August 2020 | DC Beacon by The Beacon Newspapers

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Food banks face spike in demand PHOTO BY CAPITAL AREA FOOD BANK

By Margaret Foster Longtime volunteers for the Capital Area Food Bank were accustomed to working long hours packing boxes with fresh fruit and vegetables in a Northeast D.C. warehouse. What kept them coming back was the camaraderie and satisfaction of helping others. But in March, when the pandemic hit, some volunteers suddenly found themselves in need of food themselves. “I’m so sorry to have to call you to ask for food,” some callers to the Capital Area Food Bank’s Hunger Lifeline said, according to its president and CEO, Radha Muthiah, in an NPR interview in May. “I’ve never had to do this before. In fact, I volunteered at your facility.” Before the pandemic, the Capital Area Food Bank, the area’s largest, counted 400,000 people in the D.C. metro area who were “food insecure” — meaning they cannot count on their next meal. “It’s clear that number will increase, and increase fairly significantly in our area,” Muthiah told the Beacon. The Capital Area Food Bank distributes 30 million meals to its 450 food pantry partners in the DMV each year. When it’s hit hard by external circumstances like the pandemic, so too are its partners and the people who rely on them. The Capital Area Food Bank’s largest partner in Northern Virginia, Food for Others, based in Fairfax, Virginia, “experienced the perfect storm” this past spring, according to its executive director, Annie Turner. Residents’ needs increased by 400% almost overnight, she said. At the same time, the group lost volunteers. Food for Others relies on volunteers for 67% of its workforce, and many of them are retirees, who must be cautious about the coronavirus. “The clients increased, manpower de-

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AUGUST 2020

I N S I D E …

L E I S U R E & T R AV E L

Sardines and Steinbeck once powered the still vibrant seaside city of Monterey, California; plus, French and Dutch cultures coexist on the Caribbean island of St. Martin page 33

ARTS & STYLE

Radha Muthiah, CEO and president of the Capital Area Food Bank, said its 450 food pantry partners have seen a surge in the number of people experiencing hunger in the area since the pandemic struck in March. The nonprofit and its partners throughout the metro area provide 30 million meals each year to local residents.

creased, and the food was scarce,” Turner said. “We take pride in never turning anyone away for lack of food. We really had to think quickly to be able to serve the increased demand.” To help address the issue better, Food for Others, the Capital Area Food Bank and about 60 other leaders of in Mary-

community matters. Now No w mo more ore tha than h n ever ever, er,,

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land, D.C. and Virginia held weekly meetings to discuss how to adapt to the new reality. “The food access community has really come together to make sure that we cover the gaps that exist, and that’s a real success See FOOD PANTRIES, page 9

There’s comfort in being part of a strong community. Learn more. Call 1-877-575-0231 or visit DMVSeniorLiving.com for your free brochure.

Arlington author and tour guide stalks hidden history; plus, Old Time Radio Club members keep stories alive, and Bob Levey sings a happy tune or two page 39 TECHNOLOGY k Neat new products and apps

FITNESS & HEALTH k Red light may improve vision k Foods for better sleep

SPOTLIGHT ON AGING k Newsletter for D.C. seniors

LAW & MONEY k Need financial help? k Upside of a down market

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Reader snapshots A couple of months ago, I shared some Over the decades we have been doing insights that we learned from hundreds of such surveys, we frequently used to see 30 readers who answered our to 40% of readers considering survey asking how the pana move, but in recent years, demic has affected them. that had dropped to the low We followed that up with 20s. another survey, asking readSo, it’s interesting to me that, ers more about who they are, even as “aging in place” has what their future plans are, grown in popularity — with a and what they think of the notable rise in the percentage Beacon and our advertisers. planning home improvements This type of information is — the number planning to especially valuable to us, both move has gone back up as well. In earlier years, the largest so we know for whom we are FROM THE group of those planning a writing, and so we can let our PUBLISHER advertisers know more about By Stuart P. Rosenthal move were considering an independent living retirement you. I thought some of this information community. But in this survey, that group might also be interesting to you, so I’m was edged out by readers looking to move to a smaller home. summarizing it this month. For example, just over half our readers Still, a solid third of those moving are have grandchildren, about 25% have a considering independent living communihousehold pet, and nearly 60% regularly ties, with one in 10 looking at assisted livuse Facebook (by far the most popular so- ing options for themselves. cial media with our readers). I’m kicking myself for not asking if readOne in three readers plans to make ers were looking for housing for other famhome improvements in the next 12 ily members. That might well have promonths, while a similar number are con- duced a different set of answers. Oh well, sidering a move within the next two years. next time…

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Nearly 90% of our survey respondents had picked up a printed copy of the Beacon at one of our 1,500 free distribution sites. Most of the rest were subscribers, with only a handful saying they read the Beacon online. Similarly, nearly 90% said they read the Beacon every or most months, with fewer than 10% saying they were occasional readers or had picked it up for the first time. Because revenue from advertising is what enables us to print and distribute more than 200,000 copies of our four editions each month without charge to readers, we were also interested in reader response to ads. We listed a number of ways people might respond to an ad and allowed respondents to choose as many as applied. I thought this was especially informative. Two out of three respondents said they had purchased products or chosen services based on ads seen in the Beacon. Furthermore, more than half had referred a friend or relative to an advertiser from the Beacon. Nearly 50% said they call advertisers for more information, more than 40% check out an advertiser’s website, one out of three Googles the product or advertiser, one out of four shows ads to friends or family and asks for advice, and an astonishing 43% cut out ads and save them for later response. In this day and age, when so many printed publications are going out of business, or are switching solely to publishing online, it was impressive to see how strongly our readers continue to prefer and respond to the printed medium. At the end of the survey, we invited readers to add a comment. Nearly one out of three respondents took us up on this, and their comments were also very enlightening and encouraging. The most frequently repeated comments

were variations on: “I love reading the Beacon,” “Always interesting articles,” “My favorite newspaper,” “Highlight of my month,” and “Keep up the good work.” Of course, you can’t hear such things too often! A number of respondents indicated that they have volunteered for one or more of the health studies we write about, and that they enjoy taking advantage of the events (or, more recently, the online offerings) we share in our Beacon Bits. Many also highlighted our health and financial sections as being particularly valuable (in a few cases, calling them a lifesaver), or said how much they enjoy our crossword and other puzzles. I think my favorite comment is worth sharing in full: “I’ve been reading the Beacon for decades. Every single section has such valuable information; it has helped me in every facet of my life — besides being exciting and fascinating. May it continue and thrive forever.” I couldn’t have put it better myself! But we know the general trend is moving away from print, and even if we continue to attract satisfied readers for years to come, advertisers and advertising agencies are shifting more and more to digital platforms only. It means the world to us that our readers love us. But we won’t be able to stay in business unless you let our advertisers know that their ads in the printed Beacon work. How? By responding to those ads and mentioning the Beacon when you do. Please encourage friends and family with whom you share ads to do the same. Thank you!

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 info@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification.

columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher.

