May 2021 | Baltimore Beacon by The Beacon Newspapers

FREE

I N

F O C U S

VOL.18, NO.5

F O R

P E O P L E

O V E R

I N S I D E …

PHOTO COURTESY OF DONNA HAMILTON

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

On a road trip through southern Portugal, discover castles, convents-turnedrestaurants, historic villages and beautiful beaches page 16

Pandemic pace These days, Hamilton enjoys taking walks, dining outside and attending small outdoor gatherings of friends — “most people are vaccinated,” she said. And she’s “read a ton and watched a lot of TV,” enjoying “The Sinner,” an American crime anthology starring Bill Pullman as a police detective, and “Borgen,” a Danish political drama, two “dark” series that offer a refreshing contrast to Hamilton’s typically sunny personality. As Hamilton admits, “It’s been a weird year. I’d be a good person to be under house arrest. I’m happy staying home.” Her husband, David Paulson, is also retired, so the couple sees a lot of each other, especially over the past year when quarantined. “Sometimes I need a place to be where he is not,” she said. “We have our moments of tension, of course, but if it gets bad, I say, ‘I’m

MAY 2021

More than 125,000 readers throughout Greater Baltimore

Catching up with Donna Hamilton By Dan Collins If you are from Baltimore, chances are you know Donna Hamilton. A graduate of the University of Alabama Birmingham, where she studied sociology and English, Hamilton arrived in Baltimore in 1981 and soon became a favorite of local viewers as host of WJZ-TV13’s “Evening Magazine,” which was on the air until 1990. Eventually, Hamilton would find her way to the anchor desk at WBAL-TV11, reporting the day’s events at “5, 6 and 11” for 23 years. She officially retired from broadcasting on May 23, 2018, declaring via Facebook that she was “happy, sad, relieved, anxious, excited…in equal measure.” How is Hamilton doing now, three years later, following an earth-shaking presidential election and a still raging global pandemic? “I can’t believe it’s been three years [since I retired]!” she said in a recent interview with the Beacon, situated in the garden at her Baltimore home (where she has a day’s labor to attend to). “I’m happy…only occasionally anxious. Still relieved. I’m in a good place. We got a new president, and that made me happy. I’m not shy about saying that, as I don’t have to maintain journalistic objectivity anymore,” Hamilton said. “And we’ve got a vaccine now, so I’m okay. Everything is going to be all right.”

5 0

ARTS & STYLE Donna Hamilton, Baltimore’s First Lady of TV News, retired from WBAL-TV11 three years ago. Now she spends her time gardening, seeing her grandchildren and planning to travel. Hamilton will be hosting a Danube River cruise for WBAL this fall.

going into the other room. Goodbye!’” Hamilton and Paulson also own two vacation houses in the mountains of North Carolina — properties they visit but primarily rent out to vacationers. Overseeing both houses keeps Hamilton busy.

No more books or films; travel In addition to her time on Baltimore television news, Hamilton also appeared on the Learning Channel’s “Great Country Inns” series, which inspired her to write Gracious Country Inns & Favorite Recipes (1994). Now that she’s retired, might she decide to pen a sequel? Or perhaps a book on another topic?

Contemplative for a moment, Hamilton shook her head. “I doubt I’d do that. I could. But you really have to be disciplined to be a writer. I’m much better as a deadline person.” In 1991, Hamilton and Paulson formed a production company to make documentaries — or to be accurate, one documentary. “We made one,” she admitted. “The Peacemakers. It was about the situation in Israel in the Middle East.” Might retirement offer a return to the film world? “I really haven’t thought about that. It sounds suspiciously like a job.” Yet, Hamilton will have a job of sorts See ANCHOR, page 20

The show’s back on at Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia. Shrek: The Musical takes center stage — with safety protocols in place page 19

FITNESS & HEALTH 4 k Solutions for lower back pain k Painkillers and vaccines don’t mix LAW & MONEY 12 k How to make your money last k ‘Experts’ who steer you wrong ADVERTISER DIRECTORY

PLUS CROSSWORD, BEACON BITS, CLASSIFIEDS & MORE

Subscribe online! See how on p. 21

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

A sabbatical of sorts Spring is such an optimistic time of year, out our readership area. as colorful flowers burst into bloom all Our hope was to draw out those who may around us. have stepped away from a This spring in particular childhood talent or passion in we are all ripe for a change of the interests of making a livscenery, for some new begining. Or to entice older adults nings following the past who had never tried their year’s awful pandemic. It’s hand at art or poetry to give it partly the season’s rising of a whirl and see what they’re the sap that has me itching to capable of. do something creative myself We knew we were onto this spring. something when we received Regular Beacon readers more than 900 entries in our know that our cover stories FROM THE first Celebration of the Arts. I often profile local residents PUBLISHER also realized that I was in who have followed their pas- By Stuart P. Rosenthal good company, right there sions — or discovered new with many of our readers, ones — later in life. eager for an opportunity to rekindle a pasYou may remember reading about our sion from my past. recent Celebrations of the Arts — amateur Of course, writing (and editing) are art competitions for people over 50 that among my passions, and I have been joyhave both recognized and helped encour- ously engaged in them at the Beacon for 32 age painters, sculptors and poets through- years.

BEACON BITS

Apr. 30+

FLOWER MART AT HOME The Mount Vernon Place Conservancy’s Flower Mart takes place virtually this year from Fri., April 30 at 11 a.m. to Sat., May 1 at 5

p.m. Visit the online marketplace of vendors offering flowers and plants, arts and crafts, and food and beverages. For more information, visit mvpconservancy.org/flowermart2021 or call (410) 962-5070.

Beacon The

I N

F O C U S

F O R

P E O P L E

O V E R

5 0

The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Baltimore area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Howard County, Md., Greater Washington, DC and Richmond, Va. (Fifty Plus). Subscriptions are available via third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. Maryland residents add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Publisher/Editor – Stuart P. Rosenthal President/Associate Publisher – Judith K. Rosenthal Executive Vice President – Gordon Hasenei Managing Editor – Margaret Foster Art Director – Kyle Gregory Director of Operations – Roger King Advertising Representatives – Steve Levin, Alan Spiegel Assistant Editor – Catherine Brown Content Manager – Ashley Griffin

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

The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 23 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

But going back to my earliest school days, playing the piano and composing short musical pieces were my chief hobbies. Well, maybe not my earliest school days. It took a few years of rather tedious lessons (and forced practice) before I was able to play the music that really brought me pleasure. After that, it was hard to stop me. My parents went from imploring me to practice to wondering when they’d have a moment’s peace. Stop I did, however, once I got to college or shortly thereafter. Life and its many requirements for survival moved me into other fields where I had a better chance of making a living. Still, whenever possible, I would get myself to a recital or concert, or listen to records and CDs to enjoy the pieces I most relished. Once in a while, I would sit down at our electric piano and fake my way through some of my favorite pieces, feeling I couldn’t really commit to the practicing it would take to play them well once again. And then, almost exactly four years ago, I learned of a local group of now-older adults who for decades had been meeting every summer for something they called “piano camp.” In addition, they would meet periodically through the year to play piano for each other and have lunch at a member’s home. I pulled the old “press pass” trick and asked to visit their piano camp in Balti-

more that summer as a member of the media. From that experience, I wrote a Beacon cover story. You probably know what happened next. I joined the group, I started attending piano camp, and next thing you know, I’m asking my wife if we can buy a baby grand. I now practice the piano almost every day (a little), and feel I am almost back to the level I had reached when I stopped playing. I have also rediscovered my original compositions from high school, and started tooling around with some new themes. Which brings me to this column. I have decided I owe myself a brief sabbatical of sorts: seven weeks to devote myself wholeheartedly to music and composition. I have no particular end goals in mind. I just want to see where it takes me and what it feels like. Fortunately, we have such a wonderful staff at the Beacon that I don’t expect you will even notice my absence. Except for this column, that is. You will be hearing from our managing editor, Margaret Foster, and from a special guest columnist in our June and July issues. As you are driving around with your car windows open this spring, if you happen to hear some tinkling ivories on the wind, I hope they remind you of me. See you in a couple of months!

Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or email info@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Dear Editor: The citizens of Maryland need to be aware that the Board of Physicians has “absolute authority” in Maryland. The Board favors the physicians and not the citizen. When a complaint is made, the Board operates in complete secrecy. The person making the complaint is not contacted during the process and cannot get any answers from the Board. There is no appeal process. Cecil B. Fulford, Col (Ret) USAF Columbia, MD Dear Editor: It’s Springtime anew! You can tell because of the dew but there is liquid sunshine some may call rain too…See the birds soaring allowing rising

air to lift them to the sky while baby squirrels nimbly try to fly. Bushes are turning from Brownness to lushness Raindrop Blue-Green as if singing of the Spring. Bees spread out working hard at their jobs pollinating flowers and plants blooming nectars of fruits, nuts, vegetables, soil and Spices of Honey too. The Sky seems to Sing daily lullabies sweet music awakening us and taking us to sleep. Yes, what a Blessing to see and have SPRINGTIME ANEW… Little Blessings are as Great as Big Blessings! Deborah Morris Via email

BEACON BITS

Sundays

BALTIMORE FARMERS’ MARKET The Baltimore Farmers’ Market and Bazaar is now open for its 44th season every Sunday from 7 a.m. to noon. Located under-

neath the Jones Falls Expressway at Holliday and Saratoga Streets, the market offers flowers, seasonal fruits and vegetables, pastries, meat, seafood, gourmet food, spirits and wine, as well as crafts, antiques and original works of art. Learn more at bit.ly/BaltFarmersMarket.

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

Say you saw it in the Beacon

The best selling auto-loading scooter in Europe is now available in the US!

Finally... A scooter that loads itself in and out of your car. Introducing Quingo® – the powerful, take-anywhere and go-anywhere mobility scooter that you never have to lift. It’s a sad fact. Many people who have mobility issues and could benefit from a scooter aren’t able to use them away from home. Struggling to get it into a car or loading it onto a bumper-mounted lift just isn’t worth the effort. Even travel scooters can be hard to pick up and load into a car... and many are prone to tipping over. Now, there’s a better scooter, Quingo®. It’s easy to use, even for one person, and requires no more effort than opening a car’s tailgate and pressing a remote. Now anyone with a SUV, cross-over or mini van can go anywhere they want any time they want.

Only one scooter is this powerful and portable • Patented 5-Wheel Anti-tip Stability lets you take it almost anywhere.

• No dismantling or lifting of heavy scooter parts. • Fits most SUV’s, mini-vans and crossovers • Large motor + up to 350 pound capacity. • Extra long range with BIG scooter performance. • Won’t bounce around in your car– locks in place.

“For the ﬁrst time in years I’ve been able to go with my granddaughters to the mall. A crowd gathers every time I unload my scooter from my car!” – Judi K, Exeter, CA This scooter provides 5-Wheel Anti-Tip Technology for stability, agility and comfort with its unique wheel configuration. The patented 5-wheel design by Quingo enables it to ride safely over a wide variety of surfaces. It uses 4 ultra slim powerful batteries providing a range of up to 23 miles on a single charge. The best selling auto-loading scooter in Europe is now available in the US! Don’t wait to take advantage of this exciting new technology, call today to regain you independence.

featuring 5-Wheel Anti-Tip Technology

Call now toll free for our lowest price

1-888-919-0970 Please mention code 114893 when ordering.

See it in action at www.QuingoUSA.com

83729

Quingo® can load and unload itself in less than 60 seconds using the simple remote. The innovative “easy-in-and-out” ramping system can be installed in minutes, and then either remain in your car or be easily uninstalled when more room is needed.

