tree Hotel, 5485 Twin Knolls Rd., Columbia, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 pm. On Saturday, April 29 representatives will be on site at WomenFest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2400 Rte. 97, Cooksville. To learn more, see www.maryland.insurance.gov or call 1-800-492-6116 .

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May 8+

WANT TO START AN INVESTMENT CLUB?

A new course on creating an investment club for both novice and experienced investors is being offered by Howard Community College on Monday, May 8 and Wednesday, May 10 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Gateway Campus, 6751 Columbia Gateway Dr., Columbia. The sessions are taught by Dameon Robinson, a former securities dealer and investment banker, who is currently active in five investment clubs. Fee is $99. For more information, visit howardcc.edu/ConEd or call (443) 518-1700.

May 16+

BUSINESS AND POLITICAL ECONOMY DISCUSSION GROUP

On the third Tuesday of each month visit the East Columbia Express Branch Library from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to discuss and review books and topics in business, management and political economy. The library is located at 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. The May 16 meeting will focus on Economics Rules: The Rights and Wrongs of the Dismal Science by Dani Rodrik. For more information, contact yao.aziabu@hclibrary.org.

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Travel Leisure &

There are few good deals at duty-free shops. See story on page 28.

Exploring Umbria’s picturesque villages stone streets, and walkways so narrow it’s sometimes possible to reach out and touch the walls on both sides. Umbria’s size, or rather lack of it, provides opportunities to check out a variety of inviting villages in a limited time. In an area about one-third the size of Maryland, nothing is very far from anything else, so it’s possible to visit more than one hilltop village in a day. While these ancient enclaves often appear identical when viewed from afar, there are differences that set each one apart. Granted, the initial introduction may focus upon similarities — a central square, the ubiquitous main church adorned with architectural touches outside and art treasures within, outdoor cafes where locals and visitors alike gather to enjoy food and drink. Yet each has its own unique claims to fame that are well worth exploring.

PHOTO BY HENRYK SADURA

By Victor Block In 1996, a book titled Under the Tuscan Sun recounted how author Frances Mayes purchased and restored an abandoned villa in the Tuscany region of Italy. The best-selling volume, and the movie that was adapted from it, helped establish the area as a major vacation destination for Americans. Umbria, Tuscany’s landlocked next door neighbor, has not been so celebrated and glorified. In fact, it is sometimes derisively dubbed “the poor man’s Tuscany.” Yet that often-overlooked region encompasses a rich collection of artistic, scenic and other treasures that reward those who seek them out. For starters, Umbria — pronounced Oom-bria by those who live there — boasts magnificent landscapes mirroring those that bedazzle visitors to Tuscany. The jagged Apennine Mountains lead to rolling hillsides that flatten into lush valleys along the banks of the Tiber River. Fields of wild flowers vie for attention with the silver leaves of gnarled olive trees and rows of grape vines that change from summer green to vibrant reds and yellows as fall approaches. Overlooking the scene are the true gems — towns that for centuries have perched on top of hills and spilled down toward the valleys below. In many ways, time has bypassed these villages of stone buildings, winding cobble-

Assisi is one of the best known of the hill towns that dot Umbria, in the countryside of central Italy. St. Francis was born here in 1182. Medieval castles and churches dominate the town’s skyline. UNESCO designated the Franciscan structures of Assisi as a World Heritage Site in 2000.

Assisi and Spoleto The two best-known towns are Assisi and Spoleto, and for very different reasons. Assisi is famous as the birthplace of St. Francis while, since 1957, Spoleto has hosted a multi-faceted feast of cultural events attracting a line-up of world-famous performers. St. Francis of Assisi was born in 1182, and in his roles as a Roman Catholic friar and preacher he founded several religious orders. His birthplace retains much of its medieval character, and many structures PHOTO BY VICTOR BLOCK

Olive groves sprawl across the undulating hills of Umbria. The area is so well-known for its quality olives that it was the first region in Italy whose olive oil was granted a coveted Designation of Origin by the EU.

