Baltimore Beacon | May 2023

Playwright opens eyes, not ears

By Margaret Foster

If you like Charlie Chaplin films, you’ll enjoy an upcoming production from The Performing Arts at Community College of Baltimore County in Catonsville.

Although Goya: en la Quinta del Sordo (Spanish for “in the house of the deaf man”) doesn’t have any words, it has a little bit of comedy, music and food for thought. It’s a play about the works of Francisco de Goya (1746-1828) — a Spanish painter who produced his best works after he went deaf at age 46.

The nonverbal play was written and directed by Willy Conley, a Deaf photographer, painter, educator and theater artist who lives in Hanover, Maryland.

Conley, who has written dozens of plays, hopes this performance will help audiences realize “that there are other avenues of communication to explore and use when faced with a language barrier,” he said in an email to the Beacon.

“I think this is a dream that most Deaf people have — that those who do not know sign language become flexible and creative enough to find alternative ways to communicate and work together.”

Baltimore County roots

Conley was born and raised in Lutherville by hearing parents who “are amazing people — well-educated, worldly, gregarious and incredibly resilient,” he said. Both educators, they encouraged Conley and his sister, who is also deaf, to get a good education and pursue their talents.

Conley’s father, who was an elementary school principal, helped him build a darkroom where Conley could develop his photographs. His mother, a special education teacher, “turned me on to literature and often proofread my writings while offering

encouragement along the way.”

Conley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biomedical photographic communications at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and initially worked as a pathology photographer.

During his college years, he attended high-quality stage plays at RIT’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf. “It was the first time theater became accessible to

See PLAYWRIGHT, page 20

Experience the Harmony Difference

Call today to discover why Harmony is Bowie, Maryland’s newest choice for senior living.

See our ad on page 6

LEISURE & TRAVEL

Visiting Tuscany with three generations of family; plus, exquisite inns and B&Bs for a peaceful mini-break page 15

ARTS & STYLE

Columbia Orchestra conductor retires after almost a quarter century page 19

FITNESS & HEALTH 3

k Technology to reverse paralysis

k Myths your mother told you

LAW & MONEY 11

k Benefits of nonprofit credit unions

k Is tipping getting out of hand?

ADVERTISER

PHOTO COURTESY OF WILLY CONLEY

Willy Conley’s play Goya: en la Quinta del Sordo will be performed at the Community College of Baltimore County Performing Arts from April 27 to May 1. Conley, a retiree in Hanover, Maryland, has written 45 plays and published his eighth book this month.

From ageism to age pride

[Ed. Note: In honor of May, Older Americans Month, we are pleased to excerpt this essay, which appeared in the Jan./Feb. issue of Generations Today , a publication of the American Society on Aging, www.asaging.org.]

It doesn’t take a lot of headscratching to realize that much of our apprehension around aging is really about how our minds and bodies might change as we move through life.

need to understand what we’re up against.

When people in retirement communities don’t want walkers cluttering up the dining room, they’re being ableist. When people who support community living for young people with disabilities think nursing homes are fine for old people with disabilities, they’re being ageist.

AS I SEE IT

That’s not ageism, that’s ableism. It’s not actually about age: plenty of youngers live with disability and plenty of olders do not. Instead, it’s the belief that being non-disabled is “normal” and that leading meaningful, desirable lives means staying youthful and impairment-free.

By Ashton Applewhite

If an employer is reluctant to hire an older person because they might retire soon, it’s ageism; if they’re reluctant because the person might require special accommodations, it’s ableism.

tragic it is to be disabled.

Unless we stop to challenge them, such messaging becomes part of our identity and warps our sense of self and our place in the world.

Have you ever been reluctant to reveal your age? Attempted to conceal the fact that you couldn’t follow a conversation in a noisy room, or needed a railing to steady yourself? Been offended by the polite offer of a seat on the bus?

All these behaviors are ageist, or ableist, or both. We all do them, no judgment. But we can’t challenge bias unless we’re aware of it. And these behaviors aren’t good for us because they’re rooted in shame about things that shouldn’t be shameful.

We olders can be the most biased of all, because we’ve had a lifetime to absorb these messages, and most of us have never stopped to challenge them.

portant to acknowledge and respect these differences.

But disability and aging overlap in ways that are important to learn from and build upon.

Otherwise, we rule out collective advocacy and reinforce dual stigma: I may need help getting around but at least I’m not in a wheelchair! I may be disabled but at least I’m not old! Like a not-yet-40-year-old friend with a broken foot who chose crutches instead of a cane, because crutches signal “injured,” not “old.”

That’s how prejudice works: it frames the other group as alien and lesser than ourselves. But olders and people with disabilities are not “other.” They are us or future us.

We’re being ageist anytime we assign value to someone on the basis of how old we think they are, and ableist when we assign value on the basis of how we assume their minds or bodies function. We’re being ageist and ableist when we attribute capacity — or incapacity — to someone based on their age.

Why is it important to distinguish between ageism and ableism? Because we

When an acoustic neuroma destroyed most of the hearing in my left ear, I caught myself thinking, “At least it’s sexy brain tumor deafness instead of sad old-person deafness.” Which makes me both ageist and ableist. It took five years, and more hearing loss, for me to begin identifying as disabled. What was I waiting for?

Everyone is ageist and everyone is ableist. Although much bias is unconscious, prejudice is learned. From childhood on, we’re barraged by messages about how awful it is to grow old and how

IN FOCUS FOR PEOPLE OVER 50

The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Baltimore area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Howard County, Md. and Greater Washington, D.C. Subscriptions are available via third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. Maryland residents add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below.

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

Publisher/Editor – Stuart P. Rosenthal

President/Associate Publisher – Judith K. Rosenthal

Executive Vice President – Gordon Hasenei

Managing Editor – Margaret Foster

Art Director – Kyle Gregory

Advertising Representative – Steve Levin

Marketing & Operations Manager – Ashley Griffin

Assistant Editor – Ana Preger Hart

Client Liasion – Jaclyn Thompson

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

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

© Copyright 2023 The Beacon Newspapers, Inc.

Ironically, people in aging services are far from exempt. When your expertise lies in caring for olders at the most debilitated end of the spectrum — incredibly skilled, challenging, valuable work — it reinforces a view of aging as decline. Reconciling that deficit view of old age with what we hope lies ahead for ourselves is really hard to do. Again, no judgment.

This stuff runs so deep that we tend to act as though old people don’t become disabled and disabled people don’t grow old, and an ageist and ableist culture gives us cover.

Part of the reluctance is just human: it’s scary to think about the loss of physical or cognitive function. Part of the reluctance is tactical. People in ageland are understandably leery of seeming to equate aging and disability.

Of course, disability and aging are different, just as Illness and disability are not the same; many disabled people will assure you that they are not sick.

Likewise, aging with a disability is very different from aging into disability. It’s im-

Young people have created joyous, ingenious, creative communities, many of whose members celebrate interdependence and identify proudly as disabled: I am who I am because of my disability, not despite it. Disability pride!

Think what older people could learn from them about asking for help, adapting to impairment, and age pride!

Think what younger people with disabilities could learn from olders about moving through life. Think how we’d all benefit if hearing and mobility aids were stripped of stigma. Let’s get interdependent!

All of us lucky enough to grow old will age into impairment of some kind. As people in ageland are well aware, we age well not by avoiding chronic illness and disability but by adapting to them.

These are powerful, generative processes that unite us all, and inform what it means to be human. Pretending otherwise sets us up to fail and pits us against each other.

Ashton Applewhite is the author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism, a co-founder of the Old School Anti-Ageism Clearinghouse (oldschool.info), and at the forefront of the emerging movement to raise awareness of ageism and to dismantle it.

Letters to the editor

Readers

Dear Editor:

Responding to your From the Publisher column (“Who’s your real friend?” April 2023): Social Security can be improved and secured by switching contributions to an inheritable annuity backed by U.S. Treasury Bonds.

That would protect contributed funds from political wrangle. And there would be less concern about numbers of workers contributing to it.

Having an heir means contributions would not be lost if contributors die before reaching collecting age. And accumulated funds could be credited to the Social Security account of an heir who has one without immediate payout, further extending Social Security’s life.

This and other alternatives can be found in my recently published book, Progressive Values — Libertarian Solutions. Gerald Schneider Kensington, MD

Dear Editor:

Thank you for your From the Publisher editorial, “Who’s your real friend?”

Time and time again there are articles concerning the preservation of Social Security. I have yet to see any mention of the income received from the tax on Social Security that is reported on individual income tax returns. It has to be a very large amount of money.

Roman Novak Silver Spring, MD

PHOTO BY ADRIAN BUCKMASTER

Health

Health

FREE TO EAT FATS

A low-fat diet isn’t even healthy, but focus on good fats like olive oil and avocados

MOTHER DIDN’T KNOW BEST

Dairy doesn’t increase mucus and other untrue factoids about getting sick

AVOIDING SURGERY

The “watch and wait” strategy can work for some prostate cancer patients

THINNING HAIR

It’s common for women to lose hair, too. Here are some potential solutions

Tech may reverse paralysis due to stroke

By Lauran Neergaard

A stroke left Heather Rendulic with little use of her left hand and arm, putting certain everyday tasks like tying shoes or cutting foods out of reach.

“I live one-handed in a two-handed world, and you don’t realize how many things you need two hands for until you only have one good one,” the Pittsburgh woman said.

So Rendulic volunteered for a first-of-itskind experiment: Researchers implanted a device that zaps her spinal cord in spots that control hand and arm motion. When they switched it on, she could grasp and manipulate objects — moving a soup can, opening a lock and, by the end of the fourweek study, cutting her own steak.

It’s not a cure — the improvements

ended after scientists removed the temporary implant — and the pilot study included only Rendulic and one other stroke survivor. But the preliminary results, published in February, mark a step toward one day restoring mobility for this extremely common type of paralysis.

“They’re not just getting flickers of movement. They’re getting something important,” said Dr. Jason Carmel, a Columbia University neurologist who wasn’t involved with the new experiment but also studies ways to recover upper-limb function. “It’s a very exciting proof of concept.’’

Nearly 800,000 people in the U.S. alone suffer a stroke each year. Even after months of rehabilitation, well over half are left with permanently impaired arm and

hand function that can range from muscle weakness to paralysis.

Experiments by multiple research groups have found that implanting electrodes to stimulate the lower spine shows promise for restoring leg and foot movement to people paralyzed after a spinal cord injury — some have even taken steps.

But upper-limb paralysis has gotten little attention and is inherently more challenging. The brain must signal multiple nerves that control how the shoulder lifts, the wrist turns and the hand flexes. Stroke damage makes it harder for those messages to get through.

“People still retain some of this connection; they’re just not enough to enable movement,” said University of Pittsburgh

assistant professor Marco Capogrosso, who led the new research with colleagues at Carnegie Mellon University. “These messages are weaker than normal.’’

His idea: Stimulate a pathway of related nerve cells, so they’re better able to sense and pick up the brain’s weak signal.

Researchers turned to implants the size of spaghetti strands already used to stimulate the spine for chronic pain treatment. The implants carry electrodes that are placed on the surface of the spinal cord to deliver pulses of electricity to the targeted nerve cells — which for hand and arm control are in the spine’s neck region.

Rendulic and a second, more severely

The reasons low-fat diets disappeared

By Howard LeWine, M.D.

Q: Why for so many years was a lowfat diet the craze and now it seems to be gone?

A: For decades, the message was loud and clear: High intake of fat causes weight gain, heart disease and maybe even cancer. The solution? Go low-fat.

Unfortunately, that often meant consuming more carbs and more sugar, and the advice turned out to be misguided.

Nutritionists now suggest people actually need adequate amounts of fat for optimal health — but only the right kind. Good fat gives your body energy and helps your body absorb vital nutrients.

There are two main kinds of fat: saturated and unsaturated. Saturated fat is in ani-

mal products like beef and pork, and dairy products like butter, cream and cheese.