Publisher/Editor – Stuart P. Rosenthal President/Associate Publisher – Judith K. Rosenthal Vice President of Operations – Gordon Hasenei Vice President, Sales & Marketing – Alan Spiegel Managing Editor – Margaret Foster Art Director – Kyle Gregory Director of Operations – Roger King Advertising Representatives – Dan Kelly, MK Phillips, Hubie Stockhausen Editoral Assistant – Ivey Noojin

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (301) 949-9766 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Website: www.theBeaconNewspapers.com Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 10th of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 15th of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 47 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

Dear Editor: Ethical wills, as noted in your July story, “Ethical wills let you share life’s lessons,” contain all the hopes, dreams and ideas that older adults seek to pass on to their children, spouse or closest friends. We are living through a pandemic of biblical proportions. It is causing a secondary pandemic of loneliness — especially for students and seniors. But we need not be passive participants in this upheaval. This is a perfect time for students/grandchildren to interview their family members. The interview also serves to enhance communication between the generations. In 2006, Josh Stanton and I created “Lessons of a Lifetime, the Ethical Will Project” to enable older adults to share the lessons they learned and wished to share with their families. We developed a list of 22 questions that allowed the participant to talk

about their values, goals and aspirations. With this project, the students gained selfconfidence and a desire to take initiative in other aspects of their lives. All the students also completed their own Ethical Wills. Hedy Peyser Silver Spring, MD [Ed. Note: The 22 ethical will questions of Ms. Peyser’s project may be found at thebeaconnewspapers.com following the text of our July story. Search “ethical wills” on our home page.] Dear Editor: I am a regular reader of and am grateful for the Beacon. In the “old normal,” I learned of events to attend that were offered by advertisers and others that were listed in “Beacon Bits” boxes scattered throughout the newspaper. Since most in-person events are canceled See LETTERS TO EDITOR, page 47

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Technology &

Innovations Without tech, some ‘phone it in’ to the doc By Regina Garcia Cano and Tom Murphy Video telemedicine took off earlier this year as the coronavirus paused in-person doctor visits. Earl Egner missed that trend. The 84-year-old diabetic and cancer survivor has no computer or cellphone. Instead, he relies on a form of communication older than himself — the telephone — to talk to doctors as he stays hunkered down in his home in Somerset, Virginia. “We don’t even have people come out to the house because I have underlying conditions,” Egner said. “If this bug ever passed my way, I’m a dead man, and I’m going to try to be as careful as possible.” The pandemic pushed the U.S. healthcare system to embrace video visits, with health insurers waiving fees for telemedicine, doctors moving their practices online, and the federal government expanding access. But a portion of the U.S. population continues to rely on audio-only telephone calls for care, even as doctors’ offices begin to reopen. Doctors say they are performing more care than ever by phone, and higher reimbursements for these appointments makes

it feasible for them to do so. But physicians also see phone calls as a last resort, and some nonprofits are trying to get more video-capable smartphones or tablets in the hands of patients who need them. “Telephone-only visits are better than no visit,” said Egner’s physician, Dr. William Fox. “But a lot of helpful information can be gleaned from eyeballing the patient, even if it is via computer monitor.”

Millions lack internet access Smartphones, tablets or computers paired with a fast internet hookup are essential for a good video connection with a physician. Researchers and doctors say older and poorer patients often lack this technology, though it’s hard to pin down exact numbers. The Federal Communications Commission estimates that about 21 million people do not have broadband access to the internet, but experts have said that figure is most likely an undercount. The Pew Research Center found last year that about eight out of 10 American adults own a smartphone. But the figure drops to

about five out of 10 for those over age 65. Such statistics worry advocates who fear people may miss crucial care because they don’t have the equipment or the connectivity. After the new coronavirus started spreading earlier this year, the federal government’s Medicare program raised the payment for audio-only visits with doctors to be on par with in-person visits. That pushed the reimbursement range from about $14 to $41 per visit up to $46 to $110. These phone calls can last 20 or 25 minutes, said Dr. Robert McLean, a Connecticutbased internal medicine specialist and former president of American College of Physicians. While he can’t examine patients visually, he can ask how they are doing emotionally, how they are getting food, and whether they wear a mask when they go out. “We’re truly delivering care now, not just delivering lab results and having brief conversations,” he said. Egner has started to track vitals like his temperature, blood sugar and heart rate twice a day, so he has information to give doctors over the phone. He said a recent telephone checkup with Fox went well,

partially because he’s known him for at least a decade. But he worries that a doctor can’t see him and possibly spot a health problem that Egner didn’t know about.

Providing free technology Some entities are trying to fill the technology gap. CareOregon, a nonprofit insurer that runs Medicaid and Medicare coverage for about 375,000 people, has started offering smartphones to help customers connect with doctors. A group of high school and college students has formed a nonprofit, TeleHealth Access for Seniors, to do the same thing. Yale University student Hannah Verma said she and her brother, Arjun, decided to help after hearing from their parents, both doctors, that many older patients couldn’t do video chats. They started in March by giving some old iPhones they had at home to their parents. Then they asked friends and family for unused devices and kept expanding their push. See TELEMEDICINE, page 6

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Almost one million Americans have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. About 70% of them suffer from tremors, mostly in the hands, which impede their daily activities. Specialized gloves might help, and several are in production. One, a “smart glove,” may help control tremors via software and monitors. With a 2019 National Science Foundation grant of $250,000, a Rhode Island University professor is commercializing the glove. For more information, see http://bit.ly/tremorglove. Other researchers at the WearMe Lab at Canada’s Western University are developing a similar device that uses motors and sensors. Learn more at www.eng.uwo.ca/electrical/research/labs/wbml. Private companies have developed gloves that are currently available for purchase. One product contains a fluid that hardens

FairSplit, a digital listing tool of assets, offers a way to view, categorize and designate household possessions online. It’s designed for downsizing as well as di-

vorces and estates. In 2010, David MacMahan created the app FairSplit to address one of the most painful experiences in his life: losing his father. “It’s hard to walk through the house and make those decisions [about what to keep and what to sell or toss],” MacMahan said. So, he invented his website to help. First, you take pictures of your items and upload them to your account. Then you can categorize them by room, type or

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A knee brace that contains carbonized charcoal and the element germanium may decrease pain in people with knee osteoarthritis. A British study published in October 2019 in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine found that all 50 participants reported pain relief when they wore a knee sleeve embedded with germanium for three months. The semiconductor metalloid, an element found in some foods like shiitake mushrooms, garlic and tuna, is activated by heat. Knee sleeve manufacturers report that this element increases blood circulation in the affected area, potentially reducing inflammation and pain. “Germanium-embedded knee sleeves could play an important role in optimizing nonsurgical management of patients with knee osteoarthritis,” the study concluded. The knee sleeve was most effective in peo-

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during tremors (see steadiwear.com), and another uses a small gyroscope to stabilize the patient’s hand (see gyrogear.co).

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ple with low-grade osteoarthritis. For more information or to purchase, visit incrediwear.com or braceability.com.

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Tech Shorts

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations

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Telemedicine From page 4 Their nonprofit has now gathered 775 devices to distribute to patients through doctor’s offices and clinics, including 16 Veterans Affairs hospitals. They clean the devices and then pass them along with instructions, which they offer in five languages. They also provide pointers on finding free internet connections. One tip: Park in

Tech shorts From page 5 value. Many clients who are moving, whether to a smaller place or to an assisted living facility, use this free tool. If dividing up excess furniture, for example, share the account with other family

the doctor’s office lot to use their WiFi for a video chat. “We’re definitely trying to do this in the long term because right now, and for the next probably year, there’s going to be a medical need for telemedicine,” Hannah Verma said.

Fewer no-shows Healthcare providers say video telemedicine can help reduce care disparities well

members and ask each person to choose what they would like. The online tool tallies each person’s chosen property and its value, so everyone can see the division is fair. It can also keep tabs on which items to donate or sell. For those making property divisions for estates or divorces, FairSplit supplies extra

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after the pandemic fades. The practice provides a deeper level of care than an audio-only call. It also makes it easier for people to keep appointments by eliminating the need to take time off work or pay for a ride to the doctor’s office. South Dakota-based Avera Health expanded telemedicine during the pandemic at a clinic it operates on a Native American reservation in the Great Plains. Traditionally, near-

ly half of the clinic’s behavioral health appointments are no-shows, but that dropped to 26% once patients could check in remotely. “I did a virtual [video] visit with a patient of mine the other day, and when I connected with him, he was fishing on the Missouri River in between two reservations in South Dakota,” said Dr. Jason Knutson, a family medicine specialist with Avera. —AP Technology writer Tali Arbel contributed to this report.

assistance for a fee. For example, it can help determine the “emotional value” of an item, or mediate between family members or parties. Assistance packages range from $180 to $700. “Having a third party do it takes the pressure off,” MacMahan said. In addition to these services, FairSplit also partners with move-management companies to help families list, pack and sell items.

Usage of FairSplit has tripled since the beginning of pandemic lockdowns. With all the items online, it is much easier to communicate between parties, even if they are hundreds of miles apart. “COVID has forced people who might have been nervous about using an online solution to look at it,” MacMahan said. To learn more about the digital listing tool, visit fairsplit.com.