still cast a rose-colored hue thanks to the limestone from which they were constructed. The 13th-century basilica houses frescoes that depict chapters of St. Francis’ life and are considered to be among the most important works of art in Italy. Spoleto tells a very different story. Unlike many historic municipalities in Italy, it lacks a distinct central square. Instead, a jumble of medieval streets and lanes connect a cluster of piazzas. Every summer, those narrow roads and walkways are overwhelmed by people during the annual Festival of Two Worlds — this year taking place from June 30 to July 16. This cultural buffet was founded in 1957 by composer and conductor Gian Carlo Menotti. Since then, the potpourri of events — opera and jazz, ballet and modern dance, theater, visual arts and more — has brought the town to the attention of the world. Spoleto also offers a treasure trove of reminders from its early Roman days, including the remains of a house with a mosaic floor, a restored first-century amphitheatre, and a first century temple. In fact, most of Umbria reveals intriguing tangible evidence of Etruscan, Roman and Medieval influences — often in the

same locale. The Etruscans created a powerful civilization that included western Umbria, beginning around the 8th century BCE. It lasted until its assimilation into the Roman Republic beginning in the 4th century BCE.

Secret passageways While other villages are less well known, each has attractions that warrant a look-see. You can’t go wrong by simply turning off a main road when you spot a sign to a town, no matter how small or how far off the usual tourist path it may be. The approach to Orvieto alone is worth a side trip. It rises up from the almost vertical faces of volcanic cliffs. This soaring image is replicated in the ornate façade of the duomo, a 13th-century cathedral that is one of the most elaborate in the country. A very different experience awaits those who explore the vast underground labyrinth of tunnels, passageways and rooms that was dug out of the soft rock that lies beneath the buildings above. This once-secret network, part of which dates back some 3,000 years, provided wealthy families with a means of escape outside the city walls during times of siege. The tunnel complex has recently See UMBRIA page 27

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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 7

Umbria From page 26 been open to guided tours. Perugia, the capital of Umbria, is home to several institutions of higher learning, including the University of Perugia, founded in 1308. It also is a cultural and artistic center, and hosts a number of annual festivals and other events. Major evidence of Etruscan influence is found in both Orvieto and Perugia. In places, Etruscan, Roman and Medieval remains serve as reminders that all three cultures once held sway. That’s true in the town of Todi, where walls constructed when each of those societies reigned are still visible. In fact, Todi is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Italy, and its Piazza del Popolo is regarded as one of the country’s most perfect squares from that period. Another Medieval setting is encountered in Trevi, whose ancient center of alleyways, vaulted passages and churches is surrounded in part by the original 13thcentury defensive walls. Its hilltop position offers commanding views over the surrounding plains, and the groves that surround the village yield some of the country’s best olive oil.

bria, being part of Italy, there’s no surprise that the region clings proudly to a well-deserved culinary reputation. Simply pondering the list of specialties that fill restaurant menus can be a mouthwatering experience, and explain why the area is referred to as Italy’s cuore verde (“green heart”). The olive oil produced in Umbria is considered among the best in a country that is known for the high quality of its olive oil. It was the first region in Italy whose olive oil was given the prestigious Designation of Origin classification. Food here is typically hearty country cuisine, simply prepared to enhance the flavors of its top-quality ingredients. Meat and pastas are staples. Prized locally grown truffles, more of the black than white variety, are added to a variety of dishes. Montefalco wine, which became the favored go-to beverage for my wife Fyllis and me, is named for the delightful little hill town surrounded by vineyards. The hard-to-resist temptations of the table add to the sensory onslaught that envelops visitors to Umbria. They’re part — but just a part — of what makes a visit there as memorable as it is enjoyable.

Using a tour company Olives, truffles and wine Along with countless architectural and art treasures that abound throughout Um-

Fyllis and I spent a week each in Venice and Umbria on a trip with Untours, which offers “independent travel with support.”