Saturated fat is also a staple in most fast, snack and processed foods, such as pizza, dairy desserts, bacon and cookies. If it’s considered junk food, odds are it contains saturated fat.

Unsaturated fat comes in two categories: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. Monounsaturated fats are found in avocados, peanuts, peanut butter and nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, pistachios and pecans. High amounts are also in oils, such as olive, peanut, safflower, sunflower and canola oil.

Polyunsaturated fats include omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids. They are also considered “essential” fats be-

Suffering with Chronic Pain, Tingling or Numbness?

cause your body can’t make them, and you have to get them from food.

Omega-6s are in oils like soybean, corn, sesame and canola. They’re also abundant in walnuts, peanuts and pumpkin seeds. Omega-3s are in canola oil, soybean oil and walnuts, as well as in fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna and trout.

Good fats, bad fats

How does fat help — and hurt — your health? Too much saturated fat can raise “bad” LDL cholesterol levels. High blood LDL can lead to plaque buildup in arteries throughout the body, which increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and also erectile dysfunction and poor leg circulation.

If you cut out saturated fat in your diet, you can lower your risk for all these problems.

In comparison, consuming monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats helps lower blood pressure and reduce chronic inflammation, which translates to lower cardiovascular risk.

From page 3

impaired volunteer could move better as soon as the stimulator was switched on — and by the study’s end, showed improved muscle strength, dexterity and range of mo-

Another benefit of switching fats is that it might help keep your brain healthy. Observational studies suggest that following the MIND diet is linked to a lower risk of memory loss and cognitive decline.

This research-based diet — the name stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay — advocates eating more of certain foods that are high in unsaturated fat, like nuts, fatty fish and olive oil.

The diet also stresses cutting down on foods that contain high amounts of saturated fat, such as butter, red meat, pastries, and fried and fast foods.

Howard LeWine, M.D., is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. For additional consumer health information, visit health.harvard.edu.

© 2023 President and fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

tion, researchers reported in the journal Nature Medicine. With National Institutes of Health funding, Capogrosso is studying the approach in a few more stroke survivors. The researchers also formed a company to develop the technology further. —AP

A place of

Pickersgill assisted living residents are rarely in l their rooms! Instead, , theyy’re out and about— participating in a community activity or event or dining with friends.

A place of beauty

Living in n this community—ttucked d into a beautiful West Towson neighborhood —you or your loved one beau enjoy a warm welcome and daily activities, and they’ll appreciate the will enjo paths, beautifully landscaped grounds, lovely gardens and more. walking path

A place of caring

Each assisted liv g resident enjoys three chef-prepared meals per day, ing re y services, medication administration, help with daily housekeeping and laundry se quest, and all included in a reasonable monthly tasks and more—always by reques o all of the fee. Each h resi s dent also has access to all Pickersgill ameni l ties.

private, full bath, and residents are Our assisted living g residences include a priv wish. This is a lifestyle dedicated to encouraged to decorate their homes as they al staff. independence and assured by a caring, professionalfessionalstasttaff.

Call 888-877-9883 today for more information or to schedule your personal tour.

Here, assisted living is living, with the right amount of personal assistance… …at a great value.

Much of mom’s wellness advice is myths

By Carmen Dargel, M.D. Dear Mayo Clinic:

My mom always scolded me for not drying my hair after washing it, telling me I’d catch cold. She also talked about dressing right for the weather, starving a fever and lots of other things.

I’m wondering if there is any truth in any of these sayings. With Covid still lingering, I’m trying to convince my grandchildren, ages 8 and 12, to be more mindful about germs.

A: Does wet hair cause the common cold? The short answer is no.

Colds are caused by viruses, so you can’t catch a cold from going outside with wet hair. And wet hair won’t make you more attractive to germs.

The same is true with respect to dressing for cold temperatures. While it might be optimal to dress in warmer clothes when it’s cold outside, research indicates that cold weather — just like going outside with wet hair — doesn’t make you sick. People often associate going outside with wet hair or being underdressed with getting sick because exposure to germs is often more likely when you go outside.

The common cold is transmitted through bodily fluids, such as when people who are sick sneeze, cough or blow their nose. So, you have just as much of an opportunity to be exposed to germs indoors, especially when you are in close contact with others.

Other myths I’m often asked about include:

Myth: Vitamin C will help stave off illness.

Fact: Though it has been subject to much research, no definitive body of work says high doses of vitamin C prevent or treat colds.

Myth: Starve a fever; feed a cold.

Fact: While it might be hard to remember the adage, the bottom line is that when you don’t feel well, eating may not be on the top of your list. And that is OK. Hydration is more important when you are ill. The best advice is to drink plenty of water or other fluids to stay hydrated, and rest and relax.

Myth: Avoid dairy products if you have a cold because they can produce more mucus.

Fact: Ingesting dairy products will not cause more mucus. Most likely, the texture of certain foods or drinks may coat your throat, which would give the feeling that you have more phlegm.

Certain dairy products can be good when you are under the weather, though. Cold ice cream can soothe a sore throat, and probiotics in yogurt can help alleviate stomach upset if you are taking antibiotics for an infection.

Check with your primary healthcare provider or pharmacist to get a list of foods you should avoid with medications.

Some advice worth following

The best advice I have is to rely on the most common safe behaviors to avoid falling ill:

Wash your hands. Clean your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Disinfect your space. Clean kitchen and bathroom countertops with disinfectant, especially when someone in your family has a cold. Be diligent about wiping down doorknobs and frequently touched surfaces.

Use tissues — and masks. Sneeze and cough into tissues. Discard used tissues right away. Then thoroughly wash your

hands. If you are wearing a mask, discard the mask and replace it with a clean one.

Don’t share. Don’t share drinking glasses or utensils with other family members. Use your own glass or disposable cups when you or someone else is sick.

Label the cup or glass with the name of the person with the cold.

Practice social distancing and safe behaviors, especially if others are ill. Avoid close contact with anyone who is ill. Consider wearing a mask if you are going to be out in public or around a lot of people in an intimate setting. Since Covid is still a threat, it’s important to practice safe behaviors regardless of whether you have been vaccinated for Covid. And cold and flu germs are still prevalent.

Take care of yourself. Eating well, getting exercise and enough sleep, and managing stress might help you avoid getting sick.

You can rest assured that if you go outside with wet hair, or without a jacket, you won’t increase your chances of getting sick, but it may cause temporary discomfort.

— Carmen Dargel, M.D., Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Onalaska, Wisconsin.

Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. Email MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit mayoclinic.org.

© 2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

MAIL OR EMAIL FOR FREE INFORMATION

For free materials on housing communities and health studies, just complete this coupon and mail it — or take a picture and email it — to the Beacon.

Housing Communities

❏ Caritas House Assisted Living (see ad on page 13)

❏ Catholic Charities (see ads on pages 10, 13)

❏ Charlestown/Erickson (see ad on page 3)

❏ Christ Church Harbor Apts (see ad on page 13)

❏ Harmony at Enterprise (see ads on pages 1, 6)

❏ Oak Crest/Erickson (see ad on page 3)

❏ Park View Laurel (see ad on page 18)

❏ Park View Towson (see ad on page 18)

❏ Park View Fullerton (see ad on page 18)

❏ Park View Rosedale (see ad on page 18)

❏ Pickersgill (see ad on page 4)

❏ St. Mary’s Roland View Towers (see ad on page 12)

❏ Virginia Towers (see ad on page 12)

❏ Warren Place Senior Apartments (see ad on page 13)

❏ Westminster Canterbury (see ad on page 7)

Clinical Research Studies

❏ Balance/Falls Study (HIPS) (see ad on page 9)

❏ Diabetes Diet Study (DASH 4D) (see ad on page 8)

❏ Healthier 2gether Study (see ad on page 8)

❏ Knee Osteoarthritis Study (see ad on page 9)

❏ Memory & Sleep Study (REST) (see ad on page 8)

❏ Power-Vet Study (see article on page 8)

❏ We Care Advisor (see ad on page 9)

Can’t take statins? Try this new pill

Drugs known as statins are the firstchoice treatment for high cholesterol, but millions of people who can’t or won’t take those pills because of side effects may have another option.

In a major study, a different kind of cholesterol-lowering drug named Nexletol reduced the risk of heart attacks and some other cardiovascular problems in people who can’t tolerate statins, researchers reported in early March.

Statins remain “the cornerstone of cholesterol-lowering therapies,” stressed Dr. Steven Nissen of the Cleveland Clinic,

who led the study.

But people who can’t take those proven pills “are very needy patients; they’re extremely difficult to treat,” he said. This option “will have a huge impact on public health.”

Too much so-called LDL or “bad” cholesterol can clog arteries and lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Statin pills like Lipitor and Crestor (or their cheap generic equivalents) are the mainstay for lowering LDL cholesterol and preventing heart disease or treating those who already have it. They work by blocking some of the liver’s cholesterol production.

But some people suffer serious muscle pain from statins. While it’s not clear exactly how often that occurs, by some estimates, 10% of people who’d otherwise qualify for the pills can’t or won’t take them. They have limited options, including pricey cholesterol-lowering shots and another kind of pill sold as Zetia.

Nexletol also blocks cholesterol production in the liver but in a different way than statins and without that muscle side effect.

The new five-year study tracked nearly 14,000 people who were unable to tolerate more than a very low dose of a statin. Half got daily Nexletol and half a dummy pill.

The main finding: Nexletol-treated patients had a 13% lower risk of a group of major cardiac problems. Then researchers teased apart those different conditions and found a 23% reduced risk of a heart attack, the biggest impact.

The drug also cut by 19% procedures to unclog arteries. There wasn’t a difference in deaths, which researchers couldn’t explain but said might require longer to detect.

The data was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented in March at a meeting of the American College of Cardiology. The study was funded by Nexletol maker Esperion Therapeutics.

Experience the Harmony Difference

The results are “compelling,” Dr. John H. Alexander of Duke University, who wasn’t involved with the study, wrote in the journal. They “will and should” spur the use of the drug by patients unwilling or unable to take statins.

“It is premature, however, to consider bempedoic acid as an alternative to statins,” he cautioned. “Given the overwhelming evidence of the vascular benefits,” statins remain the top choice for most patients. —AP

Prostate cancer treatment can wait for most men

Researchers have found long-term evidence that actively monitoring localized prostate cancer is a safe alternative to immediate surgery or radiation.

The results are encouraging for men who want to avoid treatment-related sexual and incontinence problems, said Dr. Stacy Loeb, a prostate cancer specialist who was not involved in the research.

The study directly compared the three approaches — surgery to remove tumors, radiation treatment and monitoring. Most prostate cancer grows slowly, so it takes many years to look at the disease’s outcomes.

“There was no difference in prostate cancer mortality at 15 years between the groups,” Loeb said. And prostate cancer survival for all three groups was high — 97% regardless of treatment approach. “That’s also very good news.”

The results were published in March in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at a European Association of Urology conference in Milan, Italy. Britain’s National Institute for Health and Care Research paid for the research.

Men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer shouldn’t panic or rush treatment decisions, said lead author Dr. Freddie Hamdy of the University of Oxford. Instead, they should “consider carefully the possible benefits and harms caused by the treatment options.”

A small number of men with high-risk or more advanced disease do need urgent treatments, he added.

Researchers followed more than 1,600 U.K. men who agreed to be randomly assigned to get surgery, radiation or active monitoring. The patients’ cancer was confined to the prostate, a walnut-sized gland that’s part of the reproductive system.

Men in the monitoring group had regular blood tests, and some went on to have surgery or radiation.

Death from prostate cancer occurred in 3.1% of the active-monitoring group, 2.2% in the surgery group, and 2.9% in the radiation group, differences considered statistically insignificant.

At 15 years, cancer had spread in 9.4% of the active-monitoring group, 4.7% of the surgery group and 5% of the radiation group. The study was started in 1999, and

What to do if food you bought is recalled

By Kimberly Holland, Real Simple Magazine

Food recalls are certainly unsettling. However, they can also be reassuring. Food manufacturers and inspectors are getting better at finding potential problems.