This mobility product cannot be returned, but if it arrives damaged or is defective, at our option we will repair it or replace it. Medicare and Medicaid no longer subsidize scooter sales. © 2021 ﬁrstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.

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

Subscribe online! See how on p. 21

THE EYES HAVE IT Quit smoking, control blood sugar and add spices to food for better eyesight

Health Fitness &

SLEEP RESEARCH Losing sleep? Enroll in a home-based study for insomniacs and normal sleepers POPEYE’S FAVORITE OIL Although coconut oil is trendy, recent studies show olive oil is better for you TO BE A LONG LIVER A fatty liver can be dangerous but often has no symptoms. Weight loss helps

Mayo Clinic Q&A: Lower back pain issues By James Atchison, D.O. Dear Mayo Clinic: I am 45 and relatively healthy. But about a year ago, I hurt my lower back while working in the yard. I felt a sharp pain and could barely walk. It took about a month to heal. Then about a month ago, I hurt my back again — this time while lifting my young son. The pain does not seem to be getting better. Is there anything I can do to speed the healing process? How can I prevent this from recurring? A: Lower back pain episodes are common among adults, with about 80% of adults experiencing lower back pain at some point during their lives. Lower back pain is one of the top five reasons that individuals seek medical care.

In many cases, lower back pain resolves on its own. Most people have significant improvement in their pain within 14 days, and symptoms usually resolve in 4 to 6 weeks. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for lower back pain to recur. The biggest predictor of developing lower back pain is having a history of prior episodes. As many as half of acute lower back pain sufferers will experience another episode of back pain within a year. However, only a very small percentage of those people go on to develop chronic lower back pain.

Steps for self-care To ease your present lower back pain flare, there are a number of self-care steps you can take. First, maintain your usual activities as

much as possible, but do be cautious with movements that sharply increase the pain. Second, consider taking a nonprescription pain reliever. Anti-inflammatory medication, such as naproxen and ibuprofen, may be of benefit for short-term use. There are also some topical medications that people find effective at times, including counterirritants for heat/cold, lidocaine from numbing and anti-inflammatories for more local use. Many people take other nutritional supplements to help their pain, but no one supplement has been determined to be effective for everyone with lower back pain. However, most do not have a lot of side effects or risk. If over-the-counter medications are not

enough, talk to your healthcare provider about a muscle relaxant to reduce symptoms. The use of these medications is not to eliminate your pain but rather to reduce it to allow you to resume more movements and activities. Be aware that prescription medications may have more side effects, such as nausea, sedation and/or constipation.

Physical therapy helps Physical therapy during the acute episode can be an important part of treatment for lower back pain. It should involve teaching you to use heat and/or cold therapies, proper stretching exercises, and the See LOWER BACK PAIN, page 7

Stand Up Straight and Feel Better Discover the Perfect WalkerTM, the better way to walk safely and more naturally

NEW

Old Way

Better Way

It’s a cruel fact of life, as we age, gravity takes over. Our muscles droop, our bodies sag and the weight of the world seems to be planted squarely on our shoulders. We dread taking a fall, so we find ourselves walking less and less– and that only makes matters worse. Well, cheer up! There’s finally a product designed to enable us all to walk properly and stay on the go. It’s called the Perfect Walker, and it can truly change your life. Traditional rollators and walkers simply aren’t designed well. They require you to hunch over and shuffle your feet when you walk. This puts pressure on your back, neck, wrists and hands. Over time, this makes walking uncomfortable and can result in a variety of health issues. That’s all changed with the Perfect Walker. Its upright design and padded elbow rests enable you to distribute your weight across your arms and shoulders, not your hands and wrists, which helps reduce back, neck and wrist pain and discomfort. Its unique frame gives you plenty of room to step, and the oversized wheels help you glide across the floor. The height can be easily adjusted with the push of a button to fit anyone from 4’9” to over 6’2”. Once you’ve reached your destination you can use the hand brakes to gently slow down, and there’s even a handy seat with a storage compartment. Plus the Perfect Walker includes Stand AssistTM handles which make standing from a sitting position simple and easy. Its sleek, lightweight design makes it FREE easy to use indoors and out and it folds up for portability and storage.

• Comfortable Seat • Stand-assist handles • Adjustable Backrest • Folds easily • Optimized Center of Gravity • Easy-brake Wheels Plus, now you can choose between royal blue or rich bronze

Why spend another day hunched over and shuffling along. Call now, and find out how you can try out a Perfect Walker for yourself... and start feeling better each and every day in your own home.

Perfect WalkerTM

Call now Toll-Free

1-888-909-6684

84529

Utility Bag, Cane and Beverage Holders

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

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

The key to perfect pan-seared salmon Pan-Seared Salmon with MangoMint Salsa

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

✃

F R E E

Clinical Research Studies ❏ Fall Prevention/HIPS Study (see ad on page 10) ❏ Former Smoker Study (see ad on page 9) ❏ Home-Based Sleep Study (see article and ad on page 8) ❏ JHU Knee Study (see ad on page 8) ❏ NIH Diet Study (see ad on page 11) ❏ Recovered from COVID Study (see ad on page 10)

I N F O R M AT I O N

(see ad on page 21) ❏ Virginia Towers (see ad on page 17) ❏ Warren Place Senior Apartments (see ad on page 14)

★

F R E E

❏ Charlestown (see ad on page 7) ❏ Charter Senior Living (see ad on page 15) ❏ Christ Church Harbor Apts. (see ad on page 13) ❏ Heritage Run at Stadium Place (see ad on page 13) ❏ Oak Crest (see ad on page 7) ❏ Park View Laurel (see ad on page 20) ❏ Park View Towson (see ad on page 20) ❏ Park View Fullerton (see ad on page 20) ❏ Park View Rosedale (see ad on page 20) ❏ St. Mary’s Roland View Towers

I N F O R M AT I O N

★

Housing Communities

F R E E

Name_____________________________________________________________________________ Address__________________________________________________________________________

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

Check the boxes you’re interested in and return this form to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 or fax to (410) 248-9102.

I N F O R M AT I O N

City_________________________________________State__________Zip____________________

F R E E

I N F O R M AT I O N

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

B5/21

F R E E

MAIL OR FAX FOR FREE INFORMATION

★ ★

FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★

See SALMON, page 6

★ FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★

I N F O R M AT I O N

Serves 4 For the salmon: Kosher salt Pepper 4 (6- to 8-ounce) skin-on salmon fillets For the salsa: 1 mango, peeled, pitted, and cut into ¼inch pieces 1 shallot, minced 3 tablespoons juice from 2 limes 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint 1 jalapeño chile, stemmed, seeds reserved, and minced 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 garlic clove, minced ½ teaspoon salt Dissolve ½ cup salt in 2 quarts water in a large container. Submerge salmon in brine and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, combine all sauce ingredients in a bowl and set aside. Remove salmon from brine and pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the bottom of a 12-inch nonstick skillet evenly with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Place fillets, skin side down, in the skillet and sprinkle tops of fillets with ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Heat skillet over medium-high heat and cook fillets without moving them until fat begins to render, skin begins to brown, and the bottom ¼ inch of fillets turns opaque, 6 to 8 minutes. Using tongs, flip fillets and continue to cook without moving them until the centers are still translucent when checked with tip of a paring knife and register 125° F on a

F R E E

By America’s Test Kitchen Pan-searing salmon sounds straightforward: Just add a little oil to a nonstick pan, get it good and hot, season a couple of fillets, and cook them until they’re cooked through and nicely browned on the exterior but still pink on the inside, right? There are two issues with this technique: The fish cooks unevenly, and the exteriors of the fillets end up more tough than crisp. We knew we could do better, so we set out to create a simple recipe that took advantage of the intense heat of the skillet to produce a golden-brown, ultra-crisp crust on salmon fillets while keeping their interiors moist. The solution to the dryness problem was relatively easy: salt. We salt and brine meat all the time, and both techniques apply just as well to fish. Beyond seasoning the flesh, the salt also helps keep it moist. A 15-minute brine did both, and as long as we patted the fillets dry with paper towels before cooking, we found that the treatment didn’t significantly inhibit browning. To make sure the fish browned nicely and cooked evenly, we started skin-on fillets in a cold pan and then turned on the heat. This allowed the fish to cook through gently as the pan slowly came up to temperature. We then flipped the fillets over after the skillet was good and hot so they could form a crust and finish cooking through. And the skin shed enough fat as it cooked that we didn’t need to add a single drop of oil to the pan. This salmon was excellent with just a squirt of lemon, but we also whipped up a mango-mint salsa to go along with it. The salsa’s bright flavors balanced the salmon’s richness, and it added mere minutes to this quick, weeknight meal.

Fitness & Health | Subscribe online! See how on p. 21

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

Natural ways to improve your eyesight Just imagine what it would be like to help you protect your eyesight naturally. read with more clarity, and be able to focus In particular, you should focus on retinal your eyes better and see the and macular health, light and leaves on the trees without dark adaptation, eye fatigue squinting! How about reading and strain, and crispness of via book without discomfort? sion. Maintaining eye comfort We live in a time where we and moisture is also important. can correct many eyesight Here are some valuable problems with professional tips: help. For people with prob1. Add saffron to your lems like nearsightedness, farrecipes. sightedness and astigmatism, Saffron may improve retinal there are eyeglasses, contact sensitivity, color perception lenses, LASIK and refractive DEAR and visual contrast, according PHARMACIST surgery options. to studies on supplements. You By Suzy Cohen Today, I’d like to share can add this yellow spice to some other options, as well as rice, soup and sauce recipes, some controllable lifestyle factors that can and even marinades.

2. Consume more fresh spices. Carotenoids are natural dyes that impart orange color to fruits and vegetables. Two potent ones are lutein and zeaxanthin, which sweep away poisonous free radicals before they harm your eyes. Foods rich in lutein include fresh spices like basil and parsley. Other foods include leek, spinach, red peppers and kale. 3. Limit or eliminate smoking. Smoking damages the eyes and may lead to blindness because of macular degeneration and cataracts. If you’re smoking a pack a day, even cutting that in half would help! Smokers also need additional Vitamin C because nicotine is a “drug mugger” of C. 4. Control blood sugar. Having hyperglycemia is a known risk factor for many eye problems, including a

condition where the high blood sugar (which acts like an acid wash) causes damage to the capillaries of the light sensors in the back of the eye (the retina). It’s called diabetic retinopathy. Hyperglycemia also contributes to glaucoma. Managing blood sugar through diet, exercise and herbal supplements is ideal. This topic is covered extensively in my book Diabetes Without Drugs. 5. Try tinted plastic reading sheets. There are many brands of reading filters available online, and the most useful colors are orange, yellow, blue and red. The sheets are placed on top of any reading literature (magazine, newspaper, novel, journal, etc.), and they reduce the

Salmon

medium (as opposed to adding extra oil). If using wild salmon, cook it until it registers 120° F. If you don’t want to serve the fish with the skin, peel it off after it is cooked. For 25 years, confident cooks in the know have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 athome recipe testers. See more online at americastestkitchen.com/TCA. © 2021 America’s Test Kitchen. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

From page 5 meat thermometer, 6 to 8 minutes longer. Transfer fillets skin side down to a serving platter and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with salsa. Recipe notes: To ensure uniform cooking, buy a 1½ to 2-pound center-cut salmon fillet and cut it into four pieces. Using skin-on salmon is important here, as we rely on the fat underneath the skin as the cooking

See EYESIGHT, page 8

WHEN YOU LEAVE THE HOSPITAL, YOU HAVE A CHOICE. You choose the best doctor... the best hospital Choose the best post–-hospital care... Choose Keswick.

