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VOL.29, NO.8

Climbers reach for new heights

Some basics Indoor rock climbing has been popular for decades, both as training for outdoor climbs and as a sport unto itself. Earth Treks in Rockville has one of the largest indoor climbing walls in the country, with more than 38,500 square feet of climbing. Sportrock’s Alexandria location has 57 rope stations for climbing, and routes that take climbers up 24 to 40 feet with colored protrusions of different sizes and shapes that serve as foot- and hand-holds. For safety’s sake, in top-rope climbing like Hulse does, ropes are secured to overhead anchors, with the climber attached to one

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By Barbara Ruben On Leslie Hulse’s 61st birthday, a couple of years ago, her niece took her rock climbing. As she scrabbled over the neoncolored toe and finger holds toward the top of the wall, Hulse had one thought: “‘Oh my gosh, I’m having so much fun!” Today, the Capitol Hill resident regularly scales the walls at Earth Treks indoor climbing gym in Crystal City, Va. “I just fell in love with it,” said Hulse, who is a lawyer and also practices yoga. “What I like about climbing is that it presents me with three challenges: 1. technical, 2. physical and 3. mental. “It’s like running, very mind clearing. I feel so energized and refreshed ...Whatever stresses I felt before starting to climb just dissipate.” Hulse, like many climbers, practices both indoors and out. Popular local spots for outdoor rock climbing include the cliffs over the Potomac River at Great Falls Park in Virginia and at Carderock Recreation Area overlooking the Maryland bank of the river. And while Earth Treks and the other primary indoor climbing chain in the area, Sportrock, have a clientele that leans towards millennials looking for an innovative workout and kids going to birthday parties, Hulse has run into some older adults at the climbing gym as well. “I’ve met a lot of new people. Many of them, not surprisingly, are significantly younger than me, in their 20s and 30s. I like to look at life from their perspective and learn from a new generation,” she said.

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LEISURE & TRAVEL

Stand in awe of Yosemite’s natural wonders; plus, visiting Queens, king of diversity in the Big Apple, parking near the airport for less, and travel questions answered page 39

ARTS & STYLE

When she started rock climbing two years ago, Leslie Hulse immediately loved the sport’s physical, mental and technical challenges. Local climbing gyms offer climbers of all ages an innovative way to improve balance and strength.

end via a harness. A partner called the “belayer” manages supporting ropes from the ground. The system works to keep the climber from falling to the ground if she loses her footing or grip. (There also are auto-belayers for those without climbing partners.) There are other types of climbing, including sport competitions which may include lead, bouldering and speed challenges. A lead climber still uses a belayer, but also clips into a series of pre-set quickdraws attached to bolts in the wall. Climbers who slip or miss a quickdraw could fall back to the previous clipped-in spot. Gyms also typically have a bouldering wall, with thick mats below, to simulate climbs close to the ground. There, climbers

don’t use ropes, just strength and balance. There are also speed climbing competitions, which work pretty much the way you’d think. Bouldering competitions judge climbers on the number of challenges they complete. In 2020, sport climbing will make its debut in the Olympics.

A second career for some Rock climbers at local gyms won’t just find older adults climbing the walls, but offering instruction as well. Bill Dudley, 58, fell in love with rock climbing 25 years ago, the moment he found his first toehold on a wall, he said. As a home improvement contractor, he was a recreational See ROCK CLIMBING, page 22

Getting to know The King and I again at the Kennedy Center; plus, an electric and eclectic Joseph at Toby’s, and some enlightening recent memoirs page 45

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Can you relate? Who among us did not see the immense huge interest worldwide, and his parents’ publicity devoted worldwide over the past plea on social media for financial help few months to the terminally raised nearly $2 million in ill British infant, Charlie contributions. Gard? Charlie’s situation certainCharlie was born 11 months ly raised difficult questions ago with a rare genetic condiabout who gets to make lifetion that gradually made him and-death medical decisions blind, deaf, subject to seizures, for incapacitated patients, and caused irreversible brain who may choose to try experdamage. He was unable to imental treatments, who pays breathe without the aid of a for all this, and many other ventilator. important issues. Only recently have his par- FROM THE But the question I want to ents decided to discontinue PUBLISHER ask is simply this: Why was their efforts to obtain experi- By Stuart P. Rosenthal Charlie’s case such a lightmental treatment, and to ning rod for attention and allow doctors to withdraw life support. As money when there are — right now — litof this writing, he is still alive, but probably erally hundreds of thousands of children not for long. fleeing war and persecution in Syria, Throughout his parents’ fight with the Yemen, Libya and elsewhere, living in hospital and courts, there were no known refugee camps if they’re lucky, drowning treatments for his condition, no prospect in the sea as flimsy boats capsize, if they’re of reversing any of the damage, and only not. the vaguest promise of help through an exAnd what about the thousands of Cenperimental treatment proposed by an un- tral American children risking their lives named American doctor who admitted the to enter America illegally to escape povertreatment had never been tried on any liv- ty and crime, not to mention the thousands ing thing. of American-born children who go to bed And yet, the story of Charlie generated hungry each night?

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The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Washington DC area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Greater Baltimore, Howard County, Md. and Greater Palm Springs, Calif. Readership exceeds 400,000. Subscriptions are available via first-class mail ($36) or third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. D.C. and Maryland residents: add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. • Publisher/Editor ....................Stuart P. Rosenthal • Associate Publisher ..............Judith K. Rosenthal • Vice President of Operations ....Gordon Hasenei • Director of Sales ................................Alan Spiegel • Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben • Art Director ........................................Kyle Gregory • Assistant Operations Manager ..........Roger King • Advertising Representatives ........Doug Hallock, ............................................Rodney Harris, Dan Kelly • Assistant Editor ..........................Rebekah Alcalde • Intern ....................................................Sununu Bah

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Do our sincere feelings about Charlie, and even our generous online donations to his cause, appropriately salve our consciences for all the other children (not to mention their parents and grandparents) whose survival presents an equally urgent concern? History has certainly shown us that individuals are far better able to focus on, and identify with, a single person than a mass of humanity. We grieve for Anne Frank, while we barely consider the rest of her family, much less the millions of others who perished at the hands of the Nazis and their collaborators during WWII. Yes, we cringe at the memory of nearly 1 million Tutsis massacred in Rwanda in 1994, and the hundreds of thousands of Sudanese who died of starvation or disease in Darfur between 2003 and 2010. We tell ourselves “never again.” We won’t let man’s inhumanity to man succeed on this scale again. And yet, the only cause that really generates wide public discussion and practical action is the one we can relate to personally: the individual, especially a helpless infant. In part, this may well be human nature. While our hearts go out to a fellow human being in pain, we are simply not capable of grasping the nature or magnitude of suffering on an immense scale. Another reasonable explanation is that we know our assistance might be able to “make a difference” to one or two people in need. How and what can we do as indi-

viduals to help a thousand? A hundred thousand? A million? The scale is so huge as to overwhelm us and make us retreat into our comfortable lives rather than even imagine what it would take to address the problem. I understand all this. I am no different. I am not in any way trying to cast blame on others. Most of us are guilty of this reasoning. If it’s indeed human nature, how could it be otherwise? But I am disturbed to realize that many of us seem to have been more ready and willing to put ourselves out even for a hopeless cause, such as Charlie’s, rather than for, say, a teenager who could go on to live a full life if she could just cross the sea, or the border, or the fence, or even just get regular meals and an education. There is so much need out there, it is easy to succumb to inaction. But when a case like Charlie’s comes up, it should remind us that we are ultimately all family, that each of us is our brother’s keeper, and that we needn’t look far to find a situation where each of us could extend a hand and make a difference. Let each of us pledge to do what we can, on any scale, to make the world a better place by devoting some of our time or money to a needy individual or worthy cause. The opportunities for doing good are almost endless.

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: Regarding “Can cocoa flavanols prevent disease?” in the July issue, I have read that only the cocoa from Sri Lanka has the right stuff in it for us to use. It’s a different type of cocoa from others grown in Africa and elsewhere. Or is it possible someone out there is pushing for Sri Lankan cocoa because they have a connection to it? Ken Green Washington, D.C. Editor’s Note: To the best of our knowledge, there isn’t a difference in the health benefits of Sri Lankan cocoa compared with that grown elsewhere. Perhaps you’ve heard Sri Lanka is famous for its growth of the Criollo tree, an extremely rare and prized form of the cocoa tree. The majority of Sri Lankan cocoa is a cross breed of more common varieties, however. Dear Editor: Health insurance is more than a policy, it’s peace of mind. It’s knowing your family

will be cared for and not having to worry about going broke when you get sick. That’s why I strongly oppose the Senate healthcare bill. The more I learn about it, the less I like. Robbing healthcare from millions of Americans to give yet another tax cut to the rich and powerful is just plain cruel. Our health care system needs to be improved — we all agree on that. But this bill would do exactly the opposite — for no other reason than greed. Barbara Thomas Silver Spring, Md. Dear Editor: Please pass along my appreciation to publisher Stuart P. Rosenthal for his column, “Thoughts on Tolerance.” The fact it was [originally] written in June 2007 really brings it home. Have we made so little progress? Have we regressed? John Wasowicz Via email

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Our 50+ Expo Exhibitors to date: Fairfax County Police Department Fairfax/Falls Church Community 40Plus of Greater Washington Services Board AAA Club Alliance (Mid Atlantic Fidelity Direct Mortgage Region) Five Star Home Health Care AARP Virginia Friendship Terrace Advanced Nursing and Home Support Garden of Remembrance Arlington Aging and Disability Services Memorial Park Arlington County Office of Senior GeriatriCare Management, Inc. Adult Programs Habitat America, LLC Bath Fitter Hearing Health USA Building Bridges Partners/Planning Help Unlimited for Senior Life Holy Cross Health CapTel Outreach Long and Foster Realtors CareFirst MedPlus Jewish Council for the Aging Center for Interventional Medicine Kaiser Permanente Center for Vein Restoration Kitchen Saver ClearCaptions LeafFilter Gutter Protection Conflict Resolution Center of Leisure World of Maryland Montgomery County Lesner Hearing Center CVS/pharmacy Live Better Hearing Fairfax County Consumer Affairs ManorCare The Dignity Memorial Network Maryland Insurance Eric Stewart Group of Long & Foster / Administration Widow Care Metropolitan Washington Ear EveryMind Montgomery County Aging & Fairfax Area Agency on Aging / Disability Services VA Insurance Counseling & Assistance Montgomery County Cancer Crusade

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Community Partners Allegiance Homecare Andrew Kim House Arcola Towers Arden Courts of Annandale Arden Courts of Fair Oaks Arlington Agency on Aging Arlington Commission on Aging Arlington Employment Center Arlington Mill Community Center Arlington Public Library Aurora Hills Community & Senior Center B'nai B'rith Homecrest House Bailey's Senior Center Brookdale (Emeritus) at Arlington Brooke Grove Retirement Village Burke/West Springfield Senior Center Care for You Charles E. Smith Life Community Charter House Chevy Chase House

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Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection Montgomery County Dept of Recreation Montgomery County Long-Term Care Ombudsman Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection Montgomery County Permitting Services Montgomery County Police Montgomery County Police/Keeping People Safe Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office Montgomery County Stroke Association Montgomery County Volunteer Center/RSVP Montgomery Hospice Morgan Stanley Nexus Holidays Overture Fair Ridge Prevention of Blindness Society Sagel Bloomfield Danzansky Goldberg Funeral Care Seabury Resources for Aging Sears Home Improvements

Senior Connections Sibley Senior Association Silver Diner Sleep Number Bed Springvale Terrace Synergy Home Care The Village at Rockville Thompson Creek Tip â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;n Split U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Values Based Patient Advocates Virginia Cancer Specialists Virginia Relay Weichert Realty Xfinity

Kentlands Manor Langston Brown Senior Center Lee Community Center Leisure World Lewinsville Senior Center Lincolnia Senior Center Little River Glen Senior Center Lockwood/Elmwood House Long Branch Senior Center Lorton Senior Center Loudoun Senior Center/Cascades Madison Senior Center Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center McLean Community Center Metropolitan Washington Ear Montgomery County Police Montgomery County Volunteer Center/RSVP Oaks at Four Corners Oaks at Olde Towne Oaks at Wellington OASIS Providence Senior Center

Ring House South County Senior Center Sully Senior Center The Carlin The Jefferson The Original Pancake House The Virginian Victory Forest Virginia Hospital Center Wakefield Senior Center Walter Reed Senior Center White Oak Senior Center Willow Manor at Colesville

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Innovations If online, beware: fraudsters proliferate By Mary Kane During a recent stay in a San Diego rehabilitation facility to recover from surgery, Eva Velasquez’s mother used social media to keep her spirits up. “She was all over Facebook,” Velasquez said. For some seniors, going online links them to a larger community for support. But there’s a downside as well, according to Velasquez, who is also president of the Identity Theft Resource Center — a nonprofit that educates consumers about online fraud. Fake emails and other scams abound in the virtual world. Take the recent WannaCry malware attack. Hundreds of thousands of users globally clicked on a link or attachment and got a mes-

sage saying, “Oops, your important files are encrypted,” along with a ransom demand. Scams are on the rise, from fake Google Doc attachments to spoof Dropbox e-mails and fraudulent bank notices. The scammers “are hitting us hard,” Velasquez said. Even so, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. They include mastering computer security basics before spending time online. “You’ve got to do the commonsense things that are in your control,” said Michael Kaiser, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance, a nonprofit that promotes online safety awareness.

How to protect yourself First, lock down your log in, Kaiser

said. Create strong authentications for all your accounts, which adds an extra layer of security. That way, someone can’t just guess a password to get into your accounts. Sign up for two-factor authentication, which sends a unique code to your smartphone or other mobile device, and consider adding a fingerprint swipe to access your smartphone. Go to www.lockdownyourlogin.org and click on a site or account you use for specifics on how to add authentication. Start with your crown jewel accounts. “Your email is really your life,” according to Kaiser. If it gets hacked, your other accounts are vulnerable. Move next to your financial accounts, followed by social media accounts. Check

your social media settings; you may not realize your Facebook profile defaults to “public,” for example. Use privacy settings to manage what others will see online. Keep up with updates. Don’t skip software updates or let them pile up, said Daniel Whitehouse, a technology law attorney in Orlando, Fla. Install anti-virus software. And don’t forget your smartphone; keep its software updated and delete unused apps. Ask a family member to review your software if you need help. And keep a backup of crucial files: Print out important documents, or store them on an external hard drive. Never use the same password for all See FRAUDSTERS, page 8

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Are you a bookworm? Goodreads allows you to share the names of books that you have a read and your thoughts about them. You rate your books and explain your choices. Other users, such as friends that you have added from your list of contacts or Facebook, can see your interests and opinions. You can also view other readers’ histories and get suggestions for your next trip to the library. Goodreads, free in the Apple App and Google Play stores.

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If you have household electronic items that sitting around unused and you aren’t sure how to properly get rid of them, Greener Gadgets can help. Enter your Zip code in the site’s search engine, and a list of the closest electronic waste collection sites will be displayed, including directions. www.greenergadgets.org

Here in the Washington area, about 80 percent of the sun will be obscured by the moon during the Aug. 21 eclipse. But with the Total Solar Eclipse app, you can watch it real time in Oregon and Wyoming, which will experience a total eclipse. The app is from the Exploratorium, a San Francisco science lab with science exhibits open to the public. The app includes live coverage hosted by Exploratorium educators and NASA scientists, non-narrative three-hour live telescope views of the eclipse, and a live telescope view accompanied by music. Total Solar Eclipse, free in the Apple App and Google Play stores.

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Learn about all 400+ national parks and monuments on the National Park Service’s website. To get started, choose the state you wish to visit and the site displays all the parks available, with links for more information. The site also lists events, travel tips, accessibility for those with disabilities, and volunteer opportunities. For those who like to save money, the site lists days the parks are free of charge. Coming up are Aug. 25, the National Park Service’s birthday, and Sept. 30, National Public Lands Day. www.nps.gov

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sites, applications and social media. The site provides free video and article tutorials in easy-to-understand language. Learn how to use Netflix, Paypal, Dropbox, eBay, Uber and much more. Articles suggest the best apps for chatting, and ones to find the best hotel rooms. There is also a blog that gives you tips and tricks for your gadgets, sites and apps. https://techboomers.com

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Fraudsters From page 6 your accounts. If you can’t remember them all, try a password manager, recommended Justin Cappos, a professor at New York University’s engineering school. Services such as Last Pass and Dashlane create and store passwords for you and organize them under one master password. “You’re much less likely to have problems using one of these than if you write all your passwords down on sticky notes you may or may not lose,” Cappos said. Some services are free; others charge premiums for additional features. Be mindful at the computer. You probably didn’t win a foreign lottery (especially one you didn’t enter!), and your grandchildren don’t need you to wire them money, said Rebecca Morgan, a Stetson University

College of Law professor. And ignore that friend request from a “friend” already in your social network, one of the latest scams. “Don’t take things at face value or for granted anymore,” Morgan said. Your trusting nature may be admirable, but it won’t keep you safe online. If you get an email that appears to be from your bank or another institution asking for your account information, go directly to its website or call the institution and confirm whether someone really was trying to reach you. You can test your ability to spot scams by taking the quiz at www.protectseniorsonline.com. [See box at the right for some sample questions.] © 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors All contents copyright 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

How savvy are you when online? Home Instead Senior Care offers a simple quiz, called “Protect Seniors Online,” which illustrates how to spot an online scam and what to do if you have suspicions. Here are two sample questions and answers. Visit www.protectseniorsonline.com/quiz/ for more. Question: You purchase a birthday gift for a friend from a small online boutique. The seller sends you a message that says your order didn’t go through due to technical difficulties with the site. She requests that you send your billing information to her via email, and she promises quicker, two-day shipping in return for the hassle. Should you email her your billing information? Answer: You should NOT send your credit card information through email. Red flags: • A reputable seller should not ask you to share billing information over email. • A reputable seller would offer you the option to cancel your order and receive a full refund if they are not able to fulfill your order as requested. What to do: • You could try asking the seller when the site will be working again and

if there is a safer way to re-submit your information. • You could contact your credit card company and ask them to put a watch on your account for any fraudulent activity. • You could contact the Better Business Bureau to report the issue. Question: You receive a Facebook message from an acquaintance you haven’t talked to in a long time. The message simply says, “Hey, this is so funny. Check it out: http://bit.ly.aU6L12wm.” You remember this person had a good sense of humor. Do you click the link? Answer: You should NOT click the link without more information. Red flags: • You can’t tell where the link goes. • You received the message out of the blue without a personal note. What to do: • You can contact your friend to ask if he sent you a link on Facebook recently. If not, his account was probably hacked, so he should change his Facebook account password immediately. It’s likely that other people he is friends with on Facebook received the scam message too.

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SCIENCE AND TECH RESOURCES Montgomery County offers a Science in Context and a Science Reference Center, which is filled with a combination of scientific

and technology-related information. The Gale Virtual Reference Library also has ebooks on the environment, medicine, science and technology. For more information, visit their blog at http://bit.ly/ScienceAndTechnologyBlog.

Ongoing

TECHNICAL E-BOOKS Fairfax County offers free access to EBSCO Host, an e-book collection of textbooks, test prep books and technical materials. No

login is needed to view the catalog, but to download materials, you do need to create an account. Access is provided with a Fairfax County Library card. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/FairfaxCountyTechnicalEbooks.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations

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New technologies to prove you are you By Thomas H. Blanton The days of PINs and passwords are numbered as more companies embrace futuristic identification software designed to combine practicality with protection.

Facial recognition Delta Air Lines has started testing facial recognition technology at a self-service bag drop in the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Passengers will check in with the airline and check their luggage at a kiosk that scans their passport photo and their face to confirm that the two match. If they do, off go the bags to the plane.

Links & Apps From page 7

Radio’s golden days Yesterday USA is an Internet radio that broadcasts your favorite songs and shows from the 1920s to 1950s. With the help of volunteers, they have preserved history in order to bring back “Amos ‘n Andy,” “Gunsmoke” and more.

Delta will analyze customer feedback from the trial before using the scanners in other airports.

Fingerprint credit cards MasterCard is testing credit cards with built-in fingerprint scanners that add a layer of biometric security when you’re shopping. When making a purchase, cardholders will place a thumb on the card’s scanner, located in the top right corner of the card, to verify their identity. Customers who scan won’t have to enter a passcode. MasterCard says it is aiming for a consumer rollout sometime this year.

Voice verification Vanguard, the investment giant, introduced a voice verification service in 2010. When a customer who has signed up for the service calls Vanguard (say, to buy or sell stocks), the system compares the voice

on the phone to a recording on file. A match acts as the key that unlocks the customer’s account. © 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors All contents copyright 2017. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

FREE BYTE BACK TECH CLASSES Byte Back offers free technology classes for income-qualified D.C.

residents. The classes have moved to a new location, 899 N. Capitol St. NE, Washington, D.C. The new building includes four computer classrooms, including ones for IT certification testing, a video production studio and a virtual classroom. For more information, visit https://ByteBack.org/students/classes.

During each two-week period, a total of 87 hours of live and/or recorded programming is prepared and presented. The format is public domain old-time radio shows all day, with a live Broadcast each night at 10:30 p.m. Twenty-four of the 87 hours are created by a staff of over 25 dedicated volunteers. Yesterday USA can be live streamed for free on your computer at www.yesterdayusa.com and is also available in the Apple app store. For Android, try the Old Time Radio & Shows app, free at Google Play.

Apply for Discounts on Your Utility Bills Discounts are Subject to Income Eligibility Requirements

- Apply for Discounted Rates on Telephone

Lifeline Program (Economy II)

Electric

Residential Aid Discount (RAD) Program

Annual discount on one land line service per household.

Natural Gas

Residential Essential Service (RES) Program

Potential savings are between $300-$475 annually.

Water

Customer Assistance Program (CAP)

Potential savings up to $276 during the winter heating season.

For more info call 311 or visit doee.dc.gov/udp To apply for the telephone Lifeline Service (Economy II), call 800-253-0846.

Potential discount could be over $450 annually. These programs are for DC residents only.