If you discover you have a food item that’s been recalled, don’t panic. Take these steps to protect yourself, your family, your animals and others — and possibly get your money back.

Educate yourself

Most food recalls are not the result of possible bacterial contamination, such as E.coli or Listeria. Instead, the majority of recalls are related to potential contamination issues from foreign objects (metal or plastic shavings) or undeclared allergens (milk, peanuts, eggs).

Some recalls are also a precautionary measure; a company may discover that

Health shorts

From page 6

experts said today’s monitoring practices are better, with MRI imaging and gene tests guiding decisions.

“We have more ways now to help catch that the disease is progressing before it spreads,” Loeb said. In the U.S., about 60% of low-risk patients choose monitoring,

proper inspection protocol was not followed.

However, not every food recall gets national attention. Recalls for romaine lettuce, flour and ground turkey have made headlines in the past because the size of the recalls was quite large. Smaller recalls happen every day but may not be known.

To fully understand any food recall, see the Food and Drug Administration Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts web page at fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts.

Don’t eat any recalled foods

If a food has been recalled merely for an undeclared allergen, such as milk, and no one in your family has a milk allergy, you may feel safe eating the food. It’s still wise to heed the company’s recall.

Similarly, do not donate the food, give it to anyone else or feed it to a pet.

now called active surveillance.

Hamdy said the researchers had seen the difference in cancer spread at 10 years and expected it to make a difference in survival at 15 years, “but it did not.” He said spread alone doesn’t predict prostate cancer death.

“This is a new and interesting finding, useful for men when they make decisions about treatments,” he said. —AP

Don’t open the food

You cannot see, smell or taste foodborne pathogens like E. coli and Listeria

But you can transfer the bacteria from the contaminated food to your entire kitchen if you open the food and touch it.

If you must handle the food to throw it away, wash your hands afterwards with warm water and soap. Wash any containers in which the food was stored, too. Follow the guidelines

With each food recall, companies are required to offer consumers guidance on what to do with the food. Companies will likely suggest you do one of two things:

• Throw out the food immediately. Wrap it in multiple layers of plastic and packaging to prevent animals or other humans from getting to it.

• Return the product to the store where you purchased it for a refund. If you cannot

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

get to the store, just throw the food away.

Clean your kitchen

Once the food is out of your house, clean your refrigerator thoroughly. Use antibacterial wipes or a bleach solution and paper towels to clean areas where the food may have been prepared or cooked.

Watch for future food recalls

You can continue to check the FDA’s Alerts website or sign up for its delivery alerts, which will be emailed to you with every new recall or withdrawal. (These happen frequently, so your inbox will be busy.)

Lastly, if you’re concerned about food recalls specifically because of allergy issues, you can monitor the Food Allergy Research & Education Allergy Alerts page at foodallergy.org.

© 2023 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS NEEDED

Baltimore County Police Department has nearly 70 openings for school crossing guards. They help children cross the street for 30 to 60 minutes in the morning and afternoon. Crossing guards are paid for two hours of work per day and a 10-hour workweek. For more information, contact Officer Jennifer Z. Peach at (410) 887-7364 or jzpeach@baltimorecountymd.gov.

When a day at the bay is not enough.

Health Studies

INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Veterans can lose weight with help of VA study

By Margaret Foster

If you’re a U.S. veteran and need to lose weight, the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center has a study for you — and it comes with free food.

Veterans between 50 and 75 who are overweight are eligible for the randomized study, titled Promotion of Weight Management in Overweight or Obese Veterans, or Power-Vet for short.

For the first 12 weeks of the study, they’ll visit the VA Annex on West Fayette Street twice a week. There they’ll take a free in-person exercise class that will consist of walking and strength exercises with large elastic bands. They’ll also meet with a dietician and pick up a cooler of food for the week. Parking is free.

The VA will also give participants a free

bathroom scale as well as a free FitBit — a wristband device that tracks physical activity.

“The bottom line is to see if we can create a new strategy for successful weight maintenance,” said Alice Ryan, PhD, senior research career scientist at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the study’s principal investigator.

Ryan and her research team have already seen veterans lose weight in the study, which is still enrolling. For instance, one man who weighed 330 pounds was able to lose more than 100 pounds. But the trick is to lose weight and keep it off.

In the second phase of the study, participants will spend six months trying to maintain their weight on their own. They’ll continue exercising at home, and they’ll

buy their own food.

Participants will be randomly placed in one of two groups. One group will “fast” one day per week; that is, they’ll just eat two small meals on a given day once a week.

“That’s a nice way to start because it’s minimal,” Ryan said.

‘A quick education’

After three months of free, healthy meals, many participants pick up a few weight-loss tricks. For instance, they know the correct portion size for everyday foods, and they tend to stop snacking, according to Ryan.

“Many of them are really learning what it means to eat healthy,” Ryan said. “It’s a quick education.”

In fact, almost everyone in the study may be able to lose weight and keep it off, she said.

“Even individuals who are not random-

ized to the intermittent fasting [group] have gained a lot of knowledge, and they may be able to keep the weight off as well because they’ve learned about portion sizes, what to eat what not to eat, and exercise.”

A little goes a long way

Losing even a little weight can benefit your health and boost your energy. For instance, a three-year Johns Hopkins study showed that people with prediabetes who lost 10% of their body weight had 85% less risk of developing diabetes.

“We really want to improve the health of our older veterans,” Ryan said. “[Being] overweight and obesity contribute to so many diseases and changes in mobility, so we’re hoping this strategy is effective for them.”

If you’re a veteran between 50 and 75 and want to participate in the Power-Vet study, call (443) 422-7234.

RETIRED & SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

If you are 55 years old or older, consider joining the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Baltimore County. RSVP partners with more than 30 agencies that need volunteers. For more information, contact (410) 887-3101 or RSVP@baltimorecountymd.gov.

DANCE PERFORMANCE

Dance Baltimore celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2023 with the annual Ageless Grace concert, featuring former professional dancers and recreational dancers ages 40 and over, on Sat., May 13 at 4 p.m. at the Murphy Fine Arts Center, 2201 Argonne Dr., Baltimore. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at dancebaltimore.org/upcomingevents.html. For more information, contact Cheryl Goodman at (410) 370-8994.

individuals with Memory and

Diabetes Self-Management Training can help you lower your A1C, better manage your medications and avoid serious health complications.

Questions about hair loss and blackouts

By Howard LeWine, M.D.

Q: Since menopause, my hair keeps getting thinner. Why do older women lose their hair? What treatments are available?

A: Among postmenopausal women, as many as two-thirds develop hair thinning or bald spots.

The main type of hair loss in women is the same as it is in men. It’s called androgenetic alopecia, or female (or male) pattern hair loss.

In women, the condition begins with gradual thinning at the part line, followed by increasing diffuse hair loss radiating from the top of the head. A woman’s hairline rarely recedes, and women rarely become bald.

There are many potential causes of hair loss in women, including medical conditions, medications and physical or emotional stress.

If you notice unusual hair loss of any kind, it’s important to see your primary care provider or a dermatologist to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.

Almost every woman eventually develops some degree of female pattern hair loss. It can start any time after the onset of puberty, but women tend to first notice it around menopause, when hair loss typically increases. The risk rises with age, and it’s higher for women with a history of hair loss on either side of the family.

Medications that can help with hair loss in women include:

Topical minoxidil. The FDA originally approved over-the-counter 2% minoxidil to treat hair loss in women. Since then, a 5% solution has also become available when a stronger solution is needed for a woman’s hair loss.

While it can produce some new growth of fine hair in some — not all — women, it can’t restore the full density of the lost hair. It’s also not a quick fix for hair loss in women. You won’t see results until you use

the drug for at least two months.

The effect often peaks at around four months, but it could take longer, so plan on a trial of six to 12 months. If minoxidil works for you, you’ll need to keep using it to maintain those results. If you stop, you’ll start to lose hair again.

Anti-androgens . Androgens include testosterone and other “male” hormones, which can accelerate hair loss in women.

Some women who don’t respond to minoxidil may benefit from the addition of the anti-androgen drug spironolactone (Aldactone) for treatment of androgenic alopecia. This is especially true for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) because they tend to make excess androgens.

Iron supplements . Iron deficiency could be a cause of hair loss in some women. Your doctor may test your blood iron level. If you do have iron deficiency, you will need to take a supplement and it may stop your hair loss.

However, if your iron level is normal, taking extra iron will only cause side effects, such as stomach upset and constipation.

Q: My husband blacked out at home and has no memory of what happened. I found out later and by then he was fine. Did he have a seizure?

A: A seizure is one possibility. But he should contact his doctor to report the episode.

The most common reason for temporarily blacking out is fainting from an overly sensitive response by the nervous system known as reflex syncope. That occurs when the nervous system tells the heart to slow down and the blood vessels to dilate, which lowers blood pressure and diminishes blood flow to the brain.

The most common type, vasovagal syncope, refers to the effects of the vagus nerve (which regulates heart rate and blood pressure, among other things).

Most people remember feeling light-

headed before they pass out from reflex syncope. However, people who have a seizure often have no memory of what happened just before and just after the event.

If he has another episode witnessed by you or someone else, she or he should take notes right away — written or at least mental notes. He should have a prompt evaluation, and the doctor will want to know:

• How he was acting before the actual spell

• The very first things that you saw

• Details of what he was doing during the spell

• His muscle movements

• How long the episode lasted

• How many minutes passed before he was able to communicate with you

Most seizures stop on their own within a few minutes. Unless a seizure does not end, the only danger is injury.

So, if you are there, move your husband to the floor and take away any hard, near-

by objects. Do not try to put anything in his mouth.

For someone having a first seizure as an adult, the doctor will want to know what medicine the person takes and the doses. Another question will be about anything eaten or swallowed. This should include over-the-counter drugs, herbs and supplements.

Doctors perform common tests when an adult is suspected of having a first-time seizure. These include:

• Blood tests to make sure there is no chemical imbalance that could trigger a seizure

• Urine and blood tests to look for toxic substances

• An electrocardiogram (EKG) to rule out a heart problem

• An MRI or CT scan of the head

• A brain wave test (EEG)

© 2022 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Pair tender cutlets with a bright sauce

By America’s Test Kitchen

These sautéed, super-thin chicken cutlets are easy to make and look so good, they evoke the feeling of an evening out. Paillard is a French term that refers to boneless meat that has been pounded thin to tenderize it and help it cook faster.

In this recipe, we halve boneless chicken breasts horizontally and pound them to an even thickness under plastic wrap, so they cook at the same rate and turn out

BEACON BITS

May 2+

moist, tender and juicy. (To make slicing the chicken easier, freeze breasts for 15 minutes first.)

To further ensure juiciness, we brown them on only one side. Getting a brown crust is key, but browning both sides dries the meat out.

The cutlets can be paired with a number of sauces. We offer the sweet, tangy combination of apple cider and cider vinegar with the kick of whole grain mustard.

ACTIVE LIVING EVERY DAY PROGRAM

Join an evidence-based behavior change program called Active Living Every Day that addresses the root causes of inactivity. Participants learn the skills they need to become and stay physically active. The class meets in person at Cockeysville Senior Center, 10535 York Rd., on Wednesdays, May 3 to July 19, from 10 to 11 a.m., or online on Tuesdays, May 2 to July 25, from 2 to 3 p.m. Suggested donation is $15. For more information and to register, email Donna Bilz at dbilz@baltimorecountymd.gov or call (410) 887-3423.

TOPICS IN AGING

Ongoing

Every two weeks a licensed social worker addresses various topics related to aging, including physical changes, life planning, retirement, mental health and emotional wellbeing. The free meetings take place on the second and fourth Thursdays, from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m., at the Catonsville Senior Center, 501 N. Rolling Rd. No appointment or sign up necessary. For more information, contact (410) 887-0900 or catonsvillesc@baltimorecountymd.gov.

