June 2017 | Howard County Beacon by The Beacon Newspapers

The Howard County

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While it’s never too late to start, it’s clearly true that the earlier we do so, the better. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, our risk of developing the disease doubles every five years after the age of 65. It is estimated that one in nine Americans 65 and older currently has Alzheimer’s, as do nearly one-third of those 85-plus. Because they live longer, women constitute nearly twothirds of all victims. And the cost of dealing with dementia affects not just the patients and their families, but all of us. A 2013 study by RAND Corp. found that the cost of treating dementia diseases in the nation ranges from $157 billion to $217 billion annually — more than the cost for treating heart disease or cancer. That amount, which mostly goes for institutional or home-based care, could double by 2040, RAND found. “If we can lower the dementia risk simply by having the patient practice brain

JUNE 2017

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His job is preventing dementia By Robert Friedman “We have to start in our 40s, at least, if we want to have any hope of lowering the overall personal risk for Alzheimer’s and other dementias.” That is the advice of Dr. William Mansbach, a geriatric neuropsychologist who lives and works in Columbia. Mansbach has a national reputation in the fight against the disease, and is a member of the Governor’s Alzheimer’s Council of Maryland. That we have any ways at all of lowering our risk of the disease is a good thing. And we owe thanks to Mansbach and his team of some 35 medical professionals and researchers for developing a new program aimed at helping to prevent — or at least postpone — the occurrence of dementias, including Alzheimer’s Disease. The new program is called ENRICH, and its acronym espouses six “brainhealthy habits”: Exercise daily; No smoking; Routinely add cognitive stimulation that is challenging; Improve mood; Control hypertension and heart rate, and maintain Healthy weight and body fat.

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A first-hand account of how Cuba, existing in something of a time warp, is a land of contradictions page 23

ARTS & STYLE Dr. William Mansbach has developed a screening tool to help professionals assess a person’s risk for dementia. He advises people to start improving six main areas of their health — from stopping smoking to engaging in brain games — which he believes reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

healthy behavior years before — if we can delay the onset even by five years — that would mean tremendously lower health costs,” Mansbach said. He strongly recommends that people start practicing this behavior when they reach their 40s, because that is the age when “the game changes” health-wise. “Blood pressure problems, for instance, begin for many people in their 40s,” he said. He also noted that findings show that those who have reached their 80s dementiafree will probably not develop Alzheimer’s disease. “That form of dementia usually starts in the 70s,” he said. “Most people can function with a mild memory deficit or forgetfulness. It’s part of getting on,” said the 58-year-old genetics specialist, who has spent exactly half

his life treating patients and “now more than ever” doing research in this field.

Assessing the risk In 2006, Mansbach developed the BCAT (Brief Cognitive Assessment Tool), which is now reportedly the most widely used method that geriatric physicians and others use to decide whether the brains of their patients 50 and older may have “crossed over” into dementia. The test takes under 15 minutes. The results are followed, if needed, by a rehabilitation program that includes a brain rehabilitation program and exercise memory books. In an accompanying exercise book, for See BRAIN-HEALTHY, page 7

The stars come out for Merriweather’s 50th anniversary; plus, Sally Field finally stars on Broadway page 27

TECHNOLOGY k Try out new car technology

FITNESS & HEALTH k 10 ways to fight osteoporosis k Meditation vs. pain meds

THE 50+ CONNECTION 15 k Newsletter from Howard County Office on Aging and Independence LAW & MONEY 19 k Negotiate bills to save hundreds k Fighting financial abuse ADVERTISER DIRECTORY

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A look back, and forward I don’t know what possessed me, but the fusal to even permit minority opinions to other day, as I was contemplating what to be expressed, and a turn to violent protest write about this month, I got to prevent certain speakers the idea of looking back to from appearing — indicates see what I wrote in my colthat our level of tolerance has umn exactly 10 years ago — continued to decline over the in our June 2007 issue. past decade. I was struck by how timely I invite readers to share that 10-year-old column their thoughts on the subject seems to be for us today. So I — with respect. We will print am repeating it below, with a selection of letters/emails this bit of introduction. in upcoming issues. Two months before my Thoughts on tolerance June 2007 column, I had done FROM THE (from June 2007) something rare for me at the PUBLISHER By Stuart P. Rosenthal My April editorial on the time: namely, express an war in Iraq continues to genopinion on a hot political topic erate much reader (or former reader) of the day: the war in Iraq. Not surprisingly, we received a large comment, as the letters we printed last number of letters from readers expressing month and below suggest. Last month, I expressed surprise at the their own thoughts. What did take me by surprise was how many of them were also strident, even vicious, tone of many of filled with four-letter words, ad hominem them, and I have received a range of reattacks on me, and rants against the Bea- sponses to that as well. Reactions range con itself — all due to my expressing a per- from sympathy over how it feels to be personally attacked, to “buck up, what did you sonal opinion that differed from theirs. I was quite shocked by the tone and con- expect?” to “you got what you deserved.” All in all, these valuable experiences tent of some of those letters, and wrote the have led me to give a lot of thought to the column below in response. I don’t think it takes a lot of imagination following question: What does it mean, in to see how the tenor of today’s debates, this day and age, to be tolerant? Our society has pretty strict rules today particularly over political matters, seems about what a good person may and may unsettlingly similar. And what we’ve been seeing on many not believe (or at least, say in public) about college campuses of late — namely a re- another.

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The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Baltimore area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Howard County, Md., Greater Washington DC and Greater Palm Springs, Calif. 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 • Associate Publisher ..............Judith K. Rosenthal • Vice President, Operations........Gordon Hasenei • Director of Sales ................................Alan Spiegel • Assistant Operations Manager ..........Roger King • Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben • Contributing Editor ..........................Carol Sorgen • Art Director ........................................Kyle Gregory • Advertising Representatives ............Steve Levin, .................................................................... Paul Whipple • Assistant Editor ..........................Rebekah Alcalde

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 31 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

First, of course, it is not acceptable to devalue other people, or worse, to speak of or treat them differently, because of the color of their skin. It is clearly unacceptable today to be racially intolerant. But what about differences in belief? Is it OK to be intolerant of someone whose religious beliefs differ from yours? What if you pray to Jesus and they pray to Allah? What if they pray to a stone idol? What if they don’t believe there’s a deity at all? I think the vast majority of Americans today would look down on someone who judged another person ill on the basis of religious belief or non-belief. What if people differ regarding how they believe our tax dollars should be spent? Can we be intolerant of people who want to see more tax dollars spent on social services? What about people who want to see more government funds spent on preventing illegal immigration? And should there be a difference in how we treat people who hold each of these opinions? Or isn’t it the very definition of the word “tolerance” that we treat all our fellow countrymen with respect, regardless of the issues on which we disagree? Now let’s turn to foreign policy. Is this an area where the rules about tolerance apply or not? I had a conversation the other day (not an argument, just a conversation!) with someone whom I respect, and who I know to be a well-read, articulate, good-hearted person. We disagreed completely and passionately on a foreign policy question (not Iraq, at least not this time around). I think it took some self-control on both our parts, but we kept our cool, and parted

smiling at each other and looking forward to our next occasion to talk. I believe it’s the ability to form, hold and, yes, change our opinions — and to communicate with others about them — that truly makes us different from animals. A person who cannot or will not treat other people with respect despite a difference of opinion has lost the ability to communicate with his fellow human beings, and therefore lost much of his humanity. I think that is tragic. I also think it’s ironic: Two years ago, millions of Iraqis voted in their country’s first free election in 50 years, risking death threats from their fellow Iraqis to cast a vote for self-rule. Their fragile democracy, however, is at risk due to the threatened and actual violence perpetrated daily by factions on both sides of their political and religious divide. If we have learned anything from this war, it should be that what’s good and noble about mankind and about democracy can be wrecked by a relative few who so believe they are the keepers of The Truth that they demonize their fellow countrymen. Yes, our American freedom is premised on freedom of thought and expression. But for all to be able to exercise that freedom, expression needs to be civil. There’s a reason “being civil” and “civilized” means to treat other people with respect. That’s an essential component of civil discourse and, at some level, of our civil freedoms.

Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or e-mail to barbara@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification.

BEACON BITS

June 2

STARRY, STARRY NIGHT Learn about what’s going on in the night sky and space science in

an event at the NatureSphere planetarium. The program, designed for adults, also features a full-dome movie, Passport to the Universe. The event will be held on Friday, June 2 from 8 to 9 p.m. at the Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia. The cost is $6. To register, call (410) 313-0400.

May 23

IRISH MELODIES Enjoy an evening of foot stomping Irish melodies performed by Charm City Junction, a Baltimore-based band comprised of four

young acoustic roots musicians. The concert will be held on Tuesday, May 23 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Miller Branch Library, 9421 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. This program was postponed due to snow just before St. Patrick’s Day and is presented in partnership with Candlelight Concert Society. Registration is preferred by calling (410) 313-1950.

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

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Technology &

Innovations Take new car technology out for a spin By Dee-Ann Durbin Car shopping isn’t just about kicking the tires anymore. It’s also about testing the technology. The rapidly evolving in-car infotainment and navigation systems can be bewildering for all but the most tech-savvy car buyers. The average vehicle on U.S. roads is 11 years old; that means many people last went car shopping before iPhones were invented. Car buyers should make sure they can pair their phone with a car, play music from their phone, make a hands-free call, and use the navigation system before they leave the dealer lot, experts say. They should make sure volume knobs, climate controls and other technology is intuitive and displayed the way they like. Some drivers want volume controls on the steering wheel, for example, while others prefer a knob on the dashboard. Safety technology is also changing rapidly, and buyers should familiarize themselves with what the car can and can’t do. Some vehicles will brake automatically to avoid a collision, while others flash a warning and help the driver pump the brakes but won’t bring the car to a full stop.

“Spend some time in the parking lot sitting in the car and just messing with it,” said Ron Montoya, senior consumer advice editor for the car shopping site Edmunds.com. The issue is a serious one for the auto industry. Consumers’ complaints about phone connectivity, navigation and infotainment systems have lowered vehicle dependability scores in annual rankings from J.D. Power and Consumer Reports. Poor showings in such rankings can put a dent in sales.

drives, Paul Makowski pairs his own phone with the car and has customers make a call, stream music and do other tasks. He uses his own phone so customers don’t worry that their data will be shared with the dealership. “Some people fear the technology and decline it all, but we still go over it. They don’t leave here not knowing what their car has to offer,” he said.

Tips for a tech test drive Help is available Car shopping site Autotrader.com has found that as many as one-third of buyers will choose a different brand if they think a vehicle’s tech features are too hard to use. To combat that, some brands are setting up technology help desks at dealerships and boosting employee training. In 2013, General Motors Co. formed a staff of 50 tech specialists to help deal with an increase in questions from customers about new technology. Those specialists train U.S. dealers to pair customers’ phones, set up in-car Wi-Fi, and set preferences like radio stations. When he takes customers for test

• Take your time: Test driving the technology should take at least 45 minutes, according to Brian Moody, the executive editor at AutoTrader.com. Find out whether your phone is compatible with the car and learn how to pair it. Call a friend and ask if the sound is clear. Make sure the car understands your voice commands. Enter an address into the navigation system or, if the car has the capability, download an address to the car from your phone. Moody said it’s better to learn all these tasks at the dealership than on the road. • Update your phone: Make sure your phone has the latest operating sys-

tem when you go shopping. New cars will be most compatible with updated phones. • Decide what you like: Six percent of new cars sold last year had Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which display many of your phone’s apps on the touchscreen. That’s expected to rise to 50 percent by 2020, according to IHS Markit. The familiar interface of those systems can make it easier to transition to in-car technology. But Montoya says there are some shortcomings. Apple CarPlay doesn’t support the Waze traffic app or Google maps, for example, and if you want to change a radio station, you have to scroll out of Apple CarPlay and back to your car’s radio. You should decide what system is best for you. • Shop around: Even if you’ve settled on a vehicle, it never hurts to test drive something else. You may find, for example, that you prefer climate controls on a touchscreen instead of on dashboard knobs, or that one vehicle has easier-touse buttons on the steering wheel for making calls or adjusting volume. “It might exSee CAR TECHNOLOGY, page 5

Do you feel like you are missing out on the conversation?

Connect with Maryland Relay. Multiple Calling Options–For anyone who has difficulty using a standard telephone. Captioned Telephone–Displays every word your caller says, as you listen. Maryland Accessible Telecommunications (MAT) program–State-provided assistive equipment to qualified applicants including telephones and tablets.

Get a FREE evaluation to find the solution that’s right for you. Call 800-552-7724 or 410-767-6960 (Voice/TTY) 443-453-5970 (Video Phone) or visit mdrelay.org to get started.