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Health Fitness &

MIGHTY MINUTE Strengthen your core by holding the plank position a few times a day VITAMIN Z Popcorn, bananas or cherries at bedtime can improve sleep quality KICK THE HABIT Some good tips for smoking cessation, and how Medicare pays for it THE EYES HAVE IT A new eye scan technology may better measure true biological aging

Study suggests red light improves vision Courtesy of University College London Staring at a deep red light for three minutes a day can significantly improve declining eyesight, according to a new study from University College London, the first of its kind in humans. Scientists believe the discovery, published in The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, could signal the dawn of new, affordable home-based eye therapies, helping the millions of people globally with naturally declining vision. “As you age your visual system declines significantly, particularly once over 40,” said lead author, professor Glen Jeffery of the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology. “Your retinal sensitivity and your color vision are both gradually undermined, and with an aging population, this is an increasingly important issue. To try to stem or reverse this decline, we sought to reboot the retina’s aging cells with short bursts of longwave light.”

How red light helps In humans around 40 years old, cells in the eye’s retina begin to age faster than in

other organs. This is caused, in part, by the decline in ability of the cells’ mitochondria to fuel cell functions by producing ATP (adenosine triphosphate). The retina’s photoreceptor cells include cones, which are responsible for color vision, and rods, which provide peripheral vision and adapt vision in low or dim light. These cells have high-energy demands, so they possess greater numbers of mitochondria. However, over a lifespan, ATP is reduced in retinal cells by 70%, causing a significant decline in photoreceptor function as cells lack the energy needed to perform their normal roles. Researchers built on their previous findings in mice, bumblebees and fruit flies, which all found significant improvements in the function of the retina’s photoreceptors when exposed to 670 nanometer (long wavelength) deep red light. “Mitochondria have specific light-absorbance characteristics influencing their performance: Longer wavelengths spanning 650 to 1,000 nm are absorbed and improve mitochondrial performance to increase energy production,” Jeffery said.

How the study worked Researchers recruited 24 people (12 male and 12 female) without eye disease. All participants’ eyes were tested for the sensitivity of their rods and cones at the start of the study. Rod sensitivity was measured in darkadapted eyes (with pupils dilated) by asking participants to detect dim light signals in the dark. Cone function was tested by subjects identifying colored letters that had very low contrast and appeared increasingly blurred, a process called color contrast. All participants were then given a small LED flashlight to take home and were asked to look into its deep red 670 nm light beam for three minutes a day for two weeks. (Participants placed their eye over the end of the flashlight. Eyes could be closed, as the red light is not filtered by the eyelid.) After the two weeks, they were re-tested for their rod and cone sensitivity. Researchers found the 670 nm light had no impact on the vision of younger individuals, but in those around 40 years and over, significant improvements were observed.

The ability to detect colors (known as cone color contrast sensitivity) improved by approximately 20% in people aged around 40 and over. Improvements were higher in the blue part of the color spectrum that is more vulnerable to aging. Rod sensitivity (the ability to see in low light) also improved significantly in the older subjects, though less than color contrast. “Our study shows that it is possible to significantly improve vision that has declined in aged individuals using simple brief exposures to light wavelengths that recharge the energy system that has declined in the retina cells, rather like recharging a battery,” Jeffery said. “The technology is simple and very safe, using a deep red light of a specific wavelength that is absorbed by mitochondria in the retina that supply energy for cellular function. Our devices cost about $15 to make, so the technology is highly accessible to members of the public.” Jeffery said further studies are continuing to determine the amount of time the red light should be used daily for optimal improvement.

Groups are open to discussing mortality By Leanne Italie and Emily Leshner Panic attacks, trouble breathing, relapses that have sent her to bed for 14 hours at a time: At 35, Marissa Oliver has been forced to deal with the specter of death on COVID19’s terms. Yet conversations about her illness, fear and anxiety haven’t been easy. That’s why she headed onto Zoom to attend a “Death Café” — a gathering of strangers willing to explore mortality and its impact on the living, preferably while sipping tea and eating cake. “In the Death Café, no one winces,” said Oliver, who was diagnosed with the virus in March. “Now, I’m writing down everything in my life that I want to achieve.” Death Cafés, part of a broader “deathpositive” movement to encourage more open discussion about grief, trauma and loss, are held in nearly 100 countries. While many haven’t migrated online in the pandemic, some have. The global virus’ toll and subsequent social isolation have opened old, unresolved wounds for some. Others attending virtual

Death Cafés are coping with fresh losses from COVID-19, cancer and other illness. Inspired by Swiss sociologist and anthropologist Bernard Crettaz, who organized his first “Café mortel” in 2004, the late British web developer Jon Underwood honed the model and held the first Death Café in his London home in 2011. The idea spread quickly, and the meetups in restaurants and cafés, homes and parks now span Europe and North America, reaching into Australia, the Caribbean and Japan. Underwood died suddenly as a result of undiagnosed leukemia in 2017, but his wife and other relatives have carried on. They maintain a website, DeathCafé.com, where hosts post their gatherings.

Diversity and levity One important difference between Death Cafés and traditional support and bereavement groups is the range of stories. But the Cafés also offer the freedom to approach the room with levity rather than stern seriousness, and show extraordinary

diversity: a mix of races, genders and ages — from people in the moment with terminal loved ones to those who have lost classmates or relatives to suicide. Death Cafés aren’t intended to “fix” problems and find solutions, but to foster sharing as the road to support. They’re generally kept to 30 people or so, meet monthly and also include the “death curious” — people who aren’t dealing with loss but choose to take on the topic anyway. Psychotherapist Nancy Gershman, who specializes in grief and loss, has been hosting Death Cafés in New York since 2013, the year after they made their way to the U.S. “Death Cafés are a place where strangers meet to talk about things regarding death and dying that they can’t bring anywhere else, that they can’t bring home or to coworkers or to best friends,” she said. Registered nurse Nicole Heidbreder is a birth and end-of-life doula. She also trains others as doulas and has been hosting Death Cafés in Washington, D.C., for about five years.

“I was working as a full-time hospice nurse, and I very quickly recognized how many families I was sitting with whom this was their very first time talking about the end of life. I just felt it was such an absolute shame,” Heidbreder said. “One of the parallels between birth and death is that a little more than 100 years ago in our country, all of us would have been very well versed in what birth and death literally looked like,” she said. “We would have seen our family and neighbors do the tasks of tending to people who are giving birth or families who are losing someone. And now we simply aren’t exposed to that.”

More frequent during pandemic Heidbreder said the coronavirus has changed the conversation yet again. She said she shifted to offering the virtual Cafés “on a weekly basis at the time of peak COVID in the country.” She now hosts people not just in the See FACING MORTALITY, page 8

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10 different ways to jazz up whole grains By EatingWell.com Do you have a hard time getting enough whole grains into your diet on a regular basis? Perhaps you need more inspiration. Rather than thinking of grains as a plain accompaniment to a main course, think of them as a blank canvas, waiting to be dressed up and flavored in any number of delicious ways. Next time you find yourself underwhelmed by the grains in your cupboard, consider the following ideas. You can add any of these flavor combinations to 2 to 4 cups of cooked grains, including rice, bar-

ley, bulgur, polenta and quinoa: Apricot-nut: Stir in ¹⁄ ³ cup chopped dried apricots, ¼ cup chopped toasted nuts (walnuts, pecans or pistachios), 3 tablespoons orange juice and 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Lime-cilantro: Stir in ²⁄ ³ cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro, ¹⁄ ³ cup chopped scallions and 2 tablespoons lime juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mediterranean: Stir in 1 chopped medium tomato, ¼ cup chopped Kalamata olives and ½ teaspoon herbes de Provence. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