Chicken Paillard

Servings: 4

Total minutes: 40

Ingredients:

4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, tenderloins removed and breasts trimmed

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

Instructions:

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 200 degrees. Halve chicken horizontally, then cover chicken halves with plastic wrap and use meat pounder to pound cutlets to an even ¼-inch thickness. Season both sides of each cutlet with salt and pepper.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Place 4 cutlets in skillet and cook, without moving, until browned, about 2 minutes. Using spatula, flip cutlets and continue to cook until second sides are opaque, 15 to 20 seconds. Transfer to large heatproof plate.

Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to nowempty skillet and repeat with remaining cutlets. Cover plate loosely with foil and transfer to oven to keep warm while making the sauce.

BEACON BITS

Apr. 25+

Mustard Cider Sauce

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1 shallot, minced

1¼ cups apple cider

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

2 teaspoons whole-grain mustard

2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions:

1. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from skillet. (If necessary, add oil to equal 1 tablespoon).

2. Add shallot and cook over medium heat until softened, about 1 minute.

3. Adjust heat to medium-high and add cider and vinegar.

4. Bring to simmer, scraping pan bottom with wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits.

5. Simmer until reduced to ½ cup, 6 to 7 minutes.

6. Off heat, stir in mustard and parsley, then whisk in butter, 1 tablespoon at a time.

7. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately with cutlets.

Excerpted from the new America’s Test Kitchen cookbook, Modern Bistro

LIFE AFTER LOSS (VIRTUAL SUPPORT)

If you have lost a spouse, join Jewish Community Service’s eightsession group to receive emotional support, connect with people who understand, and learn ways to care for yourself and adjust to life after loss. This free group meets on Tuesdays from 4 to 5 p.m. on Zoom from April 25 through June 20. For more information, visit jcsbalt.org/grief-spouse or email facilitator Donna Kane at dkane@jcsbaltimore.org.

PET LOSS SUPPORT GROUP

Grieving a pet? Baltimore Humane Society’s free bereavement group meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at 1601 Nicodemus Rd., Reisterstown. The group is open to everyone. To RSVP, email vvanhof@bmorehumane.org.

Ongoing

Caring for Baltimore

Money Law & Credit unions share profits with members

By Melissa Lambarena

In the past year, the Federal Reserve has employed several interest rate hikes in an effort to stabilize the U.S. economy.

Depending on your situation and financial institution, your debt may have gotten more expensive or your savings might have grown. As rates continue to change, it’s worth exploring whether you’re still getting the best offer around.

Compared with big banks, a credit union can offer decent rates for stashing your cash or borrowing money, especially during these economic times.

“For folks who are looking for loans, they can often find a credit union with lower rates because credit unions are willing to spend some of their would-be profits on lower rates,” said Andrew Leventis, chief economist at the National Credit Union Administration, or NCUA.

“That’s one way, traditionally, credit

unions have helped out their members, particularly in times when you have rising rates and there’s more of an urgency to get the best deal.”

Here’s what you should know about these not-for-profit cooperative financial institutions and their potential to offer big savings:

How credit unions work

Unlike banks that have shareholders to consider, credit unions return their profits to their members. So, once you join a credit union, you have access to the benefits.

They offer many of the same products and services that banks do, but those might go by different names. For instance, a checking account may be referred to as a “share draft account.” Credit unions may also belong to an ATM network that allows you to perform transactions beyond a specific branch.

Generally, credit unions allow you to join based on where you live, work or worship.

Other avenues may include joining through a family member or making a small donation to a charitable partner organization.

“We’re required to have a field of membership, so the member coming in to open an account has to provide proof of that affiliation,” said Jim Norris, president and CEO of SkyPoint Federal Credit Union, an institution that serves counties in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia.

There’s typically a one-time membership fee to join a credit union, sometimes as low as $5, which may be used to open a savings account.

How they compare

Profits at credit unions are returned to members in the form of low fees, better rates on loans, and higher rates on savings.

The rates for specific products will vary by credit union. For instance, in the last quarter of 2022, the national average rate

for a “classic” credit card was 11.96% at credit unions and 13.34% at banks, according to data extracted by the NCUA from S&P Global Market Intelligence databases, a provider of financial information services. And while rates may be lower at credit unions, they can still rise when the Fed makes increases. At SkyPoint Federal Credit Union, rates are automatically adjusted within a month based on Fed rates, Norris said, but there’s a limit.

Federal law caps the interest rate charged on most loans and credit cards at federally chartered credit unions at 15%, although the NCUA can raise that limit temporarily “if interest rate levels could threaten safety and soundness of individual credit unions,” according to an NCUA bulletin. For several years, the NCUA has maintained an 18% cap, extending it through

See CREDIT UNIONS, page 13

REITS offer ways to invest in real estate

By Edward E. Fernandez

With the equity market as volatile as ever, investors are increasingly turning to alternative assets to generate cash flow. One investment vehicle that’s drawing particular attention is real estate investment trusts, or REITs. Research by Nareit shows that investments in REITs have more than doubled over the past 10 years.

REITs come in many different forms, with varying criteria. However, many prospective investors might not understand the differences — and relative pros and cons — between publicly traded REITs and non-traded REITs. The latter category includes both publicly registered non-traded REITs and private REITs.

Traded REITS have liquidity

Publicly traded REITs are probably the most well-known type. These products offer some exposure to the real estate market through companies that invest in physical real estate assets. Rather than investing directly in a physical property, investors buy publicly traded shares of such a company on an exchange, where pricing is subject to market forces and volatility.

This type of REIT is highly liquid, and can offer investors a way into real estate

even though traded REITs act more like equities.

That said, publicly traded REITs fell about 25% in 2022 due to the combination of a highinterest-rate environment and investor fears. Now, in early 2023, with further interest rate increases likely on the horizon, publicly traded REITs may continue to suffer under volatile and uncertain market conditions.

The recent downturn in the equity market and accompanying decline of publicly traded REITs have opened the door for non-traded REITs to showcase their investment power. Unlike publicly traded REITs, which are susceptible to market whims and Federal Reserve actions, non-traded REITs can be more insulated from stock market volatility.

Benefits of non-traded REITs

While non-traded REITs are much less liquid (since their management controls any redemption process), this potentially offers benefits as well.

REIT managers can remain focused on long-term strategy, and the process of holding periods and suspending redemptions gives the manager more flexibility in executing that strategy without having to reserve cash for redemptions.

Both publicly non-traded and traded REITs are registered with the SEC and file regular, publicly available reports. These help investors understand where their money is going and provide an additional level of transparency that is delivered every few months, depending on the REIT.

Private REITs

Because private REITs don’t have a regular reporting requirement, they’re available only to accredited investors who are classified by the SEC as qualified to invest in unregistered securities based on satisfying one or more requirements regarding asset size, governance status, income, net worth or professional experience.

While the reduced regulatory oversight can be considered a risk of private REITs, the frequently lower operating costs can be seen as a benefit to counter that risk.

Private REITs are not only limited to accredited investors but typically have the highest minimum investment amount compared to other REIT options, potentially ranging from $25,000 to $100,000. Both these factors make them accessible only to high-net-worth investors.

Publicly registered non-traded REITs, meanwhile, are generally available to non-

accredited investors and often have lower minimum investment requirements as well.

Where to find REITs

Retail investors typically gravitate to publicly traded REITs, since these are open to all and typically have either no investment minimum or at least the lowest entry point of the three types.

Publicly traded REITs can also be found on investment apps like Robinhood or Fidelity, while publicly non-traded and private REITs are generally purchased only through specialized brokers.

In conclusion, no matter how you want to incorporate real estate into your portfolio, both traded and non-traded REITs offer industry exposure.

Non-traded REITs are less correlated to the traditional equity markets and can add stability to an investment portfolio, particularly during inflationary and uncertain times.

On the other hand, publicly traded REITs can give investors real estate exposure without locking down significant cash, and still can offer liquidity and dividend potential.

© 2023 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Understand the new RMD Rules for 2023

Dear Savvy Senior,

What are the new rules on required minimum distributions from IRAs and 401(k)s? I will turn 72 this year and want to be clear on what I’m required to do.

—Planning Ahead

Dear Planning,

Thanks to the SECURE Act

2.0 that was passed by Congress last December, there are several new rules that affect required minimum distributions (RMDs) from traditional IRAs, 401(k)s and other taxdeferred retirement accounts.

By Jim Miller

These changes, which build on the original SECURE Act of 2019, are a benefit to retirees by increasing the RMD age and lowering the penalty for missing a withdrawal. Here’s what you should know:

Starting age has changed

As of Jan. 1, 2023, the starting age for taking RMDs is now 73, up from 72. And it rises to age 75 in 2033. This change means that if you turn 72 this year, as you stated in your question, you can delay your RMDs one more year, allowing your savings in these accounts to grow longer, tax deferred.

But once you turn 73, you must start taking annual RMDs from the tax-deferred retirement accounts you own — including traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s and 457(b)s — and pay taxes on those withdrawals. Distributions are taxed as ordinary income in your tax bracket.

There are, however, a few exceptions. Owners of Roth IRAs are not required to

take a distribution, unless the Roth is inherited. And starting in 2024, Roth 401(k)s will not be subject to RMDs either.

There’s also a work waiver for RMDs you should know about. If you are still working beyond age 73, and you don’t own 5% or more of the company you work for, you can delay withdrawals from your employer’s retirement plan until after you retire.

But if you have other non-work-related accounts, such as a traditional IRA or a 401(k) from a previous employer, you are still required to take RMDs from those after your turn 73, even if you’re still working.

Deadlines and penalties

Generally, you must take your distribution every year by Dec. 31. First timers, however, can choose to delay taking their distribution until April 1 of the year following the year they turn 73.

But be careful about delaying, because if you delay your first distribution, it may push you into a higher tax bracket because you must take your next distribution by Dec. 31 of the same year.

Also note that you can always withdraw more than the required amount, but if you don’t take out the minimum, you’ll be hit with a 25% penalty (it was 50%) on the amount that you failed to withdraw, plus the income tax you owe on it. This penalty

drops to 10% if you take the necessary RMD by the end of the second year following the year it was due.

Distribution amounts

Your RMD is calculated by dividing your tax-deferred retirement account balance as of Dec. 31 of the previous year by an IRS estimate of your life expectancy. A special rule applies if your spouse is the beneficiary and is more than 10 years younger than you.

IRA withdrawals must be calculated for each IRA you own, but you can withdraw the money from any IRA or combination of IRAs.

If you own 403(b) accounts, they too allow you to total the RMDs and take them from any account or combination of accounts.

With 401(k) plans, however, you must calculate the RMD for each plan and withdraw the appropriate amount from each account.

To calculate the size of your RMD, you can use the worksheets on the IRS website — see IRS.gov/Retirement-Plans and click on “Required Minimum Distributions.” Or contact your IRA custodian or retirementplan administrator who can do the calculations for you.

For more information, see IRS publication 590-B at IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p590b.pdf.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org.

Credit unions

From page 11

Sept. 10, 2024, this year.

The cap is not affected by the Fed’s interest rate hikes, so the limit can be helpful for borrowers with loans or credit card balances with variable interest rates that might exceed that amount. If you tend to carry a balance, it’s one way a credit union credit card can lower costs.

Credit unions may also offer higher savings rates than big banks, depending on the account. For instance, in the last quarter of 2022, the national average rate for a five-year credit union certificate of deposit was 2.33%, compared with 1.58% at banks, according to that same data set extracted by the NCUA.

You’re likely to find higher savings rates at an online bank, but credit union rates make it easy to house accounts under one roof, if that’s your preference.

Other

credit union services

Profits are also returned to members through educational programs. SkyPoint

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

Federal Credit Union, for example, works with a credit counseling agency to help members who are struggling to pay off debts. SkyPoint also offers Banzai, a financial education program for students.

Jayah Kai-samba, a credit union member based in Texas, has also seen many programs offered at his institution.