To Learn More Visit Us at ChooseKeswick.org or email us at Admissions@ChooseKeswick.org or call us at 410.235.8860

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

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

Lower back pain From page 4 safest strengthening exercises — especially for the abdominal core muscles. Practicing good posture and proper body mechanics also can help reduce pain. The benefit to starting a physical therapy program is to find out which approaches are best for you with your current symptoms and to learn the proper technique for the exercises. The goal is to acquire a regimen of stretching and strengthening to be able to do at home for long-term benefit. Additional passive interventions that may provide some short-term benefit for pain reduction in people with lower back pain include massage, acupuncture, low-level laser treatment and spinal mobilization. These soft tissue and/or joint mobilizations often are called manipulation, and may be done by therapists, chiropractors or osteopaths. Other, more active interventions to consider are yoga, Pilates or an aquatic exercise program. Talk with your healthcare

provider about the benefits and risks of these approaches, and whether they may be right for your situation.

To reduce future risk Once the pain goes away, take measures to reduce your risk of future lower back pain episodes. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions on how to bend, lift and move to ensure proper back biomechanics. When lifting heavier objects, it often is best to lift from the knees while you contract your abdominal muscles and keep your spine straight. You should not bend and twist your trunk at the same time, and, as you lift, hold the object as close to your body as you can. You also may incorporate back-friendly practices into your daily life, such as using a chair that has good back support at work and at home, or using a desk that changes levels to move from sitting to standing intermittently. Regular exercise can strengthen your muscles, which makes it less likely you’ll have future lower back pain episodes.

BEACON BITS

Apr. 27

LEARN TO USE UBER AND LYFT

There are no studies, though, that indicate one exercise is better than another for prevention of future pain. General core exercises or aerobic exercises can be valuable. Proper warm-up and cool-down techniques may include more back-specific stretching maneuvers. Aerobic and resistance exercises also can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight. This may help to protect you from future lower back and other problems that can be associated with obesity. Finally, if you smoke, stop. Smoking accelerates spinal degeneration, and that contributes to the development of back pain.

If you would like guidance or support as you work to quit smoking, talk to your healthcare provider. Various treatment options are available that can help. —James Atchison, D.O., Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. Email a question to MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit mayoclinic.org. © 2021 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Ask us about 2 hours of free service*

The Care You Need with the Warmth You Want • Companionship • Nutrition Adherence • Transportation • Medication Reminders • Light Housekeeping Ask about Skilled Care! • and much more

AARP offers a free virtual workshop on using app-based ridesharing services, like Uber and Lyft. The workshop takes place Tues., April 27 from 10

443-342-4100

to 11 a.m. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/RideshareAppsAARP.

www.heavenlyhomecare.us *new clients only

“I love it here!

I couldn’t have made a better choice.” –Beverly B., a community resident

At Charlestown and Oak Crest, you’re free to live the independent life you want with an added safety net of support. We’re the area’s premier choice for senior living! • Go freely about your life and pursue the activities you love on our green and spacious campus. • Be part of a connected community ﬁlled with friends, neighbors, and a dedicated staff. • Gain time and freedom from the hassle and expense of house repairs.

14536221

Call 1-800-590-4091 or visit SeniorLivingMaryland.com for your free brochure.

Strictly following all COVID-19 safety precautions

Fitness & Health | Subscribe online! See how on p. 21

Health Studies

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

INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Volunteer for a home-based sleep study By Margaret Foster If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, you know how difficult it can be to feel alert the following day. How well we sleep at night affects how we think, feel and act during the day. Now researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine are launching a new study for older adults with or without sleep disorders — and no in-person visits are required. “It’s an exciting study because we are applying a new, smartphone-based approach to measure daytime function in par-

ticipants’ homes and daily lives,” said Dr. Emerson Wickwire, director of the Insomnia Program at the University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus and associate professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. “The long-term goal of this project is to advance understanding and improve quality of life through improved sleep, especially as we age,” Wickwire said in an email. “Improving sleep is one potential avenue to maintain brain health as we age. Volunteering for this study is one impor-

tant way to participate in that scientific process. And, our research team is highly experienced and fun to work with,” he added.

How the study works Adults 60 to 85 years old are welcome to participate in this remote study. Those without sleep problems are invited as well as those with sleep problems such as insomnia or obstructive sleep apnea. The study takes several weeks. Researchers will conduct assessments over the phone and by mobile app.

Eyesight From page 6 harshness of bright paper. They may help with conditions that affect reading such as dyslexia, color blindness and/or autism-related reading issues. 6. Invest in good eye vitamins. Shamefully, the ingredients known to help eyesight are often put into commercial brands that don’t bother to encapsulate the ingredients in acid-resistant capsules — a process known as enteric coating. If it doesn’t make it to your intestines because it degraded in your stomach acid,

Once enrolled, participants will be mailed a Fitbit-like device to wear on their wrists. Then they’ll receive training to use the wristband and answer questions on a related mobile app. Compensation will be provided. “Our goal is for volunteers to have a seamless, rewarding experience as participants in this study,” Wickwire said. “Study staff are available throughout the study to answer questions and provide support.” For more information, call the study team at (410) 706-1483 or email emastudy@som.umaryland.edu. it’s not doing you any good. So, check your brand and/or upgrade it. Medications to treat eye conditions are always an excellent choice, so continue taking whatever your ophthalmologist has prescribed. If we take good care of our maculas, corneas and retinas now, we’ll have them for a lifetime. This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To contact her, visit SuzyCohen.com.

BEACON BITS

May 13+

DO YOU HAVE TROUBLE SLEEPING? Study Volunteers Needed No In-Person Visits Required The University of Maryland, Baltimore is conducting a research study to evaluate sleep and daytime function in older adults via mobile app.

We are inviting adults aged 60-85 years old with OR without sleep problems including insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and other sleep problems. If you join the study: • You will wear a portable activity band. • You will use an App on your smartphone to answer survey questions. • You will receive compensation. For more information, please contact the study team at: 410-706-1483 or emastudy@som.umaryland.edu. Principal Investigator: Emerson M. Wickwire, PhD ewickwire@som.umaryland.edu 410-706-4771 This research has been approved by the Institutional Review Board at University of Maryland, Baltimore, Protocol # HP-00092562.

PREVENTING DIABETES

The University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center offers a free virtual class about lifestyle changes you can make to prevent diabetes and improve overall health. This event takes place the second Thursday of every month from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Call (410) 787-4940 to register.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

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

Which is better: Olive oil or coconut oil? By Emily Gelsomin, Harvard Health Blog Coconut oil has developed a cult-like following in recent years, with proponents touting benefits ranging from body fat reduction to heart disease prevention. Sadly for devotees, the evidence to support these assertions remains rather sparse. But there is plenty of research to suggest that other plant-based oils have advantages over their animal-derived counterparts, particularly when it comes to heart health. So, which oil is best? While no specific type should be hyped as a panacea, one variety isn’t getting the press it deserves: olive oil.

The case for olive oil Olive oil is a staple fat in the Mediterranean diet, and its previously publicized benefits have largely relied on examining its use by European populations. This information is useful, but looking at olive oil within the context of American diets provides us with stronger data to guide dietary choices here at home. A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology looked at adults in the United States and found that replacing margarine, butter or mayonnaise with olive oil was associated with reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This is particularly notable because Americans tend to consume less olive oil than Europeans. In the U.S., high consumers averaged a little less than one tablespoon of olive oil a day, whereas daily intake in studies examining Mediterranean populations has been as high as three tablespoons. After taking demographic and lifestyle factors into consideration, those consuming more than half a tablespoon per day had a re-

duced risk of developing CVD compared to those using olive oil infrequently (less than once per month). Consuming more olive oil was also associated with a decreased likelihood of dying from CVD. Even slight increases in olive oil consumption, like replacing roughly a teaspoon of margarine or butter each day with a similar amount of olive oil, had advantages. Olive oil was also correlated with a reduction in inflammatory compounds that may contribute to the progression of CVD. Olives contain plant chemicals called polyphenols that may help reduce inflammation. Virgin olive oil, which is extracted through mechanical rather than chemical means, is thought to offer higher levels of protective plant compounds than refined olive oils. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is a product of the preferred, mechanical processing. Though we need more research, these polyphenols may also extend benefits to other areas of the body, like the brain. For instance, along with other healthy diet habits like eating leafy greens, primarily using olive oil when cooking has been associated with combating decline in brain function as we age.

body fat compared to other plant-based fats. Coconut oil, a tropical plant oil, also did not fare as well as nontropical plant oils, like olive oil, with respect to reducing other cardiac risk factors. In fact, coconut oil increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol — the kind associated with an increased risk of heart disease. That said, extra virgin coconut oil, which can be purchased in the United States, is arguably less processed, and often refined in a manner similar to EVOO. A recent trial published in BMJ Open looking at extra virgin coconut oil did not show an increase in LDL cholesterol when compared to EVOO during a four-week period. (Both oils performed better than butter.) Unfortunately, there are not enough

human studies involving extra virgin coconut oil to support its use as a primary fat in our diets. Nor do we have information about its long-term effects here in the U.S.

And the winner is…olive oil The benefits of using nontropical plantbased oils remain very promising, making olive oil a natural choice in the kitchen. Consider a drizzle of olive oil instead of a pat of butter or margarine when cooking vegetables. And keep coconut fat to occasional use, say, to enhance the flavor of a vegetable curry, or as a substitute for butter in baked desserts. © 2021 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

How does coconut oil compare? Proponents of coconut oil cite the mediumchain fatty acids it contains as a benefit because of the unique way these fats are digested. It’s claimed these fats offer advantages related to weight loss and cholesterol, though these assertions remain controversial. In a recently published study in the journal Circulation, which compiled data from a variety of trials, coconut oil did not show benefits related to waist circumference or

Your recovery after a hospital stay should begin with a knowledgeable, interdisciplinary team that understands your health care goals. Working with state-of-the-art equipment, we have the expertise and experience to treat patients recovering from a variety of conditions, including: Neurological Cardiac Orthopedic Cancer Pulmonary Complex Medical

If you need help with any of these conditions, you may beneﬁt from an inpatient skilled nursing and rehabilitation stay. Four Baltimore locations: • ManorCare – Roland Park • ManorCare – Rossville • ManorCare – Ruxton • ManorCare – Towson For more information, call

888.255.7054

Fitness & Health | Subscribe online! See how on p. 21

COVID-19 News Don’t mix vaccine with painkillers It’s best to avoid taking painkillers before or after a COVID-19 vaccine, unless you routinely take them for a medical condition. Although the evidence is limited, some painkillers might interfere with the very thing the vaccine is trying to do: generate a strong immune system response.