Department Of

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Technology & Innovations | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Beacon Links & Apps By Talia Denicoff and Barbara Ruben

Links Packing for flights Planning on packing an anti-static spray, a curling iron or electronic cigarettes in your checked baggage? They are no-nos on a flight. But a limited amount of substances like dry ice and formaldehyde may be allowed in your carry-on. The Federal Aviation Administration’s website includes a comprehensive list of items that are prohibited or allowed on air-

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

planes. There’s a variety of sections on the list including electronics, lighters and toiletries. To make sure you do not pack a hazardous item, check out www.faa.gov/ about/initiatives/hazmat_safety/

Friends of Cancer Research in engaging Congress and federal health agencies on the latest issues. To sign up, visit www.progressfor patients.org

Advocacy for cancer patients

Awkward family photos

Friends of Cancer Research launched a new online learning community to bring patients, advocates and caregivers together with researchers, developers and regulators. The site has two programs: advocacy education and advocacy alliance. Advocacy education teaches patients and their advocates how to communicate with drug researchers and others behind the scenes of medicine. Advocacy alliance helps keep people informed on policy issues, current proposals and national priorities in regulatory science. There is also the opportunity to join

Do you think your family takes a terrible photo? Browse awkwardfamilyphotos.com for comedy relief. The website has thousands of awkward pictures that have been submitted. There is an index of categories of pictures, including birthdays, Thanksgiving, weddings and many more. Each picture comes with a description of what is happening in it. The website even started a podcast called the Awkward Family Podcast run by co-founder, Mike Bender and his wife SuChin Pak, a journalist. They interview the people in the photos to find out what is

lifestyle

Your NEW begins here

communLi are SMOKties E FREE

APARTMENT HOMES FOR THOSE 62 AND BETTER

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

EASTERN SHORE

Furnace Branch 410-761-4150 Severna Park 410-544-3411

Easton 410-770-3070

BALTIMORE CITY

Bel Air 410-893-0064 Box Hill 410-515-6115

Ashland Terrace 410-276-6440 Coldspring 410-542-4400

BALTIMORE COUNTY Catonsville 410-719-9464 Dundalk 410-288-5483 Fullerton 410-663-0665 Miramar Landing 410-391-8375 Randallstown 410-655-5673 Rosedale 410-866-1886 Taylor 410-663-0363 Towson 410-828-7185 Woodlawn 410-281-1120

HARFORD COUNTY

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

happening behind the scenes. http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com

Apps Convenient parking Parkmobile is an app that helps you find available parking near any venue or building. The app directs you to available spots that are registered with Parkmobile. Once at the spot, there will be a sticker with a zone number to plug into the app. You can then pay through the app instead of using coins. Users can even refill the meter while on-the-go through the app. Parkmobile is in over 200 cities nationwide, including Washington, D.C. The app has an option to reserve a spot before getting there. This feature can be especially useful when going to a busy event or for those with mobility issues to ensure a close parking spot. Parkmobile is a free app available for iPhone and Androids

Get fit quick More than 2 million people have downloaded the 7 Minute Workout, which provides a structured workout that only takes, yes, seven minutes. Choose 12 exercises (from a list of 72) for each workout. Each exercise is done for 30 seconds with 10 seconds of rest between. This free app by Johnson & Johnson talks to you to tell you how many seconds you have left of your workout and what exercise is coming up next. There is also a description of how to perform each exercise and a video. 7 Minute Workout is free for iPhone, iPad and Android

BEACON BITS

May 23+

eREADER TUESDAYS

Need a quick refresher on downloading library books to your device? Drop in at the Miller Branch library with your eReader or just your questions on Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. No registration required. The library is located at 9421 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. For more information, call (410) 313-1950.

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY Bladensburg 301-699-9785 55 AND BETTER! Laurel 301-490-1526 Laurel II 301-490-9730

Call the community nearest you to inquire about eligibility requirements and to arrange a personal tour. ALL PARK VIEW COMMUNITIES ARE

PET-FRIENDLY

Professionally managed by The Shelter Group.

June 14+

UNDERSTANDING THE CLOUD

Howard County Community College is offering an online course to explain how the “cloud” works in computers. It runs Wednesday, June 14 through Wednesday, July 21. For a full course description, and to create an online account, visit ed2go.com/howardcc. Tuition is $125.

Car technology From page 3 pose you to something better,” Montoya said. • Don’t forget safety: Lane departure warning systems, backup cameras and blind-spot detection systems work differently depending on the car. Some lane departure systems buzz the seat if you drift out of your lane, for example, while others beep loudly. That’s something you might hear or feel a lot, so choose the

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations

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

technology you prefer (or learn how to turn it off). • Buy what you need: Not everyone wants to stream Spotify and chat with Siri while they’re driving. If you’re in that category, choose a stripped-down model so you’re not paying for features you don’t need, Montoya said. For example, a Toyota Camry starts at $23,050, but the EnTune infotainment package, which includes hands-free calling and other features, costs $775 extra. — AP

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

FREE ASSISTIVE TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT The Maryland Accessible Telecommunications program from

Maryland Relay is designed for residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind, or living with limited speech, mobility or cognitive abilities. Solutions

Robinson Nature Center, at 6692 Cedar Ln., Columbia, is hosting a Ladies Night Out on Friday, May 26. The evening will feature an

hour-long guided hike with the center’s naturalist to learn about the area’s flora, fauna and history. An after-sunset campfire with s’mores and socializing follows. Participants should be age 18 and over. Tickets are $10 per person. To register,

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

❏ Park View at Colonial Landing (see ad on page 4) ❏ Park View at Columbia (see ad on page 4) ❏ Park View at Ellicott City (see ad on page 4) ❏ Park View at Emerson (see ad on page 4)

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❏ Somerford Place (see ad on page 14)

Health Study Volunteers ❏ Flu Vaccine Study (see article on page 11) ❏ Gestalt Healthy Volunteer Study (see ad on page 12)

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★

❏ Resveratrol Study (see ad on page 11)

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❏ Oak Crest/Erickson (see ad on page 13) ❏ Olney Assisted Living (see ad on page 10)

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❏ Fairhaven/Integrace (see ad on page 21) ❏ Homecrest House (see ad on page 7)

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❏ Buckingham’s Choice/Integrace (see ad on page 21) ❏ Charlestown/Erickson Living (see ad on page 13)

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on a lifestyle you’ll love.

❏ Bayleigh Chase/Integrace (see ad on page 21) ❏ Brooke Grove (see ad on page 32)

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Housing Communities

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call (410) 313-0400.

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

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WOMEN’S NIGHT HIKE

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May 26

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552-7744 or (410) 767-6960 (Voice/TTY).

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ers. To learn more, visit Maryland Relay online at www.mdrelay.org or call 1-800-

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include text, captioned or amplified telephones, ring signalers, and tablet comput-

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Health Fitness &

MEDITATE ON THIS Meditation can reduce pain and the need for addictive narcotic medication RECENT DRUG APROVALS New drugs can help with Parkinson’s, cholesterol and nighttime bathroom trips NO MORE BAD HAIR DAYS Try such natural treatments as avocado, olive oil and beer for better tresses HAPPY DAYS Poll finds that optimism and satisfaction with life grow with each decade

Combine good foods to get more benefit By Matthew Kady, R.D. Some foods play really well together. Food synergy occurs when components of different foods work together to maximize benefits. Think of it as 1 plus 1 equals 4 instead of 2; the total result is greater than the sum of the individual parts. Try these good-chemistry eats to watch your health grow exponentially.

Garlic and lemon Perhaps Italians were onto something by frequently pairing these two items. A 2016 study in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine found that combining garlic and lemon juice can bring about a greater reduction in cholesterol and blood pressure compared to consuming either alone. It might be that compounds in lemon, such as citric acid, improve the ability of garlic to fortify heart health. How to combine: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mus-

tard and a pinch of salt and pepper as your daily vinaigrette.

Avocado and carrots It’s a good idea to fatten up your salads. A 2014 study in the Journal of Nutrition found that people who consumed carrots with avocado absorbed 6.6 times more beta-carotene from the carrots than when no fat was consumed. The avocado also greatly increased the conversion of betacarotene in the body to vitamin A. How to combine: Top a spinach salad with shaved carrots, cubed avocado, and a splash of red wine vinegar.

Yogurt and salmon Calcium plays a role in strengthening bones, but it needs vitamin D for a helping hand. Vitamin D improves calcium absorption from the gut. Besides through sunshine and supplementation, you can add vitamin D to your diet

with fatty fish, including wild salmon and sardines, UV-exposed mushrooms, eggs, and fortified foods like milk and orange juice. How to combine: Stir together plain yogurt with curry powder and lime juice for a quick sauce to serve with salmon.

Broccoli and radish The next time you’re serving a side of broccoli, don’t forget to add a fiery kick. Scientists at the University of Illinois showed that pairing broccoli with a spicy food that contains the enzyme myrosinase (found in radishes, mustard greens, horseradish, wasabi, cabbage and broccoli sprouts) improves the absorption of sulforaphane, the anti-cancer compound present in broccoli. How to combine: Steam broccoli florets and toss them with red radish or a handful of radish microgreens.

Kiwi and cereal If cereal is part of your morning routine,

be sure to reach for the fuzzy fruit. A report in the British Journal of Nutrition showed that women who consumed an iron-fortified cereal with kiwi raised their iron levels more than those who paired the cereal with banana. Why? Kiwi is rich in vitamin C, which helps convert the plant form of iron into a more easily absorbed form. The same rule applies to other iron-containing plant foods, like beans, spinach and oatmeal. Pairing them with vegetables and fruits — including red peppers, citrus and berries — boosts iron absorption. How to combine: Top a bowl of wholegrain iron enhanced cereal with slices of kiwi and chopped almonds. Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC. 1-800-8295384. www.EnvironmentalNutrition.com. © 2017 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Ten tips that can help fight osteoporosis By Carrie Dennett, R.D.N. Because 70 percent of our bone destiny is due to heredity, you’re at greater risk for osteoporosis if you have a family history of the disease. But that doesn’t mean you can’t help shape the health of your bones. We actively build bone until our mid-20s, then we start to slowly lose bone mass. After the age of 50, one in two women, and one in four men, will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Until they break that wrist, hip or vertebrae in the spine, odds are they will have no idea they have osteoporosis. In women, that risk of bone loss temporarily speeds up for about five years post-menopause. While it’s best to develop bone-healthy habits in childhood, you can take action at any age to improve both bone and muscle health, even if your genes may be working against you. Why is muscle important? Maintaining muscle as you age makes it more likely that you can stop a fall — and prevent a fracture — if you lose your balance. 1. Don’t fear calcium You know that calcium is important for strong bones — but you may also be concerned that calcium supplements increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Andrea Singer, National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) trustee and clinical director, said that calcium intake from food and supplements that doesn’t exceed 2,000-2,500 milligrams (mg.) per day should be considered safe from a cardiovascular standpoint, based on a recent rigorous review of the evidence by the NOF and the American Society of Preventative Cardiology. 2. Supplement calcium smartly The NOF recommends that women under age 50 get 1,000 mg. of calcium per day and women 50 and older get 1,200 mg. Men age 70 and younger need 1,000 mg. per day, those 71 and older need 1,200 mg. “Obtaining calcium from food sources is preferred,” Singer said. “Supplemental calcium can be safely used to make up any shortfalls in your diet.” 3. Look beyond the obvious Calcium-rich foods beyond dairy products include canned sardines and salmon that still have their bones, tofu made with calcium, tempeh, calcium-fortified soymilk, and some dark leafy vegetables. Collard greens, broccoli rabe, turnip greens and kale are the best of the bunch. 4. Don’t block calcium Spinach and beet greens contain oxalic

acid, which makes their calcium unavailable to us. Cooking greatly reduces oxalic acid, and eating a food with oxalic acid does not affect absorption of calcium from other foods you eat during the same meal. One food that will block calcium absorption is wheat bran — if you eat wheat bran cereal with milk, you will only absorb some of the milk’s calcium. 5. Load up on produce A diet rich in fruits and vegetables creates an environment in the body that prevents bone and muscle breakdown. Antioxidants and other nutrients, like potassium, in produce help prevent calcium loss. Produce and plant foods include still more nutrients that Singer said are good for bone health, including magnesium and vitamins K and C. 6. Stock up on vitamin D Vitamin D is essential for absorbing calcium, but it also helps build muscle. When exposed to the sun, your skin produces vitamin D. However, most of us protect our skin from the sun. Food sources include fatty fish and fortified foods such as milk and most soymilks. Mushrooms contain variable amounts. Taking 800-1,000 IUs of supplemental vi-

tamin D with food is recommended for osteoporosis prevention if you don’t get enough through diet, especially if you live in northern states where vitamin D production from sunshine exposure may be limited. 7. Power up with protein Adequate — but not excessive — protein is good for both muscle and bone. Divide your weight in pounds in half to estimate your protein goal in grams. So, if you weigh 150 pounds, aim for about 75 grams of protein per day. 8. Calm inflammation Omega-3 fatty acids — both EPA and DHA from fatty fish and ALA from walnuts and flax seed — can help reduce inflammation in the body. This is important because inflammation can accelerate bone loss. 9. Get — and stay — active Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, running and strength training, stimulates bone-building activity and builds and maintains muscles. Exercises that help improve balance can also help avoid falls. 10. Avoid “bad to the bone” behaviors These include smoking, and the excessive intake of alcohol, caffeine and sodium, See OSTEOPOROSIS, page 7

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

Brain-healthy From page 1 instance, you could assess how well your memory is working by answering questions devised through neuroscience research. You would find your memory is still good if your brain can do the following: remember a new phone number or an address, follow directions (“Make a left at the traffic light, the gas station is on your right”), remember a person’s name just after you met him or her, and make a mental math calculation, such as quickly figuring if you have enough money to buy a store item. The Internet plays an integral part in getting Mansbach’s programs underway. The BCAT is administered by a healthcare professional via a telehealth visit, which means the patient signs up via the Internet to have a live administrator in another location guide him or her through the process. The telehealth “visit” could last about 30 minutes, which would include an emailed written report that could be sent to the patient’s physician. “A BCAT is a screening tool, a starting point for a full diagnosis,” said Mansbach. The test also assesses whether more serious treatment might be necessary. The process, which costs $89, is not covered by Medicaid or Medicare, but Mansbach said he was “sure” that it would be covered in the next two or three years. For more information on the BCAT approach, visit www.theBCAT.com.