“They do a good job of educating their consumers, so they are always offering webinars or in-person sessions to do trainings on financial education,” he said.

Credit unions may also offer more options to save. SkyPoint Federal Credit Union, for instance, offers savings accounts for different goals including holidays and special occasions.

Kai-samba uses similar options at his credit union to save for specific goals like vacations, home expenses or holidays. He has automatic payments set up to each account from every paycheck.

“I can have it split up separately, and it clearly shows how I’m progressing in each one of those distinct accounts,” Kai-samba said. —AP/NerdWallet

YOGA & BREATHING FOR BEGINNERS

This weekly free class takes place every Monday (excluding holidays) at noon at the Hamilton Library, 5910 Harford Rd., Baltimore. No registration required. For more information, call (410) 396-6088.

24 locations for older adults in Maryland, including the Jenkins Senior Living Community

Conveniently located near I-95 in southwest Baltimore, the 25-acre Jenkins Campus offers skilled nursing, assisted living, adult day services and supportive, affordable apartment living with beauty and greenery out each window — and a spectacular view of the Baltimore skyline.

St. Elizabeth Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

667-600-2600

Short-term, post-acute rehabilitation and skilled nursing, long-term and memory care.

– 2023 Newsweek –

Top Rehabilitation and Nursing facility in the Greater Baltimore region

Caritas House Assisted Living

667-600-2660

A residential community of care with personalized assistance in daily activities for adults 62 and older.

St. Ann Adult Day Services

667-600-2680

Activities, socialization and medical supervision so adults can continue to live at home. Wheelchair-accessible transportation available.

Senior Communities

667-600-2280

Supportive, affordable apartment communities.Total of 24 locations in Maryland, home to more than 1,800 older adults. DePaul House and St. Joachim House are on the Jenkins Campus.

Answers for the Aging

667-600-2100 or toll-free 1-888-50ASKUS (MD only)

Telephone-based information and referral service for older adults and caregivers.

BEACON BITS

May 6+

TOWSON TOWN SPRING FESTIVAL

Enjoy wonderful food, unique vendors and a variety of entertainment at the Towson Town Spring Festival. This free event takes place on Sat., May 6, and Sun., May 7, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on and around Pennsylvania Ave., Towson. For more information, visit towsontownfestival.com.

TECH HELP

Ongoing

Come into the Village Learning Place for free help with various technologies on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m., at 2521 St. Paul St., Baltimore. Sign up at the circulation desk or online at bit.ly/VLPTechHelp.

Many say tipping is getting out of control

By Haleluya Hadero

Across the country, there’s a silent frustration brewing about an age-old practice that many say is getting out of hand: tipping.

Some fed-up consumers are posting rants on social media complaining about tip requests at drive-throughs, while others say they’re tired of being asked to leave a gratuity for a muffin or a simple cup of coffee at their neighborhood bakery.

What’s next, they wonder. Are we going to be tipping our doctors and dentists, too?

Automatic prompts annoy

As more businesses adopt digital payment methods, customers are automatically being prompted to leave a gratuity — many times as high as 30% — at places they normally wouldn’t. And some say it has become more frustrating as the price of items has skyrocketed due to inflation.

“Suddenly, these screens are at every establishment we encounter. They’re popping

up online as well for online orders. And I fear that there is no end,” said etiquette expert Thomas Farley, who considers the whole thing somewhat of “an invasion.”

Unlike tip jars that shoppers can easily ignore if they don’t have spare change, experts say the digital requests can produce social pressure and are more difficult to bypass. And your generosity, or lack thereof, can be laid bare for anyone close enough to glance at the screen — including the workers themselves.

Dylan Schenker is one of them. The 38year-old earns about $400 a month in tips, which provides a helpful supplement to his $15 hourly wage as a barista at a Philadelphia café. Most of those tips come from consumers who order coffee drinks or place carryout orders. The gratuity helps cover his monthly rent and eases some of his burdens while he attends graduate school and juggles his job.

Schenker says it’s hard to sympathize

with consumers who are able to afford pricey coffee drinks but complain about tipping. And he often feels demoralized when people don’t leave behind anything extra — especially if they’re regulars.

“Tipping is about making sure the people who are performing that service for you are getting paid what they’re owed,” said Schenker, who’s been working in the service industry for roughly 18 years.

Not the same as a restaurant

Traditionally, consumers have taken pride in being good tippers at places like restaurants, which typically pay their workers lower than the minimum wage in expectation they’ll make up the difference in tips.

But academics who study the topic say many consumers are now feeling irritated by automatic tip requests at coffee shops and other counter service eateries where tipping has not typically been expected, workers make at least the minimum wage, and service is usually limited.

advise consumers to tip on ride-shares, like Uber and Lyft, as well as food and beverages, including alcohol.

But they also write that it’s up to each person to choose how much to tip at a café or a take-out food service, and that consumers shouldn’t feel embarrassed about choosing the lowest suggested tip amount, and don’t have to explain themselves if they don’t tip.

Digital payment methods have been around for a number of years, though experts say the pandemic has accelerated the trend towards more tipping.

Michael Lynn, a consumer behavior professor at Cornell University, said consumers were more generous with tips during the early days of the pandemic in an effort to show support for restaurants and other businesses that were hard hit by COVID-19.

Many people genuinely wanted to help out and felt sympathetic to workers who held jobs that put them more at risk of catching the virus, Lynn said.

Mention

Sundays in Atlantic City! Sight and Sound Theatre

“Moses” July 6

Ocean City – July 1, July 12, July 29

St Michael’s MD Crab Claw

Restaurant – July 9 August 16

US Open Tennis Tournament Flushing, NY August 31

Charters

Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band Transportation Only September 9

African American Museum (Wash DC) September 9

Call us for Reservations 410-602-1704

See our 2023 season at www.superiortours.com/2023-tours

“People do not like unsolicited advice,” said Ismail Karabas, a marketing professor at Murray State University who studies tipping. “They don’t like to be asked for things, especially at the wrong time.”

Some of the requests can also come from odd places. Clarissa Moore, a 35-year-old who works as a supervisor at a utility company in Pennsylvania, said even her mortgage company has been asking for tips lately.

Typically, she’s happy to leave a gratuity at restaurants, and sometimes at coffee shops when the service is good. But Moore believes consumers shouldn’t be asked to tip nearly everywhere they go — and it shouldn’t be something that’s expected of them.

“It makes you feel bad. You feel like you have to do it because they’re asking you to do it,” she said. “But then you have to think about the position that puts people in. They’re paying for something that they really don’t want to pay for, or they’re tipping when they really don’t want to tip — or can’t afford to tip — because they don’t want to feel bad.”

No need to feel embarrassed

In the book Emily Post’s Etiquette, authors Lizzie Post and Daniel Post Senning

BEACON

Peace of Mind is Priceless

Tips at full-service restaurants grew by 25.3% in the third quarter of 2022, while gratuities at quick service restaurants went up 16.7% compared to the same time in 2021, according to Square, one of the biggest companies operating digital payment methods. Data provided by the company shows continuous growth for the same period since 2019.

As tip requests have become more common, some businesses are mentioning it in their job postings to lure in more workers even though the extra money isn’t always guaranteed.

Some customers, like those who’ve worked in the service industry in the past, want to tip workers at quick service businesses and wouldn’t be irritated by the automatic requests.

But for others, research shows they might be less likely to come back to a particular business if they are irritated by the requests, Karabas said.

The final tab might also impact how customers react. Karabas said in the research he did with other academics, they manipulated the payment amounts and found that when the check was high, consumers no longer felt as irritated by tip requests. —AP

BALTIMORE PHOTO CONTEST

Join Baltimore National Heritage Area Association’s “It’s a Snap!” photo contest for a chance to win a $500 gift card. Everyone is encouraged to submit a photograph, regardless of their level of expertise. This year’s theme is the people of Charm City (no professional models). All entries must be high-resolution and submitted electronically. For complete details, rules and requirements, visit explorebaltimore.org.

FLOWER MART AT MOUNT VERNON PLACE

Dating back more than 100 years, Flower Mart is Baltimore’s oldest running free festival. Enjoy hands-on workshops, local beer and wine, and wares from Baltimore-area plant and craft vendors. The Mount Vernon Place Conservancy presents the Flower Mart at Mount Vernon Place, 699 N. Charles St., Baltimore, on Fri., May 5, and Sat., May 6, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit mountvernonplace.org or email flowermart@mvpconservancy.org.

Travel Leisure &

Three-generation travel adventure to Italy

By Ann Cochran

Our lovely two-bedroom apartment in a Tuscan villa is all warm yellows and muted shades of rose. Vineyards and olive groves surround the villa, stretching far into the hills.

Through the large windows, we can see the pool sparkling and, in another direction, the terrace where our family gathers for breakfast.

Our eight grandchildren often run across the driveway and up the steps from their villa to ours for a snack.

Later, two by two, they arrive with toothbrushes and PJs to spend the night in the twin beds of our second bedroom.

Our oldest grandson, age 12, brings his late-rising grandmother, LaLa, an espresso every morning.

Heaven? No, Tuscany! But it felt like heaven.

After the Covid years, which included two family members’ bouts with cancer and one death, my husband and I rented a villa in the Chianti region of Tuscany and invited our four adult children and their families.

Why Italy? Why not? But in my case — because my late mother was Italian, and Italy has always been a big part of my identity — I wanted my sons and grandchildren

to appreciate their heritage. Not a hard sell.

Better than the pictures

When you rent, you never know completely how your accommodations will look, feel and smell. But our villa was glorious — even better than the photos.

As a bonus, it had an almost identical second building with an office on the ground floor, plus two full apartments. My husband and I chose the second-floor, twobedroom apartment for its view.

We assigned all the rooms beforehand, so there was no scrambling or hard feelings. They were all beautiful.

The 18 of us arrived at the villa in waves — and during a heat wave. July was a lessthan-ideal time to go, with high temperatures and bees buzzing around the poolside flowers. But with so many school-age grandchildren, we couldn’t schedule the trip in a more desirable month.

Our six grandsons and two granddaughters, toddler to pre-teen, skipped all over the place on arrival, exploring everything from the outdoor pool to the indoor spa.

Our family joined millions of others in Italy last summer. We called it our “trip of a lifetime,” partly because we spared almost no expense. But as a survivor of stage 3 lymphoma, I say go for it if you can.

Hired some experts to help

We hired a wonderful small company to plan our week. Pam Mercer, owner of Tuscany Tours, and her team did an excellent job mixing day trips — always including large, delicious lunches — with enough relaxed time at the villa. With eight children, pool time was a priority.

We visited Siena, Montalcino and Lucca. The longest bus ride was 90 minutes, but it was relaxing and fun. The kids had snacks and played with each other in various combinations. The oldest three joined the adults as fans of Wordle and Spelling Bee.

Every excursion began with gelato and coffee. Tours followed, always with a second guide dedicated to the children. There were Italian language lessons at the beginning and along the way.

In Siena, we learned about the ancient traditions of the Palio horse races. My husband and I met with my Zoom Italian teacher, Chiara, for a joyful in-person coffee.

In Lucca, most of us rented bikes and rode along the thick city walls under canopies of leafy trees. One son veered off to visit a tailor and had a suit made.

In Montalcino, those not doing a Brunello wine tasting explored a large

fortress and had more gelato before lunch.

Local flavor and cooking lessons

Since we were in Italy, food was a huge focus. The refrigerator and cabinets had been fully stocked for us at the villa, according to a list I had emailed our host a week ahead.

Giuseppina, the owner of a cooking school called Cucina Giuseppina, prepared our first and last dinners. She also taught the grandchildren to make pici from scratch. Made with just flour, water, salt and olive oil, this thick Tuscan pasta dates back to the Etruscans.

Of all the outings, the cooking lessons with Giuseppina and her family were a family favorite. With the benefit of her 20 years of experience, she set up the lunch lesson well for this group, ages 2 to 75. Even the littlest one was handed a mezzaluna knife and, with supervision, chopped rosemary.

