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VOL.33, NO.5

Kojo Nnamdi takes a step back

MAY 2021

I N S I D E …

PHOTO BY TYRONE TURNER/WAMU

By Robert Friedman He may be semi-retired, but radio personality Kojo Nnamdi is still on the go — hosting “The Politics Hour” Fridays on Washington’s NPR station WAMU, getting set to write a memoir of his 76 years, and planning trips to South Africa, India, Nepal, the Himalayas, and other not-yetvisited parts of the world. “You could say that I’m semi-retired, since I no longer have my daily show. But I’ll still be on WAMU weekly, talking politics, and will be hosting a series of live events on the station,” Nnamdi said in a recent interview with the Beacon. “And I now have more time to write and to travel.” Nnamdi said it was his decision to end his daily show, which was last broadcast on April 1, after 23 years. Loyal listeners and media critics agree that the program offered intelligent, reasonable, rational discussions of what was going on in the D.C. region — politically, culturally and in other ways — while highlighting how people live, prosper and sometimes struggle to survive in the area.

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Celebrate a return to normal in Nashville, where live outdoor concerts, museums, parks and eateries are thriving; plus, visit these gorgeous gardens in our region page 34

From South America to D.C. The well-known D.C. journalist-commentator known simply as “Kojo” was born Rex Orville Montagne Paul in what was once called British Guiana, now the country of Guyana. He spent the first 22 years of his life in that South American country on the Caribbean coast. “Radio is something that has been very specific for me. Growing up in Guyana, I only had the radio. I didn’t see TV until I came to the States. “As a kid, when I came home from school for lunch, my mother was listening to her stories on the radio. There was the local news, and at 4:30 in the afternoon

The final episode of “The Kojo Nnamdi Show” aired in April, but Kojo Nnamdi will still host “The Politics Hour” on WAMU on Fridays. During what he calls his “semi-retirement,” the longtime D.C. resident plans to write a memoir and travel.

came the BBC broadcast. It was radio that set the agenda [for the household].” Radio had an impact on him for its “unique ability to connect with people,” he said. “Most people listen to the radio by themselves, at home or driving in their cars. A relationship, intensely personal, develops between the listener and the broadcaster.” Nnamdi changed his name in 1971, tak-

ing his new surname from Nigeria’s first president, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and replacing his first name with “Kojo” — a name from Ghana given to boys born on a Monday. The name change, he has noted, “was reflective of a change in me.” (His birthplace also underwent a name See KOJO, page 40

ARTS & STYLE

Maryland county honors two super-volunteers; plus, satisfying anthologies and Bob Levey on the joy of taxes page 39

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A sabbatical of sorts Spring is such an optimistic time of year, talent or passion in the interests of making as colorful flowers burst into bloom all a living. Or to entice older adults who had around us. never tried their hand at art This spring in particular or poetry to give it a whirl we are all ripe for a change of and see what they’re capable scenery, for some new beginof. nings following the past We knew we were onto year’s awful pandemic. It’s something when we received partly the season’s rising of more than 900 entries in our the sap that has me itching to first Celebration of the Arts. I do something creative myself also realized that I was in good this spring. company, right there with Regular Beacon readers many of our readers, eager for FROM THE know that our cover stories an opportunity to rekindle a often profile local residents PUBLISHER passion from my past. who have followed their pas- By Stuart P. Rosenthal Of course, writing (and edsions — or discovered new iting) are among my pasones — later in life. sions, and I have been joyously engaged in You may remember reading about our them at the Beacon for 32 years. recent Celebrations of the Arts — amateur But going back to my earliest school days, art competitions for people over 50 that playing the piano and composing short muhave both recognized and helped encour- sical pieces were my chief hobbies. Well, age painters, sculptors and poets through- maybe not my earliest school days. It took a out our readership area. few years of rather tedious lessons (and Our hope was to draw out those who forced practice) before I was able to play the may have stepped away from a childhood music that really brought me pleasure.

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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 Baltimore 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 attend-

ing 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 and make you think about pursuing your own passions. 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 to info@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Dear Editor: Thank you so much for [your April cover story], Robert Friedman’s profile of Miyuki Williams, DJ for WPFW’s “A Sunday Kind of Love.” I have listened to her program for many years and have loved her choice of music, her warmth, and the spirit she brings to the airwaves. I now have the photo you published of her above my desk so her presence is with me even when I’m not listening to her sweet and inviting voice and inspiring musical selections. Andrea DiLorenzo Derwood, MD Dear Editor: Montgomery County Council members are letting seniors down. Senior centers have been a godsend for seniors for many years. They provide the atmosphere for the activities and social setting necessary to get older people out of their houses and apartments, and into a social environment where they can interact with others. People need this sociability to remain healthy. During the pandemic, the seven centers have been closed to prevent the spread of disease. Now that most seniors have been vaccinated, it is time to reopen the senior centers and allow people to get back to normal life. However, the elected officials are

stalling. Not only are they not opening the centers, but they are planning to negate the value of the centers by using them for children during the summer months. This disregard for the health and wellbeing of seniors is a disgrace. County officials should use school buildings to take care of the children, and leave the senior centers, as they always have been, for the seniors. Murray Katz Via email Dear Editor: My choice for keynote speaker [at your upcoming Expo] would be financial expert Ric Edelman. He explains economics and financial matters in simple, plain terms. Ric is a practical advisor who doesn’t take political or ideological sides. The Beacon newspaper is intellectually stimulating and morally uplifting. I love your advice on money, housing and medicine. Larry Calhoun Capitol Heights, MD Dear Editor: I am deeply concerned that legislation to allow increased density in older communities may put at risk the safety of senior citizens who choose to age in place in those neighborhoods. See LETTERS TO EDITOR, page 40

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M AY 2 0 2 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Technology &

Innovations The hazards of ‘buy now, pay later’ plans By Emma Patch Once upon a time, it was common practice to walk into a store and put an item on layaway. You’d put down a deposit, make payments over time, and collect your item once you paid it off. But now, a new service has turned layaway on its head. With Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), you don’t have to wait to bring home something you pay for in installments. Instead, a third party offers you a loan at checkout to cover your purchase — in some cases with no interest or additional fees. More than one-third of U.S. consumers have used such a service at least once, according to research by The Ascent, a subsidiary of The Motley Fool. And BNPL is the fastest-growing e-commerce payment method globally, according to Worldpay, a unit of payments processor FIS.

Works for electronics, vacation rentals When shopping online, I’ve noticed BNPL offerings for clothes and shoes, but

the most popular spending category for BNPL services is consumer electronics, according to a survey by CouponFollow, a consumer savings engine that markets popular coupons. But these point-of-sale loans are on the increase for everything from furniture to travel. For example, VRBO, the online marketplace for vacation rentals, and travel provider Expedia have partnered with Affirm, one of the largest BNPL services. The industry is young, and the pandemic has certainly been a catalyst for its growth. Affirm went public in January, and its stock price has more than doubled. Greg Fisher, chief marketing officer at Affirm, expects BNPL’s market share in North America to triple in the next three years. Shopping app Klarna, whose Super Bowl commercial featured actor Maya Rudolph on a mission to buy a fabulous pair of boots, services more than 15 million customers in the U.S., according to David Sykes, head of Klarna US.

And PayPal recently rolled out several new “pay later” products in the U.S., the U.K. and France.

Weigh all the costs BNPL services offer a way to cover the cost of something you need right away. But it’s important to thoroughly vet the service you choose. Keep an eye out for late fees, interest and whether you’ll pay more for the product or service than you would by paying up front, suggests Linda Sherry, director of national priorities for Consumer Action. The services’ interest policies vary. PayPal’s U.S. BNPL service charges no interest on purchases as long as you spend at least $99. Klarna and AfterPay don’t charge interest, either — although, like PayPal’s BNPL service, their payment plans generally have a shorter timeline (typically eight weeks). Affirm, however, which bills in three-, six- or 12-month installments, charges anywhere from 0% to 30% interest on purchas-

es, depending on your credit. Many of these services check your credit history in order to qualify you for the loan. Even if the price is the same, breaking up payments can make a big purchase seem cheaper, which can tempt you to overspend. Also bear in mind that if you need to return an item, you might end up waiting longer for a refund than if you had paid in full up front. With some services, any interest you pay is nonrefundable. And though making BNPL payments on time won’t help you build credit, missing payments could hurt your credit score. I love finding good deals, but BNPL feels like a perfect invitation to live above my means. So even though I would love to book a VRBO in Aspen for my upcoming birthday and pay it off later, I’m going to save up for my next one instead. © 2021 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Headphone use: How loud and how long? By James Naples, M.D., and Valeria Duque, Au.D. As our society and culture become more connected through technology, the use of headphones has increased. Headphones allow people to enjoy music and have conversations from anywhere at any time. The ease of headphone use and the mobility that they afford cannot be overstated. This is particularly true as our society spends more time with virtual meetings and headphones, as usage increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the convenience of headphones and the increased utility, questions about safety of use have been raised. There is such a thing as healthy headphone use. You just need to know about safe sound levels and when to take a break from headphones.

some of which have little hairlike structures called hair cells that are responsible for transmitting sound from the ears back to the brain, where it is further processed. Excess sound can cause per manent damage to these cells, which interrupts the mechanism of sound transmission. Damage may also happen via the connection between the hair cells and ner ve cells, which can be interr upted by excess sound, even if the hair cells remain normal. In short, one thing is clear: Sound that is too loud is harmful.

The maximum volume of personal listening devices is above the threshold at which damage occurs in both children and adults.

Sound can cause hearing loss Sound is an essential mode of communication that also orients us to our environment; however, the inner ear is very sensitive to the balance of sound that it perceives. There are thousands of cells in the ears,

One of the important things to note is that personal listening devices have a maximum volume of around 105 to 110 dB. For reference, exposure to sound levels above 85 dB (equal to a lawnmower or leaf blower) can cause possible ear damage with exposure of more than two hours, while exposure to sound of 105 to 110 dB can cause damage in five minutes. Sound less than 70 dB is unlikely to cause any significant damage to the ears. This is important to know, because the maximum volume of personal listening devices is above the threshold at which damage occurs (in both children and adults). Most devices can, in fact, be used in a way that is harmful. Ultimately, personal listening devices should be listened to at a level that is com-

How loud is too loud? The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has detailed information on various daily experiences and the volume, or decibel (dB) level, associated with them.

fortable to the listener.

How long is too long? In addition to volume, the duration of sound exposure is an important factor that contributes to possible ear damage. Simply stated, louder sounds have potential for more damage with less exposure. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates that employers offer hearing protection for employees with average exposure of 85 dB for more than eight hours. While this sounds like a long time, headphone use at only slightly higher sound levels can cause damage in less than one hour, and it is easy to imagine listening to music with headphones for an hour or longer. Importantly, listening at a comfortable level should be safe for an unlimited amount of time, though it is essential to balance duration of use with loudness.

Suggestions for safe listening Our ears can be damaged by excess See HEADPHONE USE, page 5

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sound, and the combination of excess level of sound and duration of exposure contributes to potential hearing problems. Here are some suggestions for healthy listening habits: —Be aware of how long you have been listening and how loud the sound is. —Take breaks after prolonged listening sessions, and be sure to listen at a comfortable level. —Be prepared. If you are going to attend an event where there is likely to be prolonged loud noise (such as a concert or sporting event), bring earplugs or head-

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From page 4

phones. There is a range of devices available that offer protection from a potentially damaging situation — from simple foam earbuds to headphones with noise-cancelling properties to customizable ear molds made by an audiologist. Finally, don’t hesitate to talk with an audiologist or otolaryngologist about any questions you have regarding headphone use or safe sound levels. Hearing health is important and complex, and we can help you take steps to protect your ears while using headphones. James Naples, M.D., and Valeria Duque, Au.D., CCC-A, are contributors to Harvard Health Publications. © 2021 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Health Fitness &

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Does air pollution lead to Alzheimer’s? By Andrew E. Budson, M.D., Harvard Health Blog Have you ever spent the day in a city with such bad air pollution that when you blew your nose the mucus had a black tinge? Have you ever coughed as you breathed in diesel fumes from a passing bus and thought to yourself, “Well, that’s a year gone from my life”? Could it actually be true — that air pollution leads to an early death? The answer, in fact, is an unqualified yes.

Air pollution causes heart and lung disease; early death It has been known for some time that air pollution causes lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, asthma, heart disease and stroke. One recent study in China estimated that for those ages 75 and older, there are 1,166 early deaths for every 100,000 people — that’s more than 1%. But if it doesn’t kill you outright, can air pollution impair your memory and cause dementia in general and Alzheimer’s disease (one cause of dementia) in particular?

Studies link air pollution to cognitive impairment Three studies from three different parts of the world suggest that air pollution might cause cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. In the first study, researchers from China and the U.S. teamed up to analyze data from China. They found that longterm exposure to air pollution is related to poor performance on both verbal and math tests. Moreover, the poor performance on the verbal tests was more pronounced for older individuals, especially for men and those less educated. In the second study, researchers in England studied 130,978 adults ages 50 to 79 from 75 medical practices in greater London. They found that from 2005 to 2013, 2,181 older adults from this sample were diagnosed with dementia: 39% with Alzheimer’s disease, 29% with vascular dementia, and 32% without a specific dementia diagnosis. Adults living with the highest annual concentration of air pollution had the highest risk of dementia — 1.4 times the risk of those with the lowest annual concentra-

tion. They also found that these associations were more consistent for those given an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. In the third study, published earlier this year, researchers from the United States, including the University of Southern California and Harvard Medical School, studied data from 998 women ages 73 to 87 who had both cognitive tests and MRI scans. They found that those women who were exposed to higher concentrations of air pollution in the preceding three years showed two differences compared to those who were exposed to less air pollution. Cognitively, those exposed to more air pollution showed greater declines in learning a list of words. Anatomically, they showed more atrophy (shrinkage) in those areas of the brain that typically shrink due to Alzheimer’s disease. Importantly, in all three studies, the researchers controlled for every possible other factor that they thought might make a difference. For example, in the third study they controlled for: sociodemographic factors (age, geographic region, race/ethnicity, education, income); lifestyle (smoking,

alcohol, physical activity); employment status; clinical characteristics (diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, hormone therapy); and MRI-measured cerebrovascular disease.

Nonetheless, air pollution may not be the cause of the cognitive decline The first thing to say is that I believe this correlation is real. The fact that three different groups analyzed data from three different continents and came to similar conclusions cannot be due to chance alone. Thus, I firmly believe that the following statement is true: Higher levels of air pollution are associated with a greater risk of cognitive decline, dementia in general, and Alzheimer’s disease in particular. However, that is not the same thing as saying that high levels of air pollution cause cognitive decline, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Air pollution could cause Alzheimer’s disease, and many researchers provided possiSee AIR POLLUTION, page 8

Mind-body therapies that help ease pain By Heidi Godman I smashed my elbow recently. There was no bone break, just a bad bruise as a result of slipping in the kitchen and landing on my arm. But at times the pain has been excruciating. So, I followed doctor’s orders: babying my elbow, icing it, and taking an occasional over-the-counter painkiller. (P.S. I wear sneakers in the kitchen now.) Something else has helped, too: mindbody therapies. These approaches aim to change our awareness of pain and retrain the way we respond to it. The therapies can help us control pain — such as longlasting back pain — or live with it better. While these techniques won’t erase pain, they can help change perception of pain intensity through distraction, relaxation and reframing of our thoughts. Here are five mind-body therapies to consider for pain relief:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) This talk therapy teaches people to redirect their thoughts, feelings and behaviors

in response to chronic pain. For example, when a pain flare-up strikes, instead of bracing yourself and thinking, “Oh no, here it comes again,” tell yourself you’ve handled this before, and focus instead on your favorite place in the world: picture it in your mind, and feel how happy or relaxed you are when you’re there. A therapist trained in CBT can train you to hone your skills.

Deep breathing We typically take short little breaths without noticing, especially when we’re in pain. Focusing on breathing and taking deep breaths quiets the mind and induces the relaxation response — a well-studied physiologic response that counteracts the stress response, and may lessen chronic pain severity. To practice deep breathing: —Breathe in slowly through your nose, allowing your chest and lower belly to rise as you fill your lungs completely. —Now exhale slowly through your mouth or nose. Practice deep breathing for several minutes.

Meditation Like deep breathing, meditating triggers the relaxation response and may reduce the perception of pain. You can use many methods to meditate, such as transcendental meditation (repeating a word, phrase or sound to quiet your thoughts); yoga (a series of strengthening and stretching postures combined with breathing techniques); or mindfulness meditation (focusing objectively on negative thoughts as they move through your mind, so you can achieve a state of calm). Here’s one simple way to meditate: Sit quietly, close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Say a word such as “peace” or “one” each time you exhale. Don’t worry about thoughts that come to mind; you can come back to them later. Continue to repeat your word and focus on breathing.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) This approach combines mindfulness

meditation and yoga to build awareness and acceptance of moment-to-moment experiences, including pain. A 2019 study published in the journal Evidence-Based Mental Health found MBSR was just as effective as CBT at reducing pain and depression and improving physical functioning, compared with usual care or no care. You’ll find MBSR programs at hospitals, universities and meditation centers, as well as online videos.

