July 2018 | Baltimore Beacon

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A scammer reveals his secrets

JULY 2018

I N S I D E …

PHOTO COURTESY OF FRANK ABAGNALE

By Robert Friedman You pick up the phone and are told “This is Sgt. Johnson of the Howard County police. We’re holding your grandson on charges of drunken driving.” You are given your grandson’s full name, age and home address, and the name of his girlfriend who was in the car with him.

You’re told that your grandson gave police your name because he didn’t want to have his parents informed. He is being held on a certain amount of bail that must be paid right away if you do not want him to spend the night in jail. If you pay right away — over the phone, with your credit card — your grandson will be released.

That’s one of the latest popular scam scenarios being aimed these days at older adults. It costs the scammer nothing, and the “plight” of the younger relative could hit the grandparent right in the heart, not to mention the pocketbook.

How did the scammers learn what they knew? They got the grandchild’s personal profile (including girlfriend’s name) from Facebook, or other Internet sites that ask users for such information.

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SEE SPECIAL INSERT Housing & Homecare Options following page 12

Scammer extraordinaire The man explaining this scam is none other than Frank Abagnale, who knows something himself about tricking, bilking, forging and impersonating others.

If you have read his book Catch Me If You Can, or saw the Steven Spielberg movie of the same name (starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Abagnale) or perhaps the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical based on the book, you would know that in the 1960s, a young Abagnale was one of the world’s great imposters.

Between the ages of 16 and 21, he passed himself off as a Pan Am pilot to get free trips around the world on other airlines; faked it for 11 months as chief resident pediatrician at a hospital in Georgia; made believe he was a Harvard Law School graduate, actually passing the Louisiana bar exam (after failing it twice); and cashed millions of dollars in fraudulent checks.

Abagnale, now 70, is today a widely known and respected security consultant who has lectured FBI agents about scams for more than 40 years. He was released from federal prison in 1974 after serving

L E I S U R E & T R AV E L As a young man, Frank Abagnale was a master imposter, passing himself off as a Pan Am pilot, pediatrician and Harvard Law School grad — along with cashing millions of dollars in fraudulent checks. In a complete turnabout, today he works with the FBI and AARP to warn older adults how to spot scammers before they are bilked.

Ways to enjoy Mississippi’s resilient Gulf Coast; plus, flying with your pet, and books that explore the great outdoors page 13

fewer than five years of a 12-year term, on the condition that he help the authorities, without pay, investigate the crimes of fraud with which he was so familiar.

He was interviewed by the Beacon shortly before his AARP-sponsored appearance at the University of Maryland Baltimore Campus on June 15, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. His five-year contract with AARP has him going across the country teaching members of AARP and the public from his unique perspective how to spot and avoid scams.

“Education is the most powerful tool you can have” in battling scammers, Abagnale said. “People of all ages can fall for

them. Besides seniors, many millennials also become victims. We discuss the red flags that every scam has, and what to do about them,” he added.

For example, when you are offered something that sounds too good to be true, the first things to do, he said, are “stop and verify.” Most scams, he said, “are based on urgency. They want something right now.”

He noted that AARP has a toll-free Fraud Watch hotline that anyone who suspects a scam can call for information: 1877-908-3360.

See SCAMMERS, page 11

FITNESS & HEALTH k Do-it-yourself gene tests k Antibiotics and your heart

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There’s a debate afoot in the world of deIt is now believed that defective tau promentia research. The question is, how do teins and amyloid plaques start forming in researchers determine when the brain decades before peoa person has Alzheimer’s disple show any symptoms. This ease? means that by the time we And there’s a related quesstart using the various drugs tion not necessarily being designed to postpone or halt asked: Do patients really the disease, it may be too late want to know? for them to work. Perhaps an Only a post-mortem exam earlier diagnosis would encan definitively identify able them to be more successAlzheimer’s. In living perful. sons, a diagnosis is generally This is the thinking behind made by ruling out other FROM THE recent research guidelines iscauses (such as other types PUBLISHER sued by the National Institute By Stuart P. Rosenthal of dementia), and is based on on Aging and the Alzheimer’s a thorough medical exam Association that recommend and history, investigating symptoms such identifying prospects for clinical trials as memory loss and neurological damage. based not on current symptoms, but Brain scans and genetic tests can fur- rather on early biological markers that can ther aid diagnosis in some cases, and as be measured using current technology, these tests improve, momentum is build- such as brain scans and spinal taps. ing for using these more broadly, in hopes This new proposed “research frameof identifying patients years before symp- work” is not being proposed for clinical toms arise. use. In other words, doctors won’t start orWhy would we want to do that? dering these tests to try to identify potenSince we don’t currently go looking for tial Alzheimer’s patients. For one thing, it signs of Alzheimer’s until serious symp- hasn’t been validated as an accurate diagtoms of dementia appear, we tend to diag- nostic tool. nose people only after their brains show But even used solely in the context of reextensive signs of the plaques and tangles search, this will vastly increase the numthat characterize the disease. ber of people researchers consider to have

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Alzheimer’s, according to an interview published by the Associated Press.

“The numbers will increase dramatically,” said Dr. Clifford R. Jack, Jr., a Mayo Clinic brain imaging specialist who led the panel of experts who drafted the new guidelines. “There are a lot more cognitively normal people who have the pathology in the brain who will now be counted as having Alzheimer’s disease.”

Maybe that’s not a bad thing. If this enables people to enter a clinical trial possibly decades before any hint of a problem, it might lead to better treatments for them and those who come after them.

But there’s one problem with this logic.

Jack also noted that “about one-third of people over 70 who show no thinking problems actually have brain signs that suggest Alzheimer’s.”

A similar statement appeared in our April edition in another AP article entitled “Why do some stay so sharp as they age?”

Dr. Claudia Kawas of the University of California, Irvine, told a meeting of scientists that “About 40 percent of the oldest-old who showed no symptoms of dementia in life nonetheless have full-fledged signs of Alzheimer’s disease in their brains.”

So, on the one hand, we don’t really know when the presence of tangles and tau in the brain will translate into the actual behavior of dementia we are trying to treat. This is good news for many of us, as it suggests the physical changes that occur

fairly commonly do not necessarily have to cause the symptoms we so fear.

But at the same time, researchers are seeking to broaden the definition of who has Alzheimer’s to include those with the earliest biological signs associated with the disease.

Do we really foresee medicating 30 to 40 percent of the older population who are cognitively normal but have evidence of pathology in their brains when they may never exhibit any behaviors associated with dementia?

While we want to be able to find new and better treatments, we have to take into account the anxiety (and potentially many other problems) this new definition will cause for the people found to have these markers.

Yes, it’s important for our researchers to keep striving for more information, and for older adults to participate in clinical trials that help identify new drugs. But at the same time, we need to think ahead about the impact these developments will have on real people and their families.

I don’t have any answers today. Just questions. What do you think? I invite you to share your thoughts on this issue with us by sending a letter to the editor via mail, email or our website.

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

Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification.

Dear Editor: On the cover of the June Beacon, we see someone helping a senior with an iPad while the article talks about the benefits of having a live microphone (Alexa or Amazon Echo) in their living quarters.

It is ironic that, when you turn the page, the words that catch your eye are “Feeling Vulnerable” [From the Publisher], which details such points as “the clueless ordinary citizen who is easily scammed by responding to a phishing email or opening an attachment” (Stuart Rosenthal’s words, not mine). How about the “clueless citizen” that employs an active microphone to get something from an online store?

Or even worse, how about giving a phone app access to your bank account? Try reading page 5 of your same issue, where the item “Simplify your freelance life” includes reference to a phone app that has access to your bank account to pay your estimated taxes. And this article sits opposite an article entitled “How websites and apps track you — and what you can do about it.”

This is irresponsible journalism, ladies and gentlemen! You are the ones who are

increasing the vulnerability of seniors who trust your paper to give them not just convenience but security.

It bothers me when I see otherwise credible media giving out flawed advice to seniors who will accept that same advice as sound since they trust your paper.

I know a great way to reduce the vulnerability of seniors in this community. Have them avoid the Beacon’s technology section — too many mixed message for my taste.

Chris Greco Parkville, Md.

The publisher responds: We feel our readers need to know what technologies are available that can help them, particularly as they age.

But they also need to know what’s dangerous about that very technology, so they can protect themselves if they choose to use it.

Yes, these are mixed messages, in a sense.

But we feel our readers should not be told it’s all bad, and that they should refrain from using technology. We believe our readers are See LETTERS TO EDITOR, page B-6

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2018

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Health Fitness &

ONE A DAY MAX A large new study cuts the safe number of drinks for men down to one a day ANTIBIOTICS AND YOUR HEART Heart patients should ask their doctor about risks before taking antibiotics JOIN A COPD STUDY Help researchers learn if weight loss can reduce symptoms of COPD SAFELY QUIT SMOKING Popular stop-smoking drugs do not increase risk of heart problems

Pros and cons of do-it-yourself gene test

By Dr. Howard LeWine Q: I am considering ordering a genetic test to see if I am at risk for cancer or Alzheimer’s disease. What are the pros and cons?

A: That’s a question many people are asking now that the FDA has given the green light to third-party direct-to-consumer (DTC) test kits that look for genetic risk information.

A DTC test is a sort of do-it-yourself genetic fact finder. The tests, which cost a few hundred dollars, are not covered by insurance, and the results are delivered directly to you.

The test kit is shipped to you, with instructions. In the privacy of your home,

you collect cells — typically, using either a cheek swab or a saliva collection tube — and then send them to a lab. The test results are usually posted on a secure website, where you view your information.

DTC tests can accurately detect genetic markers that increase disease risk. But being at increased risk for a disease doesn’t mean you will definitely get the disease.

For example, if most people have a onein-a-thousand chance of getting a disease, but you have a marker that triples your risk, that means your risk is three in a thousand — still a very low risk.

There are thousands of markers that indicate you are at increased risk for different conditions, but they don’t perfectly

predict whether you will get those conditions. For example, if you have one copy of the APOE4 gene marker, it triples your risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Likewise, if you carry a certain marker within the LRRK2 gene, it increases your risk for developing Parkinson’s disease two to three times. Still, many people with these genetic markers do not get the diseases for which they are at increased risk.

In contrast, some genetic markers indicate you are at very high risk. If you have one of the classic BRCA1 mutations, and you live long enough, you have a 60 to 70 percent chance of developing breast or ovarian cancer.

Before ordering a genetic test, be sure that you really want to know the results, and whether you would make changes in your life based on the findings. If you do decide to order a genetic test, it’s best to choose one that is FDA-approved, and that provides a very clear explanation of the results.

Share the results with your primary care doctor. If the results suggest a higher than average risk of a particular disease, your doctor can advise you on ways to lower the risk.

On the other hand, a test result showing a lower than average risk might falsely reassure you and lead to your paying less attention to a healthy lifestyle.

Q: I want to eat healthier. But I find food labels such as “natural” and “organic” confusing. Does it really make a difference?

A: You have lots of company. A new language has developed to describe meats, vegetables, fruits and other products in the grocery store.

Not only are the terms confusing, but so are the various associated health claims.

The phrases on packaging usually don’t tell you if the food is truly better for your health.

The FDA doesn’t have a formal definition for “natural.” But the agency doesn’t object to the term if a food does not contain added color, artificial flavors or synthetic substances.

For a food to be certified “organic,” the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires the food to be produced according to strict farming and production standards — without genetic engineering, radiation, sewage sludge, See GENE TEST, page 5

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BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2018

Hospitals must post care prices online

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Health Study Volunteers ❏ COPD Study (see ad on page 8) ❏ Healthy Living Diet Study (see ad on page 9) ❏ Knee Osteoarthritis Study (see ad on page 8) ❏ Memory Loss Research Study (see ad on page 9) ❏ Overweight COPD Study (see article and ad on page 8)

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can help reduce the chances of many forms of cancer.

Dr. Richard Goldfarb, the medical director for the company, states, “Statins and other drugs can create as many health problems as what they were developed to cure. Soluble fiber is one of the most important natural ingredients you can consume for overall good health.”

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This formula, “Cholesterade,” has proven to lower cholesterol in the human body by over 17% during an 8-week period. Not only is this special soluble fiber proven to lower cholesterol naturally, but other positive effects include weight loss and improved bowel functions, which

See HOSPITAL PRICES, page 6

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The creator of Gatorade®can help.

Verma also announced Medicare is

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or synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.

Animals raised on organic farms receive no antibiotics or growth hormones, are given feed that has been grown organically, and are able to roam around outside. Processed organic foods must not contain synthetic additives. Only foods that are 95 percent organic can carry a “USDA Organic” seal.

Organic foods don’t appear to have a nutritional advantage over conventionally grown food. Both methods use pesticides, and it’s unclear if the pesticides used in organic farming are safer than those used in conventional farming.

We don’t have enough information yet to know if the lack of hormones and antibiotics in organic animal products makes them healthier than conventional animal products, but it’s a reasonable possibility.

For example, pasture-raised chicken contains more omega-3 fatty acids. Grass-fed beef is leaner. Wild-caught salmon tends to

companies to design secure apps that would let patients access their records from all their providers instead of having to go to different portals.

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From page 4

have lower levels of toxins, such as mercury.

You likely have seen foods marked as nonGMO. These foods do not contain GMOs (genetically modified organisms). GMOs are created when scientists alter plant DNA to make crops resistant to bugs or fungi.

It’s heavily debated whether using GMOs alters the nutritional quality of food or poses a threat to health. So food labels do not currently need to specify their presence. Certified organic food is free of GMOs. Organic and “natural” foods are more expensive than conventionally produced foods. Are they worth it? There’s no clear answer; it depends on your budget.

Whatever you choose, it’s always best to go with non-processed products.

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. © 2018 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

though traditional Medicare does not.

Likewise, many healthcare providers already make computerized records available to patients. But starting in 2021, Medicare would base part of a hospital’s payments on how good a job they do.

Using electronic medical records remains a cumbersome task, and the Trump administration has invited technology

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Gene test

pitals have this information, and we’re asking them to post what they have online.”

Hospitals are required to disclose prices publicly, but the latest change would put that information online in machine-readable format that can be easily processed by computers. It may still prove to be confusing to consumers, since standard rates are like list prices, and don’t reflect what insurers and government programs pay.

Patients concerned about their potential out-of-pocket costs from a hospitalization would still be advised to consult with their insurer. Most insurance plans nowadays have an annual limit on how much patients must pay in copays and deductibles — al-

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By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar Medicare will require hospitals to post their standard prices online and make electronic medical records more readily available to patients.

The program is also starting a comprehensive review of how it will pay for costly new forms of immunotherapy to battle cancer.

Seema Verma, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said the new requirement for online prices reflects the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to encourage patients to become better-educated decision makers in their own care.

“We are just beginning on price transparency,” said Verma. “We know that hos-

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JULY 2018 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Study says limit alcohol to one drink a day

By Mike Stobee Here’s some sobering news: A large international study says adults should average no more than one alcoholic drink per day, and that means drinking guidelines in many countries may be far too loose.

The study found that people who down more than seven drinks a week can expect to die sooner than those who drink less.

“What this is saying is, if you’re really concerned about your longevity, don’t have more than a drink a day,” said David Jernigan, a Johns Hopkins University alcohol researcher who was not involved in the study.

Men’s limit cut in half While the U.S. government currently recommends no more than seven drinks a

week for women, the recommendation for men is 14 drinks. That’s because earlier studies found women are hit by the effects of alcohol at lower amounts than men for several reasons, including women weigh less than men on average and blood alcohol concentrations rise faster.

The new study estimates that 40-yearold men who drink as much as the current U.S. guidelines allow can expect to live one to two years less than men who have no more than seven drinks per week.