The kids did so much: mixed dough, rolled gnocchi and prepared zucchini flowers and sage leaves for frying. One of her sons laid out a checkered blanket, and the

Ann Cochran and her husband splurged on a trip to Italy for their children and grandchildren. They rented a villa in Tuscany and took day trips to Siena and other towns.

PHOTO BY SIENA HILT

For a relaxing mini-break, stay at the L’Auberge Provençale Bed & Breakfast, above, or another inn in the region. See story on page 16.

Cucina Guiseppina’s staff passes on Italian cooking techniques to tourists. Taking a cooking lesson while on vacation is a great way to meet local chefs, learn a few skills and have fun.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CUCINA GIUSEPPINA

PHOTO BY L’AUBERGE PROVENÇALE BED & BREAKFAST

Nearby, off-the-beaten-path B&Bs to try

By Alice Shapin

There are times I need to get away but don’t want to spend weeks planning a trip or having to fly. I just want a change of scenery, good food and some interesting activities. A quick getaway, maybe a day or two, is all I need.

So, I decided to look into B&Bs within a couple hours’ drive of our area.

The fun thing about B&Bs is that no two are alike. And even within one B&B, no two rooms are the same.

Of course, all serve a gourmet breakfast, often have coffee and home-baked goodies available all day, and a few even host a cocktail hour. Most have a communal dining table or smaller tables if you prefer not to socialize. Many innkeepers mingle with the guests and happily help you plan your day.

Some B&Bs are housed in historic homes or estates with beautiful antiques, four-poster beds, fine linens, comfy common rooms and fireplaces, while others look more like grandma’s house.

So, anytime I book a getaway, I check the website and the reviews first. A few negative reviews never bother me, but if there are many, that’s a definite red flag and a deal-breaker.

Inn at White Oak, Gettysburg, PA

For my first foray into B&Bs, I chose

the Inn at White Oak in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. And it didn’t disappoint. Actually, it was beyond our expectations.

It’s nestled on 30 private acres with ponds, woodlands, waterfalls and, in season, beautiful gardens. Yet it’s just minutes from historic Gettysburg.

Upon arrival, my husband and I were greeted by innkeepers Shiree and her husband, Craig, who gave us a tour of the billiard room, tea room, library, formal parlor and small spa. A big bonus is the romantic indoor pool, complete with a fireplace.

In addition to the main house, there are two free-standing outbuildings: the twobedroom, two-bathroom Carriage House (with a full kitchen), and the one-bedroom, two-story Cottage House, where we stayed.

All guest rooms have high-end linens, plush robes and a luxury bathroom. Shiree’s love for interior design and attention to detail was on full display with our Sleep Number bed, custom frame and headboard, matching dresser and antiques everywhere.

The two-course breakfast served in the bright dining area included a poached pear with a delicious sauce and an artfully plated egg dish. Coffee, tea, Shiree’s signature gingerbread chocolate chip cookies and other goodies were available all day.

As the seasons and holidays change, so does Shiree’s decor.

L’Auberge Provençale, White Post, VA

L’Auberge Provençale Bed & Breakfast in White Post, Virginia, beckons wine lovers, foodies and those wanting to explore nearby

Shenandoah National Park or stroll through Middleburg.

The restored main house (dating from 1753) has 11 guest rooms and suites. Your room may have an aromatherapy steam shower, whirlpool tub, mountain views, sit-

See B&Bs, page 18

The Renoir Room is one of 11 chic rooms at L’Auberge Provençale Bed & Breakfast, a 1753 inn and restaurant 90 minutes from D.C.

PHOTO BY L’AUBERGE PROVENÇALE BED & BREAKFAST

How to avoid illness traveling outside U.S.

By Raj Palraj, M.D.

Dear Mayo Clinic:

I have a group of friends with whom I love to travel. We plan several trips a year, and we are planning to visit the Caribbean next. We will stay at an all-inclusive resort in a popular destination and do a few sightseeing day trips in the area.

Are there things we should do to be safe while traveling?

A: Travel is always a fun activity to enjoy with friends. In addition to just transporting you to a different place, travel can broaden your perspective, increase your happiness, give you a chance to try new things, boost your creativity and help you recharge.

As I’m sure you have found, even planning a trip can be an exciting task. The anticipation of mapping an itinerary and scheduling your must-see attractions can bring a lot of joy and happiness.

Unfortunately, nothing can ruin a trip like illness. Even in an all-inclusive resort, knowing how food is prepared or the quality of the water supply is not possible. Mos-

Italy

From page 15

eight kids gathered there, talking and playing, framed by olive trees and hillsides. It was a scene out of a movie or a dream.

When we returned and told friends about the trip, many remarked that the time must have flown by. In part because so much planning was in place, I didn’t let it. I soaked in every moment, holding on, appreciating this dream becoming a reality.

I can close my eyes right now and feel the cool terracotta tiles under my feet. I can hear the laughter of a granddaughter

quitos and other insects remain a concern. Here are four things to remember as you plan your travel, regardless of your accommodations:

Get vaccinated

First, I recommend that all travelers be vaccinated against the flu and be up to date with Covid vaccines and boosters. In addition, it’s important to complete the adult vaccination schedule that includes vaccinations for chickenpox; diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis; pneumococcal bacteria; measles, mumps and rubella (MMR); polio and shingles.

Additional vaccines may be recommended depending on your travel itinerary. For example, hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for people traveling to Southeast Asia. This is because some infections are more prevalent in tropical settings than in temperate climates.

Typhoid fever and hepatitis A are more common in Southeast Asia because these communicable diseases can be spread through contaminated water. Some areas

and grandson playing in the next room, too giddy to sleep. I can taste the homemade lasagna, the zucchini flowers and the delicious grocery store pizza.

Perhaps my favorite memory was the afternoon one grandson came up to me when we were alone in the apartment and, in a serious tone, said, “LaLa, I’m glad you’re my grandmother.”

I lowered my post-chemo, barely-haired head to him and said, “I am so lucky to have you!”

Some tips if you go Round-trip tickets to Italy in the sum-

of Africa and South America have a higher prevalence of yellow fever and malaria.

If you are unsure if other vaccines are recommended for your destination, I recommend having a conversation with your primary care clinician and reviewing the CDC recommendations.

Food and water precautions

Second, food and water safety are important while traveling.

Only eat well-cooked food. Avoid eating uncooked foods, like salad and raw vegetables, and from roadside stands.

Drink bottled beverages only, including bottled water. This is especially important if you travel in resource-limited regions during sightseeing day trips.

Personal hygiene

Third, hand hygiene is essential at home and overseas. Wash your hands often using soap and hot water.

Follow respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and hands when you sneeze or cough, and washing your hands after. Con-

mertime can be pricey. There are no direct flights to Rome or Florence from BWI. Multi-stop flights from BWI start at $1,200 to Florence.

If you’re planning a large group vacation in Italy, here are some tips:

Hire a bus. Our bus and bus drivers were wonderful, and we never had to worry about navigating unfamiliar roads, directions or parking.

Rent a villa with air conditioning. We also made sure to rent a villa where the windows had screens. We didn’t open the windows in July’s heat, but they’d be great in spring or fall.

sider optional masking in crowded and indoor spaces.

Prepare for Mother Nature

Finally, plan for the sun and bugs. Mosquitos and bugs can transmit parasites and diseases, like yellow fever and malaria.

Prophylactic malaria medications are available and are started before the travel, continued during the stay and for a certain duration after returning home. A travel medicine specialist can review the risks and benefits of all prevention and treatment options.

Also, use mosquito repellents and mosquito nets, if appropriate, in your travel destination.

Additionally, don’t forget to pack your sunscreen, as you also want to reduce your risk for sun damage, which can create other challenges while traveling.

If you plan additional trips in the future that have a complex itinerary with multiple countries, or are traveling to Southeast Asia or Africa, it’s best to make an appointment

See AVOID ILLNESS, page 18

Hire a professional photographer. Even though iPhones take fantastic shots, you will want some of the whole family.

Carry along snacks for children. Even though you can buy food everywhere, pulling something out of a bag or backpack is nice if you are stuck.

Make time before and after the trip to rest. Arriving a couple of days early in Rome allowed us to adjust to the time change. Moving on to Lake Como afterward gave us a much-appreciated rest after the joyful chaos of the family week.

From

ting room, fireplace, private balcony or private entrance. The rooms are decorated with faux-finished walls, French fabrics and artwork.

Three miles from the main house is a second campus, Villa La Campagnette, on 18 landscaped acres, with three rooms and a swimming pool open to all guests.

The inn is known for its French-American gourmet cuisine. Its owners proudly

BEACON BITS

May 3+

say they’ve been doing “farm to table” long before it became trendy. For more than 30 years they’ve been using fresh herbs, vegetables and fruits from their orchard and supporting local vendors.

The bar area is less formal and offers a bistro menu as well as fine dining. The charming, cozy restaurant has a tasting menu and à la carte choices.

We chose the tasting menu and started with the best French onion soup I’ve ever had, along with homemade bread. Everything is exquisitely plated. The wine list reads

OPEN IMPROV COMEDY JAM

Join Highwire Improv for this in-person low-stress jam experience for improvisers of all levels at the Roland Park Community Center. The jam will run from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays through June 28 at 5802 Roland Ave., Baltimore. This event is free, but registration is requested at bit.ly/FreeImprovJam. For more information, email highwireimprov@gmail.com.

like an unabridged novel, and the sommelier can help you choose the perfect pairing.

Breakfast included homemade croissants, breakfast bread, creative entrees, fresh juice and café au lait.

Hambleton Inn Bed & Breakfast, St. Michaels, MD

We kicked off 2023 at Hambleton Inn Bed & Breakfast in St. Michaels, Maryland. Owner-innkeeper Debra Alms, architectural designer, and her partner Richard P. Beavers, who works in construction, took a neglected waterfront B&B and totally restored and renovated it.

They modernized the historic 1840 shipbuilder’s home with a Victorian ambiance and filled it with antiques, rugs and chandeliers. As we toured the house, Debra showed us pictures of the original structure and artifacts they found during the renovations.

Each of the seven rooms in this luxurious B&B has a unique decor. Of course,

ENTERPRISE RESIDENTIAL

MOST COMMUNITIES ARE 62 AND BETTER

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

The Greens at Hammonds Lane: 410-636-1141

Park View at Furnace Branch: 410-761-4150

Park View at Severna Park: 410-544-3411

BALTIMORE CITY

Ednor Apartments I: 410-243-0180

Ednor Apartments II: 410-243-4301

The Greens at Irvington Mews: 410-644-4487

Park Heights Place: 410-578-3445

Park View at Ashland Terrace: 410-276-6440

Park View at Coldspring: 410-542-4400

BALTIMORE COUNTY

Cove Point Apartments I: 410-288-2344

Cove Point Apartments II: 410-288-1660

Evergreen Senior Apartments: 410-780-4888

The Greens at English Consul: 410-789-3000

The Greens at Liberty Road: 410-655-1100

The Greens at Logan Field: 410-288-2000

The Greens at Rolling Road: 410-744-9988

Park View at Catonsville: 410-719-9464

Park View at Dundalk: 410-288-5483 • 55 & Better

Park View at Fullerton: 410-663-0665

Park View at Miramar Landing: 410-391-8375

Park View at Randallstown: 410-655-5673

BALTIMORE COUNTY (CONT.)

Park View at Rosedale: 410-866-1886

Park View at Taylor: 410-663-0363

Park View at Towson: 410-828-7185

Park View at Woodlawn: 410-281-1120

EASTERN SHORE

Park View at Easton: 410-770-3070

HARFORD COUNTY

Park View at Bel Air: 410-893-0064

Park View at Box Hill: 410-515-6115

HOWARD COUNTY

Park View at Colonial Landing: 410-796-4399

Park View at Columbia: 410-381-1118

Park View at Ellicott City: 410-203-9501

Park View at Ellicott City II: 410-203-2096

Park View at Emerson: 301-483-3322

Park View at Snowden River: 410-290-0384

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

Park View at Bladensburg: 301-699-9785 • 55 & Better

Park View at Laurel: 301-490-1526

Park View at Laurel II: 301-490-9730

they all have plush robes, bedspreads and pillows, and a magnificent faux fur throw draped over each bed. Its ensuite bathrooms have jetted tubs and showers; one even has a large copper tub.