It more than met our expectations. The coddling began with an avalanche of material that goes well beyond the basic information needed to, as the company promises, “live like the locals.” In addition to details about sightseeing, shopping and getting around, we were provided with public transportation passes in Venice and a rental car in Umbria. We also received insider tips about everything from the Umbrian culture and restaurants, to food shopping and recipes of local favorite dishes. Our first morning each week was spent at a detailed briefing from the onsite Un-

tours representative, which included information about optional activities with other group members. Our accommodations — a two-story apartment above a gelato shop in Venice, and a lovingly furnished two-bedroom apartment at a centuries-old farm in Umbria — added to the feeling of immersion in the setting. Prices for Venice land packages begin at $1,369 per person (double occupancy) for one week; $1,889 for two weeks. For Umbria, $979 for one week; $1,289 for two See UMBRIA, page 28

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Duty-free doesn’t always mean good deal These days, the post-security departure markup, with the airport taking a cut. areas of big international airports look more 3. Although you see all kinds of merchanlike upscale shopping malls dise in airport duty-free shops, than transportation hubs. the genuine bargains for U.S. And almost all of those retravelers are generally confined tailers tout their “duty-free” to tobacco and liquor. Hardprices, and at least imply that ware is almost always cheaper they’re really good prices. As at Walmart or Costco than at is often the case, the facts tell any duty-free shop. I have yet to a different story. see any definitive research on Here are important things style merchandise, cosmetics, you need to know about dutyand such — it may be a good free shops. deal, it may not, and price com1. The most important “duty” TRAVEL TIPS parisons are tough. from which the articles are By Ed Perkins 4. The only way to make “free” is not U.S. duty, which in sure you’re getting a good any case is usually very low. Instead, it’s local duty-free price is to know what you’d pay at taxes in the airport’s home base, including Costco, Walmart, Macy’s or Amazon for VAT, which can amount to as much as 20 per- whatever you’re considering. Yes, you have cent in Europe, and is pretty stiff in many to do some mental arithmetic to compenother areas. sate for currency rates, different size/ca2. Prices in duty-free airport shops are pacity measurements, and possibly slightly not set by taking taxes and duty off the top different product details, as well. and selling at the net pre-tax prices. They’re 5. A favorable recent development is set to be just low enough to encourage peo- TSA’s approval of security tamper-evident ple to buy — and the shop gets a good bags (STEBs) for liquor and other liquids.

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Formerly, if you bought a bottle of liquor in a duty-free store, you could receive it in the cabin of your international flight. But if you had a connecting flight, TSA insisted you put it in your checked baggage. Now, if the duty-free shop packages your purchase in a clear STEB showing a receipt and proof of purchase at a duty-free store, TSA allows you to take it on a connecting flight as a carry-on. As far as I can tell, duty-free stores do not charge extra for the STEBs. 6. The nominal import limits for returning U.S. citizens are one liter of alcoholic beverages, and either 1,000 cigarettes or 100 cigars from most foreign countries. Higher limits apply to overseas possessions. But U.S. duty rates are low — usually less than $1 a liter on wine and less than $5 a liter on hard liquor. So if you find a really good deal, you can bring in more than the nominal limit, declare it, and pay the duty. It’s possible you may encounter state limits at your arrival airport with more stringent limitations, but I’ve never experienced a problem. 7. If you intend to drink alcohol when you’re traveling outside the U.S., check to

determine liquor prices in the country of entry. I’ve seen recent reports, for example, that liquor is heavily taxed in Iceland. So if you’re heading there, buy a bottle in the duty-free store at your departure airport. In some countries, you can buy dutyfree on arrival and avoid the schlepping. 8. Local handicrafts that aren’t easily available in the U.S. often appeal to returning travelers, regardless of tax or duty status. But before you buy something unusual that strikes your fancy, ask yourself, “If I buy it, where will it be in my home six months from now?” 9. If you do find some camera, digital device, or other electronic gadget that looks like a good buy, make sure that the factory warranty will be valid in the U.S. before you buy. 10. Duty-free stores also sell mundane everyday items you might need, ranging from aspirin to USB cables. Buy if you must, but chances are that the airport price will be a lot higher than you would pay either at home or at your destination. Send e-mail to Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net. Also, check out Ed’s new rail travel website at www.rail-guru.com. © 2017 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Umbria

palazzaccio.it or call 0743-520-168. You may use googletranslate.com to read the menu in English. Fish is the focus at the Nuova Parco del Clitunno in Campello sul Clitunno, which overlooks a lovely pond. Fresh-caught seafood includes trout, shrimp and daily specials. Among the ways trout ends up is in mousse ($7.50) and with pasta ($9.50), while grilled sea bass costs $14. For more information, call 0743-521-052 or visit nuovoparcodelclitunno.it. For general information about Umbria, visit www.umbriatourism.it.