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

Vaccines work by tricking the body into thinking it has a virus and mounting a defense against it. That may cause arm soreness, fever, headache, muscle aches or other temporary symptoms of inflammation that can be part of that reaction. “These symptoms mean your immune system is revving up and the vaccine is working,” Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a recent news briefing. Certain painkillers that target inflammation, including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and other brands), might curb the immune

response. A study on mice in the Journal of Virology found these drugs might lower production of antibodies — helpful substances that block the virus cells. If you’re already taking one of those medications for a health condition, you should not stop before you get the vaccine — at least not without asking your doctor, said Jonathan Watanabe, a pharmacist at the University of California, Irvine. People should not take a painkiller as a preventive measure before getting a vaccine unless a doctor has told them to, he said. The same goes for after a shot: “If you don’t need to take it, you shouldn’t,” Watanabe said. If you do need one, acetaminophen (Tylenol) “is safer because it doesn’t alter your immune response,” he added. —AP

Older adults show resilience in pandemic Older adults have generally been viewed as among those at higher risk in a COVIDsaturated, increasingly isolated world. When it comes to mental and emotional health, however, older adults in the United States are showing resilience and persevering despite struggles with loneliness and isolation, the latest self-reported results in an ongoing study suggest. The latest data from the National Social

Life, Health and Aging Project, conducted by the social research organization NORC at the University of Chicago, is part of a longer-term study designed to track the physical and emotional well-being of older Americans over time. A majority of older adults reported good mental health. Only 9% of older adults reported having “fair or poor overall mental health” during the pandemic, similar to their previous answers. Nevertheless, the study found that general happiness has declined. About half as many older adults now report they are very happy or extremely happy, and an increasing number report occasional feelings of depression or isolation. “It should sensitize everyone to the reality of isolation’s impact, but also the reality that people are resilient — and maybe even more so older adults than younger adults,” said Louise Hawkley, principal research scientist at NORC and the lead researcher on the study. “They’ve been through things already. They know how to handle stress,” Hawkley said. “This is something we can learn from them — that there is survival.” The information comes from 1,284 respondents between the ages of 55 and 99, interviewed in September and October — all of them participants in a longer-term study that also collected data in person in 2015-2016. No margin of error was provided. —AP

Immune Im mm muune mun unnee Resp Res esppons pponse po pon ons nse see to SSARS SA SAR ARS RSS-CoV CoV-2 Co oVV-2 -22 in in RReco eccoover eco vere ered ered edd COVI VVID ID-19 ID -19 -1 19 Pati ttie ieen ent eents nts nt tss Stu ttud ud udy The he purp purpose pu urpo pose osee of o this thhiss resea resear esearrch stud study study st dyy iss to to stud s udy study stu dy ho how ow immune imm im mmu mun unee cells cellss respo esppon espond ondd to COVI OOVID VIDD-19 -1199 inf infffeec ectio tion. on. n • • • • •

YOU OU MA MAAYY BE BE ELIG ELIGIBLE EL IGIB IBLLE IF IF: YYoou ou ar a e 118 year ears ears rs of of age aggee or or old o der dder Proof ooof oof positiv po posi ositiv tive CCOVID OVID-19 OVID -199 test -1 est YYoouu have not nnoot recei eceived eceiv ed a COVID OVI VIDD-19 19 vacci accina accina nation tion Not currrently enttlyy tak takkin ingg cor cortic ticost icos ostter eroid oids, chemotherap cch chem emo moth other herap rapy drugs dr drug rugs gs, radiationn therap therapy therapyy,, and/or aand nd/o d/or or im i mun munosuppr m uno nosu supp ppressi pres essiv sive drugs dr drug ugs gs Experiencingg no sympt sy sym ympt mpttom ooms mss of a viral viral inffeec ectio tionn

Principal Investigator: Nan-ping Weng, MD, Ph.D NIA Study 000140 National Institute on Aging Medstar Harbor Hospital, 5th Floor 3001 South Hanover Street Baltimore, MD 21225

Parrtici ticipants icipa pant ntss wil w l ccom complete omp mplet ete 1 study stu tud udy dyy visit vvis isit sit with w wit it ith th tth the hee option oopt pt ptio tion on of of 2 additional ad addditio tionnall vis visits visitts. Par articipa tici icipa pation tion will w ll inclu innclu cluud ude de blood bblo lood od dra d aws, urine urin ur ne and and saliv sali aliva coll collec co llecctio tion, on, n medic m me medi dical al hhist storryyy,,,an ,and COVID OVID-19 -19 sympt sym ymp mpttom om quest ques questtion tionnair tio onna nair ire.

Yo Y ou wil ou will w ll be b com ompensa mpe pens nsated ed for your ourr ti tim im me e.

For or Mor ore Inform nforma o ma atio tion Please tion Pl Plea eas ase e Con ontact: ontac

410-350-3941 410 41 4 100-3 -35 350 500-3 -39 394 941 41 n niastudiesr die esr srecruitm eccruitme ecruitmen men nt@m t@ t@mail @ma mail ail.ni .nih.g .ni ih.go ih.go ih gov g

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

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

Slow weight loss can improve fatty liver By Irun Bhan, M.D. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common cause of liver disease in the United States, and is estimated to affect up to a quarter of adults in the world. It is defined by excess fat accumulating in the liver, and usually occurs in people with obesity, high blood sugars (diabetes), abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels, or high blood pressure. These disorders often run together and, as a group, are called metabolic syndrome. Non-alcoholic liver disease is becoming more prevalent as obesity becomes more common. It is also underdiagnosed, since it usually causes no symptoms.

risk of having NASH. The most accurate way to diagnose NASH is by liver biopsy. But blood tests and imaging tests can be used to determine who might be at low risk for NASH to avoid unnecessary liver biopsies. A useful, noninvasive test for some people is liver elastography, a special kind of ultrasound that estimates how much scarring there is in the liver. Elastography can help sort out who might benefit from further testing by liver biopsy. Regardless of whether NASH is present, exercising and eating a healthy diet can go a long way in treating metabolic syndrome and preventing complications down the road.

How fat may damage the liver

Weight loss, exercise are key

In some people, excess fat sits in the liver but may not cause any liver damage. However, in about one in 20 people, excess liver fat triggers chronic liver inflammation. This condition is called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH. As with other liver disease, such as viral hepatitis or alcohol-related liver disease, chronic inflammation can cause ongoing damage, which leads to liver scarring known as fibrosis. Severe fibrosis is called cirrhosis regardless of the cause. People with cirrhosis are at risk for liver failure and liver cancer and may need a liver transplant. The key to preventing complications of NASH is to catch it early and treat it before the liver has sustained significant damage. Early diagnosis is tricky; usually people have no symptoms from their liver disease. If you have been diagnosed with any of the components of metabolic syndrome, you should talk to your doctor about your

For people who are overweight or have obesity, the best treatment for NASH is weight loss. A landmark study showed that

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

BLOOD DONOR RAFFLE

The Red Cross will give $1,000 to five lucky blood donors this month. Schedule a donation appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Those who give by April 30 will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of five $1,000 e-gift cards to a merchant of their choice. Additional details are available at rcblood.org/Gift.

May 8+

VIRTUAL 5K OR HALF-MARATHON

Run or walk (at home or in your neighborhood) the virtual Maryland half-marathon or 5k to raise funds for the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center. Register for the race at bit.ly/MDVirtualRunWalk and then run or walk anytime between Sat., May 8 and Mon., May 10.

losing 10% of one’s body weight can reduce liver fat, resolve inflammation and potentially improve scarring. More recently, in a meta-analysis published in JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers combined data from 22 studies and confirmed that weight loss by behavioral programs, medications or weight-loss surgery can successfully treat NASH. Diet and exercise are the first line of treatment. At least 150 minutes of heart-pumping activity per week is recommended. While it’s not clear which diet is best, those that emphasize vegetables and whole foods, such as the Mediterranean diet, are good options. If sufficient weight loss is not attainable with these steps, weight loss surgery, such as gastric sleeve or gastric bypass, can be considered. For certain people without diabetes, vita-

min E can help treat NASH. For those with diabetes, certain medications that improve blood sugar, such as the thiazolidinedione drug pioglitazone (Actos) and the incretin mimetic drug liraglutide (Saxenda), may also have beneficial effects on the liver. Any decisions regarding medications for NASH, including the use of vitamin E, should be made with your doctor. Individuals with NASH must also protect the liver from any other causes of liver inflammation. This means abstaining from alcohol, and making sure you are vaccinated against the hepatitis A and hepatitis B viruses. Finally, anyone with NASH should also identify and treat individual components of metabolic syndrome they may have, in order to reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes. © 2020 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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

Subscribe online! See how on p. 21

Money Law &

Your credit score may be wrong. Find out how to correct it on page 14.

Will you run out of money in retirement? By Andrew Kobylski and Caroline Whittaker Huggins You just left a meeting with your financial adviser, and your nest egg is looking bulletproof, with a projected worth of over $1 million at age 95. But wait a second: Are you sure about that? If your financial projections look too good to be true, they might well be, for a variety of reasons. When the pandemic hit in March 2020, the stock market crumbled, and many people saw their investment portfolios drop. Fortunately, the markets eventually recovered, but the sudden drop caused many people to review their investments. While reviewing a new client’s portfolio at that time, we learned that his previous adviser projected his net worth as double our estimate by age 70. Naturally, the client was confused by the different scenarios. We discovered that the underlying growth assumptions the former adviser used were far too optimistic, giving the client an unrealistic view of his financial future.

Be safe; plan for the worst It’s easy for any adviser to make a financial plan look unbreakable when using un-

The Condo King

realistic assumptions. The true value of a financial plan comes from testing its resistance under difficult conditions. To do this, financial advisers typically conduct a “stress test.” The test typically examines how a financial plan will fare during a future unexpected event, such as a recession or major geopolitical event, and allows you to adjust accordingly. For example, if you are near retirement and your portfolio is heavily weighted in stocks, an unexpected recession may send it plummeting by double digits. Although there may be no recession in sight, stress testing would allow you to adjust your portfolio in advance to safeguard it from potential future harm. It’s a good idea to consider asking your financial adviser to conduct this test. Here are four areas to discuss to ensure your plan will hold up:

your projection. Take this scenario: A 45-year-old has $1 million in investments and saves $20,000 annually. If we omit taxes and assume a realistic 5% annual rate of return, his portfolio will grow to around $4.3 million by age 70. However, if this person’s adviser assumes a higher return, the projections show a scenario that is likely unrealistic. For example, at a 9% annual growth rate, his investments at age 70 would be valued at $10.3 million. Our research shows that the average investor loses 4% of their annual returns from simple mistakes stemming from investment selection, fee management and emotional trading. Not accounting for this principle in your plan’s growth rate assumptions may inflate your projected future assets. Our advice: Lean toward conservative growth assumptions to ensure your financial plan can withstand the unpredictability of future market returns.

What’s the implied growth rate? Most financial advisers build a conservative growth rate into their projections — 5% annual growth is a common rate. While changing the growth by even a couple of percentage points may seem irrelevant, it can monumentally alter the trajectory of

Downsizing? Looking for the perfect condo?

Call for a list of: • “Coming Soon to Market” Condos • Garage & Elevator Condos • Condos w/Loft & Storage • Condos w/Amenities

Michael listed our condo and in only 7 days we had an offer for $15K OVER our asking price. — Mr and Mrs Michael C.

Selling? Call for FREE Market Evaluation & Market Checklist

Account for inflation It’s not surprising $100,000 had greater spending power in 1950 than it does today. This can be seen in something as simple as the price of milk, which in 1950 was 83 cents. Today, the average price per gallon

www.IMCondos.com

Check accuracy of your spending During a planning session, a client reported she was spending around $120,000 annually, or about $10,000 per month. But when asked to map her annual expenses for one year, she realized she was spending closer to $140,000. We discovered that the additional $20,000 primarily came from home improvement costs, roughly $500 a month on takeout/Amazon orders, and other miscelSee DON’T RUN OUT, page 15

TECH PROBLEMS SOLVED AT HOME, AFFORDABLY Do you need help setting up or ﬁxing your computer, tablet, phone, printers, or Wi-Fi? Do you need advice and instruction on choosing and using software and apps? We come to you for all this and more!