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Health Fitness &

COMPLAIN FOR BETTER HEALTH Cancer patients who report side effects boost survival by almost half a year IS IT RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS? Sometimes joint pain is caused by this body-wide progressive disease NEW: DRUG GUARANTEES Drugmakers sometimes give refunds to insurers for drugs that don’t work PATIENT-FRIENDLY TRIALS Pharmaceutical companies are working to treat patients better during studies

New drug slows macular degeneration By Lauran Neergaard An experimental drug is showing promise against an untreatable eye disease that blinds older adults — and intriguingly, it seems to work in patients who carry a particular gene flaw that fuels the damage to their vision. Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is the leading cause of vision loss among seniors, gradually eroding crucial central vision. There are different forms, but more than 5 million people worldwide, and a million in the U.S., have an advanced type of so-called “dry” macular degeneration that has no treatment. At first patients may notice blurriness when they look straight ahead. Eventually many develop blank spots, becoming legally blind. “These are seniors who are entering their golden years, and now they’ve lost the ability to read, watch television, see their loved ones,” said Dr. Rahul Khurana, a retina specialist and spokesman for the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

The experimental drug, lampalizumab, aims to slow the destruction of light-sensing cells in the retina, creeping lesions that characterize the stage of dry AMD called “geographic atrophy.” When those cells die, they can’t grow back — the vision loss is irreversible. In an 18-month study of 129 patients, monthly eye injections of the drug modestly slowed worsening of the disease when compared with patients given dummy shots. What’s exciting for scientists came next, when researchers from drugmaker Genentech Inc. took a closer look at exactly who in the study was being helped.

Drug targets gene flaw It turns out that nearly 6 in 10 of the study’s participants carry a gene variation that makes part of the immune system go awry — a genetic flaw already known to increase the risk of getting macular degeneration in the first place.

Those are the only patients who appeared to benefit from the drug; they had 44 percent less eye damage than the untreated patients, the Genentech team reported in the journal Science Translational Medicine. While the study is too small to prove if lampalizumab really helps maintain vision, that’s a bigger difference than the overall results had suggested. How does the drug help? One arm of the immune system, the complement pathway, helps fight infections by attracting immune cells to attack bacteria. Normally, there’s a barrier that keeps such cells away from the retina. But that barrier can break down with age, opening sensitive eye cells to harm from the spillover, explained Genentech immunologist Menno van Lookeren Campagne. Now for the gene connection: Previous studies have linked macular degeneration to gene variations that remove some of that pathway’s natural brakes, so it can be-

come too active. The hypothesis: Genentech’s drug, lampalizumab, essentially offers a backup method for tamping down the immune reaction. An antibody, it works by inhibiting a particular enzyme named “factor D” that helps power the immune pathway. “We try to reinsert the braking ability,” said study lead author Brian Yaspan, a Genentech senior scientist. The study detected no safety concerns, clearing the way for Genentech and its parent company Roche to open two largescale studies that aim to prove if the drug works. Results are expected later this year. The current research sheds light on how that long-suspected immune culprit might be working, and is “the first suggestion that there may be a treatment for geographic atrophy coming up in the future,” said National Eye Institute retina specialist Dr. Wai See EYE DISEASE, page 13

When memory lapses call for doctor visit Dear Mayo Clinic: My father, who is 79 years old and in good health, has become quite forgetful. He seems to recognize that it’s happening, but laughs it off and chalks it up to old age. I know memory problems are common as people get older, but I’m worried. Should I encourage him to see his doctor? Answer: Although memory lapses are a normal part of aging, they can be a sign of an underlying medical problem. In older adults, memory problems are of concern when they affect information that is particularly important or familiar, when the lapses become more frequent, or when difficulty with memory interferes with daily activities. If your father’s situation falls into any of these categories, it would be a good idea for him to see his doctor. As we grow older, our brains undergo numerous aging-related changes that can make it harder to learn new things or remember familiar words. Older adults may have difficulty coming up with names of acquaintances, for example, or they may have trouble finding reading glasses or car keys. In most cases, these memory lapses do not signal a problem.

When to worry The type of forgetfulness that is worrisome involves forgetting information that a person formerly would always have remembered. For example, a favorite social event gets missed, like a tee time for a weekly golf game. Or, a calendar item that an individual would usually make a priority, such as a doctor’s appointment, goes unnoticed. If this happens once in a while, it probably isn’t a problem. If a person starts to have trouble making these connections regularly, then it’s time to see a doctor. A medical evaluation also is in order if memory lapses lead to problems in a person’s day-to-day life, or if someone begins to have trouble with mental tasks. Examples include becoming overwhelmed or confused when faced with decisions, having a hard time driving, getting irritated or upset when mental concentration is required to complete a task, getting lost on the way to a familiar location, or having trouble following step-by-step instructions.

What evaluations entail If your father goes to his doctor, an evalua-

tion likely would include a review of his medical history and a physical exam. In addition, tests that measure cognitive function — attention, memory, language and spatial skills, among others — may be part of the assessment. In some cases, a neurological evaluation and brain scans also may be useful. The doctor may want to talk with you or other family members about your perspective on your father’s cognitive skills, functional abilities and daily behaviors, and how they have changed over time. The purpose of this evaluation would be to screen for signs and symptoms of dementia. The doctor also will rule out reversible causes of memory loss. Keep in mind that dementia isn’t a specific disease; it’s a clinical syndrome. That means it’s a term used to describe a group of symptoms — such as memory loss, difficulty reasoning, inability to learn or remember new information, personality changes or inappropriate behavior — that affect a person’s intellectual and social abilities enough to make it hard to perform daily activities. Dementia has a variety of possible causes, including progressive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with

Lewy bodies. Other conditions also can mimic the symptoms of dementia, such as depression, thyroid abnormalities, infections, immune disorders and nutritional deficiencies, among many others. Prompt evaluation of a symptom such as persistent forgetfulness that could point to dementia is important for early diagnosis and identifying management strategies. It is possible, too, that your father’s memory lapses may be just what he thinks they are: a normal part of aging. If they seem to be problematic, though, encourage him to see his doctor. A thorough assessment should be able to identify if there is a need for concern. — Ericka Tung, M.D., M.P.H., Primary Care Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. E-mail a question to MayoClinic Q&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit www.mayoclinic.org. © 2017 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A U G U S T 2 0 1 7

Age-Friendly Montgomery A Community for a Lifetime

“I’m inviting you to enjoy our County’s resources and programs.” County Executive Ike Leggett

Would you like to join a local village? Would you like help in starting Nine in ten older Americans say they want to remain in a village in your community?

their current home and community as they age. Villages, which are local community organizations, can help enable this by offering more ways for people to connect and support each other. 1. Villages promote neighbors helping neighbors: Village volunteers can help one another by offering rides, helping with small household chores, sharing pet care, offering technical support, and much more.

2. Villages promote social connections: Villages also create opportunities for people to build local social networks. Examples include potluck dinners at neighbors’ homes, walking groups, trips to concerts and museums, lecture series, friendly visiting and calling, and snow storm buddies. Most village activities are organized by volunteers who want to invest in their community and form lasting friendships. In Montgomery County, about 60,000 people have access to a village in their area. Visit www.montgomerycountymd. gov/village to learn whether there’s a village available in your community.

If you don’t live in an area that already has a village, you might consider creating one. Starting a village is easier with the help of the Village Coordinator and leaders of the many villages in Montgomery County. Montgomery County’s Village Coordinator can be reached at 240-777-1231 or pazit.aviv@montgomerycountymd.gov. Ms. Aviv can: • Attend a local community meeting to answer questions about developing a village; • Help you design your village and provide examples of village documents; and, • Provide ongoing support for the development and operation of your village. In addition, you also will be able to share ideas, solutions, and resources by networking with the 23 active villages and nine developing villages in Montgomery County. Please visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/village to learn about Montgomery County villages and the resources available to you.

• Aging & Disability Resource Line 240-777-3000

• 3-1-1 or 240-777-0311 for County programs and services; 9-1-1 for emergency • www.montgomerycountymd.gov/senior

• “Seniors Today” airs on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. on Comcast/RCN 6, Verizon 30

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Reporting complications boosts survival By Marilynn Marchione If you’re being treated for cancer, speak up about any side effects. A study that had patients use home computers to report symptoms like nausea and fatigue surprisingly improved survival — by almost half a year, which is longer than many new cancer drugs do. The online tool was intended as a quick and easy way for people to regularly report complications rather than trying to call their doctors or waiting until the next appointment. Researchers had hoped to improve quality of life, but got a bonus in longer survival. “I was floored by the results,” said the study leader, Dr. Ethan Basch. “We are

proactively catching things early” with online reporting. Patients were able to stick with treatment longer because their side effects were quickly addressed, he said. People shouldn’t assume that symptoms are an unavoidable part of cancer care, said Dr. Richard Schilsky, chief medical officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. “You want to be able to reach your provider as early and easily as possible,” because a sign like shortness of breath may mean treatment isn’t working and needs to be changed, he said. The study was featured at the cancer group’s annual meeting in Chicago and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Quicker reporting Earlier studies suggest that doctors miss about half of patients’ symptoms. “Much of this happens between visits, when patients are out of sight and out of mind,” said Basch, a researcher at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Sometimes patients just put up with a problem until their next exam. “The spouse will say, ‘My husband was laid up in bed, exhausted or in pain,’ and I’ll say, ‘Why didn’t you call me?’” Basch said. The study tested whether the online tool could catch problems sooner. It involved 766 people being treated for various types of advanced cancers at Sloan Kettering. Some were given usual care, and the rest got the online symptom tool. Patients were as old as 91, and 22 percent had less than a high school education. But using a computer proved easy. “The older patients really grabbed onto it very quickly,” Basch said. The online group was asked to report symptoms at least once a week — sooner if they had a problem — and given a list of common ones such as appetite loss, constipation, cough, diarrhea, shortness of breath, fatigue, hot flashes, nausea or pain. Doctors saw these reports at office visits,

and nurses got email alerts when patients reported severe or worsening problems. “Almost 80 percent of the time, the nurses responded immediately,” calling in medicines for nausea, pain or other problems, Basch said.

Higher quality of life Six months later, health-related quality of life had improved for more of those in the online group, and they made fewer trips to an emergency room. They also were able to stay on chemotherapy longer — eight months versus six, on average. Median survival in the online group was 31 months versus 26 months for the others. A larger study will now test the online reporting system nationwide. A colon cancer patient, 53-year-old James Sylvester of New York, is using a version of the one tested in the study to report any problems to his doctors at Sloan Kettering. He hasn’t had many side effects, but a rash led to referral to a dermatologist to see if it was related to his cancer medicine. “The main benefit is they go holistically all over your body” with the list. “Some of the things you might not tell your doctor, or you might forget,” Sylvester said. The tool ensures the doctor has that information ahead of time, “so when you have that face time, it’s more focused.” — AP

RSVPs are an absolute must for this popular event!

op • por • tu • ni • ty It’s what you deliver when you help a child learn to read. Join Us. Experience Corps volunteers – people age 50 and older – help children in kindergarten through third grade learn to read. Join us at one of the following information sessions to learn how you can become a reading tutor and transform the lives of students in the DC Metro Area.

Upcoming Sessions:

August 9, 2017

August 22, 2017

2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

September 14, 2017

September 26, 2017

2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Information sessions held at 601 E. St. NW, Washington, DC 20049

Hawaiian Luau You're Invited!

Join us for a Luau Brunch including tropical fruits and salads, marinated pork, teriyaki-style beef, and more! Enjoy great food and music while getting to know the Tall Oaks Team.

Saturday, August 13 • 11:15 AM - 1 PM Tickets are $15 per person. However, call ahead to schedule a tour before the Luau to receive complimentary tickets for you and a guest!

Call 703-834-9800 to RSVP or to schedule your tour.

703.834.9800 12052 N Shore Drive Reston, VA 20190 www.TallOaksAL.com Coordinated Services Management, Inc. - Professional Management of Retirement Communities since 1981

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A U G U S T 2 0 1 7

Appraisals added to annual 50+ Expos Who will be the lucky winner of a 10-day vacation for two to China? Two lucky registrants at the 2017 Beacon 50+Expos, that’s who! For the 18th year in a row, the Beacon Newspapers expects to attract thousands of attendees to its two expos — free, annual events featuring health screenings, informative resources, an expert speaker, flu shots and entertainment for older adults and their families. This year’s events will take place at two locations this fall: on Sunday, Sept. 10, from noon to 4 p.m., at the Silver Spring Civic Center in downtown Silver Spring, Md., and on Sunday, Sept. 17, from noon to 4 p.m., at Springfield Town Center in Springfield, Va. The keynote speaker at both locations will be Matthew Quinn, of Quinn’s Auction Galleries. Quinn is a seven-year veteran appraiser on PBS’ “Antiques Roadshow.” He will talk about “Valuables hiding in your attic or basement.” Expo attendees are encouraged to bring with them up to two items they would like to have appraised. Professionals from Quinn’s will be present to provide verbal appraisals of paintings, prints, autographs, glassware, crystal, knick-knacks, Asian art, rare books, jewelry and other hand-carryable items. Two items may be appraised, at $5 per item (to be donated to charity).

Eye disease From page 10 Wong, who wasn’t involved in the study. “It’s a very, very exciting study,” said Khurana, the ophthalmologist association’s spokesman, who also wasn’t part of the research. “From the basic science perspective, it makes a lot of sense.”

Keeping your eyes healthy Macular degeneration tends to occur after age 60, but it sometimes strikes earlier. According to the National Eye Institute, it’s less common in people who exercise regularly, avoid smoking, and eat a diet high in green leafy vegetables and fish. Symptoms often aren’t noticeable early on. But several eye tests can detect signs of macular degeneration, including a dilated eye exam and a tool called an Amsler grid with straight lines that may look wavy if the macula, the center of the retina, is harmed. Macular degeneration patients often are advised to take certain vitamin combinations that may help stave off advanced disease. And it’s important for patients to know what type they have. While there’s no treatment for the advanced dry form, the “wet” form occurs when leaky blood vessels grow under the retina. And there are several therapies that can help those patients preserve vision. Another way to protect your vision: The Prevention of Blindness Society will be offering free glaucoma screenings at the Beacon’s 50+Expos in September. — AP

A free 10-day trip to China for two will be given away at each Expo as Grand Door Prizes, in addition to other door prizes. The China trips — which include airfare to and within China, luxury hotel accommodations, most meals, and an English-speaking tour guide — are provided by Nexus Holidays. (Please note: One door prize entry per person per Expo.) The expos will also offer exercise demonstrations (jazz dance, tai chi and more) and free health screenings — including blood pressure, bone density, balance, vascular and glaucoma screenings — along with flu vaccines, free with a Medicare card. More than 100 exhibitors — including government agencies, nonprofits and local businesses — will offer information and answer questions about retirement communities, home remodeling, financial plan-

ning, healthcare, travel, fitness, senior services and more. Giveaways will be plentiful. The Beacon Newspapers presents its 50+Expos each fall as a community service. Sponsors include CVS pharmacy, Comcast, Holy Cross Health, and CareFirst Blue-

CrossBlueShield, among others. Volunteers are needed for two-hour shifts at both events. For more information — or to exhibit, sponsor or volunteer — call (301) 949-9766 or visit www.theBeaconNewspapers.com/50expos.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

PARKINSON SOCIAL NETWORK

Two Parkinson’s social networking groups meet in Virginia in August. The Fairfax Café meets Monday, Aug. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon at Insight Memory Care Center, located at 3953 Pender Dr. #100, Fairfax; and the Ashburn Café meets Wednesday, Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. to noon at Tribute at One Loudoun, located at 20335 Savin Hill Dr. in Ashburn. There will be coffee, donuts and other munchies. These meetings are open to people living with Parkinson’s or other related movement disorders, their care partners, families and friends. For more information, visit www.ParkinsonSocialNetwork.org.

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Health Shorts Migraine drugs underused About 38 million Americans suffer from migraines in the United States, according to the Migraine Research Foundation. However, the most commonly used and effective classes of medication, triptans and DHE (Dihydroergotamine), have a black box warning for two subtypes of migraine because of risk of stroke. Now researchers at Abington-Jefferson Health have shown that patients who were given the drugs off-label had no stroke or other cardiovascular side-effects from taking the drugs.

Not only does the study suggest these drugs are safe for this subset of migraine patients, it could also have implications for the nearly 10 million migraine sufferers who experience auras — a disturbance in vision, touch, speech, thinking or strength that usually precedes a migraine headache. “There are not enough medicines out there to appropriately manage migraine headaches,” said senior author Brad Klein, M.D., medical director of the Headache Center at Abington Hospital-Jefferson Health. “At a time in history when an unprecedented number of people are getting hooked on narcotic opiates by way of prescribed medications — as is the case with migraine sufferers as well — we owe it to ourselves as physicians to try medications that could work without the risk of addiction,” said Klein. The study was published in the journal Headache.

A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Migraines are thought to cause pain because they induce a swelling of the blood vessels feeding the brain. However, two subtypes of migraines, basilar and hemiplegic, are thought to cause pain by doing the opposite — constricting rather than swelling the blood vessels of the brain. Triptans and DHE are both thought to relieve migraine, in part, by constricting blood vessels. Early on, drug developers worried that adding more constriction to basilar and hemiplegic migraines could put these patients at greater risk of stroke, so these patients were excluded from the initial studies. “As a result,” said Klein, “no one ever actually showed that these drugs were dangerous. They were just assumed to be dangerous based on their mechanism of action. And recent research suggests that the auras are not due to blood vessel constriction.” Migraines can be very complex to diagnose and there are few certified headache specialists in the United States; only 500 for the 38 million sufferers, according to the Migraine Research Foundation. “Because auras are associated with basilar and hemiplegic migraine, many physicians refuse to give these drugs to any patients experiencing an aura out of a false sense of precaution,” said Klein. Instead migraine sufferers may be given other, less effective drugs such as opioid narcotics. This study may begin to change that practice. — A Wellness Update

FDA takes steps to boost generics The Food and Drug Administration said it’s taking steps to boost the number of generic prescription drugs on the market in an effort to make medicines more affordable and to prevent price gouging.

Copycat pills generally have been much cheaper than original brand-name drugs. But recent high-profile cases have shown how lack of competition and medicine shortages allowed several drug companies to drastically increase prices for generics and some older brand-name products such as EpiPen emergency allergy injectors. New FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb made addressing prices a priority, saying the agency can help by increasing market competition. While the FDA reviews and approves medications, it doesn’t have the power to regulate prices. “No patient should be priced out of the medicines they need, and as an agency dedicated to promoting public health, we must do our part to help patients get access to the treatments they require,” Gottlieb said in a statement. The FDA said it will now give priority reviews to new generic drugs until there are at least three on the market. That’s the level at which prices tend to drop sharply — up to 85 percent off the brand-name price. The agency also published its first list of brand-name drugs that no longer have a patent’s protection but don’t yet have generic competition — a strategy to entice generic drugmakers to develop copycats. The list includes an HIV medicine, a genetically engineered heart drug, prescription multivitamins, and IV salt and sugar solutions. Some have been in short supply, sometimes for years, after quality problems shut down manufacturing lines, or companies stopped making them to pursue more profitable products. Among the best-known cases of dramatic price hikes: Mylan’s fivefold increase for EpiPen’s price, and former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli’s Turing Pharmaceuticals raising the price of an old drug for a deadly infection more than See HEALTH SHORTS, page 15

T he R esidences t HOMAS c IRCLE

IN-TOWN SENIOR LIVING

A MERIDIAN SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY

Fridays Just Got Even Better We’re Hosting Summer Happy Hours Enjoy cocktails and conversation with seniors who embrace diversity in our newly renovated Continuing Care Retirement Community. Find finger foods and fellowship in a vibrant environment with unrivaled amenities. This lifestyle can be yours too – without any costly buy-ins. Just an affordable monthly fee. Come see for yourself.

SUMMER FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR Every Friday 3:30 p.m.

Call 202-729-9702 to RSVP, learn more or schedule a personal tour. 1330 Massachusetts Ave. NW • Washington, DC 20005 • www.MeridianSenior.com License# ALR-0018

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A U G U S T 2 0 1 7

Health shorts From page 14 5,000 percent, to $750 per pill. At a recent meeting, the FDA discussed possible changes to its rules for approving generics, which inadvertently have enabled some makers of brand-name medicines to prevent or delay generic rivals.

New Medicare cards drop Social Security numbers Old Medicare cards will be going in the shredder. The government is on track to meet a 2019 deadline for replacing Social Security numbers on Medicare cards with randomly generated digits and letters to protect seniors against identity theft. Planning for the mas-

sive transition has been underway for years. Beneficiaries and their families should start seeing changes next April. That’s when the agency will begin mailing out new cards to more than 57 million older adult and disabled beneficiaries. They’ll be instructed to destroy their old cards after they get the new one. New cards may be used right away. In a statement, Medicare chief Seema Verma said the Trump administration is aiming for “a seamless transition” over a 21-month period that will involve coordination with beneficiaries, family members, hospitals, doctors, insurance companies, pharmacies and state governments. True to government form, the new Medicare number already has an acronym: MBI, which stands for Medicare Beneficiary Identifier. No final prototype of the new card has been unveiled, but the MBI will have 11 characters — a combination of randomly generated numbers and upper-case letters.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

That will easily distinguish the MBI from the familiar Medicare number, which is based on Social Security numbers. Using Social Security numbers has been a recognized vulnerability for years, exposing seniors to identity fraud. In a digital society, having a Social Security number stolen can have immediate financial and legal consequences taking months and even years to untangle. Seniors are increasingly the victims of identity fraud, the government said, with a nearly 24 percent increase in such cases from 2012 to 2014, when 2.6 million incidents were recorded.

AARP’s Amy Nofziger, a fraud prevention expert, warned that confusion around the transition to new Medicare cards could become an opportunity for fraudsters. Beneficiaries may get unsolicited phone calls from official-sounding people asking for personal details so new cards can be sent. They should ignore that. Do not provide any information over the phone, said Nofziger, and instead report any such calls. “Your card will be automatically mailed to you,” she said. Learn more about the card at www.cms.gov/medicare/ssnri/index.html — AP

Award-Winning Senior & Assisted Living Community

Where Quality Meets Affordability

BEACON BITS FITNESS CLASSES

C G

ulpepper arden

The Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna offers Fit for Life classes to improve strength, balance and mobility for older adults on Wednesdays from Aug. 2 through Aug. 30 from 11 a.m. to noon. The classes cost $5 each and are located in Bruen Chapel United Methodist Church, at 3035 Cedar Ln. in Fairfax. For more information or to register, call (703) 281-0538 or contact Casey Tarr at eileentarr1@verizon.net.

Aug. 2+

Coordinated Services Management, Inc. Professional Management of Retirement Communities since 1981

CONVERTIBLE COMFORT!

Asbury. Where there’s more to life than the remote.

Guest lectures, trips, mentoring, book clubs, lifelong learning classes and much more. Discover how great life can be with all the choices you’ll have every day at Asbury. Learn how you can begin enjoying the Asbury lifestyle. Schedule a tour today at 301-944-2756.

AsburyMethodistVillage.org

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4435 N. Pershing Drive Arlington, VA 22203 703-528-0162 VA Relay # 800-828-1120 www.culpeppergarden.org

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A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Is that joint pain rheumatoid arthritis? When your joints ache, you may chalk it up to an old injury or to osteoarthritis — the wearing away of cartilage that’s common in older age. But for two million people in the United States, aching joints are caused by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) — when their immune system mistakenly attacks the tissues lining the joints. “People commonly assume RA pain is due to aging, overuse, or even the flu,” said Robert Shmerling, M.D., a rheumatologist at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and medical editor of the Harvard Special Health Report Rheumatoid Arthritis. Unlike osteoarthritis — which is limited to the joints and can often be treated with

mild pain relievers or exercise, or resolved with joint replacement — RA is a progressive disease that can affect the whole body, including the heart, lungs and eyes. It may damage the joints, tendons and bones.