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Mint and feta: Stir in ¾ cup sliced scallions, ¼ cup finely crumbled feta cheese and ¼ cup sliced fresh mint. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Parmesan and balsamic: Stir in ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon butter and 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Parmesan-dill: Stir in ¹⁄ ³ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill and 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Peas and lemon: Stir in 1 cup frozen peas; cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, 1½ teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil and 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Spicy and sweet sesame-soy: Stir in 3 tablespoons rice-wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce, 2 teaspoons each sesame oil and finely chopped fresh ginger, 1 teaspoon each chile-garlic sauce and honey, and ¼ cup chopped toasted cashews. Spinach: Stir in 3 cups sliced baby spinach (or arugula); cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Tomato-tarragon: Stir in ¾ cup chopped tomatoes and 3 tablespoons minced fresh tarragon (or parsley or thyme). Season to taste with salt and pepper. EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at eatingwell.com. © 2020 Eating Well, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Facing mortality

The ordained Southern Baptist minister used her experiences in the hospital for a 2019 book, Dessert First: Preparing for Death While Savoring Life, which offers a view of how “positive death” can be achieved. “COVID has certainly brought death to the forefront. It has brought the death-positive movement to the forefront, but we’re still scared,” Trent said. “What I’m grateful for is that COVID has awakened society to the possibility of death. None of us is getting out of here alive.” —AP

From page 7 D.C. area, as she did before the pandemic, but across the country, from California to North Carolina. More healthcare workers have shown up, too. J. Dana Trent is a professor of world religions at Wake Tech Community College in Raleigh, North Carolina. She served as a hospital chaplain in a death ward at age 25 after graduating from divinity school, assisting 200 facing death in a year.

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Food pantries From page 1 from the last four months,” Turner said. In years past, for instance, the Capital Area Food Bank typically gathered about 60% of food from grocery store donations, 20% through government funding, and the remaining 20% from its own fundraising. Starting in March, though, grocery stores were sold out due to panic buying and had nothing to donate. Now the food bank must purchase more than 60% of its food — at a cost of about $2 million a month. “It looks like a very different organization,” Muthiah said. “March, April and May were tough. I’m just proud that we managed to get out a good amount of food out. [Then] we started to get a sense of what this new normal was going to look like,” she said. “We’ve significantly altered our operations, and we’re constantly thinking about alternate scenarios should there be another surge.”

How to safely volunteer Because older adults are more likely to continue to volunteer at food pantries if they can do so safely, Food for Others checks workers’ temperatures and requires gloves and masks at its warehouse. It has also started a “Grow a Row” program, asking home gardeners to plant an extra row of food to donate. After all, a safe way to help feed others is to grow food, either in your yard or at a farm. [See “Gardeners: help yourself and others, too,” in the July Beacon.] At a 150-acre farm in Purcellville, Virginia, around 3,000 volunteers handpick more than 130,000 pounds of sweet potatoes, lettuce, kale, turnips, corn, peppers, tomatoes and zucchini. Every afternoon, a driver from Food for Others picks up the day’s harvest and delivers the products “in time for dinner,” said the farm’s executive director, Samantha Kuhn. “We’re seeing a lot more community volunteers — kids of all ages, even grandparents of all ages,” said Kuhn of JK Commu-

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nity Farm, established by JK Moving Services in 2018. “We have 150 acres, so we can keep everyone spread out.” Many of them are older volunteers, she said. “They really know what it takes to run a farm. They’ve seen it before, and they’re happy to work hard and work outside.” Small, grassroots food pantries in Maryland have also seen a surge in demand — and in volunteers. “The numbers have shot up. The need is increasing,” said Roxanne Yamashita, CEO of Small Things Matter in Silver Spring, Maryland, a nonprofit founded two years ago by her sixth-grade daughter, Lana Anderson. But “I have to turn volunteers away because we have so many,” she said. Several times a month, dozens of Small Things Matter volunteers ranging from age 10 to 70 gather outdoors in the summer heat to sort and distribute food to 1,000 people, thanks to Wegman’s donations and a USDA grant. Because one of the biggest barriers to

Hunger and older adults Hunger increasingly affects the older population. The rate of hunger among people age 60 and older has increased by 40% over the past two decades, according to the national nonprofit Feeding America. Older adults who struggle with hunger are also more likely to have chronic health conditions, such as asthma, depression and high blood pressure, its study found. Even before the pandemic, about 5.5 million older Americans didn’t always know where their next meal would come from, according to the national organization Meals on Wheels. One major barrier to getting food is transportation, which many older adults lack. Without a car, you can’t easily shop at grocery stores or pick up free food at food pantry distribution sites. In addition, older adults are more likely to be homebound, especially during the pandemic. To help, this spring the Capital Area Food Bank started to deliver food via Lyft, Uber and taxicabs. “We’ve utilized different forms of transportation, whether through rideshares or taxis, to get food to seniors,” Muthiah said. “Many of them are hesitant to come out of their homes to make too many trips just so they can minimize their [virus] exposure.” The organization has also started dispatching a truck stocked with fresh food to residents of Ward 8, “one of the larger food deserts in our area,” Muthiah said. (A food desert is a neighborhood without supermarkets or access to healthy food.) The mobile grocery store, called Curbside Groceries, started its runs in July. Home delivery is a vital lifeline for older adults in Montgomery County, according to the Manna Food Center, the Capital Area Food Bank’s largest partner in Maryland. Manna volunteers deliver free food directly to Montgomery County seniors’ front doorsteps. “We have had lots of great feedback about the home deliveries. Manna participants are very grateful,” said Cheryl Kollin, Manna’s Community Food Rescue program director, in an email.

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getting food is transportation, Yamashita said, Small Things Matter recently started delivering boxes of fresh produce directly to large apartment buildings. Volunteer residents then hand-deliver the boxes to their homebound neighbors, she said. “People are taking care of one another and taking care of their neighbors. That whole feeling of community makes people feel less scared and more secure, which is really good for your health mentally,” Yamashita said.

To get help or volunteer Call the Capital Area Food Bank’s Hunger Lifeline at (202) 644-9807. Call D.C.’s Aging and Disability Resource Center at (202) 724-5626 to inquire about home-delivered meal eligibility. In Montgomery County, Maryland, call Manna at (301) 424-1130 to get food delivered to your home or to pick it up from a distribution site. In Fairfax County, Virginia, call Food for Others at (703) 207-9173.

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Strengthen your core in minutes a day By Matthew Solan The best exercise I do only takes a minute. Granted, it is often the longest and most grueling 60 seconds of my life. I sweat, I shake, and I often collapse in relief when it’s over. But spending quality time in a plank pose always pays off. The plank pose is holding a push-up position while resting on your forearms. This simple move is the ideal exercise for strengthening crucial core muscles. As you go about your day, almost ever y move you make revolves around your core — from picking up items on the floor to twisting to see if the coast is clear when driving.

Why is a strong core vital? Your core is made up of several muscle groups, including your abdominals, back, hips, pelvis and buttocks. A weak core can cause all kinds of problems. It can lead to poor posture, and inevitably to neck and shoulder pain. Sore knees and hips often can be traced to a weak core. But the biggest issue with core weakness is low back pain. Your back muscles and core help to stabilize your body before any movement. If your core is weak, the other surrounding muscles have to compensate. Over time,

these muscles can suffer strain, which leads to lingering pain.

Better than sit-ups The standard sit-up is often the go-to core strengthener, but it has limits. “It only targets a portion of the core musculature, and the bending-forward motion can strain the neck and lower back,” said Eric L’Italien, a physical therapist with Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Rehabilitation Center. By comparison, the plank pose activates all the core muscles at once and doesn’t require extra movements that can cause stress or injury. “And because it has many modifications, it can be done by almost anyone, regardless of current fitness level,” L’Italien said.

said. You can perform a plank every day, on alternate days, or simply as part of your regular workouts. (I sometimes like to do mine during workday breaks.)