Canada and Sweden have guidelines similar to those in the U.S. set by the Department of Agriculture. Some countries have much higher ceilings. Spain and Romania set the upper limit for men at the equivalent of 20 drinks each week, for example.

British guidelines were like the U.S. standards until two years ago, when U.K. health officials brought the recommendation for men down to the level for women.

The study “is a serious wake-up call for many countries,” Jeremy Pearson of the British Heart Foundation said in a statement. The group partly funded the study, which was published in the Lancet.

Stroke and heart disease risk The research combined results from 83 studies conducted in 19 countries, tracking nearly 600,000 people who drank alcohol. The researchers focused on who developed — and died from — stroke and different forms of heart disease. They made a point of excluding people who had a known history of heart problems at the time they had entered a study.

About half the participants said they had more than 100 grams of alcohol a week.

There’s variation from country to country as to how many grams of alcohol are generally found in a standard drink. In Britain, that’s about six pints of beer a week. But in the U.S., 100 grams is equivalent to what’s in seven 12-ounce cans of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or a 1.5-ounce shot of rum,

Hospital prices From page 5 starting a comprehensive review of how it will pay for a costly new form of immunotherapy called CAR-T. It’s gene therapy that turbocharges a patient’s own immune system cells to attack cancer.

Immune system T cells are filtered from the patient’s own blood and reprogrammed to target and kill cancer cells

gin or other distilled spirits.

The researchers found a higher risk of stroke, heart failure and other problems in that group of heavier drinkers. That may partly reflect that alcohol can elevate blood pressure and alter cholesterol levels, the researchers said.

Notably, the heavier drinkers were less likely to have a heart attack. But balanced against the increased risk of a stroke and other heart problems, the impact of drinking more than seven drinks a week is more bad than good, said the study’s lead author, Dr. Angela Wood of the University of Cambridge in England.

Like most studies, this one has flaws.

It’s not built to make firm conclusions about cause and effect. Research that rolls together previous studies can be problematic if they aren’t similar enough, though this one appears to have done a good job at overcoming that obstacle and combining comparable data, Jernigan said.

Researchers relied on what participants reported drinking at the start, recognizing that many people may be lowballing how much they actually down. And the study didn’t account for any changes in their drinking habits.

— AP

that had managed to evade them. Hundreds of millions of copies of the revved-up cells are then returned to the patient’s blood to take on the cancer.

Only a couple of such treatments have been approved for blood cancers, and the cost can exceed $370,000 per patient.

“It’s a new area for the agency,” said Verma. “We haven’t seen drugs priced at this level, and we’re having to think about our strategy.”

— AP

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2018

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Update on heart attacks and antibiotics can prevent your body from utilizing these First some interesting facts: The beating sound your heart makes is important substances], the answer is “Yes!” You need nutrients to keep caused by its valves, which your heart beating properly, open and close routinely, in a because they act as a catalyst specific rhythm. for your electric system.

Most heart attacks happen Tom took clarithromycin on a Monday. Not to be scrooge, (brand name: Biaxin) as part but December 25th, Christmas of triple therapy for his ulcer.

Day, is the most common day of Clarithromycin is a popular the year for heart attacks. anti-bacterial sold worldwide.

In an average day, your The FDA issued a safety heart pumps the equivalent of alert about it back in 2005, nearly 2,000 gallons of blood based on early study results through your body. Compare DEAR pointing to heart problems with that to a six-person hot tub, PHARMACIST By Suzy Cohen this drug. It did not at the time which holds about 450 gallons call for any changes in the labelof water.

The fairy wasp has the tiniest heart on ing; just for patients to be made aware of the record, whereas blue whales have the findings.

But this past March, the FDA issued a largest one, about five feet long.

Google is developing algorithms that it stronger “safety announcement” advising says can predict a heart attack by looking in caution in prescribing it to patients with heart your eye! This, according to research pub- disease. This is based on 10 more years of follow-up results in the same study, which found lished in Nature Biomedical Engineering. people who took the antibiotic years ago (for even two weeks) might have a higher risk of Beware clarithromycin/Biaxin I received two questions today. The first dying from heart disease years later.

It doesn’t matter what condition you take came from Tom who lives in Oklahoma, and he asked me if antibiotics could im- the drug for — whether it’s for ulcers, sinus infections or wounds. It can still impact the pact his heart.

Since antibiotics are drug muggers of al- cardiovascular system, and FYI, it’s not most all vitamins and minerals [i.e., they alone. Many antibiotics impact your heart.

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• no pills, injections, or surgery • no side effects • a painless procedure • treats chronic and acute pain

• radiofrequency blocks • epidural steroid injections • nerve root blocks • ultrasound and 78+!+)/+*(/#98(.%,/'

TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DR. CARLE, CALL: 410-337-5002 410-337-5002 | drcarle@drkencarle.com | www.drkencarle.com Osler Medical Center 7600 Osler Drive / Suite 205, Towson, MD 21204

So if your doctor prescribes the medication Clarithromycin and you already have heart disease or hypertension, I’d remind the doc of your condition in light of the recent studies. Don’t trust your doctor to know everything.

If you’ve had a heart attack or have heart failure, it’s not out of line to ask for a different antibiotic. This reminder (about your medical history) becomes particularly important if you go to a walk-in clinic instead of your regular physician.

My second question came from Brad in Florida regarding his pacemaker. He asked if it can be hacked.

Theoretically, yes. Never say never. Unscrupulous creeps could hack a pacemaker and reprogram it, causing it to do erratic puls-

ing, deliver potentially fatal shocks, or stop altogether by draining the battery.

But in order to do this, a hacker would need to know the brand of your implanted device and its particular radio frequency.

Then, we need this unethical person to know how to reprogram that specific proprietary device, and he’d have to get in close enough range to tinker with the software. Sounds like a movie plot!

So breathe easy, because the odds are low that anyone would hack your pacemaker.

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. To contact her, visit www.SuzyCohen.com.

ADVERTORIAL

Ways to maintain your independence and health We all know people who have had a fall and suffered injury, and maybe even lost their independence as a result.

Unfortunately, it's a common occurrence. But fortunately, it doesn't have to be this way. Falls can be prevented. ough few physicians are trained in fall prevention medicine, there are individuals who specialize in implementing well-recognized methods to reduce the risk of falls.

A local expert in this field, Dr. L. Atanelov, M.D., is also CEO of Steady Strides: Fall Prevention and Stroke Rehabilitation Medical Institute.

Dr. Atanelov describes the following example based on real people: What could have happened: Bridget (not her real name) was going down the stairs to turn off the hallway light. She slipped and fell, hit her head, lost consciousness and awoke with a broken hip and worse. She spent over a year with rehab and in a nursing home, and in fact was never fully herself again.

How it was avoided: Bridget's next door neighbor Mike noticed that she had been using a cane for her balance and suggested she call Steady Strides.

Mike told her, “Bridget, I know your internist sent you to physical therapy already, but I think you need to see the fall prevention doc. I read about Steady Strides in the Beacon and called them because I didn't want to start falling like my late wife had. "ey did a thorough whole person medical exam and ordered some spe-

cial labs. ey caught some vitamin deficits affecting my balance and strength, and prescribed medications to fix the problem. "ey also told me that my eye problems and knee pain could cause me to trip and fall outdoors. ey fixed my knee pain, and gave me exercises to improve both balance and vision. I also liked that they provided tailor-made medical guidance for my physical therapist.

"Dr. Atenalov at Steady Strides trained at Johns Hopkins and gives world-class care. And by the way, your insurance does cover the visit.”

We at Steady Strides opened our doors in Owings Mills last July, and we have already set the national standard in fall prevention medicine. We conduct fall prevention research, offer educational opportunities for students as well as classes for patients and caregivers; and work closely with public health services at the local and state level. (We also specialize in post-stroke rehabilitation and spasticity medical management.)

We are looking to partner with the Beacon’s readers to help spread the word about fall prevention in order to save lives, as well as improve the quality of life for our friends and loved ones.

For more information, or to have any questions answered, call us at (410) 343-7102, email hello@steadystridesmd.com, or visit our website at www.steadystridesmd.com.

8

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Health Studies Page

JULY 2018 — BALTIMORE BEACON

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Studying if weight loss can help with COPD

By Barbara Ruben Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a group of illnesses that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In people with COPD, the airways in the lungs become partly blocked, which makes it more difficult to breathe.

COPD is a progressive disease, and is primarily caused by long-term smoking. It is the third-leading cause of death in the

United States.

Symptoms of chronic COPD overlap with those of high body mass index (BMI).

A study called Insight COPD at Johns Hopkins is trying to find out if a program proven to help people lose a modest amount of weight and increase their physical activity will reduce COPD symptoms in those who are overweight.

Volunteers are being sought for the study.

Weight loss help During the study, participants will be randomly divided into two groups. One will be given assistance with weight loss resources, and the other will continue with their usual diet and exercise activity.

The weight loss program uses a series of DVD sessions focused on healthy eating and physical activity, and encourages participants to monitor their weight, diet, and physical activity for two years.

Those who choose to work with a health coach to help meet weight and activity goals will be able to do so. Researchers hope that the program will lead to weight loss, better exercise tolerance, and less

shortness of breath.

To take part in the study, participants must have COPD, a high BMI (25 to 45), a history of smoking, shortness of breath, and be at least 40 years old.

During the study, patients will visit Hopkins Bayview Medical Center several times to get weighed, and to have their blood pressure taken and waist circumference measured. They will also take a sixminute walk test to measure their COPD symptoms during exercise.

For more information, or to volunteer, contact Cheryl Clare at (410) 550-2864 or Jay Turnier at (410) 550-2707.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

MEN’S HEALTH SERVICES AVAILABLE The Men’s Health Center (MHC), operated by Total Health Care,

Inc., is located at 1515 W. North Avenue and provides primary care, screening and health education to uninsured males residing in Baltimore City. Based on screening, the center provides referrals to various specialty care services including oral health, STD, podiatry, radiology, cardiology, urology, ophthalmology, substance abuse and mental health service. All services are free to uninsured Baltimore City men. For more information, call (410) 383-8300.

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR

June 28

Preparing for and talking with doctors can be difficult. Dr. Virginia Brown, from the University of Maryland Extension, helps you

brainstorm and practice ways to better communicate with your doctor. The program takes place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 28 at the Hereford Senior Center, second floor 510 Monkton Rd., Monkton. To register, call (410) 887-1923.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2018

Health Shorts Stop-smoking drugs don’t pose heart risks Two popular stop-smoking drugs are as safe for the heart as nicotine patches and dummy pills, according to research requested by U.S. and European regulators.

The results come from an extension of a big study of Chantix and Zyban that earlier found no increased risks for severe psychiatric problems including suicidal behavior.

Those findings were reported in 2016.

“It’s enormously reassuring,” said Dr. Nancy Rigotti, director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Tobacco Research and Treatment Center. She was not involved in the research.

“We now know it’s a lot safer to use these drugs to help people quit smoking than to continue smoking, Rigotti said.

The original study involved 8,000 smokers randomly assigned to daily use of Pfizer’s Chantix, GlaxoSmithKline’s Zyban, nicotine patches or dummy pills for 12

BEACON BITS

July 9+

TRANSITIONING TO MEDICARE WORKSHOPS

Turning 65 years of age or disabled?

Are you ready to enroll in Medicare?

A workshop will be conducted by Baltimore County State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, July 9 at the White Marsh Library, 8133 Sandpiper Circle. It will be repeated on Thursday, Aug. 16 at the Randallstown Library, 8604 Liberty Rd., Randallstown. To register or for more information, call (410) 8872059 or email medicareinformation@baltimorecountymd.gov.

June 21+

DIABETES SUPPORT GROUP

This monthly support group led by the team of diabetes educators at both Sinai and Northwest Hospitals offers a chance for patients facing the challenges of managing diabetes to share and learn from each other’s successes and failures. The group features expert speakers on topics related to diabetes. The next session will meet on Thursday, June 21, from. to 7 p.m. at the Weinberg Park Heights JCC, 5700 Park Heights Ave., in the second-floor conference room. Admission is free. For more information, call (410) 601-5639.

weeks. The extended study tracked about 2,400 participants for a year.

During and after treatment, there were five heart-related deaths and 22 nonfatal heart attacks and strokes, pretty evenly distributed among the four groups. The few other heart problems also occurred at similar rates in each group.

The study was published in JAMA Internal Medicine. It included adult smokers from the United States, Canada, Mexico and several European countries. In the original study, by the last three weeks of treatment, 34 percent of Chantix users had quit smoking, 23 percent of nicotine patch users, almost 23 percent of Zyban users and 13 percent of those on dummy pills.

Chantix blocks the effects of nicotine on the brain; Zyban is the brand name for a drug used for depression but it is thought to also affect brain regions linked with addictive behavior. Patches deliver small amounts of nicotine to help reduce smokers’ cravings. All are generally used short term.

The patches and prescription pills can potentially raise blood pressure, and Chantix’s current packaging information in-

9

cludes warnings about a possible small increased risk for heart attacks and strokes in smokers with heart disease.

— AP

10

JULY 2018 — BALTIMORE BEACON

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Money Law &

Leonardo DiCaprio starred as Frank Abagnale in the movie Catch Me If You Can. Our cover story continues on the facing page.

Update estate plan in light of new tax law

By Eleanor Laise The new tax law has led some people to assume they can delete estate planning from their to-do lists. But that is a dangerous assumption.

Yes, the new tax law roughly doubles the federal estate-tax exemption, to about $11.2 million per person — meaning the vast majority of people will not be subject to federal estate tax.

But before you take your estate planner off speed dial, consider this: The sharp increase in the federal exemption amount means that old wills and trusts may be in urgent need of an update.

What’s more, the law opens new opportunities for estate-planning techniques to save you a bundle on income tax. And it does nothing to diminish a host of other factors that drive many people to engage in estate planning, including creditor protection, defense against financial abuse, and maximizing bequests.

Just to cement your estate planner’s job security, the new higher exemption amount sunsets at the start of 2026, when the old $5 million exemption — adjusted for inflation — reappears. And the law

could be changed legislatively even sooner.

“The bad part of this big exemption is most clients are saying, ‘Gee, I don’t have to do anything. I don’t have a problem anymore,’” said Martin Shenkman, an estate planner in Fort Lee, N.J. “They’re missing what estate planning is really about.”

Review regularly It’s always a good idea to review your estate plan regularly, regardless of legislative changes. Your net worth changes, you or your children get married or divorced, grandchildren are born — and old documents may no longer reflect your wishes.

So rather than consigning estate planning to the back burner, the new law should actually light a fire under seniors who haven’t reviewed their documents in years.

One snag that many seniors are likely to find in their estate plans is that old wills and trusts using formulas tied to the federal estate-tax exemption may now have unintended consequences. Consider this example from Colleen Carcone, director in the wealth-planning strategies group at TIAA:

Let’s say you completed your estate plan in 2001, when the federal estate-tax exemption was $675,000. The plan stipulates that the amount that can pass free from federal estate tax should go to your children and everything else to your spouse.

“That might have worked in 2001, when the kids would have gotten $675,000,” Carcone said. But now the kids will receive up to $11.2 million, and “you could unintentionally disinherit your spouse,” she said.

Revisit old trusts When reviewing old trusts, you may find that their original purpose no longer seems compelling. Perhaps your estate plan said that at your death, your assets will pass into a “bypass” or “credit shelter” trust, which will pay income to your surviving spouse and ultimately pass assets to your children.

It was once common for married couples to set up such trusts to avoid wasting a deceased spouse’s unused estate-tax exemption. But “portability,” introduced in 2011, allows a surviving spouse’s estate to use any estate-tax exemption amount that the first-to-die spouse did not use.