Diagnosis and treatment “The biggest tip-off to RA is the presence of persistent swelling in multiple joints,” Shmerling said. “That does not occur with most other causes of joint pain.” Other classic RA symptoms include joint pain that is worse in the morning or better with movement, and persistent fatigue. Diagnosis typically involves symptom assessment, physical examination findings, blood test results, as well as X-rays. “In confusing cases, ultrasound or MRI

can be helpful,” he said. In most cases, the first-line treatment is the medication methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall). Shmerling said it’s important to begin treating RA as soon as possible, because drug treatment may prevent RA from progressing and causing more damage to the body. “Delaying treatment will, on average, lead to more joint damage and loss of joint function.” Medications, however, do not reverse damage or improve dexterity, strength, balance or stamina. They also do not address other aspects of health — such as depression, pain or the impact of excess weight. Other therapies include exercise, splinting, weight loss and smoking cessation. The role of heat or cold therapy and other alternative treatments is uncertain. “As long as these other treatments seem safe to me, I encourage patients to explore what works for them,” Shmerling said.

Types of medication Most RA drugs fall into one of three classes: Nonbiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall), have a broad effect on immune system function,

which can help slow the disease process and protect the joints from damage. They also help relieve symptoms. These are generally offered as soon as the RA diagnosis is established, but they may take up to 12 weeks to work. Side effects vary from one drug to another, and range from fatigue to liver problems. Screening and monitoring can prevent many side effects. Biologic DMARDs, such as etanercept (Enbrel) and infliximab (Remicade), help relieve symptoms and prevent joint damage. They have a more targeted effect on immune system function than nonbiologic DMARDs, and are considered the most effective drugs for RA. However, they are expensive and can be given only by injection. These are usually reserved for people who do not improve enough with methotrexate or other medications. Because these drugs suppress parts of the immune system, people who take them are at increased risk for infections, especially tuberculosis. Janus kinase inhibitors, such as tofacitinib (Xeljanz), help relieve symptoms and prevent joint damage by interrupting inflammatory signals as they enter cells. Possible side effects include shingles, allergic reactions, diarrhea, headache, runny or stuffy nose, and sore throat. See JOINT PAIN, page 18

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Volunteers get trained for dementia visits By Sununu Bah During his eight years working in three nursing homes, John Wortman had a firsthand view of the needs of residents. He was struck by the fact that many of those with dementia were rarely, if ever, visited by family and friends. While the staff attended to their physical and medical needs, their intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs were not well addressed, fueling feelings of loneliness. He believed the problem was the result of a disconnect between how society perceives dementia and what the disorder actually is. “The gap between what people think about dementia and how those with it really are is tremendous,” Wortman said. He said some think those with dementia

cannot remember anything from the past, do not enjoy activities they used to engage in, and that there is nothing that can be done to support them emotionally or engage them. But that is often not the case. Many with dementia do respond to visitors, can talk about the past, and particularly enjoy listening to music, singing songs and similar activities. Wortman attributes the false public perception to denial and the fact that most people with dementia are institutionalized. “There is a fear of facing their own disease or death. People feel uncomfortable. Lack of contact lets people create a story, and society reinforces the stereotype.”

Initiating the program Wortman went to his friend Rabbi David

Shneyer with his concerns, and with a plan to help lessen the isolation that dementia patients experience. Wortman knew that Shneyer — the director of Am Kolel, a Jewish Renewal community devoted to meeting unmet needs in the community — had a history of implementing solutions. (In Hebrew, Am Kolel means “an inclusive people.”) Shneyer had led Am Kolel’s rally of the Poolesville community to create a senior center in western Montgomery County. It was accomplished with a combination of local funding and a Community Partnership Grant from the office of the Montgomery County Executive. The concerns of dementia residents resonated with Shneyer because he has family members who are dealing with dementia. To help address the problem, he helped create the Visitors Project for People with Dementia (VPPD), sponsored by Am Kolel and funded by Montgomery County government. The program trains volunteers to visit dementia patients in nursing homes. Michael Marcus, former director of Older Adults Services at the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, is a community resources consultant to VPPD. He was surprised to discover that no similar programs exist elsewhere in the United States.

“While there was much information about someone with dementia, there was no organized, in-depth program for training in how to be with people with dementia,” Shneyer said. “Workshops for family members were rarely more than an hour or two in duration.” “While the Alzheimer’s Association offered excellent workshops throughout the year, none were geared to volunteers who would consider doing this kind of service,” Shneyer said. “While the Jewish Social Service Agency had an extensive training program for hospice volunteers, it did not have a program specifically for residents with dementia living in nursing homes. None of the other social services programs in the county had a program to train nursing home visitors.” Am Kolel’s first training program was offered on three Sundays in November and December last year for four hours each afternoon. Experts were brought in to help with the training. Among them were Anthony Hyatt, Creative Engagement Educator and board member of Aging and the Arts; social worker Franca Posner; nurse Susan Akers, instructor of Insight Meditation, and Wendy Miller, director of the Washington D.C. Center on Aging.

Joint pain

Until the above medications take effect, doctors may recommend low doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or corticosteroids, such as prednisone. But these medications do not protect the joints from damage, and long-term use is linked to dangerous side effects. © 2017 President and Fellows Of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

From page 16

The care you need to get you back to your life.

An advantage of these drugs, in comparison to biologic DMARDs, is that they are pills, not shots or medicines infused into your veins. Both Janus kinase inhibitors and biologic DMARDs have price tags of about $20,000 or more per year. Insurance plans often pay only some of the costs.

See VOLUNTEERS, page 19

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No heart attack or your money back? By Linda A. Johnson Warranties and money-back guarantees, long used to entice buyers of products like hand tools and kitchen gadgets, are now being used to sell something more crucial: pricey new-generation drugs for diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. Deals being negotiated between drugmakers and the insurers who buy medicines now sometimes include extra rebates — or even full refunds — if drugs don’t help patients as expected.

It’s part of an effort driven by insurers and government health programs to align the cost of care with the quality of care, and slow the relentless growth of prescription drug costs. “We’re spending less money on drugs that are less effective,” said Dr. Michael Sherman, chief medical officer for the notfor-profit insurer Harvard Pilgrim, which has several of these deals and is negotiating more. Sherman says one-fourth of every dollar it spends on patient care goes

to prescription drugs. For the patient, it doesn’t mean a check in the mail if cancer comes back after a round of treatment. But it does mean patients could get a drug that an insurer might otherwise be unwilling to pay for and that might help them. And insurers, who now can track how patients fare through electronic medical records, will be reducing wasteful spending and making at least a dent in overall healthcare costs.

Volunteers

“They have the time to give to that resident,” Chandler said. “So let’s say while we only have 10 minutes, they have 45 minutes to two hours.” Wortman became a VPPD volunteer because he wants to help change the perceptions of dementia by taking action so that others will follow. Wortman believes many people “come from a prejudiced mindset...[where] there is a stigma and fear of the unknown.” But “people with Alzheimer’s are like all people,” he said. “They have intellectually attuned minds; [they] just don’t remember something you said five minutes ago.” “The little time it takes to connect with them really makes a difference,” Wortman said. He likes to encourage volunteers to “be with people with dementia.” VPPD hopes to double the number of volunteers they train, the number of nursing homes served, and the number of residents visited. Shneyer, who also volunteers, added: “Our goal is to become sort of a new friend or extended family [to patients]. A person that they can share their memories with — of their families, of their life.” Those interested in volunteering for the

VPPD may email visitorsproject@gmail.com or rabbidavid@am-kolel.org, or call (301) 349-2799. The organization is also seeking addition-

From page 18 The 12 hours of training gave the volunteers an in-depth understanding of the causes and manifestations of dementia, as well as tools for speaking with residents and engaging them creatively through music, games, storytelling and role-playing exercises.

Dozens being visited In January, 15 volunteers started regularly visiting 30 residents of four nursing homes in Montgomery County: Potomac Valley, Collingswood, Sligo Creek and Regency Care of Silver Spring. Deborah Chandler, director of recreation of Sligo Creek Center, said the impact the volunteers has had on the residents has been profound — for both the patients and staff members. She said it can be challenging for nursing homes to give consistent one-on-one time to patients. “What [the volunteers] do is personalized and nurturing. I think that’s the advantage of having them come in. They really get up close and personal with the residents, and get to know them, their hobbies, likes and dislikes.

“It’s going to be part of the solution” to soaring drug prices, predicted Roger Longman, CEO of Real Endpoints, an analytics company that assesses the value of medicines for drugmakers, insurers and other clients.

A way to justify pricey drugs Many new drugs now top $100,000 per year or course of treatment, even though See DRUG GUARANTEES, page 20

al funding and welcomes donations. Tax deductible contributions can be sent to Am Kolel VPPD at 19520 Darnestown Road, Beallsville, MD 20839.

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Drug guarantees From page 19 their benefits are unclear or only marginally better than cheaper, older drugs. Buyers of those new drugs, usually insurance companies, are hesitant to pay without assurance the drugs will help patients. Not only is lack of benefit bad for patients, it makes insurers spend even more on complications and hospital stays if the drugs don’t work. As a result, insurers often restrict access to expensive new drugs. Sometimes that’s achieved by making patients pay

more out of their own pockets, or making doctors wade through red tape to get authorization for a patient’s medicine. Sometimes patients have to try cheaper drugs first, and only when they fail — and the patients’ health has deteriorated — are they allowed to get the pricey new drug. Pharmaceutical companies have an incentive here, too: These deals may help them sell more of the new drug they’ve spent hundreds of millions of dollars or more developing. For example, a new generation of injected cholesterol drugs does an impressive job of reducing so-called bad cholesterol.

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But the drugs, Amgen’s Repatha and Sanofi’s Praluent, cost $14,000 a year, while cheap generic pills do a good job of lowering cholesterol for most people for $300 a year or less. Predictably, insurers often reject prescriptions for these drugs. So Amgen, trying to boost disappointing sales for a drug expected to be a huge seller, is offering full refunds to insurers if patients have a heart attack or stroke while taking its drug. Recently, Amgen announced its first deal to do so, with Harvard Pilgrim. Sanofi has a contract with insurer Cigna to pay extra rebates if patient cholesterol doesn’t fall as much as expected. “It demonstrates the fact that we are standing behind the value the product has, and we’re willing to put some money behind it,” said James Borneman, Sanofi’s head of strategic pricing.

Insurers expect proven benefit Some insurers are now demanding these deals, which are expected to become standard for some drugs: super-expensive medicines for cancer and rare diseases, and others that are used widely enough to cost insurers millions. In addition, the drugs must have a benefit that’s easy to measure, such as keeping kids with asthma out of the emergency room or preventing growth of cancerous tumors for a certain period. Cigna has been pursuing more of these

types of deals after finding that some of its earlier efforts “met or exceeded expectations in terms of benefit to our customers, patients,” said Chris Bradbury, who heads Cigna’s prescription benefit program. One of its early deals, with drugmaker Merck for its diabetes pills Januvia and Janumet, dates to 2009, with rebates pegged to how much patients lower blood sugar. “We keep re-signing that agreement, so I think they’re pretty satisfied,” said Bob McMahon, head of U.S. marketing at Merck, which also has such contracts with insurers and hospital systems covering an asthma medicine and is negotiating contracts for an infection drug. Other companies with such deals for one or more medicines include drugmakers Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Novo Nordisk and Roche’s Genentech unit; insurers Aetna and Priority Health, and prescription benefit manager Express Scripts. On their own, these deals are unlikely to reverse the persistent rise in medical spending, experts say. But they improve the chance that the money will at least go to treatments that work best — by making sure insurers and drug companies have something at stake along with the patient. “There’s a risk on both sides with these contracts,” said Dr. Mark Fendrick, director of the University of Michigan’s Center for Value-Based Insurance Design. “Both want to make sure they’ll get the outcome they want.” — AP

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Questioning jumpy hearts and tingly feet By Dr. Howard LeWine Q: I have occasional skipped beats. It feels like my heart jumps when it happens. I exercise regularly and consider myself healthy. Does this mean I have a heart problem? A: Occasionally feeling your heart beat and having it skip is very common. It can be uncomfortable and cause worry that it may be something serious. But most of the time heart palpitations don’t signal a heart problem. A normal heartbeat occurs when an electrical signal begins in the right upper chamber (right atrium) of the heart. As the current travels through the atria, it triggers the contraction of both upper chambers, pumping blood into the lower chambers (the ventricles). As the electrical signal spreads through the ventricles, they then contract, sending blood into the lungs and body. Here’s how I help my patients think about the symptom. I first ask about how often the palpitations occur and whether there are additional associated symptoms. Occasional palpitations that last only a second or two typically are not anything to worry about. But if symptoms last longer and you are lightheaded, feel like you might pass out, or have chest pain or shortness of breath, you should seek immediate medical attention. If I were seeing you in the office, I would ask you to tap the back of my hand with your fingers to simulate what the palpitations feel like. If you tap out a string of steady beats with a quick stutter for one or two seconds, and then back to steady, that almost always represents what doctors call premature beats. Premature beats can arise either from the upper heart chambers (atria) or the lower chambers (ventricles). Usually the ones you can feel come from the ventricles. Doctors call them premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs. By themselves, they are not dangerous and usually don’t require treatment. Based on your description, that is likely what you have. PVCs occur when an extra electrical signal starts in the ventricles soon after the previous normal contraction, triggering a

second contraction. You may not feel the second contraction; instead, it may seem as though your heart has missed a beat. The next regular contraction can pump with more force than normal, and you may feel a thump or the sensation that your heart has flip-flopped. If on the other hand you were to tap out a very slow or very fast rhythm, or one that is very irregular, then I would be more concerned about a different cause. Again, most often these are not dangerous problems either, but they would require more investigation. That starts with listening to your heart and doing an electrocardiogram (ECG). Q: I have persistent numbness and tingling in my feet. I think it might be peripheral neuropathy. It’s tolerable now, but I worry about it getting worse. What can I do? A: Peripheral neuropathy is nerve disease involving branches of nerves that are farthest away from their origins in the spinal cord. The longer a nerve is, the more likely it is to be affected by neuropathy. Since the nerves connecting your brain to your feet are the longest, the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy almost always begin in the feet. Later on, the hands can be involved. You have two of the most common symptoms, numbness and tingling. Most people also experience pain. As you suggest, peripheral neuropathy is the likely diagnosis. But you should see your doctor to confirm it. The causes of peripheral neuropathy are many and various. In the United States, diabetes leads a long list that also includes excessive alcohol consumption, nutritional deficiencies, exposure to toxic chemicals, inherited conditions and autoimmune disorders. Fairly often, though, the origin can’t be identified, which can be frustrating for doctors and patients alike. Those cases are called idiopathic peripheral neuropathy — idiopathic being the medical term for a disease from an unknown cause. With peripheral neuropathy, once the cause is removed, or at least reined in, the nerves may heal and the symptoms ease up. Peripheral neuropathy from diabetes is

a prime example. By keeping blood sugars close to the normal range when diabetes is first diagnosed, peripheral neuropathy can be prevented. Even if symptoms are already present, you can halt the progression with diet, exercise and medication to maintain good blood sugar control. Other examples of treatable causes of neuropathy include stopping alcohol use if it is excessive, avoiding toxins, and correcting vitamin and other nutritional deficiencies. In many cases, even when the cause is known, people with peripheral neuropathy need relief from the symptoms, especially if one of them is pain. Unfortunately, conventional painkillers like acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen may not be effective.

There are several antiseizure drugs and antidepressants that can significantly reduce symptoms. Examples include gabapentin (Neurontin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), pregabalin (Lyrica), amitriptyline (Elavil) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). Topical therapies, such as lidocaine and capsaicin, may also provide pain relief. Some people claim that yoga, acupuncture and mindfulness meditation have done wonders. Supporting data are scarce, but these alternative approaches might be worth a try as long as there’s little risk of harm. Howard LeWine, M.D. is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. © 2017 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Rock climbing From page 1 climber for years until he decided it was time for a career change. After taking classes through the American Mountain Guide Association, he landed a job as an REI Outdoor School instructor, and then moved on to Earth Treks in Rockville six years ago. Besides physical strength, Dudley said that climbing helps older athletes stay sharp mentally as they assess and problem solve. “It seems like an athletic puzzle. When

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you get over that initial fear of being up high on that cliff or wall, it just turns into a lot of fun in trying to figure out what you can do — and can’t do — always trying to increase your ability and the different variety of moves you can do,” Dudley said. While many people fall in love with the sport on the first climb, it’s “totally natural for people to have a little fear, especially at the beginning,” he said. “But all of our equipment is rated for 5,000 pounds, and none of our climbers weigh 5,000 pounds! It’s all overly strong for the need that we use it for,” he said. While those who do bouldering can get

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hurt if they hurtle from near the top of the wall onto the thick mats below, Dudley said there are very few injuries in older (or younger) adults who do top-rope climbing. He said he’s primarily seen finger injuries from overuse by climbers so enamored with the sport they want to climb again and again. Like Dudley, Judy Aw, 66, similarly changed careers and now is a part-time instructor at Sportrock in Alexandria. She started climbing 17 years ago with her son. An Internet technology professional, Aw had lived in Bellevue, Wash., but after being widowed moved across the country to be near her son in Falls Church, Va. She said climbing has helped her make friends after the move. Aw said she was hooked on the sport on her first climb. “I love how healthy I feel climbing, using my arms and legs and body strength. It’s all about movement. “It teaches me to be more aware of my body, as well as problem-solving skills. It’s a mental sport as much as physical. As we age, it’s such a great way to maintain balance and strength.”

Many health benefits Indeed, the health benefits of indoor rock climbing have been carefully evaluated. A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reported that indoor rock climb-

ing is a good activity to increase cardio-respiratory fitness and muscular endurance. Another study in the Journal of Undergraduate Kinesiology Research reported that climbing meets the American College of Sports Medicine guidelines for heart rate and energy expenditure. And climbing doesn’t just help those who are already relatively fit. Sportrock’s Alexandria location hosts a monthly climbing group for those with Parkinson’s disease. The group is run by Catalyst Sports, which sponsors adaptive sports opportunities in Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. (Adaptive sports, also called parasports, are sports activities adapted to be played by people with disabilities.) Michelle Sloane, who is 59 and lives in Washington, D.C., had helped care for her mother, who suffered from Parkinson’s. A couple of years ago, Sloane learned that she herself has the condition. “It was discouraging to find that out, after witnessing my mother struggling and working against the disease and finally passing away. I know my future. It’s staring me in the face. I was at the lowest point in my life two years ago,” she said. Sloane, always athletic, started with an exercise class for Parkinson’s patients at Georgetown University Hospital. She soon See ROCK CLIMBING, page 23

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Rock climbing

goes twice a week for a private session with a staff member that costs $50.

From page 22 found she was too fit for it, despite having stiffness in her limbs and hands, as well as tremors. That’s when she heard about the Sportrock group and gave it a try. “It was amazing, because when I was climbing I felt like a kid again. It’s completely changed my whole outlook on life,” Sloane said. “It has had the biggest impact physically, but almost as importantly, it’s given me hope.” Sloane said she can’t explain why certain ways of moving are easier for Parkinson’s patients than others, sometimes defying expectations. Running, for example, is easier for her than walking, she said. The same goes for climbing. Through climbing, she has met other Parkinson’s patients like herself who are working to keep themselves as agile as possible as the disease progresses. “We walk in slowly, but when we walk out, we feel a huge difference in the way we walk and move,” she said. “There’s a little community starting to develop. You’re not just fighting it by yourself now. It’s very, very encouraging,” she said. Sloane would like to see rock climbing covered by health insurance in the same way physical therapy is, because in addition to the monthly Parkinson’s group, she

Moving on out Once comfortable with indoor climbing, many people go outside. Aw said Washington state offered endless opportunities for scaling the heights outdoors, but that she hasn’t done much climbing outside since moving to Virginia. In addition to Carderock and Great Falls, Dudley recommends Annapolis Rock in Howard County, Md. “There are some absolutely gorgeous places out there,” he said. “When the weather is in the 90s, it might not be the best choice. But once it cools down, there’s nothing like climbing the real thing.”

Some local recreation and fitness centers also have smaller climbing walls. More information about Catalyst adaptive climbing can be found at www.team-

catalyst.org/climbing3.html or by emailing judith@gocatalystsports.org. Freelance writer Lisa Crutchfield contributed to this story.

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Prime Time Sister Circles, profiled on the cover of the March issue of the Beacon, is looking for participants in a study investigating whether support and interventions provided by the nonprofit program can help women learn to control their blood pressure, improve their diet and manage stress. The free classes are available to African American women ages 40 to 75 who have high blood pressure and are patients of Unity Health Care. Recruitment meetings are being held on Saturday, Aug. 19 from 9 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 22 from 6 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 26 from 9 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 3 p.m. All participants will get a $50 Visa gift card. The classes are held in conjunction with the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions at Covenant Baptist Church, 3845 S. Capitol St. SW, Washington, D.C. Register by calling (443) 608-3416.

Learning the ropes Local climbing centers offer numerous basic skills classes for beginners. The classes teach participants how to put on a harness, tie into the rope, and belay for a partner. While that prepares neophyte climbers to start up the wall, they cannot belay until they pass a test on those skills. Earth Treks (www.earthtreksclimbing.com) has five centers; the closest are in Rockville, Md., (240) 283-9942 and Arlington (Crystal City), Va., (703) 340-2700. Sportrock (https://sportrock.com) has two locations, in Alexandria, Va., (703) 2127625, and Sterling, Va. (571) 434-7625.

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Health Studies Page

A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Studying a new way to banish cold sores By Barbara Ruben For those who get cold sores frequently, the tingling and burning on their lip signals that another painful and unsightly sore caused by a form of the herpes virus is about to erupt. There is no cure for cold sores, but they usually go away on their own after a few weeks. Antiviral medicines can help them heal faster. They can also help to prevent cold sores in people who often get them. Other medicines can help with the pain

and discomfort of the sores. These include ointments that numb the blisters, soften the crusts of the sores, or dry them out. Protecting your lips from the sun with sunblock lip balm can also help. A study currently underway in Rockville by Optimal Research and five other sites in the U.S. is looking at a new topical treatment, called Merlin, that may clear up cold sores. Merlin contains ethanol (alcohol) and glycolic acid, which is used in chemical

BEACON BITS

Aug. 16+

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP IN D.C. Seabury Care Management presents a caregiver support group on

the third Wednesday of the month. The next sessions will meet on Aug. 16 and Sept. 20 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Sunrise on Connecticut, located at 5111 Connecticut Ave. NW in Washington, D.C. For more information or to RSVP, email cminfo@seaburyresources.org or call (202) 364-0020.

peels and, at a lower percentage, in facial washes and cleansers. It is manufactured by Topical Remedy, which is studying its safety and efficacy.

are to immediately call the clinic. When the clinic confirms that the patient is in fact starting to get a cold sore, they will be told to open the kit and begin treatment.