Call Michael Phipps, The Condo King, today at 410-676-2229 Email-REDreams@LNF.com

is around $3.60. As we know, some expenses can have higher cost-of-living adjustments than others, such as healthcare or even education costs. Due to the ever-growing cost of living, accurately depicting inflation is necessary when developing your financial projections. Otherwise, your projections may misrepresent your future reality. Our advice: Since the cost of living will rise in the future, make sure you account for this growth in your financial projections. For most general living expenses, we typically like to assume an inflation rate of 2.5%.

Call Gary to discuss your needs friendly at-home computer support for adults 50+

(301) 944-4614 or (443) 827-9785

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

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

Reap cash rewards by referring friends By Lisa Gerstner Do you like your credit card or bank account enough to recommend it to a friend or family member? If so, you may be able to scoop up extra cash, rewards points or frequent-flier miles by making a referral — and your friend may get a bonus, too. Several major card issuers provide referral bonuses to eligible cardholders. Chase, for example, offers $100 cash back for each friend who signs up for a participating Chase Freedom card (up to $500 total per year), and 15,000 points for each friend who gets the Chase Sapphire Preferred card (up to 75,000 points per year). Chase also offers referral bonuses for

some of its airline and hotel cards, including those that offer rewards from the United MileagePlus, Marriott Bonvoy and Southwest Rapid Rewards programs. For most of its cards, Discover offers a statement credit of $50 to $100 if you make a referral, and your friend gets a statement credit after making a purchase within the first three months. (See discover.com/sharediscover for the amount available and annual cap.) American Express and Capital One have referral programs, too.

Checking account rewards, too For checking account customers, Chase offers $50 for each friend who opens a

BEACON BITS

May 11+

DECLUTTERING FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS Do you have too much financial paperwork? Are you wondering

what to do with it all? If so, learn how to declutter and downsize your important documents in this two-part virtual workshop with Matt Paxton from A&E Hoarders and Mindy Godding from the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals. The first part of the webinar takes place Tues., May 11 from 7 to 8 p.m., and the second part takes place Thurs., May 13 from 7 to 8 p.m. Learn more and register at bit.ly/DeclutterDocuments.

Value . Winning LOCATION.

EXCEPTIONAL

Heritage Run at Stadium Place offers modern comforts and conveniences for those 62 and older. With no entrance fee or income limits, your monthly benefits also include: • Heat, electric, water & sewer • Off-street parking • Emergency call system • Household & appliance maintenance • Trash removal • Controlled access • On-site storage area • Scheduled transportation & activities

For more information contact Jeri Farmer at 410-346-9460 or email nfarmer@psl.org.

1080 East 33rd Street • Baltimore, MD 21218

www.heritagerun.org It is our policy to admit residents without regard to race, color, religion, sex, handicap or national origin and any other federal, state or local fair housing protections. Note: Housing for Older Persons is exempt from the prohibitions against age or familial status.

qualifying checking account (up to $500 per year). TD Bank provides $50 per friend that you refer to a personal checking account (up to $500 per year), and your friend gets $50 if he or she meets certain account activity requirements in the first two months.

Bonuses are taxable Beware the tax bite, however. Generally, credit card rewards are not taxed if you spend money to earn them (such as “per-

cent back” awards). But because referral bonuses are not usually tied to spending, you may receive a Form 1099 from the card issuer reporting the amount of rewards you claimed through referrals as taxable income. Similarly, you may pay tax on bonuses you receive for opening or referring a friend to a bank account. © 2021 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Law & Money | Subscribe online! See how on p. 21

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

Is your credit report wrong? What to do By Bev O’Shea Consumers filed complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in record numbers in 2020, according to a report released last month by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group. Credit reporting issues were cited in 282,000, or 63%, of the complaints. The majority noted “incorrect information” on credit reports or “information belongs to someone else,” the report said.

Not only did complaints about credit report errors lead the list of consumer grievances, but the three major credit-reporting bureaus — Experian, TransUnion and Equifax — were the top three companies complained about.

Errors can endanger your score Accuracy matters since credit report errors can suggest identity theft or fraudulent activity on your accounts. And because credit report data provides the raw

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

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

material for credit scores, errors can lower your score. Some of the volume of complaints may be an unintended consequence of payment accommodations mandated by the 2020 coronavirus relief bill and temporary concessions offered by lenders and credit card issuers. But credit report errors were common even before the pandemic, said Ed Mierzwinski, senior director of the advocacy group’s Federal Consumer Program and author of the report. Payment accommodations may have led more people to check their credit reports and find those errors, he said. Mierzwinski recommends that “any consumer with any credit account” check their credit reports. People who have common names may be at particular risk of a mix-up, he said.

Check credit reports for free Every year, you can get a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus by using AnnualCreditReport.com. You’ll be asked to provide personal identifying information — your name, Social Security number, birthdate and address. You will also be asked security questions to verify your identity. Some of those can be tough. If you aren’t able to answer correctly, call 1-877-322-8228 to request your credit reports by mail. You can also download and mail a request form to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

How to read credit reports Your reports from the three bureaus won’t look exactly the same. Not every creditor reports to all three, and the bu-

reaus present information in different formats. But you can use a similar procedure for reading your credit reports. First, check your identifying information. Errors such as misspellings of a former employer are unimportant, but something like an address you’ve never lived at could suggest identity theft. Next, check account information. Each credit account you have (and some that are closed) should be listed and include: — Creditor’s name, account number and date opened. — Type of account (credit card, loan, etc.). — Account status and whether you’re current on payments. Accounts that were in good standing when pandemic-related payment accommodations began must continue to be reported that way until the accommodations end. — Whether you are a joint account holder, primary user or authorized user. — Credit limit and/or the original amount of a loan. — There may be negative information, such as collections accounts or bankruptcy records. Be sure that you recognize the information and that it is accurate.

How to dispute errors The Fair Credit Reporting Act holds both the creditor that reports to the credit bureaus and the credit bureaus responsible for making sure the information in your credit reports is accurate. If you spot an error in one credit report, check the other two for that error. Dispute the error with each bureau that’s reporting it. You can dispute by mail, phone or online — the credit report will include information on how to file your dispute. Credit bureaus See CREDIT REPORT, page 15

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

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

Don’t run out

grossing up annual expenses anywhere from 5% to 10% allows the plan to account for future unknown costs.

From page 12 laneous one-off expenses that tend to go overlooked. This difference is significant. Compounded over time, this spending rate will affect her income in retirement. Rather than lasting through age 95, her assets would be depleted at around age 80. Using this information, we were able to get her back on track toward meeting her financial goals. While taking the time to monitor your annual expenses is important, even with a budget in place, unaccounted-for expenses are bound to appear. The stress test can account for additional expenses that are typically overlooked, such as home upgrades, car repairs or any other unanticipated oneoff costs. Our advice: It’s a good idea to partially overstate your annual spending level to account for future, unknown costs. While everyone’s spending situation is different,

Other uncertainties Whether it’s a forced early retirement or a bear market, stress testing your financial plan will help account for other uncertainties in the future. It will not only test the plan’s strength, but also your individual financial flexibility. Knowing a plan can withstand a 30% market dip provides peace of mind. A test can also simulate the financial impact of taking a dream vacation or providing gifts to your favorite charity, giving you more freedom to spend your money in retirement. Navigating from your expected financial plan to these “Plan B” scenarios can display the robustness of your financial plan against unforeseeable risks. Our advice: While it’s fine to look at the most likely financial scenario, consider a worst-case scenario, too. People often make

Credit report

If disputing the error doesn’t resolve the issue, Mierzwinski recommends filing a complaint with the CFPB and asking for an investigation. That can bring additional pressure to correct misinformation, he said. The CFPB’s acting director, Dave Uejio, has said one of his goals is “making sure that consumers who submit complaints to us get the response and the relief they deserve.” —AP/NerdWallet

From page 14 must investigate and inform you of the result. You can also contact the business providing the incorrect information. It must inform the bureaus of the dispute and, if it finds the information was wrong or incomplete, ask the credit bureaus to delete it.

their best financial decisions when they understand the potential consequences. There is no doubt that future events will have an impact on our financial future. By using realistic assumptions and mapping out all relevant scenarios, you can help

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

REPORT FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION, ID THEFT

If you suspect an adult you care for has been financially exploited and he or she is unable to provide for his or her daily needs, call Adult Protective Services at 1-800-332-6347. If you or someone you care for suspects identity theft, call the identity theft unit at (410) 576-6491. For more resources, visit bit.ly/AgingandFinancialExploitation.

Apr. 29

MONUMENTS AND MEMORY

A panel of scholars and artists will discuss the power of monuments, both traditional and impermanent, using examples from the Walters Art Museum and the Dallas Museum of Art. This free virtual event takes place Thurs., April 29 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/MonumentsandMemory.

The Charter Diﬀerence:

Enhance

WE THE HUMAN SPIRIT.

Get to know the Charter Senior Living communities in the Baltimore area. Each community has its own distinct look and feel, but all share the same commitment to providing lifestyles that enhance the human spirit of our residents, families and staff. Find one near you!

Charter Senior Living of Woodholme Crossing

1840 Reisterstown Road | Pikesville, MD 21208 Assisted Living | All-Inclusive Memory Care 410.698.6216

" # $ ! % $ & '

! " ( & ( # ) * ( % $ ) + & ! & * ( !

, (

Charter Senior Living of Towson

6451 N. Charles Street | Towson, MD 21212 Assisted Living | All-Inclusive Memory Care 410.202.8415

The Cottages of Perry Hall

) ( + (

& + -

9900 Walther Blvd | Parkville, MD 21234 Assisted Living | All-Inclusive Memory Care 410.260.0982

* . / (

01234 55675333

Baltimore County Department of Economic & Workforce Development The Baltimore County Career Center s , a proud par tner of the Amer ican Job Center s , provide equal oppor tunity and access to all of its ser vices , resources and programs . Aux iliar y aids and ser vices are available to individuals with a disability and/or those needing language inter preter ser vices with advanced reques t. TTY user s call via the Mar yland Voice Relay Ser vice at 711.

www.charterseniorliving.com

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

Subscribe online! See how on p. 21

Travel Leisure &

For now, domestic travel may be safest. See story on opposite page.

Portugal road trip reveals beauty, history

Golden beaches Cape Sãrdao’s windswept expanse is famous for its curious, century-old lighthouse, Farol Cabo Sãrdao. The red-capped tower was built facing inland instead of toward the sea. Here you can park, get a closer look at the lighthouse, and explore the cape’s picturesque trails. Unwilling to leave the beautiful coast, I cruised five miles to Praia de Almograve. Come during low tide and you’ll delight in

the wide crescent of golden sand at this beach, where black volcanic rocks pepper the sand and cliffs tower above. At high tide, surfers are attracted to the roiling ocean. A short drive away is Vila Nova de Milfontes, a picturesque village situated where the placid Mira River meets the turbulent Atlantic. Vila Nova is blessed with undeveloped beaches flanking both sides of the river that attract plenty of birds. You may spot a kingfisher plunging into the water to capture a meal, or glimpse a grey heron spreading its wings on the shore. In this village, Tasca do Celso is a homey establishment where the locals sit on cork stools at the bar. Black pork tenderloin is one of the many Alentejo specialties served at this eatery.