What’s more, beneficiaries inheriting assets from such trusts miss out on a big tax break. When passed directly through an estate, assets such as stocks and real estate get a “step up” in basis to the market value on the day the owner died — so heirs pay tax only on appreciation after that date. Assets passed through bypass trusts don’t get the basis step-up.

When the estate-tax exemption was lower, estate-tax planning often trumped income-tax planning, Carcone said. Now, she said, “you have to look at both.”

But before you scrap these trusts, consider that they can serve many purposes beyond avoiding federal estate tax, said Bernard Krooks, founding partner of Littman Krooks LLP in New York.

Might you be subject to a state estate tax? Some state estate-tax exemption amounts are well below the federal level.

Do you need the creditor protection that a trust can provide? What if you wind up in a nursing home and spend down all your assets, leaving nothing for heirs?

See ESTATE PLAN, page 12

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2018

Scammers From page 1

Credit card scams Abagnale pointed to another popular scam now making the rounds involving charging credit card owners for purchases they never made.

You receive a statement that looks like one from a major credit card company, but showing charges for phony purchases.

Some people just pay the bill without noticing anything amiss.

The statement gives you a phone number to call for any questions on those charges, but of course, the phone number provided is that of the scammer.

If you receive a suspicious credit card bill and want to question a purported purchase (which you should always do when you don’t remember making a particular purchase), look for the phone number on the back of your credit card, rather than using the one printed on the statement, Abagnale said.

Speaking of credit cards, the one-time con artist, now known as a leading authority on forgery, embezzlement, etc., noted that while banks prefer that you use debit cards because of fees they collect on them, he has never used a debit card and doesn’t intend to.

“If somebody gets my credit card number and charges $1 million, my liability — by federal law — is zero,” he pointed out (provided you bring the erroneous charges to the attention of the company promptly).

“But when you use a debit card, you’re exposing the money in your bank account.

If you are falsely charged on a debit card, it takes months to straighten it out.”

Also, while purchases with a credit card could improve your credit score, “even if you use your debit card every day for the next 25 years, it won’t raise your credit score one point.”

Be careful on social media And what about social media? All this new technology, Abagnale said, has made scamming so much easier. “Boris in Moscow, in his pajamas and drinking his morning coffee, or people in India” could push some keys on their computers and capture your identity — and your life savings, he warned.

Among other things, “You never want to tell people on Facebook where you were born or your date of birth,” he said. “Those are two keys that can open your identity for theft.”

He added: “You should also avoid putting your picture on the Internet,” especially on social media sites. The info-photo combo could make it easier for thieves to steal your identity, he noted. “If you want to include a photo, use one with a group of friends, taking part in some kind of activity.”

In an earlier interview with AARP, Abagnale pointed out that identity theft is “amazingly easy to do. The truth is, your identity already has been stolen. More than 800 million security breaches have occurred, and we have only about 320 million people in this country.”

But by becoming more careful, we can “look to save the next generation.” And the more information we share online that gets stolen, the easier it becomes for scammers to figure out a way to take our money. “Criminals use information on social media to get information [they then use] to get more information.”

“In fact,” the security expert said, “I don’t use social media. I personally don’t believe in giving out my information.

There are many criminals out there.”

IRS and bank account scams Abagnale discussed another prevalent scam. You get a phone call, supposedly from someone at the Internal Revenue Service, who tells you that you owe back taxes, which

you’d better pay up right away, via credit card over the telephone, if you don’t want to find yourself prosecuted for tax evasion.

That scam has been receiving so much publicity lately, that many of us have learned that the IRS doesn’t usually call citizens about their taxes. They write a letter first.

So the con men and women have changed their modus operandi and now send out letters on forged IRS letterhead.

If you receive such a letter, he advised, you don’t call back the number provided on the letter. Instead, “you go to the telephone directory and get the real IRS number” and call to inquire if this is for real.

He pointed to another popular recent scam: “It’s called Account Takeover. You write me a check, and I go online to a check-printing service and order 200 checks with your account information [which is printed on every check, so it’s easy to find]. I might even put my own name and address on the checks. By your next statement, I’ve already written checks that have cleared your account.”

For this reason, Abagnale himself doesn’t write many checks, “because if you write a check in a store, anyone who sees it along the way could order bogus checks on your account.”

Knowing what he knows, the security consultant said that, along with writing few

11

checks, he “shreds everything, even if it is worthless, with a micro-cut shredder, which turns paper into confetti.”

Abagnale also uses a service that monitors all three credit bureaus and notifies him in real time if somebody is trying to access his credit information.

Protect your credit “If a phony credit account is opened, or a loan taken out, in your name, contact each credit bureau and request a credit freeze.”

He noted that President Trump recently signed into law a bill that will “make credit freezes free to place, lift and permanently remove.” This makes it much more affordable to take control over your credit information than in the past, when fees were charged every step of the way.

Speaking of the president, what does Abagnale think about the president’s recent criticism of the FBI? FBI agents, he said, “are the most ethical people I have gotten to know. My son is an FBI agent.

“They are an amazing group, 13,000 agents and 25,000 others. But I think in the last few years the leadership has gotten too political.” The FBI’s job, he said, is to prosecute crime and not to make statements on the cases being investigated, as former agency director James Comey had done before he was fired by Trump.

12

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

JULY 2018 — BALTIMORE BEACON

How rising interest rates affect your money

By Anya Kamenetz After years at rock bottom, interest rates are moving slowly and steadily upward. In late March, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark lending rate to a range between 1.50 percent and 1.75 percent, the highest point since the 2008 financial crisis.

The median forecast reported is for another three nudges upward this year. In April, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell reiterated the central bank’s commitment to a “patient” approach to raising rates.

Keeping interest rates low is a way of keeping money circulating in the economy, which promotes growth. This was a key strategy in recovery from the financial crisis.

But the central bank also tries to prevent inflation, which can sometimes happen when growth is too fast. These days, with unemployment trending downward, there’s a consensus that it’s time to let interest rates go back up. However, by historical standards, rates are still very low.

How low? Well, between 1978 and 1991

they never went lower than 5 percent.

Ten years of low interest rates is a long time — long enough that many will now have to update their working assumptions about how to handle their money.

Here are some potential implications of rising interest rates: Borrowing will become more expensive. You may feel this in credit cards and auto loans, as well as in the rates available for student loan refinancing. Federal student loan interest rates are set by the Education Department each year on July 1 and pegged to the 10-year Treasury rate.

Mortgages will get more expensive, and this could affect housing prices.

Mortgage lending standards tightened after the crash, and we thankfully left behind the era of zero-percent-down NINJA loans (short for no income, no job, no assets). However, mortgage rates that started with the numeral 3 allowed more people to enter the housing market.

This meant more competition for hous-

ing and better prices for sellers. Today those average interest rates begin with the numeral 4 for a 30-year mortgage. If you’re selling, this could mean fewer buyers and a longer wait to get a price you like. If you’re buying, that dream home will cost you a bit more.

Savings rates, now at rock bottom, should improve. For years it’s been nearly impossible to beat inflation by saving. As of this writing, the top rate on Bankrate.com for a plain-Jane savings account is 1.85 percent. The top rate on a five-year CD is 2.8 percent. Savings rates are getting better but are still not amazing.

The effects on bonds are complex.

When interest rates are rising, the price of fixed-rate savings bonds will fall. As long as you can hold your bonds to maturity, you don’t have to worry too much [since you will receive the bond’s face value at maturity], but if you have to sell early, you could lose money.

When it comes to bond funds, the falling prices will likely hurt total returns but not

yields (the interest payments on the bonds).

The effects on the stock market are hard to predict. The most recent period of very low interest rates has been accompanied by a run-up in the market. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it will work the other way.

Adjusting interest rates is supposed to prevent the nation’s economic car from overheating, so to speak, from out-of-control growth. If we were to overcorrect, into a recession, that would obviously by definition hurt the stock market.

However, there is no ironclad relationship over time between interest rates and stock market performance. The stock market will react in the short term to each interest rate hike, but over a 10-year investment period you may not see much difference in your portfolio.

Anya Kamenetz welcomes your questions at diyubook@gmail.com. © 2018 Anya Kamenetz. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Estate plan

a limited liability company, transfer interests in that LLC to multiple “non-grantor” trusts, each of which can qualify for its own $10,000 state and local tax deduction, and name his spouse as beneficiary of the trusts. The trusts can be set up in a state, such as Alaska, that has no state income tax. So the property is out of his estate, protected from creditors, and he has salvaged the property-tax deduction that was eliminated, Shenkman said.

A non-grantor trust may also be a money-saver for people who are charitably inclined, Shenkman said. Let’s say you give $10,000 a year to your church. The

new tax law boosted the standard deduction to $12,000 for an individual, up from $6,350 previously, so you may get no tax benefit for those donations because you no longer itemize deductions.

But if you transfer investments into a non-grantor trust, naming your children, grandchildren and charities you wish to benefit as beneficiaries, the trust could earn $10,000 in income and give $10,000 to the church, “and you’ve got a dollar-fordollar tax deduction, because the trust doesn’t have a standard deduction like individuals,” Shenkman said.

When updating your documents, don’t neglect durable powers of attorney. Many seniors create powers of attorney giving a trusted agent the authority to manage

their finances if they become incapacitated — including the power to make financial gifts to avoid estate tax.

That gifting power may have made sense when the federal estate-tax exemption was much lower. But given today’s higher exemption, broad gift provisions should not be part of some powers of attorney, Shenkman said, because they leave seniors vulnerable to financial abuse.

If you still want your agent to have gifting powers, Shenkman said, consider reining in that authority — perhaps by restricting gift recipients to trusts that you have established. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

From page 10

New ways to save on taxes The new law also opens the door to trust strategies that provide immediate incometax savings and asset protection while allowing you to maintain access to your money, Shenkman said.

One current focus of estate-planning lawyers: Making an end-run around the new tax law’s $10,000 annual limit on state and local income and property tax deductions.

A wealthy individual could put his house in

Tell them you saw it in the Beacon!

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2018

SPECIAL PULL-OUT SECTION

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

B-1

B-2

Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

JULY 2018 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Competitive market spurs new housing

By Carol Sorgen With the number of Americans over the age of 80 expected to double in the next two decades, the senior living housing market is becoming increasingly competitive. That’s good news for the many older adults who will be looking for new housing options, whether in an independent living, continuing care or assisted living community.

Residential communities in the greater Baltimore/Washington corridor are looking to future needs, and are expanding and improving current communities or building entirely new ones.

At Roland Park Place in Baltimore, for example, 58 new independent living apartments are being added.

“We’re responding to the interest we have experienced over the last several years in larger, modern apartments,” said Becki Bees, vice president of Marketing and Community Life at Roland Park Place.

“We’re committed to providing an upscale option for people who are interested in remaining in the city, close to all of the cultural and modern entertainment options unique to Baltimore City.“ In the Washington area, Lisa Oursler, director of operations for Sunrise Senior Living, observed that families who are looking for high-quality assisted living and memory care support want to be in convenient locations, near their loved ones.

“This makes it easy for families to visit and allows residents to continue experiencing all the things about their local neighborhood that they have loved for years,” said Oursler.

“Our expansion in the Washington, DC, area — including new, state-of-the-art senior living communities in Bethesda, Chevy Chase and Burke — helps meet the demand for today’s and tomorrow’s rising aging population.”

Here is an alphabetical summary of the

growth now underway in the Beacon readership areas:

In Baltimore and Howard County Arbor Terrace Maple Lawn Fulton, Md. (301) 327-2613 www.arborcompany.com Arbor Terrace Maple Lawn offers stateof-the-art senior living and one-of-a-kind Bridges and memory care communities designed specifically for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Pricing is based on the apartment type and level of care. Monthly rent includes trained staff available 24 hours a day, three meals served daily, weekly housekeeping, daily bed-making and trash removal, scheduled group transportation, daily programs and activities, maintenance of buildings and grounds, secure safety system, all utilities, and oversight of general well-being.

You will be surprised to learn how many times we hear residents say those words once they’ve settled into our community.

CALL 410-705-5432 TO LEARN MORE TODAY!

Carsins Run Bel Air, Md. (443) 390-2590 www.carsinsrun.org Harford County’s first Continuing Care Retirement Community is slated to open in 2020 on a 47-acre campus in Bel Air, Md. Called Carsins Run at Eva Mar, the community is part of the nonprofit Presbyterian Home of Maryland.

Carsins Run will include independent and assisted living, as well as nursing and memory care for those over 60.

There are six independent-living floor plans, ranging from a 755-square-foot onebedroom/one-bathroom apartment to a 1,329-square-foot two-bedroom/two-bathroom unit.

Health services include a physician, nursing team and social services. There will be several dining options, including carry-out, and a clubhouse for activities and classes. Residents pay a one-time entrance fee that is refundable to the resident or resident’s estate.

Chapel Springs Senior Apartments Perry Hall, Md. (410) 352-7440 www.chapelspringsapartments.com Recently opened, Chapel Springs Senior Apartments is Baltimore County’s newest community for those 62 and older. The smoke-free community includes amenities to promote an active lifestyle, including a library, fitness center, beauty salon and cybercafé. The community is also pet-friendly.

Convenience features include washer and dryer in each home, ample parking, and elevators. Green features include upgraded insulation, Energy Star appliances and energy-efficient HVAC. Chapel Springs is close to the Beltway and I-95, and is less than five miles from White Marsh. Many shops, grocery stores and restaurants are within walking distance from Chapel Springs.

The Homestead Baltimore, Md. (410) 664-4006 www.springwellseniorliving.com The Homestead is Baltimore’s newest independent living community, located in the heart of Mount Washington, close to arts and culture venues, restaurants, shopping, medical centers, and more. Floor plans range from one-bedroom/one-bath to two-bedroom/two-bath. Many feature balconies or patios.

Other amenities include multiple dining options, room service, concierge, housekeeping services, fitness center, community shuttle services, laundry and linen service, flower and vegetable gardens, faith and fellowship chapel, art studio, 24/7 security, and Wi-Fi. The Homestead will be available for occupancy this summer.

Roland Park Place Baltimore, Md. (410) 243-5700 www.rolandparkplace.org See COMMUNITIES, page B-3

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Housing Options

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2018

Communities From page B-2 The expansion of Roland Park Place is now underway. Improvements in the first phase of work, focusing on the renovation of existing common spaces and a complete redesign of the Health Care Center, will include a new entrance hall and a café.

When the project is complete, a dramatic eight-story addition will offer 60 spacious residences as well as a new dining venue, arts center and indoor parking.

Other amenities to be added include an updated garden, a spa and salon, and a club room for private parties.

In the Washington, D.C. area Asheir Homes Potomac, Md. (301) 250-6660 www.asheirmanor.com Asheir Homes Assisted Living will soon open a second location in Potomac, Md. Run by a nurse practitioner, the new eight-bed, two-level home on two acres has an elevator and all private rooms with private bathrooms.

The home will specialize in serving residents with Parkinson’s disease, as well as mobility and memory care. A small therapy gym will help residents with strength and gait training.

Memory care residents will be able to

This is an artist’s rendering of Roland Park Place’s planned eight-story addition, which will include 60 new apartments.

Senior Apartments LIVE WELL FOR LESS Roland View Towers • One- and Two-Bedroom as well as Efficiencies • Rents from $575-$930 Utilities Included!

• 24/7 on-site Maintenance and Reception Desk • Beauty/Barber Shop on premises • Bus Trips and Social Events and many more amenities!

• Only 2 blocks from Hampden’s ‘The Avenue’ Spectacular View

$300

Rent Credit When you present this coupon upon application.