Who is eligible?

Applying the treatment

The study is looking for people, ages 18 to 75, who get cold sores at least three times a year. They must have experienced such symptoms as itching, tingling or burning during at least half of their previous cold sore episodes. Half the cold sores must have progressed through all the phases, including crusting and healing. People with active cancer or immunodeficiency diseases cannot take part in the study. Nor can those who use systemic steroids or topical steroids on or near the face. Use of inhaled steroids, such as those in asthma inhalers, is allowed. Those in the study will be placed in two equally-sized groups. One will get Merlin to treat their cold sore, while the other group will receive a placebo containing just ethanol. Neither the patients nor the doctors will know who is getting which treatment until the end of the study. Once they have been assigned to a treatment group, they will be given a kit containing a bottle of the treatment and special swabs to apply the liquid. When they begin to see something that they think is the start of a cold sore, they

The treatment, with either Merlin or placebo, is applied using a special swab three times, 20 minutes apart. Then patients wait and apply again in six hours, up to three times per day over the next four days. During this time, patients will need to report to the clinic daily for a minimum of three consecutive days, until either the cold sore is completely healed or 14 days from the start of treatment, whichever comes first. At each clinic visit, the cold sore will be observed to determine at what stage it is at or if it has healed. The subject will also be asked how they are feeling. Patients will also be told to record in a diary the time of each application of Merlin or placebo. They will also be asked to record the stage of their lesion and how much pain they are feeling, if any, related to the cold sore. Compensation of up to $775 for time and travel is available. To learn more, call Optimal Research at (301) 309-8610 or see www.optimalsites. net/coldsore.

BEACON BITS

Aug. 12

FREE GRIEF WORKSHOP

Haven of Northern Virginia is offering a free grief workshop, called “Journey through Grief,” from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 12. Registration is requested. Haven is located 4606 Ravensworth Rd. in Annandale, Va. For more information or to register, call (703) 941-7000, email at havenofnova@verizon.net, or visit www.havenofnova.org.

Ongoing

FREE YOGA

Pure Om offers free outdoor yoga on Saturdays in August from 8 to 9 a.m. in Old Town Square, located at 10415 North St. in Fairfax, Va. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a mat and water bottle. For more information, visit http://pureom.com/fairfax.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A U G U S T 2 0 1 7

Drug studies start to put patients first By Linda A. Johnson Drugmakers are finding they can improve how drug testing is conducted — and help their own bottom lines — by giving patients a voice before testing even begins. Pharmaceutical companies sometimes spend more than a decade trying to win approval for a new medicine, including running multiple rounds of tests on hundreds and even thousands of people. Now they are realizing that treating study participants better, and listening to their concerns and insights, can make the complicated process cheaper, produce results that are more accurate, and help get drugs to market faster. They’re starting to ask potential study

participants how to more clearly explain the study’s purpose and what the experimental drug might do to them, and whether participation requirements are too burdensome. That can cover the amount of paperwork people have to fill out, the number of appointments needed to get the study drug, and how frequently they must undergo follow-up blood work and other testing to track their progress.

Lower costs, faster results

It also helps drugmakers find the right patients for studies, which can be particularly difficult when testing complex drugs for rare diseases and specific subtypes of cancer. The industry has coined a phrase for this new focus — “patient centricity” — and British drugmaker AstraZeneca recently published the first definition of it in a medical journal. The company’s drug studies now include “patient-reported outcomes” — in-

formation on how participants feel and function while taking a drug, details that regulators increasingly want to see. AstraZeneca’s also continuing to give study participants the experimental drug between the time research ends and it’s approved for sale, if they lack other treatment options. Guy Yeoman, the company’s VP of patient centricity, recently talked with the AsSee DRUG STUDIES, page 26

All this can help reduce costs for drugmakers and, by speeding up the testing process, give them more time to sell a drug exclusively before its patent expires and generic competition wipes out sales.

BEACON BITS

Sept 1+

AGING CONFERENCE The deadline for registration for Sibley Senior Association’s 2017

Aging on Your Terms Conference is Friday, Sept. 1. The actual event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 16 at Sibley Memorial Hospital, located at 5255 Loughboro Rd. NW in Washington, D.C., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The morning track is “Aging in Community,” and the afternoon track is “Aging, Dating and Sex.” Registration opportunities are available for all day ($45), morning ($25) or afternoon ($25), all of which include a light lunch. For more information or to register, call (202) 364-7602 or visit: http://bit.ly/SibleyAgingConference.

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Drug studies From page 25 sociated Press about the trend and his company’s efforts. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. Q: Why do this? A: Healthcare’s been paternalistic. Patients now increasingly want a voice and they want more knowledge.

A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Q: What was wrong with the standard way of conducting studies of experimental drugs? A: We struggle to get enough patients enrolled in studies. A big proportion drop out, and many don’t comply with the study protocol. Previously, we added more patients and (study locations) to compensate. We didn’t work with patients to understand the problems.

BEACON BITS

Aug. 3+

CAREGIVING SUPPORT GROUP IN OAKTON

Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna offers a Caregivers Support Group on the first and third Thursday of every month. This month’s group will meet on Aug. 3 and 17 in the Program Building at UUCF Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, located at 2709 Hunter Mill Rd. in Oakton, Va. from 10 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, contact facilitator, Jack Tarr, at (703) 821-6838 or jtarr5@verizon.net.

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“We are so grateful for the care you gave to my husband while he was at your facility. We especially would like to thank all the nurses and aides who helped care for him. They were all wonderful and couldn’t do enough for him. Thank you all!” – Pat, wife of former patient Specializing in Skilled Nursing & Subacute Rehabilitation MARYLAND LOCATIONS Anchorage Healthcare Center 105 Times Square Salisbury, MD Bel Pre Health & Rehab Center 2601 Bel Pre Rd. Silver Spring, MD Blue Point Healthcare Center 2525 West Belvedere Baltimore, MD BridgePark Healthcare Center 4017 Liberty Heights Ave. Baltimore, MD Clinton Healthcare Center 9211 Stuart Lane Clinton, MD Ellicott City Healthcare Center 3000 N. Ridge Rd. Ellicott City, MD

Fayette Health & Rehab Center 1217 W. Fayette St. Baltimore, MD Forestville Healthcare Center 7420 Marlboro Pike Forestville, MD Fort Washington Health Center 12021 Livingston Rd. Ft. Washington, MD Holly Hill Healthcare Center 531 Stevenson Lane Towson, MD Kensington Healthcare Center 3000 McComas Ave. Kensington, MD Laurelwood Healthcare Center 100 Laurel Dr. Elkton, MD

800.989.7337

Marley Neck Health & Rehab Center 7575 E. Howard Rd. Glen Burnie, MD Northwest Healthcare Center 4601 Pall Mall Rd. Baltimore, MD South River Healthcare Center 144 Washington Rd. Edgewater, MD WEST VIRGINIA LOCATIONS Willow Tree Healthcare Center 1263 South George St. Charles Town, WV

MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNICARE FAMILY OF COMPANIES

A couple years ago, we wanted to see what patient centricity meant to patients. So we met with European patients and caregivers and North American patients in certain disease areas. Then we engaged with online patient groups. They told us in no uncertain terms to stop focusing on what we deliver and start focusing on how we deliver. They want a relationship that is open and sustained. They want respect and compassion. They said, ‘We are not a commodity to be picked up and dropped.’ They wanted to ensure the patient and family got the experience and outcome they wanted. Q: AstraZeneca ran a pilot program to get patient insights before finalizing the design of a study of a lupus drug you’re now testing. What did you do and what was the result? A: We got the patient perspective on what was reasonable and what wasn’t. That produced 24 recommendations from patients, and 16 were adopted. We reduced the number of blood draws to be done during the study, to be less onerous. We reduced the time they would have to wait at the clinic after each infusion of the drug in case they have a bad reaction, because we agreed it could be safely reduced.

That study is actually running ahead of schedule. It’s not rocket science. It’s really basic, simple stuff. Q: What other changes have you made for people participating in drug studies? A: The consent forms were long legalese. We translated that into a simple booklet with pictures and diagrams about what happens to patients during the study. We recently launched a site with a clear two-page summary of results for patients. All future studies will have that. Q: How will these changes benefit your company? A: We can do studies faster and more efficiently, through quicker patient registration. The patients better understand the purpose of studies, and the study goal is meaningful for patients. They want to know how will they feel; will they be able to do more. That leads to better adherence to medication schedules. In many disease areas, patients stop taking their medicine within 12 months, so they don’t get the medicine’s benefit. Q: Will this reduce drug prices? A: We need to ensure there’s sufficient return on investment. I’m not promising any impact on prices. — AP

BEACON BITS

Sept. 13

LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP TRAINING

The University of Maryland’s Legacy Leadership Institute on Public Policy, in partnership with the state of Maryland, is looking for volunteers age 50+ to serve as volunteer legislative leaders during the 20172018 session of the Maryland General Assembly. Classroom training begins Wednesday, Sept. 13 and spans 10 weeks, two days per week, at UMD College Park campus, with site visits to the state complex in Annapolis. The volunteer assignment will be for a minimum of two days per week, starting in Jan. 2018 in the Annapolis offices of various state senators and delegates. For more information, or for an application, contact Wesley Queen at wqueen@umd.edu or call (301) 405-2529.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A U G U S T 2 0 1 7

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Thai veggie bowls with caramelized tofu By Melissa D’Arabian If you aren’t a tofu fan, listen up. This just might be the recipe that turns it all around for you, like it did for my husband and daughter. I toss extra firm tofu cubes in a lightly spicy (or not; your call) peanut sauce, and then roast it until the edges are golden and lightly caramelized. These slightly sweet, peanut-ty cubes sit atop a bowl filled with enough veggies to load up on an array of vitamins, including some makeshift zucchini and carrot noodle-like ribbons. To make this a satisfying meal, I add brown rice — which is more filling than the more traditional rice noodles, and more filling than just sticking with the “veggie noodles.” I love the combo of cold veggies paired with warm rice and just-cooked tofu, but this dish works perfectly as a brown-bag option, served cold or at room temperature. Plus, it’s pretty, with the array of vegetable colors, so it will brighten up your lunch, even if you are working through it, eating at your desk. If you haven’t considered including tofu even occasionally into your meal rotation, this ingredient is worth a second look. A 3ounce-serving has about 10 grams of protein, and offers one-quarter of the day’s calcium, plus a nice smattering of other minerals — all for about 90 calories. Plus, tofu is incredibly wallet-friendly. Even organic, non-GMO tofu can be had for a couple of dollars a block. Tofu can be a divisive ingredient, I realize, so feel free to swap it for chicken or shrimp, a handful of cooked white beans, or even leave it off entirely — the bowl is

filling on its own. No matter how you prepare it, you’ll want to include this Thai Peanut Veggie Bowl in your repertoire.

Thai peanut veggie bowls Servings: 4 Start to finish: 20 minutes 2 tablespoons peanut butter (smooth or chunky) 1 tablespoon honey 2 tablespoons lime juice, plus 1 additional tablespoon 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar 1/4 cup reduced sodium soy sauce 1 tablespoon olive oil pinch dried red pepper flakes (optional) 1 to 4 tablespoons water, depending on texture 1 12-ounce block of organic extra firm tofu, blotted dry, cut into large cubes 4 cups baby spinach 1 cup shredded red cabbage 2 medium zucchini 2 medium carrots, peeled 1/2 red pepper, cut into small sticks 1 1/3 cups cooked brown rice, warm 1 green onion, chopped 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs: cilantro, mint, basil (or mixed) Salt and pepper, if needed Preheat the oven to 400 F. and line a baking tray with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, place the peanut butter and honey and microwave long enough to soften, about 10 seconds. Whisk until smooth. Add in the lime juice, vinegar, soy sauce, olive oil and red pepper flakes (if using) and whisk until smooth. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time until a thick, but pourable, sauce is created. Remove half of the sauce

to a small bowl and set aside. Toss the tofu cubes in the remaining peanut sauce in the medium bowl until coated. Place on the parchment paper and bake until edges begin to caramelize, about 20 minutes, turning halfway through bake time. Meanwhile make the zucchini and carrot ribbons by using a vegetable peeler to make as many long, wide strips as you can from each vegetable. Layer these in four individual bowls (or to-go containers if making brown bag lunches): spinach leaves, cabbage, red pepper, warm rice, carrot and zucchini ribbons, green onion and fresh herbs. Top with hot peanut-roasted tofu. Add the final tablespoon of lime juice to the re-

served peanut sauce and drizzle over the bowls and serve, adding salt and pepper if desired. Chef’s note: Chicken tenders or shrimp could be used instead of tofu; adjust the cook time accordingly. Or skip the roasting, and just top the bowl with pre-cooked chicken, shrimp or white beans. Nutrition information per serving: 316 calories; 116 calories from fat; 13 g. fat (2 g. saturated; 0 g. trans fats); 0 mg. cholesterol; 508 mg. sodium; 36 g. carbohydrate; 7 g. fiber; 13 g. sugar; 17 g. protein. Melissa d’Arabian is an expert on healthy eating on a budget and the author of the cookbook “Supermarket Healthy.’’ See more at www.melissadarabian.net. — AP

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A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Ways to boost your energy without coffee We all experience fatigue or low energy at some point in our lives. Sometimes it is temporary — like after an all-nighter, or a bout with the flu. Whatever the cause, fatigue is difficult to deal with. One common but overlooked reason for fatigue is a missed diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Today, I’ll share my secrets for natural and effective ways to improve energy… without Starbucks.

B complex A deficiency of the B vitamins harms your adrenal glands and is a frequent cause of fatigue. B Complex is profoundly useful to make neurotransmitters and gen-

erate ATP energy production via the Krebs cycle. You need B12 to support thyroid production and get rid of homocysteine.

Licorice root This ancient herbal adaptogen (substances that improve your body’s ability to react to stress) doesn’t care how you got fatigued, it only seeks to fix your exhausted adrenal glands by increasing your energy and endurance. Because licorice stimulates the production of cortisol, it also boosts thyroid hormone. One cup of licorice root tea per day might be all you need. But proceed with caution: using it for too long or taking too much may induce

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headaches and hypertension.

Ashwagandha Also known as Indian ginseng, over just a few weeks of use this herb activates T4 to T3 thyroid conversion (good!), which improves energy and fat-burning capabilities. But ashwagandha should be taken at night, at least at first, because it causes drowsiness in many people.

in six to eight weeks. Sound like a long time? It’s worth the wait to get the clarity and energy that occurs without the crash and burn of coffee and sweets.

Salads and greens

Eating steamed or sautéed greens is perfect and, of course, a salad a day keeps the doctor away! The green color of romaine lettuce, DEAR chard and collards comes PHARMACIST Tyrosine from natural chlorophyll. By Suzy Cohen Your body uses tyrosine, an There are also supplements amino acid, to make thyroid and powdered drink formulas hormones that improve brain power and that contain seaweeds or cereal grasses energy. Tyrosine is in many popular ener- that also contain chlorophyll. This rapidly gy drinks and thyroid supplements. cleans your cells and creates energy. Dosage varies greatly from person to person. Start with 75 to 100 mg. once or Other alternatives twice during daytime hours, or it can cause Still want more energy? There are cofinsomnia. You can always increase from fee alternatives — such as teas (black or there. You’ll know you’re getting too much green), coffeeberry fruit extract, yerba if you feel shaky or get a racing heartbeat mate shots and guayusa (gwhy-you-sa) (similar to excessive caffeine). drinks and teas — which all are stimulating, like coffee, but are a bit milder. Oat straw (Avena sativa) These are extra nice because each Known best as an effective tonic for comes with its own specific set of herbal hemorrhoids, oat straw may gently sup- health benefits as well. port thyroid function, which in turn proSo give one or more of these alternavides energy and fat-burning compounds. tives a try, and soon you’ll be on your way It has a lot of natural calcium, which to an energized day without relying on a $6 helps your muscles and bones. In animal coffee drink to get you there! studies, oat straw triggered release of This information is opinion only. It is not luteinizing hormone (LH), which increas- intended to treat, cure or diagnose your cones testosterone and impacts ovulation. dition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement. Acetyl-L-Carnitine Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist This amino acid makes acetylcholine, a and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist memory compound. It invigorates you at a and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To cellular level. Optimal effects may be seen contact her, visit www.SuzyCohen.com.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A U G U S T 2 0 1 7

Does 94-year-old mom still like sis better? Anyway, shouldn’t there be a time when just immediate family still counts? — Rose Dear Rose: Yes there should be, and there was. That time was before any of your grandchildren left home for any reason. Once they go and do what grown-ups do — make new relationships — the door opens, vacations are shared, holidays split, tables extended. Your granddaughter is in a relationship that is important to her. So if you want a happy camper, invite him. He is then a guest of yours, and if you can afford it, you pay. If not, speak to your granddaughter about the two of them possibly sharing some of the cost. Whatever you do — enjoy. The future is here. Dear Solutions: A ver y attractive woman recently moved next door to me, and I’ve tried to be friendly with her. She’s divorced

and keeps telling me how lucky I am to have such a nice husband. She likes to see new things I’ve gotten and says it will help her to know where to shop in this new area. But whatever I get, she asks me where I found it and then gets the same thing! She did this with a dress I love, with a unique coffee table I bought, and other things. She seems to want to take everything I have. My husband says she’s just insecure, and I should be flattered. Should I put a stop to it? — L. Dear L: Yes. When she asks you where you found your husband, put a stop to it! © Helen Oxenberg, 2017. Questions to be considered for this column may be sent to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915. You may also email the author at helox72@comcast.net. To inquire about reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684.

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o l l e H shine un

Dear Solutions: pable, stronger person — and your sister My mother, 94 years old, is still as a needy one, unable to take care of herdriving me crazy. She has self? If you think of it that always favored my younger way, you’ll start seeing yoursister. When I was widself through your mother’s owed and my sister was eyes in a different way. still married, Mom never Finally, you’ll become that asked her to include me in stronger person, and you’ll be outings with her husband, able to say no. That will still and she never did. put you in the driver’s seat, Now my sister is widbut then you’ll be in charge of owed, and I have a man where you go and who you go I’m seeing a lot. So now with. every time I tell Mom we’re SOLUTIONS Dear Solutions: going somewhere, she in- By Helen Oxenberg, My granddaughter, whom sists I should take my sis- MSW, ACSW we brought up for various ter along. If I say my friend reasons, is in her third year doesn’t want anyone along, she says at an out-of-town college. Since she’s he’s no good, and I should get rid of there, she’s been dating a fellow stuhim. dent. I don’t want to be nasty to her when We’re planning a family vacation she’s so old, but she still has all her during her school vacation. Now she faculties, and she is driving me crazy. says she wants to spend time with her How can I stop her? boyfriend, and asked if he could come — Lilly along with us. She says this is imporDear Lilly: tant to her. Your mother is 94 years old. She doesn’t I’ve been looking forward to just my have a driver’s license anymore. It’s you husband, my younger grandson, my who’s driving you crazy, trying forever to granddaughter and me spending time get her approval. together. So I’m unsure. Should we inChange your thinking. Does it occur to vite him? And if we do, should he pay you that she thinks of you as the more ca- for himself?

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A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICE ON AGING

Spotlight On Aging VOLUME XXVIII, ISSUE 8

A newsletter for D.C. Seniors

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE By Laura Newland Executive Director, D.C. Office on Aging I hope everyone is enjoying the summer. It’s definitely my favorite time of year. There’s something about the season that brings back memories of my childhood spent with my grandparents: playing in their backyard, watching my grandpa tinkering in his garage, playing cards with my grandma, sneaking hard candies from the candy jar, pulling endless weeds for a couple of bucks, and eating concord grapes straight off the vine. I can still feel my grandpa’s handlebar mustache on my cheek when I hugged him, and my grandma’s soft cheek and faint smell that I can only describe as “what she smelled like.” Last month, I took a trip back home to celebrate my parents’ 45th wedding anniversary. My anniversary gift to them was a set of Adirondack chairs I built myself. My grandfather was a carpenter, and my dad and my brothers are very handy. We say sometimes that we get things done the Newland way — meaning it’s not always pretty, it’s probably not conventional, and it’s certainly not perfect, but it’s functional and done. Growing up on a small farm, I was ready to be done with all things that required getting my hands dirty by the time I got to college. I can still look at a hay field and get flashbacks of pieces of hay poking everywhere, sweating in the high summer heat, and then sweating some more in barns with little air circulation. So I moved to one city and then another, building a life where I spent most of my summers in buildings that have the air conditioning on too cold. One day, looking for a coffee table, I thought to myself, “maybe I could make something nicer than what I can afford to buy?” And the thought alone made me think of my grandpa who could make and fix anything (or it seemed like it, anyway). My grandpa passed away, but he seemed to be with me when I made my very first coffee table (the Newland way, of course). I decided to make the chairs for my parents although I had not touched my

tools in a very long time. It was as much a gift of my time as anything else. And I think I wanted to remind them, and myself, that no matter where I live, I carry their gifts, and their parents’ gifts, with me. I’m still discovering what my grandparents mean to me, years after they passed away. Just their presence in my life gave me direction, helped me develop life skills, and taught me empathy at a young age. These connections are not just important within our families, they are the foundation of our communities. What older generations provide goes beyond the skills, knowledge and experiences they share. Sometimes, simply being present has an impact that can’t be measured in figures and data. Our older adults teach us how to be human, whether they are relatives, friends, neighbors or teachers. I talk a lot about what makes a community and how can government support community. We know that supporting seniors is key to ensuring that our communities are strong and resilient. That’s why the D.C. Office on Aging is so focused on programs that support our older residents as they continue living in their own homes and communities. Our network of 20 community-based organizations, including Lead Agencies in every ward, are driven by the same common goal of keeping our seniors active, healthy and engaged in their communities. For as long as we can provide services that will help you remain at home, we know the entire community benefits, and we are doing our part in improving the quality of life for all ages. It’s your lifetime of experience, your presence, and your values that are the cornerstones of community. This summer, I encourage you to spend more time building these bonds and connecting with our younger generations. And give us a call at 202-724-5626 to learn more about DCOA programs. Be well and remember — aging is living!