How to do a plank correctly Lie facedown with your forearms on the floor, with your legs extended and your feet together. You can use a mat or towel to make this more comfortable. Push into your forearms as you raise

your body, so it forms a straight line from your head and neck to your feet. (Do not let your hips rise or sag.) Keep your gaze down and hold this position as you engage your abdominal muscles. Take steady, even breaths. Try to maintain the position for up to 30 seconds and then lower your body and rest. This completes one set. Work toward completing two to three sets. See PLANKS, page 12

How long to hold a plank The world record for holding a plank is more than four hours, but thankfully, you don’t need to devote that much time! Most experts suggest anywhere from 10 to 30 seconds is plenty. “Focus on doing multiple sets of smaller amounts of time,” L’Italien said. As you progress, you can extend your plank for up to one or even two minutes, but don’t go beyond that. “Two minutes is often considered the maximum, and you don’t get much more benefit after that,” he

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Minimally invasive surgery for heart valve By Joseph Dearani, M.D. Dear Mayo Clinic: Is minimally invasive heart surgery to repair a mitral valve a safer option than open-heart surgery? Is it common for a surgeon to have to switch to an open-heart procedure after starting the surgery? A: Both minimally invasive heart surgery and traditional surgery that involves opening the chest bone — a procedure known as sternotomy — are safe, effective ways to repair a damaged mitral valve. The minimally invasive approach requires less recovery time, and the risk of complications is lower with that procedure. Because patients are screened thoroughly prior to surgery to ensure they are good candidates for the minimally invasive approach, it’s rare for surgery to be changed while it’s in progress. The mitral valve is in the left side of the heart — the side that receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and pumps it to the rest of the body. Located between the upper left chamber (left atrium) and the lower left chamber (left ventricle), the mitral valve has flaps that open and close once during each heartbeat to allow blood to pass through it. The mitral valve may need to be repaired for a number of reasons. One of the most common is a condition called myxomatous degenerative mitral valve disease. In people who have this condition, the valve flaps get floppy, and the strings that support the flaps become elongated and may eventually break. When that happens, the valve can’t close securely, and it allows blood to flow backward into the left atrium toward the lungs. A damaged mitral valve often can be repaired, and it’s common for mitral valve repair to be performed using a minimally invasive approach, rather than with a sternotomy incision. However, both approaches are still considered open-heart surgery and require use of the heart-lung machine.

How it’s done During minimally invasive surgery, the surgeon makes several tiny incisions between the ribs to gain access to the heart. Then surgical instruments and a small, high-quality camera are inserted through those holes. The surgical tools are connected to robotic arms that the surgeon

Planks From page 11 When you first start to do planks, you may not be able to hold the correct position for very long. Keep practicing, and you’ll find it becomes easier to do. If resting on your forearms is uncomfortable, do the plank from a push-up position, with your arms fully extended. If you

controls with a computerized device. Because the surgical instruments are so small, and the surgeon can see their movement in great detail on a computer monitor, he or she can make extremely precise movements with those instruments. That allows the surgeon to perform the procedure with less manipulation and trauma to the heart and chest wall than is possible with a sternotomy.

Shorter recovery, fewer risks Sternotomy typically requires about six days in the hospital, and six to eight weeks of recovery. For the minimally invasive procedure, the hospital stay is about three to four days, and full recovery usually takes about three to four weeks. The risk for complications — such as infection and excess blood loss — is lower, and patients generally have less pain following minimally invasive heart surgery. It’s quite rare for a surgeon to switch from the minimally invasive approach to a sternotomy during a mitral valve repair. But the operating team is prepared to do so in the event of an emergency. To reduce the likelihood that the procedure will need to be converted to the larger incision while surgery is in progress, patients are evaluated carefully to confirm that the minimally invasive approach is the best option. For example, patients who have chest wall deformities may not be good candidates for minimally invasive surgery because there might not be enough space in the chest cavity to maneuver the instruments. Some underlying medical problems, such as vascular disease or lung disease, can make minimally invasive surgery difficult, as well. In those cases, the surgeon would opt to use a sternotomy, which also has excellent results. Regardless of the approach — minimally invasive or traditional sternotomy — the technique used to repair the mitral valve is the same with both types of incisions, and that gold-standard technique has proved to be effective. — Joseph Dearani, M.D., Cardiovascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. Email a question to MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit mayoclinic.org. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

have back pain or other back issues, either do the plank on your knees, or stand straight and lean against a counter, so your body is at a 45-degree angle. If you need more of a challenge, try alternating leg lifts during the pose: raise one leg for a second or two, and then repeat with the other leg. © 2020 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Best foods to eat for better night’s sleep By Matthew Kadey Having trouble sleeping? These snoozeinducing snacks can help you escape a slumber slump: Popcorn Eating a heavy meal within two hours of bedtime can keep you awake, but light-andairy popcorn makes a great late-night snack. Popcorn contains carbohydrates that help send the amino acid tryptophan to your brain, where it is used to make serotonin — a sleep-inducing neurotransmitter. Choose plain, fat-free popcorn and jazz it up with a little curry powder or other tasty topping. Halibut and more When it comes to seafood, halibut has a mild flavor and meaty texture that appeals to finicky fish eaters. It’s also packed with two building blocks for better sleep: tryptophan and vitamin B6. Other foods high in tryptophan include poultry, beef, soybeans, milk, cheese, yogurt, nuts and eggs. Mango lassi Full of antioxidants, protein and vitamins, this treat from the Indian subcontinent can satisfy your cravings for creamy

and sweet — without the sugar in most ice creams. A lassi is basically a smoothie, but it’s always made with yogurt. To make a mango lassi, cut up one fresh, peeled mango and put it in a blender. Add a handful of ice, a small scoop of plain Greek yogurt and a splash of water or milk. Add a dash of stevia for extra sweetness, if desired. If mango isn’t your thing, substitute frozen berries or watermelon. Chickpeas High-fiber chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans) are rich in vitamin B6, which your body uses to produce serenity-boosting serotonin. Try adding rinsed canned chickpeas to salads, soups and stews. Chamomile tea This caffeine-free herbal tea has a calming effect on the body. Plus, a hot drink before bed can make you feel cozy and ready for sleep. Honey A rise in blood sugar can reduce the brain’s production of orexin — a neurotransmitter that has been linked to wakefulness. For a touch of sweet without the sugar rush, add a little honey to your chamomile tea.

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Dried tart cherries A handful of dried cherries not only provides serotonin-boosting carbs, it’s also one of the few food sources of melatonin, which has been found to promote better sleep and lessen the effects of jet lag. Turkey Wondering why you feel like napping after a big Thanksgiving feast? Tryptophan, found in turkey, is known to help calm you down and naturally get you to sleep. Not into turkey? Try roasted pumpkin seeds, which also contain tryptophan. Bananas Packed with potassium (which can help you fall asleep faster), frozen bananas are the perfect base for healthy vegan “ice cream” (sometimes called “nice cream”).

To make it, place a few frozen bananas in a blender and blend for several minutes. At first, they’ll just look slimy, but eventually they’ll morph into a creamy, delectable dessert. Add a handful of chopped nuts, if you’re so inclined. Kale chips Don’t knock these roasted green “chips” until you’ve tried them. The hefty dose of vitamin K they contain helps repair and build muscles while you sleep. Simply chop up a bunch of kale, toss with olive oil and sea salt, spread on a pan and bake at 350° F until crispy. SHAPE is dedicated to helping you live a healthy and happy life. Online at shape.com. © 2020 Meredith Corporation. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Avoiding kidney stones, digestive issues By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I recently passed a kidney stone. I never want to go through that pain again! What’s the best diet to avoid another kidney stone? A: First and foremost, be sure you drink plenty of fluids every day and avoid dehydration. Kidney stones form when certain minerals concentrate in the urine and form hard crystals. By drinking plenty of fluid, you can decrease the concentration of these minerals. Drink 8 to 12 cups (64 to 96 ounces) a day. The most common type of kidney stone is the calcium oxalate stone. About 80% of all kidney stones are made of calcium oxalate. The name might make you think you should eat a low calcium diet to avoid getting them, but you should do the opposite. The problem is oxalate. Most people

who develop calcium oxalate absorb too much oxalate. The extra oxalate is absorbed by the intestines and passed into the blood stream. The body uses what it needs, and the extra oxalate is excreted in the urine. In the urine, the higher concentration of oxalate can combine with calcium to cause kidney stones. Many of the foods we eat, including some very healthy foods, contain oxalate. Examples include beets, chocolate, spinach, rhubarb, tea and most nuts. But it’s quite difficult to stay on an oxalate-restricted diet. Instead, concentrate on eating plenty of calcium-rich fools. Inside your intestines, the dietary calcium binds the oxalate before it has a chance to get absorbed into your blood stream, so less oxalate will need to pass into your urine.