From page 27

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weeks. Untours can also assist in obtaining reasonable airfares. For more information, call (888) 868-6871 or log onto untours.com. Restaurant dinners are as outstanding and ample as they are reasonably priced. Typical is the Trattoria al Palazzaccio near Spoleto. A selection of pastas is priced in the $6.50 to $9.50 range, depending upon the exchange rate, and the specialty of lamb with olive oil, wine and herbs costs $11. For more information, visit al-

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Style Arts &

See the continuation of our cover story on Catholic Relief Services’ CEO Sean Callahan on facing page.

Beauty and the Beast enchants at Toby’s and is attacked by wolves, it is genuinely moving and sad. After Maurice wanders into the Beast’s castle and is imprisoned for trespassing, Belle offers to take her father’s place and live in the castle forever. Little does she know that the Beast, his castle, and his many servants are trapped under a spell that only true love can break.

An excellent cast, as usual In her Toby’s debut, Nicki Elledge is wonderful in the title role of Belle, with her soaring vocals and convincing wideeyed innocence. As an iconic character, Belle is a standout among Disney princesses for her love of books and adventure — a love that is frowned on by her small-minded, provincial townsfolk. Elledge’s verses in the song “Belle (Little Town)” are gorgeous, and convey her inherent curiosity and desire for a bigger life. The show also doesn’t shy away from depicting Belle’s (and many other women’s) real-life fears. She is constantly pursued by the boorish Gaston, who hounds her relentlessly despite her protests. The show does a good job exploring Belle’s discom-

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PHOTO BY TERI TIDWELL PHOTOGRAPHY

By Rebekah Alcalde The tale may be “old as time,” but Beauty and the Beast has seen plenty of new life lately. With the new Disney live-action film setting box office records in movie theaters, fans can get a similar, but more fleshed-out, experience of the musical from the stage version currently at Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia. It features all the beloved original songs from the animated film of 1991 with some notable additions, since it’s based on the Broadway musical production of 1994. Toby’s Beauty and the Beast is classic Disney fare: It’s a solid performance for young children, but also interesting and amusing enough for adults. You’re probably familiar with the story — how the beautiful, kind and intelligent Belle falls in love with a frightening melancholy prince cursed by an enchantress to live as an ugly beast because of his arrogant and selfish behavior. In the story, Belle lives with her aging father Maurice, a quirky but kind and loving inventor. Toby’s veteran Robert John Beidermann plays an especially doddering Maurice. When he gets lost in the woods

Cogsworth (David James), Lumière (Jeremy Scott Blaustein) and company beg Belle, played by Nicki Elledge, to “Be Our Guest” in Toby’s Dinner Theatre’s production of Beauty and the Beast. The musical is onstage through June 11.

fort and later panic at his persistence to make her his “little wife.” David Jennings plays Gaston with gusto, and his strong vocals are a true highlight in “The Mob Song.” But perhaps he relies

a bit too heavily on punches to the face of his henchman Lefou. Jeffrey Shankle plays goofy Lefou splenSee BEAUTY & BEAST, page 32

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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 7

Sean Callahan From page 1 organization dealt with emergencies in 46 countries — including war-torn Syria, where 1 million people have received CRS help, and a food assistance program in Ethiopia that helped “stave off hunger for millions” after a drought in that country. In its agricultural programs, CRS attempts to turn subsistence farmers into “agribusiness entrepreneurs.” Among its health services in 2015, it provided malaria prevention and treatment to more than 13 million people in 10 countries.