To schedule a personal tour call

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

www.rolandviewtowers.com

Make new friends

order snacks and drinks from an onsite coffee shop. The company’s first home, Asheir Manor, is in Germantown, Md. Brandywine Assisted Living Alexandria, Va. (703) 940-3300 www.brandycare.com Located near historic Old Town, Brandywine Living at Alexandria provides a convenient location for those from the area who want to reside close to their children, grandchildren and friends, while remaining in the community they love. Brandywine Living at Alexandria is part of the development of Alexandria’s West End and the larger Van Dorn Corridor.

The 116-suite, six-story luxury community features amenities such as a movie theater, pub, therapy pool and restaurantstyle dining. As part of Brandywine’s “Escapades…for Life!” program, the community offers an array of educational, entertainment and health and wellness choices tailored to each resident.

Brightview Senior Living Bethesda, Md. (240) 558-5605 www.brightviewseniorliving.com Brightview Senior Living is constructing a new eight-story community in downtown Bethesda. Brightview Bethesda Woodmont, opening in May 2019, will have 112 private and semi-private apartments for residents who need assisted living or memory care services.

Planned amenities include rooftop din-

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ing, a sloped-floor theater, a fitness area, salon/spa services and an activity room.

Design features will include granite counters, tile floors, and crown molding.

The Landing of Silver Spring Silver Spring, Md. (301) 388-7700 www.leisurecare.com The Landing of Silver Spring, opening in November, will offer assisted living and memory care services to meet a wide range of needs.

Residents at the Landing of Silver Spring will enjoy a robust activity calendar full of engaging programs and innovative fitness opportunities specifically designed to keep seniors of all abilities active. There will be a bistro and hospitality bar serving coffee and snacks throughout the day, and a restaurant offering seasonal menus and local fare.

Silverado Memory Care Alexandria, Va. (703) 215-9110 www.silverado.com The Silverado Alexandria Memory Care Community is now open to serve the needs of up to 65 residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory-impairing conditions. The three-story community with underground parking is located on a two-acre site within a mile of Old Town, off King Street.

The community features indoor space specifically designed to meet the unique needs of the memory impaired, as well as seSee COMMUNITIES, page B-4

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Housing Notes

By Barbara Ruben and Patricia Eswein

Baltimore makes list of top accessible communities Baltimore is included in a list of “the 10 best cities for accessible living,” recently prepared by the real estate agency Redfin.

To find out which U.S. cities are leading the way in housing and community features accessible to persons with disabilities, Redfin analyzed data from the Multiple Listings Service, U.S. Census Bureau, and Numbeo, a cost-of-living database and app.

The cities were ranked on four accessibility factors: accessible housing, public transportation, community attractions and

Communities From page B-3 cure outside space purposefully built to give residents the freedom to enjoy the outdoors.

Sunrise of Bethesda Bethesda, Md. (240) 215-4002

JULY 2018 — BALTIMORE BEACON

access to healthcare.

The number of accessible homes for each area is based on the number of active listings with accessible features in 2017. Examples of accessible features include manageable entries or routes, wide doors suitable for wheelchair access, grab bars in bathrooms, and usable kitchens and other rooms.

The Baltimore area had 17,067 homes for sale with accessible features in 2017, and the median sale price was $171,000.

About 11.9 percent of the Baltimore population lives with a disability, Redfin found.

Easily accessible transit options, including subway service and buses, are available in many Baltimore locations to connect residents to the airport, Johns Hopkins Hospital and Washington, D.C., the study noted. Redfin cited the city’s Inner Harbor area as being exceptionally well designed for accessibility.

The Washington area (defined as the District of Columbia, plus Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia) was ranked number

one on the list of top accessible cities.

That area had 10,634 homes for sale with accessible features in 2017, and the median sale price was $580,000. About 6.7 percent of the population lives with a disability.

The report took note of Washington’s Metro system and local buses, including GO Alex, a public transit service in Alexandria, Va., that was specifically designed for people with mobility issues.

Redfin also found there are many community recreational programs designed for people with disabilities, and all federal buildings are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible. Access to high-quality healthcare also contributed to making the D.C. area number one.

Most of the information available to prospective assisted living residents and

their adult children comes from the brochures of the communities and a handful of books on the subject. None of these publications was written by a resident of one of these facilities, said Carol Netzer, 91, who has been a resident in assisted living facilities for more than four years.

So she decided to write her own book, Assisted Living: An Insider’s View — a unique combination of descriptions of dayto-day operations in assisted living, personal impressions, and observations of fellow residents and how they interact.

Netzer is a trained psychologist, naturally inclined to observe human behavior wherever she goes. She tackles some thorny issues, such as those who find themselves unable to thrive in a new environment, how to best care for what she calls the “old old,” when new residents have trouble making friends, and other topics.

The paperback book is available from online booksellers like Amazon and Barnes and Noble for $7.99. http:// www.assistedlivingresident.net

www.sunriseseniorliving.com At Sunrise of Bethesda, residents receive care inside the community while enjoying access to some of the nation’s premiere hospitals, located just minutes away.

The newly opened community offers assisted living and memory care services led by an experienced staff trained to provide

individualized care for each resident.

Dining staff provides three meals a day, and residents enjoy a variety of activities, clubs and social events both within the community and in nearby Bethesda and the nation’s capital.

Sunrise of Chevy Chase Chevy Chase, Md. (240) 215-4114 www.sunriseseniorliving.com The newest Sunrise community, Sunrise of Chevy Chase, is now open. The community offers assisted living and memory care.

The building includes nine floor plans, ranging from 518-square-foot assisted living and memory care units, to a 929square-foot two-bedroom/two-bathroom assisted living apartment.

An in-house chef prepares three meals a

day. Sunrise offers many activities, including art, yoga and fitness classes, as well as book groups, current events discussions and more. Pets are also welcome.

Sunrise at Silas Burke House Burke, Va. (571) 290-4970 www.sunriseseniorliving.com This 80-unit Sunrise community opened last winter on the grounds of the nearly 200-year-old home of the man for whom Burke, Va. is named. Sunrise restored the home as part of the agreement to construct an assisted living and memory care facility adjacent to it.

Like the other Sunrise communities, Sunrise at Silas Burke House offers a roster of daily fitness, creative, social, learning and spiritual activities, and is pet friendly.

Resident offers advice on assisted living

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Up and coming global retirement spots

By Liz Weston Coronado in Panama once had pristine beaches and not much else. Today, the resort town is a haven for U.S. and Canadian retirees, with strip malls, fast-food joints and a lot of people speaking English.

“For all the world, it’s like you’re in a U.S. beach town,” said Kathleen Peddicord, publisher of Live and Invest Overseas, a site and newsletter for people who want to work, invest or retire abroad.

That kind of retirement destination appeals to many who are looking for an established expatriate community where they may not have to learn another language, said Dan Prescher, a senior editor at International Living, another site for people interested in life abroad.

Places like Coronado or Boquete in Panama, Puerto Vallarta or Ajijic in Mexico, and Ambergris Caye island in Belize have been welcoming North American retirees for years.

If you’re looking for places before they become popular, however, you may need to be even more adventurous than the typical expat. Infrastructure that you take for granted — such as high-speed Internet, paved roads, or easy access to quality healthcare — may not be abundantly available.

When people retire abroad and then boomerang back home, unrealistic expectations are often the culprit, Prescher said.

“They leave with the expectation that the rest of the world is just like home but at half the cost,” Prescher said. “Nothing could be further from the truth.”

The rewards of seeking out less-known destinations, though, can be considerable.

Living costs can be lower, and you may enjoy a more authentic experience of the country before your fellow compatriots rush in.

Here are five destinations that Peddicord and Prescher picked as the next hot retirement destinations abroad, where couples can live comfortably on less than $2,000 a month: 1. Arequipa, Peru Low living costs combined with good infrastructure make Peru one of International Living’s top 10 places to retire for 2018.

Arequipa offers big-city amenities — it’s the country’s second largest, with more than 800,000 people — and a “spring-like” moderate climate year round. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site, singled out by the United Nations organization for its historic core filled with colonial architecture.

A potential downside: its 7,661-foot elevation, which could be a problem for those who don’t handle altitudes well.

2. Cascais, Portugal Portugal is one of Europe’s most affordable places to live, combining modern amenities with an Old World vibe, Prescher said. Cascais, a coastal resort town about 20

miles west of Lisbon, is a former royal retreat complete with a 15th century fortress turned palace, a busy marina, spotless streets and a moderate year-round climate.

A potential downside: Some expats complain about the slow-moving bureaucracy for establishing residency.

3. Cayo, Belize Belize is popular with U.S. expats for good reasons: English is the official language, and the country exempts qualified retirees from many taxes, Peddicord said.

Away from the more crowded Caribbean coastline, the inland Cayo district offers rainforests, lovely rivers and fertile soil for gardeners.

However, infrastructure is not great in Cayo. Expect unpaved roads and fickle electricity. It’s a good fit for those looking for a simpler, back-to-basics lifestyle, Peddicord said.

Another potential downside: Healthcare “is not a strong suit,” so many expats cross the border to Mexico for high-quality medical care.

4. Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic French settlers on Dominican Republic’s northeast peninsula give Las Terrenas a European flair, complete with French

bakeries and residents who greet each other with kisses on both cheeks, Peddicord said. A new international airport nearby offers easy travel, good for quick trips back to the states or provinces.

A potential downside: Healthcare in many areas isn’t great, although a new hospital in Las Terrenas points to an improved quality of local treatment.

5. Phnom Penh, Cambodia Retirees looking for big-city living at budget prices should check out Cambodia’s capital city, Prescher said. A booming economy and rising tourist trade mean plenty of options for eating, drinking and socializing.

At the same time, Phnom Penh offers some of the lowest living costs of all the expat-friendly options, so that even modest retirement incomes can buy a life of relative luxury, Prescher said.

Cambodians tend to be extremely welcoming and friendly, with many speaking English as their second language.

A potential downside: Flight times to North America are typically 20 hours or more, making this not a great option for those who want to make frequent trips home.

— NerdWallet via AP

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How will my home sale will be taxed?

By Kimberly Lankford Q: I’m thinking about selling my house and then renting for a while.

Will I have to pay higher capital gains taxes on my home sale because I’m not rolling over the money to a new house?

A: No. You’re thinking of the old law, under which people could delay paying taxes on their home-sale profits if they rolled over their gains into the purchase of a new house.

But that rule changed in 1997. Now, people may exclude a big portion of their home-sale profits from taxes, whether or not they buy a new house.

The specifics depend on how long you’ve owned the house and your tax-filing status. You can exclude from taxes up to $500,000 in gains on the sale of your home if you’re married filing jointly (up to $250,000 if you’re single), as long as you’ve

lived in the house for at least two out of the past five years.

So, for example, if you’re married and bought a house several years ago for $300,000 and then sell it for $700,000, you won’t have to pay taxes on the $400,000 in profit.

If your profits are higher than the threshold, there are still ways to minimize the taxes. To calculate the size of your profit, take the sales price of the house (minus certain expenses, such as an agent’s commission and any points you paid for the buyer) and subtract the adjusted tax basis, which is the original cost of the home plus certain settlement fees or closing costs you paid.

You can also add to the basis the cost of major home improvements, such as a new roof; a remodeled kitchen; the addition of a room, deck or porch; or a new heating and air conditioning system. (Basic repairs and

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We have virtually limitless options that nurture the mind, body, and spirit: Our award-winning program Brain Health University is always popular for those residents who like to stretch their minds and socialize with friends, as are the plethora of life enrichment programs available. Staying active and happy is the key to living a full life. We invite you to unretire and start living at Atrium Village, a Senior Lifestyle community.

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Call 1-800-222-9651 for a free brochure.

maintenance don’t count.) Keep records of the cost of the improvements until three years after you sell your house.

If you haven’t lived in the house for two of the past five years, you may still be able to exclude part of your gains from taxes if your move was prompted by changes related to work, family or health. These include a di-

vorce, death of a spouse, the birth of two or more children from a single pregnancy, the need to obtain or provide healthcare, and a new job that is at least 50 miles farther from home than your old work location. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Closing cost scam targets home buyers

By Thomas H. Blanton You’ve found your dream house and made a winning offer on it. Now all that’s left is a transfer of funds to get you in the door. That’s when the closing-cost scammers strike.

Posing as real estate or settlement agents, these con artists swindled home buyers out of nearly $1 billion last year, up from $19 million in 2016, the FBI said.

The scheme works like this: Thieves hack into a real estate professional’s email account to track upcoming transactions. When a deal’s closing date nears, they send the home buyer an e-mail that appears to come from the real estate agent or title company that’s handling the closing.

Letters to editor From page 2 intelligent adults who can make judgments that are right for them in each case.

We see our job as providing the information, pro and con, for them to evaluate.

Dear Editor: I read the article titled “How websites and apps track you — and what you can do about it” in the June issue, and I thought it was phenomenal.

I always heard about cookies, but never fully understood what they were. Websites would sometimes ask if I would like to turn off cookies, and like any other person, I would just click it off the screen not paying attention to it.

One time while surfing the Internet, an ad popped up on multiple websites, and I was unable to click away from it numerous times. So by reading this article, it has helped me to learn about how cookies work and how I can protect myself on the Internet.

Ryan Johnson Via email Dear Editor: It is evident to me that Josh First (Letters to the editor, June) not only doesn’t comprehend what he reads, he doesn’t appreciate the various beneficial programs, activities and persons in the community

The e-mail directs the home buyer to wire funds for the closing costs and the down payment to a fraudulent account.

To protect yourself from this scam, don’t trust e-mails containing moneywiring instructions. Don’t click on links or call phone numbers provided in such e-mails, and don’t share your financial information with the sender.

Talk to your real estate or settlement agent about the closing process and wire-transfer protocols. Once you’ve made the transfer, confirm that the funds were received. If you’re victimized, catching problems quickly increases your chances of getting the money back. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

that [WETA television host] Rhea Feikin has portrayed.

I have known Ms. Feikin since the early ‘50s at the University of Maryland. Baltimore and surrounding communities are fortunate to have her.

Stanley Brown Boca Raton, Fla. Dear Editor: I’ve had the pleasure of hearing Shirley Brewer (“Bringing a lifetime of experience to writing,” May) read her poetry, and her book A Little Breast Music is in our collection of works by Baltimore city poets at the Baltimore City Historical Society, where I’m an archivist. I know that if these books are not collected, they will go out of print and disappear.

I’m glad the Beacon honored one of our poets; it’s about time. I’m just sorry the city of Baltimore doesn’t make a greater effort to support this art form. Nevertheless, the Enoch Pratt Library hosts wonderful Poetry & Conversation evenings, and they even schedules free poetry classes for National Poetry Month in April.

Like Shirley Brewer, I too came to poetry late in life. It’s a terrific mind exercise as well as a creative pursuit. From my experience, there’s nothing like reciting before a live audience.

Rosalind Ellis Heid Baltimore

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2018

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JULY 2018 — BALTIMORE BEACON

How to help grown children buy a home

By Marilyn Lewis When responsible first-time homebuyers need help buying a home, the “family bank” sometimes can lend a hand.

Younger homebuyers face a mountain of obstacles, including rising home prices and interest rates, too few homes for sale and unpaid college debt.

Student debt is a major source of trou-

ble. When the National Association of Realtors surveyed recent homebuyers who had problems saving up for a down payment, 53 percent of those in the youngest group (37 and younger) blamed student loan debt for their difficulty.

Families appear to be pitching in to help, according to the results of that survey in the 2018 NAR Home Buyer and Seller Gen-

Write a letter to the editor. See page 2.

erational Trends Report. Among homebuyers who made a down payment, 23 percent of those 37 and younger used a gift and 6 percent a loan from family or friends — the highest proportion for either type of assistance among all age groups.