Osteoporosis From page 6 all of which can increase calcium loss. Yoyo dieting has also been shown to reduce bone density.

Healthy habits The ENRICH program — which Mansbach noted is based on scientific literature and the opinion of medical experts — has grown out of the BCAT. It is more of a prevention tool that Mansbach believes could help both those over and under 50. Here are some of the goals and facts of the six ENRICH-proposed “habits to reduce dementia risk”: 1. Exercise: Moderately intense exercises (based on your medical status) should be performed at least five times a week, for 30 minutes. 2. Stop smoking: Once you stop smoking, your heart rate begins to drop after only 20 minutes; risk of a heart attack begins to drop after two weeks to three months without smoking; during that time your lung function begins to improve. One year after quitting, your added risk of a coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s, and after 15 years, your risk is the same as a non-smoker’s. 3. Mental stimulation: Progressively more difficult brain “exercises” should be practiced at least five times a week for 15 minutes each time. These exercises could be found in such books as The BCAT Working Memory Exercise Book. 4. Mood: The chronically depressed are more likely to get dementia, so treatment is critical and should include some form of psychotherapy. 5. Hypertension: Blood pressure must be brought under control, since hypertension is one of the beginning factors that could develop into brain disease. Also, a

Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC. 800-829-5384. www.EnvironmentalNutrition.com. © 2017 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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chronic irregular heart rate “is associated with memory loss.” 6. Healthy weight: Links have been founds between adult obesity and Type 2 diabetes, and between Type 2 diabetes and dementia. Efforts should be made to keep your body mass index (BMI) within the normal range for your height and weight.

Assess your risk online An ENRICH “calculator” that helps measure how well these six brain-healthy habits are being practiced is available free online at www.ENRICHvisits.com. Mansbach stresses that “the ENRICH calculator score is a helpful indicator, but not a diagnostic tool.” His PowerPoint presentation notes: “Your score is intended to give you infor-

mation about risk, so that you can practice lifestyle habits that may lower risk of dementia, slow down cognitive decline, or improve cognitive performance.” From your answers to six questions, the calculator deems whether you are at low, moderate or high risk for dementia, regardless of your age. The questions include how often you work-out physically, how often you do mental exercises, whether you are a smoker, whether you have been depressed recently, what your systolic (top) blood pressure number is, and the score of your body mass index, as calculated by your height and weight. Of his career devoted to doing research and treating older adults, Mansbach said, “You certainly learn a lot about life.”

BEACON BITS

June 13

“POWER OF THE PURSE” AUCTION A silent auction and sale of new, slightly used, and vintage purses

will be held on Monday, June 13 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Fretz Sub-Zero & Wolf Showroom, 9204 Berger Rd., Columbia. The event will include silent bidding on donated purses, as well as an opportunity to meet Danielle DiFernado, founder of Danielle Nicole, New York-based handbag design company. Admission is free, but there’s a suggested donation of $5. All proceeds benefit the Claudia Mayer/Tina Brocolino Cancer Research Center of Howard County General Hospital. For more information, visit Powerofthe Purse@BlossomsofHope.org or call Michelle Wildman at (443) 538-0858.

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

Meditation can reduce pain, replace pills By Dr. Howard LeWine Q: For years, I have needed narcotic medications to control my chronic pain. My doctor is trying to reduce my dose by asking me to practice meditation. Can this really help reduce my pain? A: Yes, meditation and other avenues to mindfulness can help decrease your use of pain medication. And you may eventually be able to stop narcotics completely. Mindfulness is an ancient practice, but it has taken modern imaging technology to demonstrate how it may work. An imaging test called functional MRI [fMRI] shows the brain as it is working. It has allowed us to see things in humans we couldn’t before. What’s most interesting is that people with chronic pain still show significant activity in pain centers while practicing mindfulness meditation. But despite the brain’s pain centers firing on fMRI, the meditators report feeling less pain compared to nonmeditators. The likely reason: The mindfulness practitioners have less activity in regions involved in emotion and memory. Such images indicate that mindfulness practitioners may still feel the pain but not the unpleasantness of the sensation. Instead of blocking the sensation itself, they avoid making associations that identified it as “painful.”

How to start meditating Mindfulness involves focusing your

mind on the present and letting go of concerns about the past and the future. Here are the basics of a mindfulness meditation practice: In a quiet and comfortable place, sit on a cushion on the floor with your legs crossed, or sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Sit up straight but not stiff. Let your hands rest on the tops of your thighs. Start by bringing your attention to the sensations of your body (sight, sound, taste, touch, scent). Next, bring your awareness to your breathing as you inhale and exhale. Pay particular attention to breathing out. When you become distracted by thoughts and feelings — for example, an appointment you must keep, or anger at someone — silently and gently label these as thoughts, let them go, and return your focus to your breath. If you’d like to practice mindfulness meditation, start by setting aside some time each day and begin gradually — meditating for five to 10 minutes once or twice a day. You can gradually build up to 20 minutes or even an hour. 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 www.health.harvard.edu. © 2017 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

May

FREE BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING

Howard County General Hospital offers free blood pressure screening every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Ellicott City Senior Center, 9401 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. For more information, call (410) 313-1425.

June 8

AN END TO ARGUING

Choose Civility and the Mediation and Conflict Resolution Center at Howard Community College are hosting a dialogue circle at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 8 at the Savage Branch Library, 9525 Durness Ln., Savage. The focus will be on practicing constructive dialogue and conflict resolution strategies in discussing divisive issues in a respectful and productive manner. Space is limited, and registration is required by calling (410) 313-0760.

Ongoing

SAVE ON COUNTY SCHOOL EVENTS

Get a head start on enjoying Howard County school events this fall with a senior pass for residents 65 or older. Pass holders enjoy free admission to high school athletic events, music and dance performances, and half-price tickets to theater productions. Applications are available online at www.hcpss.org/parents/senior-pass-program/ or by calling the Howard County Public Schools information office at (410) 313-6682.

June 16+

ONE-POT RECIPES

Spend an hour with Kari Weiner, nutrition specialist, every third Friday of the month at 10 a.m. starting June 16 as she demonstrates quick and easy one-pot recipes that taste delicious and make cleanup a breeze. These will take place at the Bain 50+ Center, 5460 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia. The series is free. Call (410) 313-7213 to register.

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

Health Shorts Fewer nighttime bathroom trips U.S. regulators recently approved the first drug to reduce the number of times people wake to use the bathroom. The treatment is a nasal spray intended for adults who wake up at least twice a night to urinate. The Food and Drug Administration said the spray, called Noctiva, is not approved to treat all causes of frequent nighttime urination, so doctors must determine the cause and best treatment for each person. Noctiva is approved specifically for a common condition caused by such things as chronic heart failure, poorly controlled diabetes, and bladder and prostate problems, as well as some medications. The nasal spray is used daily about 30 minutes before bedtime. It works by making the kidneys absorb more water, which reduces the amount of urine. Noctiva carries the FDA’s strongest warning — a so-called black box — because the drug can cause dangerously low levels of sodium in the blood. Other side effects include colds, bronchitis, increased blood pressure, dizziness, back pain and nose bleeds. Before using the spray, patients must undergo testing to confirm they produce excess urine at night. The treatment was tested for three months in about 1,000 people 50 and older with the condition, called noctur nal polyuria. The half who used Noctiva had more nights with one or no trips to the bathroom, compared to the group that got a dummy nasal spray, according to the FDA. The active ingredient in Noctiva, desmopressin acetate, is included in some other

drugs, including an injected version for bleeding disorders.

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by those taking opioid painkillers and certain antidepressants.

New drug approved Pricey cholesterol drug reduces for Parkinson’s heart risks The FDA has approved the first new drug in a decade for Parkinson’s disease, a chronic neurological disorder that causes tremors and movement difficulties. The medication, called Xadago, is for use when a patient’s regular medicines aren’t working well. The pill was tested in two six-month studies that included about 1,200 patients taking a standard treatment — levodopa. According to the FDA, adding Xadago to levodopa decreased periods with troubling symptoms such as involuntary muscle movement. Patients who took Xadago also had better control of movement compared to groups that got levodopa and dummy pills. Roughly 1 million Americans and up to 10 million people worldwide have Parkinson’s. It generally strikes older adults, affecting 1 to 2 percent of those over age 65. Parkinson’s is a progressive disease whose symptoms worsen over time. Levodopa, which most patients take, can become less effective as the disease progresses. So, additional medicines are then needed. Milan, Italy-based Newron Pharmaceuticals, which has a U.S. subsidiary in Morristown, New Jersey, developed Xadago, known chemically as safinamide. It was approved in the European Union in 2015. Newron’s partner, US Worldwide Meds LLC of Louisville, Kentucky, will market Xadago in the U.S. That company said the drug’s list price without insurance will be $670 for a 30-day supply of either the 50- or 100-milligram dose. Possible side effects can include involuntary movement, nausea and insomnia. The FDA said Xadago should not be taken by people with severe liver problems, or

A long-acting cholesterol medicine cut the risk of having a heart attack or some other serious problems by 15 to 20 percent in a big study that’s likely to spur fresh debate about what drugs should cost. Statins such as Lipitor and Crestor are cheap, and lower LDL or bad cholesterol. But some people can’t tolerate or get enough help from them. The new drug, Amgen’s Repatha, is given as a shot once or twice a month and is part of a novel class of medicines that drop LDL to unprecedented levels.

It costs more than $14,000 a year, and insurers have balked at paying without proof that it lowers heart risks, not just the cholesterol number. The new study gives that evidence, but the benefit is not as great as some doctors had hoped. For every 200 people treated with Repatha for roughly two years, three fewer people would suffer a heart attack, stroke or heartrelated death. But looked at by themselves, deaths were not reduced by the drug. “That’s a big benefit,” said Dr. Marc Sabatine, the study leader, from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. For millions of people with heart disease or high risk for it like those in the study, “it’s worth it to be on this medicine.” But Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones, preventive medicine chief at Northwestern University See HEALTH SHORTS, page 10

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J U N E 2 0 1 7 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Optimism and satisfaction grow with age By Matt Sedensky Feel down about getting older? Wish your life was better? Worried about all the problems that come with age? A new survey suggests you need only wait: Many pessimistic feelings held by people earlier in life take an optimistic turn as they move toward old age. Even hallmark concerns of old age â&#x20AC;&#x201D; about declining health, lack of independence and memory loss â&#x20AC;&#x201D; lessen as Americans age. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The younger generation is less opti-

mistic,â&#x20AC;? said Dr. Zia Agha, chief medical officer at West Health, a nonprofit focused on aging issues whose related research institute released the poll with the independent research organization NORC at the University of Chicago. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Perhaps as they age they will build resilience, and they build the capacity that will help them cope better.â&#x20AC;?