Relaxation Relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation, may also help reduce the perception of pain. To try progressive muscle relaxation, start with your facial muscles and work your way down the body. Tighten each muscle or muscle group for 20 seconds before slowly releasing the contraction. As the muscle relaxes, concentrate on the release of tension and the sensation of relaxation. © 2021 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Air pollution

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From page 6 ble mechanisms as to how that might happen. However, it is also possible that air pollution could be linked to some as-of-yet unidentified factor that explains the association. For example, it has already been fairly well established that some viral illnesses are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. It has also been well established that viral illnesses are more likely to be transmitted when people are gathered together indoors versus outdoors. So, it may simply be that where there is greater pollution, people are more likely to gather together inside, shut the windows, and trade viruses with each other. The new virus they acquire may be the real cause of the increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Now, that’s just speculation — just an example of how a real association is not the same thing as evidence of causation. What can you do if you want to reduce

air pollution to lower your risk of Alzheimer’s disease? Directly or indirectly, we are all responsible for the air pollution in our cities, our country and our planet. We should each do what we can to reduce our carbon footprint. We can work to reuse and recycle materials so that factories don’t need to produce as much. We can buy local foods that don’t need to be trucked across the country and shipped around the world. We can walk and bike instead of driving our cars (and, once we’re done with COVID-19, carpool and take public transportation). Lastly, we can elect public officials who will advocate for local, national and international policy to reduce pollution. Those are just some of the things that we can do to clear the air. Andrew E. Budson, M.D., is a contributor to Harvard Health Publications. © 2021 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Ongoing

IMPROVE TELEHEALTH SERVICES

Montgomery County’s Area Agency on Aging wants older adult residents to share their experiences with Telehealth and help them determine next steps for improving services. Participate by visiting bit.ly/TelehealthFocusGroup to participate in a focus group or bit.ly/MCTelehealthSurvey to fill out a survey. Contact Tina Purser-Langley with questions at (240) 773-8290.

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Health Shorts Tweaked COVID vaccines fend off variants Dozens of Americans are rolling up their sleeves for a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine — this time, shots tweaked to guard against a worrisome mutated version of the virus. Make no mistake: The vaccines currently being rolled out across the U.S. offer strong protection again COVID-19. But new studies of experimental updates to the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines mark a critical first step toward an alternative if the virus eventually outsmarts today’s shots. “We need to be ahead of the virus,” said Dr. Nadine Rouphael of Emory University, who is helping to lead a study of Moderna’s tweaked candidate. “We know what it’s like when we’re behind.” Mutations occur whenever any virus makes copies of itself. Usually those mistakes make no difference. But if a lot of changes pile up in the spike protein — or those changes are in especially key locations — the mutant might escape an immune system primed to watch for an intruder that looks a bit different. The good news: It’s fairly easy to update the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. They’re made with a piece of genetic code called messenger RNA that tells the body how to make some harmless spike copies that in turn train immune cells. The companies simply swapped out the original vaccine’s genetic code with mRNA for the mutated spike protein — this time, the one from South Africa. Studies getting underway last month include a few hundred people, very different from the massive testing needed to prove the original shots work. Scientists must make sure the mRNA substitution doesn’t trigger different side effects. On the protection side, they’re closely measuring if the updated vaccine prompts the immune system to produce antibodies — which fend off infection — as robustly as the original shots do. Importantly, lab tests also can show if those antibodies recognize not just the variant from South Africa but other, more common, virus versions as well. Some good news: Antibodies aren’t the only defense. NIH researchers recently looked at another arm of the immune system, T cells, which fight back after infection sets in. Lab tests showed T cells in the blood of people who recovered from COVID-19 long before worrisome variants appeared were able to recognize mutations from the South African version. Vaccines trigger T cell production, too, and may be key to preventing the worst outcomes. —AP

Immune-booster melts lung cancer tumors A drug that helps the immune system fight cancer gave dramatic results when used with chemotherapy before surgery in patients with operable lung tumors, doctors report. One out of four patients given chemo and the Bristol Myers Squibb drug Opdivo had no signs of cancer remaining once they ultimately had surgery, a study of about 350 such people found. “They open the person up, and the tumors just melted away. It’s incredible,” said Dr. Roy Herbst, a lung specialist at the Yale Cancer Center. He had no role in the study, whose results were reported at an American Association for Cancer Research conference in April.

Lung cancer kills more than 1.7 million people globally each year. Only about onethird of cases are caught early enough for surgery to help, but that’s still about 70,000 patients each year in the United States. The number is growing as screening of former or current heavy smokers expands, Herbst said.

Opdivo and similar drugs called checkpoint inhibitors work by removing a cloak that enables some cancer cells to hide from the immune system. They’re often used for various cancers after surgery, but many studies are testing them for use beSee HEALTH SHORTS, page 10

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Six things we ought to know about GMOs By Family Features You may have heard of GMO foods before, but what you may not know is the science and purpose behind them. GMO (genetically modified organism) is a common term used to describe foods that have been created through genetic engineering. A GMO is a plant, animal or microorganism that has had its genetic material (DNA) changed using technology that generally involves the transfer of specific DNA from one organism to another. Although GMO foods are widely available to consumers, there is sometimes confusion around what GMOs are and how they are used in the United States’ food supply. As part of the Feed Your Mind education initiative, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides this science-

based information to help consumers better understand GMOs: — Only a few types of GMO foods are sold in the United States. Soybeans, cotton, corn, alfalfa, apples, canola, papaya, potatoes, summer squash, sugar beets, pineapple and AquAdvantage salmon complete the list of GMO foods currently sold in the U.S. Only a few of these are available in the produce sections of grocery stores. Most are instead used to make ingredients that are then used in other food products, like cereals and snack chips. — GMOs can help farmers grow crops that are resistant to diseases and insects. Humans have used traditional ways to modify crops and animals to suit their needs

and tastes for more than 10,000 years. Genetic engineering lets scientists take a beneficial gene, like insect resistance, and transfer it into a plant. Results can include higher crop yields, less crop loss, longer storage life, better appearance, better nutrition or some combination of these traits. — GMO foods are as safe to eat as their non-GMO counterparts. The FDA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Agriculture work together to make sure GMOs are safe for human, plant and animal health. GMO foods are carefully studied before being sold to the public to make sure they are safe. Some GMO plants have even been modified to improve their nutritional value. For example, some GMO soybeans contain healthier oils, which can replace oils containing trans fat. — GMO foods are no more likely to cause allergies than non-GMOs. You will not be allergic to a GMO food unless you’re allergic to the non-GMO version of that food. For example, if you’re not allergic to foods made with non-GMO soy, you won’t be allergic to foods made with

GMO soy. When developing GMOs, scientists run tests to make sure allergens aren’t transferred from one food to another. — GMOs can reduce farmers’ use of pesticides. Some GMO plants contain plant-incorporated protectants to make them resistant to insects. This lowers farmers’ need for, and use of, spray pesticides. — A bioengineered disclosure will be on some of the foods you eat. The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard requires bioengineered foods to be labeled by 2022 with text on the packages that reads “bioengineered food,” shows the bioengineered food symbol, or provides directions for using your phone to find the disclosure. Sometimes the terms bioengineered, GMO and genetic engineering are used interchangeably, but labels required under the standard use the term bioengineered. Find more answers to your questions about GMOs at www.fda.gov/feedyourmind. This article was sponsored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Health shorts

just chemo. Whether the combo treatment improves survival remains to be seen; the study is continuing. “This is a great next step” for furthering the immune system’s ability to attack lung cancer, said Dr. Antoni Ribas, a cancer specialist at the University of California, Los Angeles, and president of the group sponsoring the conference. Seeing no evidence of disease at surgery in 1 in 4 patients means they “had an immune system that was really ready to go” with proper prodding, he said. —AP

From page 9 fore surgery as well. Dr. Patrick Forde at Johns Hopkins University led one such study of about 350 patients with lung cancers that had not spread widely. The cancers were not the type that can be treated with drugs that target certain gene mutations. Patients were given three rounds of chemo and Opdivo several weeks apart or chemo alone. When they had surgery, no cancer remained in 24% of those given the combo versus 2.2% of those who received

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Getting used to sleep apnea treatment By Melanie Pogach, M.D. People who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have trouble getting a full night’s sleep because their throat and tongue muscles block their airways. They can stop breathing for up to a minute, hundreds of times per night, and wake up repeatedly, gasping for air. Continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, is the most common treatment prescribed for obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP involves wearing a mask that fits into the nostrils, underneath or over the nose, or over the nose and mouth, through which pressurized air is delivered via tubing from a machine to keep the upper airway open during sleep. CPAP is recommended by the American

Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) as the initial treatment for moderate or severe OSA, and in mild cases of OSA when associated with insomnia, disrupted sleep, or excessive daytime sleepiness. When used consistently, and when treatment is effective, CPAP reduces daytime sleepiness, improves quality of life, and can have positive impacts on cardiac and metabolic health. However, the effectiveness of CPAP depends on using the device correctly and consistently, since OSA is a chronic disease that requires long-term treatment. Most sleep doctors, myself included, recommend that patients with sleep apnea use their treatment whenever they sleep.

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Some love it, some can’t tolerate it While there are many patients who love their CPAP machines and report the treatment to be life-changing, there are others who learn to accept and tolerate CPAP because they appreciate either the functional benefits (such as better mood and less daytime sleepiness) or medical improvements they get from using the device. However, many patients struggle with CPAP. Clinical data and insurance groups suggest that about half of CPAP users either do not reach minimum adherence criteria or discontinue the treatment. Each patient is unique and may have individual struggles with CPAP; however, there tend to be similar themes among users. Some of the common complaints I hear from patients who have trouble tolerating CPAP include: —mask issues, including mask discomfort, skin irritation or marks, feelings of claustrophobia, or discomfort with the appearance of wearing a mask —dryness, especially waking with a dry mouth —removing the mask during sleep —pressure intolerance from either too much pressure or not enough pressure; trouble exhaling against the CPAP pressure; or swallowing air (aerophagia) —breathing that feels out of sync

—noise from the machine bothering the patient or their bed partner.

Ways to overcome problems First and foremost, patients should partner with their doctor and healthcare team. OSA is a serious disease that warrants treatment. Before starting treatment, patients should be educated about OSA, learn about all treatment options and new technologies, and know what to expect with CPAP. Patients benefit from follow-up, including a review of data from their CPAP device (which may also be important for insurance coverage). Family and/or partner support is also important, as friends or family can help encourage and support CPAP use. Other tips to improve adherence: Behavioral and medication interventions. Cognitive behavioral therapy or short-term use of sleep medications can help people adjust to CPAP. The right mask. If the mask does not fit, the treatment may not work well. There are many mask sizes and types, including nasal masks that fit over or under the nose, nasal pillows that fit in the nostrils, full face masks that cover the mouth and nose, hybrid masks that sit under the nose and cover the mouth, and even helmet masks See CPAP, page 13

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Bitterness gets an undeserved bad rap By Matthew Kadey As a flavor, bitter often gets a bad rap; however, bitter foods — like arugula, frisee, rapini and their respective bitter edges — are showing up on menus and the vegetable aisle of supermarkets. We are starting to understand that bitter

flavors are important to our sense of taste. They help balance sweet, salty and sour notes. The bitter flavor elevates a meal experience and excites the nervous system. For the most part, we should consider bitterness as the taste of health. That’s because the compounds that make foods come

off as bitter to our taste buds — such as polyphenols in cacao, catechins in green tea, terpenes in citrus peel and glucosinolates in broccoli — also happen to be powerfully good-for-you antioxidants that may help lower the risk for certain deadly diseases like cancer and heart failure.

Also, developing a bigger appetite for bitter-tasting foods could help in the battle of the bulge. For one thing, bitter foods tend to be less calorie-dense than sweet or salty ones. A study published in the journal Appetite

CPAP

and/or evaluating with a sleep lab can help identify the best pressure. Address coexisting conditions. Some people use CPAP consistently, tolerate it, but are still sleepy. Sleep apnea can coexist with other sleep problems that might contribute to daytime sleepiness. Sometimes CPAP is not tolerated because sleep is fragmented due to other issues such as anxiety, PTSD, insomnia, poor sleep habits or circadian disorders. These other problems need to be addressed. Consider alternative treatments. CPAP is the first-line treatment, but it’s not the only treatment for OSA. Consider combining treatments or pursuing an alternative treatment if CPAP is not tolerated or is not desired.

nasal congestion and dryness —ramp-up features that allow the machine to start off at a low or minimal pressure as the patient adjusts and falls asleep —auto-titrating CPAP machines, which allow for a range of pressures to be set; the machine self-adjusts the pressure when it senses that more or less pressure is needed to keep the airway open. This is helpful for those who require higher pressures in

one body position or sleep stage. —modems that allow the machine to transmit data so both the patient and their doctor can determine the effectiveness of the treatment CPAP is an effective treatment for OSA. If you are struggling with CPAP tolerance, do not give up, but rather talk to your clinician. © 2021 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

From page 12 that cover the face. A mask fitting is a good idea, and several fittings may be needed. Mouth breathing is another mask-related factor to consider. When a patient sleeps with their mouth open, the pressure from the CPAP leaks out of the mouth. This causes dryness and also prevents CPAP from keeping the upper airway open. A mask that covers the mouth will probably be needed, though sometimes adding a chinstrap can keep the jaw closed and prevent mouth breathing. The right pressure. Some people require vastly different pressure when on their back or on their side, or in one sleep stage versus another. While a pressure range can be helpful, if the range is too wide, the machine cannot adjust rapidly enough to meet the pressure requirements. Weight changes may also impact pressure requirements. Following device data

See BITTERNESS, page 15

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New innovations can help A variety of technological advances may improve CPAP comfort and adherence. Some of these include: —heated humidification to help with

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Should you be screened for lung cancer? By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about lung cancer screenings? I was a big smoker but quit years ago, so I’m wondering if I should be checked out. —Former Smoker Dear Former Smoker, Lung cancer screening is used to detect the presence of lung cancer in otherwise healthy people with a high risk of lung cancer. Should you be screened? It depends on

your age and your smoking history. Here’s what you should know.

Screening recommendations The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force — an independent panel of medical experts that advises the government on health policies — recently expanded their recommendations for lung cancer screenings. They are now recommending annual screenings for high-risk adults between the ages of 50 and 80 who have at least a

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20-pack year history and who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. This is a change from the 2013 recommendation that referred to patients ages 55 to 80 with 30-year pack histories. A 20-pack year history is the equivalent of smoking one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years. In 2020, lung cancer killed more than 135,000 Americans, making it the deadliest of all possible cancers. In fact, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast and prostate cancers combined. Lung cancer also occurs predominantly in older adults. About two out of every three people diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 or older. You’ll also be happy to know that most health insurance plans cover lung cancer screenings to high-risk patients, as does Medicare, up to age 77.

Screening pros and cons Doctors use a low-dose computed tomography scan of the lungs (also called a low-dose CT scan, or LDCT) to look for lung cancer. If lung cancer is detected at an early stage, it’s more likely to be cured with treatment. But LDCT isn’t recommended for every high-risk patient. LDCT scans have a high rate of false positives, which means that many will undergo additional (and unnecessary) screening or medical procedures — such as another scan three, six, or even 12 months later — to check for changes in the shape or size of the suspicious area (an indication of tumor growth). For some pa-

tients, the anxiety or worry that goes along with waiting can be a real issue. Or you may need a biopsy (removal of a small amount of lung tissue), which has risks, especially for those with underlying health conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema. For example, in people with emphysema, there’s a chance of a lung collapsing during the procedure. If you meet the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force criteria for high-risk lung cancer, the University of Michigan offers a free online tool (see ShouldIScreen.com) to help you decide if you should get an LDCT. It’s also important to discuss the benefits and risks with your primary care doctor before making a decision.

Tips for testing If you and your doctor determine that you should be screened, look for an imaging facility whose staff follows American College of Radiology requirements when performing low-dose CT scans. You can find accredited facilities at ACRaccreditation.org. This can help to ensure an accurate read of your scans by a highly trained, boardcertified or board-eligible radiologist. You may need a referral from your primary care provider. Most insurance companies, including Medicare, require this before they’ll cover the cost of screening. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

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To kick-start your day before breakfast By Andrea Mathis We’ve all been there — hitting the snooze button several times before rolling out of bed, rushing out of the house, skipping breakfast. You may not realize this, but your morning routine can determine the mood of your entire day. Here are five easy things to do before breakfast to kick-start a great day: 1. Tr y meditating. Meditation is a great way to start your day off right. It allows you to reflect and focus on what you want to accomplish for the day. It’s a great time to calm your mind and fill it with soothing, positive thoughts. Studies have shown that meditation may help to reduce blood pressure as well as ease symptoms of anxiety and depression. It may also help people with insomnia. 2. Make time for a quick workout.