Meeting Mother Teresa Callahan’s decades of field work, which he intends to continue along with his CEO tasks, included a stint in India, where he met and worked with Mother Teresa. CRS began working in India in 1946 to help the local church in Bombay provide food to people recovering from World War II. “She was very petite and spoke in a soft voice. I was always leaning in to hear what she was saying,” said Callahan of the woman now known as Saint Teresa of Kolcata (the city in India once known as Calcutta.). “She would often wrap her hands around your hands and hold you there

while she spoke.” He said there was “always a sense of joy” about her, while she made sure that things got done. “One time, I received a call from Mother Teresa, who had heard there was a flood in Bangladesh. She asked if I could bring supplies in trucks because the sisters there were asking for them,” he recalled. “I explained that to do that would require special permissions from the governor of the state to take the food and emergency supplies across the border. “She asked, ‘What do I need to do?’ and I told her she needed to get the permissions. ’OK,’ she said, ‘You get the trucks, I’ll get the permissions, and we’ll meet in two hours.’ Which we did. She didn’t just send people out, she did the work herself.” In 1996, Mother Teresa visited the CRS offices in Baltimore, where she and Callahan reunited.

A lifetime of helping others Callahan was born in Andover, Mass. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a master’s in law and diplomacy from Tufts University, he began his career with CRS in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. He has worked extensively in Latin America, Africa and Asia — going from intern, to

Serving the poor worldwide Catholic Relief Services dates its work back to 1943, when it was established by the Roman Catholic bishops of the U.S. to help war-ravaged Europe and its millions of refugees. In the 1950s, when Europe regained its social and economic balance, CRS moved its operations to try to break the cycle of poverty in “the developing world.” CRS notes that the organization today “applies a theory of change grounded in the concept of Integral Human Development, or IHD, which promotes the good

of every person and the whole person.” IHD “supports the ability of each individual to realize his or her full human potential in the context of just and peaceful relationships, a thriving environment, and solidarity with others.” Through the IHD vision, CRS notes, “We can more clearly understand the world of the poor, including their strengths and their needs, so we can guide effective programming.” For more information, or to donate money or your time, visit www.crs.org, or call 1-877-435-7277.

the CRS representative in several countries and regions, to director of the organization’s human resources, to eight years as vice president of overseas operations, to four and a half years as chief operating officer. Now, as CEO, he manages some 5,000 employees around the world. Callahan believes he has visited about 75 of the 101 countries in which the CRS operates, and said the visits will continue. He is also president of Caritas North America, is a board member of Catholic Charities USA, and was an official of Caritas International — a Vatican-based confederation of 165 Catholic relief organizations that operates in 200 countries and territories. Callahan lives with his wife Piyali (whom he met in Calcutta) and their two children, Sahana, 17, and Ryan, 11, in a ranch-style home near Kiwanis-Wallas Park. In addition to his duties as CEO of CRS, he teaches religious education and serves as a Eucharistic minister, giving communion to congregants at Ellicott City’s Church of the Resurrection, which

his family attends. So when does he find time to spend with his family? “That is what my wife asks,” he said. But he has also noted that “I am blessed that my wife and kids are understanding about my job, which is to bring love, joy and the compassionate spirit of the U.S. to people around the world. “When I see children without adequate food, it really crushes me…I think of my own children.” So his work, he said, is “really a reflection on what I would want for myself and my family. How can we assist other people to have those same opportunities?” On the home front, Callahan acknowledged that when the couple moved to Howard County in 2004, “we wondered how my wife would be treated, since she was foreign-born.” There was no need for concern, he said. “There are people from around the world living here, and Howard County serves as an example of what can be.”

BEACON BITS

May 9+

VIETNAM VETERANS EXHIBIT

An exhibit at the Central Branch Library will honor the military service of Marylanders during the Vietnam War. The exhibit, on display from May 9 to June 11, includes pictures of 16 men and women now and during the war, along with their anecdotes from that time. There will also be a space to write thank-you notes and letters to veterans. The Central Branch Library is located at 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia. Call (410) 313-7800 for more information.