August 2017

Honoring Aging Advocates Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie presented Council of the District of Columbia Resolutions in July to retired District of Columbia Office on Aging (DCOA) employee Courtney B. Williams and athlete Bernie Gibson. Williams, who retired from DCOA after 27 years as a community planner, still works in the aging community and volunteers as the chairperson of the Ward 5 Mini-Commission on Aging, among many volunteer projects. Williams also worked with MedStar on outreach for its Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, and currently is involved with the colon cancer awareness campaign. The other recipient, Bernie Gibson,

who recently celebrated his 82nd birthday, has shared his love of fitness and sports with the young and old of the Ft. Lincoln community. He also has more medals than you can count from the D.C. Senior Games, the National Senior Games, and the National Veterans Golden Age Games. His most recent medals were from the National Veterans Golden Age Games in Biloxi, Miss., where he was awarded a Gold medal for table top tennis in the 80to-84 age group, and two bronze medals in shot put and discus throw. Congratulations to both Ward 5 seniors, who continue to make a difference in their communities.

Bernie Gibson is surrounded by residents of the Ward 5 community and participants from his exercise class as he is presented the council resolution by Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie.

As Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie makes the resolution presentation to Courtney Williams, they are joined by (l to r) Brenda Turner, former Ward5 ANC Bob King, D.C. Commission Chair Romaine Thomas, Mrs. Williams, ANC Ward 5 Robert Looper, former DCOA Executive Director E. Veronica Pace, Commissioner Carolyn Nicholas and Center Director Stacie Mack.

Support and Compensation for Caregivers

If you or someone you know takes care of a loved one who is sick, then you are a caregiver. D.C. Caregiver’s Institute (DCCI) supports caregivers who care for someone 60 and older. DCCI is a comprehensive resource for caregivers residing in the Dis-

trict of Columbia. We reimburse caregivers for health-related expenses of up to $150 per month, provide a monthly telephone support group, and offer counseling provided by licensed social workers. To join the program, call (202) 464-1513.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A U G U S T 2 0 1 7

Say you saw it in the Beacon

D.C. OFFICE

AGING NEWSLETTER

Community Calendar August events 1st, 15th, 29th • Noon Join the D.C. Caregivers online chat at noon to discuss “Summer Travel Plans for Caregivers” on Aug. 1; “The Only Child Caregiver’s Career” on Aug. 15, and “Huntington’s Disease: A Caregiver’s Guide” on Aug. 29. To participate, visit http://dcoa.dc.gov/page/caregiver-chat at noon or visit at your convenience and hit replay to see the chat. For more information, contact linda.irizarry@dc.gov or call 202-535-1442. 1st • 4 to 8 p.m. Join D.C. police, residents, businesses and neighborhood organizations in celebrating “National Night Out,” a community-wide event of block parties, candlelight vigils and athletic events to heighten crime awareness. The kickoff event is located at King Green Leaf Recreation Center at 201 N St. SW. For more information, contact Alice Thompson at (202) 535-1321. 3rd, 10th, 14th, 18th • 6 to 8 p.m. Attend a Safer, Stronger DC Community Partnership event on a number of dates and locations this month. In collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Department and other local partners, residents throughout the District are invited out for a day of celebration in their communities in an event to dispel violence, improve community relations, and encourage citizens to live peacefully. Music, food and games will be available at each event. The local government, the community, health and nonprofit agencies will also offer relevant services to our District residents. On Aug. 3, the event will take place at Woodland Terrace, located at 2311 Aigner Pl. SE.; Aug 10 at Lincoln Heights, 5017 Banks Pl. NE.; Aug. 14 at 2026 Maryland Ave. NE; and Aug. 18 at 4450 G St. SE. For more information, contact Cameron.shields2@dc.gov. 5th • 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Israel Baptist Church Health Ministry, S.T.E.M Ministry and Unity Health

Care present a Community Health Fair and Family Fun Day at 1251 Saratoga Ave. NE. For more information, contact Alice Thompson at (202) 535-1321.

for family caregivers at Iona, located at 4125 Albemarle St NW. Registration is required. For more information, call (202) 895-9448.

8th, 10th, 22nd, 24th • 11 a.m. to noon Adult Protective Services presents a talk on the importance of reporting allegations of abuse, neglect, self-neglect and financial exploitation, with several date and location options: on Tuesday, Aug. 8 at Delta Towers 1400 Florida Ave. NE; on Thursday, Aug.10 at Fort Lincoln 1, 3400 Banneker Dr. NE; on Tuesday, Aug. 22 at The Petersburg, 3298 Fort Lincoln Dr. NE; and on Thursday, Aug. 24 at The Vicksburg, 3005 Bladensburg Rd. NE. For more information, contact Tinya Lacey at (202) 529-8701.

11th • 11 a.m. to noon Iona and the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation of the National Capital Area offer a support group for people who suffer from Parkinson’s. This is not intended for caregivers. Iona is located at 4125 Albemarle St NW. Registration is required. For more information, call (202) 895-9448.

8th, 16th, 23rd • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Seabury Resources offers a talk on District healthcare, with three dates and locations: on Tuesday Aug. 8 at The Vicksburg, 3005 Bladensburg Rd. NE, on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at Fort Lincoln I, 3400 Banneker Dr. NE; and on Wednesday, Aug. 23 at North Capitol @ Plymouth, 5233 N. Capitol St. NE. For more information, contact Tinya Lacey at (202) 529-8701. 9th, 10th, 22nd • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Seabury Resources presents a talk on the Department of Human Rights, with three dates and locations: on Wednesday, Aug. 9 at Edgewood Terrace, 635 Edgewood S. NE; on Thursday, Aug. 10 at Green Valley Apartments, 2412 Franklin St. NE.; and on Tuesday, Aug. 22 at The Vicksburg, 3005 Bladensburg Rd. For more information, contact Tinya Lacey at (202) 529-8701. 9th • 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. WETA TV presents the film Washington in the ‘70s at the Anacostia Museum, 1901 Fort Pl SE. The free event includes lunch and a discussion. Reserve your place by calling (202) 633-4875. 10th • noon to 1:30 p.m. Iona offers a lunchtime support group

SPOTLIGHT ON AGING Spotlight On Aging is published by the Information Office of the D.C. Office on Aging for D.C. senior residents. Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the D.C. Office on Aging or by the publisher.

500 K St. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002 202-724-5622 www.dcoa.dc.gov Executive Director Laura Newland Editor Darlene Nowlin Photographer Selma Dillard

The D.C. Office on Aging does not discriminate against anyone based on actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, source of income, and place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subjected to disciplinary action.

The Office on Aging is in partnership with the District of Columbia Recycling Program.

12th • 9 a.m. to noon Attend a talk on “Aging in Place” at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Capitol Hill, located at 301 A St. SE. For more information, contact Alice Thompson at (202) 535-1321. 12th • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Nineteenth Street Baptist Church Block Party will take place at 4606 16th St. NW. For more information, email Chrisc726@hotmail.com. 17th • 10 a.m. Want to make a difference in your community? Train to become a DCOA Ambassador with the Office on Aging. Learn information about our programs and services for persons age 60 and older and adults with disabilities and their caregivers, and help us connect to persons that need our help. For more information or to register, call (202) 7245626 or visit dcoa.dc.gov. 17th • 10:30 a.m. to noon Seabury Resources offers a diabetes self-management workshop at Fort Lincoln I, located at 3400 Banneker Dr. NE. For more information, contact Tinya Lacey at (202) 529-8701. 18th, 24th, 29th • 11 a.m. to noon Seabury Resources offers a talk on their Solid Waste Management Education and Enforcement Program, called SWEEP, with three date and location options: on Friday, Aug. 18 at Green Valley Apartments, 2412 Franklin St. NE; on Thursday, Aug. 24 at Edgewood Terrace, 625 Edgewood St. NE; and on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at Green Valley Apartments, 2412

Franklin St. NE. For more information, contact Tinya Lacey at (202) 529-8701.

21st • 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a mini health and resource fair at 930 Farragut St. NW, which is open to residents in the immediate area. For more information, contact Alice Thompson at (202) 535-1321. 26th • 1 to 8 p.m. The third annual Parkwood Place Back to School event will take place at the 1400 Block of Parkwood Pl. NW. For more information, contact Ernest Johnson at (202) 882-9790. 26th • Noon to 6 p.m. The 17th St. Festival will take place between the 1500 and 1600 block of 17th St., spanning from P St. to R St. For more information, contact Alice Thompson at (202) 535-1321. 30th • 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The D.C. Office on Aging presents the second annual Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior Apartments Health and Resource Fair at 2001 15th St. NW. For more information, contact Alice Thompson at (202) 535-1321. 30th • 6 p.m. The D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate is holding a Renters 101 training session at the Office of the Tenant Advocate, the Reeves Center, 2000 14th St. NW. Topics will include leases, rent increases, rent control, evictions, housing code problems, reasonable accommodations and security deposits. The classes can also be useful to current and future landlords. RSVP to OTA at (202) 7196560 or email delores.anderson@dc.gov.

Ongoing Mondays • 1:45 to 3:15 p.m. Join a yoga class led by Judy Silberman on Mondays. Improve body awareness, strength, balance and posture; chairs are available. The class costs $13 per class and takes place at Iona, 4125 Albemarle St NW. For more information, contact Darryl Simpson at (202) 895-0238.

Brain Game Winners The D.C. Brain Games has winners! Last month, citywide finalists competed for the trophy. D.C. Brain Games is a city-wide trivia competition to promote brain health and aging. Altogether, 65 District seniors competed on 19 teams within their wards, answering questions covering D.C. trivia, history, music, sports, and health and wellness. Winning teams advanced for the opportunity to represent their ward in the District-wide championship round. During the final round, the Terrific Intellects, the Ward 2 Old Aces, and Ward 6 Cere-

brals competed, and Ward 6 was victorious! The Terrific Intellects came in second, and the Ward Two Old Aces won third. Honorable mention went to the Downtown Cluster’s Geriatric Day Care Center. These finalist teams are to be commended for their skills. The games commenced in May in honor of Older Americans Month, and the winners were crowned in June, during the Mayor’s Sixth Annual Senior Symposium, to commemorate Alzheimer’s and Brain Health Awareness Month. D.C. Brain Games promote healthy aging, socialization and increased awareness around brain health.

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A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Money Law &

HELP FOR HOSPITAL BILLS Hospitals and doctors are increasingly offering financial counselors to patients to help them in paying bills, but getting a second opinion is wise TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING While saving for retirement is vital, going without essentials and scrimping to maximize assets can needlessly lower your quality of life

Use credit cards to maintain credit rating By Melissa Lambarena When her car trouble began, Beverly Dobratz, 70, assumed that years of responsible credit usage would qualify her for a new car loan with a low interest rate. Then the salesman checked her credit and learned that she hadn’t made any purchases with it in 10 years; she preferred to pay with cash or her debit card. That had hurt her credit scores, preventing her from getting a deal that worked for her. “It was quite a shock. I had a huge down payment for him, but it didn’t make any dif-

ference,” Dobratz said. “I didn’t get the car.” About one-third (34 percent) of American baby boomers risk damaging their credit scores in retirement by reducing or eliminating their use of credit cards, according to a survey by TransUnion, one of the three major credit bureaus that gather information used to calculate the scores. The bureau’s consumer data show that 20 percent of people ages 51 to 70 have subprime credit, or a score of less than 600. (TransUnion is a NerdWallet business partner.) Using credit cards for small purchases

keeps your credit active, said Heather Battison, a vice president at TransUnion. That can help ensure you’ll have available credit — or good credit scores — when it counts. Keeping credit cards active doesn’t mean running up debt. Think of them as tools for maintaining credit, not a temporary loan.

Why you might need them You can plan for retirement, but it’s impossible to predict exactly what will happen in your 80s or 90s. The average 65-year-old today will live until his or her mid-80s, accord-

ing to the Social Security Administration. That’s why it’s important to maintain a strong credit profile even if you don’t foresee borrowing money again. You might need it in retirement for many reasons, such as an unexpected car purchase, as happened with Dobratz. Other reasons include: • Finding housing. Some independent living facilities require a pre-admission credit check, the way a landlord might run a credit check before renting an apartment. See CREDIT CARDS, page 33

Widows need an attorney to protect assets By Renée Henning Recently widowed women and their children are vulnerable. After losing a spouse, many women are treated poorly. They need a champion with expertise in estates, contracts, competency, and other legal subjects. As explained below, this area of law is effectively a “wronged widow” practice. For centuries, numerous people have profited from the death of a colleague, friend or relative at the expense of the decedent’s wife. Many of the horror stories involve a partnership. One partner tried to cheat the widow by closing the company, making her half interest virtually worthless. The next day, he opened another company at the same address, with the same employees and for the same clientele — but under his sole ownership.

In a less formal commercial arrangement, a young lawyer referred a matter to another attorney to handle in court. They were buddies from law school days. Their arrangement to share the attorney’s fee was not their customary split, because the first lawyer had devoted so much work to the case. Days later he died suddenly, leaving a wife and two little sons. Seizing the chance to earn more at the widow’s expense, the law school chum tried to revise the deal. Frequently the stories involve greedy relatives. In one case a dying man was the chief stockholder in a family funeral business. Millions of dollars were at stake. For several years after his death, his brothers delayed settling with the widow to force her to accept a pittance for his share. The woman, increasingly desperate, began

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showing up daily and sitting quietly in the funeral home. The police refused to remove her, so the partners asked a judge to issue a restraining order against her.

My story A recent example of the treatment of women acting alone concerns a life insurance policy with a death benefit of about $200,000. In 2004, my husband, Richard Henning, Jr., bought the key-man policy from his law firm during his transition from partner to “of counsel.” Battling cancer, he wanted this additional insurance to help protect our minor children and me. In 2010, my dear husband died while still working for the law firm. He had been a partner and friend for years with the people with whom I later dealt, Joe and anoth-

er attorney. My spouse and Joe had been pals for 35 years. In 1976, Joe was in our wedding party. In the 1980s the two men co-founded the firm, and the two families jointly purchased a vacation apartment. My children called him “Uncle Joe.” My husband said I was the beneficiary on the insurance policy. Thus, I was shocked after his death at his employer’s claiming the proceeds. I requested a meeting. It never occurred, leaving all communications in writing. For several months, the two partners avoided telling me if they would keep the money. They were supposedly unable to decide anything concerning the proceeds. I suggested they give me the money, as my See WIDOWHOOD, page 35

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; A U G U S T 2 0 1 7

Nervous investors look to dividend stocks By Michael Andersen While most investors are publicly celebrating this record-setting bull market, many tell me in private that theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re nervous about the possibility of a downturn. People have different reactions when the market does so well for so long. Some are sure they should get out, but greed wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let them pull the plug. Others are eager to get in on the action, but fear wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let them pull the trigger. I tell clients to base their decisions on their long-term plan, not whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening day to day. Staying on a steady course is always key in investing, but especially in uncertain times. One of my favorite ways to add some stability to a portfolio is with a thoughtful dividend strategy â&#x20AC;&#x201D; especially if you can reinvest those dividends instead of taking them as income. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the payoff for patience? Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hypothetically say you had put $10,000 in an investment that perfectly matched the S&P 500 at the end of 1960. If you had taken the dividends as cash and not reinvested them, at the end of 2015, your $10,000 would have grown to $351,000.

Not bad. But if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d reinvested those dividends, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d have just shy of $1.9 million. Jaw-dropping, right? Now, you may not be able to wait 55 years, but even 10, 20 or 30 years could bring you some pleasing results. And the thing is that most folks, if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still working and earning a paycheck, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need that dividend income. Oh, it might pay for a vacation every couple of years or so. But if you can keep your hands off and reinvest it, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good chance youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see exponential growth. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the easiest and least expensive ways to increase your holdings over time. And even after you retire, you may choose to continue growing those investments as you pull from other income streams.

Credit cards

80,â&#x20AC;? Fernandez said.

From page 32

Keep cards active

â&#x20AC;˘ Co-signing a loan. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need good credit to help a child or grandchild qualify for a loan or credit card by co-signing. [But before you do, see â&#x20AC;&#x153;Student loan debt hobbling more older adults,â&#x20AC;? June Beacon.] â&#x20AC;˘ Refinancing your home. If you still have a mortgage, refinancing can lower your interest rate and monthly payments, which might be attractive after retirement. â&#x20AC;˘ Receiving a home equity line of credit. You can use this type of credit to finance repairs and upgrades that will make your home more accessible, said certified financial planner Delia Fernandez. For example, you might widen doorways to accommodate a wheelchair or walker. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an example of things we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think about because weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not 80. But how much better to prepare the house before we turn

Recently, Battisonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dad moved to an independent living facility. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All of the furniture that he had in his home was too big, and we all of a sudden needed to completely furnish this apartment,â&#x20AC;? she recalled. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use his credit card often, we ran into some issues there.â&#x20AC;? Your retirement plan might appear bulletproof, but circumstances easily change â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and if they do, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nice to know you can lean on your credit. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You never know when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to need something,â&#x20AC;? Dobratz says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hang on to that credit. Otherwise, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to charge you high interest on your loan.â&#x20AC;? This article was provided to the Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Email staff writer Melissa Lambarena: mlambarena@nerdwallet.com.

Reinvesting strategies There are various way to handle reinvesting: â&#x20AC;˘ You can enroll in a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP). â&#x20AC;˘ You can buy a low-cost fund that automatically reinvests distributions for you. â&#x20AC;˘ Or you can stockpile the cash until you decide to make a purchase on your own. (Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d

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avoid this third option unless you are both market savvy and extremely disciplined.) Keep in mind that, no matter which method you choose, this is a slow process. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not looking for the next big thing, and you want to stay far away from the big thing thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s almost over. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make the mistake of simply choosing stocks that offer the highest yields possible. Over time, those stocks have not performed as well as those that pay high, but not the very highest, levels of dividends. Why? Sometimes a company will declare dividends to grab investor interest and boost share price, but then it canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sustain those payments. And if thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a dividend cut, the market might read that as a sign of weakness. Look instead for stable, well-run companies that pay constant or rising dividends â&#x20AC;&#x201D; companies that are going to be here for a while. For example, iconic American brands, even though they may be in ma-

ture industries, can be terrific investments. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m pretty confident weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be eating at our favorite fast-food restaurants, drinking popular soft drinks, and using those brand-name laundry detergents for years to come. But do your homework, because even consistent dividend payers can develop problems. Also talk to your financial professional about how dividend stocks might work in your portfolio. Be sure to ask about tax consequences (good and bad) and how your strategy might affect your overall retirement plan. Most important: Know thyself. If you are a patient, careful investor, dividend stocks may be just the thing to help take your market anxiety down a notch. Kim Franke-Folstad contributed to this article. ÂŠ 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Hospitals offering financial counseling By Tom Murphy The financial counselor will see you now. Many people hit with a terrifying medical diagnosis like cancer also have to deal with another worry: whether the care will bankrupt them. Soaring treatment costs, and insurance that covers less, can swamp patients with piles of unexpected bills. To help ease money worries, hospitals and other care providers are increasingly using counselors to guide patients and — in some cases — arrange for financial help. Financial counselors can tell patients about help they didn’t know existed, or coax them into accepting assistance they might be reluctant to request on their own. But they also work for the hospital or

medical group doing the billing, so patients should seek a second opinion before making a big financial decision.

Many ways they can help There’s no set formula for what these counselors do. They might start by reviewing a patient’s health insurance or checking if some other coverage can help pay bills, like a worker’s compensation or auto policy for people who have been in an accident. They also can give cost estimates for care based on the insurance coverage, or alert patients if their insurer wants to approve a treatment before it happens. “Many patients rely on us to explain how their health benefits work,” said Margie Barton, a financial counselor at the

IU Health Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis. “They are preoccupied with just getting well again.” Counselors may suggest how to get financial help, or assist with the paperwork. They can tell someone if they are eligible for a hospital charity program, or connect them to a free drug supply or discounts from the manufacturer. They may also find charities to cover expenses like groceries or arrange transportation to medical appointments. “Many times people don’t even realize what’s available until they are sick and they need it,” said Richard Gundling, a senior vice president with the Healthcare Financial Management Association, which represents finance officials at hospitals and other medical settings.

More patients need advice A hospital may refer anyone seeking expensive care to a financial counselor. That frequently includes cancer patients and also neurology or rheumatology patients. Counselors review every patient’s treatment plan at Barton’s cancer center, which sees hundreds of patients every week. Five years ago, only about half the plans were reviewed. Barton says about 80 percent of the people they review will need some help with a significant expense. That percentage has climbed dramatically in the last few years.

Some chemotherapy regimens can cost $20,000 per dose, and it’s common for annual deductibles — the amount a patient pays before coverage starts — to climb as high as $6,000. That can hit cancer patients especially hard because deductibles generally reset at the start of the year, so someone in the middle of treatment may have to meet the deductible more than once over the course of treatment. Counselors can offer many resources for help, and they understand what patients are going through. But patients should still seek a second opinion before making a major financial decision, like signing up for a loan or a payment plan, said Caitlin Donovan, a spokeswoman for the Patient Advocate Foundation, which helps patients deal with medical bills and problems accessing care. Patients need to make sure the amount they owe is correct and that a lower total cannot be negotiated. Sometimes, a discount can be bargained in return for one payment in full. They also should make sure that terms are manageable, and check to see if they qualify for additional help. Many nonprofit agencies are available to help with billing issues. Patients also can hire billing advocates, but they will take a fee or a portion of any money saved as payment, Donovan said. — AP

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A U G U S T 2 0 1 7

Widowhood From page 32 husband wanted, for the good of our family. They did not reply. After further work on my part, they announced their decision. According to the e-mail, I was not designated as the beneficiary of the policy “whether by design, mistake or error.” They ruled out sharing because of a mistake by anyone else, including my husband and the insurance company, despite serious questions about that company’s reliability. In short, both men decided to keep every penny.

Get a lawyer I made a blunder by pursuing justice for my children, now college students, and me without hiring a lawyer. Sadly, many people make this mistake. No wise woman lets her divorcing spouse decide how to split their assets, since the less she gets, the more he keeps. For the same reason, and because business is business, a widow should not let her husband’s colleagues determine the equitable division of money or property. She may think she cannot afford an attorney. However, a lawyer can represent her on a contingent fee basis. He would receive a specified percentage of what he recovers for his client. She should collect significantly more money with an attorney than without one, even after deducting the

legal fee. Unfortunately, the widow’s adversaries have many ways to cast themselves as the injured party and her as the wrongdoer in their dispute. For example, they may lie or may declare themselves insulted when no insult was intended. A woman representing herself should expect the other side to take offense regardless of whether she presents her case in writing, orally or even silently. As to written communications, “Uncle Joe” and his partner objected to my “tone.” As to oral communications, the opposing side may accuse the widow of yelling, misunderstanding business, or much worse. As to the silent vigil discussed above, the surviving partners objected to the very sight of the woman, even seeking an order barring her from the premises. Therefore, the widow should adopt a fourth approach, i.e., pursuing justice through an attorney. Many students entered law school wanting to help those in trouble. They can realize their goal — and make money — by aiding bereaved women and their children. In fact, the mere presence of an attorney can make a difference. It serves as a warning to people hoping to take advantage of a grieving wife — they picked the wrong wronged widow! Renée Henning is a retired antitrust attorney and a writer in Arlington, Va.