By Jeanine Barone Strolling a sandy lane atop tall sea cliffs in Portugal’s Cape Sãrdao with nary a hotel in sight, I found an idyllic, pastoral setting far away from the hustle and bustle of Lisbon, just two hours north. My only company was a white stork gliding overhead. Springtime is especially lovely in southern Portugal, with lavender and thyme blooming, and stork chicks squirming in nests built precariously on the cliff’s rocky ledges. Rockrose, heather and hottentot fig line the paths through the Natural Park of Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina — a protected land and sea area of more than 183,000 acres on the Atlantic coast. Meaning “Beyond the Tagus [River],” the Alentejo, Portugal’s largest province, is a precious landscape, ranging from pristine coastal sand dunes to a sun-baked interior region stretching to the Spanish border. Amid the Alentejo’s olive groves, cork trees and vineyards are fortified hilltop villages where the Romans and, later, the Moors once ruled.

Roman ruins The next day, as I drove some 70 miles east, my route took me past what would become a familiar sight: clusters of gnarled cork oak trees. (Portugal is the world’s largest cork producer.) Above blond plains floats Beja, a whitewashed village surrounded by battlements. From its hilltop perch, Beja stands as a former key Roman outpost. In fact, the soaring Tower of Menagem, the most outstanding structure of Beja’s centuries-old castle, was built atop Roman ruins and is considered the symbol of the city. Roaming Beja’s streets, you’ll see elaborate Manueline detailing on the facades and doorways, as well as ornate door knockers. © AHFOTOBOX | DREAMSTIME.COM

The Mira River meets the Atlantic Ocean in the colorful village of Vila Nova de Milfontes, which lies within a national park.

Portugal’s west coast is known for sun and sand. In Portugal’s Alentejo region, south of Lisbon, all roads lead to beautiful beaches, ancient towns and authentic restaurants.

Twenty miles southeast is Serpa, a tranquil, whitewashed, ancient town renowned for both cheese-making shops and museums. The delectable sheep’s milk cheese bearing the same name as the town varies in texture and flavor depending on how long it’s been aged. The youngest is soft and creamy, while aging for two years produces a harder, pungent, but no less tasty, product. Among the museums, the most extensive is the Ethnographic Museum, which displays historic tools, instruments and machines, grouped by occupation, from blacksmith to basket-maker.

Monks and the macabre After navigating 60 more miles on roads flanked by farmland, I gazed in the distance, gaping at a white city, Évora, the region’s historical center and a UNESCO World Heritage site. I meandered Évora’s tangle of cobbled streets, checking out the many architectural and historical treasures. One of the city’s most talked about venues is the Capela dos Ossos, part of the Gothic 16th-century Church of St. Francis. The macabre chapel’s walls and columns are constructed from floor to ceiling with human skeletons — more than 3,000 skulls can be counted. It’s no wonder Franciscan monks once meditated here on the meaning of life and death.

Surprises are everywhere in Évora: The present-day city hall was built around the visible Roman baths, and at the Cathedral of Santa Maria stands a marble statue of a pregnant Mary. Just outside town is Convento do Espinheiro Historic Hotel and Spa, a converted 15th century convent where the monks once hosted Portuguese kings. Olive, one of several restaurants on the property, makes for an atmospheric dining spot. (It’s set in the kitchen once used by the monks.) Here you can dig into a scrumptious thin-crust pizza, such as one topped with mozzarella, cured ham and local figs. Those who decide to stay at this luxe property may not want to leave, not just because of the evocative setting and guest rooms with balconies overlooking the blooming gardens, but also the relaxing spa. Olive oil-based signature massages and other treatments relying on organically-grown botanicals are among the most popular options.

Hilltop hamlets I started the next day by driving an hour through a landscape carpeted with silvery olive trees, fields of lavender and vineyards toward Monsaraz — a wall-encircled medieval village on a lofty perch high over the Guadiana Valley. See PORTUGAL, page 18

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

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

As travel reopens, what you can do now Everywhere you look, you see signs of a impose some form of quarantine on travelreopening of the travel world. Airlines are ers entering from at least some other states. ramping up schedules, and Most rules ease limits for destinations are actively seektravelers with COVID-19 tests, ing customers. but only three so far specificalUnfortunately, however, ly account for vaccinated travthe major stakeholders — elers. You still need to check airlines, destinations and for requirements for any outgovernments — have not put of-state trip, even a road trip. together coherent and uniFortunately, enforcement is fied policies and procedures feeble everywhere, and more for reopening. If you want to than half of U.S. states assess start thinking about spring no penalties for quarantine vioor summer travel, you still TRAVEL TIPS lations. have to navigate a minefield By Ed Perkins AARP’s continuously upof confusion and uncertainty. What medical evidence I can see suggests not even thinking about extended travel, anywhere, until after you have received a vaccine. Unfortunately, many U.S. residents won’t get vaccinated until summer — maybe even late summer. If you can’t wait that long, a domestic road trip is probably your best bet, but even that might face some limitations.

Quarantines and shutdowns The various states in our union are not even on the same chapter, let alone the same page, on policies about cross-border travel, either for residents or visitors. Currently, at least half of the 50 states still

dated website is a good place to keep up with current rules: bit.ly/quarantineAARP. Except for Mexico and North Macedonia, international travel is still difficult right now. As with domestic travel, rules everywhere are inconsistent, but no matter where you go, CDC currently requires a COVID-19 test for returning travelers on any international flight. IATA (the International Air Transport Association) posts an updated interactive world map detailing restrictions at iatatravelcentre.com/world.php.

Vaccination and testing Just about everyone in the travel busi-

ness expects that immigration services and airlines will soon start to rely on some form of uniform health “passport” that travelers can carry to verify vaccination and test status. It will most likely be implemented as a digital app, but maybe also a card or paper certificate, as well. IATA has developed a digital “International Travel Pass,” but to date only a few airlines and no governments have signed up for a trial [See “International travel pass in development” in the February Beacon]. American Airlines has launched VeriFly. Other proposals floating around call for linking health data electronically to passports. There’s no scarcity of ideas, but “soon” is a pretty nebulous estimate of the time frame for a system that authorities around

the world will accept.

Fares and rates As with the pandemic, the rate outlook remains cloudy. Industry mavens predict leisure travel will rebound faster than business travel. On the one hand, you will see lots of enticing offers; on the other, airlines and hotels need to stop hemorrhaging cash. Thus, I see some great airfare deals to Europe, but Allegiant’s latest domestic “promotion” features fares that are higher than they were before COVID. More than ever, that means you need to sign up for a few of the dozens of programs See TRAVEL REOPENS, page 18

HIGH QUALITY & AFFORDABLE IN-HOME CARE • Bathing & Hygiene • Meal prep • Medication Reminders • Light Housekeeping • Companionship • Respite Care

Following All COVID Safety Procedures

CALL TODAY AND ASK FOR YOUR FREE SHIFT* *ask for details

Dandelion Healthcare

443-518-6446

www.dandelionhealthcarellc.com

Affordable Living for 62+ in the Heart of Towson Special Offer!

The first 25 accepted applicants will receive $50. Call for details.

• Free Reserved Resident Parking • Computer Room • Pet Friendly • Laundry Facilities • Close to Shopping and Theatres • Free Hot Water

Virginia Towers A PA R T M E N T S

If you’re 62 or over, call and apply.

410-324-7656 for more information

It is our policy to admit residents without regard to race, color, religion, sex handicap or national origin and any other federal, state or local fair housing protections. Note: Housing for Older Persons is exempt from the prohibitions against age or familial status.

Leisure & Travel | Subscribe online! See how on p. 21

Portugal From page 16 As I wandered the hamlet along schistpaved streets, I noticed that this dark stone is just about everywhere, from the facades to the floors of houses festooned with bougainvillea. Dating to the 13th and 14th centuries, the dwellings are bedecked with immense wooden doors bearing iron door locks and knockers. Those who climb to the top of the castle have grand views of the pastoral countryside. There’s no need to leave the views behind if you have lunch at Sabores de Monsaraz, a cozy restaurant serving tasty, rustic cuisine. The scenic tables on the outdoor patio offer views over the vast Alqueva Dam. Two dishes worth trying are codfish migas (a traditional dish with bread that’s first soaked in water and then fried with garlic, olive oil and

coriander) and the roasted lamb. No trip to the Alentejo is complete without a visit to Marvão, almost two hours away. You’ll navigate twisty roads to get to this village, whose walls seem to be one with its rocky perch. On the western edge of Marvão, a 13th-century fortress huddles on the crown of a rocky outcrop. Checking out the strategically placed stone sentry posts and cannons along the bulwarks, I was treated to awe-inspiring views of the Portuguese mountains Serra de Estrella and Serra da São Mamede, a natural park dotted with Neolithic remains.

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

ornate granite doorways in the former Jewish neighborhood, where ancient stone portals are etched with evidence of their past: diagonal grooves for mezuzahs. Here is one of the oldest synagogues in Portugal, a 13th-century structure that’s now a Jewish museum. As I prowled the village’s network of streets, I was lost in thought, recalling the many discoveries on my Alentejo journey. It’s hard to believe that driving just two hours from Lisbon’s gleaming skyscrapers can transport us back centuries.

If you go Remembering a Jewish past Arriving at Castelo de Vide, a castle-centered village just six miles away, I walked the hilly cobblestone paths, passing homes adorned with well-tended flower boxes. Roaming about narrow streets, I spotted

As of press time, Portugal is open to travelers who present a medical certificate with a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued within 72 hours of departure. Round-trip flights to Lisbon in May start at $345 In Évora, deluxe rooms at the Convento do Espinheiro Historic Hotel and Spa can

Travel reopens From page 17 that notify you about deals. Some let you name specific routes or destinations; others show you everything and let you sort out what you want. Although the names of the deal websites focus on airfares, most also search hotels as well. And most work through apps as well as online. Here are some good ones: —Metasearch systems sweep hundreds

be found for as low as $181/night. Pizzas and most of the main courses served at its restaurant, Olive, start at $18. Massages and other treatments at the spa start at $120 to $160; see conventodoespinheiro.com. For those looking to stay overnight in Vila Nova, Casa da Eira Boutique Houses is convenient to both the historic town center as well as the beach and the Mira River. The rooms are minimalist and comfortable, some offering memorable views from a private balcony. At Casa da Eira, rooms start at $85 and apartments at $170/night; see villaeira.pt. At Tasca do Celso in Vila Nova, dishes are typically priced under $30 per person; see wonderful.land/tascadocelso. Entrees often range from $15 to $18 per person at Sabores de Monsaraz; see saboresdemonsaraz.com/eng. To learn more about the Alentejo, go to visitalentejo.pt/en. of sources to locate deals; you buy direct or through an online agency. Most provide for notification, including AirfareWatchdog.com, FareCompare.com, Google.com/travel/ flights, and Skyscanner.com. Expedia.com and Priceline.com provide similar services. Plan as much as you want, but avoid nonrefundable prepayments. Domestic travel is likely to open up by summer; Europe and Asia maybe by fall. © 2021 Ed Perkins. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

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

Style

Arts &

Donna Hamilton muses on journalism, past and present. Our cover story continues on page 20.

Dinner theater returns to Columbia safely Minnick said. “We are open and bringing people a little escape, a chance to be able to get away with family in a safe environment.”