MANUEL BARRUECO & BEIJING GUITAR DUO Sat May 13, 8 pm One of the most inﬂuential guitarists of our time, legendary performer and pedagogue Manuel Barrueco will join forces with his proteges, the Beĳing Guitar Duo, with whom he has toured extensively. Tickets: $35

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

The Lark Quartet continues its distinguished tradition of collaborating with the country’s most celebrated composers with the exciting world premiere of John Harbison’s String Quartet No. 6. The Larks will also be joined by top Peabody Preparatory musicians for a side-by-side performance of Mendelssohn’s beloved Octet in E-ﬂat Major, Op. 20. Tickets: $35

J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in !"#$%&#'() J.S. Bach: Chaconne from Partita No. 2 in D minor Granados: Valses poeticos Granados: Goyescas

7 pm FREE PRE-CONCERT PERFORMANCE Arrive early to hear the exceptional musicians from the Peabody Prepararatory Pre-College Violin Program

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

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Beauty & Beast From page 30 didly, and provides some much-needed comic relief in their scenes. (Shankle was also our charming server at dinner: Actors wait tables during intermission at Toby’s.) In the show’s other title role, Russell Sunday beautifully sings the Beast role. His larger-than-life presence and deep booming voice is reminiscent of the phantom from Phantom of the Opera. The plaintive “How Long Must This Go On?” is especially moving. As stunning as his voice is, though, his acting (or perhaps direction) could use some reexamination. He portrays the Beast as a spoiled and immature child. This is surprising, untraditional, and not a little unset-

tling. Here is grown man/beast acting like a child, and that makes his budding relationship with Belle uncomfortable at best, and her attraction to him difficult to explain.

Shining supporting roles As is the case with most Disney stories, the main characters of Beauty and the Beast are written as classic “types,” and it’s the supporting roles that truly “shine” — as is the case with Lumière, the castle’s maitre d’, trapped in the form of a candelabrum. Actor Jeremy Scott Blaustein is charming and hilarious, and his vocals on “Be Our Guest” are commendable. His costume candle “arms” boast faux flames. Also note, the show isn’t shy regarding his enthusiastic romantic romps with the

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

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

“French maid” feather duster Babette, played vivaciously by Elizabeth Rayca. Other notable performances include Lynn Sharp-Spears as teapot Mrs. Potts, and the very young Ethan Lee as the adorable teacup Chip. As an added dose of realism, both their costumes actually steam. Jane C. Boyle, as opera-singing wardrobe Madame Bouche, is also hilarious, with an equally impressive costume with working drawers that hold clothes. I’ve saved the best for last: The show standout is David James as Cogsworth, the stuffy clock steward. His presence is perfect in every scene. James doesn’t try to outdo the boisterous fan-favorite Lumière, relying instead on his excellent acting, comedic timing and joke delivery. One of the most notable differences between the musical and the films is the show’s expansion of the staff storyline. In one scene, Cogsworth is aghast he has “grown” a winding mechanism in his back. Fears eventually turn to hope in the song “Human Again,” when they realize Belle and the Beast are growing closer — and there’s a chance for their love to break the spell.

Seeing the show Toby’s theatre-in-the-round creates an engaging, if sometimes dizzying, experience (as the actors and dancers spin around to meet all eyes in the audience). The show requires fairly complex stage placement (or blocking), but every actor

hits their marks and their spotlights. And there are many spotlights. Actually, there are over 400 light changes and cues in this show, according to the introduction by actor Robert John Beidermann. Before the show begins, he called for applause for the light designer Lynn Joslin. Beauty and the Beast continues through Sunday, June 11 at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, located at 5900 Symphony Woods Rd. in Columbia. The show runs seven days a week, with evening and matinee performances. Doors open at 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, for dinner prior to the evening performances, which start 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. Doors open for brunch at 10:30 a.m., with shows beginning at 12:30 p.m. Reservations are required. Ticket prices range from $43.50 (for children under 12) to $62, depending on the performance. Ticket prices include all-you-can-eat buffet dinner or brunch, tea and coffee. Toby’s buffet offers something for everyone. Our meal featured shrimp cocktail, prime rib, roast potatoes, a variety of vegetables and salads, and more. Cake and unlimited ice cream are also included. For more information or to reserve tickets, call (410) 730-8311 or visit www.tobys dinnertheatre.com.

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 7

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

M AY 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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Crossword Puzzle

PUZZLE PAGE

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

By Stephen Sherr 7

27 35

46 48

24 25

HC517

Scrabble answers on p. 32.