Positivity grows each decade Generally speaking, optimism about growing older increased steadily with age,

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the poll found. Among people in their 30s, 46 percent described themselves as mostly or somewhat optimistic about aging, compared with 66 percent of people 70 and older. Likewise, respondents showed a decadeby-decade increase in feeling confident, not helpless, about aging, and in assessing their household finances positively. When asked to rate their quality of life, people noted an improvement as they moved from their 50s to their 60s and beyond. Among respondents 70 and older, two-thirds rated their life excellent or very good, compared to about half of 30-somethings. Among some metrics, pessimism appears to grow as people move out of their 30s into middle age, before falling later in life. Those 70 and older were least likely to express worry about age bringing poor health, a move into a nursing home or memory loss. They also were least likely to fear old age could prompt them to be disrespected or become a burden on their families. People in their 60s and beyond had the lowest fear of losing their independence. Other research has pointed to greater satisfaction, happiness and optimism among older people.

Focus on spirituality, relationships

Health shorts

more than 7 percent on the dummy drug. The benefit grew with longer use, and was 25 percent the second year, said Sabatine, who consults for Amgen and other drugmakers. The drug cut by 15 percent a broader set of problems â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the ones above, plus hospitalization for chest pain or an arteryopening procedure. Nearly 10 percent of folks on Repatha had one versus more than 11 percent on the dummy drug. This last result is something insurers care about â&#x20AC;&#x201D; preventing costly healthcare. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the biggest issue â&#x20AC;&#x201D; whether theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re worth all the money,â&#x20AC;? Hlatky said of the drugs. If they cost 50 times as much as statins, â&#x20AC;&#x153;are they 50 times better? I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think so.â&#x20AC;? For now, â&#x20AC;&#x153;we should still probably reserve these for the highest risk patients where statins are not doing a good enough job â&#x20AC;&#x201D; at least at the price they are currently offered,â&#x20AC;? said Lloyd-Jones. Amgen said the drugâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s value justifies its cost, and offered more deals for insurers â&#x20AC;&#x201D; including refunds for people who have a heart attack or stroke after using Repatha for at least six months. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; AP

From page 9

You are invited to Yo

LIFT TING THE S SPIRIT of the C Caregiver A Caregivverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Retreat Guest Speaker:

Loretta Anne Veney

Â&#x2014;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;ÇĄ Â&#x201D;Â&#x192;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D; Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020; Â&#x2018;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x192;Â&#x17D; Â&#x2019;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D; Author of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beingg My Momâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Momâ&#x20AC;?

Â&#x2018;Â&#x2039;Â? Â&#x2014;Â&#x2022; Â&#x192;Â&#x2022; Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2013;Â&#x192; Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2021; Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x2026;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022; Â&#x2014;Â&#x2022; Â&#x160;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2122; Â&#x2013;Â&#x2018; Â&#x17D;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2013; Â&#x2018;Â&#x2014;Â&#x201D; Â&#x2022; Â&#x2039;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2022; Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020; Â&#x2014;Â?Â&#x2026;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D; Â&#x2018;Â&#x2014;Â&#x201D; Â&#x152;Â&#x2018;Â&#x203A; Â&#x2021;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2021;Â? Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2030;Â&#x160; Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2026;Â&#x160;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2030;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022; Â&#x2018;Â&#x2C6; Â&#x2026;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2030;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030;Ç¤ Â&#x2026;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022; Â&#x2030;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020; Â&#x2013;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2122;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2020; Â&#x2019;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030; Â&#x152;Â&#x2018;Â&#x203A; Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020; Â&#x2039;Â?Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D; Â&#x2019;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2122;Â&#x2039;Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D; Â&#x201E;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2026;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2020;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020; Â&#x2020;Â&#x2014;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030; Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2022;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2018;Â?Ç¤

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and an American Heart Association spokesman, called the results modest and â&#x20AC;&#x153;not quite what we hoped or expected.â&#x20AC;? Dr. Mark Hlatky, a Stanford University cardiologist and cost effectiveness researcher, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;people were hoping for a breakthrough, a lot bigger result than 20 percent.â&#x20AC;? Repatha and a similar drug, Praluent, called PCSK9 inhibitors, were approved in 2015 for people with inherited risk for high cholesterol, or heart disease that had already caused a problem such as a heart attack. The study tested Repatha in more than 27,500 people like this who had LDL above 70 (the recommended upper limit for such patients) despite maximum statin use. After about two years, Repatha, used along with statins, reduced LDL from a median of 92 to 30. It also proved safe â&#x20AC;&#x201D; side effects were similar to those from a dummy drug. Repatha cut by 20 percent the combined risk of having either a heart attack, stroke or a heart-related death. That happened to nearly 6 percent of people on Repatha versus

Agha said the latest survey reflects the idea that people often find in their later years a growing appreciation for facets of life they may have focused on less when they were younger, including spirituality and personal relationships. Fulfillment from those things can helps bolster overall happiness, even in the face of potential physical decline. The NORC-West Health poll also found those 70 and older were less likely than younger people to feel that seniors are forgotten in America today or that they receive too little respect. Not surprisingly, older people were less likely to see the age of 65 as a marker of old age. About four in 10 people in their 30s regarded that number as symbolic of reaching old age â&#x20AC;&#x201D; twice as large a share as those in their 70s or beyond. The poll was based on online and telephone interviews of 3,026 adults age 30 and older who are members of NORCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nationally representative AmeriSpeak panel. It has a margin of sampling error for all respondents of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; AP

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

GET AN ECONOMIC CHECKUP The Howard County Office on Aging and Independence, in conjunc-

tion with Maryland Access Point, offers an Economic Checkup program for residents age 60 and over with a monthly income of $2,475 or less and who are struggling to make ends meet each month. The program reviews entitlements to

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benefit programs and other options. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call Maryland Access Point at (410) 313-1234 or visit map@howardcountymd.gov.

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

Health Studies Page

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

People 75+ sought for flu vaccine study By Carol Sorgen Seasonal influenza (flu) is the fourthleading cause of death for older Americans. That’s why it’s highly recommended that all adults 50 years of age or older receive an annual flu vaccine immunization. However, despite the fact that more older adults are receiving the vaccination, mortality has actually increased. Researchers theorize that may be due to the fact that the immune system — the part of the body that protects against infection — often works less effectively as we age. Researchers believe that, while many studies indicate the flu vaccine’s benefit for older adults overall, these studies have not adequately represented older and frailer individuals who suffer over three-quarters of influenza-related mortality. Johns Hopkins University (JHU) has conducted a pilot study that showed significant vaccine failures in the frail elderly. In order to understand the reasons for influenza vaccine failure in this population, JHU researchers are currently conducting a four-year influenza immunization and post-vaccination influenza study in adults over 75 years of age.

Who can participate? Researchers hope that the study will provide a more accurate assessment of the clinical effectiveness of the flu vaccine in older adults. A total of 525 people over the age of 75 will be participating in this study. The main qualifying factor is to be over 75, but there are several conditions that would exclude participation. These include being allergic to eggs or to the vac-

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

WALK FOR WELLNESS

The “We Walk for Wellness” program is held every Saturday through September from 8:45 to 10 a.m. at the North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd., Laurel. Warm-ups and cool-downs are included before and after the guided walk. For more information, call the center at (410) 6540000 or (410) 740-7601.

June 3

CELEBRATE SAVAGE

Opening with a community parade into the center of town at 9 a.m., the town of Savage celebrates its history on Saturday, June 3 at Carroll Baldwin Hall, 9035 Baltimore St., followed by a full day of local bands, dance performances, pony rides, crafts, petting zoo and more. For more information, call (410) 926-0025.

cine, having active cancer, or undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. Other disqualifying factors include having active systemic inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s disease; active cardiopulmonary disease like COPD, or taking oral steroids.

What the study entails In order to determine if you are qualified for the study, a brief telephone questionnaire will be given. If you qualify and agree to proceed, you will be asked to come to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center or, if you are unable to come to Bayview, one of the Hopkins staff can visit you at your home.

During that visit, your medical history will be reviewed, and vital signs, walking speed and grip strength will be measured. Several brief questionnaires will be administered, and blood and urine samples collected. You will then receive the flu vaccine at no cost. Three to four weeks after you receive the flu shot, you will have another visit at Johns Hopkins Bayview or your home, where the questionnaires will be repeated, vital signs checked, and a second blood sample taken. Throughout the study, a staff member will call participants once a week to ask about their general health and any flu-like symptoms. These calls will be made throughout the flu season which typically

lasts through the end of May. If you begin to have any influenza-like symptoms at any time during the study, you will be asked report those symptoms so that a nasal swab can be taken to confirm influenza, and a third blood sample drawn to look at the immune response and protection of influenza vaccine. The long-term goal of the Hopkins research is that more effective and targeted immunization strategies will strengthen immune protection against influenza for vulnerable older Americans. To see if you are eligible, contact Adaku Ikotun at (410) 550-2113 or aihekwe1@jhmi.edu, or Ora White at (410) 5502113 or owhite1@jhmi.edu.

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

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

DIY treatments for frizzy, dry or oily hair I lived in the bitter cold of Queens, New York and Somerset Massachusetts until I was 11 years old, then in hot and humid Ocala and Gainesville, Florida for 35 more. For the past six, I’ve been in the dry climate of Denver, Colorado. My hair’s seen a lot. Yet, at 52, my hair is still thick and healthy. So I’ll share my DIY tips with you today.

smooth your hair strands and make them shine. You can thin the mashed avocado with a little water and work into hair. Then shampoo it out. Olive oil The fats in olive oil can really luxe-up your locks. Have you ever given olive oil to a dog to soften up his fur? Well, it works for you, too! Use about one-quarter of a cup on its own, or mixed with For dry or frizzy hair other ingredients, for a beautiDEAR Avocado ful sheen. It’s so softening that PHARMACIST Use half of a ripe, buttery avthis tip will make people want to By Suzy Cohen ocado. For best results, blend scratch behind your ears (kidit in a blender or mash it really ding!). Work into hair then well, so it is super creamy and smooth shampoo it out. (trust me, you don’t want to be picking out For oily or flat hair chunks of avocado from your hair). Apple cider vinegar The natural fat in avocado will help

Ok, it doesn’t smell great. But apple cider vinegar clears away excess oil and may help dandruff. Put two tablespoons in a spray bottle with 4 ounces of water, and spray onto your hair until damp. Shampoo (and/or condition) your hair like normal. Corn starch This fine white powder is a DIY dry shampoo. Sprinkle a tablespoon or two onto your hair, mix through, and let sit for 10 minutes. Then brush it out. The cornstarch will absorb excess oil and give you that instant shampooed look. This is nice if you’re tired, have had recent surgery, or you’re disabled. You can buy commercial brands of “dry shampoo,” but they sometimes contain weird chemicals.

For balanced normal hair

Eggs I prefer my eggs scrambled or as egg salad to be honest, but if you can get past the ick factor, the rich, fatty egg yolks moisturize and lend natural protein to your hair. Apply one or two lightly beaten eggs to your hair. You can also try just the yolks, or just whites if you want to experiment. Then shampoo as normal. Beer Yes, beer! Before using, you want to let it sit out in an open glass for an hour or so to eliminate the bubbles, so it doesn’t foam all over the place. (Hide it so your hubby doesn’t walk by and have himself a Bud. I don’t have to worry about that because my husband hates beer.) The protein in beer adds structure to your hair, meaning it’s a DIY hair volumizer. Closing confession: I’m a little too attached to my bottle of “It’s a 10 Miracle” conditioner and a flat iron straightener. For a much longer version of this article, visit my website. This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To contact her, visit www.SuzyCohen.com.

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Ongoing

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT AND ADVICE

For those who care for someone with mental illness, AARP offers a section of its website for information, tools and resources for caregivers at aarp.org/caregiving or by calling 1877-333-5885. For resources in Spanish, the site is aarp.org/cuidar or by phone 1-888-971-2013

June 13

COUNTING COINS Meet Drage Vukcevich, an avid

coin collector and appraiser with Alex Cooper Auctioneers, who will present “Validating and liquidating coin collections.” Learn ways to take stock of your coin collection. The event will take place on Tuesday, June 13 at 11 a.m. at the Ellicott City 50+ Center, 9401 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. Do not bring in your coins or collections; this program is strictly for informational purposes. To RSVP, call (410) 313-1400.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

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

How to get concerned family to back off Dear Solutions: Add that you hope he’ll understand that I’m a very active senior and, luckily, slow-to-move is fast-to-age! Suggest that he fairly healthy. Recently, I had read literature on aging that a bad fall. But I’m okay now. emphasizes aging well reHowever, since then, my quires physical activity and son has started to treat me well as a good attitude. like I’m an invalid. He’s Finally, express your appreconstantly warning me that ciation for his caring, and say I should cut down on my that when “old” arrives for you, activities because I’m you hope he’ll still be there with growing old. I don’t intend his concern and his help. to do any such thing, but I OK — now get up and go! don’t want to alienate him Dear Solutions: SOLUTIONS by arguing either. When my husband gets He says this advice is for By Helen Oxenberg, angry about something, he my sake, but also I should MSW, ACSW starts shouting. Then, if I consider him because if want him to hear what I anything serious happens to me, he’ll have to say, I start to shout as well. have to take care of me. Thus, I The other day we went through this should just do things slowly. and then, when I went outside, my How do I get him to stop bugging neighbor looked at me strangely. Of me without making him angry? course, she could hear every word. I’m — A embarrassed. Dear A: My husband and I are a good match Tell him you’re taking his advice, so the in other ways except the arguing demost important thing you’re going to do partment. How can we do this better? slowly is to grow old! — Embarrassed

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Dear Embarrassed: You’re a good match in the arguing department also — you’re a shouting match! Do just the opposite. Instead of shouting louder, talk softer and softer. He’ll have to be quiet to hear you, and he’ll probably start talking more quietly himself. When arguing, talk only in the first person. Speak about you, not about him. Say what you feel and how things affect you, without excusing or accusing. Your husband will have to listen harder — and so will your neighbor! Dear Solutions: I’m embarrassed and don’t know what to tell relatives and friends. My grandson, who’s only 26, got married in a big wedding six months ago because the bride wanted a big affair.