Feeling a little sluggish when you wake up? Try exercising. Morning workouts are one of the best ways to feel energized and boost your mood. In fact, a morning workout might even give you more energy than a cup of coffee or that expensive energy drink you can’t live without! According to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, morning workouts can help to improve your attention span, visual learning and decisionmaking. Whether it’s an easy yoga session, a walk or something more intense, like spinning or running, any type of movement helps. 3. Drink a glass of water. Everyone is a little dehydrated when they first wake up in the morning, which is expected after going several hours without fluids. Forgetting to replenish those fluids

Bitterness

ciated flavor. The key is to look for ways to sneak a small amount of bitter-tasting foods into meals and work up from there. It helps to pair bitter foods with other flavors — for instance, serve roasted Brussels sprouts with sweet-tart apple slices, or radicchio with crumbled soft goat cheese. Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, © 2021 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

From page 13 found that individuals who frowned upon bitter-tasting fare were more likely to be overweight.

Sneak it in While most people aren’t born with a craving for bitter foods, the grown-up palate can learn to enjoy this underappre-

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can have a negative impact on your day. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the lack of proper hydration can compromise your alertness, energy and cognitive performance. It’s recommended to drink at least 8 to 10 ounces of plain water upon awakening to rehydrate. 4. Get in some family time. Connecting with family and close friends is a great way to boost your mood. Whether it’s a quick cuddle while you’re still in your pajamas, a phone call or good morning text, or even an in-person visit for a morning walk, a simple conversation with family or friends can put your mind at ease and boost your mental energy. 5. Create a to-do list. We all have those days when there are a

million things to do, and not enough hours in the day to get them all done. To help your day run smoothly and stress-free, try creating a simple to-do list. A to-do list can help you stay organized and keep you focused on what needs to be done. When creating your list, be sure to set realistic and attainable goals. Don’t overdo it. As you cross items off your to-do list, you’ll feel a sense of relief, accomplishment and motivation to keep moving forward rather than feeling tired and overwhelmed. EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at eatingwell.com. © 2021 Meredith Corporation. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Kidney stones: ways to reduce your risk By Ivan Porter II, M.D. Dear Mayo Clinic: My father has a history of kidney stones. He has changed his diet in the past year, which seemed to help. I’m concerned, though, since I’ve heard kidney stones can increase during the summer. Is this true? If so, are there any tips for how he can further reduce his risk? A: As temperatures rise during the summer months, so does the risk of developing kidney stones, even if you have never had one before. There are several reasons why there is a rise in kidney stones during the summer months. Among these reasons are an increase in outdoor activities, and the amount

and types of food and drink we consume. As the weather warms up, people spend more time outdoors. And often the body is not getting the type of fluids it needs while losing more than normal via the skin. Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. They develop when your urine contains more crystal-forming substances, such as calcium, oxalate and uric acid, than the fluid in your urine can dilute. There are several causes for kidney stones, including diet, which can play a significant role in the formation of kidney stones. A family or personal history of kidney stones raises your risk, as do certain medications and medical conditions. High body mass index, large waist size

and weight gain also are associated with kidney stones. Having gastric bypass surgery and taking certain medications can raise your risk, too.

would recommend that he do so. Together they can review his specific situation and work to create an eating plan tailored to his needs during the summer and beyond.

Drink more water, reduce salt

Different types of stones

One of the most straightforward ways to lower kidney stone risk is to drink plenty of fluids — water in particular. Extra fluids dilute urine, making stones less likely. During the summer months, it is important to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Consuming lots of liquid in the heat of summer can also lower your risk for developing kidney stones. Typically, this equates to drinking about eight to 10 glasses a day of water, which should allow for you to pass approximately 2½ liters of urine per day. One way to gauge whether you have adequate fluid intake is to check the appearance of your urine. If it’s light or clear, you’re likely drinking enough fluids. Avoid too many sugar sweetened beverages or colas, as these can increase the risk. Sugary drinks, added sodium in sports drinks and an excess of calcium can increase your risk for stones also. The amount of salt in your diet makes a difference, too. Taking in too much salt increases the amount of calcium your kidneys have to filter, and that raises your risk of kidney stones. Many foods that are popular during the summer, including processed foods and meats like hamburgers and hot dogs (which are laden with sodium and nitrates) also can affect your risk for kidney stones. Reducing the amount of salt in your diet may lower the risk of stones. Crafting a diet to prevent kidney stones can be complicated, so if your father has not had a consultation with a dietitian, I

It is important for your father to know the type of stone he forms. This can help with dietary choices. For example, if his stones are calcium oxalate, he may need to limit foods rich in oxalates, e.g., certain fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts and chocolate. In most cases, eating low-fat dairy products with meals can protect against kidney stones by lowering oxalate that is absorbed. Uric acid kidney stones can form in people who don’t drink enough fluids, have diabetes or metabolic syndrome, or eat a high-protein diet. In that case, choosing a diet low in animal protein can help. If he has not already had one, I would recommend your father ask his healthcare provider for a test called a “metabolic urine profile.” This test involves analyzing urine over a 24- to 48-hour period. It gives specific information about how the kidneys are working and helps identify modifiable risk factors for kidney stone development. By taking time to become educated about kidney stones and practice good hydration and diet, your father can reduce his risk for kidney stones despite the changing temperatures. Should he find that his kidney stones are increasing, he should follow up with his healthcare provider or a nephrologist. —Ivan Porter II, M.D., Nephrology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida © 2021 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Smart snacking is good for your health By Betty Gold As with anything, there is an art to “smart snacking,” or finding foods that will curb your hunger, leave you satisfied, and give you the motivation you need to tackle your to-do list. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with snacking,” said Amy Lee, M.D., a boardcertified physician specializing in internal medicine, and member of the National Board of Physician Nutrition Specialists and the American Board of Obesity Medicine. “It is the type of foods you snack on that can help you maintain your mood, mental clarity and metabolism — or break them.” Lee recommends avoiding processed

snack foods packed with simple sugars. “It’s about being smart with your snacks and making every little thing you eat count,” she said. Here are Lee’s top tips for smarter snacking: 1. Understand why you’re snacking. According to Lee, people often snack because of boredom — or simply the need to do something with their hands. “Next time, before grabbing that snack, stop and question if you really need the snack or are you just bored or anxious?” she said. 2. Choose snack foods with protein. Once you’ve determined that you truly

need a snack, try to eat something that will leave you feeling satisfied and energized. “If you’re hungry and your body needs a quick pick-me-up, focus on foods that are satiating or at least hold you over until your next meal without all the drowsinessinducing sugar.” Protein is a great choice. Try hardboiled eggs, veggies with hummus, or a small protein bar containing the essential amino acids. 3. Give grazing a go. “The act of eating little bits can help extend the time of snacking, which can also reinforce the idea to the brain that you are eating,” Lee said. “Don’t ‘inhale’ your food in one big gulp, because your brain takes time to register that you are putting food into the body (this can take up to 20 minutes!) to make that connection.” As an example of grazing-worthy snacks, Lee recommends making a healthy version of trail mix by combining variations of nuts, dark chocolate chips and dried fruits. “Even cutting up a protein bar into smaller bite-size pieces to make it last longer works,” she said. 4. Fruits and vegetables are great snacks. Use cucumber slices in place of potato

chips to dip into your favorite things such as guacamole and hummus. Or try celery and carrots with a couple of tablespoons of nut butter. This way you add a little fiber and good fats when you snack. 5. Schedule your snack time. It may seem silly, but if you set a time to allow yourself to snack, you can save yourself from unintentionally overeating or snacking on junk. “Also, by scheduling, you won’t lose track of time and find yourself ravenously hungry, which can result in bad choices,” Lee said. 6. Stock your pantr y — and plan ahead. Replace unhealthy options (cookies, chips, crackers, candy) with fresh fruits and veggies, protein bars and nuts so you won’t give in to your indulgent cravings when it’s time to snack. Meal-prep your heart out: Cook up a batch of hard-boiled eggs for yourself on Sunday so you can snack on them all week, slice and dice veggies, or make cheese and fruit snack packs ahead of time. Real Simple magazine provides smart, realistic solutions to everyday challenges. Online at realsimple.com. © 2021 Meredith Corporation. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 2 1

Reasons golfing may cause wrist pain By Sanjeev Kakar, M.D. Dear Mayo Clinic: I golf about three to four times a week and have been doing so for the last two years. Lately, though, I’ve been experiencing pain in my wrists that makes golfing extremely uncomfortable. A friend of mine had similar symptoms, and he ended up having surger y to treat tendinitis. Is there a way to reduce the pain that does not require surger y? A: Wrist injuries can occur in people who play golf often, and can be due to overuse, poor mechanics or trauma. The right treatment depends on the underlying cause. The good news is that for most people with the type of wrist pain you describe, surgery is rarely needed. Many golfing-related wrist injuries are a result of overuse — particularly in recreational golfers who may take a break during the winter months and then play a lot during warmer months. For example, some golfers may go to the driving range and hit 200 balls in one session, or they may start playing several rounds of golf a week after being off the green for several months. Both situations could lead to wrist injuries. Some wrist issues may be the result of poor mechanics. For example, if a golfer is swinging the club inappropriately or “casting” the club, it could lead to pain at the back of the wrist due to injury to a tendon called the extensor carpi ulnaris. In time, that can result in chronic wrist pain. Wrist injuries also can come from some type of trauma. A golfer may be playing in the rough, for example, swing hard and catch the club in the long grass or the root of a tree. That can twist the wrists and, depending on the power of the swing, cause serious wrist tendon damage or even break a bone. Similar injuries may happen if a golfer takes a large divot out of the turf or hits a rock or other solid object with a club.

Treatments for wrist pain When wrist pain and swelling first appear, the best steps are to rest the area and put ice on it to bring down the swelling. Using heat on the injured area can relieve

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soreness and stiffness too. A compression wrap or a wrist brace also may be helpful. If you try these home remedies and symptoms continue for more than a week or the pain continues to worsen, I would recommend seeking medical attention. Before visiting your healthcare provider, you will want to think about when your symptoms began, how they started, and how long the pain lasts. This information, along with a physical exam of your wrist, can also help shed light on how the injury may have occurred and determine if tests such as X-rays, ultrasound (USS), computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are needed to diagnose the problem. If the condition is tendinitis, it may get better with rest and hand therapy. You may need to wear a wrist brace as well in the short term

— even when you are playing golf. If that’s not enough, an injection may help reduce inflammation in the injured area to allow for healing. If you still continue to have symptoms, surgery may be an option for chronic tendinitis. Though unlikely, it is possible you could have a fracture or broken bone in your wrist. If this is the case, a cast may be needed to allow the injury to heal, and hand therapy may be necessary. Depending on the type of broken bone, however, surgery may be needed, and that’s why meeting a hand surgeon would be important.

To prevent future injury To help prevent future golfing-related wrist injuries, take time to stretch before you play, including your back, legs, arms, elbows and wrists. Also, warm up with

some easy practice swings before you begin a round of golf or start hitting at the driving range. You may want to work on improving your swing, too. Taking a lesson with a golf professional may be useful to ensure your form is still good. Finally, invest in quality equipment. Clubs with graphite shafts, and irons that are cavity-backed, reduce the vibration of impact and can help prevent injuries. Something as simple as using fatter grips to keep you from squeezing the club too tightly and aggravating tendinitis also may be of benefit. —Sanjeev Kakar, M.D., Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota © 2021 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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The many benefits and uses of nutritional yeast By Jessica Ball, M.S., R.D. Nutritional yeast could be one of the tastiest and healthiest ingredients missing from your pantry. Though it is a great food for vegans and vegetarians, all people can gain health benefits from adding it to their diet. What is nutritional yeast? Nicknamed “nooch,” this cheesy-tasting powder is made up of a type of yeast called Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It can be grown on many types of sugary substances, including molasses and sugar beets. Once the yeast is harvested, it is heated to deactivate it so it doesn’t froth up like active yeast. This dried fungus is then made into a powder, which can be fine or flaky, and — voila — nutritional yeast is ready to be enjoyed. Here are some benefits: It’s high in antioxidants. One study in Food & Function found that nutritional yeast significantly increased antioxidants and fiber when added to foods, especially if the foods were not cooked. Other studies have found that the specific antioxidants in nutritional yeast have moderate antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. It may alleviate IBS symptoms. Nutritional yeast may help alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, which is one of the most common gut disorders in the U.S. A 2015 study found that nutritional yeast consumption significantly reduced abdominal pain and discomfort in people with IBS. A meta-analysis in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found a clinically significant decrease in abdominal pain, discomfort and bloating for those regularly consuming the yeast (500 mg/day for eight weeks). They also found that stool consistency improved. It helps prevent anemia in vegans. Vitamin B12 is found mostly in animalbased foods, such as meat, fish, dairy and eggs. For this reason, longtime vegans can

be at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, which can cause anemia, fatigue and, in severe cases, neurological problems. Luckily, unfortified nutritional yeast is a plant-based source of vitamin B12, with 260% of your daily needs in just 1/4 cup. Sprinkling this delicious nutty powder on snacks like popcorn provides a sufficient amount of vitamin B12 for most people. If you are a vegan, you may want to talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian about getting a blood test for vitamin B12 and possibly taking a supplement.

How to buy and use it Most grocery stores have packages of nutritional yeast; some even have it in bulk bins. However, if you can’t find it in stores near you, it can be easily found online. There are plenty of recipes featuring nutritional yeast, but you can also simply add it to dishes you already cook. Here are a few examples of easy ways to work nutritional yeast into your diet: —Stir into pasta in place of Parmesan cheese —Sprinkle on freshly popped popcorn —Season sautéed greens or baked kale chips —Add to mashed potatoes or cauliflower —Combine with raw nuts and herbs to make a crust for chicken or fish before baking —Stir into soups and stews to deepen flavor

Bottom line Nutritional yeast can be a staple part of vegan and vegetarian diets, but that doesn’t mean it’s off-limits for omnivores. From boosting antioxidants in your diet to calming your bowels, nutritional yeast is a healthy swap for traditional cheese flavor. EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at eatingwell.com. © 2021 Meredith Corporation. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Director Laura Newland, philanthropist Mark Bucher and others who will discuss how the city supported older adults this past year and what to look forward to in the future. In addition, 13 members and volunteers from the villages will speak briefly about their experiences. This free Zoom event takes place Thurs., May 20 from 9:45 to 11:30 a.m. For more information and to register, visit tinyurl.com/DCVillages.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 2 1

Vision problems due to droopy eyelids By Robert Graham, M.D. Dear Mayo Clinic: My droopy eyelids have worsened significantly over the past few years, but I’m hesitant to have surger y to fix them. What are the risks of having an eyelid lift, and how long is the recover y? A: Blepharoplasty, also called an eyelid lift, typically includes removing extra skin, muscle and fat from the upper and lower eyelids. The surgery can reduce vision problems caused by excess eyelid skin, and make your eyes look younger and more alert. As with any surgery, risks are involved. Recovery from the procedure can take up to one month. As you age, your eyelids stretch, and the muscles supporting them weaken. As that happens, extra fat may gather above and below your eyelids, causing droopy upper lids and bags under your eyes. If the skin around your eyes sags significantly, it can make it harder to see, especially in the upper and outer parts of your field of vision. Eyelid surgery may be able to reduce or eliminate these problems. Blepharoplasty is usually performed on an outpatient basis. The procedure can be performed while you are awake. You receive medication to help you relax, and medication is injected into your eyelids to numb them. During the procedure, your surgeon cuts along the creases of your eyelids to trim sag-

ging skin and muscle and remove excess fat. After the excess tissue is removed, your surgeon joins the skin with tiny stitches. Blepharoplasty typically takes from 30 minutes to two hours. It may take longer, however, if other procedures are combined with the eyelid surgery. Even if this is the case, most people can go home the same day as the surgery. After surgery, your vision may be blurry. It typically returns to normal after two or three days. Full recovery takes about two to four weeks. During that time, you may have some bruising around your eyes. As you recover, your eyes may be more sensitive to wind and light. You may notice some double vision or blurry vision from time to time during your recovery. The benefits of blepharoplasty often include better vision and a more youthful appearance. For some people, those results last a lifetime. For others, droopy eyelids may recur and could require additional surgery. Long-term risks from blepharoplasty include developing dry eyes, having difficulty closing your eyes or other eyelid problems. Rarely, the surgery can injure your eye muscles. Everyone who undergoes the procedure has scarring, but in most cases, it improves to a point that it is not noticeable. You should protect your eyelid skin from too much sun exposure, especially while the scar is heal-

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ing. Improvement in the scar can continue for as long as one year after surgery. The likelihood that you will experience problems after blepharoplasty is lower if you do not have a chronic medical condition, such as diabetes or another illness that could slow healing. Nonsmokers and people who do not have serious eye problems also tend to have better outcomes from this surgery. Smokers should quit smoking at least one month before surgery to minimize the risk of complications and improve the outcome. Having a well-trained, experienced surgeon who is familiar with blepharoplasty also may lower your risk for problems. You can find information about surgeons in your area online at the American Academy

of Ophthalmology (aao.org) or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (plasticsurgery.org). Once you find a surgeon you are comfortable with, talk with him or her about your concerns, as well as the benefits and risks of eyelid surgery. Your surgeon can help you decide if the procedure is a good option for you. — Robert Graham, M.D., Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. E-mail 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.