Across

Down

1. Mouthwash brand name 6. Let the cat out of the bag 10. Northern Brit. 14. Credit or debit card of yore 15. Clean a bicycle chain 16. Created baskets 17. Use the back end of a pencil 18. Skating maneuver 19. Aaron, Arthur, and Andrew 20. Critical turning point 23. Breastbones 24. Birthplace of 7 presidents 25. Pie ___ mode 27. Her denial of breaking up the Beatles sounds fishy 28. They regulate K-9 medicine, too 31. Unlikely aspirations 37. Choir voice 38. Keystone ___ 39. Man-eating monster 40. Revolvers’ storage solvers 45. Airline’s best guess, briefly 46. Stinger 47. Spare the ___; spoil the child 48. Farfetched, as a story 50. Cleared for entry 55. Early Greek view of the world 60. Original inductee into the National Toy Hall of Fame 61. A poor homophone 62. Shockingly odd 63. Like a book’s left side page numbers 64. Whiskey ___ 65. People’s Choice Award nominee 66. Coin made from copper and nickel 67. Barely accomplished 68. Approaches the destination

1. Thick soups 2. Engagement ring measure 3. Thank the Academy, and the cast, and the family, and... 4. One waiting to say “cheese” 5. Endless 6. Lackluster 7. Fancy schmancy 8. How Goldilocks was found 9. New York racetrack 10. Carnac the Magnificent, for example 11. Reach adulthood 12. Planned destination for Gretel 13. Enclosure for an outdoor gala 21. Post-Thanksgiving event 22. “Oops!” 26. Docent’s sign 27. Of equal quality 29. Unflattering gossip 30. Greek god of war 31. Provider of coffee and wi-fi 32. Touched the Earth 33. Clever ploy 34. First body part into a room, generally 35. Even-year sports staging org. 36. Many millennia 41. Ready, willing, and ___ 42. Fall back into bad habits 43. First name and M.I. for “Bob the Builder” 44. Boise boy 49. Make reparations 51. Low card 52. “She’s ___ Have It” (A Spike Lee Joint) 53. Trial partner 54. Clothing colorers 55. Escaped the zombies 56. Namesake of the 49’ers stadium 57. He may sidle, advance, or retreat 58. Causing no increase in nose size 59. Bunch of bison

Answers on page 32.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 7

CLASSIFIEDS The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on the right. CAVEAT EMPTOR! The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibility for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment. EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS: We will not knowingly or intentionally accept advertising in violation of federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap in connection with employment or the sale or rental of real estate.

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

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

Say you saw it in the Beacon

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

Personals PRETTY WF, 50s YOUTHFUL, voluptuous lady, nonsmoker, down to earth seeking to meet and date a SWM, 45-60s, sincere, compassionate, attractive gentleman with husky, stocky build, 200+ lbs., nonsmoker for old-fashioned fun, friendship, possibly more who enjoys the great outdoors, dining out, movies and dancing. 301-880-6977. Please leave a voice message with your phone number.

TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED Deadlines and Payments: Ad text and payment is due by the 5th of each month. Note: Only ads received and prepaid by the deadline will be included in the next month’s issue. Please type or print your ad carefully. Include a number where you can be reached in the event of a question. Payment is due with ad. We do not accept ads by phone or fax, nor do we accept credit cards. Private Party Text Ads: For individuals seeking to buy or sell particular items, or place a personal ad. Each ad is $10 for 25 words, 25 cents for each additional word. Business Text Ads: For parties engaged in an ongoing business enterprise. Each ad is $25 for 25 words, 50 cents for each additional word. Note: Each real estate listing counts as one business text ad. Send your classified ad with check or money order, payable to the Beacon, to:

The Beacon, Baltimore Classified Dept. P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227

Wanted WE BUY GOLD AND SILVER JEWELRY. Costume too. Gold and silver coins, paper money, military, crocks, old bottles and jars, etc. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. WE BUY STERLING SILVER FLATWARE, tea sets, single pieces of silver, large pieces of silver plate. Attic, basement, garage. You have something to SELL, we like to BUY. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. CASH FOR ESTATE BUYOUTS, estate cleanouts, jewelry to furniture, one item or whole estate. Free Estimate, Will Travel. 301-520-0755. FINE ANTIQUES, PAINTINGS AND QUALITY VINTAGE FURNISHINGS wanted by a serious capable buyer. I am very well educated [law degree] knowledgeable [over 40 years in the antique business] and have the finances and wherewithal to handle virtually any situation. If you have a special item, collection or important estate I would like to hear from you. I pay great prices for great things in all categories from oriental rugs to Tiffany objects, from rare clocks to firearms, from silver and gold to classic cars. If it is wonderful, I am interested. No phony promises or messy consignments. References gladly furnished. Please call Jake Lenihan, 301-279-8834. Thank you.