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Money Shorts Watch out for phony IRS agents This summer, consumers should be especially wary of callers claiming to represent the IRS. An IRS program to use private debt collectors to recoup back taxes on some accounts has attracted scammers looking to cash in. The IRS began turning over some 140,000 seriously delinquent accounts to collectors in April. Phone scams are among the most common forms of tax fraud, taking the number-two spot (behind e-mail and website scams that seek to steal personal data) on the IRS’s “Dirty Dozen” list for 2017. The IRS’s first contact with taxpayers is never a phone call, and the same goes for collectors employed by the IRS. The agency and the assigned debt collector must each send a letter informing you of an account transfer before the debt collector may contact you by phone. Currently, the IRS has contracts with only four collection agencies: CBE Group, ConServe, Performant and Pioneer Credit Recovery. If you haven’t received a letter, a call is a red flag. Ask which company the caller repre-

sents, and get a name and contact number so you can follow up with the IRS before divulging any information. Hang up if you’re badgered about paying on the spot. Also note that payments are never made to the debt collector, but rather to the U.S. Treasury, by check or electronically on the IRS website. — Rivan V. Stinson

Know this before paying bills online Using your bank’s bill-payment service is convenient: Enter a payee into the system, and the bank transfers funds from your checking account electronically or mails a check. No stamps to buy, no envelopes to address and mail. But the process isn’t a slam dunk. First, be certain you understand the bank’s definition of the payment date so that your payment arrives on time. “Is it the date the bank is going to begin processing your transaction? Or is it the date your payment will be delivered?” asked Justin Jackson, a vice president at financial-technology company Fiserv. Some banks ask you to select the date that the payment must reach the biller, and the system calculates when it needs to initiate the transaction. If the bank See MONEY SHORTS, page 37

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A good problem to have: saving too much By Brian Vnak The most fundamental financial advice — to consistently save — is absolutely correct. What’s less obvious, yet equally correct, is that you can also save too much. Your financial plan should not only help you to live better in the long run. It should also help you live better today. The truth is, accumulating more in savings than you will need for retirement can be a mistake if it’s preventing you from fully enjoying life today or if it’s causing you unnecessary financial stress. In order to strike the right balance between diligent saving and saving too much, you need a blueprint.

When saving goes too far I recently met with two of my clients, we’ll call them Larry and Laura (not their real names) — age 62 and model savers. They contributed diligently to their 401(k)s, HSAs and IRAs and built a nice nest egg. But this diligent savings came with a cost. They constantly worried about paying their mortgage, life insurance premiums, living expenses, spoiling their grandkids and, of course, continuing to save for retirement. With a family history of longevity and Alzheimer’s, Larry and Laura also began to worry about saving for long-term care. Despite their nest egg, a long-term care event would likely devastate their retirement. They knew they needed coverage, but they did not feel like they could afford it. Without a plan, Larry and Laura were lost. When they came to meet with me, we first looked at their current income and expenses. Then, we did a deep dive and looked at how their cash flow would change throughout retirement by detailing how certain types of incomes and expenses started

Money shorts From page 36 prompts you to choose a date to start processing the payment, it may indicate when the biller will receive it. If not, choose a date a week in advance of the due date so that the bank has ample time to send the payment. Banks also have differing schedules for when they remove money from your account to cover the bills. Wells Fargo, for example, withdraws funds the business day after the date you choose to initiate the payment, even if it is mailing a paper check. When Bank of America sends a check, however, the money doesn’t leave

and/or stopped at different times. Starting at age 67, Larry and Laura would begin receiving Social Security and pension benefits, providing them with a solid foundation. What they didn’t realize, however, is how these income sources, coupled with a reduction in non-lifestyle expenses (e.g., retirement savings and payroll taxes), would generate a recurring surplus to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars each year. The kicker? This didn’t even include spending any of their retirement savings.

Better today and tomorrow The analysis concluded that it made sense for Larry and Laura to free up additional cash flow to enhance their current lifestyle. They continued working, but they stopped making additional retirement account contributions, which allowed them to indulge a bit more when it came to their daily expenses. This sounds easy, but it required Larry and Laura to defy the conventional advice they had so diligently followed for so many years. Initially, the thought of halting their retirement contributions caused some discomfort. To help alleviate that uneasiness, I worked with them to pay off their mortgage using distributions from their retirement savings. The distributions were spaced out over two years to keep the couple in the 15 percent bracket. They canceled their life insurance policies, as the insurance was only owned to pay off the mortgage in the event of premature death. The money that was being used to pay for those life insurance premiums was redirected toward purchasing long-term care insurance. Larry and Laura came in with three primary priorities: an immediate upgrade to their current lifestyle, financial security

your account until the recipient deposits the check. Monitor your balance closely to be sure you have enough in the account when the bank withdraws the money. Finally, check that you are submitting the correct information. That may seem like a no-brainer, but user errors are common. Customers may, for example, enter their cell number rather than the account number when setting up payments for a smartphone bill. Pull up a recent statement to reference as you enter the details. — Lisa Gerstner © 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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against the likely need for long-term care, and the comfort of knowing they’d be able to retire a few years early, if they so choose. By analyzing their current and future cash-flow needs, we were able to accomplish all three by correcting the problem of over-saving.

The bottom line The one-size-fits-all advice to maximize the amount you’re saving may work out in the long run, but it may add undue stress today. Remember, your situation is unique, and your financial plan should be, too. Ask yourself and/or your adviser the following questions to help you evaluate whether you’re saving too much:

• What percentage of my current income will I need to replace once I retire, and how will that number change throughout retirement? • How much will I need to withdraw from my savings in order to meet my cashflow needs in retirement? Navigating your retirement journey requires that you and/or your adviser has good answers to these questions. If you lack clarity, I encourage you to seek better guidance that ensures you are on track with your financial plan and the pursuit of your long-term goals. © 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Travel

Leisure &

Looking for a beach in New York City? Try Rockaway Beach in Queens. See story on page 41.

Yosemite’s wonders of nature and light

Majestic nature Located in central California’s Sierra Nevada Mountain range, about 200 miles east of San Francisco and 110 miles north of Fresno, Yosemite’s glacier-carved formations, soaring cliffs, thundering waterfalls, vibrant meadows, alpine lakes and giant sequoias have wowed people for generations. Glaciation, erosion and the uplifting of the earth’s crust formed the landscape. It is 1,170 square miles of spell-binding nature, at elevations ranging from 2,000 feet to over 13,000 feet, threaded with 800

miles of hiking trails. A UNESCO World Heritage site, 94 percent of the park is designated as wilderness. The park’s varied elevations and their microclimates yield a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including 90 mammal species, 262 birds, 22 reptiles, 13 amphibians and over 1,000 plants. Lucky visitors might see mule deer, coyotes, mountain lions, black bears and golden eagles soaring above. Giant sequoias, Douglas firs, incense cedars and lodgepole, sugar and Jeffrey pines stretch to the sky. Meadows are sprinkled with 1,450 species of wildflowers like monkeyflowers, shooting stars, Alpine columbines, spider lupines and pussy paws. In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed the bill to protect the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove from development, and deeded the property to California — an act representing the first time the federal government set aside land for the public. It officially became a national park in 1890. Glaciers sculpted imposing domeshaped rocks, towering cliffs and bold landscapes. The massive, sheer, rounded cliff called Half Dome, with its stark granite face, is the park’s symbol and most photographed feature, captured by Adams’s famous black and white photograph, “Moon and Half Dome.” High-energy adventurers hike 16.4 miles to the dome’s summit, 8,842 feet from the valley floor. The more agile scale up the

PHOTO BY YONGYUT KUMSRI

By Glenda C. Booth The sunlight creeps across Half Dome’s mammoth granite face, easing from steel gray to grayish-white to dull yellow-orange to a luminescent blaze orange. Sunrises, sunsets, moonrises and moonlight provide an ever-changing light show on Half Dome and across the landscape. The noon sun spotlights the purplish “throat” of the Sierra penstemon’s tube-like flower. Rainbows sparkle across misty waterfalls. Lakes glisten. Stars twinkle in the black firmament. This is Yosemite National Park. Yosemite has long been a photographer’s mecca because of its stunning beauty, clear days, changing colors, and interplay of light on the granite boulders and crystal blue lakes. It inspired famed photographer Ansel Adams, and drew five million visitors in 2016. There is no “off-season.”

Visitors can view (and sometimes even walk through) ancient giant sequoia trees in three groves at Yosemite National Park. Some trees are more than 2,500 years old and more than 40 feet in diameter.

PHOTO BY SHAFERAPHOT

Yosemite has one of the largest concentrations of cascading waterfalls on Earth. Some display rainbows when light bounces off them, including a rare lunar rainbow at times.

rocks. Half Dome’s ever-shifting reflection in the still waters of Mirror Lake is magical. El Capitan is a single piece of granite soaring 3,245 feet, equal to 350 stories above the valley. It’s a favorite site for elite rock climbers from all over the world. With binoculars, you may see human “specks” clinging and climbing. “Here, the best of the Sierra Nevada range is a blanket of solid granite. Here is where you meet Mother Earth stark and undressed,” said David von Seggern, a hiker and Nevada Sierra Club activist.

Waterfalls tumble to the valley Native Americans called Yosemite Valley “Ahwahnee,” which is believed to mean “mouth” because they thought it resembled a bear’s gaping mouth. It is a tapestry of meadows brightened by wildflowers and flowering shrubs, oak woodlands, mixed conifer forests and wildlife. A focal point for services and a jumping-off place for other sites, the valley constitutes less than five percent of the total park. Yosemite has many seasonal waterfalls that tumble into the valley, one of the best concentrations of cascades in the world. In years of heavy snowpack or rain, dozens of waterfalls can plunge over the cliffs, many of which are unnamed. Yosemite Falls thunders down 2,425 feet

in three sections, the highest free-falling waterfall in North America. Bridal Veil Fall drops 620 feet. Native Americans called this area Pohono, “Spirit of the Puffing Wind,” probably because the wind swirls about and jerks the water side to side. The Nevada Fall plummets 594 feet. Vernal Fall, a watery, white curtain, descends 317 feet; viewing often requires a poncho in the spring. Rainbows can emerge in the torrents in late afternoon. A lunar rainbow appears at times, one of three locations in the world where this occurs. John Muir described these “moonbows” as “one of the most impressive and most cheering of all the blessed mountain evangels.” Yosemite has three groves of Sequoiadendron giganteum, giant sequoias — Mariposa, Tuolumne and Merced. These cinnamoncolored behemoths, some with a 40-foot diameter, grow from an oatmeal-flake-sized seed. The Mariposa Grove has around 500 giant sequoias spread over 250 acres, including the Grizzly Giant — 2,700 years old and perhaps Yosemite’s oldest living sequoia. Yosemite’s High Country has fewer visitors than other parts and is less disturbed. It is home to alpine lakes, meadows and jagged peaks. In some more barren areas, small plants peek out of rock crevices and See YOSEMITE, page 40

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Yosemite From page 39 seem to struggle to survive under gnarled, wind-beaten trees. Tuolumne Meadows, the park’s largest subalpine meadow, at 8,600 feet, is popular

for hiking — it’s flat. The Tioga Pass, at 9,945 feet, is the highest pass in the Sierra Nevada range accessible by vehicle.

Yosemite indoors Over 60 park properties are on the National Register of Historic Places, and

A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

some say the National Park Service’s rustic architectural style was born here. Completed in 1927, designers wanted the Ahwahnee Hotel (now the Majestic Yosemite Hotel) to blend in with nature. The Great Lounge has original oak tables and wrought-iron chandeliers. The hotel’s famous dining room recalls an earlier era that hosted luminaries like Eleanor Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Steve Jobs and the United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, who booked every room in the hotel. The Big Trees Lodge, of Victorian-era resort design, is also a historic landmark and has served guests since the 1870s. The Yosemite Museum showcases the history of the Miwok and Paiute people through clothing, projectile points, baskets and beadwork. The Ansel Adams Gallery features the famous photographer’s and other artists’ works, plus handcrafts and gifts. The Pioneer Yosemite History Center presents the park’s history. Sixty to 70 tour buses and up to 8,000 cars can roll into the park on a summer day. Visitors left 15,000 tons of garbage in 2015, perhaps a signal that people are loving the park to death. As humans alter the landscape, park officials are working hard to preserve and restore native habitats and bring back critters like the Sierra Nevada big horn sheep, Yosemite toad and the western pond turtle. But the crowds also signify the allure of Yosemite and its natural wonders. Light — bright or soft, dim or lustrous — creeping across granite cliffs, illuminating a wildflower’s delicate pistil, glistening through waterfalls or electrifying the night, Yosemite is a constant interplay of land and light.

If you go Yosemite is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, but some roads are closed at times, largely because of snow. Check ahead.

Summer provides a palette of wildflowers, active wildlife and open roads and facilities. But summer is also fire season, and as we went to press in late July, a wildfire that started about 10 miles outside the park had destroyed about 100 structures and threatened 1,500 more. The fire has not affected the park, and it is still currently open. In the fall, big-leaf maples, black oaks, Pacific dogwoods and other deciduous trees become showy amid the evergreens’ backdrop. Crowds are smaller. Winters can be cold, but a pristine blanket of white, crystallized foliage, frozen waterfalls and mesmerizing silence await. Some parts of the park are not accessible. Spring’s highlights are rushing creeks and tumbling waterfalls, blooming redbuds and dogwoods. Frogs and toads croak. Some snow patches linger. Yosemite has four entrances and four visitor centers. Buses (VIA bus lines; 800369-PARK) are available year-round from Merced and Fresno. Amtrak trains connect in Merced with buses to the park. The nearest major airport is in Fresno, 90 miles from Big Trees Lodge. American Airlines has the cheapest roundtrip flights from BWI to Fresno for $419 in mid-August. Most visitors tour the park by driving or taking free shuttles or fee-based tours. Staffers offer many programs, guided walks and hikes, horseback riding and winter sports. Spring and fall are the least crowded. Veteran visitors recommend staying several days and arriving in the early morning or late afternoon. For accommodations, there are lodges, cabins, canvas tents on platforms and campgrounds. Make reservations well in advance at www.travelyosemite.com or by calling (888) 413-8869. For more information from the National Park Service, call (209) 372-0200 or see www.nps.gov/yose.

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Queens is king of Big Apple’s diversity By Victor Block Not hungry enough for a sit-down breakfast, I munched on Tibetan dumplings purchased from a snack truck decorated with a sign that touted “Himalayan Fresh Food.” Lunch was a hurried affair at a five-table eatery where the menu special is yak meat washed down by salty yak milk tea. For dinner, I chose a small restaurant that gives new meaning to the word “eclectic.” The Ecuadorean-born chef transformed basic South American fare with hints of Span-

ish, Chinese and other cuisines from around the world. This dining experience provided a perfect introduction to a virtual global tour without boarding an airplane or ship. I was visiting New York City’s borough of Queens. Granted, Queens didn’t use to be high on many people’s “bucket list,” but now it’s earning praise from respected sources. The Microsoft Money website named it one of the “hottest” cities in America. Lonely Planet travel guides crowned PHOTO BY VICTOR BLOCK

Bustling Queens offers a mélange of many cultures. The Chinese community in Flushing is larger than that in Manhattan’s Chinatown.

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Queens the “Number one U.S. travel destination for 2015.” It praised the often-overlooked borough for its “global food culture,” exciting museum and art scene, and seaside attractions.

A cultural melting pot For many visitors, the greatest appeal is that Queens is the most ethnically diverse county in the United States. More than half of its residents were born outside the U.S., immigrating from over 120 counties, and speaking some 135 languages. The Tower of Babel had nothing on this enclave. A good introduction to this cultural conglomeration comes during walks through some of the 50-plus neighborhoods that are adjacent in geography yet worlds apart

in ambience and atmosphere. A stretch of Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights would be at home in Central and South America. The feeling and food are very different in Flushing, the site of a Chinese community that is bigger than Chinatown in Manhattan. Astoria provides an introduction to authentic Greek culture, including tavernas that serve up traditional meze appetizers and magnificent Greek Orthodox churches. Astoria also is dotted by mini-neighborhoods occupied by immigrants from India, Korea, Romania, the Dominican Republic and other far-flung countries. Given the name, it’s no surprise that the See QUEENS, page 43

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Parking your car near an airport for less If you have someone to drive you to the pendent parking operations, most of which airport and pick you up, or if you live close offer reserved parking at rates lower than enough to take a taxi or shuttle airport long-term rates. to the airport for your summer flight, you can forget about Finding cheaper lots long-term airport parking. If you don’t already have a faBut if you don’t have a drivvorite, several online agencies er and aren’t close to your dearrange airport parking in parture airport, driving and many big U.S. and Canadian airparking your car at the airport ports: Airport Parking Reservawhile you’re away can be tions (airportparkingreservacheaper than taking taxis. tions.com), Park ‘N Fly Although long-term airport (pnf.com/), Park Ride Fly parking could expose you to TRAVEL TIPS USA (parkrideflyusa.com), and grief in the form of high By Ed Perkins LongtermParking (longtermparking.com). prices, overflowing airport These agencies post rates and availabililots or both, you have alternatives. Big and medium-size airports attract adjacent inde- ty for a handful of local lots near an airport,

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with links to their reservation websites. The Parking Spot (theparkingspot.com), as far as I can tell, operates its own dedicated lots at 18 U.S. airports. Rates are typically at least a dollar per day less than the airport’s official long-term parking, but not always. Most independent lots offer, at a minimum, a guaranteed space and a free shuttle to/from the terminal. Many offer a choice of covered, uncovered, and even indoor parking, and some offer valet service with your car rather than shuttle. A few offer minor maintenance services while your car is parked.

Hotels with free parking Another option is to book the night before departure or after arrival at an airportarea hotel. Hundreds of airport-area hotels offer packages that combine one night’s accommodation with “free” parking in the hotel’s parking area — typically one or two weeks’ worth, but sometimes more — plus shuttle service to/from the airport. Most also provide for parking beyond the nominal limit for an extra daily charge. I know of three big online agencies that specialize in parking packages at airport hotels: • Park Sleep Fly (parksleepfly.com), the pioneer in the field, arranges hotel-park packages near almost 200 airports in the U.S. and Canada. Park Sleep Fly also arranges airport parking without the hotel. • Stay 123 (stay123.com) and Hotel N Parking (hotelnparking.com), apparently the same outfit, provide similar coverage. • BuyReservations (buyreservations.com) posts accommodation/parking packages at about half as many airports. You find a lot of overlap among the three

agencies, but not 100 percent. Check all three just in case any one agency doesn’t cover what you need. Many airport-area hotels and motels independently offer similar packages. If you don’t find what you need on one of the nationwide sites, you can Google something like “airport hotel parking packages [city]” to find other choices. Also, your travel agent may have access to deals. Although the agencies tout “free” parking, the parking-package room rate for one night is almost always higher than the hotel’s lowest available rate. But the difference in rates is much less than the cost of parking for a week in an airport-area parking lot. I’ve usually found the premium for a week or more of parking works out to only a few dollars a day, and much less than you’d pay at most big airports for just the parking. The airport parking specialist agencies listed also say they offer similar deals at major cruise ports. But when you take a closer look, you find that most of the “cruise port” listings are actually for airport-area hotels with shuttles to/from the actual port area. And, in many cases, the “free” shuttle is one-way only: You pay for the return trip. Only a few hotels are actually located near the port. A former intriguing option, Flightcar, folded last year. Its deal was to rent out your car at attractive rates to other travelers while you parked it “free” at the airport. I’ve heard about a new operation that seems to be re-trying the same model; more on that later. Send e-mail to Ed Perkins at eperkins@ mind.net. Also, check out Ed’s new rail travel website at www.rail-guru.com. © 2017 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A U G U S T 2 0 1 7

Queens From page 41 Jamaica area has strong roots in the Caribbean. Then there are sections known as Little Egypt, Little India, Little Guyana, Little Colombia and Little Manila. In places, the cultural blend becomes apparent in the span of a single block. I spotted Cuban, Chinese and Italian restaurants that are next door neighbors, and one block where diners have a choice of Cypriot, Philippine, Czech and Peruvian cuisine.

Baseball and beaches The selection of things to see and do in Queens is as varied as the restaurant scene. For example, fans of baseball and tennis have a rare opportunity for a behind-thescenes look at landmarks of those games. Guided tours of the New York Mets’ Citi Field include the dugout, playing field and Mets Hall of Fame and Museum, which offers exhibits, videos and interactive kiosks. The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the US Open, provides an even more interactive experience. In addition to tours of its facilities, people may reserve time to play on the 12 indoor and 23 outdoor courts. After several spirited games of tennis, what could be more inviting than a dip in the Atlantic Ocean? One of Queens’ biggest surprises is that several miles of inviting beaches line its coast.

Rockaway Beach has a seven-mile boardwalk that includes eateries, entertainment venues and more. Jacob Riis Beach offers shorter stretches of landscaped walkways. While swimming is officially prohibited at the isolated Breezy Point Tip of Rockaway Beach, broad stretches of sand, dunes and marshes provide an inviting setting.

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a pre-Revolutionary house and working farm, one of the major bird-watching sanctuaries in the Northeast, and a 24-squareblock arts district. A sightseeing itinerary also can include homes in which a virtual alphabet of celebrities once lived. Among them were Louis

Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, the Marx Brothers, Mae West, Jackie Robinson and Malcolm X. I left Queens convinced that if it was good enough for them, it’s great for me. For more information about all that Queens has to offer visitors, visit http://itsinqueens.com or call (718) 263-0546.