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Health Studies

M AY 2 0 2 1 — WA S H I N G T O N 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.

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.

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May 19+

VIRTUAL 50+ EMPLOYMENT EXPO

The next free virtual expos for jobs in Montgomery County, Md., will take place Wed., May 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Tues., June 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register in advance at virtualexpos.accessjca.org. Free to all participants and employers. Expos include workshops and job search training, as well as opportunities to network with employers offering full-time and part-time jobs. For more information, email lwilliams@accessjca.org.

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Are you looking to reenter the workforce after a career break? Learn some tips and strategies for conducting a job search and transitioning back to work in this free virtual workshop that takes place Tues., May 11 from 3 to 4 p.m. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/ReenteringtheWorkforce.

May 17+

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.

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Simple meat-free meatballs and burgers By Family Features Plant-based eating should be easy and delicious — and it can be. Rather than follow strict rules, simply add foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans and grains to more meals throughout the day. Walnuts, for example, are a kitchen multi-tasker with uses well beyond baked goods. In fact, walnuts can be used as a simple, whole-food meat alternative. One ounce of walnuts contains important nutrients, including 4 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, 2.5 grams of monounsaturated fat, 13 grams of polyunsaturated fat and 2.5 grams of essential omega3 alpha-linolenic acid. Try walnuts as an alternative to meat in recipes like these two, and find more plant-

forward recipes at walnuts.org/plantrecipes.

Walnut Meatless Meatballs Total time: 42 minutes Serves 4 Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil ¼ cup minced onion 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon tomato paste ½ cup California walnuts, chopped ¼ cup cooked brown rice ¼ cup chopped roasted red peppers ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs ¼ cup Parmesan cheese 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley 1 egg, beaten

Directions: Preheat oven to 375° F and line baking sheet with parchment paper. In small skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Transfer to food processor with walnuts, rice, roasted red peppers, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, parsley and egg. Pulse until combined but not mushy. Form into eight equal balls and place on prepared baking sheet. Bake 12 minutes, or until firm to touch. Serve with sauce of choice.

Walnut Steak House Burger Serves 4 Ingredients: 1½ cups California walnuts ¾ cup red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

¾ cup cooked red lentils 6 tablespoons caramelized onions, chopped 1½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1½ tablespoons steak house seasoning 1½ tablespoons olive oil ½ teaspoon kosher or sea salt Optional: add 1 egg and ¼ cup of panko for firmer texture Additional oil for brushing Directions: Place walnuts in a food processor and pulse to coarsely chop. Add kidney beans and lentils and pulse to combine. Add caramelized onions, Worcestershire sauce, steak house seasoning, olive oil and salt, and pulse until blended but not mushy. Form into 4 large patties. Heat grill or flat top. Brush patties with olive oil and cook for 2 minutes on each side or until nicely seared. Serve on a bun with burger toppings.

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Could you have small fiber neuropathy? There is neuropathy, and then there is Here are a few common symptoms of SFN: small fiber neuropathy. These conditions -Internal vibration or restlessness are different. -Pins and needles I hope this column will help -Numbness many people who are suffering -Muscle aches and don’t know what they -Electric shock sensations have. You might very well have in the body small fiber neuropathy (SFN), -Trigeminal neuralgia and if you ignore it, in time it -GI motility problems will lead to bigger problems all -Postural orthostatic hyover your body. But if you get potension (low blood presproper treatment and help, it is sure when you stand up) very treatable. I want to give DEAR -Bladder problems you hope, while educating you PHARMACIST -Dysautonomia about the disorder. -Redness on the feet, termed By Suzy Cohen Only the small cutaneous erythromelalgia (skin) nerves are affected in SFN. The Erythromelalgia is fairly hallmark — main difference between SFN and typical episodes of redness, heat, pain or mild peripheral neuropathy (PN) is that SFN at- swelling in the feet usually, although it tacks the “small unmyelinated fibers,” could be in the hands or anywhere in the hence the name “small fiber neuropathy,” body. It’s usually triggered by raising your and it begins with sensations in your toes body temperature, which means you may and feet. [Ed. Note: Myelinated fibers are exit a nice hot shower, hot tub or steam nerve fibers in your brain, optic nerves and room and discover one or both feet have spinal cord that are covered by a protective turned red, for example. It’s temporary sheath of myelin.] and likely goes away in a few minutes. Most other types of neuropathy have The bottom line: If you notice unusual some degree of demyelination occurring, tingling, weakness or pain in your hands but again, the fibers destroyed in SFN are or feet, or any of the symptoms above, see not myelinated; therefore, this condition your doctor. does not respond to methylated vitamin Testing for SFN requires a skin biopsy, B12 like you might suspect. and there are amazing new test kits avail-

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able now that a physician can order. However, if your doctor does a regular EMG (electromyography) study on you, it will be normal. That’s the frustrating and confusing part — SFN does not show up on conventional EMG studies or nerve conduction studies. The causes of SFN vary and may be tied to infections like Lyme disease or shingles, or endocrine conditions like diabetes. Another frequent but hard-to-pinpoint cause is autoimmunity. About 40% of people with fibromyalgia, an autoimmune disorder, suffer with some degree of SFN. One more interesting cause for this uncomfortable condition is the use of (or withdrawal from) SSRI antidepressants.

As for treatment, it varies based upon the etiology (cause). We see best effects from intravenous immunoglobulins (IV IG), as well as anti-seizure drugs like pregabalin and gabapentin. I’ve written a more comprehensive article discussing more symptoms and treatments, as well as proper testing. I will email it to you if you sign up for my free newsletter. To do that, visit my website, suzycohen.com. This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe.

BEACON BITS

May 22+

ARLINGTON HOME SHOW & GARDEN EXPO

This year, the 15th annual Arlington Home Show & Garden Expo will take place online. Learn about remodeling and improving your home from builders, contractors, architects, master gardeners and more through a variety of free workshops. This event takes place Sat., May 22 and Sun., May 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit arlingtonhomeshow.org.

May 18

CONVERSATION WITH A DOCENT

Join this free Zoom workshop and talk to a docent at the National Museum of African American History and Culture about the lives and achievements of individuals in the face of injustice. This event takes place Tues., May 18 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Register at bit.ly/ZoomwithaDocent.

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M AY 2 0 2 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE By Laura Newland, Director D.C. Department of Aging and Community Living Happy Older Americans Month! As part of our celebration, I’m pleased to unveil the new name of our newsletter — Living Boldly! We’re excited to continue to provide you with the same seniorfocused news and information you’ve always expected, but under a name that reflects the vibrancy of our community. This month, I asked our Mayor to share a special Older Americans Month

message with you, which includes more information about how to register for the COVID-19 vaccine. The sooner each of us gets vaccinated, the sooner we can see each other in-person (safely!)! Thanks for helping us make D.C. a place where everyone — no matter our age or ability — can live boldly! Laura Newland

MAYOR’S MESSAGE By Muriel Bowser, Mayor District of Columbia Happy Older Americans Month, D.C.! This year, we celebrate our most seasoned residents at a moment of great hope. After a long year, we can finally see the light at the end of tunnel. The vaccines are moving us toward a better normal. After months apart, vaccinated friends and families are finally starting to come back together. Grandparents are reuniting with grandchildren who missed them dearly. And lifelong friends are getting back together for meals, and walks, and much needed in-person conversations and celebrations. And while our work to crush this virus is not yet done, I want to pause to say thank you. Thank you for the sacrifices you made to protect yourself and others. You discovered new ways to stay connected and engaged like participating in Fit DC workouts in your living room, navigating virtual classes designed with you in mind, and chatting with DACL staff just about anything through the Call & Talk program. You turned trial into triumph, teaching all of us the true meaning of this year’s Older Americans Month

theme, Communities of Strength. And thank you for getting our vaccination efforts off to a strong start. Today, more than 70% of DC seniors are vaccinated, and with your help, we are working hard to reach every senior — and every person 16 and older — in Washington, D.C. If you are not yet vaccinated, I am asking you to join me, and Dr. Nesbitt, and more than 230,000 Washingtonians in getting vaccinated. Today, you can walk up to vaccination sites across DC to get your free COVID-19 vaccine. You can learn more about these sites at coronavirus.dc.gov as well as at vaccinefinder.org. If you are unable to leave home, you can also call DC Health at 1-855-3630333 and make an appointment to get vaccinated at home. If you’re already vaccinated, I’m challenging you to make sure your friends and your family members also get vaccinated. Share your experience with people who are nervous to get vaccinated and call or text your friends and neighbors and help them make a

Older Americans Month Calendar of Events To register for an event or acitvity, please visit dacl.dc.gov and click on DACL Events.

May 3, 12 p.m.

Young at Art, Host: Department of Parks and Recreation (every Monday)

May 5, 10 a.m.

Senior Cardio Dance, Host: Department of Parks and Recreation (every Wednesday)

May 6, 2 p.m.

Why I Do What I Do — Recognizing the contributions of seniors to Congress Heights and the Greater Community, Host: Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center Your Heart Health and You, Host: Hattie Holmes Senior

May 10, 11:30 a.m. Wellness Center May 11, 11 a.m.

A Conversation with Dr. Glenn Wortmann, Section Director of Infectious Diseases at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Host: DACL

May 12, 1 p.m.

2021 Senior Symposium – Lunch & Learn: Reimagining Living Boldly in the Era of COVID-19, in partnership with AARP

May 14, 7 p.m.

“Eat with Me” Watch Party, Host: DC Public Library and the Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs

May 21, 4 p.m.

Fun Fur Fridays with the Humane Rescue Alliance, Host: DACL

May 26, 11 a.m.

Older Americans Month Health Fair – Host: Model Cities Senior Wellness Center

May 26, 9 a.m.

Senior Health & Fitness Day, Host: Bernice Fonteneau Senior Wellness Center

Living Boldly is published by the Information Office of the D.C. Department of Aging and Community Living for D.C. senior residents. Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the D.C. Department of Aging and Community Living or by the publisher.

Director Laura Newland

Editor DACL External Affairs

Photographer Richard Williams

500 K St. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002 | (202) 724-5626 | www.dacl.dc.gov plan to a get a free COVID-19 vaccine. The sooner we’re all vaccinated, the sooner we can crush this virus and get back to the people and activities we love. And when we do get back to a better normal, I can’t wait to celebrate

you in person for the many ways you continue to make Washington, D.C. the greatest city in the world and soon to be 51st state. Mayor Muriel Bowser

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 2 1

Living Boldly

Join Age-Friendly D.C. for their next Task Force Meeting Age-Friendly D.C. is preparing for the next Age-Friendly D.C. Task Force meeting, May 18, from 1 to 3 p.m. with domain and pillar meetings. To find out how you can participate and get information about additional meetings, please visit agefriendly.dc.gov.

D.C. Seniors join fellow Washingtonians in the fight for D.C. Statehood Seniors across the District banded together to support Mayor Bowser as she testified before the House of Representatives on making D.C. the 51st State. Mayor Bowser called on Congress to right a 220-year-old wrong and

finally end taxation without representation for Washington, D.C. residents. The demand for D.C. Statehood continues. To learn how you can get involved, visit statehood.dc.gov.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Vacancies on D.C. Commission on Aging Are you interested in serving your community as an aging advocate? The District of Columbia Commission on Aging is a citizen's advisory group to the Mayor, Council of the District of Columbia, Department of Office Aging and Community Living, and the general public on the needs and concerns of older Washingtonians. The Commissioners serve as advocates on behalf of the District's more than 120,000 seniors and ac-

complish their responsibilities through outreach to individuals and institutions, as well as to groups and governments. The Commission's 15 members are appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council of the District of Columbia. To apply to become a member, visit the Mayor's Office of Talents and Appointments website http://motaboards. theresumator.com.

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M AY 2 0 2 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Money Law &

Insurance agents share five common misconceptions about insurance. See story on page 31.

Afraid to retire, even though you can? By Kara Duckworth I am seeing an interesting pattern in discussions with my clients about retirement — and it’s certainly not one I was expecting. Instead of worrying about whether they’ll have enough saved to enjoy retirement, they’re worrying about whether they’ll enjoy retirement at all. Discussions about retirement start almost as soon as people get their first jobs. Whether it’s saving as much as possible in their 401(k) plan or making an annual IRA contribution, the focus is always on having enough money to retire and enjoy all the things they’ve been dreaming of doing. For some, the big plans include traveling to far-flung destinations; for others, it’s spending time with family, finally moving to that place they love to visit on vacation, or volunteering. As people make progress on achieving those retirement dreams, they don’t spend time thinking about what life may actually look like in retirement. Just last week, I spoke to a client who says she would like to retire at the end of this year. We have been working toward her

economic freedom for years, and she has enough assets to be able to make all the dreams she has expressed come to fruition. We got to the end of the financial plan discussion, and I was all set to celebrate starting the countdown to the long-awaited retirement date. But there was a pause, and then she said, “I don’t know if I can actually start to withdraw the money and feel good about it. I have been so focused on saving, investing and planning for years that I don’t know how I will feel about starting to take money out, even if it’s for things I think I want.”

Feelings of ambivalence She went on to say that she always thought she wanted to move to another state to be close to her extended family, but she now realizes that they are going to be busy with their own lives, and it won’t just be fun all the time, like her visits now. She worries that the photography and golf hobbies that she feels like she never has time to enjoy now won’t be enough to fill her days. She has traveled extensively already, and the list of places she still

wants to visit is getting shorter. In other words, her biggest worry about retiring is what she is going to do with her time — even though she says frequently that she can’t wait to stop working. For other people, retiring from being an expert in their field or having a prestigious job feels like giving up part of the identity they have worked very hard to earn. So, what do you do when the hardest part about retirement is actually retiring? Here are some ideas to make retirement the next step in a journey, not a final destination: Consider slowing down at work instead of stopping completely. Working part-time allows you to have the best of both worlds: continued income and a dayto-day sense of purpose, as well as the time to pursue hobbies, travel and leisure. Try before you buy. If relocation is in your retirement plans, take a new location for a test drive before committing to living there full-time. Rent a house for a year in a new state to see if you like living there. In the meantime, you can rent out your current home

for some income, or just come back home for a break during the very hot or cold months in the new state. Plan to explore new things. While you may have a few hobbies that you enjoy now and want to pursue in retirement, you can also plan to try out new experiences to keep your day-to-day life fresh and interesting. Many people find that volunteering gives them the purpose that working used to fulfill — but without the stress. You can also explore activities that you always thought sounded fun — painting, ballroom dancing, pickleball — but never had time to do before. “I am busier now that I’m retired than I was when I was working” is a common theme I hear from clients, but now the activities are things they enjoy. Having your financial adviser work with you on planning for your life in retirement as well as your finances will ensure the transition you make will be happy and fulfilling. © 2021 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

IRS ignores those filing paper tax returns I have been filing my federal tax returns told me that an IRS advocate was assigned to on paper for more than 50 years. It was me, and that I could expect a response from her. I was provided her phone never any trouble at all. After number. all, I had been an enrolled I then contacted TurboTax agent for several years. But that all changed after I to file electronically. However, filed my 2019 return. representatives at TurboTax I filed it in April 2020. The told me that after October, the IRS still has not processed it. IRS no longer accepted e-files When I go to the IRS website for 2019, and that they could and use the “Where’s my reonly file a paper return. They fund?” option, the IRS doesn’t suggested that I file a paper reeven indicate that my return turn again by registered mail. THE SAVINGS has been received. I followed their advice and GAME After several months of not filed a copy of my previous By Elliot Raphaelson receiving an acknowledgment paper return again. This was from the IRS that it has my reagainst the IRS recommendaturn, I wrote to my congressional represen- tion. The IRS says on its website not to contative complaining about the delay. The rep- tact them and not to refile. However, the IRS resentative asked me for permission to con- still has not indicated that it has received any tact the IRS on my behalf, and I consented. paper return from me for 2019. As a result of that intervention, I received a phone response from an IRS representative The trouble continues in December, who told me to file my return I contacted TurboTax in March 2021 to electronically. The IRS representative also file my 2020 tax return electronically. They

prepared my return and tried to file electronically. When you file electronically, the IRS asks for your adjusted gross income (AGI) for the previous year as a security measure. I entered the AGI from my 2019 return but, as I feared, the IRS rejected my e-filing because it has no record of that return! After the rejection, TurboTax representatives then told me to enter zero for my 2019 AGI. I did that, and again the IRS has rejected my e-filing. (H&R Block informed me that its software also requires a valid AGI from 2019.) TurboTax has now told me I must file by paper again in 2020 because the IRS won’t accept my request to file electronically. Naturally, I don’t want to file a paper return again. I have gone to the internet to see if my situation is common. I have found that others are faced with the same problem. It’s a Catch-22. Millions of individuals have also filed paper tax returns for 2019 that have not been processed. Yet the IRS won’t allow efiling because there is no AGI that match-

es their records. Even though the IRS has assigned me a tax advocate who supposedly should be assisting me, she has not contacted me, and she doesn’t return my phone calls. If millions of taxpayers like me are forced to file a paper return for our 2020 taxes, how long will the delay be? The IRS has already extended the April 15 filing date to May 17 because of its inability to process returns in a timely manner. The IRS has no legitimate reason not to allow individuals whose 2019 returns have not been processed to file their 2020 returns electronically. I suggest you write to the IRS commissioner Charles Rettig, as I have done, at 77 K St. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002, and demand that he inform his staff of this problem, and that they take whatever steps are necessary to accept efiled returns from taxpayers who have no apparent record of AGI for 2019. This situation is ridiculous. We are simSee PAPER RETURNS, page 30