Nobody knew the bride was pregnant. Now the baby was just born, and some people are asking if the baby came early. What do I say? — Grandma Dear Grandma: Just smile and say the baby didn’t come early, the wedding came late! Be happy that at least there was a wedding. You’re probably a young grandma. Celebrate. Congratulations for a healthy grandbaby. Concentrate on that. © Helen Oxenberg, 2017. Questions to be considered for this column may be sent to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915. You may also email the author at helox72@comcast.net. To inquire about reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684.

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

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410-313-9744

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

Say you saw it in the Beacon

50+

THE

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

Connection

Department of Community Resources and Services

Volume 7, No. 6 • June 2017

Financial Exploitation is On the Rise By Ofelia Ott, Home and Community Based Services Division Manager, Howard County Office on Aging and Independence

inancial exploitation takes many forms; it may be as a result of theft, fraud, a scam, or misuse of Powers of Attorney. Elder financial exploitation is the fastest growing form of abuse and there is strong indication that it will continue to grow as the elder demographic shift occurs. In Howard County by the year 2035, residents aged 65+ will make up approximately 22% of the population. Research shows that one in five Americans aged 65 or older have been victimized by financial fraud. Elders and vulnerable adults, by virtue of their dependence on others, are at a risk for abuse, neglect and exploitation. One out of every two individuals with dementia experience one form of abuse. Elders and vulnerable adults often succumb to victimization due to undue influence or an abuse of a trusted relationship. Yet so many of these crimes do not get reported due to fear of retaliation, embarrassment, lack of physical and/or cognitive ability to report or fear of losing their independence and control over their lives. The Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) recently received a call from an adult daughter concerned about her 67-year-old mother. During a recent visit, she noticed her mother received a bouquet of flowers. When she asked about them, her mother said they were from a gentleman she met online. Initially she was happy that her mother had found a companion after several years of being a widow, but after further discussion, the daughter discovered that her mother had sent this gentleman over $200,000 in the past year. Her mother admitted she had never met the man in person but she cared for him and sent him the money because his daughter had a medical emergency. And it did not end there; there was one elaborate story after another asking for financial help. After

researching the man’s name and image online, the daughter became concerned by the results she found — his image was associated with several different names; this confirmed her suspicions and she reached out to OAI. We provided information about this scam, commonly known as the romance scam, and connected the daughter to the police department to file a report of financial exploitation. We explained that con artists often look for some area of vulnerability in older adults, using their loneliness to exploit a person. Con artists do not care how hard you worked for your money nor the impact of the financial loss. If something sounds too good to be true, it is. Tips to avoid becoming a victim of an online romance scam: • Do an image search of your new online friend. If several names come up, you are dealing with a scammer. • Do not send your online friend money for ANY reason. • Be wary of a new online friend that wants to chat off the dating site immediately, using personal mail, text or phone. • Be cautious if the person’s online profile disappears a few days after you meet. June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). Anyone can become a victim if we don’t know the signs or red flags. Your best defense to prevent becoming a victim is knowledge. For more information, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/eldersafety. You can download the Elder Abuse Awareness Guide or receive a hard copy by emailing your request to aging@howardcountymd.gov. If you see something, say something. To report abuse, contact Howard County Adult Protective Services (APS) 410-872-8823, Howard County Police Department at 410-313-2200 (non-emergency), or the Howard County Long-Term-Care Ombudsman Program 410-313-6423. For life-threatening emergencies, dial 911.

Cycle2Health Season 5 is off and running — or riding! More than 88 cyclists had already registered for the 2017 season by the May 2 kick off, held at the Ellicott City 50+ Center. Rides of varying length and intensity are held May through October. To register or discover upcoming rides and routes, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/C2H or call Jeannie DeCray, 410-313-6535. Join the fun!

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The 50+ Connection

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

Five Quick Tips to Avoid Tax Collection Scams By Rebecca Bowman, Administrator Howard County Office of Consumer Protection Now that the April filing deadline has passed, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is using private collection agencies to collect overdue federal tax debts. Unfortunately, con artists are likely to use this change to trick individuals into paying money they do not owe.

Tips to Avoid Being Scammed • Back taxes can only be collected by specific agencies selected by the IRS who are required to abide by the Fair Credit Debt Collection Practices Act. • Before an approved agency calls you, the IRS will send you a letter that gives you the name of the agency and information on what you owe. The agency will then send a second, separate confirmation letter. If you have not received written notice, don’t trust callers demanding money for back taxes. • Approved agencies may identify themselves as IRS contractors collecting taxes, but imposters will too. Only agree to pay by using the IRS website or by sending a check directly to the IRS (payable to “U.S. Treasury”). Hang up if the caller asks you to send money to anyone other than the IRS or US Treasury; requests your debit or credit card number; or tells you to pay using prepaid debit cards, iTunes or other gift cards. • Approved private collection agencies are not authorized to take criminal action against taxpayers and cannot threaten taxpayers with arrest or deportation. • If you aren’t sure if you owe back taxes, check your IRS account balance at: www.irs.gov/balancedue. If you are unable to pay the full amount, set up a payment plan with the IRS. For more information on the IRS’ use of private collection agencies and how to avoid tax collection calls, read the Howard County Office of Consumer Protection’s (OCP) new factsheet posted on its website www.howardcountymd.gov/consumer. To file a complaint or request this factsheet in an alternative format, contact the OCP via email at consumer@howardcountymd.gov or call 410-313-6420 (voice/relay).

Aging in Place Tax Credit Extended Good news for Howard County older adult homeowners! The deadline for the Aging In Place Tax Credit has been extended to September 1, 2017. To qualify, Howard County homeowners must be 65 or older and have lived in their home for 40+ years, OR be retired military age 65+. There are no income or asset tests. This tax credit is designed to help longtime residents and military retirees remain in Howard County. For more information, contact Maryland Access Point at 410-313-1234.

P4C Pet Evaluations If you are interested in volunteering, or wish to receive a FREE evaluation for your pet, contact: Ingrid Gleysteen, PROGRAM COORDINATOR 410-313-7461 • igleysteen@howardcountymd.gov

June 1 • 7 TO 9

Bain 50+ Center 5470 Ruth Keeton Way Columbia 21044

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

Take advantage of US before someone takes advantage of YOU! The 50+ Connection is published monthly by the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence. This publication is available in alternate formats upon request. To join our subscriber list, email kahenry@howardcountymd.gov

6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046 PHONE EMAIL

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

www.howardcountymd.gov/consumer

6751 Columbia Gateway Dr., Suite 200, Columbia, MD 21046 410-313-6410 (VOICE/RELAY) • www.howardcountymd.gov/aging Find us on

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

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

The 50+ Connection

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

Say you saw it in the Beacon

START LIVING WELL TODAY! Living Well with Hypertension Building a Constellation Millie Manuel shows off her artwork, part of a new mosaic art installation at the North Laurel 50+ Center. CONSTELLATION brings together design elements by multiple artists into a cohesive whole. Join us for the installation and reception at the North Laurel 50+ Center (9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel 20723) Thursday, June 15, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Light refreshments provided. RSVP to Michelle Feng at 410-313-0380. This project is a collaboration between the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence, Howard County Recreation and Parks, American Visionary Arts Museum and the Howard County Center for the Arts Council.

An interactive evidence-based workshop is designed for people who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure who want to learn how to better manage their condition.

TUESDAY, JULY 11 • 6:00 to 8:30 PM Medical Pavilion at Howard County 10710 Charter Dr., Suite 100, Columbia 21044

SATURDAY, JULY 15 • 10 AM to 12:30 PM St. John Baptist Church 9055 Tamar Drive, Columbia 21045

Living Well: Take Charge of Your Health Topics include: • Nutrition & Healthy Eating • Appropriate Exercise • Handling Pain, Fatigue, Frustration and Isolation

• Communication Skills • Stress Management • Goal Setting

FRIDAYS • 10 AM to 12:30 PM July 14, 21, 28, August 4, 11, 18 Medical Pavilion at Howard County 10710 Charter Dr., Suite 100, Columbia 21044 IN RECOGNITION OF

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

FRAUDS AND SCAMS

To register or for more information:

JEN LEE jlee@howardcountymd.gov

410-313-5940 (VOICE/RELAY)

TARGETING OLDER ADULTS

howardcountymd.gov/livingwell

Thursday, June 15 • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Howard County Library, Miller Branch

BUILD CONFIDENCE. REDUCE FALLS.

9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City 21042

James Mobley TELE

410-468-2024 •

PRESENTED BY

james.mobley@maryland.gov

AND EXHIBITORS AND VENDORS INCLUDE

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

FREE EVENT • SEATING is LIMITED

Exercise and Strategies for Fall Prevention A seven-week, evidence-based program designed to help reduce falls and increase confidence, strength and balance. Led by health and community-service professionals. — $28 includes 15 hrs of workshop (7 sessions) and materials —

Join Us for the Next SteppingON Program! JEANNIE DECRAY 410-313-6535 (VOICE/RELAY) • jdecray@howardcountymd.gov

www.howardcountymd.gov/aging

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

The 50+ Connection

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

Howard County 50+ Centers

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS Go to www.howardcountymd.gov/50pluscenters for a complete list of events, programs and services. Also, find and “LIKE US” on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HoCoCommunity

Bain 50+ Center

Ellicott City 50+ Center

Tuesday, June 6 • 10:30 a.m. — Oscar Somersalo

Wednesday, June 14 • 1:00 p.m. — Fad Diets

Guitarist Oscar Somersalo will perform virtuoso Spanish guitar technique to the theme of “Carnival of Venice” with arrangements from Bach’s Chaconne for solo violin. FREE; register at 410-313-7213.

Karen Basinger, MS, CFCS, LDN, Family Consumer Sciences/University of Maryland Extension, Howard County, will discuss healthy eating tips and trends. Learn where to buy, what to stay away from and more! FREE; register at 410-313-1400.

Tuesday, June 20 • 11:30 a.m. — Summer Kickoff Party Drink up and cool off at our line dance party to welcome the summer season. Register at 410-313-7213 by June 13; ticket donation required.

Wednesday, June 21 • 1:00 p.m. —

Tuesday, June 27 • 10:30 a.m. – Lyric Opera House

presents “Anything Goes: The Music of Cole Porter”

Howard County Fire and Rescue Services hosts a Q&A program about adequate smoke alarms for your home, using space heaters and creating safer stairways. FREE; register at 410-313-1400.

Two Lyric Opera performers act, sing and dance to Cole Porter favorites, accompanied by a jazz pianist. FREE; register at 410-313-7213.

Thursday, June 22 • 1:00 p.m. – Extreme Couponing

East Columbia 50+ Center

Do you like saving money, or even better, getting things for free? Join coupon queen, Gina Brooks, to learn tips and tricks to become a savvy “couponista.” FREE; register at 410-313-1400.

Tuesday, June 13 • 4:30 p.m. — Jessie Barnes’

Remembering When Safety Program

Summer Dance Party

Glenwood 50+ Center

Enjoy music, food, mocktails and great line dancing. No experience necessary! $5 suggested donation; register at 410-313-7680.

Tuesdays, June 6, 13, and 20 • 1:00 p.m. —

Wednesday, June 14 • 10:00 a.m. — Duct Tape Bag Join us to create a summer fun bag for beach or shopping from duct tape! Cost: nominal material fee to instructor. Register at 410-313-7680.

Military historian and teacher Bob Mullauer shares his experiences from walking battlefields in the United States, Europe and the Pacific Theater. FREE; register at 410-313-5440.