Family assistance like this works best when the kids qualify for a mortgage on their own and parents make the purchase more affordable with, for example, a bigger down payment or a lower interest rate, said Jeremy Heckman, a certified financial planner.

First, the ground rules To create a businesslike distance for these transactions, Heckman suggests that parents: • Consider disclosing the assistance to all immediate family • Consider treating all siblings equally • Use contracts • Document gifts Formal agreements offer important benefits, said San Francisco real estate attorney Andy Sirkin. They define obligations and minimize misunderstandings.

And if parent lenders die or become incapacitated, all their heirs can view the transaction and its history.

Ways to help Here are three ways parents can help make it more affordable for new homebuyers to purchase a home: 1. Give money. A gift of money is often best, Heckman said. Parents can write a check for any amount they choose. That’s it — no contract or ongoing commitments.

Or they can pay all or part of an expense, such as mortgage closing costs. Providing down-payment assistance can help new borrowers avoid paying for private mortgage insurance, which helps keep their monthly payment low.

How it works: Strict rules dictate how cash gifts are used in a home purchase, and they vary by mortgage type, lender and lender offer, said Mark Case, a senior vice president at SunTrust Mortgage.

Lenders like to see money gifts — easily traceable checks, bank transfers or wire transfers — in a borrower’s bank account three or four months before applying for a mortgage, Case said. Givers and recipients may need to sign letters confirming that the money isn’t a loan.

When it comes to taxes, anyone can give any other person a gift up to $15,000 in value (money or, say, stocks) in 2018 without filing a gift-tax return (IRS Form 709).

So a parent with two children can give each of them — and even the children’s partners — up to $15,000 this year without having to complete Form 709. A tax professional can confirm how the rules apply to individuals’ specific circumstances.

2. Finance the mortgage. Parents with cash to invest can become the mortgage lender, offering extra-easy terms, such as no closing costs or down payment.

Heckman said they can charge a higher rate of interest on their money than it

earns in a savings or money market account and still offer kids a lower-than-market mortgage rate.

“I said, ‘This could be a win-win for both of us,”‘ said Jay Weil, an attorney in Wayne, New Jersey. He and his wife, Judy, have financed two mortgages for their son Matt and Matt’s wife, Allison.

How it works: Jay and Judy fully funded the younger couple’s first home, a townhouse in Columbia, Md. They decided to use a service that facilitates family loans.

They worked with National Family Mortgage, which charges one-time setup fees of $725 to $2,100, depending on the loan size; provides all necessary forms and documents to meet state, local and IRS requirements; guides families through the settlement and filing process; and connects borrowers with loan servicers.

Then in 2017, the Weils lent the kids money again, for a $579,900 house in Laurel, Md. Matt and Allison got two loans.

One was a primary mortgage from SunTrust Mortgage for $259,900, at 3.875 percent. His parents provided a second mortgage for $260,000 at 1.98 percent. They used money earned from the sale of their first home to make a down payment.

Family lenders must charge at least the Applicable Federal Rate — the minimum interest rate required to keep the IRS from considering the assistance to be a gift.

3. Co-borrow. Although riskier for parents, co-borrowing is another option. Mortgages with co-borrowers were nearly a quarter of all new-purchase mortgages in the third quarter of 2017, according to ATTOM Data Solutions, a real estate data company.

Co-borrowing helps borrowers overcome a limited credit history or a too-high debt-to-income ratio, said Case, of SunTrust Mortgage.

How it works: Parents apply for the mortgage, too. They must meet the lender’s credit requirements, and sign loan papers with their kids at closing.

Aside from the mortgage itself, a separate family contract can define expectations and details, such as who gets how much equity when the home sells, and what happens in case problems arise, said Sirkin, the real estate attorney.

For parents interested in being co-borrowers, there are some things to keep in mind: • Not all loans allow co-borrowers, so it’s good to confirm the option when shopping for mortgages.

• Some lenders may call this step cosigning, which may have different parameters, but the outcome is the same: Parents and children are equally responsible for the loan and any missed mortgage payments.

• Parents’ credit could be affected, making it hard to finance another big purchase later, even if children make payments on time.

With all the headwinds facing first-time homebuyers, family help sometimes makes all the difference.

—NerdWallet via AP

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B-9

Tips for renting out your home on Airbnb

By Miriam Cross Q: I’m going on vacation and want to rent out my home on Airbnb. What do I need to know?

A: Renting out your home while you’re away sounds like an easy way to make money (and may even help pay for your vacation).

But you need to make sure your rental is legal, and that you have the right insurance and are paying all the taxes due.

Before posting your ad, ask your condo association, homeowners association or co-op board if short-term rentals (often defined as less than 30 consecutive days) are allowed.

Then search your local government website for restrictions that may complicate your plans. Your municipality may have a short-term rental office, or you may need to call your city or county to clarify the rules.

Increasingly, insurers are paying attention to this kind of activity and working out a solution with clients when possible. Your insurer may be comfortable allowing “incidental” rentals through Airbnb (meaning you still treat your home like a primary residence and only rent it out on occasion each year), or it may sell an add-on to your policy that covers short-term rentals, such as Allstate’s HostAdvantage ($50 per year to cover $10,000 of personal property per rental period).

Although Airbnb includes liability and damage protection for its hosts, “I wouldn’t want to rely on Airbnb rebuilding my home if it burned down and we don’t know why,” said Spencer Houldin, president of Ericson Insurance Advisors in Washington Depot, Conn. “I’d rather have my homeowners carrier accept the risk.”

Jumping through hoops

Don’t forget taxes

You may need to register your unit with the city, pay for a license, submit floor plans, undergo an inspection or notify your neighbors.

Some cities also set limits on the number of guests who can occupy your home at once, the maximum number of days you can rent your home each year, or the minimum number of days that you must live in your home each year in order to dabble in short-term rentals.

“There is no blanket regulatory policy that governs short-term rentals,” said Matt Kiessling, vice president of short-term rental policy for the Travel Technology Association.

Airbnb summarizes laws for more than 50 localities on its site, (including Arlington, Va., at http://bit.ly/airbnb-arlington, and Washington, D.C, at http://bit.ly/airbnb-washington).

Keep a log of your rental days, as well as receipts for your expenses. You may need to collect occupancy, sales or lodging taxes for your city, county or state.

Airbnb takes care of this in a number of locales. You can find more information about tax rates and links to the relevant authorities in dozens of regions by searching “occupancy taxes” in Airbnb’s “help” section.

You also need to pay income taxes on your rental earnings if you rent out your home for more than 14 days a year. Homeowners who rent through Airbnb without providing hotel-like services, such as meals or daily cleaning, will report short-term rental income on Schedule E rather than Schedule C of their tax return, said Mike D’Avolio, staff program manager at Intuit.

On Schedule E, you can deduct expenses that directly relate to the rental, such as host service fees or bedding used only by your paying guests, as well as a portion of expenses that are attributable to guest use (such as a fresh paint job and utilities).

This allocation is based on the number of days you rented your property during the year, so if you rent out your home for

Insurance issues You also want to protect yourself from damage or theft in your home and the potential for liability claims. Discuss your plans with your homeowners insurer, and be up front about how often you hope to rent out your home.

30 days in 2018, you can deduct roughly one-twelfth of shared expenses.

Consult IRS Publication 527, Residential Rental Property (Including Rental of Vaca-

tion Homes), for more details. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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Ongoing

ECUADENT FOUNDATION SEEKS VOLUNTEERS

Ecuadent Foundation’s Mission is to bring free dental and medical care to the impoverished children of Ecuador through yearly mission trips. Volunteer opportunities are available for licensed dental and medical professionals, and for volunteers to help with fundraising, administrative duties and supply acquisition. For more information, contact (410) 561-1800 or email info@ecuadent.org.

Ongoing

SUPPORT THE ANIMALS

Baltimore Humane Society provides for the care of suffering and homeless animals. It operates an animal shelter, spay-neuter center, memorial park and wildlife sanctuary. For information on making donations and/or volunteering, contact (410) 833-8848 or visit www.bmorehumane.org.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Oak Crest 1-800-333-5693 8820 Walther Boulevard Parkville, MD 21234 www.OakCrestCommunity.com A move to Oak Crest in Baltimore County is a wise decision for your future, your finances, and your family. No other retirement community in the Parkville area offers so many fabulous benefits. Since opening their doors in 1995, seniors have flocked to Oak Crest for catered, maintenance-free living. From its stylish apartment homes and clubhouses packed with amenities, to the expert on-site health care and predictable financial structure, Oak Crest provides a secure and stimulating place for seniors age 60 or older to call home. Learn about everything this exciting 87-acre campus has to offer. Call 1-800-333-5693 for a free brochure.

ASSISTED LIVING LIVING COMMUNITY ASSISTED

Other ways to share your home In addition to Airbnb, there are a number of other websites through which you can rent out your home or rooms in it.

HomeAway. This site, which also owns another rental site called VRBO, rents out entire structures only. The service fee starts at 5 percent per booking.

Homeowners can buy tailored vacationrental insurance called HomeAway Assure. There is no assistance with taxes.

Hosts can impose a security deposit.

FlipKey by TripAdvisor. FlipKey lets you rent out private rooms or entire structures. The service fee is 3 percent per booking. The site holds payments

from guests until after check-in. TripAdvisor, which owns other home rental sites as well, collects and pays occupancy taxes in certain cities. No insurance products are available. Hosts can impose a security deposit.

Other smaller or specialty sites include HouseTrip, Kid & Coe, Onefinestay, Rent Like a Champion and Wimdu.

If you list with a site that doesn’t take care of taxes for you, services such as Avalara MyLodge Tax (www.avalara.com) can help you calculate what you owe. Avalara charges $20/month to file taxes on your behalf.

— Kiplinger’s

Weinberg Park Assisted Living 410-664-0100 5833 Park Heights Avenue Baltimore, MD 21215 Weinberg Park is a vibrant Assisted Living community where you can live with confidence and independence. Whether you need help getting dressed, managing medications or friendly conversation, we are there for you with a gentle helping hand.

We offer private or semi-private suites, certified nursing assistance, medication management, a 24-hour emergency response system, laundry & housekeeping services, delicious & nourishing kosher meals and individualized service plans. Our doors are open to everyone, regardless of income level, and we strive to keep our fees at a competitive market rate. Call today to schedule a tour! We look forward to showing you the comfort and care we offer to all our treasured residents!

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JULY 2018 — BALTIMORE BEACON

The latest design apps for home layouts

By Katherine Roth Planning out how to arrange furniture in your home — or plants in your garden — used to involve a pencil, graph paper, a measuring tape and a lot of imagination.

The process has gotten easier — and way more streamlined — thanks to a burgeoning selection of home and garden apps.

Furniture companies, interior design firms and even landscapers have been rolling out a new generation of apps and online programs to make the process more foolproof for novices and pros alike, often using virtual and augmented reality technology.

“Design apps are really great for generating ideas, and deciding on materials and sources for do-it-yourself projects,” said Margaret Mayfield, an architect in Los Osos, California. “And they’re also very

helpful for communicating design ideas to contractors and architects.”

Fit furniture before buying The technology allows you to see what furniture would look like in your home before you buy it, using just the camera on your phone, for example, instead of dealing with the hassle — and back pain — involved in returning, say, an ill-chosen sofa.

And the design apps do not stop at the door. There are landscaping apps to help take the guesswork out of deciding what to plant and where and when.

Among the most popular home apps is Houzz, a free app with 40 million users around the world each month, according to Liza Hausman, vice president of industry marketing for Houzz. Features include a

Live Well.

Be Well.

huge database of design photos — searchable by style, country or color, for example — to create a personalized “idea book.”

The site’s “Visual Match” feature allows visitors to order furniture and other products that are the same or similar to those seen in the magazine-type photos. You can work with a friend by using the “Invite a Collaborator” feature, or, through “Directory,” contact local designers, architects and landscapers.

One of the newest features is “View in My Room 3D,” which invites you to look at your room through your phone and then — using augmented reality technology — place a selected piece of furniture there to see what it would look like.

Other indoor design apps include Hutch, Home Design 3D, and Room Sketcher, and interior design apps from stores like IKEA and Overstock.com.

Plot your garden For outdoors, Houzz features articles and advice from gardening pros, and a

forum where home gardeners can share ideas and suggestions.

Another popular landscaping app is iScape, which helps you visualize your garden, save and share ideas, and buy gardening products.

As with all technology, though, the apps have a learning curve that in some cases is far greater than the old graph paper and pencil method of laying things out. And professionals warn that for major jobs, it’s still best to seek out a pro.

Just don’t be surprised when your landscaper or designer pulls out their phone to consult an app.

Matt McMillan, a landscape designer in Pound Ridge, New York, said, “My designs are very focused on drawing nature into the garden. So I frequently consult the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Merlin app. I also have apps for dragonflies, butterflies and mushrooms. I can’t live without the ‘Toolbox’ app in general, and specifically its compass.”

— AP

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

PIKESVILLE FARMER’S MARKET

Every Tuesday through Oct, 31, enjoy the produce, crafts and flowers from local growers and vendors at Pomona Square, 1700 Reisterstown Rd. in Pikesville, from 2 to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.pikesvillechamber.org or call (410) 484-2337.

Two distinctive communities, One shared mission to help you FlourishTM and experience your personal best. Both offer maintenance-free, amenity-rich senior living lifestyles to live your best life.

Schedule a tour of either of these exceptional communities today.

300 St. Luke Circle Westminster, Maryland 21158 (toll-free) 877-848-0095 www.CLVillage.org

9000 Fathers Legacy Ellicott City, MD 21042 410-465-2005 (toll-free) 877-461-8933 www.MillersGrant.org

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Housing Options

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2018

B-11

Make the most of small outdoor spaces

By Melissa Rayworth As herb and vegetable gardens, composting and other aspects of green living become more popular, many people with limited outdoor space are looking for ways to squeeze the most out of it.

“A client in a modern high-rise in downtown Chicago did not have a typical garden per se, but did have a large outdoor balcony with a beautiful view,” said interior designer Edyta Czajkowska, founder of the design firm Edyta & Co. “We created a garden space for her by using planters in varying sizes that she could plant flowers and herbs in. We stuck to one plant per planter, which created an organic yet tailored look, while still elevating something as simple as garlic or chives.”

Even a small patio or balcony can be made useful and plant-friendly, interior designers say.

Here, Czajkowska and two other experts — Connecticut landscape architect and designer Janice Parker, and Atlanta interior designer Jen Sypeck — offer advice on creating a lush and plant-friendly area even in a tiny space.

Map out your plan Assess your space realistically, said Czajkowska, and then seek inspiration at a home and garden store or on the website Pinterest.

Decide what your goals are. Do you want

to fill the space with beautiful blooms, cutting some for indoor flower arrangements throughout the summer? Or would you love to grow an ample crop of herbs for cooking or become a composter?

Once you choose, get creative. “A vertical garden is a great option for smaller spaces as it only utilizes wall space, and you can actually plant quite a bit in it,” Czajkowska said. “Just like with small interior spaces, you’d be surprised at what you can fit into a space that’s well thought out.”

As you plan, consider which tools or equipment you’ll need for gardening or other outdoor work. One space-saving solution: For seating, choose closed benches with storage space inside.

lents such as cheveria, kalanchoe and sedum. They’re hardy, Sypeck said, “but they don’t look like it, as they produce vibrant colors and flowers. When paired together, they create a striking container garden, with the same care requirements.”

If you want color and beauty during the warm season, Parker said, “stick with annuals for high impact color from May to October.”

If your outdoor space doesn’t get much sun, choose plants that do well in the shade.

And in a limited space, “choose plants that grow slowly and keep their form,” Parker said, like boxwood roses or Japanese maples.