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 2 1

S TÁN ATRASADO S E E U Q S O IN IL INQU LQUILER: EN PAGO DEL A para la renta: Solicite asistencia ntrelief /re m co 11. www.mc3 . Para su día en la Corte to con ac párese ahora para p nt ep co Pre P en gase óng o, pó ento miien oss. no ilin u ui q qu recibir asesoram in ra pa o oy n de Ap una Organizació a la Corte! o a la Corte: ¡Vay Si usted es citad ible en la corte. Hay ayuda dispon

ES DE APOYO ORGANIZACION tgomery: Condado de Mon 311 (240-777-0311)

CASA:

RENTERS WHO ARE .gov/renters BEHIND yMDR yCou OntN ENT: www.Montgomer Apply for Rent Assistance: www.mc311.com/rentrelief ERY COUNTY OMfor PreM ONeTG par now your day in Court. Contact a renter Support Organization for guidance. If you are called to Court: Com e to Court! Help is available at Court.

www.MontgomeryCountyMD .gov/renters MONTGOMERY COUNTY

301-431-4185 Housing Initiative Partnership: Pa 301-916-5946 ic : OR erNIZ GA nt Ce ATIONS: t en Developm 38 74 054 220 Montgomery County: e: nc7-0 Allia ers(240 -77 Rent311 311) nce.org llia sa er nt re @ fo in CASA: Aid: Lega d 1-41 ylan -43 Mar301 85l 0-314-0373 24 Housing Initiative Partnership: 301-916-5946

Econom Latin SUoPP ORT

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Development Center: 202-540-7438

Renters Alliance:

info@rentersalliance.org

Maryland Legal Aid:

240-314-0373

Support for Renters and Landlords $59 Million for Rent Relief Renters – If you are behind on rent, you have support and options: Montgomery County has rental

assistance available: Visit www. mc311.com/rentrelief to learn more and apply. You also may contact a Support

Organization for help in applying for rental assistance. Find a Support Organization at www.montgomerycountymd. gov/renters If you are concerned about

possible eviction actions, contact a Support Organization

to prepare: www. montgomerycountymd. gov/renters Legal assistance for renters is available at Court, but you must attend your Court date to exercise your protections under an eviction moratorium. Landlords – if your renter is behind on rent, landlords and renters can work together to apply for rental assistance. Back rent is being paid directly to landlords. More information is available at www.montgomerycountymd. gov/landlords

Montgomery County offers information about rental properties Montgomery County now has an easy way to view rental property information the County collects annually from apartment building managers. The public can visit www. montgomerycountymd.gov/ RentalMarketplace to search and view information about location, property-level rent levels and unit sizes reported to the County by each property. Individuals looking for rental housing can search for options within a range of rents, geography and type (e.g., senior housing, income-restricted, number of bedrooms). After identifying properties of interest, individuals can contact each property to learn about current availability of units and rents. The County is pleased to offer this resource to help residents connect with rental housing opportunities. Department of Housing and Community Affairs

www.montgomerycountymd.gov/senior

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M AY 2 0 2 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

How to protect your portfolio from yourself By Elliott Raphaelson Seeking Alpha (seekingalpha.com), a well-respected publisher of finance-related content, recently published an enlightening article titled “4 Simple Rules To Protect Your Portfolio From Yourself.” It’s a long article, full of sound advice based on historical analysis and advice from many stock market experts, such as Ray Dalio, Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger, among others. I list the author’s rules below, with my own commentary. Rule 1: “Invest a fixed amount in any given month.” The reason for this rule is quite simple: You will never be able to time the market reliably. Even the most successful investors don’t pretend they can predict when the markets will hit their peaks or hit the bottom. In the long run, stocks will appreciate in value along with the growth in the economy, and if you are out of the market long enough, you are guaranteed to lose the opportunity to increase the value of your portfolio. As the author of the article points out, the best and worst days in the market happen close together. If you avoid the worst

days, you will also miss the best ones. One way to take advantage of the longterm trends in the market is to consistently invest. The author recommends this method: Determine at the beginning of each year how much you will invest and divide that amount by 12. That’s your monthly investment budget. The value of this approach is discipline. It forces you to invest even when you are fearful of a market fall. It also prevents you from investing too much when you may be over-optimistic. Investing gradually forces you to take advantage of the growth in stock value over time. Overall, by investing a fixed amount each month, you are, as the author says, both “forcing” and “easing” your way into investing, taking advantage of long-term trends, without having to guess right about market increases and decreases. Rule 2: “Define your maximum allocation to a stock.” One of the bedrock rules of investing is diversification: not exposing yourself to undue risk by owning a disproportionate amount of a given stock or industry group.

But how do you judge the proper allocation, especially if you are holding “winners” you are loathe to sell? The author recommends this be done from a cost-basis perspective. For example, If you invested $25,000 in an individual stock, your cost basis remains $25,000 even if, say, the market value has increased to $100,000. You may decide, as the author recommends, to cap your exposure at anywhere from 5% (the equivalent of holding at least 20 companies) to 10% (the equivalent of at least 10 companies) — again, on the basis of cost basis, not current market value. [Ed. Note: That is, don’t let what you invested in any one company’s stock represent more than 5% (or 10%) of your total expenditures on stock.] If you focus on risk allocation from a cost basis rather than current value, it will encourage you to add to your winners and prevent you from adding too much to your losers. Rule 3: “Don’t add to your losers.” The best way to avoid having a significant loser in your portfolio is to never aver-

age down. It’s normal to have some losers in your portfolio. But you must avoid the urge to “double down.” It rarely succeeds. Rule 4: “Don’t sell your winners.” If Rule 3 is difficult for some, Rule 4 is easy to follow. It merely requires you to leave your winners alone — for as long as possible. The author quotes the legendary investor Charlie Munger: “The first rule of compounding: Never interrupt it unnecessarily.” As Warren Buffett once remarked, “Our favorite holding period is forever.” His philosophy, which is hard to argue with, is that fear and greed lead investors to sell and buy at the wrong time. If you find a good company, unless it suffers a drastic change that threatens its ability to compound earnings, you should hold it as long as possible. Although the article focused on individual stocks, I believe the recommendations are applicable to specific sectors also. Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com. © 2021 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Paper returns

our taxes, and we should not be punished because the IRS hasn’t processed 2019 paper returns yet. I suggest you copy Treasury Secretary

Janet Yellen with your correspondence to the IRS commissioner. You can reach her at the Treasury Department, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20220.

From page 28 ply trying to comply with the law and file

Retool, Recharge, and Reinvent Yourself at

JCA’S VIRTUAL 50+ EMPLOYMENT EXPOS This FREE service of the Jewish Council for the Aging is made possible by a grant from Montgomery County. If you are over 50 and looking for work, you won’t want to miss these events! You can • Network with multiple area employers – offering full-time, part-time and consulting job opportunities • Attend free workshops • Learn new job-search skills

The expos will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register using this link: https://virtualexpos.accessjca.org/

JCA® — the Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington – proudly serves people of all faiths and from all walks of life.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 2 1

Things you need to know about insurance By Sarah Schlichter Insurance is notoriously complicated, and few people have the time or desire to pore over their policies. But some basic knowledge can go a long way. And that’s where an insurance agent can help, by clearing up some of the most common misconceptions they encounter. Here are five things agents say are helpful for customers to know:

from policyholders asking if their insurance will pay for things like broken dishwashers or aging gutters. The answer is no. Insurance is designed to cover sudden, accidental damage, not regular maintenance. “We’re not going to replace [an] old pipe,” Wong said, “but if the pipe accidentally burst and ruined the wall and the flooring,” that would be covered.

A gap in coverage can be costly Insurance doesn’t cover everything When it comes to insurance, “Most people don’t understand the details,” said Andrew McGill, agent at The Insurance Shoppe in Tennessee. For instance, they often don’t realize that most homeowners policies won’t cover flood or earthquake damage. If your home is at risk for these disasters, you need separate coverage. Auto policies generally cover only personal use of your car, so if you’ve picked up a side gig delivering groceries or meals during the pandemic, you likely need additional coverage, said Keya Pratt, agent and CEO of Pratt Insurance LLC in Richmond, Virginia. Otherwise, accidents you have on the job may not be covered. Insurance policies of all types also generally exclude wear and tear, said Katherine Navarro Wong, a State Farm agent in Santa Rosa, California. She often gets calls

There are various reasons you might let your car insurance policy lapse. Perhaps you’re having trouble paying your bills, or you no longer own a vehicle. But this could cost you, Pratt said. “People tend to shop insurance after they’ve already canceled their insurance, [but] unfortunately that’s a huge negative” when calculating your price. After a gap in coverage, insurers view customers as riskier and charge higher rates. You can avoid this by shopping for quotes before your policy expires, buying nonowner car insurance if you’re between vehicles, and asking your carrier for leniency if you’re struggling to make payments.

You can’t cover risks after the fact If you get into an accident and your car needs repairs, you might want a rental vehicle to help you get around. But by that point

it would be too late to add rental car coverage to your policy, Wong said. Your auto policy would pay for this only if you had rental car coverage in place when the accident happened — not if you added it the day after. The same goes for other insurance. For example, say a storm leaves an inch of water in your basement, but you haven’t purchased flood insurance. You can still buy coverage for future disasters, but it won’t pay for damage your home has already sustained.

Don’t skimp on liability insurance Many people focus on buying enough coverage for their belongings, but the liability insurance on your policy may be even more important. It pays for injuries or property damage that you’re at fault for.

A lawsuit “is going to be more devastating than losing your laptop [or] ring,” Wong said. Including legal fees, the cost can total hundreds of thousands of dollars, especially if someone is seriously injured. To protect yourself financially, buy enough liability insurance on your auto and home insurance policies to cover your net worth.

Your agent is there to help Confused by your policy’s fine print? Don’t struggle through it on your own, said Jana Schellin Foster, agent at Nevada Insurance Agency Co. in Reno, Nevada. “We’re here to take care of you and walk you through this process.” —AP/NerdWallet

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Why worry about loss of ‘basis step-up’? By Liz Weston Death and taxes may be the only certainties in life, but death taxes are only a remote possibility for most people. The vast majority of Americans won’t ever have or give away enough to owe estate or gift taxes. But far more people could be affected if a tax break that benefits heirs is eliminated. While campaigning for president, Joe Biden proposed doing away with something called the “step-up in basis” that al-

lows people to minimize or avoid capital gains taxes on inherited assets. No legislation has been proposed yet, and such a change could have a tough time getting approved by a divided Congress. But it’s worth knowing what the fuss is about. “Right now, we’re telling folks to start thinking about this stuff, but we’re not rushing out to take action,” said certified financial planner Colleen Carcone, a director of wealth planning strategies at TIAA.

How step-up in basis lowers taxes Although most estates don’t owe estate taxes, anyone who’s inherited a house, stock or other property has likely benefited from the step-up tax break that boosts the value of such assets to fair market value at the owner’s death. Say your savvy aunt paid $7,000 for a single share of Berkshire Hathaway stock in 1990. That’s her tax basis. If she sold the stock for its closing price of $362,000 on Feb. 10, she would owe capital gains tax on the $355,000 gain. If she generously gave you the stock and you sold it on Feb. 10, you’d owe the same amount of tax because you’d also hold the stock at her tax basis. Now, let’s say that instead of giving you the stock, she left it to you in her will and she died Feb. 10. The stock would get a new basis for tax purposes of $362,000 (its fair market value on that date). All the gain that occurred during her lifetime would never be taxed. If you sold the stock later, you would owe tax only on any gains that occurred after her death. Some kinds of inheritances, such as annuities or retirement accounts, don’t get the step-up. But it’s no exaggeration to say that far more people benefit from our estate tax system — by inheriting homes and other assets with a stepped-up tax basis — than have to pay any estate taxes.

Who pays gift and estate taxes now This year, an estate has to be worth more than $11.7 million to trigger federal estate taxes. Less than 0.1 percent of the people who died in the U.S. last year were expected to leave estates large enough to owe any tax, according to the UrbanBrookings Tax Policy Center. People who have to pay gift taxes are pretty rare as well. There’s an annual exclusion, or an amount you can give away to as many people as you want each year

without having to file a gift tax return. The exclusion limit is $15,000 for 2021. That means you can give up to $15,000 each to an unlimited number of people without having to report the gifts. Even if you do have to file a gift tax return, you wouldn’t actually owe gift taxes until the amount you gave away in your lifetime — over and above the annual exclusion amounts — totaled more than $11.7 million. However, these historically high limits are scheduled to end in 2025. That means in 2026 the estate and gift tax exemption limits would revert to $5 million per person, adjusted for inflation. Biden wants the exemption to drop to $3.5 million per person. People in some states already face lower limits. The 12 states that impose their own estate taxes — Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington — and the District of Columbia have lower exemption limits than the feds. [Maryland’s is currently $5 million; D.C.’s is $4 million.] Massachusetts and Oregon have the lowest exemption amounts, $1 million. Six states — Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey and Pennsylvania — also levy taxes on people who inherit wealth. Different tax rates and exemption limits apply, depending on the relationship between the inheritor and the person who died. Immediate family members usually pay the least, if anything, while distant relations and nonrelatives pay more.

For now, keep good records The idea of eliminating the step-up in basis has been proposed in the past, but it faced headwinds in part because the practice benefits a wide range of voters. See ESTATE TAXES, page 33

Get and check free weekly credit reports By Lisa Gerstner The three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — will continue to offer a free credit report to consumers each week at AnnualCreditReport.com until April 20, 2022. The extension follows the bureaus’ move in spring 2020 to provide free weekly reports as the coronavirus pandemic struck the U.S., causing financial hardship for Americans who lost their job or faced a pay cut. Before the recent announcement, the availability of free weekly reports was scheduled to expire in April. Typically, a free report is available from each bureau only once every 12 months through AnnualCreditReport.com. Check each report for errors or signs

of fraudulent activity —such as the presence of a credit card or loan that you never opened, or a collection account for a debt that you don’t owe. The most effective way to block identity thieves from opening accounts in your name is to put a free security freeze on your report from each bureau. (You can add a freeze at transunion.com/freeze, experian.com/freeze and equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services.) When a freeze is in place, a creditor cannot access your report in response to an application for new credit, thwarting crooks. If you want to open a new credit account, you can temporarily lift the freeze. © 2021 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 2 1

Answers to readers’ financial questions By Elliott Raphaelson Q: I have a long-term care health policy with Genworth. I understand that these policies may be taken over by a Chinese company. Should I continue to pay the premiums, or should I cancel this policy and obtain a new policy from another company? A: You should not cancel your policy. If you do try to obtain a new long-term care policy, you may not be approved if your health condition has changed, and a new policy will probably be more expensive if your existing policy was obtained several years ago. I have touched base with Jack Lenenberg, an LTC insurance consultant and president of LTC Partner. He has an excellent reputation and specializes in the longterm healthcare industry. He said: “The merger of Genworth and China Oceanwide has been in discussion for over four years and may never go through. The policyholders’ rights in their contracts will not be impacted whatsoever. “The Genworth traditional LTC policies are excellent contracts. Genworth policyholders should always continue to pay their premiums.” Q: I am almost 65 and will be eligible for Medicare shortly. However, I am still working, and my wife, who is

not close to 65, is being covered under my health policy with my existing employer. Should I be applying for Medicare or postpone my coverage? A: If you already are receiving a Social Security benefit, you will be automatically registered in Medicare Part A, hospital insurance. There is no cost for Part A if you have worked under Social Security with sufficient benefits. You do not have to enroll in Part B, medical insurance, if you choose not to. There is a monthly fee for part B; the premium is based on your income. If you are not receiving a Social Security benefit, you can enroll in Part A and wait to enroll in Part B after you stop working. In order to avoid a penalty, with higher part B premiums for the rest of your life, you are required to enroll in Part B during the “special enrollment period” consisting of the eight months beginning the month after your employment ends or the coverage ends, whichever happens first. Because your wife is not yet eligible for Medicare, I recommend that you retain your healthcare coverage with your employer and postpone applying for Part B until after your employment ends. I also recommend that you request from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid

Estate taxes

account, for example, hang onto records showing those purchases. The cost of any improvements you make to a home or other real estate also can increase its tax basis and potentially reduce taxes later. So, keep those receipts as well. “The one thing we do think folks should start doing today is really start to think about the record-keeping,” Carcone said. —AP/NerdWallet

From page 32 Since there’s no concrete proposal to change the step-up, there’s not much people can do to prepare for change other than what they should be doing anyway, which is keeping careful records. That means “tracking the basis” of what they paid for any assets as part of routine estate planning. If you buy shares of a stock in a taxable

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Services (cms.gov) the free government handbook, “Medicare and You 2021.” Q: Recently I have been paying the nursing home costs for my mother-inlaw from a traditional IRA account, over which I have power of attorney. My accountant indicated that because of the high nursing costs, there would be no income tax liability on the IRA withdrawals because of the medical cost deductibility of the nursing costs. It occurred to me that there is an argument for not converting all of one’s traditional IRA assets into a Roth because of this possibility. Do you agree? A: I do agree, but I wanted to run the query by IRA expert Ed Slott (www.IRAhelp.com) for confirmation. He agreed

also. He indicated that he has covered this issue in the past. His comments follow. “If large medical expenses are expected, it would be best not to convert any funds needed to pay those bills [to a Roth]. This way they can be paid from pre-tax IRA distributions. “If the medical expense is large enough, the itemized deduction can offset some of the income on the taxable IRA distribution. In this case, it would be wise to hold some traditional IRA funds since it’s best tax-wise to pay these medical expenses with pre-tax funds.” Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com. © 2020 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Travel Leisure &

You don’t have to drive far to visit spectacular gardens like Ladew Topiary Garden in Monkton, Maryland. See story on opposite page.