Wednesday, June 21 • 4:00 p.m. —

Monday, June 12 • 8:15 a.m. — Nature Walk

Summer on The Deck: First Day of Summer BBQ

Join Kurt Schwarz for a nature walk through the trails of Western Regional Park and search for songbirds with the Howard County Bird Club. Register at 410-313-5440.

The library may be closed for renovations, but the 50+ Center is open and offering plenty of fun, with weekly plans for grilling and chilling. Food is available for purchase. Register at 410-313-7680.

Snapshot of the Pacific War (WWII)

Wednesday, June 28 • 1:00 p.m. — How Pablo Picasso’s

Wednesday, June 14 • 6:30 p.m. —

Personal Life Influenced His Artwork

Korean Caregiver Support Group

Ann Wiker, artist, art historian and educator, leads this exploration of Picasso’s life and how his passion for the women in his life influenced his creativity. FREE; register at 410-313-5440.

Share your caregiving experiences and challenges in this new group (meets second Wednesday of the month) led by M.J. Engle, Maryland Access Point information specialist. FREE; register at 410-313-7680.

Elkridge 50+ Center Temporary Location: 5660 Furnace Avenue, Elkridge 21075 Tuesday, June 6 • 10:30 a.m. — Focus on Brain Health Join us for an interactive workshop with Marsha Ansel, LCSW-C, Howard County Mental Health Authority and Karen Hull, Office on Aging and Independence, to learn more about brain health and emotional wellness. FREE; register at 410-313-5192.

Friday, June 16 • 10:30 a.m. — Father’s Day Cookout

Wednesday, June 21 • Noon — Glamour at Glenwood Enjoy a catered lunch while our models show off the latest in casual wear. New this year: a blush and lipstick bar presented by the A-List. $18.50/ person; register at 410-313-5440.

North Laurel 50+ Center Friday, June 2 • 11:00 a.m. — 50+ Center Anniversary Bash Meet and greet staff, 50+ community members and volunteers as we celebrate the past and dance our way into the future to classic hits; light refreshments provided. FREE; register at 410-313-0380.

Wednesday, June 14 • 10:30 a.m. — Flag Day Social

Enjoy all of your favorite cookout foods and relax to the sound of Larry Scott. $3 fee includes entertainment, games and prizes. Register at 410-313-5192.

Local veterans and American Legion members will share the history of the American flag and what it represents. FREE; register at 410-313-0380.

Friday, June 9 • 11:30 a.m. — Let’s Dish: Shrimp & Pesto

Friday, June 16 • 11:00 a.m. — Father’s Day Pizza & Show

Learn how to make Shrimp & Pesto, a light and refreshing pasta dish perfect for summer. Donations accepted. Register at 410-313-5192.

Enjoy music and comedy by “Two for the Show” and enjoy a pizza party while honoring the men in your life. $3 plus lunch donation. Register at 410-313-0380.

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

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Money Law &

HELP ELDERS AVOID SCAMS How and when to step in to help protect loved ones from fraud and bad money decisions SCORE A PAYOUT People who paid to get access to their credit scores can cash in on a lawsuit settlement

Why pay retail? Bills you can negotiate By Liz Weston The word “bills” used to be synonymous with “fixed expenses.” But there’s nothing fixed about many of the bills a typical household pays today. Some bills have introductory rates that expire, shooting monthly costs skyward. Others offer secret discounts or upgrades to those in the know. Providers constantly tweak their plans and pricing, which means long-term customers can overpay by hundreds of dollars a year. “It’s like airline seating pricing,” said Steven McKean, founder and CEO of BillShark, a bill negotiating service based in Boston. “I wouldn’t say (people) are overcharged, but I would just say that the pricing is very opaque.” BillShark calculates Americans could save $50 billion a year by haggling over their bills for cell phone service, home security, internet and pay television. BillShark, like its competitors BillFixers of Nashville, Tennessee, and BillCutterz of Corpus Christi, Texas, offers to negotiate for consumers in exchange for 40 to 50 percent of the savings. The savings can total hundreds or even

thousands of dollars. McKean said his negotiators cut bills by an average of $320 each — with annual savings ranging from $250 for home security, to $300 for TV, phone and Internet bundles, to $360 for cell phone bills.

• Satellite radio • Bottled water delivery • Gym memberships What these bills have in common is competition: In most areas, there’s another provider that you can hire. You also can opt out, at least theoretically. (It’s typically much harder to tell your electric company that you can do without lights.) Most BillShark customers would rather stick with the service they have than deal with the sometimes considerable hassles

Long-term customers may be overpaying by hundreds of dollars a year.

Check for better phone plans Some of the biggest savings right now can be found in cell phone plans as a price war roils the industry, said BillFixers founder Ben Kurland. “A lot of the cell phone providers have introduced multiple plans just this year,” he said. “If you have a cell plan that’s more than six months old, you may not be on the most efficient plan for you anymore.” In addition to cell phone plans, bill negotiators say the following services often have plenty of room for negotiation: • Pay television (cable or satellite) • Landline phones • Internet • Alarm systems • Storage units

of changing providers, McKean said. “They don’t want to rip out their DVR, and they don’t want new equipment, and they don’t want to sit around (waiting to) set up all this stuff,” he said. “They just want a lower price.” Sometimes a competitor’s deals are so much better that it’s worth the switch, he said. That’s particularly true for cell phone providers, who are paying customers’ early termination fees and offering other bounties to switch. “They’re all desperate to steal each other’s clients,” Kurland said. “Switching providers a lot of times just comes with an See NEGOTIATE BILLS, page 20

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

When an elder needs financial oversight By Liz Weston Our financial decision-making abilities peak in our 50s and can decline pretty rapidly after age 70, researchers tell us. That’s how otherwise smart older people fall for sweepstakes frauds, Nigerian investment schemes and the grandparent scam — where con artists pretend to be grandchildren in a financial jam. But few people want to hear that they’re not as sharp as they used to be. Many won’t recognize the rising risk of losing hard-

earned life savings as they age, said financial literacy expert Lewis Mandell, author of What to Do When I Get Stupid: A Radically Safe Approach to a Difficult Financial Era. “As our ability to make sound financial decisions decreases with age, our self-confidence in this area actually increases,” Mandell warned. Adult children who want to protect their parents from fraud and bad financial decisions have to tread carefully, said Jessie Doll, wealth management adviser with TIAA

in Fairfax, Va. Money may be a difficult subject, and parents may resent the interference or fear losing their independence. It may help to frame the issue as one all of us will face if we live long enough. Talking about your own efforts to “futureproof” your finances can start the discussion of how they can defend their money against bad decisions and bad guys.

What you can do together • Draft powers of attorney. Two documents everyone needs, regardless of age: a power of attorney for health care decisions, and a power of attorney for financial decisions. This paperwork names the people we want to speak for us in case we become incapacitated. We should be having discussions with whomever we name about our wishes and our financial situation, Doll said. “Talking about it is opening the door to making this less of a taboo discussion,” Doll said. • Consolidate and simplify. One bank. One brokerage firm. Two credit cards, one for daily purchases, and one for automatic bill payment. That’s the prescription for simplified, consolidated finances that will be easier to track as we age, said financial planner Carolyn McClanahan, a physician and director of financial planning at Life Planning Partners in Jacksonville, Florida. McClanahan also recommends replacing individual stocks and bonds, which require constant monitoring, with a small number of mutual funds or exchange-traded funds. Having fewer accounts helps the fraud-sniffing software that banks and brokerages use to detect suspicious transactions, Doll said. “If the assets are all over the place, it’s hard to establish a baseline so they can no-

Negotiate bills From page 19 instant payoff, and then over the long term, as long as you switch smart, you’ll find that you can save money month after month.”

Steps to getting lower bills Knowing you have that kind of leverage can help you negotiate better deals. Here are the steps: • Gather competitors’ offers. These may be touted on the providers’ websites, or you may have to call and ask what the best deals are for new customers. Make sure you nail down the details — such as the speed of the internet service and which television channels are included, for example. • Call your provider. Let the telephone representative know, right away, that you’re thinking of switching to a competitor or canceling the service if you can’t get a better deal. That typically means you’ll be transferred to the customer retention department, which often has more leeway to adjust your bill. Keep an open mind as you talk; there are many ways to cut the cost of cable, for example, not just negotiating the price.

tice if something’s amiss,” she said.

What adult children can do • Stay in touch. Isolation is the fraudster’s best friend. Scam artists don’t want their victims to have a close circle of family and friends looking for signs of exploitation, said Sally Hurme, an elder-law attorney with AARP in Washington, D.C. Weekly calls to catch up, and regular visits can help loved ones spot red flags — like a pile of sweepstakes offers, or the investment salesman who’s getting too friendly. • Keep up to date on the latest scams. Criminals are endlessly creative. Some places to learn about their ever-evolving schemes include StopFraud.gov, AARP’s Fraud Watch Network, and the IRS, which offers consumers alerts and an annual list of the “Dirty Dozen” top tax-related scams. Discussing news reports about frauds, such as telephone imposters pretending to be IRS agents or Microsoft tech support, can help you keep relatives informed.

What parents can do • Get more eyes on your money. Financial institutions likely offer text or email alerts to notify you of unusual activity, and so do sites that provide regular looks at free credit reports. Once you’re over 65, consider setting these up so that your “wingman” — the person you want to make financial decisions for you — gets them as well. It may also be smart to run any investment you’re considering past your appointed person, said elderlaw attorney Carolyn Rosenblatt, author of The Family Guide to Aging Parents: Answers See FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT, page 21

• Tell them what you know. Companies have caught on to empty threats to cancel, Kurland said. “But if you call up and you say, ‘Hey, this is the other provider on my street, and this is the new price that they’re offering. I know that your new customer pricing is even lower than that. Why don’t we strike a deal?’, then you’re talking their language,” Kurland said. • Don’t accept the first offer. If “Can’t you do any better than that?” doesn’t produce a deeper discount, tell them you’ll sleep on it. That may produce another price break, or you may get a different agent the next day who’s more eager to deal. • Get clear on expiration dates. Any discounts you negotiate may expire in a few months. To help you keep getting the best deals, enter the expiration dates on your calendar with a reminder to restart negotiations before your bill jumps up again. • Think bigger. Monthly bills such as mortgages and car insurance aren’t negotiable in the same way, but you can and should revisit those rates at least annually. The savings could be bigger than all your smaller bills put together. — Nerdwallet via AP

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

A payout for credit score customers By Lisa Gerstner If you purchased a credit score from credit agencies Equifax or TransUnion, you may have a check coming your way. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently took aim at the companies for misrepresenting the scores they sold to customers as the same scores that lenders typically use to judge credit applicants. The CFPB also charged the agencies with falsely advertising that customers could get scores and other credit-related products free or for $1. Customers were

Financial oversight From page 20 to Your Legal, Financial, and Healthcare Questions. Give your doctors and any financial professionals, such as your adviser or accountant, permission to contact your wingman if they suspect you’re suffering serious cognitive decline. Finally, plan with your family about what

actually enrolling in subscription programs that charged $16 or more a month after the trial period. Affected customers will be notified by mail with instructions on how to claim their share of the settlement. TransUnion must pay more than $13.9 million to about 700,000 customers, and Equifax is paying out almost $3.8 million to its eligible customers.

Truly free services exist Credit scores come in a multitude of models, and you’d be hard-pressed to pin

to do if you show signs of diminished capacity but you don’t know you are impaired, Rosenblatt said. “Set the ‘trigger points’ for having your successor take over your finances, and what they can do if you resist because you think you’re fine, but no one else does,” Rosenblatt said. “People who don’t know they are impaired resist giving up financial control, and this is very dangerous.” — Nerdwallet via AP

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

FREE EVENTS TRANSPORT Columbia Association’s Senior Advisory Committee offers free

curb-to-curb evening (after 4:30 p.m.) and weekend transportation shuttle to cultural events throughout Howard County for groups of four or more. The maximum amount of riders is 24, and riders must be age 60 or older. Multiple pickup sites are permitted, and vehicles are accessible for individuals with disabilities. For more information or to request a ride, call (410) 715-3087 and provide name, special accommodations if needed, event name, and pickup and drop-off addresses. Riders will receive a call-back confirmation.

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down which version a potential lender might use before you apply for a loan. But you don’t need to know the exact number a creditor will see to get an idea of where your credit stands. At CreditKarma.com, you can get free VantageScore credit scores from Equifax and TransUnion, and sign up for free alerts of significant changes to your TransUnion credit report. At CreditScorecard.com or Freecreditscore.com, you can see a free FICO score based on data from credit agency Experian.