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Eating too much animal protein, such as meat, eggs and seafood, increases the likelihood of both calcium oxalate and the less common uric acid kidney stones. Highprotein diets boost blood and urine levels of uric acid and reduce the amount of natural stone inhibitors in the urine. A high-sodium diet also can trigger kidney stones because it increases the amount of calcium in your urine. A low-sodium diet is therefore recommended for the stone prone. Federal guidelines suggest limiting total daily sodium intake to 2,300 mg., and this is a good target to help prevent a recurrence. While coffee and most teas contain small amounts of oxalate, some studies suggest that drinking tea and coffee decreases the risk of kidney stones. However, you should avoid too much black tea, as it has four times the concentration of oxalate compared to green tea. Q: I consider myself a healthy eater, but my bowel movements are irregular and I often feel bloated during the day. Would a digestive enzyme supplement help? A: Digestive enzyme supplements are promoted to fix all sorts of abdominal symptoms, including bloating, gas, bowel irregularity and overall gut health. However, for most people there’s little evidence that they do any good.

Naturally occurring digestive enzymes help break down food, so we can soak up nutrients. Your mouth, stomach and small intestine make some digestive enzymes. However, the majority come from your pancreas, which floods the small intestine with enzymes when food arrives there. The main pancreatic enzymes are lipase, which breaks down fats; amylase, which breaks down carbohydrates; and proteases and peptidases, which break down proteins. Once nutrients are broken into small enough molecules, they are absorbed through the wall of the small intestine into the blood and delivered throughout the body. Sometimes the body doesn’t make enough digestive enzymes. This can slow the digestion process and lead to uncomfortable symptoms. For example, if your small intestines don’t make enough of the enzyme lactase, you’ll have a hard time digesting lactose — the sugar in milk and milk-based products. This can lead to bloating, flatulence and loose stools. For people who can’t make enough digestive enzymes because of a health condition such as chronic pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis, doctors prescribe special enzyme pills to See HARVARD Q & A, page 15

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Your BMI matters more than weight alone By Maria Collazo-Clavell, M.D. Dear Mayo Clinic: At a recent appointment, my blood pressure and cholesterol were normal, but my doctor mentioned that my BMI is at an unhealthy number (28). Does this mean I need to lose weight even though I have no health problems? A: Although weight is an important measure of health, it’s not the only thing to consider when assessing overall health. Other factors play a role as well, such as how active you are and the ratio of muscle versus fat you have in your body. Taken together, these variables can help give you a more comprehensive view of your health. Healthcare providers often assess the effect of a person’s weight on their health using a calculation called the body mass index, or BMI. It is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared. You can find your BMI by going to mayoclinic.org and entering your height,

Harvard Q & A From page 14 substitute for the lack of natural enzyme production. People with known deficiencies clearly get a benefit from the drugs. On the other hand, over-the-counter digestive enzyme supplements — available in health food stores and drugstores and on the Internet — are not medications. The FDA does not regulate them. Therefore, you can’t be sure what the pills are really made of or the exact amounts of enzymes they contain. Taking a nonprescription lactase supplement (such as Lactaid or Lactrase) can help people manage lactose intolerance, and taking an alpha-galactosidase supple-

weight and waist size into the online BMI calculator. BMI values between 18.5 and 24.9 are considered normal. Values between 25 and 30 are considered overweight, and values greater than 30 are considered obese. Generally, a BMI that is more than 30 is associated with higher risks to health. These risks include a higher likelihood of developing diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. That said, BMI does not always provide the full story regarding health risks for some people. That is because it does not take into consideration individual factors, such as bone or muscle mass. For example, if you lead an active lifestyle and regularly participate in both aerobic exercise and weight training activities, you may have a healthy percentage of body fat despite having a BMI above the normal range. So, in that situation, a higher BMI does not necessarily translate to higher health risks. ment (such as Beano or Bean Relief) may reduce gas and bloating if you have a hard time digesting the sugars in beans. But for other common gut problems there is little evidence that digestive enzymes are helpful. Since your symptoms may be due to irritable bowel syndrome, I recommend making an appointment with your primary care clinician. Some dietary changes may be all you need. Howard LeWine, M.D. is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. For additional consumer health information, please visit health.harvard.edu. © 2020 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

It is important to note, though, that this situation is less likely when BMI values are higher than 35. Beyond that point, additional weight is much more likely to be distributed as fat and not muscle. Research has shown that people who carry a high proportion of body fat at the waist have increased health risks. If your BMI is less than 35 and you exercise regularly — participating in at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week — you may not be at an increased health

risk. If your BMI is 30 or higher, and you do not have an active lifestyle, your health may be at risk. If so, talk to your healthcare provider about changes you can make to improve your health now, as well as lower your risk for health. — Maria Collazo-Clavell, M.D., Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota Email a question to MayoClinicQ&A@ mayo.edu. For more information, visit mayoclinic.org.

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

Tools that can help you stop smoking By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, I understand that COVID-19 hits smokers a lot harder than nonsmokers, but quitting at my age is very difficult. Does Medicare offer any coverage that helps beneficiaries quit smoking? —Must Quit Dear Must, It’s true. Smokers and vapers have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection,

as the coronavirus attacks the lungs. That’s why quitting now is more important than ever before. If you are a Medicare beneficiary, you’ll be happy to know that Medicare Part B covers up to eight face-to-face counseling sessions a year to help you quit smoking. If you have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, certain smoking-cessation medications are covered too. Here are some other tips that can help you kick the habit:

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It’s never too late According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 12.5% of Medicare beneficiaries smoke. Many older smokers, like yourself, indicate that they would like to quit, but because of the nicotine, which is extremely addictive, it’s very difficult to do. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable illness, responsible for an estimated one-fifth of deaths in the United States each year. But research shows that quitting, even after age 65, greatly reduces your risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, osteoporosis and many other diseases, including COVID-19. It also helps you breathe easier, smell and taste food better and, not incidentally, saves you quite a bit of money. A $6 pack-aday smoker, for example, saves about $180 after one month without cigarettes, and nearly $2,200 after one year.

How to quit The first step you need to take is to set a “quit date,” but give yourself a few weeks to get ready. During that time, you may want to start by reducing the number or the strength of cigarettes you smoke to begin weaning yourself. Also check out over-the-counter nicotine replacement products such as patches, gum and lozenges to help curb your cravings (these are not covered by Medicare). Just prior to your scheduled quit day, get rid of all cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, car and place of work, and try to clean up and even spray air freshener. The smell of smoke can be a powerful trigger.

Take advantage of counseling Studies have shown that you have a much better chance of quitting if you have help. So, tell your friends, family and coworkers

about your plan to quit. Don’t go it alone. Start by contacting your doctor about smoking cessation counseling covered by Medicare, and find out about the prescription antismoking drugs that can help reduce your nicotine craving. You can also get free one-on-one telephone counseling and referrals to local smoking cessation programs at 1-800-QUITNOW. Or call the National Cancer Institute’s free smoking quit line at 1-877-44U-QUIT.