Taking safety a step further In reopening, Toby’s Dinner Theatre is abiding by all state and local guidelines. But they’ve increased some precautions, too. First of all, although the state allows 50% capacity in theaters, Toby’s is only accommodating about a third of its normal audience. Next, rather than the all-you-can-eat buffet Toby’s is known for, which is allowed under state law, Toby’s has been serving pre-plated dinners to each guest. Its traditional buffet will return later, but so far, Minnick said, “The [pre-plated] choices are wonderful. Customers are loving it.” Parties are seated at tables that are six feet apart. After the meal ends, guests are asked to don face masks during the performance. Although the actors don’t wear masks, they wear transparent face shields so they can convey emotions. Also, most actors have been fully vaccinated, according to Minnick. They stay six feet apart on stage, and they rehearsed the musical wearing masks. Does all this dampen the actors’ enthu-

PHOTO BY JERI TIDWELL PHOTOGRAPHY

By Margaret Foster Last March, as the pandemic spread locally and nationally, actors at Toby’s Dinner Theatre realized that their rehearsals for an upcoming musical were all for naught. Like other businesses, Toby’s had to shut down. “When we were closed down last year, nobody knew how long this would last,” said Mark Minnick, executive director of Toby’s in Columbia. “We were one week away from opening Shrek. Life changed every day. The world was in chaos every day.” Last month, however, Toby’s Dinner Theatre picked up where it left off — with performances of Shrek: The Musical. Based on the 2001 animated film, the Broadway musical’s opening night was March 23. It felt “amazing” to be back on stage, said Minnick, a choreographer and director at the 40-year-old theater. “We have mounted a visually stunning and smart production of Shrek, and our customers are thrilled we are open,” he said. Toby’s officially reopened in November 2020 with an original production, Home for the Holidays, which had eight actors. “Live theater is vital and so important,”

Shrek: The Musical, based on the popular 2001 movie and its sequels, is center stage at Toby’s Dinner Theatre through June 13 — with face shields for the actors and other safety precautions. Above, Russell Sunday, playing the misanthropist ogre Shrek, protects Marykate Brouillet as Princess Fiona from Jeffrey Shankle, the villain Lord Farquaad.

siasm? “The actors are thrilled to be back at work,” he said. Behind the scenes, Toby’s installed new ultraviolet “germicidal lighting” to its heat-

ing, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Most UV sanitization systems can eliminate See TOBY’S, page 21

NOW OPEN! March 23 - June 13

June 18 - August 22

August 27 - October 31

410-730-8311

TobysDinnerTheatre.com

Call Today! Seats are Limited

Due to the nature of theatrical bookings, all shows and dates are subject to change. • Toby’s Dinner Theatre, Columbia, MD

Arts & Style | Subscribe online! See how on p. 21

Anchor From page 1 this fall, when she hosts a river cruise for interested WBAL-TV 11 viewers down the Danube in September. She also has a trip planned to Portugal with her sisters in the fall. And after that, perhaps a visit to Germany and Eastern Europe. Although a WBAL producer asked her last fall if she’d consider filling in for its newscasts, Hamilton turned down a return to TV news, she said. “Doing a newscast is its own little beast. You have your rhythm. When you leave that world for a while, the technology changes. “TV news is a high-wire act. You won’t feel as confident coming back.”

The future of journalism Today’s 24-hour news cycle can be stressful for journalists (and viewers). How does Hamilton feel about the changes that have occurred since she left?

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

“Television news has changed since I was a shiny-eyed 20-something,” she wrote in an email. “The business and ‘bottom line’ aspect is greater than ever, as is the pressure to do more with less. “It’s not unusual today to see reporters who ‘do it all.’ You shoot the story, you write the story and you edit the story, too. Oh, and make sure the facts are straight. That’s a pretty tall order. “I suppose journalism is less trusted today, which is sad, as journalists often stand between those who need real information and those who would do wrong and keep that info from the public. “I found it distressing to have a sitting president undermine trust in an institution that is such a key part of a functional democracy. What can you do? Keep calm and carry on. “Journalists are, or should be, truth tellers. Sometimes that’s truth told through someone’s particular prism, but in my personal experience, the news peo-

ple I know work hard to write stories that are true and unbiased.”

Enjoying the grandchildren Nowadays, Hamilton is focused on reading, walking, gardening (“I do it so my neighbors don’t think ill of me!”), socially distanced socializing, trip planning, out-ofstate home repairs and indoor painting. And she spends a lot of her time with family: adult children Cada and Jesse and their kids. “That was one of my inducements for retirement,” Hamilton said, noting that her pre-retirement vacations never seemed to allow enough time with her grandchildren. “I have been lucky enough to spend more time with the grandkids as they were in quarantine. Thank God for FaceTime — what would grandparents do without it? “But as my mother would say, ‘It’s shattering!’ You feel fractured after a week with them, little kids who are age four and six.”

ENTERPRISE RESIDENTIAL

A people person For someone who claims she never had a calling, it is clear that what Hamilton most enjoys and continues to pursue, throughout her career and into retirement, is her ongoing study of humanity, one person at a time. “It’s really fun to interview people, meeting people you normally wouldn’t. That was always my favorite part [of being a journalist], just to talk and chat with people. You don’t interview someone without learning something you didn’t know before.” “I’ve spoken with people who have been through serious health issues, and, as they’ve emerged through their illness, have that special aura about them. They had this experience and now see their lives and the world in a new way. “There’s nothing like almost losing your life to make you appreciate it quite a bit.” After years of deadlines, Hamilton is taking care of herself now. “I’m very much into my vitamins. Collagen in your coffee — for your joints, supposed to help your skin, I don’t know if it’s actually true, but a way to add some protein to your hot drinks. I do maintain an interest in health issues. My husband is always accusing me of playing doctor.” Any final thoughts about leaving WBAL? “WBAL is doing just fine.”

MOST COMMUNITIES ARE 62 AND BETTER ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

BALTIMORE COUNTY (CONT.)

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

Park View at Rosedale: 410-866-1886 Park View at Taylor: 410-663-0363 Park View at Towson: 410-828-7185 Park View at Woodlawn: 410-281-1120

BALTIMORE CITY Ednor Apartments I: 410-243-0180 Ednor Apartments II: 410-243-4301 The Greens at Irvington Mews: 410-644-4487 Park Heights Place: 410-578-3445 Park View at Ashland Terrace: 410-276-6440 Park View at Coldspring: 410-542-4400

EASTERN SHORE Park View at Easton: 410-770-3070

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

HOWARD COUNTY

BALTIMORE COUNTY Cove Point Apartments I: 410-288-2344 Cove Point Apartments II: 410-288-1660 Evergreen Senior Apartments: 410-780-4888 The Greens at English Consul: 410-789-3000 The Greens at Liberty Road: 410-655-1100 The Greens at Logan Field: 410-288-2000 The Greens at Rolling Road: 410-744-9988 Park View at Catonsville: 410-719-9464 Park View at Dundalk: 410-288-5483 • 55 & Better Park View at Fullerton: 410-663-0665 Park View at Miramar Landing: 410-391-8375 Park View at Randallstown: 410-655-5673

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

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD FROM PAGE 22 B E R G

A X E L

L A V A

E G O S

M R N A

T A L L

A C R I D

B O I S E

A S C A N

E O P M E R E R I N Y D S U N T P Y A E S C T K O F I T O F E R A C S E

G A N G

R I C O

M E M O

P R O M S

T A B L E

D R A W

E N D E W E M I S A B C B A M I S O T M I S S N S U M I S I D E C E E R

E A R S

S T O I C

T U T O R

S P E N T

A S I O N U R B O S I O N S E E E S I O N T O B E O W E S P A Y S

ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

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

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

EnterpriseResidential.org PET-FRIENDLY

ANSWERS TO JUMBLE Jumbles: GOING ODDLY DEFIED SCENIC Answer: To get information before cutting hair, the salon owner did -"DO" DILIGENCE

Toby’s From page 19 up to 99.9% of bacteria and viruses. Workers also thoroughly cleaned the building. Even with all those precautions, Minnick understands if people don’t want to flock to theaters just yet. “Right now, everyone might not be ready” to return to the theater, Minnick said. “For those that are, we’re open and we’re ready for you.”

What’s next After Shrek’s last performance on June 13, Toby’s will present Elf: The Musical, a Broadway musical based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, Ed Asner and James Caan. Elf was initially scheduled to run last year. When Minnick and his team sat

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

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

down to plan this year’s lineup, “We said, ‘You know what? People didn’t really get to get out and celebrate last year,’” he said. “So, we decided we’re going to have Christmas in July — well, June.” Elf will run June 18 to August 13, to be followed by Godspell from August 27 through October 31. Irving Berlin’s White Christmas: The Musical will be the holiday offering, running November 5 this year through January 9, 2022. Tickets for Toby’s performances cost $65 to $68, depending on the night. Evening performances include dinner; matinees include brunch. For people over 65, a special rate of $55.25 is available for Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and for the Wednesday matinee. To buy tickets, visit tobysdinnertheatre.com or call the box office at (410) 730-8311.

BEACON BITS

May 6

WILD ABOUT EUBIE BLAKE

Do you know that the composer who wrote “I’m Just Wild About Harry” was from Baltimore? Learn more about James Herbert “Eubie” Blake from his biographers on Thurs., May 6, from noon to 1 p.m. Grammy Award Winners Richard Carlin and Ken Bloom, authors of Eubie Blake: Rags, Rhythm, and Race, will discuss what they found in the Maryland Center for History and Culture’s library. To register for the free Zoom lecture, visit bit.ly/eubieblake or call (410) 685-3750.

May 14

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID

Do you know what to do if someone is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis? Howard County General Hospital is hosting a course with a self-instructed online component as well as an instructorled virtual session to train adults in identifying, understanding and responding to signs of addiction and mental illness. The course is free for all Maryland residents and takes place Fri., May 14 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit bit.ly/HCGHMentalHealth or call (410) 740-7601.

BEACON BITS

May 5+

GOOD COMPANY Feeling isolated? Looking for ways to meet others over 55? Jewish

Community Services of Baltimore offers free virtual get-togethers the first and third Wednesday of each month from Noon to 1 p.m. These get-togethers provide older adults with opportunities to engage in conversation and meet new friends. Sign up for the Zoom link at bit.ly/JCSGoodCompany. Contact Rozi Rice at rrice@jcsbaltimore.org or (410) 843-7325 for more information

Senior Apartments Age 55 or Better LIVE WELL FOR LESS Roland View Towers • One- and Two-Bedroom as well as Efficiencies • Rents from $725 for efficiency, $900 for 1-bedroom, and $1,135 for 2-bedroom Utilities Included! • 24/7 on-site Maintenance and Reception Desk • Beauty/Barber Shop on premises • Only 2 blocks from Hampden’s ‘The Avenue’

Spectacular View

$300

Rent Credit

When you present this coupon upon application.

410-889-8255 St Mary’s Roland View Towers 3838/3939 Roland Ave Baltimore, MD 21211

www.rolandviewtowers.com

Make new friends 5/21BB

To schedule a personal tour call

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

Subscribe online! See how on p. 21

Crossword Puzzle

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

By Stephen Sherr

14 17

23 28

27 34

46 50

47 52

32 37

54 59

Across

Jumble answers on p. 20

Scrabble answers on p. 20.