Your bank or credit card issuer may provide free credit scores to customers, too. To avoid getting roped into a pricey subscription plan, be wary of submitting your credit card information in exchange for a free or low-priced product. You may be charged a higher recurring fee if you don’t cancel before the trial expires. © 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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

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The Arch of Triumph in the southern Cuba city of Cienfuegos celebrates Cuba’s independence from Spain.

Cuba combines opposites in a time warp

A country of contradictions Cuba is beguiling. Cuba is stuck in the ‘50s. Cuba is stunning. Cuba is frustrating. So go the opinions of many Americans who have visited the country. Exploring this island nation is a classic “eye-of-the beholder” experience. The U.S.

Tour Operators Association labeled Cuba 2017’s hottest destination. Former President Barack Obama, Madonna, Mick Jagger and Pope Francis went to Cuba in recent years. In 2016, so did a record 4 million tourists. But tourism is restricted and regulated by the Cuban and U.S. governments. Because of the U.S. embargo, travel from here requires a U.S. Treasury Department license for one of 12 categories of authorized travel. Hence, the easiest way to go to Cuba from the U.S. is with a licensed tour operator. They can conduct authorized “peopleto-people,” educational trips that involve not just tourism, but meeting and talking with Cuban people. Independent travel is possible, but car rentals are expensive, hotels are booked far in advance, reservations are unreliable, and so are credit card transactions. It’s prudent to take cash and not expect to rely on credit. To fully absorb all that Cuba has to offer requires an open mind. Only 90 miles from the U.S., it’s the largest Caribbean island — 777 miles long and 55 miles wide, with 3,570 miles of coastline and thousands of islands washed by the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean. Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution brought

PHOTO BY JHVE PHOTO

By Glenda C. Booth When Columbus landed in Cuba in 1492, he proclaimed the island to be “the loveliest land that human eyes have ever beheld.” Cuba is the “Pearl of the Antilles,” touted the 1958 World Book Encyclopedia. Today, this tropical archipelago still boasts broad sandy beaches, seven UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, lush rain forests, swaying palms, aquamarine seas, pristine reefs, and about 350 species of birds — including the world’s largest flamingo nesting site. On the other hand, Cuba is probably best known to Americans as a communist state ruled ruthlessly for 58 years by brothers Fidel and Raúl Castro. Fox News’ Elizabeth MacDonald has said, “Cuba is run by Soviet-style...party elites who call the shots behind the scenes, and who have gotten spectacularly wealthy in the process, all while abusing its people and business partners.”

Classic American cars abound in Cuba, where importing American-made goods was banned when Fidel Castro took power in 1959. Today, the meticulously maintained (though seat belt-free) Cadillacs, Fords and Buicks can be seen on streets in Havana and throughout the country. American tourists seem to enjoy taking a ride.

PHOTO BY GLENDA C. BOOTH

The main square, Plaza Mayor, of the 500-year-old Cuban city of Trinidad (not to be confused with the island) showcases some of the city’s Moorish-style and neoclassical architecture.

authoritarian rule. The U.S. broke relations and imposed an embargo in 1961. In 1990, when the former Soviet Union withdrew billions in subsidies, hard times, called the “Special Period,” ensued. In 2015, Obama re-established diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba. For the traveler, this history could mean inconveniences or the absence of typical American amenities. Internet connections are spotty, and ATMs are sparse. Some guest rooms lack air conditioning, and their décor and furniture may look tired. Tap water may not be potable. Cruise ships can snarf up all the available bottled water. A museum’s hours may not be as advertised. Resident Cuba expert Marc Frank maintains, “Remarkable changes are going on here. Cuba’s a work in progress.” “We are changing, but not that fast,” said Cuban tour guide Rigoberto Rodriguez, explaining that there’s “guarded openness,” that people can speak their minds within certain parameters. Cuba has had more private businesses, more decentralization, and more economic globalization in recent years, he argues.

Cuba’s many pastimes Music is at the core of Cuban life. In the 1940s, Havana’s original Buena Vista So-

cial Club throbbed with musicians, a club recalled in a famous recording by Juan de Marcos Gonzalez and Ry Cooder. Then, Cuban-born Desi Arnaz, aka Ricky Ricardo, pounded his conga drums and sang “Babalu” on the 1950s television sitcom, “I Love Lucy,” imprinting lively Latin music on many American minds. Today, in nightclubs, on street corners and at community gatherings, Cuba’s “musical golden age” of the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s lives on with salsa, rumba, mambo, chachachá, danzón and more. At Havana’s La Colmenita Children’s Theater, children age 5 to 18 train daily, playing handmade drums, claves and castanets, beating on chairs and whacking wood and cow leather in a unique combination of percussion and dance. At the world-renowned Cabaret Tropicana, nearly naked showgirls, known as “Flesh Goddesses,” have performed in sequined pasties and feathered head pieces since 1939. Then there’s Cuban rum, Cuban cigars and baseball. Youngsters start playing the game at age six or seven. All of these express the Cuban spirit. Having endured invasions, revolutions, hurricanes, embargoes and shortages, See CUBA, page 24

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Cuba From page 23 Cubans excel at surviving. “We Cubanize,” Rodriguez said. “We always find a way.” During the Special Period’s shortages, people started home gardens. They make do today with rationed goods, and joke that the national sport is “waiting in line.” President Obama complimented their ingenuity, saying, “The Cuban invents things out of thin air.” This can-do spirit is symbolized by the ‘40s and ‘50s cars that resourceful owners keep running by making needed parts.

Only the indifferent could not marvel at the classic cars roaming Havana’s streets. Eager entrepreneurs stand at the ready to take visitors for rides in spic-and-span 1950s classics, cars that have been meticulously preserved throughout the 56-year embargo, without dealer services or ready car parts. Though these pre-catalytic-converter, pre-seat-belt relics are loud and can foul the air, they are well worth a taking for a spin around the city. Older tourists can recall their teens, riding in a shiny Cadillac Eldorado, Ford Fairlane, Ford Thunderbird, Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler Ply-

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

mouth Belvedere or Buick Roadmaster. Now and then a Soviet-era Lada chugs by. Because Ladas sputter like lawn mowers and stall in rain storms, locals like to call it the “Believer Car” — because owners believe they own a car.

Museums and Hemingway Old cars, old cobblestone streets, old buildings, filled with people young at heart. This is Havana, founded in 1519, and one of the great historic cities of the New World, where mansions going back centuries line plazas. Old Town Havana, a UNESCO site, has around 900 historically important buildings — a mix of neoclassical and baroque architecture with some art deco thrown in. Visitors can fixate on peeling paint and neglected buildings, or as Chicagoan Carole Anshaw put it, the “beauty of decay.” Calle Obispo is Old Havana’s main boulevard, a bustling commercial and night-spot artery. Plaza de la Catedral fronts the city’s asymmetrical cathedral from the 1700s, restored for the Pope’s 2015 visit. Nearby is the Taller Experimental Workshop of cutting-edge art and graphics. At the Revolution Museum, Fidel Castro’s 60-foot boat, Granma, that transported 82 revolutionary fighters in 1956, is enshrined in glass. The incongruous capitol building, built in the 1920s when officials wanted one like the U.S. Capitol, was the seat of the Cuban Congress until 1959. Today, it’s the National Library of Science and Technology. The Yoruba Museum and the Museum of the Orishas explore African influences and history. Tourists can feel like locals strolling the

famous, six-lane Malecón among enchanted lovers, cigar-sellers and musicians, refreshed by cooling sea breezes or jolted by crashing, Atlantic Ocean waves during storms. Visitors can channel Ernest Hemingway with a mojito at El Floridita Bar or La Bodeguita del Medio. You can sense his spirit at Museo Hemingway, the 1940s villa he left to the Cuban people. In this home, unchanged since his 1960 departure, he wrote For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Old Man and the Sea while comforted by a clowder of cats.

French-inspired Cienfuegos Cienfuegos is a pedestrian-friendly port city with 19th century French roots. It is centered around the Paseo del Prado, a Parisian-style main avenue, and Parque Martí, where a statue commemorates revolutionary hero, Jose Martí, Cuba’s leader of independence from Spain. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, its shops and street stalls, reflect the city’s mixed French-Caribbean heritage. It is also the home city of Afro-Cuban singer Benny Moré. Talented students at the school bearing his name give public performances in music, dance and visual arts. At a nearby former sugar mill built by Bostonian Edward Atkins, tourists can visit historic factory buildings and study today’s rationing system under pictures of Vladimir Lenin, Che Guevara and Raúl Castro. Quoting Martí, one sign says, “There is no possible social equality without cultural equality.” The nearby 132-acre Cienfuegos BotanSee CUBA, page 25

BEACON BITS

May 27

MUSIC EVOKES THE PAST The Howard County Historical Society will host a release party for

the new Cinematic Love CD with Eli August & The Abandoned Buildings on May 27, at 8 and 10 p.m. at the Museum of Howard County History, 8328 Court Ave., Ellicott City. The songs performed are devoted to romantics and those reflecting on their days with a longing for the past. The museum is located next to the Circuit Courthouse, where parking is available. Tickets are $8 in advance, or may be purchased at the door for $10, if not sold out. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Part of the proceeds benefit the Historical Society. A cash bar will be available. For more information, call (410) 480-3250 or email info@hchsmd.org. To purchase tickets online, go to hchsmd.org/events.

June 19

MODERNIZED GREEK COMEDY Does a play written around 400 BCE still have relevance today? What if it were made into a musical? Red Branch Theater artistic

staff and performers discuss the original work as well as the modernized musical version of Lysistrata, a play about a woman who decided that the best way to succeed in a patriarchal society was to take matters into her own hands. The event takes place at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 19 at the Central Branch Library, 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. Registration is required by calling the library at (410) 313-7800.

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

Cuba From page 24 ic Garden has 2,000 plant species and one of the world’s largest collections of palms.

Other cities and countryside Cuba’s rural countryside is a verdant expanse spotted with palm, banana and mango trees, grazing cows, and rice and sugar cane fields. Most of the sugar cane today goes into Cuba’s celebrated rum. In the small towns, many people walk, bike, ride horses or rumble along in horsedrawn buggies. There are more one-story houses with roof clotheslines, fewer cars and more dirt roads than in cities. People sell wares from front-yard card tables. The central Cuban city of Trinidad, founded in 1514, reeks of history. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s the country’s best preserved colonial city — with shops, vendors, art studios (including a crochet collective) and many restored facades in the historic center. The city is a mix of 18th-century, adapted Moorishstyle and 19th-century, neoclassical architecture, and boasts many pastel-colored buildings. In today’s main square, Plaza Mayor, people play checkers and children romp around a former slave market, as horses clop-clop-clop down cobblestone streets. The tower of the Museo Histórico Municipal, a former sugar baron’s mansion, offers

an expansive view of the city. The Nueva Era restaurant serves enticing dishes using fresh shrimp from a nearby farm. “The enemy fled in disarray.” “Yankee imperialism is a total failure.” “Death to the invader!” These are some of the messages that scream out at the Bay of Pigs Museum in Playa Giron. Exhibits, uniforms, pictures of heroes and military equipment — including a captured U.S. Browning machine gun — present the Cuban point of view of the failed 1961 U.S. paramilitary invasion of Cuba. Exhibits proclaim, the “first defeat of imperialism in history.” One quotes Fidel Castro: “We have made a socialist revolution in their noses.” Another: “This was one of the most glorious pages in the history of our country.”

Cuban cuisine The food scene has blossomed in recent years as Raúl Castro’s economic reforms have encouraged private restaurants called paladars. Visitors might be treated to gazpacho, garlic octopus tapas, paella, tacos, ceviche, spicy shredded beef, crocodile stew, empanadas, flan and plantain chips. Hosts urge guests to top meals with “Vitamin R,” Cuba’s ubiquitous rum or a canchanchara — rum, lime juice, sparkling water and honey. Some restaurant ware dates from the 1950s, including frosted glasses with paintings of bathing beauties.

Expect the unexpected. Be flexible. Cuba constantly delivers “curve balls,” wrote Christopher P. Baker in the National Geographic Traveler. For the adventurous traveler, they can be intriguing curve balls.

If you go To learn more about rules governing travel to Cuba, see https://travel.state. gov/content/passports/en/country/cuba .html. Some tour agencies offering trips to Cuba: Caribbean Conservation Trust, www.cubirds.org

Cosmos, http://www.cosmos.com/ Marazul Charters, www.marazul.com National Geographic Expeditions, http:// www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com/ Road Scholar, www.roadscholar.org V ictor Emanuel Nature Tours, http://ventbird.com/ Cruises: Carnival, www.carnival.com; Royal Caribbean, www.royalcaribbena.com; Norwegian Cruise Line, www.ncl.com If you want to arrange a flight yourself, American and Jet Blue fly from BWI. There are no nonstop flights. The least expensive flight in mid-June is $369 roundtrip.