Nashville tempts palate with reopenings

Live music rebounds At the mother church of country music, the Ryman Auditorium — formerly known as the Grand Old Opry House — some concerts are being added to the light 2021 schedule. There’s also an excellent backstage tour of the building. On Nashville’s waterfront, the Ascend Amphitheater is a good bet, with a sum-

mer schedule that begins with ballet in mid-May and includes artists like Lindsey Stirling, Phish and John Legend. The City Winery is already hosting shows in a large, well-ventilated tent with tables appropriately distanced. Also following mask and distancing protocols are 3rd & Lindsley and Marathon Music Works. A cool New York transplant, Brooklyn Bowl, will be opening its lanes and its music stage soon. Along downtown’s Lower Broadway (sometimes called NashVegas!) and its side streets, you’ll find plenty of Nashville’s iconic bar-restaurant-clubs, called honkytonks. It’s an exciting privilege to see songwriters present new material at places like the Bluebird Café and The Listening Room. Just 45 minutes away is the new FirstBank Amphitheater in Franklin, Tennessee. Built in a quarry, its dramatic setting includes cliff walls and waterfalls. It’s scheduled to open later this year. About 90 minutes from Nashville, in Pelham, Tennessee, The Caverns is an actual underground music venue where PBS filmed a television concert series called “Bluegrass Underground.” The pandemic caused them to vacate the caves, and in October 2020, The Caverns Above Ground Amphitheater was born. In addition to live music, there are two different tours of the caves; one is a challenging three-to-four-hour adventure.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TAYLOR WALLACE/ASCEND AMPHITHEATER

By Ann Cochran Now that many of us are fully vaccinated, we can finally plan a getaway. Our first trip might be a road trip, perhaps a longer drive than we would have undertaken before. After having to stay put for more than a year, I’m looking for a destination that’s within a day’s drive but feels different from my normal stomping grounds. It only takes 10 hours to drive from D.C. to Nashville, but it feels like it’s a world away. I love Nashville for its creativity and talent in music, cuisine and beyond, for its friendly vibe and fantastic food. Even if it isn’t in full swing, I would be happy to be in Music City. Nashville’s museums and restaurants are open, but attendance is limited, meaning more reservations and less spontaneity. Shops are also open, and so are Nashville’s many lovely parks. And, of course, in a city known for its live music, indoor and outdoor concerts are resuming.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT NASHVILLE

Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson and other musicians performed at the legendary Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, established in 1960. Located behind the Ryman Auditorium (formerly the venue for the Grand Ole Opry), Tootsie’s is the most famous honky tonk on downtown Nashville’s Lower Broadway, otherwise known as Honky Tonk Highway.

At downtown Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater, concertgoers get a view of the skyline and the Cumberland River.

The museum scene Combining culture and music, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has been the gold standard for years, with exhibits that demonstrate the influence Country music has had on many genres. “Sing Me Back Home” is its permanent exhibit, with an excellent film, stories and displays from Country’s pre-commercial roots to the present. Before leaving, book a tour of RCA Studio B, the oldest of Nashville’s recording studios. Elvis, Dolly and many others recorded their hits here. If you prefer to focus on one artist, I recommend the small but packed Johnny Cash Museum. For a dose of beauty and history, spend a few hours at Cheekwood Gardens, a 55acre complex with gardens, an art museum and an extravagant 36-room house built in 1929. Belle Meade Plantation is an opportunity to tour a much older mansion, focus on African American history, explore the vast grounds, learn about thoroughbreds and end the day with a wine or bourbon tasting. Belmont Mansion was built around the same time, 1853, and has been meticulously restored. Martin Luther King’s birthday this year marked the opening of the National Museum of African American Music. More than 50,000 square feet of exhibit space tell the stories of 400 years of African American music, from spirituals to the blues and

jazz, all the way to hip-hop. The museum is the only one in the country, its website says, “with a dedicated focus on the impact of African American music.” For a different slice of history, visit President Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, the plantation where he lived after his presidency ended in 1804 until his death in 1845. It is one of the oldest and largest historic site museums in the country. Four decades of research about the 200 enslaved men, women and children who worked in the house and cotton fields have produced historically significant and fascinating information that’s on display and presented by guides. The Frist Art Museum is 20 years young but definitely world-class, with an acclaimed Picasso exhibit just wrapping up. Currently open four days a week, the museum changes its exhibitions every few months. Its ArtQuest gallery has 30 interactive stations where, with the assistance of staff and volunteers, visitors of all ages can make a print, paint an original watercolor or create a sculpture.

Fine dining to cafeterias Hungry yet? Eating in Nashville offers an embarrassment of riches, from fine dining to hot chicken, morning biscuits and “meat and three” dishes. Like many restaurants, the fine dining Margot Café and Bar is open with limited See NASHVILLE, page 36

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 2 1

Springtime beckons at gardens nearby By Victor Block Onlookers gaze in awe at topiary sculptures of riders astride galloping horses and hounds pursuing a frantic fox. Grandparents look on with delight as grandchildren make mud pies and dig in dirt to find ersatz dinosaur bones. Exquisite statuary, ornate stonework and splashing fountains create a scene which could be set in Italy — but isn’t. These seemingly disparate scenes have one thing in common: They’re all taking place at gardens located within a convenient drive of our mid-Atlantic neighborhood. With flowers in full bloom and trees sporting a blanket of green, there’s no better time to get outside to enjoy one of Mother Nature’s most magnificent Technicolor shows. Whether you’re an experienced horticultural expert, a casual gardener or merely someone seeking a pleasant getaway in beautiful surroundings, a visit to these nearby places can lift your spirits.

Lush gardens, wetlands and wildlife Consider that fox hunting scene, which could take place in the English countryside. The shrubs, clipped and shaped into life-size figures, greet visitors at Ladew Topiary Garden in Monkton, Maryland, deemed “the most outstanding topiary garden” in the country by the Garden Club of America. Among more than 100 forms that inhabit the expanse are a Chinese junk boat complete with sails, a graceful swan and a long-necked giraffe. Its 22 acres also contain rose, white and sculpture gardens.

(For more information visit ladewgardens.com.) That Italian-like setting is one feature, among many, at Maymont Gardens in Richmond, part of a Victorian estate dating back to 1893. A Via Florum (“Flowering Way”) leads from the mansion to the formal Italian Garden. Bears, bobcats and bison roam in the wildlife habitats. Among other areas on the 100-acre estate are a Native Virginia Landscape, Wetland Habitat and Ornamental Lawn, which appears much as it did in the late 19th century (maymont.org). A lush wetland area is one of five distinct habitats encountered at Boxerwood Nature Center and Woodland Garden near Lexington, Virginia. Another is the Play Trail, a fenced-in area where children can play in spaces created from natural materials. Youngsters may get down and dirty in a Mud Kitchen, unearth “dinosaur bones” during a Dig to China, and crawl through a “bug tunnel” (boxerwood.org/garden). Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, has more than two dozen gardens, ranging from grand, decorative layouts to tiny kitchen plantings. The highlight is the complex at the Governor’s Palace, which resembles those at 17-century English country estates. It covers 10 acres and includes “falling gardens” (terraces) that were planted during the 1800s. The Colonial Garden and Nursery displays heirloom roses and examples of culinary and medicinal herbs that were used by the colonists (colonialwilliamsburg.com). See NEARBY GARDENS, page 36

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Nashville From page 34 seating, so reservations are highly recommended. Owner Margot McCormack, called the Alice Waters of Nashville by Time Magazine, specializes in the foods of Provence and Tuscany. Acclaimed chef Sean Brock chose Nashville for his first Husk outside Charleston. With a charming wraparound porch, this is a great choice for modern Southern cuisine. Make reservations as far in advance as you can to experience a special occasion at the Catbird Seat’s u-shaped bar, where a nine-course ballet of a meal is skillfully prepared. Lots of music industry people dine at City House for Italian food influenced by the American South. When in Nashville, one must try the

M AY 2 0 2 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Nashville Hot Chicken, poultry that’s buttermilk-soaked, cayenne-rubbed and deepfried. Hattie B’s and Prince’s are well established and beloved, but they aren’t the only games in town. “Meat and three” is a very Southern food category consisting of a protein and three vegetables (mac-n-cheese counts). At Arnold’s Country Kitchen, a James Beard America’s Classic, people have been lining up cafeteria-style since 1982. For coffee refuels, stop at Barista Parlor, located in a converted transmission repair shop. Frothy Monkey, with several locations, also serves great coffee, brunches and more. At Golden Sound, in an old recording studio, the baristas will recommend the ideal method for grinding the bean you choose. From the installations on the walls to the mugs and tables, locally sourced

CONNECT-A-RIDE

isn’t limited to breakfast meats and jams. A unique dessert spot is Las Paletas, for savory (avocado) and sweet (corn, hot chocolate) ice pops created from old Mexican family recipes.

Unique shopping venues Walking off a big meal goes nicely with shopping, and the 12 South neighborhood is ideal. No national chains here. White’s Mercantile, a general store akin to Anthropologie, is owned by Hank Williams’ singer-songwriter-musician granddaughter Holly. Imogene + Willie sells custom-fitted “heritage blue jeans” that are popular with celebrities. Down the street, Judith Bright’s contemporary, affordable jewelry is handmade by local artisans. There’s lots of great shopping all over town. A six-acre complex of shops and restaurants, called Fifth + Broadway after its location, opened in mid-March about half full. It has a vast food hall, live music venues and shopping. New tenants continue to move in. Batch Nashville, at the Farmers Market, which should reopen soon, is a one-stop

shop for all manner of Nashville-made goods, sold singularly or grouped in popular gift boxes. Attached to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Hatch Show Print is a letterpress shop that sells both vintage and new posters made by hand with an enormous stock of wooden block letters and images that have been accumulating since the business started in 1879.

If you go As we emerge from the pandemic, any travel requires making calls to confirm what’s open. And please note: not all websites are up to date. Downtown hotel rates start at $145 per night; 12 new hotels opened in 2020, and 14 more are opening this year. From the hip Virgin and the luxurious Joseph, there are choices upon choices for every style and budget. Airbnb is doing a brisk business as well. Don’t call too far in advance, since re-opening is a moving target. Round-trip, nonstop flights from Washington, D.C. to Nashville start at $244 on Southwest Airlines.

Free Transportation Information and Personalized Help

Nearby gardens From page 35

Native plants; tropical orchids

Public, private and volunteer transportation referrals Free travel training workshops – Learn to use Metrobus and Metrorail

Call 301.738.3252 E-mail ConnectARide@AccessJCA.org Monday thru Friday • 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m 24-hour voice mail • Translation service available Connect-A-Ride is a service of the Jewish Council for the Aging for adults age 50 and older and adults with disabilities living in Montgomery County. It is funded by Montgomery County Department of Transportation.

Some outstanding gardens focus their collections on flora native to the Mid-Atlantic region. That’s the case at the Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin, Delaware, where walking paths lead through hundreds of acres of plant life indigenous to the state. The center was created by a du Pont who strayed from the family practice of filling gardens with imports from around the world. Instead, the focus is on gardens filled with floral displays found throughout Delaware (mtcubacenter.org). Native plants, shrubs and trees also are on display at the West Virginia University Core Arboretum in Morgantown. Three miles of foot trails introduce visitors to more than 250 species of herbaceous plants and 80 types of trees, some of which are more than 200 years old. Adding to the experience at the 91-acre arboretum is that more than 180 species of birds have been observed there (arboretum.wvu.edu). While the greatest diversity of orchids is found in the tropics, the orchid collection in the C. Fred Edwards Conservatory at the Huntington Museum of Art in Hunt-

ington, West Virginia, showcases about 100 species. Along with pleasantly fragrant plants are unusual types such as the carnivorous pitcher plant, which traps insects, and a “sensitive” orchid that folds its leaflets when touched (hmoa.org).

Historic garden in D.C. Gardens also can conjure up interesting chapters of history. The layout at Dumbarton Oaks is an inviting oasis in Washington, D.C. The mansion is surrounded by 16 acres of terraced gardens, kitchen plots, orchards and meadows. The estate was the residence of Robert Woods Bliss — a diplomat, art collector and philanthropist — and his wife Mildred. In 1944, at the height of World War II, they hosted a series of diplomatic meetings among high-ranking delegations from the United States, United Kingdom, China and the Soviet Union. The gathering led to the establishment of the United Nations one year later. (Starting May 15, timed tickets for admission to the gardens can be purchased at doaks.org.) Due to restrictions and temporary closures caused by the pandemic, it’s wise to check ahead before planning a visit to any of these gardens.

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Vaccination surge leads to pricier travel By Sam Kemmis The cost of travel will slowly rebound from historic lows as more people receive COVID-19 vaccinations and book long-deferred trips, according to industry experts. This time last year, air traffic in the U.S. plummeted, with 95% fewer travelers passing through TSA checkpoints in April 2020 than in April 2019. This reduced demand led to a corresponding decrease in airfare prices. The average cost of a domestic roundtrip ticket in the second quarter of 2020 dropped 28% from the same period in 2019, down to $259, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Few travelers were monitoring these prices at the time since so few were booking flights. But now — with COVID-19 vaccinations opening the possibility of travel to millions more Americans each week — prices are once again set to change. If you’re one of those would-be travelers, experts cautiously advise booking your travel soon. Much remains uncertain, but prices are unlikely to return to 2020 levels.

ceased during the pandemic, will likely be slower to return. This could keep hotel prices low throughout 2021, especially in large cities. It could also suppress airfare prices somewhat, even as more tourists take to the skies.

Booking flexibility should continue Neugarten, who tracks flight deals, points to a changing travel landscape that extends beyond considerations of supply and demand. The pandemic changed how airlines and hotels handle flexibility, with many eliminating change and cancellation fees altogether. This, in turn, has changed the logic for how and when to book travel. “I’m not going to book last-minute because I can get a good deal if I’m booking three months in advance,” Neugarten said. “There’s a lot of incentive to book a deal

now because of the flexibility.’’ For instance, Memorial Day and July Fourth travel could follow unusual trends, especially in terms of when bookings will occur. “The traditional events of the year in travel are simply not happening, so there isn’t the same ‘best time to book’ that we would normally see,” said Mark Crossey, travel expert for Skyscanner, a flight-search tool. And then there is the question of international travel. Many countries have limited tourists, particularly from the U.S., and these restrictions may remain even as more travelers receive vaccinations. “We’re not expecting an increase in prices for international airfare until May,” Damodaran said. And changing prices are unlikely to be geographically uniform, as countries update their policies one by one. Damodaran noted that Hopper is seeing the strongest interest in Caribbean and

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Flight demand set to take off Domestic airfare prices are expected to rise 4% to 5% every month through summer 2021, said Adit Damodaran, an economist with Hopper, a travel search tool. “A lot of that is based on the vaccination rollout.’’ And this increased demand might combine with decreased supply. Airlines scaled back routes and flight frequency in 2020, parking aircraft and furloughing staff. They may be slow to return capacity to pre-pandemic levels, even as bookings pick up steam. “Airlines are burning so much cash, so what we’re seeing is that they’re slowly expanding supply,” said Jesse Neugarten, who founded the flight deal newsletter Dollar Flight Club. “If we have to shut down travel again, they don’t want to get caught in a similar situation as they did in 2020.’’