Make other details count Embrace color and drama

Choose plants strategically If you’re a first-time gardener, Sypeck said, “start with a hardy plant like rosemary or lavender. Both of these beauties offer a statement moment, an ornamental element, aromatic benefits and are hard to kill.”

Another good option is buying pre-made container gardens with plants and flowers that work together. “Chances are a garden expert paired everything with similar needs,” she said. “That way, you can water accordingly and provide the correct amount of sunlight needed.”

For vivid color without too much effort, consider a pre-planted container of succu-

tend to favor copper, cement and stone, all with a soft, modern sensibility.”

She also recommends repurposing unexpected items as eye-catching containers: “An old copper ice bucket was one of my latest victims turned into a now thriving succulent garden,” she said. “I’ve also been known to spray paint a pot or two if I’m craving a new color and vibe.”

Even a small composting bin can be hidden inside an attractive planter, helping that practical item blend well into an outdoor living space.

Earth tones work well for planters, Parker said, but “one wonderful brightly colored planter can be terrific” too.

In a small space, Parker said, don’t be afraid to go big. For example, instead of planting herbs or flowers in small planters, choose one large and dramatic planter as a design statement.

She and Sypeck say there are many beautiful, lightweight planters available made with a mix of fiberglass and zinc or bronze, so you can create a dramatic look that’s safe to use on rooftops or balconies where weight is an issue.

“I personally love mixing materials and styles with my outdoor containers,” Sypeck said. “Layering with a variety of heights and textures is my approach, and I

Think of a balcony or small patio as an outdoor room, Parker suggests. Choose a beautiful table as a focal point, even if it’s small and will have plants on it.

Also consider lighting, and how the space will look and feel at night, as well as during the day. If the outdoor space doesn’t have electricity, no problem. Use LED candles or battery-powered lights clustered around the space.

“Outdoor lighting will really create a sense of intimacy,” Parker said, “and welcome you out into the space.”

As a finishing touch, add a sculpture or other item — like a decorative birdcage painted a bright color — amid your plants. — AP

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

A place of independence Pickersgill assisted living residents are rarely in their rooms! Instead, they’re out and about— part pa rtic icip ipat atin ingg in a com ommu muni nity ty act ctiv ivitityy or eve vent nt or dining with friends.

A place of beauty Living in this community—tucked into a beautiful West Towson neighborhood —you or your bea ur loved one will enj njoy a warm welcome and daily activities, and they’ll appreciate the h walking pat aths, beautifully landscaped grounds, lovely gardens and more.

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Each assisted living resident re enjoys three chef-prepared meals per day, housekeeping and laundry se services, medication administration, help with daily tasks and more—always by reque uest, and all included in a reasonable monthly fee. Each resident also has access to all al of the Pickersgill amenities.

Our assisted living residences include a private, pri full bath, and residents are encouraged to decorate their homes as they wish ish. This is a lifestyle dedicated to innde depe p ndence and assured by a caring, professionall staff. st

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Housing Options

PULL OUT & KEEP THIS SPECIAL SECTION

JULY 2018 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Your Life, Enriched

Perfectly designed residential communities for seniors and younger residents with disabilities* in Northwest Baltimore.

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Weinberg House 16 Old Court Road Pikesville, MD 21208 410-602-2405 Weinberg Manhattan Park* 5715 Park Heights Ave. Baltimore, MD 21215 410-466-8080 Weinberg Manor East* 3601 Fords Lane Baltimore, MD 21215 410-358-5581

Weinberg Manor West 3615 Fords Lane Baltimore, MD 21215 410-358-9393 Weinberg Manor South* 3617 Fords Lane Baltimore, MD 21215 410-783-7333 Weinberg Park Assisted Living* 5833 Park Heights Ave. Baltimore, MD 21215 410-664-0100 weinbergpark.com

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BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2018

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Travel

13

Leisure &

Books to inspire trips in the great outdoors, from the National Parks to the Appalachian Trail. See reviews on p. 15.

Mississippi’s resilient Gulf Coast beckons Changed maybe, but when life gave them “lemons,” they “made lemonade” and they are still making it.

Mississippians have rebuilt and repaired. Some stately antebellum mansions survived, and many iconic live oaks, hundreds of years old, still stand, nature’s symbols of resilience.

PHOTO BY ROB HAINER

By Glenda C. Booth Exploring Mississippi’s 26-mile Gulf Coast is a sojourn to small, laid-back towns, sugarwhite beaches, artsy enclaves, “aromatic” fishing villages, and even a whiff of William Faulkner’s fictional Yoknapatawpha County.

Life moves at a slow southern pace, and friendly locals greet out-of-towners with a hearty, “Hi ya’ll!”

Mississippi Gulf people are proudly resilient. Hurricane Camille smashed into the state in 1969 with 200 mph winds, cracked levees, felled power lines, wreaked havoc and left many bad memories. A 20- to 30-foot tidal surge flooded homes, stores, roads and graveyards.

Then, in 2005, Hurricane Katrina roared in, a monster that left massive destruction behind. Called the worst storm in 300 years of recorded history, Katrina severed casino barges from their moorings, heaving them onto buildings and highways.

A 30-foot storm surge slammed white caps into homes, carried roofs away and splintered buildings. Pelicans rode 25- to 30-foot waves over the elevated interstate highway.

People still talk about watching their cars float away.

Then came BP’s 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the largest marine spill in the petroleum industry’s history. It poisoned marine life, blackened seaside wetlands, oiled birds, and dumped tar balls on the beach for several years.

Disasters like these change you, one local said, adding, “We may never get over it.”

America’s Riviera Once called “the American Riviera,” the Gulf Coast — the largest manmade beach in the world — is 26 miles long (62 if you count all the inlets and tributaries).

A string of 12 high-rise, beachfront casino resorts sprout all along the coastline. Restaurant menus feature shrimp and grits, catfish, crawfish, oysters and fried green tomatoes, exuding hints of New Orleans cuisine.

“You come across the bridge from Louisiana and your blood pressure goes down,” said Nikki Moon, owner of the Bay Town Inn, about her hometown, Bay St. Louis.

With a population of 10,000, it has an “an ole timey feel,” and is “the gentle way to go about life,” where people walk to restaurants, and chug around in golf carts to see the latest local pottery, jewelry, sculpture and paintings.

Chainsaw sculptor Dayle K. Lewis transformed once-living live oaks into “angel trees” — sculptures that honor hurricane survivors. One served as a raft for three Katrina survivors and their dog.

Biloxi, population 44,000, is a centrallyPHOTO BY ANDREW B. HALL

Seagulls flock around a shrimp boat off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. Seafood is one of the area’s prime industries, and visitors can take tours on some of the boats, and visit a museum devoted to seafood, ships and other maritime pursuits.

Situated on the Mississippi Sound along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, the Biloxi lighthouse rises over the city’s welcome center, a replica of a pre-Civil War mansion that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Built in 1847, the lighthouse has become a symbol of the city’s resilience, withstanding Katrina and other major hurricanes.

located base for branching out to coastal points. Across from the Lighthouse, which survived Katrina, the restored visitor center is a replica of the Katrina-smashed Robinson-Dantzler antebellum mansion.

Here you’ll learn about the area’s Gilded Age, when the affluent had an active social scene in waterfront mansions, many coming on excursion trains from New Orleans.

Woodrow Wilson vacationed at Pass Christian at Beaulieu, the Dixie White House.

Go fish Coastal Mississippi is all about water, good and bad. Biloxi claims it was the seafood capital of the world in the 1800s.

“Seafood built Biloxi,” trumpets one exhibit in the town’s Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum, where the narrative starts with Biloxi’s 1699 founding, when settlers looking for gold found oysters instead. Video interviews with old timers recall grueling seafood factory work from the 1890s to 1920s.

The museum features boat building, net making, shrimping with sails and trawls, and fishing equipment, such as oyster dredgers, engines, shrimp peelers and marine blacksmithing. Fishing is a hard life, weathered seamen explain, but they

work hard, play hard, bounce back and survive life’s curveballs.

Captain Mike Moore’s shrimping excursion on the Sailfish is a spirited lesson in marine mysteries, from jellyfish to bottlenose dolphins to pelicans. The self-described “Ambassador of the Gulf Coast” opens by saying that passengers may need a translator to decipher his Cajun accent.

Using a 16-by-35-foot net, he drags the bottom and calls out the critters he brings up. On shrimp, he gabs, “Everything wants to eat them.” Another factoid: “White and brown shrimp grow one inch every seven to 10 days.” Or shrimp anatomy: “Their antennas are for smelling. They hide in the mud and smell what goes by. It’s their radar.”

At Quality Poultry and Seafood, visitors ogle mounds of today’s catch. In operation since the mid-1940s, it also hawks pickled quail eggs, and seasonings for gumbo, crab and shrimp boil, étoufée and crawfish pie.

One historic Katrina survivor in Biloxi is Beauvoir, built in 1852 and the last home of the only president of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, also known as a “memorial to the Lost Cause.” Hoop-skirted docents reverently describe the Davises’ genteel life in BeauSee GULF COAST, page 14

14

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

voir from 1877 to 1889, and explain that Jefferson Davis’s 1889 funeral was the largest ever in New Orleans, when 50,000 mourners walked 18 miles to the Metairie Cemetery.

The adjacent museum memorializes Confederate soldiers with displays of wagons, uniforms, guns and battle scenes. Prominently displayed are Davis’s catafalque, and the “capture coat” that he wore when Union forces caught up with him in Georgia. In a rush, he had grabbed his wife’s coat.

Art along the Gulf For a more modern twist, the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum is a four-gallery complex designed by Frank O. Gehry of signature Gehry rounded pods and gray steel. The museum is known for the work of quirky, one-of-a-kind artist, George Ohr, “the mad potter” — an eccentric father of 10, who potted from 1857 to 1918. “I want every pot to be itself,” he said, “no two alike.”

Made of local Tchoubouffa River clay, his thin “mud babies” have crumpled edges,

JULY 2018 — BALTIMORE BEACON

loops and curves. Some, seen as offbeat in Ohr’s day, have sold for as much as $100,000.

The museum also recounts another resilience story, local African Americans who created their own self-contained town within the town of Biloxi during the segregation era — a community with its own barbers, banks and baseball team, the Dodgers.

Civil rights hero Medgar Evers went to Biloxi for the 1960 “wade-in” to desegregate the beaches. Unfortunately, this civil rights action became known as “Bloody Sunday” because a mob attacked the demonstrators as the Biloxi police silently stood by. A court decision finally desegregated Biloxi’s beaches in 1968.

Ocean Springs is a contrast of artsy refinement and juicy, downhome eating, coastal Mississippi style.

The Walter Anderson Museum of Art spotlights the work of a man some called a genius, others a schizophrenic. He was prolific, constantly drawing as a child, and later painting four or five watercolors a day

on typewriter paper.

To better understand hurricanes, he rowed 16 miles to Horn Island and tied himself to a tree during a storm where he felt free.

One of his series features cats’ sinuosity and kinesiology. The museum houses “the Little Room,” his totally private space where he painted murals on all the walls and created his own world.

Tucked in the woods nearby is Shearwater Pottery, a family compound founded in 1928 by Peter Anderson, Walter’s brother, and still home to family potters. Katrina destroyed the showroom, but the Andersons rebounded and rebuilt. They make glazed figurines, decorative tiles, thrown ware and cast ware.

Bozo’s Seafood and Market in Ocean Springs is aptly named. It’s a noisy madhouse of long, communal tables, where locals in bib overalls and t-shirts chat with outsiders, as everyone crams down bulging po’boys and mountainous fish sandwiches, all washed down with Dr. Peppers.

We Turn Addresses

into homes

MOST COMMUNITIE S ARE 62 AND B ET T ER

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

BALTIMORE COUNTY (CONT.)

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

Park View at Towson: 410-828-7185 Park View at Woodlawn: 410-281-1120

BALTIMORE CITY

Westminster Overlook: 410-876-7600

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

BALTIMORE COUNTY Cove Point Apartments I: 410-288-2344 Cove Point Apartments II: 410-288-1660 Evergreen Senior Apartments: 410-780-4888 The Greens at English Counsul: 410-789-3000 The Greens at Liberty Road: 410-655-1100 The Greens at Logan Field: 410-288-2000 The Greens at Rolling Road: 410-744-9988 Park View at Catonsville: 410-719-9464 Park View at Dundalk: 410-288-5483 Park View at Fullerton: 410-663-0665 Park View at Miramar Landing: 410-391-8375 Park View at Randallstown: 410-655-5673 Park View at Rosedale: 410-866-1886 Park View at Taylor: 410-663-0363

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

FREDERICK COUNTY Taney Village: 301-663-0929

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

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

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

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

www.rhomecommunities.com MOST COMMUNITIES ARE PET-FRIENDLY

The Pascagoula River Audubon Center at Moss Point offers a different water experience, a winding ride through the swamps and bayous of the Pascagoula River — the largest free-flowing river in the U.S., and named “the singing river” by French explorers.

Guide Bennie McCoy of McCoy’s River and Marsh Tours explained that the area was once part of the Republic of West Florida, as he pointed out Yaupon hollies, bald cypresses, alligators, egrets, bald eagles, ospreys and turtles sunning on logs.

The French named the gray, stringy epiphyte dangling from trees “Spanish moss” because the Spanish had beards, McCoy explained.

Non-stop gaming Gamblers have a wide range of choices, with 12 multi-roomed casinos hosting 24hour gaming and Vegas-type entertainment, such as the Temptations, Four Tops, Louanne Rimes and Michael Bolton.

Every casino has a spa and pool, and each has a special allure.

Biloxi’s Beau Rivage has stunning inside gardens. Hollywood in Bay St. Louis has a “lazy river” for tubers that winds around sun decks and to a “swim-up” bar.

The Scarlet Pearl in D’Iberville touts an indoor, 18-hole, miniature golf course with an “erupting volcano.” The Casino Hopper Trolley takes patrons to Biloxi’s seven casinos day and night, every 25 minutes.

While the BP spill tainted the beaches, and Katrina unleashed its devastating fury, many Yaupon hollies, palms, azaleas and live oaks persisted. “Hurricanes are part of life,” one local philosophized. “Your possessions are not life.” Deal with it and move on, they say.

A case in point: The Tatonut Shop in Ocean Springs miraculously dodged Katrina, but the supply line from New Orleans was interrupted and owners had FedEx bring flour from Birmingham.

Uncertain when the next batch would arrive and wasting nothing, they threw leftover dough into the fryer and created odd-shaped morsels, dubbing them Katrina pieces, which eager customers still snarf up today.

Maybe it’s their hurricane prayer that’s made them so resilient: “Lord bless and save the Gulf Coast, Lord help us survive this oil spill, help us save our golden Gulf Coast; let the hurt and pain be over, Lord, bless and save our Gulf Coast.”

And then they say, “Amen,” and “Y’all come back, ya heah?”

If you go The most convenient airport is GulfportBiloxi, http://www.flygpt.com. The least expensive fares for mid-July require flying with one airline there and another on the return. For example, a combination of American Airlines and Delta flights is $373 from BWI or Dulles in mid-June. Going roundtrip on American Airlines is $474 from BWI. Visitor information including lodging, events, attractions and tours, can be found at www.gulfcoast.org.

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2018

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

15

Books that explore the great outdoors As the travel season approaches, it’s Safety on the trail is addressed in detail. wise to consider your choices carefully be- Recommendations are provided for approfore embarking. Here are priate outings tailored to disome books to make the planverse age groups and differning easier. ent levels of fitness. Included Even an armchair traveler is information on finding apwill be mesmerized by the propriate hikes and nature many scenic destinations dewalks for toddlers, teenagers, scribed in these books. Let seniors, disabled youngsters your imagination soar, whether and individuals with medical on a flight of fancy or a real life restrictions. adventure.