Outdoors, guests can sip wine or make s’mores at the firepit while enjoying water views and local wildlife like green herons, mallards, ospreys and bald eagles. And for a little extra romance, there’s Honeymoon Bridge — a late 19th-century pedestrian bridge in St. Michaels.

For the Eastern Shore gourmet breakfast, we had orange juice, toast with caviar, bacon, homemade biscuits and two fried green tomatoes, topped with large crabcakes and a poached egg finished with Hollandaise sauce. During the day, our hosts offered snickerdoodle cookies and coffee.

Everything in St. Michaels is within walking distance, so we parked in the private lot and explored the town’s boutiques, galleries, shops, museums and varied dining options. Debra recommended places for dinner and what to see.

Now that we’ve experienced the wonderful world of nearby B&Bs, we’re ready to discover more hidden gems.

For more information, visit innatwhiteoak.com, laubergeprovencale.com and hambletoninnbb.com.

In addition to reading reviews on Tripadvisor and Yelp, look them up on selectregistry.com, which lists B&Bs that meet a set of standards.

Note: Some B&Bs have steep stairs, so if you have mobility issues or don’t want to climb stairs, ask for a first-floor room.

Avoid illness

From page 17

with a travel medicine specialist about two months before travel.

I also recommend that if you or your friends have any immunocompromising conditions, you seek travel medicine consultation to reduce the risk of illness during travel.

— Raj Palraj, M.D., Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin

©2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

May 6

URBAN VEGGIE

GARDENING 101

Join the library in the Filbert Street Garden to learn about spring vegetable gardening, and explore what you can grow in your urban yard or patio space. This free class takes place on Sat., May 6, at 11 a.m. at 1317 Filbert St., Baltimore. Registration is required at bit.ly/UrbanVeggieGarden. For more information, call (410) 396-5356.

Arts & Style

Longtime conductor puts down baton

By Robert Friedman

Although Jason Love, 52, will be stepping down after 24 years as music director of the Columbia Orchestra, he intends to keep his music career moving in several directions, including more cello recitals, further composing and exploring ways to film musical events.

“Columbia has been my dream job,” Love said in a recent interview with the Beacon. “I loved being with the orchestra. We were always trying new things and always growling artistically, and I hope they have been as inspired by me as I have been by them.”

During Love’s career at the Columbia Orchestra, it has more than doubled in size, to 90 musicians. Now in its 45th season, the community orchestra performs 11 classical concerts a year, with a recent addition of a couple of concerts featuring jazz musicians.

After nearly a quarter of a century with the musicians at Columbia, Love said, “I feel that I have gotten pretty good at what I do…But on the other hand, so many artists say that if you are going to do your best work, you have to force yourself away

from what you know — you have to take away the safety net.”

Love’s full-time orchestral job has meant “not being able to devote time” to his other musical interests, like playing the cello.

But, he said, while directing the orchestra was “almost all I could do with my time, I have absolutely no regrets about that.”

Popular community orchestra

The Columbia Orchestra was organized in the fall of 1977 and has performed throughout Howard County for more than four decades.

Originally known as the Columbia Chamber Orchestra, it expanded in 1988 to include wind and percussion instruments. Under Love’s direction, it was named by the Baltimore Sun “Howard County’s premier ensemble for instrumental music.”

The orchestra reportedly reaches more than 1,000 concert-goers yearly. Its all-volunteer, non-paid members include some musicians who also perform for a salary with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and D.C.’s National Symphony Orchestra.

But most have nine-to-five jobs in other fields. “This is essentially a community or-

chestra,” Love explained. “Its members basically come from Howard and surrounding counties.

“Since many of its voluntary members work as full-time engineers, we say there is a connection between mathematics and science in the orchestra’s music.”

New jazz focus

During the 2016-2017 season, the orchestra expanded its musical

See CONDUCTOR, page 21 Jason Love has been music director of the Columbia Orchestra for nearly a quarter of a century. He is retiring to pursue other musical interests. The orchestra is in its 45th season at the Jim Rouse Theatre in downtown Columbia, Maryland.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CCBC

Hector Reynoso plays Goya in a play by Willy Conley. Our cover story continues on p. 20.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE COLUMBIA ORCHESTRA

Playwright

From

me,” he said, and he was inspired to take some theater classes and perform in some plays. “I fell in love with the theater arts.”

After a few years in the biomedical photography field, Conley decided it was time for a change. “I made the jump because I was hitting the glass ceiling at my medical photography jobs due to my deafness,” he said.

He auditioned for the National Theatre of the Deaf and won a spot in the worldrenowned theater company that performs internationally and has appeared on Broadway, the Disney Channel and Sesame Street

After a few years touring with the com-

pany, Conley decided to study playwriting in graduate school at Boston University. With that degree, he got a job teaching theater arts at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.

Conley retired in December after 30 years at Gallaudet, where he was a professor and chair of the theater department. During his career, Conley has published eight books and amassed at least eight awards for his 45 plays.

His eighth book, which will be published this month, is Photographic Memories: Selected Essays, Playlets, and Stories. He’s currently working on two more screenplays and a coffee-table book of his photographs.

Product of two creative minds

Conley co-wrote Goya in 2001 with an admired colleague, Russian-born actor Iosif Schneiderman, with whom he wanted to collaborate on a play.

Schneiderman suggested a work about Goya’s life. At Conley’s suggestion, the play became a “visual, nonverbal movement piece,” as he put it.

Conley created a sequence of scenarios based on Goya’s paintings and drawings. Schneiderman crafted the actors’ masks and taught them creative movement and pantomime.

Roots of universal language

The turning point of the play is the moment when Goya, afflicted with a sudden illness that may have been an autoimmune disease, loses his hearing.

For this scene, Conley highlights one of Goya’s etchings titled “Dream of Universal Language.” Intrigued by the work’s title, Conley wondered what Goya meant: gestures, paintings, body language? All of the above?

A shared language may be easier to develop in the absence of sound or sight, Conley suggested.

“When one loses the sense of hearing or sight, does humanity’s truth become clearer and more honest? And what happens when an artist strives to reveal the truth?

BEACON BITS Ongoing Apr.

FREE 3-D ART EXHIBIT

Debuting in Annapolis at St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, “ICONS in Transformation” features contemporary works by expressionist Ludmila Pawlowska, who creates three-dimensional paintings. The exhibit is free and open to the public and runs through Sun., June 11, at 1120 Spa Rd., Annapolis. All the artist’s proceeds benefit Ukrainian refugees. For more information, visit stmartinsannapolis.org/icons or email church@stmartinsonline.org.

HARVEY AT EVERYMAN THEATRE

Everyman Theatre presents Harvey, the classic comedy about the friendship between Elwood P. Dowd and his best friend Harvey the Pooka — an invisible, six-foot-tall rabbit. The theatre is located at 315 W. Fayette St., Baltimore. Tickets start at $29 and can be purchased at everymantheatre.org/event/Harvey. For more information, call (410) 752-2208.

The play has evolved a bit since it was first performed in 2002. “The newest version delves deeper into my imaginings of the psycho-social impact that Goya’s deafness had on his life, art and interactions with people,” Conley said.

“Also, when I learned that CCBC’s theater program offered projection technology, I decided to add this design element into the play, where we fuse some of Goya’s art with the set.”

Hearing members of the audience might need a few minutes to adjust to a non-speaking play, Conley said. “But as things progress, and with the help of music, they become used to it and get caught up in the story,” he said.

Deaf audiences have enjoyed earlier versions of the play, praising it as a “total theater experience,” he said, where they “don’t have to strain to understand whatever language is being expressed.”

“Any or all of these thoughts are what I hope may pop up in the audience’s mind when they leave the theater.”

The Community College of Baltimore County Performing Arts presents Goya: en la Quinta del Sordo from April 27 to May 1 in the theater at the Center for the Arts, CCBC Catonsville, 800 South Rolling Rd. Showtimes will be Thursday, April 27 at 11 a.m., Friday and Saturday, April 28 and 29, at 7 p.m., Sunday, Apr. 30 at 3 p.m., and Monday, May 1 at 10 a.m.

Tickets are $10, $5 for students, seniors, CCBC faculty and staff, and free for CCBC students with ID. Tickets can be purchased at the CCBC Box Office one hour before performances or by calling (443) 840-ARTS (2787), or visiting ccbctickets.com.

Conductor

From

offerings beyond symphony orchestra and chamber concerts to also include jazz.

These performances were made possible by bringing the Columbia Jazz Band, under the Columbia Orchestra umbrella as a partner organization, to present its jazz series in tandem with the Columbia Orchestra’s other programs.

The Columbia Jazz Band has been presenting modern jazz since 1989, performing at venues such as the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival in Rockville and the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland.

Since 2017, it has been directed by jazz pianist and brass musician Fred Hughes, who has performed, conducted and presented jazz workshops nationally and internationally for more than three decades.

Love noted the importance of jazz and its influence on classical music, and viceversa. “The language of jazz and the language of classical music have influenced one another,” he pointed out.

For instance, The Creation of the World, a ballet by Darius Milhaud written in 1920, was influenced by jazz. The French composer made a special trip to the United States to hear the early musical form.

It worked the other way, too. George Gershwin took a break from composing

BEACON BITS

June 7+

jazz and pop hits to study classical music. He released “Rhapsody in Blue” in 1924 and a year later composed Piano Concerto in F Major

Picking up the cello again

While Love did perform some cello recitals during his conducting years, he hopes to play more with the bow when he puts down the wand.

Love began playing the cello back in his North Carolina public school days, then moved with the instrument to the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore.

He graduated from there in 1994 with a Master of Arts in orchestral conducting. Five years later, at the ripe young age of 28, he was appointed conductor of the Columbia Orchestra.

“My desire now is to give more cello,” Love said. “My cello heroes? Well, one of them was Leonard Rose, playing in trios and quartets. He had a beautiful sound.”

As for his favorite composers?

“Of course Beethoven, who pretty much drove me into a musical career; Mahler, who I pretty much fell in love with — and, on the pop side, Ravel, who is very much underrated as a serious composer,” Love said.

“[Ravel] has written a lot of in-depth pieces with a different approach to harmony that people don’t know about. His Sonata for Violin and Cello is one of my fa-

COUNTY FARMERS MARKET

Mark your calendars for the 14th annual Baltimore County Farmers Market at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. Local farmers and producers will offer fresh, high-quality fruit, vegetables, flowers, pork, wine, cheese, ice cream and more every Wednesday from June 7 through October 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, visit BaltimoreCountyFarmersMarket.com or call Bill Langlotz at (410) 207-2165.

vorite pieces, but you don’t hear it played much.”

Last two concerts

There are two last chances to see Love conducting the Columbia Orchestra. The season’s official finale will be May 20 at the Jim Rouse Theater, when the Columbia Orchestra plays an all-American program of Aaron Copeland’s Symphony No.3, George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” and “Umoja, Anthem of Liberty” by Valerie Coleman.

Love and the orchestra will wind up with soon-to-be scheduled “mostly American”

BEACON BITS

May 1

concert June 11 at the St. Louis Parish Church in Clarksville.

When Love’s orchestra members asked him what he plans to do next, he told them, “I really need time to think about next steps, to have some time to be quiet and listen,” he said.

“My first priority is to take some time to learn and observe and think about where the next 24 years will take me.

“Not knowing is scary,” Love said, “but it’s exciting, too.”

For tickets and showtimes, visit columbiaorchestra.org or call (410) 4658777.