Hotel prices may rise slowly Hotel prices also dropped during the pandemic, though not as uniformly. Room rates in February in New York City were down 37% year-over-year, according to Hopper’s data, while small-town hotels saw only a 5% dip. This reflects a larger exodus from crowded cities during the pandemic. This pattern could reverse as vaccinated travelers return to metropolitan areas later in 2021, driving prices up. But tourism accounts for only part of travel demand. Business travel, which all but

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Latin American destinations. Uncertainties abound. Vaccine distribution hiccups could dampen prices, as could surges in COVID-19 variants. Flexible booking options, although good for customers, could lead to mass rebookings later in the year. And volatile oil markets could impact airfare prices, as they do in normal years. Despite these unknowns, experts remain cautiously confident to advise those looking to book 2021 travel to do so sooner rather than later. Greater flexibility reduces the risk of changing plans, and increased travel demand is unlikely to drive prices below current levels. Meanwhile, Neugarten booked a oneway flight to Portugal in July for $109, he said. “We’ll see if I get the vaccination before. If not, I’ll push it out.” —AP/NerdWallet

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Our cover story about radio personality Kojo Nnamdi continues on page 40.

Lifelong volunteers are top role models By Margaret Foster and Catherine Brown Improving lives Delores Cole of Rockville, 84, has been Wherever Delores Cole goes, she helping others as a volunteer in her com- stands out: She spreads love and kindness munity since 1970, and she’s still going with a smile that warms the room. strong. Ann “Nancy” Aldous of LayA lifelong Maryland resident, Cole has tonsville, Maryland, 79, has lived in Montgomery County been a volunteer for more since 1970, raising three chilthan 50 years and doesn’t dren. plan to slow down, either. With a degree in social work For their lifelong commitfrom Morgan State University, ment to helping others, Cole she became a social worker and Aldous were each named and case manager at the Housa Neal Potter Path of Achieveing Opportunities Commission ment Award winner. They will of Montgomery County. In that receive their awards at a virrole, which she held for nearly tual event this month. 30 years, Cole helped low-inDelores Cole Since 1998, Montgomery come tenants of subsidized County, Mar yland, has sehousing improve their career lected one or more residents 60 and older options through education and training. with the Path of Achievement Award. “I’m from a family of individuals who are Later named in memory of former County associated with social and religious human Executive Neal Potter, the award honors service activities,” Cole said. “We’ve althose who serve as role models due to ways had jobs classified as helping others. their lifelong commitment to volunteer My sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews work. are all in education and church systems.” The awards are co-sponsored by the Cole has helped others through her Montgomery County Commission on Aging work and beyond. For more than 25 years, and the Beacon Newspapers. Cole has brought food and other needed

items to residents of local shelters. things so that she can provide meaningful For three decades plus, Cole has been an rewards and incentives. active member of Delta Sigma Theta SororiCole is an active member of Clinton ty, Inc. She works on the sorority’s voter reg- AME Zion Church in the historic African istration drives and on fundraisers for local American Neighborhood of Lincoln Park in higher education scholarships. Rockville, singing in the In 1986, Cole founded a Satchurch choir and attending urday School tutoring proBible study since her first gram in Sandy Spring and days at the church. Olney. After starting the proFor the past five years, she gram in the basement of her has visited sick or homeoffice at the Housing Opportubound parishioners, led sennities Commission, she volunior ministry discussions, and teered there until 1994, when supported the church’s felMontgomery County Public lowship with seniors. Schools adopted the program. This isn’t the first time Cole Ann “Nancy” Aldous Cole recruited volunteers, has received recognition from coordinated home and student the county. Cole, who has communication, and interacted with local served on the county’s Board of Elections, schools. The program now has 12 sites serv- was one of 12 “Outstanding Women of Monting 3,000 students a year. gomery County” recognized by the MontAlways dedicated to helping children gomery County Office of Minority and Mulsucceed, Cole also tutored in MCPS ele- ticultural Affairs. mentary schools, where students fondly adopted her as their “grandma.” She reads Inspired by college professor with first-generation immigrants, special Ann “Nancy” Aldous grew up in Montclair, needs or disadvantaged students, helping See VOLUNTEERS, page 41 each child make lists of their favorite

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Kojo From page 1 change in 1966, when it shook off British colonial rule and became the independent nation of Guyana.) Nnamdi has lived in the United States for 54 years, minus a short stay in Montreal as a student at McGill University. “I lived in Brooklyn, [where] I became a member of the Black Panthers for a few months. I came to Washington in 1969. I’m a U.S. citizen, proud of my Caribbean roots, and I identify myself as an AfricanAmerican,” he said. Among other D.C. gigs and experiences, Nnamdi was a student in 1969 at Federal City College; worked at The Drum and Spear, a D.C. bookstore that attracted Black activists; was news director of Howard University’s WHUR-FM station; and then, from

1985 to 2011, hosted Howard’s public affairs TV program, Evening Exchange. In 1998, he replaced Derek McGinty as the WAMU host of Public Interest, a twohour show, with one hour distributed nationally that covered national and international topics. In 2002, that became The Kojo Nnamdi Show, which focused exclusively on local matters.

‘A fine listener’ The show has been praised through the years by listeners, other broadcasters and media professionals. “Kojo Nnamdi is one of the finest broadcasters I’ve ever known,” said Diane Rehm, who now hosts the WAMU/NPR podcast On My Mind. “Long before he came to WAMU, he invited me onto his television program at Howard University and, in turn, I had him

M AY 2 0 2 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

on The Diane Rehm Show [on WAMU]. I saw how diligent his preparation was, both on his own program and when he appeared on mine,” she said. “I also learned what a fine listener he is, paying close attention to what his guests were saying rather than concentrating on what he might say next. “As a native Washingtonian, I can tell you that I’ve learned more from him about our region than from any other source. He is literally a font of knowledge,” Rehm said. Silvio Waisbord, director of George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs, said: “Kojo has done a terrific job over the years, bringing reason, dialogue and diversity to important conversations about the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area and national issues. “He tapped into experts and community voices to understand a range of public issues, with curiosity and openness. His gentle yet incisive questions to policymakers stand as a model of journalistic interviewing.” So, as a member of the talk-radio generation, does Nnamdi consider himself a journalist, a commentator or an opinion maker? “I suppose you could say all of the above,” he said. “One of the things we were taught in journalism was to leave your opinions at the door. I still think that’s true. But you can’t expect an observer to leave his or her humanity at the door.”

Race relations in D.C. During his career, one of Nnamdi’s principal on-air goals has been to try to bridge the racial gap in D.C. neighborhoods. He has often spotlighted race in his programs: In a recent discussion, in the wake of the George Floyd killing in Minneapolis, one of his segments focused on how to improve policing in Black communities in the D.C. area. Have race relations changed in the 52

Letters to editor From page 2 This is because many older neighborhoods have very narrow roads that were designed to handle the traffic and parking needs of the single family lots they serve. Proposals to [permit the conversion of] single-family homes to multifamily use on small lots that are common in older neighborhoods put [such communities] at a public safety risk. One can easily visualize an ambulance or fire truck stuck on a narrow street obstructed

years he has been living in the nation’s capital? “I think that fundamentally they have not,” Nnamdi replied. “But I do see significant change on the horizon. On one hand, the Black Lives Matter movement is attracting White residents.” More changes, he said, will come from the gentrification movement, which has attracted Whites to originally Black neighborhoods. White residents, he said, have been “reaching out” to new Black friends, and he’s hopeful. “Efforts are being made to improve housing, education and the quality of life in challenged Black communities. Both races are trying to respect one another in these communities. This has never happened before.” And, as Nnamdi has been saying for years on the air, all of the D.C. region and its people will undergo better living when Washington becomes a state. “If D.C. were a state, it could move to pass laws that could substantially increase economic activity here,” among other things, he said. He allows, however, that statehood for the district’s 700,000 American citizens will be difficult to come by in today’s political situation. For D.C. residents to get statehood, he said, the Senate likely would have to get rid of the filibuster. When Nnamdi writes his memoir, which he said he hopes to get around to fairly soon, what could he say he has learned while growing up that could be passed on to young Black readers? “I would tell the kid that you can’t let your circumstances define you, even if you come from another country. If you are from D.C., you cannot let your neighborhood define you,” Nnamdi said. “It cannot change your right to shape your own image and where you live.” by the off-site parking needs of multifamily conversions. Keep in mind that many of these narrow residential access roads were designed and built in the 1920/30s. Fire trucks and ambulances were much smaller then. Such delays can have a life-threatening impact on the residents in such neighborhoods. Public safety must be the primary consideration in any such proposed legislation currently under consideration by the Montgomery County Council. Daniel Meijer Silver Spring, MD

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BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TO BOB DYLAN This year, Bob Dylan, one of the world’s best-known singer/song-

writers, turns 80. The Institute of Musical Traditions is celebrating with a tribute performed by Billy Coulter, Brian Simms, Ruthie Logsdon and Tony Denikos, Rob Hinkal and McKinley Clare. The event, which takes place Sun., May 23 at 1 p.m. will be webcast on Facebook and YouTube. A limited number of people can attend in person at the gazebo in Takoma Park, Maryland. For more information, visit imtfolk.org or call (301) 754-3611.

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Volunteers From page 39 New Jersey — a New York City suburb known for its diversity. She developed an admiration for other cultures there, which has been a strength during her decades as a volunteer. “A lot of people came there from all over the world,” she recalled. “The ‘other’ was not frightening.” Aldous attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where she met her husband, Gene. There, she also “had a teacher who was pretty incredible,” she remembered. The wife of a New Hampshire congressman, the professor encouraged her students to get involved, to help out. “She basically told us to get out there. Do something,” Aldous said. She took that advice to heart and has never stopped following it. When she and her husband moved to Montgomery County in 1969 to raise two

sons, Aldous started giving rides, furniture and food “to people who need it. I got to see a lot of things I wouldn’t have seen,” she said. “It was a great thing for me to get involved in some local stuff because I knew very little about Maryland,” Aldous said. “You can learn an awful lot in your own back yard.” Aldous has devoted herself to addressing many community needs over the past 50 years, from homelessness to poverty. In the 1970s, after a friend died in a car accident, Aldous fought to strengthen DUI laws and helped establish a Students Against Drunk Drivers group. For years, Aldous worked as a county-appointed member of the Montgomery County Library Advisory Board. In the 1980s and 90s, Aldous volunteered with the League of Women Voters, Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting of Friends, the Master Planning Committee for Damascus, and the Keep Montgomery County Beautiful campaign. In recent years, Aldous has been teaching English as a second language. While

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toimmune disease, she musters enough energy to continue helping others, even during the pandemic, when the English classes she teaches have moved online. What advice does Aldous have for other people who want to volunteer but don’t know where to start? “Talk to your friends and find out who’s done what and how rewarding they found it. There are all kinds of things that need to be done.”

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doing so, she has met some inspiring women, she said, including immigrants from Myanmar, El Salvador and Peru. Aldous recalls three Peruvian women who handed her a card at their graduation. “When I opened it, it was the loveliest card of thank-you I’ve ever gotten in my life from anybody, including my family,” she said. “In my experience, you get more out of [volunteering] than you give.” Although Aldous suffers from an au-

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Recent anthologies can open our minds In the digital age, shorter attention centrate for a short few moments and reap spans have made anthologies an ideal for- the lingering pleasure of a trenchant remark or witty coda. The esmat for readers. Feel a sense says were published between of accomplishment as you 1919 and 1952; the last when complete each self-contained Milne was 70. He has been entry. gone 65 years, yet these comHappy Half-Hours: Sementaries remain fresh and lected Writings, by A.A. entertaining. Milne, 180 pages, Notting Hill Editions hardcover, The red-ribbon bookmark, 2020 concise five-by-seven-inch A. A. Milne, the renowned size and light weight make author of Winnie the Pooh, was this book a great choice for a prolific writer of novels, THE taking along when you may BIBLIOPHILE plays, poems and essays. His find a few moments to read — By Dinah Rokach overall literary output was not be it in line for your vaccinaprimarily geared toward chiltion or on a long-deferred outdren. The subjects he tackled were mostly of-town trip. of interest to his British and Continental You’ll appreciate Milne’s keen eye for readers. descriptions and his stubborn idiosynThis slim volume of 34 short essays en- crasies which undoubtedly reflect an aucompasses whimsical stories and trench- thentic British sensibility. How often will ant observations on health and aging, you encounter a book with the line, “what courtship, married life, country living and Mr. Gladstone said in ’74,” referring to memories of childhood. 1874? Milne skewers nouveau riche speculaSecond Nature: Scenes from a tors, embraces pacifism in light of the dev- World Remade, by Nathaniel Rich, astation of World War I, and confronts the 304 pages, MCD x FSG Books hardthreat of atomic war subsequent to the cover, 2021 Second World War. The book finds its footThe 10 essays in Second Nature cover a ing in the second chapter. wide range of provocative stories about Happy Half-Hours allows readers to con- mankind’s impact on the environment.

Nathaniel Rich is a contributor to prestigious periodicals such as The New York Times Magazine and The New Republic, and the majority of the essays in this compilation have appeared in those venues. Rich writes about the legal battles waged against big businesses polluting West Virginia, the political clout of the oil and gas industry in Louisiana, and the trade-off between rural and municipal interests. Explore the enthusiasm of scientists and futurists seeking to revive extinct species. Meet the oddball Japanese scientist who believes he has found the secret of immortality in a microscopic creature. The strange wasting away and disappearance of starfish on the Pacific coast and the reemergence of life in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward abandoned after Katrina are fascinating subjects. At their best, books impart information, spur us to reevaluate our assumptions and open our minds to new perspectives. This anthology does just that. How to Lead: Wisdom from the World’s Greatest CEOs, Founders, and Game Changers, by David M. Rubenstein, 448 pages, Simon & Schuster hardcover, 2020 This inspiring and impressive book presents a series of chapters in the form of

transcripts of 31 interviews conducted by David Rubenstein. The question Rubenstein poses to each subject is: What is the basis of your success as a leader? Each shares the lessons learned from making unconventional choices that reaped riches and renown. Nonagenarians Warren Buffett and James A. Baker III as well as octogenarians Phil Knight, Colin Powell, Coach “K,” Nancy Pelosi and Jack Nicklaus have much to impart from the perspective of their longevity. The youngest subject is hedge fund manager Ken Griffin, who is in his early 50s. Let’s give him time to become better known. Septuagenarian David Rubenstein is cofounder and co-executive chairman of the Carlyle Group, a private equity firm. He is a native of Baltimore who currently lives in the Washington, D.C. area. Rubenstein’s bespectacled countenance is recognizable to those who watch his interview show on Bloomberg and PBS. You may be familiar with his philanthropic endeavors, having seen his name around town on public buildings, museums and monuments — notably the National Archives, Kennedy Center, National Zoo and Smithsonian Institution. Indeed, the book’s royalties are being donated to the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.

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Reasons to pay one’s taxes cheerfully At my advanced (and advancing) age, Here was his bottom line: It was time to it’s not smart to ruin friendships. They are change his permanent residence to someharder than ever to repair and place in Florida, which doesn’t replace. have a state income tax. But I fear I may have just Now the tirade came from blown things up with an equalme. ly ancient pal. You be the judge I said that would be irreas to which of us is at fault. sponsible. I said that would be This friend and I were talkselfish. ing on the phone about taxes. I said that would only dump He was bemoaning the burmore of the tax burden on den they place on him, a sinthose of us left behind. If he gle man in his 70s who lives HOW I SEE IT left, he’d be ducking a probmostly on a fixed income. lem, not solving it, I said. By Bob Levey I agreed that taxes can No state can function withpinch. But where would we be without out money. Florida also has property and them? In a world without roads, police, am- sales taxes, I pointed out. bulances, schools and many other things My piece de resistance: Taxes produce we take for granted, I said. better schools, which produce better grad“Schools,” said my (former?) friend, uates, who will make a better world “for with a snort. “That’s what really gets me.” the rest of our lifetimes, not just for theirs.” He went into a tirade about why he, My guy wasn’t having it. whose kids have not attended public He called me “deluded,” a victim of schools in 35 years, should have to pay “feel-good politics.” He said that it’s an taxes for today’s kids to go to school. every-man-for-himself world, and if I didn’t “Easy one,” I told him. “Because when understand that, I’d better start. your kids were young, some fossil paid for “If you can dodge taxes, you do it,” he THEM to go to school.” said. “Don’t you think businesses do that More tirade: It was a different era then, all the time?” Bob. Everything cost less then, Bob. I pointed out that we weren’t discussing “But you haven’t answered my point,” I businesses. We were discussing him. said. He volleyed that right back at me:

“Don’t you cheat on your income taxes to save a few bucks?” I have better places to spend my declining years than a federal penitentiary, I replied. He said I was a “naïve fool.” I replied that he’d have a much happier day — and life — if he cared more about others. As we ended our debate, we somehow agreed to disagree. No phone-slamming. No epithets. No never-darken-my-doorstepagain. Still… You know how you hang up from a call like that and immediately think of what you SHOULD have said? I spent the rest of the day writing the lines I wish I had uttered. Lucky duck that

you are, you now get to read them: “Dear Joe (not his real name): “During our discussion, I neglected to point out the best reason of all for paying state income taxes: They foster civic pride in the taxpayer. “That’s not some fuzzy-headed, sentimental notion. I actually LIKE paying taxes. Because they mean I’ve done my part. “I’m not so far gone that I hug every streetlight and say: ‘You wouldn’t exist without me!’ “But we need community in this complicated world of ours. Kicking in my share punches my ticket into that community. “I agree with you that it used to be a simSee BOB LEVEY, page 45

WB521

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Crossword Puzzle

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

By Stephen Sherr 5

35 42

37 44

38 45

46 51

Jumble answers on p. 47.