And the Davises provide Your Guide to the Nawebsites galore and lists of tional Parks: The Com- THE apps to download to make plete Guide to All 59 Na- BIBLIOPHILE your adventure more accessiBy Dinah Rokach tional Parks, second edible. Families will refer often to tion, by Michael Joseph Osthis guide. Exercise in the outwald, 704 pages including 160 maps, doors heals the body and soul, helps shed 450 images and 50 hiking tables. Stone calories and wards off feelings of isolation Road Press softcover, 2017. and depression.

Mike Oswald’s Guide to the National Best Hikes on the Appalachian Parks provides a wealth of information for Trail: Mid-Atlantic, West Virginia, those planning a trip to any one of our Maryland, New Jersey, New York, by country’s magnificent and wondrous natu- Matt Willen, 296 pages. Menasha Ridge ral treasures. For each of the 59 parks, Press and the Appalachian Trail Conseryou’ll find intricate maps, detailed informa- vancy, 5 x 8 inches, paperback, 2017. tion on hiking trails rated by difficulty, data This indispensable Best Hikes guide on campsites, and sports activities for all covers in a concise, well-organized format ages.

43 day-hikes, ranging from one hour to all Advisories on seasonal weather condi- day in duration, on nearby portions of the tions, lists of lodgings, and transportation lo- Appalachian Trail. It provides timely and gistics are included. Directions to the park pertinent information to make your outing and suggested itineraries within the park as pleasurable and safe. well as nearby attractions are enumerated.

Detailed maps show elevations, GPS The graphics are easy to follow and in- trailhead coordinates and parking spaces clude “places not to miss” indicated right at the starting point of the suggested on the map. The photographs are beauti- hikes. Hikes are described by their length, ful. Websites, addresses and contact infor- duration and difficulty. mation are provided.

Trails are also rated by author Matt Oswald provides an insider’s perspec- Willen in terms of scenery, condition, the tive with much more information than on a degree to which they are child-friendly, and typical guided tour or in a standard guide- how solitary they are as far as the number book. The author also rates parks, and in- of fellow hikers one may encounter. cludes many less crowded sites that are Access by car, the presence of restrooms, worth visiting. places of historic note and natural wonders The first edition deservedly won the Ben- are listed. The best hikes for birders, where jamin Franklin Award of the Independent to encounter the most interesting geological Book Publishers Association, the ForeWord formations, the most inspiring views, and Reviews Book of the Year Award and the Na- trails with lakes, streams and waterfalls are tional Outdoor Book Award. The second edi- enumerated. Overlooks, nearby attractions tion was put to press before the Senior Pass and suggested side trips are cited for each price increase was announced. Be aware the hike where relevant. cost is now $80 lifetime or $20 annually.

Guidance as to monthly climate condiFamilies on Foot: Urban Hikes to tions, advice on how to dress, descriptions Backyard Treks and National Park of essential gear, and information on trail Adventures, by Jennifer Pharr Davis etiquette are thoughtfully included. and Brew Davis, 256 pages with color Chapters are grouped by state. Black photographs. Falcon in partnership and white photos of the focal point of each with the American Hiking Society, of the 43 hikes begin each chapter. Appensoftcover, 2017. dices provide websites and phone numThe American Hiking Society’s Families bers of state parks, forests and public on Foot is a beautifully illustrated guide to lands authorities traversed by the Apexperiencing great nature walks — whether palachian Trail, as well as contact informaon local trails or in national parks. It’s all-en- tion for local trail clubs. compassing, with recommendations on Make the Most of Your Time on gear, food, packing tips, suggested hikes, Earth: 1000 Ultimate Travel Experiand even games to play while walking. ences, fully updated third edition, The photography is breathtaking. Check- Rough Guides Reference Series, 608 lists are provided throughout. Interspersed pages with color photographs, paperare short essays describing personal stories back, 2016. of happy hikers.

This comprehensive, updated and re-

vised compendium of 1,000 “ultimate travel experiences” by Rough Guides is a wonderful resource for ideas, both practical and exotic. It enumerates suggestions for travel destinations by region.

Each listing is accompanied by a few short descriptive paragraphs, many are illustrated with color photographs and, where pertinent, information is included on websites for more detailed information. In the back of the guide, the experiences are categorized by theme

and alphabetically by country.

This book is a wish list for anyone with wanderlust. Whether you’re a daredevil or a more sedate traveler, a distant or local sojourner, you’re sure to find a trip idea that you may have overlooked. Included among the more imaginative destinations are downto-earth suggestions that you may never have considered.

It’s worth taking a look. If not to embark, then to dream. Bon voyage!

16

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What to know about flying with your pet

By Pat Mertz Esswein In late March, a dog died after being stowed in its carrier in an overhead bin on a United flight. Soon after, United announced that it would suspend reservations for cargo transport of pets while it reviewed its program, a process it completed at the end of April.

Airlines publish guidelines and rules on their websites for traveling with or transporting pets. The rules differ for domestic and international travel, as well as for service animals.

Here are some highlights for domestic travel:

Book early Space for pets carried on or checked as

cargo is limited and offered on a firstcome, first-served basis (excluding service animals), and traveling with pets isn’t allowed on all types of aircraft.

Call ahead to check your itinerary and book your pet. Service animals, and emotional or psychiatric support animals, fly free. They must fit in your lap, at your feet or under the seat, and they can’t block the aisle or an emergency exit.

Owners are generally required to notify the airline at least 48 hours before travel, and submit a note from a doctor or licensed medical professional confirming the passenger’s disability and need.

United and Delta also require owners to submit a signed health certificate or immunization record for the animal, plus a

signed confirmation of animal training.

Airlines prohibit puppies or kittens younger than 8 weeks from traveling.

They have varying requirements for proof of vaccination and health certificates from a licensed vet.

Carriers and crates must be sized and constructed to certain standards to ensure the animal’s comfort and safety. Even if a carrier or crate from a retailer is labeled “airline approved,” check the specific airline’s requirements. If you can, acclimate pets to their carrier or crate two to three weeks before departure.

Carry on and cargo You can carry on a dog or cat if it fits in a carrier small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. The “kennel” counts as one piece of carry-on luggage. Airlines will charge a flat, one-way fee of $95 to $125 at check-in for each segment of your flight.

American and Delta charge $200 per

crate for cargo customers. United charges by weight, from $201 for 10 pounds or less, to $630 for 150 to 200 pounds (and $60 more to go to or return from Hawaii).

Many airlines prohibit the transportation of brachycephalic breeds — short-nosed dogs and cats, such as pugs, boxers and Himalayans — that are prone to respiratory problems that may be exacerbated by stress and changes in air quality and temperature in a cargo hold. Overweight animals and those with preexisting health conditions may not fare well in cargo, either.

The good news is that pet injury or death during air travel is rare. In 2016, 40 out of 506,994 animals transported as cargo on major passenger airlines died or were injured during the trip, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

July 9

TO YOUR CREDIT

The CASH Campaign of Maryland teaches you credit essentials: how to read your credit report, build and repair your credit history, and guard against identity theft. The program takes place on Monday, July 9 from 7 to 8:15 p.m. at the Essex Library, 1110 Eastern Blvd., Essex. To register, call (410) 887-0295.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2018

17

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

— J. Fitzgerald, VA

We’ve all had nights when we just can’t lie down in bed and sleep, whether it’s from heartburn, cardiac problems, hip or back aches – it could be a variety of reasons. Those are the nights we’d give anything for a comfortable chair to sleep in, one that reclines to exactly the right degree, raises feet and legs to precisely the desired level, supports the head and shoulders properly, operates easily even in the dead of night, and sends a hopeful sleeper right off to dreamland.

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It’s a chair, true – the finest of lift chairs – but this chair is so much more! It’s designed to provide total comfort and relaxation not found in other chairs. It can’t be beat for comfortable, long-term sitting, TV viewing, relaxed reclining and – yes! – peaceful sleep.

Our chair’s recline technology allows you to pause the chair in an infinite number of positions, including the Trendelenburg position and the zero gravity position where your body experiences a minimum of internal and external stresses.

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Easy-to-use remote for massage, heat, recline and lift And there’s more! The overstuffed, oversized biscuit style back and unique seat design will cradle you in comfort. Generously filled, wide armrests provide enhanced arm support when sitting or reclining. The high and low heat settings along with the multiple massage settings, can provide a soothing relaxation you might get at a spa – just imagine getting all that in a lift chair! It even has a battery backup in case of a power outage. Shipping charge includes white glove delivery.

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Style Arts &

The Maryland State Fair whirls into town on Aug. 23. Learn about this and many other summer festivals on the facing page.

Ghostly matters raised in The Quickening spirit is separate from our brains and body, it stands to reason it may continue on after said body is no more.

We are left to wonder, how will this concept be applied in the play?

And left to wonder we are — for a rather lengthy period — as we are introduced to husband and wife Matt and Beth as they settle into their new home in Richmond, Va., amidst a formidable array of yet-unpacked boxes. One could say the boxes are a metaphor for the couple’s lives, as there is a mystery to be revealed — one packed away since the days of the American Civil War.

PHOTO BY SHEALYN JAE PHOTOGRAPHY

By Dan Collins According to Wikipedia, “quickening” refers to the moment in pregnancy when “the woman starts to feel or perceive fetal movements in the uterus…the word, ‘quick,’ originally meant ‘alive.’”

In award-winning local playwright Mark Scharf’s modern gothic tale, The Quickening, it’s the moment when one’s spirit — what constitutes one’s true self — takes possession of the body. Before that moment, the fetus is but an empty vessel, waiting for the soul to arrive.

The question this play raises is, whose soul?

Scharf’s two-hour, two-act play, now at the Fells Point Corner Theatre, begins with a device that this reviewer is not a huge fan of, where an actor speaks directly to the audience, providing exposition, setting mood, etc.

As playwright Anton Chekhov noted, “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”

That being said, the tactic works well in the play, as Philomena, played by Debbie Bennett, plants the “comforting” thought in the minds of the audience that if our

A haunted house?

After being served about 20 minutes of Beth and Matt’s domestic life — wherein we learn that (1) the family dog, Tyler, has gone missing, (2) Beth is pregnant and not a fan of unpacking boxes and closing front gates (hence, the missing dog), and (3) Matt is an uber-enthusiastic Civil War reenactor, complete with gray Confederate uniform — the audience is treated to the play’s first spooky moment: A strange boy appears at the back door.

Is he a ghost? He quickly disappears.

Debbie Bennett (foreground) plays practical Philomena, who visits new neighbor Beth, played by Amanda Spellman, in Fells Point Corner Theater’s haunting play The Quickening.

Next, a more down-to-earth visitor, Philomena, or “Phil” as she prefers to be called, arrives at the door, armed with a “passion for physics” and a plate of welcome-to-the-neighborhood homemade cookies.

In the ensuing dialogue, it becomes clear that Phil’s role is to stand in for the audience, offering both the skeptic’s point of view (she’s a mathematics teacher, who understands that two plus two always equals four) and the believer’s faith in otherworldly matters.

Speaking of believers, it is at this point we are introduced to Beth’s mother, Rose-

mary (Marianne Gazzola Angelella) and her own ghost story, where an encounter as a child with the spirit of a murdered woman reveals her family’s particular sensitivity to a netherworld just beyond ours.

Actress Angelella is a force to be reckoned with on stage, as she truly inhabits her character, just as the ghost of Samuel Brodie would inhabit Beth’s unborn child.

Startling sounds and more In the play’s second act, things begin to See THE QUICKENING, page 21

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

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

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BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2018

19

Celebrate summer with festivals, events

By Carol Sorgen Summer in Baltimore means fairs, festivals, celebrations and, of course, snowballs! Keep cool and head out to enjoy some of Baltimore’s favorite traditions.

1. The 38th annual festival of Hispanic culture, music and art known as LatinoFest takes place June 23 and 24 in Patterson Park.

As always, this toe-tapping weekend will feature live concerts with music ranging from salsa to merengue, bachata, cumbia, mariachi and more. Authentic cuisine, community support information, and family fun activities such as rock climbing walls, clowns and face painting will be part of the fun. For more information, visit www.latinofest.org.

2. The Baltimore Washington One Carnival is an annual event celebrating the city’s local Caribbean communities and their culture. This year’s highlights of the Carnival weekend will include a Caribbeanstyle street parade and a two-day outdoor festival on Saturday, July 14 and Sunday, July 15 at Clifton Park. Visit www.baltimorecarnival.com for more information.

3. Artscape, America’s largest free arts festival features continuous musical performances by local, regional and national talent on multiple outdoor stages, as well as indoor and outdoor visual arts exhibitions, theater, opera, dance, street theater and special activities geared towards children. This year’s festival takes place Friday, July 20 to Sunday, July 22, along Mount Royal Avenue and North Charles Street. For a complete schedule, visit www.artscape.org.

4. Farmers’ markets. Below the Jones Falls Expressway at Holliday & Saratoga Streets, Maryland’s largest producers-only market runs on Sundays through Dec. 23,

from 7 a.m. to noon. It offers an assortment of produce, meats, dairy, breads, flowers and delicious made-to-order items from dozens of food vendors. The bazaar also offers shoppers a variety of unique crafts and collectibles including jewelry, clothing and accessories, pottery, soaps and more. For more information, visit www.promotionandarts.org.

5. Baltimore’s Fourth of July Celebration will be held on Wednesday, July 4, from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Inner Harbor. Observe Independence Day with live entertainment and a colorful fireworks display choreographed to festive music at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

From 7:30 to 10 p.m., you can “Picnic at the Top of the World,” enjoying music, food and a great view of the celebration at the top of the World Trade Center. Advance tickets are $35 for children, $65 for adults. For more information, visit www.promotionandarts.org.

6. Every year the BSO celebrates Independence Day and this year is no different.

The Symphony’s performance of the “1812 Overture” and Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes” under the skies at Oregon Ridge is a perennial favorite. Fireworks cap off the evening.

This year’s concert will be held on Tuesday, July 3 at 8 p.m. Come early and bring a picnic. Advance tickets are $11 children; $22 adults ($3 more at the gate). For more information, visit www.bsomusic.org.

7. The Baltimore Improv Festival, from July 30 to Aug. 5, showcases a variety of local, regional and nationally-known improv groups in shows and workshops in Baltimore. Check it out at www.baltimoreimprovfestival.org.

8. Baltimore Summer Antiques Show. The largest indoor antiques show in the country, this annual event will be held at the Convention Center from Thursday, Aug. 30 to Sunday, Sept. 2. More than 200 exhibitors from the United States, Canada, France, Italy, England, China and Japan will be on hand. General admission tickets are $20. For details, visit www.baltimoresummershow.com.

9. Maryland State Fair. Sausage and peppers? Funnel cake? Cotton candy? Your favorite treat will be available at Maryland’s annual farewell-to-summer celebration, held every year at the Timonium State Fairgrounds. This year’s fair will take place from Aug. 23 to Sept. 3. As always, there will be rides, games, refreshments,

animal exhibits, concerts and a jousting tournament. For a complete schedule, visit www.marylandstatefair.com.

10. From Sept. 7 to 10, the streets of Baltimore’s Little Italy will welcome approximately 50 visual artists to the second annual Madonnari Arts Festival, who will bring their talents to South High and Stiles Streets. The inspiration for this event — the art of street painting — comes from Italy, in a tradition that dates to the 16th century.

Historically, madonnari were wandering artists who travelled from village to village to create paintings at festivals and on holy days to earn a living. Many of the artists depicted religious images in their work, thus earning their name. For more information, visit www.littleitalymadonnari.com.