Many museums Those who prefer indoor pursuits have a welcome choice of more than 30 museums. The Queens Museum is the logical place to begin. The building was erected to house the New York City Pavilion at the 1939 World’s Fair, and its permanent collection includes memorabilia from both that and the 1964 exposition. The most dramatic exhibit is the Panorama of New York City — a 9,335-square-foot model that encompasses some 900,000 tiny structures built in intricate detail to exact scale. In this mini-metropolis, the Statue of Liberty is less than two inches high. Visitors to the Museum of the Moving Image are immersed in the history, technology and art of movies, television and video games. Set designs, costumes and other exhibits are enhanced by unique experiences like recording voice-over dialogue for a film, and choosing sound effects for sequences from well-known movies and TV shows. If you’re still not convinced that Queens warrants a visit, or at least a day trip from Manhattan, add in a Resorts World Casino,

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A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

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By Miriam Cross Question: Can I ask a passenger to switch places with me so I can sit next to my son on our flight? Answer: You can ask, but the etiquette of such a request depends on what you give in return — and whether your son is old enough to be comfortable sitting away from you. “Aisle seats are typically prime real estate,” said Karen Hickman, owner of Professional Courtesy, an etiquette consultancy in Fort Wayne, Ind. So asking a passenger to swap his or her aisle seat — and especially one in a roomy bulkhead or exit row — for your middle seat might not go over well. But if you sweeten the deal by offering a better (or equal) spot, your trade is more compelling. If the passenger said no, don’t press it. Rather, seek out a flight attendant for help if you need to sit next to a child (or an elderly parent). Question: I like to work during long train rides. What are the rules for making phone calls from my seat? Answer: Keep calls short and unobtrusive. Even better, try to find a more private place in the car to speak. One-sided gabfests on a cell phone can be irritating or distracting to fellow passengers in a way that person-to-person chatter is not. Preferably, you should get as much work as possible done by text or e-mail, and leave phone calls as a last resort. Before starting a conversation, alert the people nearby, according to Sue Fox, au-

thor of Etiquette for Dummies. Say, “I have some business calls to make. Would that bother you?” Above all, avoid private or heated discussions. Question: When I overhear travelers discussing inappropriate subjects in confined spaces, I bristle silently. How can I amicably ask the offender to change topics? Answer: Defining “inappropriate” is tricky because there is only so far we can go to control other people’s conversations, said Hickman. If contentious political or religious opinions are grating on your nerves, change seats or slip on some headphones. If vulgar language or overly personal topics are bothering you — and likely, others within earshot — you can speak up. However, to avoid provoking the offender, speak calmly and clearly, and lower your voice. Say “Do you mind speaking more softly? Your conversation is making me uncomfortable,” Fox suggested. Question: How can I politely (and safely) redirect my taxi driver if my navigation app suggests he’s taking an indirect route? Answer: Instead of accusing the driver of taking you for a ride, assume it could be an honest mistake (or your app’s mistake) — or that he knows a better route. First, ask if you’re on the quickest or most direct route, which leaves you an opening to point out the alternate route your GPS shows. © 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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LEARN MORE AT WWW.TPBCOORDINATION.ORG Applications will be accepted Monday, Aug. 14 through 2:00 P.M. Friday, Nov. 3, 2017. Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations prohibiting discrimination in all programs and activities. For more information, to file a Title VI related complaint, or to obtain information in another language, visit the www.mwcog.org or call (202) 962-3300.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A U G U S T 2 0 1 7

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Arts &

Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat brightens the stage at Toby’s Dinner Theatre through Aug. 27. See story on page 47.

Getting to know the The King and I again audiences alike. It ran on Broadway for nearly three years, and has remained a popular staple for revivals and national tours. The story of The King and I revolves around Leonowens, an intelligent, strongwilled educator and widow, who is hired to become governess for the royal court in Siam. She takes her young son, Louis, with her to the palace, where they are confined and not allowed to live in their own home — a source of deep frustration for Anna, since it is a violation of their contract. After some time, she does grow to love the king’s children and respect his wives, especially the head wife, Lady Thiang, whose son is the heir apparent Prince Chulalongkorn. She also grows close to Tuptim, a beautiful slave girl given to the king as a gift by the king of Burma. We quickly learn that Tuptim is in love with the man who brought her to Siam, the scholar Lun Tha, which becomes a critical plot element.

Comic chemistry Anna even learns to understand the king a little, and the two form a unique connection. Their unlikely pairing is the center point of the show — with often comic re-

sults. Their comic chemistry is so convincing, it often inspired belly laughs, even small cheers, from the audience mid-scene. At first put off by Anna’s brazen, determined attitude, the king begins to respect her as a woman of “science” — something he cherishes. Her tutelage and insight are essential to his plans to modernize Siam. In real life, King Mongkut successfully embraced Western ideas, technology and culture, and was later nicknamed “The Father of Science and Technology” in Siam. Some of the issues Anna tackles in and out of the class-

room are the relatively small-size of Siam (the children think their country is huge), See THE KING & I, page 46

PHOTO BY MATTHEW MURPHY

By Rebekah Alcalde Audience members may be whistling a happy tune on their way home from the Kennedy Center’s production of the musical The King and I. The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic premiered on Broadway in 1951, and generations of theater-goers have been getting to know the musical in revivals ever since. The Kennedy Center’s glistening rendition offers a compelling retelling of the reallife story of Anna Leonowens, who was once governess to the wives and children of King Mongkut of Siam (present day Thailand) in the early 1860s. The musical is based on the novel of Anna’s life by Margaret Landon, Anna and the King of Siam — which imbued Anna’s first-person account with details about the Siamese people and customs. When the novel was published in 1944, the West was fascinated by Asian culture, which Rodgers and Hammerstein used as a gateway to touch on many topics, including imperialism, slavery, sexism, chauvinism and even religion — all without leaving audience members with a sour taste in their mouths. The show was well received by critics and

Laura Michelle Kelly stars as Anna and Jose Llana as the titular king in a superb production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I at the Kennedy Center through Aug. 20.

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The King & I From page 45 whether the earth is round, the ethics of treating servants like slaves, the use of corporeal punishment, and the king’s demeaning treatment of woman. She especially finds faults with the practice of full-body protestation when bowing to the king, noting it’s impractical (at least in her 19th century dresses) and demoralizing. Though initially met with resistance, the king and her students begin to understand her perspective, and some of her ideas are embraced.

A stunning cast Laura Michelle Kelly is divine as Anna. Her lilting but full voice is a perfect fit for

the governess’ cheery tunes. Unlike the king, the role of Anna doesn’t leave much room for character growth, but Michelle Kelly breathes much-needed life into a beloved character. Classic songs like “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” “Getting to Know You,” and “Shall We Dance?” are reason enough to see the show, but Kelly does help them feel new again. She also instills a fierce but kind spirit when explaining Anna’s feminist ideals. The casting of the king is especially important, since it would be easy to turn the king’s fierce and chauvinistic attitude into that of a villain. Though he claims he is anti-slavery — he even compares himself to Abraham Lincoln — Anna notes he treats his wives, concubines and subjects

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Aug. 12

POWERFUL FAMILY DRAMA

AARP Virginia presents Tangles: A Musical Play about Family & Dementia on Saturday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m. Tangles is a dynamic play that tells the story of a family living with an aging family member who has dementia. This production uniquely fuses traditional theatrical storytelling with medical research, and will be followed by a discussion focused on finding solutions and new paths of empowerment for patients, providers, and families. This show will be at the Harris Theatre at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts, 4400 University Dr. in Fairfax, Va. Tickets are $10. Buy at the door, or online at tinyurl.com/AARPTangles for guaranteed seating. For more information, call (703) 993-2838.

A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

very much like slaves. Punishment for rule-breakers in Siam is met with violent beatings and whippings. The show’s Jose Llana brings the perfect balance of strength and vulnerability to the role of the king. Kelly may be the lead, and a great one at that, but Llana is truly the emotional heart of the show. “A Puzzlement” is the ideal song to display his earnest heart and his determination to try to help his people. You truly feel the pressure he faces from Britain, as they and other Western countries discuss taking Siam as a “protectorate.” The king’s head wife, Lady Chiang, is also played to perfection by Joan Almedilla. Her song “Something Wonderful” — through which she convinces Anna to help the king despite an argument — is very moving. It inspired cheers from the audience. Manna Nichols as Princess Tuptim was similarly excellent, bringing ethereal, soaring vocals to several songs, including “My Lord and Master ” — when she first arrives in Siam and explains what it’s like to be a slave — and then in the musical-within-a-musical in the second act, “The Small House of Uncle Thomas.” That mini-masterpiece is a Siamese ballet version of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, adapted and performed by Tuptim for visiting

Western guests. Not surprisingly, its antislavery message leads to friction. Nichols also sings the duets “We Kiss in the Shadow” and “I Have Dreamed” with Tapti’s lover Lun Tha, played convincingly by Kevin Panmeechao. Though Panmeechao’s vocal range was excellent, his chosen pronunciation (perhaps to fit the character’s accent) made all of his songs sound flat, and clashed with Nichol’s pretty vocals.

If you go The King and I runs 2 hours and 45 minutes, with a 20-minute intermission, but it doesn’t feel long. Nearly every scene features a catchy tune, the delightfully mischievous king and his developing chemistry with Anna, or some serious emotional weight from which you can’t tear your eyes away. The show runs through Sunday, Aug. 20, with shows at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday evening, with 1:30 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets range from $49 to $159, depending on seats. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://bit.ly/KingandIKennedyCenter or call (202) 467-4600. The Kennedy Center is located at 2700 F St. NW in Washington, D.C.

BEACON BITS

Aug. 4+

ART EXHIBITS Artists & Makers Studios features two exhibits, “Stronger

Together: the art of DC’s power couple Ellyn & Sesow” and “Scratching the Surface” with Meaghan Busch, during August. The opening reception will take place on Friday, Aug. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the studio, located in Suite 210 at 11810 Parklawn Dr. in Rockville, Md. The exhibits will remain open through Wednesday, Aug. 30. Viewing hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays, and Sundays and Monday by chance or by appointment. For more information, visit www.artistsandmakersstudios.com or call (240) 437-9573.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A U G U S T 2 0 1 7

Electric and eclectic Joseph now at Toby’s

AUGUST

CEREMONIAL BAND SATURDAY, AUG. 5, 6 P.M. Fort McHenry Tattoo 2400 E. Fort Ave. Baltimore, Md.

ily. One of them suggests that his family will one day all bow down to him. In a jealous rage, the brothers throw him into a pit, intending to leave him to die in the desert. Then, when a caravan passes by, they decide instead to sell him to the merchants, who take him to Egypt. In the events that follow, Joseph is tested again and again, until ultimately he becomes the Egyptian Pharoah’s second-incommand, fulfilling his dream.

A comedic take on the story The musical takes this dramatic subject matter and, while more or less faithfully telling the story, finds much inherent (and often goofy) comedy in it. For example, when the sons break the

Toby’s Dinner Theatre’s production of

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will feature five different women in the focal role of Narrator over the production run. The unusual casting is the way Toby Orenstein, the theatre’s founder, has chosen to honor women who have played important roles in the city of Columbia and in her theatrical school. Narrators, left to right, in the top row are Coby Kay Callahan, Cathy Mundy and Janine Sunday. Orenstein is at the bottom center of the photo between MaryKate Brouillet and Caroline Bowman.

SATURDAY, AUG. 12, 7:30 P.M. Reston Town Center 11900 Market St. Reston, Va.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 16, 7 P.M.

SEA CHANTERS

National Museum of the Marine Corps 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway Triangle, Va.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 2, 7 P.M.

SATURDAY, AUG. 19, 7 P.M.

National Museum of the Marine Corps 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway Triangle, Va.

FRIDAY, AUG. 4, 6:30 P.M. Vienna Town Green 144 Maple Ave. E. Vienna, Va.

TUESDAY, AUG. 15, 7 P.M. Stango Park 114 E. Third St. Lewes, Del.

SUNDAY, AUG. 27, 7 P.M. Allen Pond Park 3330 Northview Drive Bowie, Md.

COMMODORES THURSDAY, AUG. 10, 5:30 P.M. Fairfax County Government Center 12000 Government Center Parkway Fairfax, Va.

Avalon Theatre 40 E. Dover St. Easton, Md.

COUNTRY CURRENT SATURDAY, AUG. 26, 7 P.M. Music at the Marina Leesylvania State Park 2001 Daniel Ludwig Drive Woodbridge, Va.

TUESDAY, AUG. 29, 7 P.M. Heritage Shores 1 Heritage Shores Circle Bridgeville, Del.

CRUISERS WEDNESDAY, AUG. 30, 7 P.M. Milton Memorial Park Union and Chandler streets Milton, Del.

All concerts are FREE and open to the public. Tickets or reservations are not required. For more information about concerts in your area, check our online calendar.

news to their grieving father of Joseph’s apparent death, the musical number “One More Angel in Heaven” has audience members clutching their sides in laughter. PHOTO BY JERI TIDWELL PHOTOGRAPHY

By Rebekah Alcalde From Elvis-inspired rock and roll, to Calypso music, to the Charleston dance of the 1920s, there is something for just about everyone in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, now playing at Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia, Md. The classic musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice has been entertaining audiences for nearly 50 years. Joseph began as a short cantata the pair wrote for a parochial school when Webber and Rice were in their 20s. But after their later musical Jesus Christ Superstar became a smash hit in the 1970s, a more-fully developed version of Joseph took off as well. It’s been a staple in musical theater ever since — with its family-friendly storyline, infectious tunes and lyrics, and exaggerated comedy. Joseph follows the major points of the biblical story in Genesis, which nearly everyone recalls. Joseph is a young dreamer and shepherd, whose 11 brothers are jealous of him. Most of their ire comes from the fact that their father, Jacob, seems to love Joseph best. The “coat of many colors” that Jacob gives to Joseph is seen as a clear sign that he is their father’s favorite. Joseph also has dreams of future greatness that he unwisely shares with his fam-

It’s sung as a Western country music ballad, with the sons sporting cowboy hats See JOSEPH, page 48

Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Joseph From page 47 and singing with a twang. In this way throughout the show, different musical styles are utilized for each number, often for comedic effect. When the land is struck by famine and excessive heat, the starving brothers sing the crowdfavorite number “Those Canaan Days,” presented as a hilarious parody of French ballads (yes, complete with berets and French accents).

Great casting with a twist Much of Joseph is told by a character called the Narrator, traditionally played by a female singer. She explains the back story, introduces the characters, and even interacts with the other characters. Her soaring vocals serve as the backbone and main female voice of the show. For this production, Toby’s uses a revolving set of five Narrators, each of whom

A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

plays the part for a few weeks. The theatre’s founder and the musical’s co-director, Toby Orenstein, introduced this unique feature to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the city of Columbia and the 45th anniversary of her school, the Columbia Center for the Theatrical Arts. “Each woman has a special connection to Columbia, Toby’s, and/or CCTA,” explained Orenstein. As a result, “it will be a brand-new show every few weeks,” she said. Our narrator was played beautifully by Janine Sunday, a 20-year veteran local actress and four-time Helen Hayes Award nominee. She opened the show with gusto, first with the “Prologue,” closely followed by the rousing “Jacob and Sons,” which introduces the characters. The rest of the cast is equally strong, led by a knockout performance by Wood Van Meter as Joseph. He is superb in his portrayal of the naïve dreamer, and his pure tenor voice is sweet. The show’s only dramatic song, “Close Every Door,” which

Joseph sings while in prison, is the perfect showcase for his strong vocals. The number is particularly moving. Other notable roles are filled by Andrew Horn as Jacob, Russell Sunday as hilarious lead brother Reuben, David Bosley Reynolds as the Egyptian “millionaire” Potiphar, Nia Savoy as Potiphar’s seductive wife, and David Jennings as an Elvis Presley-like Pharaoh. (His “Song of the King” is, you guessed it, sung like an Elvis impersonator.) There is also a funny and memorable scene with David James as the Butler and Jeffrey Shankle as the Baker, whose characters have both been imprisoned with Joseph. Spoiler alert: One of them doesn’t make it out alive. Also, a huge round of applause for the band of singing and dancing brothers, and for the all-female ensemble that provides excellent back-up vocals, as well as dancing and acting. Like all great productions, there are a

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few minor setbacks. Our show suffered a few audio issues during the performance, with the microphones slightly cutting out or breaking briefly. The actors seemed aware of the issue and compensated with louder, clearer vocals. Presumably the glitch has since been fixed. The rest of the production went off without a hitch. Joseph is a positively electric show, and we’re not just talking about the 500-plus lighting cues issued by the lighting designer that bring the intimate stage to life.

If you go Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat continues through Sunday, Aug. 27 at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, located at 5900 Symphony Woods Rd. in Columbia. The show runs seven days a week, with evening and matinee performances. Doors open at 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, for dinner prior to the evening performances, which begin at 8 p.m. For Sunday evening performances, which begin at 7 p.m., doors open at 5 p.m. for dinner. On Wednesdays and Sundays, there are matinee performances, which open for brunch at 10:30 a.m., with shows beginning at 12:30 p.m. Reservations are required. Ticket prices range from $43.50 (for children under 12) to $62, depending on the performance. Ticket prices include an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner or brunch, tea and coffee. Specialty drinks — like this show’s exotic mango and vodka smoothie called the Calypso — and specialty desserts are priced separately. While not five-star cuisine, Toby’s buffetstyle meals offer something for everyone. Ours featured prime rib, pork ribs, roast potatoes, cocktail shrimp, a variety of vegetables and salads, and more. Cake and unlimited ice cream are included for dessert. You can also arrange to have coffee or alcohol brought to you during intermission. Speaking of which, the show’s actors also function as waiters, and they depend on your tips for much of their pay, so be sure to tip generously. For more information or to reserve tickets, call (410) 730-8311 or visit www.tobysdinnertheatre.com.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

MIXED-MEDIA EXHIBIT

The City of Gaithersburg presents “NOMA at Bohrer Park,” a mixed media exhibit featuring artwork from North Market (NOMA) Gallery. The exhibit is available now through Aug. 27 at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, located at 506 South Frederick Ave. in Gaithersburg, Md. Viewing hours are Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, contact Andi Rosati at (301) 2586350, email andi.rosati@gaithersburgmd.gov, or visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A U G U S T 2 0 1 7

New memoirs that enlighten and inform By Dinah Rokach Autobiographies that succeed shed light on an interesting life and tell fascinating stories. What a great way to spend a lazy summer’s day relaxing with a good book while accompanying someone else on their life’s journey. Three recent autobiographies are noteworthy. Popular spy novelist John le Carré, the pseudonym of David Cornwell, reminisces about his life as a diplomat, spy, highly successful author, and son of a colorful con man in The Pigeon’s Tunnel: Stories From My Life. Written with grace and charm, the octogenarian raconteur vividly recalls the formative episodes of his life. This master of prose re-tells his life in episodes rather than in traditional, sequential narrative form. This device suits him and his readers well. Whether you’re a consummate consumer of his oeuvre or not, this autobiography stands on its own merit as a book that brings much pleasure and delight. You’ll be amazed at the sheer amount of hard work involved in his writing of fiction. His thrillers not only stem from a fertile imagination, but are grounded in meticulous research and fact finding. Le Carré has trav-

eled to the far corners of the globe and to many of the world’s most dangerous locations ravaged by war and violence. He is not an author ensconced in his study. His memoir is therefore quite riveting and surprising. The Pigeon’s Tunnel: Stories From My Life by John le Carré, 320 pages, Viking First Edition hardcover, Sept. 2016 Another well-written autobiography is The Word Detective by John Simpson, a highly accomplished lexicographer who edited the Oxford English Dictionary. His career spanned the decades that brought the venerable OED into the digital age. The story of Simpson’s professional life is interwoven with poignant reflections of family life and the challenges of raising his beloved younger daughter. Simpson writes about his working years among the academic stuffed shirts in Oxford with a wry sense of humor. The book’s self-effacing descriptions are quite charming. The clever device of pausing to delve into the origin, history and meaning of selected words in the text makes the book informative as well as entertaining. If See MEMOIRS, page 51

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A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Live long advice: belly up to the (grab) bar Among my many guilty pleasures (bad novels, oldies rock, Greek wine), I rank one higher than all others: Newspaper stories about people who have just turned 100. Usually the lucky duck is female (sorry, fellas). And very often, she has a saucy answer to explain her longevity. Drink a shot of bourbon every day. Smoke unfiltered Camels whenever you like. And, quite often, this tidbit: Never acquire a husband. When my giggles cease, I find myself wondering if any about-to-be-centenarians have more health-conscious advice. My wonders came true one recent morning when I

bumped into an old friend named Dick. He was on the verge of his 97th birthday, and as the saying goes, he didn’t look a day over 80. Firm handshake. Firm smile. Brown hair (I’m jealous!). Alert as can be. So, of course, I asked him what his secret is. His answer is worth remembering, and very worth emulating. Grab bars. “See, at 97, I still have my marbles, but I don’t always have my balance,” Dick explained. “So a few years ago, I had grab bars installed in my shower stall at home. I haven’t come close to slipping since.” Dick well knows — and you should, too — that falls when you’re his age can be the

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beginning of a final spiral. for three months. Not only are broken bones very slow to Oh, yes. The hotel shower did not have heal when the patient is elderly, but frac- grab bars. tures can produce extended Bruce isn’t sure he would immobility. That can produce have used a bar if one had pneumonia and a host of other been available. “I’m a bit of a serious medical problems. daredevil,” he says. “Or at Slipping in the shower isn’t least I used to be.” just a major concern for those But from now on, he says, 90-plus. Another friend — a whenever he books a hotel 50-something doctor named room, his first question will Bruce — was taking a shower be whether the shower has a recently in a hotel. He has a grab bar, or more than one. If habit of soaping his feet first (a the answer is no, Bruce will HOW I SEE IT very good habit to break, no go elsewhere. By Bob Levey pun intended!). When Bruce It isn’t just soap that can reached for the shampoo, whoops! cause problems. Water alone can make Down he went, onto his shoulder and footing very treacherous. The key moside (and nearly his head). The tab: Right See BOB LEVEY, page 53 arm broken, six ribs broken, out of work

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Aug. 13

SYMPHONY CONCERT

The Medical Musical Symphony and Chorale presents the concert “Music You Cannot Refuse” on Sunday, Aug. 13 at 4 p.m., with an optional pre-concert that begins at 3 p.m. The show takes place in Rachel M. Schlesinger Hall at Northern Virginia Community College, located at 5000 Dawes Ave. in Alexandria, Va. Tickets cost $30, but military members and their families are free. For more information, email vanmmg@hotmail.com, visit www.medicalmusical.org or call (202) 797-0700.

Memoirs From page 49 you enjoyed William Safire’s “On Language” in the New York Times Sunday Magazine or read Ben Zimmer’s weekly Wall Street Journal column, John Simpson’s autobiography will enchant you. The book sheds light on how technological advances of the last few decades have reshaped the most traditional and hidebound endeavors. You’ll learn about a profession that — contrary to what you may have thought — can be a passion for some and a challenging, mind-expanding journey to many. The Word Detective: Searching for the Meaning of It All at the Oxford English Dictionary by John Simpson, 384 pages, Basic Books hardcover, Oct. 2016 Coretta Scott King’s My Life, My Love, My Legacy is a bittersweet story. The late

Mrs. King started work on her autobiography during her lifetime; a collaborator completed the book. Setting the record straight, giving herself and other women of the civil rights movement their deserved recognition, is only one reason this book is important. The life of an ambitious and talented young girl reared in the rural South transformed by her marriage to the great civil rights leader is a compelling story. Trying to keep her own ambition alive in a time and place where men dominated, living under the constant threat of violence to her family, maintaining her abiding faith — these are all elements of a multi-faceted woman whom history has kept in the shadows. This memoir brings to the fore the turbulent times of protest and the remarkable changes during the lifetime of Mrs. King. The book opens the curtain on the private life of a celebrated man and his wife. It re-

BEACON BITS

Sept. 1

OPERA AND BUFFET

Cleveland & Woodley Park Village presents “Opera, American Song & More: An ‘In Series’ Performance & Buffet” on Friday, Sept. 1 from 7 to 10 p.m. The performance features American songs, followed by a buffet dinner and wines prepared and selected by the chef at the Romanian Embassy. This event takes place in the home of Sasha and Thais Mark, located at 3505 Macomb St. NW, Washington, D.C. The cost is $50. All proceeds to benefit the Village. For more information or to RSVP, call (202) 615-5853 or email info@ClevelandWoodleyParkVillage.org

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A U G U S T 2 0 1 7

minds us that those who toil in the shadows of greatness are worthy of history’s attention as well. Mrs. King died in 2006 at the age of 78. She did not live to become a grandmother, nor did she witness the election of Barack Obama. Her oldest daughter Yolanda survived her by only one year. Narrating one’s own life’s story affords the protagonist the opportunity to dispel rumors and counter criticisms. Mrs. King staunchly defends her husband from gossip about his infidelity.