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

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Sally Field is now starring in The Glass Menagerie on Broadway. See story on page 29.

The stars come out for Merriweather’s 50th

PHOTO COURTESY OF MERRIWEATHER

And we estimate the universe at 13–14 billion When all these numbers tumble into your imagination Consider that the Lord was there before creation God is old We’re not old God is old He made the mold The song writer-singer-guitarist will be one of several all-star musicians performing at the Columbia outdoor concert venue this summer. For those hiding for the past 50 years behind Bing Crosby and Glenn Miller records, Simon has composed — both by himself and with former-now-estranged musical partner Art Garfunkel — such groovy, poetic, all-time classics as “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “The Sound of Silence,” “Mrs. Robinson,” “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes,” “Graceland,” “Feelin’ Groovy,” “Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard,” and many other hits. Appearing on the bill with Simon will be Canadian singer-songwriter (and Grammy winner) Sarah McLaughlin. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. concert will start at $55.

Jackson Browne, who recorded some of his album Running on Empty at Merriweather Post Pavilion in 1977, will return as part of a 50th anniversary celebration on July 15.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MERRIWEATHER

By Robert Friedman “Oddly enough, the older you get, the happier you get.” Paul Simon, who will be appearing at Merriweather Post Pavilion on June 9, uttered those words, not yet set to music, during a recent interview with the BBC as he was entering his 75th year. A couple of years earlier, in his album You’re the One, he had this to sing about aging: The human race has walked the earth for 2.7 million

Merriweather Post Pavilion opened in 1967 with a performance by the National Symphony Orchestra, and audiences — on the lawn and in the pavilion — have welcomed musical acts of all genres ever since.

July-August summer season will be the 50th anniversary celebration of the performance venue in Symphony Woods. Merriweather opened on July 15, 1967 with a performance by the National Symphony

Orchestra. The anniversary celebration, on Saturday, July 15, will feature country music See MERRIWEATHER, page 28

COMING J UNE 1 5

Anniversary celebration A second highlight of the June-

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Merriweather From page 27 great Willie Nelson and singer-songwriter Jackson Browne. Browne came to prominence in the ‘70s with his album Running on Empty. He recorded portions of the Grammy-nominated 1977 album at Merriweather. Nelson, meanwhile, will be making his 14th appearance at the Columbia amphitheater. Also appearing at the celebration will be Father John Misty, a Rockville native who played Merriweather in June 2015 with the Decemberists. The Saturday evening concert gets underway at 6 p.m. Tickets are priced from $55.

Jazz and more in June Going back to the start of the summer season at Merriweather, the 25th annual Capital Jazz Fest swings in on Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, June 4. The sessions begin both days at noon and may last into the wee hours. The Saturday session includes, among

others, guitarist Lee Ritenour and the group Pieces of a Dream, while guitarist George Benson and trumpeter Chris Botti will be among those featured on Sunday. Tickets for the weekend sessions start at $78.50. On June 20, John Legend brings his voice, piano and songs to the amphitheater stage. Most likely he will be singing “Glory,” the song from the movie, Selma, for which Legend and co-writer rapper Common won the Oscar in 2015 for best song from a movie. Legend was recently seen in La La Land, playing the leader of a fusion jazz band. The Tuesday evening show begins at 7:30 p.m. with tickets beginning at $59. Veteran Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Carlos Santana brings his Latin rock group, aptly named Santana, to the Columbia pavilion on Tuesday, Aug. 15. The Mexican-American singer-guitarist formed the band 51 years ago in San Francisco. The group, which has won nine Grammy Awards, is still going strong, releasing its latest album, Santana IV: Live at the House

BEACON BITS

May 27

GREASE COMES TO MERRIWEATHER POST

Enjoy the classic musical film Grease on Saturday, May 27, starting 7:30 p.m. at the Merriweather Post Pavilion. 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. The showing is free for general admission seating on the lawn; $10 for reserved seating in the pavilion. For details, see www.merriweathermusic.com.

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

Paul Simon will appear at Merriweather on June 9 with Sarah McLaughlin. Simon's 2016 album, Stranger to Stranger, was his first new release in five years and includes a variety of unusual instruments.

of Blues Las Vegas, last October. The Tuesday evening concert gets underway at 8 p.m. Ticket prices start at $55.50. Among other performers set for Merriweather for this season: Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, June 18; Steve Miller Band and Peter Frampton, June 23; Luke Bryan and Brett Eldredge, June 25, and Lady Antebellum, Kelsea Ballerini & Brett Young.

New this year: those driving to Merriweather Post Pavilion have to pre-select or decline free onsite parking once concert tickets have been purchased. You must have a parking lot ticket when you arrive at the show. Merriweather Post Pavilion is located at 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia For more information or to purchase tickets, see www.merriweathermusic.com or call 1-877-435-9849.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

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

Sally Field returns to Broadway in drama By Mark Kennedy Sally Field had a chance to cross The Glass Menagerie off her bucket list 13 years ago. It didn’t take. The Emmy- and Oscar-winner is once again playing Amanda Wingfield, the fearsome Southern belle at the heart of the Tennessee Williams’ masterpiece. Field may have played her at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in 2004, and yet, here she is, playing her again on Broadway. “It is really right up at the top — the finest American play ever written,” Field said. “There’s no doubt about that. I think that it invites investigation time and time again.” Of Wingfield, she added: “She’s a very complicated character to play.” Field, 70, follows other celebrated actors who have landed on Broadway in recent years to tackle roles they had earlier tried on, including Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard, Jessica Lange in Long Day’s Journey Into Night, and Jeff Daniels in Blackbird.

Paucity of female roles For Field, it was a simple decision: “There are very few really interesting characters for older women in theater or in film or even,

honestly, in literature. I mean, there are some, but you have to look for them.” The Glass Menagerie centers on an aging, overpowering mother who hopes her unhappy son can fulfill her dreams of finding the perfect “gentleman caller” for her shy and damaged daughter. The last Broadway revival was in 2013, starring Cherry Jones and Zachary Quinto. This revival is directed by Tony Awardwinner Sam Gold and co-stars two-time Tony Award winning actor and director Joe Mantello, playing Field’s son, along with Finn Wittrock and Madison Ferris. Field admits she has a “creative crush” on Gold, the much-admired director of the musical Fun Home, who last year had explored the work in Amsterdam. Adding Mantello was just icing on the cake. “Of course I would always consider doing Amanda again, but under these circumstances it was better than good,” she said. Gold couldn’t believe his luck to entice Field. “I don’t know what I did to deserve this,” he said. “She was like, ‘I just want to get back on stage.’ And I was really excited about that play, which is her favorite part. So it just worked out to be the easiest decision ever made.”

Top of the acting trifecta Field won Academy Awards for Norma Rae and Places in the Heart, and was Oscar nominated for her Mary Todd in Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln. She also spent five seasons in ABC’s “Brothers and Sisters,” winning an Emmy in its first season. Field, whose only other appearance on Broadway was as a replacement in 2002 in The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia by Edward Albee, is a huge theater fan, seeing as much as she can, often multiple times. The Glass Menagerie that has emerged at

the Belasco Theatre is more bare-boned than previous productions, according to Field. “It isn’t your mother’s Glass Menagerie,” she said. “It is a harder look at it.” “It’s all worth seeing. I think right now, American theater is really exciting. I think in New York — off-Broadway, on Broadway — it’s a very exciting time. And I might add, I think, an important time for artists, for voices, for what theater is — for the dangerous nature of theater.” — AP

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Sally Field takes on her first starring role on Broadway as Amanda Wingfield, the Southern belle who lives partially in the past, in Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie. Tony Award-winning Joe Mantello shares the stage as her son.

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ANSWERS TO JUMBLE Jumbles: SMACK PARCH CATTLE GRISLY Answer: When he joined the dice game, his chances were -- "SHAKY"

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Crossword Puzzle Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus By Stephen Sherr By Stephen Sherr 1

50 53

7. State abbrev. for Columbus moms 8. State abbrev. for Lincoln moms 1.ABrief request for help 9. State abbrev. for Salem moms 4. Hi ___! 10. On cloud nine 7. Singer Sean Lennon’s mom 11. ___ and dine 10. The lowest prime number 12. Accepting customers 13. Aboard the lead UFO 14. What a bank robber might say 17. It may be “guilty” 15. One from a multiple birth 18. Sea eagle 16. Some eBay users 19. Church song 20. State abbrev. for Des Moines moms 21. Battery, bond, or baseball classification 22. Martian, on Earth 23. State abbrev. for Harrisburg moms 22. Set one’s sights on 25. Third-person verb suffix in the 24. In poor health King James Bible 25. Swallows swallows 26. “I just solved the mystery” 29. State abbrev. for Baton 27. Add ice cream to pie Rouge moms 28. Having no maternal instincts 30. Dies (as a snowman) 31. Starbucks offering 33. 10 C-notes 32. Pie in the ___ 34. Fail the smell test 36. Pressure-brewed coffee 35. May greeting 37. Still in utero 42. Elementary reader 38. Raw fish dish 50. Dot-based language 39. Feel free to put your mother’s 51. Tel Aviv tenant initials here 52. It parts “a fool”, “his money” 40. Underwater breathing aid 53. Suggestion from thesaurus.com, 41. Baltimore baseballer briefly 42. Advanced degree 54. Star Trek captain’s diary 43. Tiny bit 55. M&M color, absent from 44. Monogram reqs. for Lex Luther 1976 - 1987 and Lois Lane Down 45. Ulysses S. Grant or Robert E. Lee 1. One with a GPA 46. Source of the Beverly Hillbillies’ 2. “One night ___!” wealth 3. Rose handle 47. Unit of work in physics 4. State abbrev. for Augusta moms 48. “___ the land of the free ...” 5. Foreboding sign 49. User of a cheaper menu 6. State abbrev. for Jefferson City moms

Across

Jumble answers on p. 29.

Scrabble answers on p. 29.

Answers on page 29.

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

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

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Home/Handyman Services JUNK HAULING — RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL junk removal, attic/garage cleanouts, light demolition. $50 off. “Call today, we’ll haul away.” HoCoHaulers.com. 410-292-6700.

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Wanted BUYING ANTIQUES, ESTATES. 20-year Beacon advertiser. Cash paid for jewelry, gold, silver, old coins, pens, art, old toys, dolls, trains, watches, old comics, sports memorabilia, military guns, knives, swords, all collections. Tom, 240-476-3441. MONEY, TIME TO SELL! Make the right choice. Call Greg 717-658-7954. We Buy Jewelry, Coins, Silver, Antiques, Watches, Gold, Art, Paper Money, Toys, Bottles, Etc. No Middleman, No Fees, No Overhead means more money for your stuff. Give me a call and Let’s Do Business.717-658-7954. CASH FOR ESTATE BUYOUTS, estate cleanouts, jewelry to furniture, one item or whole estate. Free Estimate, Will Travel. 301-520-0755.

Wanted FINE ANTIQUES, PAINTINGS AND QUALITY VINTAGE FURNISHINGS wanted by a serious capable buyer. I am very well educated [law degree] knowledgeable [over 40 years in the antique business] and have the finances and wherewithal to handle virtually any situation. If you have a special item, collection or important estate I would like to hear from you. I pay great prices for great things in all categories from oriental rugs to Tiffany objects, from rare clocks to firearms, from silver and gold to classic cars. If it is wonderful, I am interested. No phony promises or messy consignments. References gladly furnished. Please call Jake Lenihan, 301-279-8834. Thank you.

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

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Financial Services First Maryland Disability Trust .21 PENFED Financial Services . . . .19

Funeral Services Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home, Inc. . . . . . . . . .20 Going Home Cremations . . . . . .29 Sol Levinson & Bros., Inc. . . . . .24

Hearing Services Maryland Relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Miracle-Ear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

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Housing Bayleigh Chase/Integrace . . . . . .21 Brooke Grove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Buckingham’s Choice/Integrace .21 Charlestown/Erickson Living . . .13 Fairhaven/Integrace . . . . . . . . . . .21 Homecrest House . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Ivy Manor Normandy . . . . . . . . .25 Lutheran Village at Miller’s Grant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Oak Crest/Erickson . . . . . . . . . . .13 Olney Assisted Living . . . . . . . .10 Park View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Somerford Place . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

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Retail/Services Columbia’s Village Centers . . . .24 Crossroads Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . .7 Kugler’s Design Center . . . . .22, 26

Senior Services Senior Connection . . . . . . . . .15-18

Skilled Nursing & Rehab CommuniCare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

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

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Frank, Frank & Scherr, LLC . . . .19 Law Office of Karen Ellsworth .21

Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . . .27

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Lee Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Medical Eye Center . . . . . . . . . .10

Eyre Tour & Travel . . . . . . . . . . .25 Nexus Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

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