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JULY 2018 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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The Quickening From page 18 take off (with help from lighting and sound designers Tabetha White and Devyn Deguzman), as the thunder and lightning of a summer storm are equated to the exploding bombs and gunfire of a battle betwixt the Blue and the Gray nearly 150 years ago.

The creative team brought together in this co-production of Fells Point and The Collaborative Theatre does an excellent

job in making things go bump in the night.

The audience enjoys a jolt or two of sudden surprise as The Quickening moves to a creepy crescendo.

Amanda Spellman finds her stride as Beth, a woman (nearly) possessed, bedeviled by screeching cell phones and a husband seemingly more interested in his dog than in his wife’s tortured psyche.

David Shoemaker does well in the fairly one-note role of Matt, who, as an engineer, has a fittingly matter-of-fact view of the world, a view with no room for ghostbusting.

ART AFTER HOURS

Baltimore’s best art party is back and celebrating the exhibit “Odyssey: Jack Whitten Sculpture, 1963-2017,” on Friday, June 22, from 8 to 11 p.m., at the Baltimore Museum of Art’s Art After Hours Program. The event will showcase the extraordinary output of leading black artists who have a global vision. Tickets include evening access to the exhibit “Odyssey,” selected galleries, entertainment, and a free food or drink ticket. Beer, wine, cocktails, and light bites are available for purchase. Tickets are $20 for BMA members, $25 for non-members. For more information, visit www.artbma.org or call (443) 573-1700.

June 20+

who we are, where we go when our bodies finally pass, and the comfort that may be gained in believing that death is not the end, but a sign of a new beginning.

Kudos to director Ann Turiano in successfully bringing a chilling slab of Halloween fright to a summer’s audience.

The Quickening continues its run at Fells Point Corner Theatre at 251 S. Ann St. through July 1. For more details, ticket information, etc., visit www.fpct.org. Tickets are $19 to $24.

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

SUMMER MUSIC SERIES

The SoBo Summer Music Series is a series of free concerts at various locations throughout South Baltimore featuring jazz, blues and contemporary music. The series aims to bring people to community gathering locations in less frequented neighborhoods, with a focus on Cherry Hill, Westport, Lakeland, Sharp Leadenhall and Carroll Park neighborhoods. For more information on the events, visit www.promotionandarts.org/sobo-summer-musicseries or call (410) 752-8632.

June 22

Bennett’s Phil is appropriately nonplussed by the odd goings on — from inexplicably falling portraits, to the very modern issue of whether preserving Confederate monuments (and memories) is more about history than about racism.

By play’s end, a new soul has been welcomed into Beth and Matt’s family, but just how new that soul is remains to be seen.

Bennett’s Philomena makes a final appearance in the play, once again addressing the audience about the nature of life,

FROM PAGE 22

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2018

ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

G A P E

A F A R

S T M A

I H O P

R T E S

E H R E

M E S I R E R A D I E A N I N S G N E D E N T O R S O F A M A S O M I V I V E E D E V E O S N T R

N O S I E S T T O O I V Y

A R C R E O E F L O A P A M E P A N U R E S R E O M S A N A O D L E N A N N E C A E S C E S T

M O S A I C

Y E S T E R D T A W Y A S S R V I I G E A

O R E S

B O D Y

A P E S

D E R N

E T A S

P Y R E

ANSWERS TO JUMBLE Jumbles: INPUT WEIGH UPROAR NINETY Answer: The jogger was happy to find some -RUNNING WATER

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

The Chesapeake Theater Company stages one of Shakespeare’s most well-known plays through July 29 at Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park, 3655 Church Rd., Ellicott City.

Performances on June 20 and 21 will benefit flood relief efforts. Those tickets are $16. Tickets prices for other dates depend on performance time. For more information, visit www.chesapeakeshakespeare.com or call (410) 313-8874.

Classifieds continued from page 23.

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 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.

CASH FOR ESTATES, PARTIAL ESTATES, DOWNSIZING. I buy a wide range of items. Buy-out/cleanup. Gary Roman, 301520-0755.

MILITARY ITEMS WANTED: Collector seeks to purchase military uniforms; flight jackets, patches, insignia, medals, etc. from the Civil War through Vietnam. Especially seeking U.S. Army Air Corps, USMC, Airborne, and German/Japanese/Italian items from WWII. ALSO BUYING old Boy Scout, Airline Items, Toys, Lighters. Call Dan, 202841-3062.

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

SEEKING FULLS/SEALED BOTTLES of vintage Bourbon and Rye. Do you have full/sealed vintage bottles of bourbon or rye collecting dust in your cabinet? Do any of your bottles have an old red and green tax strip? Call Alex, 443-223-7669.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

SUMMER SOUNDS AT BELVEDERE SQUARE

Every Friday through Sept. 7, enjoy summer outdoor concerts at Belvedere Square, 529 E. Belvedere Ave., from 6 to 9 p.m. For more information, visit www.belvederesquare.com.

BB718

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JULY 2018 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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Crossword Puzzle Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus Classics of Dental Literature ByStephen StephenSherr Sherr 1

2

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8

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Jumble answers on p. 21.

59

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1. Candy Land and Candy Crush 6. A One who pushes back on pushers 10. Text response to intrusive questions 14. In flames 15. Sandwich cookie, left to right 16. Sandwich cookie, right to left 17. Maui-based dental practice, perhaps 20. Before, poetically 21. Darth Vader, to his childhood pals 22. “I’m just ___” (Lee Harvey Oswald’s denial) 23. Line of clothing 26. First 60% of Old Macdonald’s refrain 27. ___ on the dotted line 30. Pedicurist’s perimeter 31. Top producer of ATM’s 32. Mark Twain’s final unpublished novel, perhaps (with 43 Across) 36. The only name given for the father in Calvin and Hobbes 39. General of Detroit 40. Fix a hockey stick 42. Acronym that both psychiatrists and psychologists use for their orgs.

43. See 32 Across 47. Pas’ business partners 49. “Not ___ dare!”

50. One of the A’s in NCAA 51. Airport code for Iran’s Omidiyeh Air Base 52. A whole lot of 55. Bring back, as an old fashion style 58. The palindromic Bobbsey twin 59. Short for reputation, repetition, or repetition 62. Holiest hole, perhaps 66. Cupid, to the Greeks 67. December 24th and 31st 68. Castro’s favorite was “Cohiba Corona Especial” 69. Certain e-mail folder 70. Deli breads 71. Create big hair 1. Be slack-jawed 2. ... off in the distance

38

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37

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Scrabble answers on p. 21.

10 16

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3. Bog down 4. Victorian ___ 5. Chevy Impala, for example 6. Busiest busybody 7. Verb for you, but not I 8. Striped person on a striped field 9. Coke Zero or Pepsi One 10. Art with many small parts 11. Good name for a Beatles cover band 12. Valuable rocks 13. All of the Headless Horseman 18. Conclusion to sit and stand 19. “A woman knows the face of the man she loves as a sailor knows the ___” (Balzac) 23. Prefix with China 24. The Simpsons storekeeper 25. Scratch up the calendar’s third month 27. Saint Martin, briefly 28. Home of the “Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity” 29. “Hurry up” 33. Like acidic foods, to teeth 34. National Science Foundation 35. Some sets on Doogie Howser, M.D. 37. Planet of the ___ 38. 2017 Emmy-winner Laura 41. First word in A Visit from St. Nicholas 44. Excessively 45. Yoko, whose Skylanding statue is in Chicago 46. Basketball-based insanity 48. In the thick of 53. Fond du ___, Wis. 54. Put into law 55. Highlighted lines on a AAA map 56. German for “honor” (or acronym for “here”) 57. Word before after (in Mother Goose) 59. Largest city of Latvia 60. Search options on cheapOair.com 61. Combustible pile 63. Feature of Wrigley Field 64. Originally called, as a family name 65. Compete for

Answers on page 21.

BALTIMORE BEACON — JULY 2018

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.

Business & Employment Opportunities DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT to Heritage for the Blind. Free 3-Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. CALL 1-844-855-7670.

GOT AN OLDER CAR, VAN OR SUV? Do the humane thing. Donate it to the Humane Society. Call 1-844-230-2952.

For Sale FOR SALE: LAKEVIEW MEMORIAL PARK. 2 lots and 2 vaults. Value $8,100. Asking $7,600. Call 410-882-2926.

FOR SALE: VINYL RECORDS COLLECTION. LP’s, big bands, vocal, jazz, 40’s, early 50’s. Call Bill Bolling at 410-668-3474.

Health

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Health DENTAL INSURANCE. Call Physicians Mutual Insurance Company for details. Not just a discount plan, real coverage for 350 procedures. 844366-1003 or http://www.dental50plus.com/320 Ad# 6118.

Home/Handyman Services T’S HAULING & MOVING — I will move your possessions or haul them away. No job too small .Call Tim at 443-690-6525 or 410-8893795. www.tshaulingandmoving.com. Sameday or next-day service most times.

RESIDENTIAL PAINTING: RETIRED PAINTER seeking residential, light commercial work in Baltimore area. Call Mark at 443324-0091. Good work at good prices.

Legal Services SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY? Up to $2,671/mo. (Based on paid-in amount.) Free evaluation! Call Bill Gordon & Associates. 1866-970-0779. Mail: 2420 N St NW, Washington, D.C. Office: Broward Co. FL., member TX/NM Bar. WERE YOU AN INDUSTRIAL OR CONSTRUCTION TRADESMAN and recently diagnosed with lung cancer? You and your family may be entitled to a significant cash reward. Call 1-888-351-0312 for your risk free consultation.

Miscellaneous ENJOY 100% GUARANTEED, DELIVERED to-the-door Omaha Steaks! Save 75% plus get 4 more Burgers & 4 more Kielbasa FREE! Order The Family Gourmet Buffet — ONLY $49.99. Call 1-844-302-3754, mention code 51689JCT or visit www.omahasteaks.com.

DONATE VEHICLES. Your donation to Auted helps train disadvantaged at-risk youths in basic auto repairs and maintenance, also vehicles donations to low-income families. MVA Registered Charity Accepted to Receive Donated Vehicles.

100% Tax-deductible. Complete donation form at www.auted.org or mail@auted.org, 301-355-9333.

Personals

PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR — May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-851-0949.

STOP OVERPAYING for your prescriptions!

SAVE! Call our licensed Canadian and International pharmacy, compare prices and get $25.00 OFF your first prescription! CALL 1-888-9817657 Promo Code CDC201725.

TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED Deadlines and Payments: Ad text and payment is due by the 5th of each month.

Note: Only ads received and prepaid by the deadline will be included in the next month’s issue. Please type or print your ad carefully. Include a number where you can be reached in the event of a question. Payment is due with ad. We do not accept ads by phone or fax, nor do we accept credit cards.

Private Party Text Ads: For individuals seeking to buy or sell particular items, or place a personal ad. Each ad is $10 for 25 words, 25 cents for each additional word.

Business Text Ads: For parties engaged in an ongoing business enterprise. Each ad is $25 for 25 words, 50 cents for each additional word.

Note: Each real estate listing counts as one business text ad.

Send your classified ad with check or money order, payable to the Beacon, to:

The Beacon, Baltimore Classified Dept.

P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 Personals

Wanted

LOVELY WOMAN, 50s, SHAPELY LADY, young at heart, easygoing, seeking to meet and date a very attractive SWM, age 50s or 60s, a gentleman. Prefer brawny build, who is caring, sincere, courteous, compassionate, affectionate, stable, secure and lives a healthy, active lifestyle, non-smoker. Have fun dates, laughter, friendship, possibly more. 703-863-5564. Please leave a nice message with phone number for reply.

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.717-6587954.

Personal Services CHAIR REPAIR — WE REPAIR broken chairs, tables, benches, stools, cabinets, drawer fronts, boxes, chests, etc. Pickup and delivery available. 410-499-7757.

TV/Cable DIRECTV. CALL AND SWITCH NOW — Get NFL Sunday Ticket for FREE! Every Game.

Every Sunday. CHOICE- All-Included Package.

Over 185 Channels. $60/month (for 12 Months.)

CALL 1- 888-572-4953.

CUTE, ATTRACTIVE FEMALE, FIFTIES — Looking for single white male, fifties plus, attractive, robust, warm-hearted, romantic. Enjoy dates, companionship, devoted relationship. If interested, call 240-418-4124, leave message.

DISH Network. 190+ CHANNELS. FREE Install. FREE Hopper HD-DVR. $49.99/month (24 months) Add High Speed Internet - $14.95 (where avail.) CALL Today & SAVE 25%! 1844-560-5837.

PWM, AGE 46, GOVERNMENT-EMPLOYED, attentive, polite, humble date. Prefers ladies older than 54 to 60 years. You: sophisticated, strong willed. 240-418-3035.

SPECTRUM TRIPLE PLAY! TV, Internet & Voice for $29.99 ea. 60 MB per second speed. No contract or commitment. More Channels. Faster Internet. Unlimited Voice. Call 1-888-366-7573.

CASH BUYER FOR OLD COSTUME JEWELRY — wrist and pocket watches (any condition). Also buying watchmaker tools and parts, coins, quilts, old toys, postcards, trains, guns, pocket and hunting knives, linens, fishing equipment and tackle boxes, fountain pens, Christmas garden items, crocks and jugs, lamps and lanterns, pottery, military items, sports memorabilia, advertising signs, paintings and contents of attics, basements and garages. Professional, no pressure individual with over forty years of experience. Lloyd D. Baker. 410-4094965.

BUYING VINYL RECORDS from 1950 through 1985. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or 78s, Larger collections of at least 100 items wanted. Please call John, 301-596-6201.

Classifieds continued on page 21.

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Candidates

Home Health Care

Sarah Matthews for State Delegate .11

Genesis Select Care . . . . . . . . .B-8 Options for Senior America . . . .19

Clinical Research Studies COPD Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Healthy Living Diet Study . . . . . .9 Knee Osteoarthritis Study . . . . . .8 Memory Loss Research Study . .9 Overweight COPD Study . . . . . .8

Dental Services Denture Doctor . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Diamond Dental . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Events Celebration of the Arts . . . . . . .24

Financial Services Spencer Gordon Insurance . . . .11

Housing Atrium Village . . . . . . . . .B-2, B-6 Carroll Lutheran Village . . . .B-10 Catholic Charities Senior Communities . . . . . . .B-4 Charlestown/Erickson . .B-4, B-6 Christ Church Harbor Apts. . . .B-8 Glynn Taff Assisted Living . . .B-3 Linden Park Apts. . . . . . . . . .B-11 Lutheran Village at Millers Grant . . . . . . . . .B-10 Maples of Towson, The . . . . . .B-5 Oak Crest/Erickson . . . . .B-4, B-9 Park View Apartments . . . . . . . .14 Pickersgill Retirement Community . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-11 St. Marys Roland View Towers .B-3

23

Weinberg Assisted Living . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-9, B-12

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation

Legal Services

Keswick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Angels of Elder Care Planning . .10 Frank, Frank & Scherr Law Firm .11

Subscriptions

Medical/Health Carle Center For Pain Management . . . . . . . . . . .7 Cholesterade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Kraus Behavioral Health . . . . . . .6 Rosenblatt Foot Care . . . . . . . . .16 Skin Cancer EB . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Steady Strides Fall Prevention . . .7

Real Estate Bob LucidoTeam . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Shopping First Street . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17, 20 Radio Flea Market . . . . . . . . . . .18

Beacon Subscription . . . . . . . . .21

Technology Beacon Silver Pages . . . . . . . . .16 TechMedic4U . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Theatres/ Entertainment Modell Lyric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . .18

Travel Eyre Bus, Tour & Travel . . . . . .15 Nexus Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Superior Tours . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

24 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

JULY 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; BALTIMORE BEACON