Wanted COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, weapons, knives, swords, bayonets, web gear, uniforms, etc. from all wars and countries. Also Lionel Toy Trains, and coin operated machines. Will pay top prices for my personal collection. Discreet consultations. Call Fred, 301-910-0783.

Thanks for reading the Beacon!

BEACON BITS

May 13+

WALKING TOURS OF ELLICOTT CITY

The Howard County Historical Society is offering a three-quarter mile tour (over hilly and sometimes rough terrain) following the footsteps of Ellicott City’s founding fathers, educators, millworkers and railroaders from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 13 and Saturday, May 27. Tours start at the Mount Ida Mansion, 3691 Sarahs Ln., Ellicott City, and will continue at the same location and times every second and fourth Saturday through October. Prices vary from $11 for seniors and children ages 6 to 12, to $13 for non-members. To purchase tickets in advance, visit www.hchsmd/org/events or call (410) 480-3250.

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Studies Gestalt Healthy Volunteer Study .13 Resveratrol Study . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Events Beth Shalom Congregation . . . . .30 COGS Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Jewish Federation . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 WOMENFEST . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Financial Services First Maryland Disability Trust .23 PENFED Financial Services . . . .25

Funeral Services Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home, Inc. . . . . . . . . . .4 Going Home Cremations . . . . . .27 Sol Levinson & Bros., Inc. . . . . .10

Hearing Services Maryland Relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Miracle-Ear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Home Health Care A-1 Action Nursing Care . . . . . . .8

ComForCare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Options for Senior America . . . .25

Housing Bayleigh Chase/Integrace . . . . . .28 Brooke Grove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Buckingham’s Choice/Integrace .28 Charlestown/Erickson Living . . .10 Fairhaven/Integrace . . . . . . . . . . .28 Heartlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Homecrest House . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Olney Assisted Living . . . . . . . . .9 Park View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Legal Services Frank, Frank & Scherr, LLC . . . .25 Law Office of Karen Ellsworth .23

Medical/Health

Kugler’s Design Center . . . . .29, 33

Senior Services Senior Connection . . . . . . . . .15-22

Skilled Nursing & Rehab CommuniCare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Subscription Services The Beacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Technology Services Senior CompuCare . . . . . . . . . . . .3 TechMedic4U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Theatre/Entertainment

Lee Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Medical ED Therapeutics . . . . . . .9 Medical Eye Center . . . . . . . . . .14

Candlelight Concerts Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Columbia Pro-Cantare . . . . . . . .31 Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . . .30

Retail/Services

Tour & Travel

Columbia’s Village Centers . . . . .4 Crossroads Pharmacy . . . . . . . . .14

Eyre Tour & Travel . . . . . . . . . . .27 Nexus Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

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M AY 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Rehabilitation

REHAB CENTER IS NOW OPEN OPEN HOUSE Thursday, May 25, 2017 • 2 – 5 p.m. Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center 18131 Slade School Road • Sandy Spring, MD 20860

Tour our new, state-of-the-art Rehab Center and two-story physical therapy gym. Experience the innovative, revitalizing environment of our healing space. Fully dedicated to short-term rehab • Innovative therapies for faster healing Expansive guest rooms with luxury bathrooms • Covered porches, courtyard and walking trails Lounge and coffee bar with two-story fireplace • Open, sun-filled living and dining rooms with made-to-order meals • Salon • Spa with massage room and soaking tub

Because what surrounds you Really matters. RSVP to Toni Davis by Tuesday, May 23 at tdavis@bgf.org or 301-388-7209.

Simply

DIFFERENT

Independent living assisted living rehabilitation long-term care memory support

www.bgf.org • 301-260-2320

REHAB CENTER OPEN HOUSE

Your Community’s new, State-of-the-art