4. Manicurist’s material 5. Shares one’s feelings 6. Organized criminal group 7. Puerto ___ 8. Leg swelling 9. Many 11:00 PM TV shows 10. Sunglasses supporters 11. Unflinching 12. Stay after school to help out 13. Exhausted 18. “Getting ___ of a delusion makes us wiser than getting hold of a truth” (Ludwig Borne) 21. CRIBBING center 25. Prima donnas’ probable problems 26. Genetic component of some COVID vaccines 27. Long ___ Sally 29. Quick note 30. Parties in the gym 32. “They are not as smart ___” 34. Putin’s refutin’ 35. Tiger team 36. Recipients of May flowers 37. Colored eye part 38. Woodwind instrument used in I Got You Babe 39. “___ of your bee’s wax” 44. Hairdo 45. Board meeting participant 49. Pungent 50. State capital on Mountain Time 51. Give it ___ (try to read a barcode) 53. Restaurant assignment 55. ___ only as directed 56. Prevent legally 58. Afternoon socials 59. No-win situation Down 60. Mickey and Minnie 1. Titanic hazard 61. Where the Field of Dreams is located 2. Figure skating jump, named for its 62. Follow commands Norwegian creator 3. It destroyed Vacationland Hawaii in 2018 63. Suffix that turns an adjective into a noun

1. Neat stack of hay 5. Grimm villain 9. Rats’ habitats 14. Medical checkup 15. Stamp on an invoice 16. Devour 17. Deep respect 19. Created the lyrics 20. One on the top of the snubbed list 22. Component of a QB’s passer rating calc. 23. Laverne & Shirley network 24. PC monitor 25. CPR giver 28. Softball arbiter 31. Request to Little Bo-Peep 33. Give the thumbs up 40. “It’s ___ matter of time” 41. Cattle call 42. Supercharged 43. Basis of income, for some 46. Type of 21 of Muhammad Ali’s W’s 47. Box (a) on a W-2 form 48. Use a microscope or telescope 49. Legal org., founded in 1878 52. Put a square peg in a square hole 54. Take to court 57. Entry fee 64. Vegetable press 65. Star of the rehearsal dinner 66. One Newton 67. Tighten roller skates 68. Has a debt 69. Like a black hole 70. Lemonade pitcher 71. Decreases the debt

Answers on page 20.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

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

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 SENIOR CARE IN YOUR OWN HOME. Your trusted neighborhood caregivers here to help you 24/7. Companionship, Personal & Respite Care, Housekeeping, Meal Prep, Medication Reminders. legacychevychase.com 240-472-6004. MOBILE HAIR AND NAIL SERVICES - WE COME TO YOU. Professional Licensed Stylist. Follow COVID Procedures. Women and Men’s Services - All Hair Types. Shampoo, Cuts, Sets, Color, Perms, Mens Cuts & Facial Grooming, Manicures & more. 410-415-1760.

Financial WESLEY FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts. Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt and fees cancelled in 2019. Get free informational package and learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 855-626-8703.

For Sale LOOKING TO SELL: chainsaw 2.4 cu.in./40cc 2-cycle for sale. $140.00. 2 bikes Magna-$450 Huffy-$80. Please call 410-335-2836. WOODLAWN MEMORIAL CEMETERY Two adjacent cemetery plots for sale. Located in the GARDEN of LAST SUPPER in Woodlawn Maryland 21207. Valued at $6090.00 asking $5000 or best offer. If interested please call 410-294-2556.

For Sale CREST LAWN MEMORIAL, 2 crypts, valued $25,000, available @ $15,000. 410-542-8399. TWO ADJACENT CEMETERY PLOTS for sale at the Holly Hill Memorial Gardens in Middle River. Price includes plots, upgraded vaults, and cost of opening and closing. VALUED at $14,000. Asking $7,500 or Best offer will be accepted. If interested call Cindy at 410-744-7948. PUT ON YOUR TV EARS and hear TV with unmatched clarity. TV Ears Original were originally $129.95 - NOW WITH THIS SPECIAL OFFER are only $59.95 with code MCB59! Call 1-833-934-0843. GENERAC STANDBY GENERATORS provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable. Prepare now. Free 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free quote today! Call for additional terms and conditions. 1-866-964-8106.

Health MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTAL PLANS — Not Advantage Plans — See Any Doctor, Anywhere in the Country — No Copays — Premier Insurance — Low Premiums. Call Brendan at 410-325-6448 — 15 Years Experience. TAI CHI, QIGONG, and The Standing Meditation. Ongoing classes outside in Patterson Park on Mondays at 10:30 AM and other possible locations. Open to all ages and experience levels. Contact Mark Johnson at markj6290@gmail.com or 443980—6674. Website - www.markolinjohnson.com MOBILEHELP, America’s Premier Mobile Medical Alert System. Whether You’re Home or Away. For Safety and Peace of Mind. No Long Term Contracts! Free Brochure! Call Today! 1240-650-9189 PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-851-0949. DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-844366-1003 www.dental50plus.com/320 #6258. LIFE ALERT. One press of a button sends help FAST, 24/7! At home and on the go. Mobile Pendant with GPS. FREE First Aid Kit (with subscription.) CALL 240-847-6732 FREE Brochure.

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

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

To place your classified ad, visit ww.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds Home/Handyman Services

TV/Cable

T’s HAULING & MOVING I will move your possessions or haul them away. I clean out yards, basements, garages, houses, apartments, attics, etc. No job too small. Brush work. I can pick up furniture from stores. Friendly, reliable service with many references. Honest and hard working! Call Tim at 443-690-6525 OR 410-889-3795. Same day service most days! Like me on Facebook! @Tshaulingmoving. Check out my website WWW.TSHAULINGANDMOVING.COM

DISH NETWORK. $64.99 for 190 Channels! Blazing Fast Internet, $19.99/mo. (where available.) Switch & Get a FREE $100 Visa Gift Card. FREE Voice Remote. FREE HD DVR. FREE Streaming on ALL Devices. Call today! 1-844-560-5837.

KOKOLUS CONTRACTING LLC General home improvements & repairs. All your home needs to be repaired. FREE ESTIMATES. 30 years experience & bonded. Call Mike 443-6043931. MHIC#43637.

Legal Services APPLYING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY or Appealing a Denied Claim? Call Bill Gordon & Assoc. Our case managers simplify the process & work hard to help with your case. Call 1-866-970-0779 FREE Consultation. Local Attorneys Nationwide [Mail: 2420 N St NW, Washington DC. Office: Broward Co. FL (TX/NM Bar.)]

Miscellaneous FINAL EXPENSE INSURANCE pays your funeral costs, credit card debt and other final expenses! Affordable rates are guaranteed and will never increase! No medical exam required! If you are 50-75 years old, call: 1-833-919-2403 for a free, no obligation consultation.

Personals VERY PRETTY SINGLE WHITE LADY age 63 would like to meet single white gentleman age 63 or older. Call Patty 443-845-7802

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

DIRECTV - Watch your favorite live sports, news and entertainment anywhere. More top premium channels than DISH. Restrictions apply. Call IVS - 1-888-572-4953

Wanted MONEY, TIME TO SELL! CALL GREG, 1717-658-7954. We buy sterling silver flatware, jewelry, gold, silver, coins, watches, paper money, antiques, toys, bottles, comic books, records, pottery, art glass, vintage military and old sporting items (baseball, football and boxing) just about anything old. Make the right choice! You have something to sell give me a call. Greg 1-717-658-7954. WANTED OLD MOTORCYCLES: 1970’s & Older. Any condition good or bad. Buying AS IS paying CASH & PICKING UP. Kawasaki Norton Honda Triumph BMW Yamaha Harley BSA Suzuki Indian Etc. Call for CASH offer 1-800220-9683, website: www.wantedoldmotorcycles.com COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY ITEMS: helmets, weapons, knives, swords, web gear, uniforms, etc, from all wars and countries. also slots/pinball and other coin operated machines. top prices paid, discreet consultations. CALL FRED 301-910-0783 BUYING VINYL RECORDS from 1950 to 1990. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae, Punk, Blues, and Disco. 33 1/3 LP’s, 45’s and some 78’s, Some Groups Of CD’s Larger collections of at least 100 items wanted. Please call John, 301-596-6201.

Thanks for reading the Beacon!

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Research Studies Fall Prevention/HIPS Study . . . . .10 Former Smoker Study . . . . . . . . . .9 JHU Knee Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 NIH Diet Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Recovered from COVID Study . .10 UM Sleep Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Baltimore County SHIP . . . . .13, 17 Richard Rosenblatt, Podiatrist . . . .8

Virginia Towers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Warren Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Home Health Care/ Companion Services

Real Estate

Events

Dandelion Healthcare . . . . . . . . .17 Heavenly Home Care . . . . . . . . . . .7 Home Instead Senior Care . . . . . . .7 Options for Senior America . . . . .19

2021 Beacon Virtual 50+Expo . . .18

Housing

Funeral Services

Charlestown/Erickson . . . . . . . . . .7 Charter Senior Living . . . . . . . . .15 Christ Church Harbor Apts . . . . .13 Enterprise Residential . . . . . . . . .20 Heritage Run at Stadium Place . .13 Oak Crest/Erickson . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Park View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 St. Mary’s Roland View Towers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Cremation Society of Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 MacNabb Funeral Home . . . . . . .14

Health Advanced Center for Plastic Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Long & Foster/Michael Phipps, Condo King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Retail Perfect Sleep Chair . . . . . . . . . . .24 Perfect Walker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Quingo Scooter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Radio Flea Market . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Keswick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Manor Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Subscriptions Beacon Newspapers . . . . . . . . . . .21

Technology Computer Doctors . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 TechMedic4U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Theater Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . . .19

Travel Superior Tours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Volunteers & Careers Baltimore County Dept. of Economic & Workforce Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Subscribe online! See how on p. 21

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

Make your home more comfortable than ever

“To you, it’s the perfect lift chair. To me, it’s the best sleep chair I’ve ever had.” — J. Fitzgerald, VA

NOW also available in Genuine Italian Leather (and new Chestnut color)

Three Chairs in One Sleep/Recline/Lift

Pictured: Genuine Italian Leather chair chestnut color.

You can’t always lie down in bed and sleep. Heartburn, cardiac problems, hip or back aches – and dozens of other ailments and worries. Those are the nights you’d give anything for a comfortable chair to sleep in: one that reclines to exactly the right degree, raises your feet and legs just where you want them, supports your head and shoulders properly, and operates at the touch of a button. Our Perfect Sleep Chair® does all that and more. More than a chair or recliner, it’s designed to provide total comfort. Choose your preferred heat and massage settings, for hours of soothing relaxation. Reading or watching TV? Our chair’s recline technology allows you to pause the chair in an infinite number of settings. And best of all, it features a powerful lift mechanism that tilts the entire chair forward, making it easy to stand. You’ll love the other benefits, too. It helps with correct spinal alignment and promotes back

ACCREDITED BUSINESS A+ pressure relief, to prevent back and muscle pain. The overstuffed, oversized biscuit style back and unique seat design will cradle you in comfort. Generously filled, wide armrests provide enhanced arm support when sitting or reclining. It even has a battery backup in case of a power outage. White glove delivery included in shipping charge. Professionals will deliver the chair to the exact spot in your home where you want it, unpack it, inspect it, test it, position it, and even carry the packaging away! You get your choice of Genuine Italian leather, stain and water repellent custom-manufactured DuraLux™ with the classic leather look or plush MicroLux™ microfiber in a variety of colors to fit any decor. New Chestnut color only available in Genuine Italian Leather Call now!

The Perfect Sleep Chair®

1-888-750-7271 REMOTE-CONTROLLED EASILY SHIFTS FROM FLAT TO A STAND-ASSIST POSITION

Please mention code 114892 when ordering. Genuine Italian Leather

Chestnut

classic beauty & durability

Long Lasting DuraLux™

Mahogany (Burgundy)

Tan

Chocolate

Blue

Burgundy

Cashmere

Chocolate

Indigo

stain & water repellent

MicroLux™ Microﬁber

breathable & amazingly soft

Because each Perfect Sleep Chair is a made-to-order bedding product it cannot be returned, but if it arrives damaged or defective, at our option we will repair it or replace it. © 2021 ﬁrstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.

46562

Footrest may vary by model