Scrabble answers on p. 47.

Across

Down

1. Prepare the cake batter 5. Pants pioneer, Strauss 9. “B __ boy” 13. Fire truck carry-on 14. Clapton, who is a 3-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 15. BP merger partner in 1998 16. “___ Lang Syne” 17. Snap up snappers 18. It counts down on a microwave 19. Nutritional supplement that can provide a jolt 22. Second year of the second millennium 23. Just the vowels in “general” 24. “Well, __-di-dah!” 25. Fancy organic munchies 31. The common part of ICU and SVU 32. Emilio Estevez, to Martin Sheen 33. Org. that coordinates “heart walks” in the US 34. Common score on hole 9 at Pebble Beach 36. Neighbor to Leb. 38. Novelist Jong 42. Switch ups 44. ___-Wan Kenobi 46. Bring upon a disastrous fate 47. Many Minute Maid customers don’t want it 52. End of KFC founder’s rank 53. Right half of a DOMINO 54. Once ___ blue moon 55. Components of all of this puzzle’s theme foods 62. All together now 63. Christmassy word that literally means “to be born” 64. Geometry calculation 65. “___always meet each other with a smile” (Mother Theresa) 66. Northflowing African river 67. The only person to be both President and Chief Justice 68. Ballpark figs. 69. The Sound of Music filming locale 70. Otherwise

1. Volumizing hairstyle 2. Wander through Graceland 3. Part of an archipelago 4. Conversion of tickets to prizes at the arcade 5. Southpaws 6. Canal connecting the Hudson and Niagara rivers 7. It was first called BankAmericard 8. “You boo the players you hate;___the ones I like” 9. Mideast ruler 10. East African 11. Headache reliever (or environmental headache) 12. One each of the Carolinas and Dakotas 15. Embassy employee 20. Zilch 21. TV’s Warrior Princess 25. Tavern 26. Game with Skip and Reverse cards 27. 18-wheeler 28. Trig. function 29. “This one’s ___” (It’s not my fault) 30. Bony plate at the top of your mouth 35. For the Corvair, Chevy put them in the back 37. Babe Ruth had 168 in 1921 39. Letters on a promissory note 40. Start of KFC founder’s rank 41. Hi-fi component 43. Provide a care package 45. Eaves droppings 47. Discounted 48. Many peanut butter cups 49. She wrote two sequels to Little Women 50. Female name meaning “God is gracious” 51. Record producer Brian 56. Burden of proof 57. Provoke 58. Website that tracks more than 200 million product reviews 59. Like some vaccines 60. Whistle blowers 61. Satisfy an appetite

Answers on page 47.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 2 1

Bob Levey From page 43 pler world. But that’s precisely why income taxes are necessary. “We look to government to solve all sorts of problems that have gotten bigger and harder than they were when we were kids. Those solutions won’t happen unless we all pay for them. “So, Joe, I will miss you if you really do move to Florida. But you will want and need a community there, too. Do you think it will fall out of the sky, or some orange tree? I doubt it. “Please reconsider. Do your part. As I happily do mine. “Cheers, Bob.” Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

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JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL

The 33rd Annual William and Irene Weinberg Family Jewish Film Festival is happening virtually this year, with film screenings every Tuesday and Sunday at 7 p.m. through Tues., May 11. Tickets for individual films are $13 and include the film screening as well as a live discussion of the film. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit bit.ly/BaltJewishFilmFest. Call (410) 356-7469.

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

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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 page 47. 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. Business & Employment Opportunities A HOME HEALTHCARE- Experienced nurses, CNA, GNA are available 24/7. Cooking, companionship, personal care, housekeeping, driving. Full/Part-time or live-in care. Flat rate for live-in. 15 years’ experience. 240-533-6599. SEEKING CAPABLE CARING SUPPORT PERSONS for developmentally disabled man who needs assistance with small non-profit yard work/gardening business. Please speak English well and be able to drive small van and have cheery manners with all. Hrs. F/T and P/T available 7 days wk. Pay range up to $21 - $22 per hour start based on experience plus bonuses for extra challenging work. Obtain CPR and First Aid online okay. Background Check by employer. Must complete new hire packet. Call Dee at 240-620-5101.

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Health RUBY CREED WELLNESS SPA has Esthetician Services, and Massage Services, Treat yourself for spa day! 50% off for first time clients, Our location is conveniently at the Salon Lofts-West Alexandria loft-14- 3461 Berkeley st. Alexandria Virginia 22302. Appointments 703-474-4528 LIBRA NATURAL HEALTH CONSULTING Create Health — Help Children Thrive — Conquer Covid Complications — Alleviate Chronic Conditions. sdanuhealthy@gmail.com 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. 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! 1-240-650-9189 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.

Caregivers

Home/Handyman Services

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.

SLOWING DOWN AFTER 39 YEARS OF CONTRACTING. Small to medium jobs, mainly residential but will do some commercial. $42.50 an hour from arrival on job. Will work all over DC area. Andy 703-906-5429.

FULLY VACCINATED CAREGIVER I will care for your loved ones. Night/Days good References/own transportation. Call 301-502-2258.

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.

A CARE AGENCY - Been in business for more than 10 years. Experienced nurses, CNAs, GNAs. Any hours you need. Flat rate for live-in. Duties include cooking, housekeeping, bathing, errands, etc. Tel: 667-231-8235 MOBILE HAIR AND NAIL SERVICES - WE COME TO YOU. Professional Licensed Stylist. Women and Men’s Services - All Hair Types. Covid precautions practiced. Shampoo, Cuts, Sets, Color, Perms, Mens Cuts & Facial Grooming, Manicures & more. 301-338-8251

Computer Services PROBLEM WITH YOUR PC/MAC OR NETWORK? Computer Systems Engineer will come to you with help. Call David G. Computer Services at: 301-328-2112 or 301-642-4526. YOUR COMPUTER HELP - Need help with your computer setup, Security, Wireless network configuration, training, or transferring to a new computer and keeping all your files. Call Share Tech Solutions (703) 929-1451. https://www.ShareTechSolutions.com

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.)]

Personal Services READY TO MOVE OR DOWNSIZE? Do you feel overwhelmed and stressed? Downsizing Specialists is here to help! Our process helps you determine what to keep, gift, sell, donate, or discard with a compassionate specialist, while always remaining COVID safe. Services include downsizing, decluttering, moving prep, estate sales and consignment of antiques, jewelry, coins, and collectibles. We also buy estates, vehicles, and real estate. DownsizingSpecialists.com or call/text 301-219-3600 for details. 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. IN HOME HAIR STYLIST. Professional Licensed Stylist. Women and Mens Services - All Hair Types. Cuts, Sets, Color Perms. Clients with special needs. Call 240-593-7829. TENNIS LESSONS WITH MARK One hour, private lesson $25 at a Georgetown outdoor court. No age too young or old. harmonjacqueline47@yahoo.com MARYLAND SENIOR CONCIERGE SERVICES, LLC - Personal Services For Seniors. We offer a wide range of services including: transitions, moving, decluttering, packing, medical escort, help with shopping, bills and errands. Please let us know how we can serve you. We help you maintain your independence & gain control of your active life. www.mdseniorhelp.com Call: Christine Callahan, CSA - 301.452.5730.

TV/Cable 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. 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 BOOK COLLECTIONS WANTED. Moving? Downsizing? Estate? Together the Bonafide Book Buyers have over 85 years experience as professional buyers & sellers of quality books in the D. C. area. Best prices paid for good books. Examples: Easton Press, Folio Society, First Edition Science Fiction & Mysteries, Military, History, Scholarly & Academic Press publications. Call Nelson at 240-472-4615 for an appointment at your house. Also will consider DVDs & CDs. Curbside pickup possible, phone for details. 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.

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 1-800-2209683, website: www.wantedoldmotorcycles.com ANTIQUE ESTATES BUYER Montgomery County resident buying jewelry, gold, silver, watches. Also, Military items, firearms, old toys, art books, sports, old coins, etc. Call Tom for a free evaluation at 240-476-3441. TIRED OF POLISHING YOUR SILVER? Turn it into cash which does not tarnish. I will come to your home to give you a free evaluation of what I can pay. I buy all gold and silver jewelry, including broken pieces, all sterling silver, gold and silver coins, gold watches, etc. I am licensed with both Maryland and Montgomery County (lic. #2327). Gold 4 Good pays an additional 5 percent to all sellers who are veterans of the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy or Marine Corps. And we extend the same courtesy to their spouses. We honor our servicemen (and their spouses). Gold 4 Good is a Maryland licensed precious metals dealership. Call Bob, (240) 938-9694. LOOKING TO BUY PRETTY THINGS. Favorites include Dresden, Herend, Royal Copenhagen and Shelley. English bone china cups and saucers, figurines by various makers and dish sets. Art, collectibles, pottery and sterling. Teak furniture. Serious collector of vintage Christmas and Halloween decorations. Please call (301) 785-1129. MD Precious Metal License 2753. CASH FOR JEWELRY: Buying jewelry, diamonds, gold, platinum, silver, watches, coins, flatware, etc. Ask for Tom. Call anytime, 301654-8678 (Reg. 883). ALWAYS BUYING OLD STUFF! Old Silverware, Flatware and Holloware (even some silverplate ), Old books (pre-1930), Costume Jewelry, Pinup magazines before 1970, Comic Books, Old School Rings, Old Coins: U.S. & Foreign, Dental Gold (Yellow or White), Pocket/Wrist Watches, Old Toys/Games, Broken Jewelry (damaged, missing stones, etc.), Sports Cards, Risque paperback books, Old Adverting Signs, Old Metal Lunchboxes & other old stuff. What do you have? Call Alex : 571-426-5363 ~ I’ll come to you! WILL BUY MILITARY, WWII, WWI, Civil War memorabilia items. Uniforms, weapons, helmets, photos, war souvenirs, medals, photos or any other items associated with U.S., German, Japanese or other military history. Call Dave (240-4640958) or email (david.obal63@gmail.com). WANTED: OLDER VIOLINS, GUITARS, BANJOS, MANDOLINS, UKULELES. Musician/collector will pay cash for older string instruments. Masks & safe distance. Jack (301) 279-2158, leave message. USED & RARE BOOKS WANTED. Quality books in all subjects. We also buy old maps, menus, post cards, advertising & travel brochures, posters, road maps, old magazines. Contact Dale 301-495-2732. Experienced seller since 1977 CASH FOR ESTATES. I buy a wide range of items; Jewelry, Silver, Art, Rugs, Cultural Items, ETC., ETC. BUY OUT/CLEAN, 301-520-0755 WEBSITE: TheAtticLLC.com. I have my own trucks, my own crew & insurance.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

SUSPECTED FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION Many older adults face financial exploitation. If you live in

Maryland and suspect an adult you care for has been financially exploited and he Miscellaneous DON’T LEAVE YOUR FAMILY with bills after your funeral! Final Expense Insurance pays your funeral costs, unpaid 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: 1-833919-2403 for a free, no obligation consultation.

or she is unable to provide for his or her daily needs, call Adult Protective Services at (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.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 2 1

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

FROM PAGE 44 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

S H A G P U B O N S A L E

T O U R

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R E D E M P T I O N

L E F N T I I U R L E S N I O G E N S R A G E I N E L E C O N D S O N E E T U S S T S

E R I E C O S J O A N N A

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I A C A M H T I E X T R E E A O R N C H N A H A Y R E R O B I D U I C E P I N A R Y C O L O E L A I L E T L P S E

S O M A L I

HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD I C E C A P

N O R T H S

I C A O O M U L P O R A L

R E F S

S A T E

ANSWERS TO JUMBLE Jumbles: KOALA GRILL MIFFED RELENT Answer: Kong had trouble finding a meal that was — FIT FOR A KING

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 amount for you. Note: Maryland contractors must provide a valid MHIC number. • Each real estate listing qualifies as one ad. • All ads are subject to publisher’s discretion. Payment will be refunded if unacceptable for any reason.

To place your classified ad, visit www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Studies UMD Hearing Study . . . . . . . .22 UMD Sleep Study . . . . . . . . . .22

Events

Home Health Care/Companion Services

JCA Connect-A-Ride . . . . . . .36

Sommerset . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Retail

Springvale Terrace . . . .10, 24

Perfect Walker . . . . . . . . . . .42

Tribute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Quingo Scooter . . . . . . . . . .38

Virginian, The . . . . . . . . . . .19

Wonder Book . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Legal Services

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation

Housing

JCA 50+ Employment Expo . .30

Brooke Grove Retirement

Joseph M. Brodecki . . . . . . .31

Riderwood/Erickson . . . . . . .12

GROWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Options for Senior America . .22

Ashby Ponds/Erickson . . . .12

AllianceBernstein L.P./

Hills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Resources

Silverstone/Watermark . . . . . .7

Free Shredding Event . . . . . . .10

Financial Services

Residences at Glenarden

Best Senior Care . . . . . . . . . . .14

2021 Beacon Virtual 50+Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Village . . . . . . . . . . . .11, 17 Chesterbrook Residences . .10

Farr Law Firm . . . . . . . . . . .31

Chevy Chase House . . . . . .21

Law Offices of

Churchill Senior Living . . .21

Nancy Feldman . . . . . . . .33 Law Offices of

Manor Care Health Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Oak Manor Center . . . . . . .13

Funeral Services

Enterprise Residential . . . . .37

Going Home Cremation . . .41

Falcons Landing . . . . . . . . .48

Paul Riekhof . . . . . . . . . .32

Subscriptions

Friendship Terrace . . . . . . . . .8

Medical/Health

Beacon Newspapers . . . . . .43

Capital Caring Health . . . . . . . .3

Technology

Government Services DC Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 HIP Home Sharing . . . . . . .33 Montgomery County Aging & Disability Services . . .14 Montgomery County Public Libraries . . . . . . . .16 Montgomery County SHIP . .8 Montgomery County Rent Relief . . . . . . . . . . .29 VICAP Medicare program....12

Greenspring/Erickson . . . . .12 Harmony Senior Services . . .1

Judy Oh, DDS . . . . . . . . . . .18

Homecrest House . . . . . . . .33

Medical Eye Center . . . . . .14

Homewood at Frederick . . .16

Silver Spring Medical Center 9

Landing of Silver

Steven Friedman, DDS . . . .16

Spring, The . . . . . . . . . . .15 Livingston Place . . . . . . . . . .9 Maplewood at Park Place . .13 Quantum Property Mgmt . . .20 Park View Apartments . . . . . .37

VA Insurance Counseling

BeaconSilverPages.com . . .45

Theatre/ Entertainment Senior Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

& Assistance Program . . .12

Toby’s Dinner Theater . . . . .39

Real Estate

Travel

Long & Foster/ Eric Stewart . . . . . . . .35, 41

TravelWV.com . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Subscribe online! See how on p. 43

M AY 2 0 2 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

settle for

Falcons Landing is delighted to announce the opening of The Terrace Homes! With the best features of apartment ±ĹÚ ÏŅƋƋ±čå ĬĜƴĜĹčØ Ęå åųų±Ïå BŅĵåŸ Ņýåų ± ĹåƵ Ƌ±ĩå ŅĹ FĹÚåŞåĹÚåĹƋ XĜƴĜĹč üŅų ĵĜĬĜƋ±ųƼ ŅþÏåųŸ ƵĘŅ Ę±ƴå ĘŅĹŅų±ÆĬƼ served and senior level federal employees. No matter ĘŅƵ ƼŅƚ ŸŞåĹÚ ƼŅƚų Ú±ƼŸØ 8±ĬÏŅĹŸ X±ĹÚĜĹč čĜƴåŸ ƼŅƚ ƋĘå üųååÚŅĵ ƋŅ åĹģŅƼ ±ĬĬ Ņü ƋĘå ±ÏƋĜƴĜƋĜåŸ ƋĘ±Ƌ ÚåĀĹå ƵĘŅ ƼŅƚ ±ųåţ

ACT FAST, CALL (703) 293-5054 TO RESERVE YOUR NEW HOME TODAY! www.FalconsLanding.org Falcons Landing is proud to be a non-profit Life Plan Community.

May 2021 | DC Beacon

Articles inside

LAW & MONEY