WRITERS LIVE! DAVID GRANN

Bestselling author and New Yorker staff writer David Grann will discuss his new book The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder, which recounts the fallout of a British naval shipwreck off the coast of Patagonia in the 18th century. This free reading takes place virtually and in person on Mon., May 1, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Central Branch, 400 Cathedral St., Baltimore. Registration is required at bit.ly/DavidGrannBaltimore.

FOLK MUSIC CONCERT

May 5

Catch folk musician Tom Prasada-Rao on Fri., May 5, at 7:30 p.m. at The Cellar Stage, Timonium United Methodist Church, 2300 Pot Spring Rd., Timonium. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at uptownconcerts.com/shows/tom-prasada-rao. For more information, call Joyce R. Sica at (443) 540-0226.

DECLUTTER, ORGANIZE, DOWNSIZE, AND OFFICE WORK — Personalized services designed for the 55 + community. Take control of your life and your home. Call Christine, Certified Senior Advisor at 301.452.5730, ccallahan@mdseniorhelp.com — visit my websitewww.mdseniorhelp.com

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

GET DIRECTV for $84.99/mo for 24 months with CHOICE Package. NEW 2 YEAR PRICE GUARANTEE. First 3 months of HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz and Epix included! DirecTV is #1 in Customer Satisfaction (JD Power & Assoc.) Some restrictions apply. Call 1-888-5724953

WILDWOOD N.J. 9/10 to 9/14 AARP bus trip. Meals, room, trip to A.C. & Cape May +extras. Dbl$649, Single$829. Ins available. Call 410 256 5465, Bus departs Perry Hall area.

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 Ducati Etc. Call for cash offer 1(800)2209683, website: www.wantedoldmotorcycles.com

NEED CASH? COLLECTOR PAYING

CASH FOR COMIC BOOKS from the 1940’s to the 1980’s. So check your attic and your closets and let me know if have any you would like to sell! Call or text Joe at 443-5628082 or by email: joebuyscomics@gmail.com.

COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY

ITEMS: helmets, antique weapons, knives, swords, web gear, uniforms, WW2 jeep parts, etc. from all wars and countries. also slots/pinball/jukeboxes and all coin op machines. Covid safe. call Fred 301-910-0783

BUYING VINYL RECORDS from 1950 to 1990 JAZZ, ROCK, BLUES, R&B, DISCO, SOUL, REGGAE, & GOSPEL, ANY VINYL FORMAT 33 1/3 RPM Albums, small 45 RPM’s & some 78 RPM, Also CD’s, Prefer LARGER COLLECTIONS AT LEAST 100 items, PLEASE CALL JOHN 301-596-6201

PAYING TOP CASH FOR ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES. Housecalls made with prompt, courteous service seven days a week and 25 years of experience! Buying jewelry, toys, trains, militaria, glassware, advertising merchandise, paper items and much more! Contact Mason or Megan at: 443-306-8816

Scrabble answers on p. 20.

Crossword Puzzle

Find

Across

1. Beanie or beret

4. Lose color

8. Skedaddle

13. John Belushi wore one in Animal House

14. Word visible in a dark theater

15. Going to ___ (Smokey Robinson tune)

16. An enthusiastic boy has one

19. Goal of the United Nations Security Council

20. Whole lotta

21. Seal up a balloon

22. Ground breaker

24. Average number of ovaries per person

25. “___ my regards”

26. Spruce-ups

31. Paint swatch element

32. Most of a martini

33. “__ work and no play...”

34. Captivate

37. Roundabout routes

41. Debt that is part of your subconscious

42. Rep. from NYC

43. Stage manager’s signal

44. Any AARP member 50. MOLTEN center 51. Diminutive 52. Cry of surprise 53. Lyric poem

54. “When a poor man ___ chicken, one of them is sick” (Fiddler on the Roof) 56. Traveler’s rest stop 60. Conclusion drawn from this puzzle 63. Not slouched 64. “Holy Toledo!”

65. Religious offshoot

66. 7-Up and Coke Zero

67. Paul and Howard

68. Cy Young’s lowest was 1.26 in 1908 Down

1. There was a new one in Star Wars: Episode IV

2. The Taj Mahal’s city

3. Chinese shadowboxing

4. Battleship marker

5. The x usually runs horizontally

6. Tallest U.S. president

7. Gas with 6 hydrogen atoms around 2 carbons

8. Backtalk

9. Maritime security orgs.

10. Misfortune

11. Advancing through demographics

12. Vehicles with both motors and pedals

13. 1/96th of a pint

17. One of six naturally occurring noble gases

18. “I haven’t got the faintest ___”

23. Subject of 60% inflation in 2022

25. Farm structure

26. Murder, ___ Wrote

27. “A backwards poet writes inverse,” for example

28. Eligible to vote

29. Intro to Roman Studies course numbers

30. ___ King Cole

35. Clue murder weapon

36. Days of ___ Lives

37. Leader of the Seven Dwarfs

38. Nymph cursed to only be able to repeat words

39. Regret

40. One of 100 in D.C.

42. Way back when

44. Gallows requirements

45. One who knows all the tricks

46. ___ my finger at them

47. Start of -lands or -world

48. 95% of their diners are actually in the U.S.

49. Like 60-grit sandpaper

54. MDs that treat adenoids

55. Big ___ ox

57. Litigant

58. Ancient Peruvian

59. Cpl.’s superior

61. End for basil- or arab-

62. Radical 60s org.

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; Legal Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on the right.

CAVEAT EMPTOR!

The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibility for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment.

EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS:

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

EXTRA EXTRA MONEY!!!!!!!!! Immediate Private Duty Assignments for GNA’s and CNA’s. For More Information Contact: ONE DAY AT A TIME PERSONAL CARE LLC. 443882-3040

PRIVATE DRIVER NEEDED to drive 140 pound disabled man to local destinations in the Baltimore area. All local stops. No long waiting in car. No downtown traffic congestion. Smoking ok. *CASH PAID DAILY!* —>$20/hour if you buy gas, $15/hour if I buy gas. Must own your own car(No borrowed or rented cars) A van or pick up truck is preferred. Call or text information to Ed at 443-619-0787. Good luck!

PAWPRINTS PET SERVICES. Including: Dog Walking, Dog & Cat Socialization, Feeding, Transportation. Daycare visits & Overnight stays at home. Serving North West Baltimore. Call: 443 438-8563

SHOP WITH US! Vendor Members Group annually organizes multiple CRAFTS GALORE! Events (homemade goods & food) in Baltimore County, MD. Customers can register for event notifications. Interested vendors can inquire on: www.vendormembersgroup.com

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

PROTECT YOUR INCOME WITH LIFE INSURANCE. Protect your legacy, prevent unexpected expenses and prolong your life. Get insured today. I will get you coverage call 202315-6333.

UP TO $15,000.00 OF GUARANTEED LIFE INSURANCE! No medical exam or health questions. Cash to help pay funeral and other final expenses. Call Physicians Life Insurance Company866-212-1092 or visit www.Life55plus.info/beacon

PUT ON YOUR TV EARS and hear TV with unmatched clarity. TV Ears Original were originally $129.95 - NOW WITH THIS SPECIAL OFFER are only $59.95 with code MCB59! Call 1-833-934-0843.

PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES

TODAY with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Money Down + Low Monthly Payment Options. Request a FREE Quote. Call now before the next power outage: 1-866-964-8106. VIVINT. SMART SECURITY. Professionally installed. One connected system for total peace of mind. FREE professional installation! Four FREE months of monitoring! Call now to customize your system. 1-844-758-7925.

EDEN PERSONAL CARE AGENCY for

adults who needs personal care & Assistance, light housekeeping & meal prep, companionship & medication reminder. 10947 Golden West Dr. #200, Hunt Valley, MD, 21031. Call 410-329-1444, ask for Ms. Kitty

MOBILE HAIR & NAIL SERVICES - WE COME TO YOU. Professional Licensed Hair Stylist. Women and Men’s Services - All Hair Types. Cuts, Styles, Roller Sets, Color, Perms, Men’s Cuts & Facial Grooming, Manicures & more. Call 443-450-3344 for info.

STROKE AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE are leading causes of death, according to the American Heart Association. Screenings can provide peace of mind or early detection! Contact Life Line Screening to schedule your screening. Special offer5 screenings for just $149. Call 1-844-485-7035.

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.

ST. JOHN ADULT MEDICAL DAY CARE CENTER for adults who need assistance and support during the daytime (from 8 am until 1 pm) or in-home care service. 10947 Golden West Dr. Ste #200, Hunt Valley, MD 21031. Call 410329-1444; ask for Kitty.

HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

All classified ads must be submitted and paid for online, via our website, www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds

Deadlines and Payments: To appear in the next issue, your ad text and payment must be entered by the 5th of the preceding month (for Baltimore and Howard County editions); by the 20th (for Washington edition).

Cost will be based on the number of characters and spaces in your ad:

• $25 for 1-250

• $35 for 251-500. • $50 for 501-750 (maximum length). The website will calculate this for you.

Note: Maryland contractors must provide a valid MHIC number. Each real estate listing qualifies as one ad.

All ads are subject to publisher's discretion. Payment will be refunded if unacceptable for any reason.

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

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.

DON’T LET THE STAIRS LIMIT YOUR MOBILITY! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1866-365-5170.

SAFE STEP. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-theline installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-866-478-2363.

THE GENERAC PWRCELL, a solar plus battery storage system. SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home. Full installation services available. $0 Down Financing Option. Request a FREE, no obligation, quote today. Call 1-866944-0699

WE CAN FIX ANYTHING. 3 generations of builders, cabinet makers, remodelers and crafters completing kitchens, baths and additions got us to this point. If it’s broken, disassembled, ugly, out of date, needs replacement or renewal: please call Bob at R. W. Wood Improvements 410.294.2800, MHIC 92322. If it’s electronics or computers, we suggest you contact your grandchildren.

REPAIR CERAMIC, PORCELAIN, MARBLE, GRANITE TILES, repair leaking showers, basic plumping work, new bathrooms, showers, floor installation, handicap access, kitchen backsplash, counter, drywall, plaster repair, paint, handyman services. Please call: # 410 -977- 3610, # 410-285-5452. Email: axstile@yahoo.com. MHIC # 115085

ALL YOUR HOME NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED & INSTALL. Painting walls inside and outside. Installation & repair of floors, windows, doors, gutters, drywall, plumbing, electrical. Over 30 years of experience and I am insured & bonded. MHIC#43637. 443-6043931.

VERY EXPERIENCED LAWYER IN FIELD OF CIVIL LITIGATION (auto accidents, family law, etc) and in estate matters (drafting wills, powers of attorney, and health directives). William Mulroney 400 Redland Court, Suite 110, Owings Mills, Md 21117. 240 271-1799. wmulroney@mulroneylawfirm.com. First consultation is free.

CIRCLE OF LIFE ESTATE PLANNING WORKBOOK (188 pages) removes the stress and anxiety of Will and Trust preparation. All you need to do is to fill in the blanks that relate to you. When completed, you will have a complete inventory of your estate. Order by credit card to: Workbook, PO BOX 169, Kensington, MD 20895. All major credit cards accepted. (301)565-2917. Cost: $59.99 plus tax, s/h free 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.)]

“SELL US YOUR VEHICLE WITH CONFIDENCE” - We offer an Automotive Concierge Service! We will come to you to evaluate your vehicle! No Drama, Easy Process! CMA’s Toyota of Martinsburg WVA. 650 Foxcroft Ave, Martinsburg, WVA 25401. Call Lisa 240-876-8746 SAVE YOUR FAMILY MOVIES. Transfer your VHS Tapes to DVDs. Free Pick Up and Delivery Available with a minimum order. Call 410 812-7080

CONSUMER CELLULAR. Switch and save up to $250/year on your talk, text and data. No contract and no hidden fees. Unlimited talk and text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. Limited time offer - get $50 off on any new account. Use code GIFT50. For more information, call 1-833-742-1303