Line up some distractions It’s also important to identify and write down the times and situations you’re most likely to smoke and make a list of things you can do to replace it or distract yourself. Some helpful suggestions when the smoking urge arises are to call a friend or one of the free quit lines; keep your mouth occupied with some sugar-free gum, sunflower seeds, carrots, fruit or hard candy; go for a walk; read a magazine; listen to music; or take a hot bath. The intense urge to smoke lasts about three to five minutes, so do what you can to wait it out. It’s also wise to avoid drinking alcohol and to steer clear of other smokers while you’re trying to quit. Both can trigger powerful urges to smoke. For more tips on how to quit — including managing your cravings, withdrawal symptoms and what to do if you relapse — visit 60plus.SmokeFree.gov. There are also a variety of helpful quit smoking apps you can download, like SmokeFreeApp.com and QuitGenius.com. Send questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

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 2 0

Ways to overcome the effects of chemo By Jorg Dietrich, M.D., Ph.D. Some of the most common symptoms experienced by cancer patients are memory problems, difficulties with multitasking, and reduced attention and concentration. Historically, cancer patients with these symptoms were often diagnosed with depression. Research over the past decade has revealed that many cancer patients experience these symptoms as a consequence of specific damage to the brain caused by either their tumor or their treatment. While radiation to the brain has long been linked to causing cognitive difficulties, the effects of chemotherapy on brain structure and function have only recently been discovered. We now know that the majority of patients treated for cancer, including breast, lung, colon and many other types, experience difficulties with memory, multitasking, cognitive processing speed, attention and concentration. The good news is that such symptoms may slowly improve over time in most patients. If you or someone you care for is having problems with memory or cognitive function following cancer treatment, it is important to undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation to rule out other conditions

that can mimic certain side effects from chemotherapy. For example, endocrine disorders (such as thyroid abnormalities), vitamin deficiencies, sleep deprivation and depression should all be ruled out (or treated), as these conditions can cause changes in memory and slowed thinking. Extensive research over the past decade has identified how chemotherapy targets brain structure and function as an unwanted side effect of cancer therapy. Those efforts have also started to shed light on the mechanisms that enhance brain regeneration and expedite recovery from brain injury, previously thought to be impossible. While various therapeutic interventions currently remain in clinical testing, there are a number of lifestyle actions that have been found to be effective:

Regular physical exercise Cardiovascular exercise is one of the strongest drivers of brain repair after injury, stimulating the growth of new neurons, facilitating connections between brain cells and enhancing overall cognitive resilience.

Sufficient restorative sleep Chronic sleep deprivation damages brain cells, prevents brain regeneration,

causes daytime fatigue, and reduces cognitive function. Poor sleep also impairs the basic mechanism that eliminates toxic waste in the brain â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a process that primarily happens during sleep. Simple behavioral changes to improve sleep hygiene include avoiding neurostimulants prior to bedtime (coffee, chocolate, beverages with high sugar content, etc.) and minimizing exposure to electronic devices in your bedroom. Meditation and various relaxation techniques can also help improve sleep.

Good nutrition A diet rich in antioxidants can be helpful in minimizing cancer therapy-related damage to brain cells and unwanted cognitive

side effects from cancer therapy. Therefore, enriching your diet with fruits and vegetables, along with weight loss (if you are overweight or obese), are highly recommended strategies. While a natural supply of antioxidants and vitamins from food is best, some people who are unable to maintain a well-balanced diet may benefit from multivitamin supplementation.

Stress-reducing activities Brain plasticity and nervous system regeneration can be enhanced when all senses are activated, particularly through activities that lead to new experiences and sensations See CHEMO EFFECTS, page 19

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FREE COVID-19 TESTING COVID-19 TEST

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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 2 0

How to eat healthy may change with age By Katherine D. McManus Eating right can help keep your body and mind healthy and extend your quality of life. But some older Americans may face barriers to getting enough nutrients or calories. Physiological changes that come with aging can result in reduced caloric needs, which can lead to decreased food intake and altered body composition, even in healthy older adults. This can be compounded by diminished smell and taste, and changes in hormone levels that affect how quickly you feel full. Depression, lack of independence and social isolation can make food less appealing, further contributing to a less than ideal intake. Chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, diabetes and dementia can affect appetite, energy needs and weight.

Older adults may be on multiple medications that interact with nutrients or produce side effects such as nausea, vomiting and sensory changes that affect smell and taste. Oral and dental problems can affect chewing or swallowing. All of these factors can lead to decreased intake of calories and nutrients, resulting in weight loss and lack of energy.

Overcoming barriers These strategies can help overcome some of the barriers to healthy eating you may face as you get older: —Aim for quality, using the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Healthy Eating Plate as a guide. At most meals try to fill half of your plate with vegetables; a quarter of your plate with whole grains such as quinoa, brown rice or whole-wheat bread; and the final quarter of your plate with lean

protein such as fish, poultry, beans or eggs. —Pick healthy fats, a source of concentrated, healthy calories. Healthy fats include olive oil, canola oil, peanuts and other nuts, peanut butter, avocado and fatty fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel. Limit unhealthy saturated fat including fatty red meat. —Work dietary fiber into your diet. Fiber helps to keep bowel function normal and can help decrease risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The Institute of Medicine recommends that total fiber intake for adults older than 50 should be at least 30 grams per day for men and 21 grams for women. Most fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes are good sources of fiber. Nuts and seeds are also good sources, but whole-grain breads and beans may be easier to chew if you have dental problems or dentures. Make sure to

drink plenty of fluids as you increase your fiber intake. —Adjust portion sizes. If you’re trying to maintain a healthy body weight, reduce portion sizes instead of sacrificing components of a balanced meal. If you need to gain a few pounds, try to increase your portions rather than eating foods that are high in added sugar and unhealthy saturated fat. —Some older adults find their appetite is greater in the morning and during the day, compared to the evening. Try to have a healthy breakfast of protein, whole grains and fruit, along with a balanced afternoon meal. Then go light on dinner.

Troubleshooting tips As you get older, you may need to think See HEALTHY EATING, page 20

Chemo effects From page 17 (“environmental enrichment”). Engaging in new activities, learning a different skill, or traveling can be of tremendous value. In addition, many patients find that engaging in spiritual practices can have a positive effect on healing.

Medications may help Medications such as neurostimulants and anti-aging drugs may be used in conjunction with lifestyle interventions to improve memory and cognition after cancer treatments. Speak with your doctor about these options. New research suggests there may be a connection between the immune system, the bone marrow and the brain, highlighting new avenues for future pharmacological and biological therapies that may enhance brain function after injury and delay the process of brain aging.

New rehab programs A thorough neurological evaluation can be helpful in identifying areas of brain functioning that can be improved with specialized neurocognitive rehabilitation programs. Many patients benefit from this type of rehab as part of their cancer treatment. Collectively, while symptoms of brain dysfunction are common in cancer patients, there are several interventions that can help with recovery and enhance healing. Research in this area remains in its infancy, but the curtain has been lifted. There are promising pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapeutic interventions on the horizon, and there are many lifestyle changes you can start today. Jorg Dietrich, M.D., Ph.D., is a contributor to Harvard Health Publications. © 2020 by Harvard University

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Health Studies

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

INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Seeking those testing positive for COVID-19 By Margaret Foster So far, there have been around 100,000 known coronavirus cases in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, with more than 3,700 deaths. If you have tested positive and are 40 or over — whether you are currently ill or have recovered but still test positive — researchers need your help for a study. This summer, researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine are studying whether a small, portable device that measures blood oxygen levels, called a pulse oximeter, can help predict who will

become severely ill from COVID-19. “There are many people who are living at home with COVID. How do you know who’s going to get worse or not? As we know, some patients wait too long to go to the hospital,” decreasing their odds of survival, said Dr. Yukari Manabe, professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the study’s principal investigator. “Intuitively, if you give people a pulse oximeter [so they can see a worrisome drop in their blood oxygen], they could get to the hospital [earlier].”

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VIRTUAL ALZHEIMER’S SCREENINGS The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America offers free screenings to

detect early memory problems that could indicate Alzheimer’s disease. You can schedule a videoconference appointment any Monday or Wednesday by calling 1-866-232-8484.

Manabe’s team is recruiting COVIDpositive patients aged 40 and over for a longitudinal observational study. That’s because, according to the CDC, “The risk for severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age, with older adults at highest risk.”

No need to leave the house The study can be done entirely at home. Once enrolled in the study, people will receive a package in the mail containing a pulse oximeter and thermometer. (They will return both by mail after two weeks.) The box will also contain several swabs to take different samples of oral fluid as well as swabs from the nose and throat. Hopkins researchers will call to walk participants through the process of sending them a throat sample on days one, three, 7 and 14 of the two-week period. Rich in antibodies, the oral fluid samples will give researchers a window into the disease’s trajectory, Manabe said. “Oral crevicular fluid often mirrors what’s going on in the blood,” she said. “In most people, as the virus goes down, the antibody titer goes up.”