In her lifetime, she was labelled the “Black Jackie” for what was perceived as her demanding and imperial demeanor. This version of events tells her side of the story with warmth and humility. She earns our respect in this revealing account. Coretta Scott King gains our compassion for her suffering and our admiration for her courage in the face of tragedy. My Life, My Love, My Legacy by Coretta Scott King as told to the Rev. Dr. Barbara Reynolds, 368 pages, Henry Holt and Co. hardcover, Jan. 2017

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

FROM PAGE 52 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

L I C I T

L O O T S

M A I L

O S T E O

W W E A D R

A T R I P

M A G S

A S I N I T N V I E S N I S H U G N E S W H I I R N A G

S A N O T M A N I S E O W P S I A T T I E D S E

P L O W S

O A T H

T R E A T O T A B O L I I T S P S O A I T S N T G E E R

P L E T A U T T U T O A B R E R A B N I G E E R

O S H U A U T C H T A B O O

I S U Z U

S T E T

H O N O R

O U T D O

O T H E R

ANSWERS TO JUMBLE Jumbles: TASTY BAKED TETHER VANDAL Answer: When the X-rated movie was shown, it was -"BARELY" SEEN

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A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

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Scrabble answers on p. 51.

Across

Down

1. Ppetting zzoo pparticipant 6. Find Waldo 10. Stylish 14. Tiny amounts 15. Apple spray 16. Oahu to-to 17. Dog bred to herd cattle 18. Octave component 19. ___ A Sketch (1998 entry into the Toy Hall of Fame) 20.Start of a Roger Ebert quote (slightly edited to fit your screen) 23. Children’s Tylenol dosage unit 24. “___ corny as Kansas in August” 25. ___-frutti (Italian for “all fruits”) 28. It launched two days after Country Music Television (CMT) in 1983 29. Hall-of-Famer Mel 30. Obnoxious jerk 32. Second part of quote 38. The A in NBA, but not MBA 39. Yale student 40. Move like The Blob 41. Third part of quote 46. Table holder 47. Push and pull 48. Start to -law or -med 49. “The real secrets are not the ___ tell” (Mason Cooley) 51. Ride in a hot air balloon 53. Owl’s question 56. Conclusion of quote 59. Global conflict that led to the Baby Boom 62. Darken a car window 63. Last inning, usually 64. Get what you deserve 65. A quarter’s has 119 ridges 66. Crystal-lined stone 67. Some Like It Hot costumes 68. Tarot card dealer 69. Screw-up

1. Culturally acceptable 2. Takes a five-finger discount 3. ___ to the Moon (Groundbreaking 1902 movie) 4. GQ and SI 5. Senseless 6. Mr. Claus, to pals 7. John Deere’s were made of steel 8. All senators take one 9. Pick up the tab 10. Skirt fold 11. Like last year’s styles 12. ___ fly (run-scoring out in baseball) 13. “Can you say that again?” 21. Prefix for -potent or -present 22. Item in a ballerina’s wardrobe 26. Culturally unacceptable 27. Japanese car maker 28. Fancy popcorn holders 29. Brief newspaper bio. 31. Proofer’s second thought 32. Pony Express delivery 33. Bone: Prefix 34. Gesture of peace 35. Uses needles and thread 36. Heavyweight champion during the US bicentennial 37. One of Hamlet’s options 42. Quiet down, please 43. Poppy products 44. Fitness centers 45. Select the bride and groom 50. “Dallas” family name 51. Blacken a marshmallow 52. Cousin to a weasel or badger 53. Present a Lifetime Achievement Award 54. Perform better than 55. None of the above 57. Top selling liquid laundry detergent 58. German beer 59. Walk down the aisle 60. ___ and Peace 61. Gold fund, reserved for one’s golden years

Answers on page 51.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A U G U S T 2 0 1 7

Bob Levey From page 50

Say you saw it in the Beacon

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

ment comes when the about-to-be victim is stepping out of the shower stall. A 70-something friend named Grace was doing this one recent day when she put her leading foot a little too far in front of herself. Whoops! She started to fall backwards. But pure luck intervened. Her husband happened to be in the bathroom at the same time. He saw what was happening and grabbed Grace before she could tumble. Her only injury was a slightly pulled thigh muscle. (By the way, I expect to read this in a 100th-birthday story one day soon: “How did you live to be 100, ma’am?” “By showering when my husband is brushing his teeth.”) Do you even have to ask whether Bruce and Grace quickly ordered grab bars for their showers? As for Dick, he is such a grab-bar believer that he whipped out his phone to show me the latest ads. You can buy a basic bar for somewhere between $150 and $400 including installation, depending on how big it is and what it’s made of. Compare, please, to the cost of even one hour in a hospital. “As my grandchildren like to say, it’s a no-brainer,” said Dick. Just in case you’re wondering, my home contains two bathrooms. Each shower has a grab bar. I use them whenever I’m soaping up, for one simple reason. When I turn 100 (please!), I want to be able to say: “I got here by reading lots of bad novels, gorging on old-time rock and roll and drinking plenty of Greek wine. “But also by holding on tight whenever the hot water comes cascading down.” Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

BEACON BITS

Sept. 13+

VISIT PORT DEPOSIT

Montgomery County Senior Outdoor Adventures in Recreation (SOAR) presents a tour of Port Deposit in Cecil County, Md., home of Jacob Tome, one of Maryland’s first self-made millionaires. The trip will take place on two different days: Choose Wednesday, Sept. 13 or Thursday, Sept. 14. The tour includes the homes, schools and churches of the one-half mile town along the eastern shore of the Susquehanna River, and a visit to the Georgian Mansion on the secluded private estate of the late industrialist F. Donaldson Brown, Jr., president of General Motors. Lunch at the estate is included. The cost is $69. The motor coach will depart on both days from Olney Manor Park, located at 16601 Georgia Ave., Olney, Md. at 7:45 a.m. and will return at 5 p.m. For more information, call (240) 777-4926.

Ongoing

MUSIC AND WINE

On Thursday evenings now through Aug. 24, the backyard of the Fairfax County Government Center will host music and wine tastings, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Employees, nearby residents and music lovers can stop by after work with lawn chairs and picnic blankets to relax in Wolf Trap-esque style. Complimentary wine tastings and glasses of wine for purchase will be provided by local wineries, and a farmers market and occasional food trucks will be in the front parking lot of the Government Center. In case of rain, the concert will be moved inside. The center backyard is located at 12000 Government Pkwy. in Fairfax, Va. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/FairfaxMusicandWine.

WB 8/17

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CLASSIFIEDS The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on page 55. CAVEAT EMPTOR! The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibility for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment. EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS: We will not knowingly or intentionally accept advertising in violation of federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap in connection with employment or the sale or rental of real estate.

Caregivers CHEVY CHASE HOME CARE – reliable certified caregivers at time of illness, infirmity, loneliness. Personal assistance, ALL AGES, 4- to 24-hour shifts, homes, hospitals, nursing homes. MD, DC, No. VA. Tel.: 202-374-1240. www.ChChHomecare.com. “A” HOME HEALTH CARE – Experienced nurses, CNA, GNA are available 24/7. Cooking, companionship, personal care, housekeeping, driving. Full/Part-time or live-in. Flat rate for live-in care. 15 years’ experience. 240-533-6599. LICENSED CAREGIVER/NURSE seeks job, day or night. Available immediately. Excellent references. 25 years experience. Call Ms. Stamford. Cell, 240-351-7295. ELDERLY CARE — FEMALE PROVIDER, English speaking, with car. I cook, clean and take to appointments. I’m experienced in caring for people with MS, Alzheimer’s and other health problems. Excellent references, 301-275-7283. “CARE YOU CAN TRUST AND AFFORD.” Loving, experienced caregiver for companionship, medication reminders, hygiene care, meal preparation, housekeeping, errands, Dr. appointments. Full/part-time, flat rate for day or live-in care. One week free. Call 301-490-1146.

A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate

Personal Services

Wanted

LEISURE WORLD® — $239,000. 2BR 2FB “C” in Overlook. New paint, new carpet, golf course view, close to the elevator. 1090 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463.

CLEANING SERVICES. Reasonable rates. Friendly service. Reliable, responsible and experienced. Call “Lu,” 240-593-7829.

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, 202-841-3062.

LEISURE WORLD® — $179,000. 2BR 2FB “G” with garage in the “Greens.” New HVAC, new appliances, new paint and carpet, 1195 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® — $159,000.. 2 BR 2 FB “E” in Fairways. New paint and carpet. Enclosed balcony with view of fountain. Close to the elevator. 980 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® — $220,000. 2BR + Den, 2FB “K” with garage in Greens. Golf course view. Strictly AS IS. 1480 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® — $219,000. 2 BR 2 FB “C” in Vantage West. New paint, new carpet, golf course view. 1090 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LOOKING TO TAKE THE LEAP? I’ll take you on a tour of the community, show you floor plans, discuss campus amenities, & offer how to best coordinate your move. I will set up an automated online search for you, preview units, and contact you to arrange a showing when there is a match. I also offer exceptional service selling your home. I’m a Seniors Specialist, Buyer Broker, Top 1% of Agents Nationwide, and a Leisure World resident! You can see my current listings in this issue. Contact me: 301-580-5556, SueHeyman@aol.com, www.SueHeyman.com, Weichert Realtors.

For Sale MOBILITY, 3-WHEEL SCOOTER. Red, electric scooter is a means of transportation. Airfilled tires, L-58 inches x W- 21 inches. Selling, as is, $995. Supports 325 lbs. Paid extra 10-year lithium battery. Only ridden for less than 100 meters. Call Mary, 301-540-3036. If leaving a message, please talk slowly. FORT LINCOLN CEMETERY — Gardens of Reflections. 2 burial rights, bronze/granite memorial. Crypts above each other. Today’s value $9,000. Sale price $6,995. Call Harold, 301-9289731. MARY, THE UNWED MOTHER OF GOD (Xulon Press 2017) explains the damages of erroneous teachings on human sexuality and of world-wide machismo cultures. At Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com or direct from author, gpgpalacios@gmail.com.

Computer Services

KING DAVID CEMETERY internment properties for sale. Two sites adjacent, stackable, premium location. $9,000. $1,200 below cemetery list price. If interested, H: 301-530-8112, C: 301-641-0131.

PROBLEM WITH YOUR PC/MAC OR NETWORK? Computer Systems Engineer will come to you with help. Call: David G at 301-642-4526.

2 SALVADOR DALI woodblock prints from Dante’s Divine Comedy. Signed and framed. Asking $900 for the pair. Can email pictures if desired. Call Steve, 410-913-1653.

COMPUTER LESSONS — Personal Computer training at your home. Email, Internet, general computer use, Windows 10. Setup and train on all consumer electronics — Smartphone, Smart TV, tablet, digital cameras, GPS. Troubleshooting & setup new computers. Gentle & patient teacher. Since 1996. Senior Discount. Call David, 301-980-5840. COMPUTERTUTOR.

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate NICE ROOM TO RENT: Fully furnished bedroom in quiet home in vicinity of Griffith Rd. and Damascus Rd., near Laytonsville, MD. Nonsmoking, male preferred, no pets. Rural area with beautiful trees. Amenities: TV and Internet included, kitchen and laundry privileges, offstreet parking, security system. Share in newspaper optional. Please call and leave your number; I’ll call back. $650 per month, amenities included. Call 301-253-9662.

Free TWO LARGE FLOOR-MODEL SPEAKERS from the ‘70s. Are in sealed security boxes. Silver Spring area. 240-428-1678 (voicemail).

Home/Handyman Services JUNK REMOVAL: SAVE 20%! Donations, recycling, junk junked, plus get money back when we sell your stuff! 1-800-Junk-Refund. 240-2465405.

Personal Services

LEISURE WORLD® — $299,000. 2BR 2FB “QQ” in Vantage Point East. Open table space kitchen, new paint, master bath with separate tub and shower, 1335 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463.

TURN YOUR SILVER AND OLD GOLD jewelry into cash and do something good for yourself. Gold 4 Good buys gold and silver jewelry, including broken pieces, all sterling silver, gold watches and gold and silver coins. I will come to your house and give you a free evaluation of what I can pay. If you decide to sell, I can buy your items at that time, but there is no obligation. Licensed with both Maryland and Montgomery County (lic. #2327). Call Bob, (240) 938-9694.

LEISURE WORLD® — $275,000. 2BR 2FB “FF” in “Overlook.” Open kitchen, separate dining room, new paint, 1320 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463.

NEED HOUSE CLEANING? Professional service at an affordable price! Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or one-time. Call for a free estimate at 240-644-4289.

HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE — Looking to clean houses. Good references and experienced. Please call Vio, 301-706-6317.

Personals NO ONE DESERVES TO BE LONELY! Find your lifemate through our nationwide listings of single Christian seniors of all ages seeking lifetime companionship. For complete details, call 1-800-879-4258. AN UNCLAIMED SENSUAL TREASURE — Sixties, female, creative, self-assured, romantic and attractive! Seeking a confident, honest, romantic and adventuresome, communicative male. Prefer someone who loves children and animals, and with a compassionate heart of gold! Hope to form a friendship to build a deeper relationship. No SCAMS please. Contact, WomenofValors3471@gmail.com.

Wanted CASH FOR ESTATES: jewelry to furniture, rugs, tribal/cultural items, large range of items considered. Buy-out/cleanup. Call Gary, 301520-0755. CASH FOR JEWELRY: gold, silver, costume, diamonds, watches, scrap gold, coins. Call Gary, 301-520-0755. TIRED OF POLISHING YOUR SILVER? Turn it into cash, which does not tarnish. I will come to your home and give you a free evaluation of what I can pay. I buy all gold and silver jewelry, including broken pieces, all sterling silver, gold and silver coins, gold watches, etc. I am licensed with both Maryland and Montgomery County (lic. #2327). If you decide to sell, I can buy your items at that time, but there is no obligation. Call Bob, Gold 4 Good, (240) 938-9694. 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. CASH FOR RECORDS, CDs, DVDs AND TAPES. Best price guaranteed. Free appraisals. All types of music, 33, 45, 78 & CDs. Call Steve 301-646-5403. Will make house calls. WANTED: OLDER VIOLINS, Guitars, Banjos, Mandolins, etc. Musician/collector will pay cash for older string instruments. Jack, 301- 279-2158. BUYING MILITARY MEMORABILIA WW2, WW1, Civil War uniforms, weapons, photos and items associated with US, German, Japanese or items of other Military History. DAVE, 240-464-0958. HIGHEST CASH PAID FOR ANTIQUES, JEWELRY, ESTATES. I have been advertising in the Beacon for 20 years. Montgomery County resident – will travel to D.C., MD, VA. Buying following items: Furniture, art, jewelry, gold, sterling silver, old coins, vintage pocket and wrist watches, old tools, books, camera, military items – guns, rifles, knives, pocket knives, swords etc. Also buying: old toys, dolls, trains, comic books, photographs, autographs, musical instruments, guitars, violins, etc. Also old sports memorabilia and equipment – baseball, golf, football, fishing etc. Please call Tom at 240-476-3441. 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 fro m Oriental rugs to Tiffany objects, from rare clocks to firearms, from silver and gold to classic cars. If it is wonderful, I am interested. No phony promises or messy consignments. References gladly furnished. Please call Jake Lenihan, 301-2798834. Thank you. STAMP COLLECTIONS, AUTOGRAPHS purchased/appraised – U.S., worldwide, covers, paper memorabilia. Stamps are my specialty – highest price paid! Appraisals. Phone Alex, 301309-3622. Stampex1@gmail.com.

LADY WHO LOVES FINE CHINA and crystal would like to buy yours. Especially interested in figurines and dishes by the following makers: Herend, Johnson Brothers, Lenox, Lladro, Meissen, Rosenthal, Royal Copenhagen, Shelley, Spode, Wedgwood, Baccarat, Lalique and Waterford stemware and miscellaneous. Bone china cups and saucers, quality dog and cat figurines and sterling silver flatware and hollowware also. 301-785-1129. 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. CASH FOR JEWELRY: Buying jewelry, diamonds, gold, platinum, silver, watches, coins, flatware, etc. We make house calls. Ask for Tom. Call anytime 301-654-8678 or 301-654-0838. GOLD, SILVER, ANTIQUES — Private collector buying what you have for over 40 years! Wanted: Jewelry, Flatware, Holloware, Antiques, Men’s Magazines (pre-1971), Playboys (1953-1959), Comic Books, Coins, Stamps and other old stuff. Call or Text Alex Now. 571-4265363. 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. WE PAY CASH for antique furniture, quality used furniture, early American art, pottery, silver, glassware, paintings, etc. Single items to entire estates. Call Reggie or Phyllis at DC 202726-4427, MD 301-332-4697.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

POETRY CONTEST

The Sonia SanchezLangston Hughes Poetry Contest is accepting submissions for its annual contest, which will be judged by the poet-activist Sonia Sanchez. Winning poems are published on Split This Rock’s website and within The Quarry: A Social Justice Poetry Database. The 1st place recipient receives $500, and the 2nd and 3rd place recipients receive $250 each. The deadline to submit is Wednesday, Nov. 1. The entry fee is $20. To submit an entry, visit http://bit.ly/SubmittableLogin and create an account. For more information, visit www.splitthisrock.org or call (202) 787-5210.

Sept. 9+

GREEK FEST

St. Constantine and St. Helen Church present Greek Fest, a celebration of Greek culture with food, music and dancing on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9 and 10 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission and parking are free. This event will take place at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, located at 15100 New Hampshire Ave. in Silver Spring, MD. For more information, call (240) 389-1366 or visit http://schfallgreekfestival.weebly.com.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A U G U S T 2 0 1 7

Say you saw it in the Beacon

BEACON BITS

Aug. 13

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES

OUTDOOR CLASSICAL CONCERT

The National Chamber Ensemble will give a free performance as part of the Summer Serenades Series at Lubber Run Amphitheater on Sunday, Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. The program will feature popular classical and contemporary compositions. The amphitheater is located at 200 N Columbus St. in Arlington, Va. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/LubberRunConcerts.

Ongoing

MIXING MEMORY AND ART

Blackrock Center for the Arts presents “The Shape of Memories,” an exhibit by artist Lori Anne Boocks. The exhibit features abstract, atmospheric paintings using acrylic paint and charcoal. Boocks allows stories told by family, friends and acquaintances to influence her palette, including the stories of many family members who have Alzheimer’s and dementia. The exhibit is open through Saturday, Aug. 26 in the Terrace Gallery. There will be a free artist talk on Saturday, Aug. 26 at noon, with the discussion focused on her creative process and the techniques used to create the works on display. The center is located at 12901 Town Commons Dr. in Germantown, Md. For more information, visit www.blackrockcenter.org or call (301) 528-2260.

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ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Studies Cold Sore Study .......................24 Hearing Study ..........................24

Computer/ Technology Help TechMedic4u..............................7

Dental Services Cavallo, Joseph P., DDS...........25 Friedman, Stephen, DDS .........26 Oh, Judy, DDS .........................28

Events Beacon 50+Expo ....................3-5 Greek Festival ..........................41 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics....................36 Silver Spring Jazz Festival .......46

Financial Services Capital Bank...............................6 Children’s National Hospital....33 First Maryland Disability Trust......................33 PENFED Credit Union ............37

Funeral Services Fram Monuments .....................37 Going Home Cremation...........50

Government Services DC Office on Aging ...........30-31 DC Utility Discounts .................9 Enhanced Mobility Program ....44 MC311 .......................................8

Montgomery County Aging and Disability Services ..........11, 18

Home Health Care/Companion Services Ameristar Healthcare Services 24 Best Senior Care . . . . . . . . . . .28 Options for Senior America .....46

Housing Ashby Ponds.............................25 Aspenwood Senior Living........19 Bayleigh Chase ........................34 Brooke Grove Retirement Village. ...............17 Buckingham’s Choice ..............34 Charles A. Smith Life Communities .............8, 49 Chesterbrook Residences .........29 Churchill Senior Living ...........14 Culpepper Garden ....................15 Fairhaven ..................................34 Friendship Terrace....................22 Gardens of Traville, The...........27 Greenspring..............................25 Homecrest House .....................42 Olney Assisted Living..............21 Overture Fair Ridge..................16 Park View .................................48 Quantum Property Mgmt............44 Rainier Manor..............................23 Residences at Thomas Circle, The ..................14 Riderwood................................25 Ring House...........................8, 49 Springvale Terrace....................22

Sunrise at Bethesda ..................23 Sunrise at Chevy Chase ...........23 Tall Oaks ..................................12 Victory Terrace.........................45 Village at Rockville, The .........29 Waltonwood .............................27

Legal Services

Healthy Back Store ..................15 Perfect Sleep Chair...................38 Quingo Scooter ........................56 Quinn’s Auction Galleries ........32

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation

Law Firm of Evan Farr.............35 Law Offices of Paul Riekhof..................................33

Brooke Grove Rehab................17 Communicare Health ...............26 Manor Care Health Services ....18 Village at Rockville, The .........20

Medical/Health

Subscriptions

Lung Cancer Screening Test ....19 Medical Eye Center..................20 River Medical Group ...............13 Silver Spring Medical Center...12

Beacon Newspaper...................53 Washington Jewish Week.........50

Miscellaneous

George Mason Center for the Arts ............................47 Toby’s Dinner Theatre ..............45 US Navy Band .........................47

Career Gateway ........................34 Oasis Senior Advisors ..............21 Senior Zone..............................49

Real Estate

Theatre/ Entertainment

Tour & Travel

Long & Foster/ Eric Stewart.....................36, 51 Long & Foster/ Inderjeet Jumani....................22 Long & Foster/ Walter Johnson ......................32 Weichert/Sue Heyman..............28

Arizona, Las Vegas Travel........41 Eyre Travel ...............................40 Nexus Holidays ........................43 Shillelaghs, The Travel Club ....43 Travel West Virginia.................40 Tripper Bus ..............................41 US Navy Memorial ..................40 Vamoose...................................43

Restaurants

Volunteers

Original Pancake House.............9

AARP Foundation....................12 EveryMind ...............................16 JCA Heyman Interages Center.....................................42

Retail/Pawn/Auction CIRCA .....................................35

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