Healthy eating From page 19

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creatively when obstacles to healthy eating crop up. For example, if you have trouble getting out of the house or managing heavy grocery bags, try a grocery delivery service. This allows you the convenience of shopping online and having your food delivered right to your door. If cooking for yourself every day feels like too much trouble or you find your energy flagging by evening, try to prepare a few meals on the weekend. Keep them refrigerated or frozen and ready to reheat during the week. One-pot meals are a great way to quickly cook healthy, balanced meals that are inexpensive, which may also be an impor-

Study researchers are curious about household transmission of the virus, too, so they will ask a few questions during those phone calls, Manabe said. For instance, “We ask who developed symptoms of COVID-19 first, and who else in the household got sick or was tested,” she said. Although volunteers are not compensated for participating, other than having the use of medical grade thermometer and pulse oximeter, many people have been willing to participate because they want to help scientists learn more about the novel coronavirus. “You would be amazed at the altruism out there from people,” Manabe said. “There’s a lot to be learned about COVID, and as long as people can [participate] from home, they’re happy to help.” And one other benefit shouldn’t be overlooked: personal phone calls from medical professionals. “Doctors will call you if things are going poorly. That’s a benefit,” she said. To learn more about the study or to volunteer, call (410) 955-8571. tant consideration as you get older. Physical activity is important for all adults, including older adults. Exercise helps build and strengthen muscles, increase energy levels, maintain bone health, rev up your metabolism and lift your mood. It can help boost your appetite too. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week. Men and women are living longer. Trying to eat healthy can help ensure you’ll continue to enjoy an active lifestyle well into your 80s and 90s. Katherine D. McManus, M.S., R.D., L.D.N., is a contributor to Harvard Health Publications. © President and Fellows of Harvard College. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Volunteers 45-85 Needed for Studies The Memory Disorders Program at Georgetown University Medical Center investigates new treatments designed to prevent and slow Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, we develop new tools to improve diagnostic and prognostic accuracy We are actively recruiting subjects for current and future clinical trials. You may be eligible if you: • Are between 45-85 years of age • Are in good general health • Are fluent in English • Have a study partner (friend or relative with whom you are in contact at least 10 hours/week and who can accompany you to study visits) • Are cognitively normal, or have a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease

For more information, please call (202) 687-1597 or email bae42@georgetown.edu.

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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 2 0

Eyes track our aging at the molecular level By Gina DiGravio People often say that the eyes are windows to the soul. Now it appears they may also be windows to human aging. All people age, but individuals do so at different rates — some faster, others slower. While this observation is common knowledge, there is no universally accepted measure of biological aging. Numerous aging-related metrics have been proposed and tested, but no marker has been identified to date, nor has a noninvasive method developed that can accurately measure and track biological aging in individuals. In what is believed to be the first study of its kind, researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have discovered that a specialized eye scanner that accurately measures spectroscopic signals from proteins in the lens of the eye can detect and track biological aging in living humans. According to the researchers, chronological age does not adequately measure individual variation in the rate of biological aging. “The absence of clinical tools and metrics to quantitatively evaluate how each person is aging at the molecular level represents a major impediment to understanding aging and maximizing health throughout life,” explained corresponding author Lee E. Goldstein, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of neurology, pathology and laboratory medicine, psychiatry and ophthalmology at BUSM.

Focus on the lens’ proteins “The lens contains proteins that accumulate aging-related changes throughout life. These lens proteins provide a permanent record of each person’s life history of aging. Our eye scanner can decode this record of how a person is aging at the molecular level.” The researchers believe these results pave the way for a potentially transformative clinical tool for objective assessment and tracking of molecular aging in humans. “The framework for clinical implementa-

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Aug. 27

COMPOST BASICS

Are you interested in composting your food scraps for your garden? Learn techniques for beginners and veterans at a free webinar on Thurs., Aug. 27 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. To register, visit https://bit.ly/CompostOnline.

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THRIVE AT HOME

Montgomery County Government has arranged many online resources available for you with its Thrive at Home program. You can find virtual exercise classes, learn of volunteering opportunities, take virtual tours of famous museums and landmarks, and more. Check it out at https://bit.ly/ThriveAtHomeMoCo.

tion of this technology to measure molecular aging is similar to other recently adopted clinical biomarkers — including PET brain imaging for Alzheimer’s disease, bone densitometry for osteoporosis, and serum blood tests for diabetes mellitus,” added Goldstein, who also holds an appointment at Boston University College of Engineering. While large test batteries incorporating composite metrics have been developed to track human aging, these are far removed from underlying molecular mechanisms of aging and are ill-suited for personalized longitudinal medical care.

Simple to measure “By contrast,” Goldstein said, “eye scanning technology that probes lens protein affords a rapid, noninvasive, objective technique for direct measurement of molecular

aging that can be easily, quickly and safely implemented at the point of care. Such a metric affords potential for precision medical care across the lifespan.” The research team included investigators at Boston University College of Engineering and School of Public Health, Boston Children’s Hospital, Massachusetts

General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and the University of Washington, Seattle. The findings appeared online in June in Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences. This research was supported by Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Fund and the Children’s Hospital Ophthalmology Foundation, Boston, Massachusetts.

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Aug. 12+

GRIEF SUPPORT

If you’ve just lost a loved one, take advantage of a free virtual grief support group with Widowed Persons Outreach. The meetings take place on Wed., Aug. 12 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.; Thurs., Aug. 13 from 1:30 to 3 p.m.; Wed., Aug. 26 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.; and Thurs., Aug. 27 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. To register, call (202) 537-4942. Prefer using the telephone? Get grief support from the Haven of Northern Virginia by phone, as in-person group support is currently unavailable due to the pandemic. Call (703) 941-7000 or email havenofnova@verizon.net to request help.

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

Mexican zucchini soup is great for summer By Mee McCormick Years ago, my idea of home cooking was purchasing mainly processed foods and serving them along with salads and fruits, thinking I was cooking healthy for my family. Now I know that wasn’t the case. With some detective work, I discovered that I had many food allergies and sensitivities, which led me to master allergyfriendly cooking. I’m happy to say that a year after taking my kitchen back, I have found digestive relief. Soup is a great way to start eating healthier because you can modify soups into powerhouse meals. I add nuts, mushrooms, probiotic miso pastes and bone broths.

This soup is a total showstopper — it’s rich and creamy, and kids love it. I use zucchini, but any summertime squash will work. In fact, this soup is super adaptable for any food sensitivity or health need, with a little ingenuity. I love to top this soup with a dollop of cashew sour cream (see my book My Pinewood Kitchen for that recipe), a drop of sriracha sauce and a sprig of cilantro.

Summertime Mexican Zucchini Soup Serves 6 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or 1 tablespoon ghee ½ onion, chopped

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HEART-HEALTHY EATING

Help prevent some heart conditions by choosing foods that are good for you, your blood pressure and your cholesterol level. Join a free webinar with dieticians every Tuesday from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/HeartHealthyWebinar.

Aug. 25

APPLYING FOR MEDICARE

If you’re a Montgomery County resident turning 65 years old, learn the basics of Medicare and ask questions in a virtual lecture with the Montgomery County State Health Insurance Assistance Program on Tues., Aug. 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/VirtualMedicare.

6 FEET

3 cloves garlic, peeled and pressed or crushed 4 medium zucchinis with the skin on, sliced into medium rounds 3 small red potatoes with skin, halved ¼ cup raw unsalted cashews or pumpkin seeds 2 tablespoons ground cumin 2 tablespoons chili powder 1 tablespoon ground coriander ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) 6 cups vegetable broth 4 shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and sliced 1 heaping tablespoon miso 1 cup fresh cilantro (optional) Directions: Heat the oil or ghee in a large saucepan over medium heat, add the onion, and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and zucchini. Add the potatoes,

cashews or pumpkin seeds, cumin, chili powder, coriander and cayenne pepper (if using). Add the broth and mushrooms, and cover with a lid. Cook until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Cool the soup for 10 minutes. Transfer to a blender or food processor. Add the miso paste and cilantro (if using), and blend until smooth and creamy. Pour the blended mixture into the saucepan, and stir over medium-high heat until hot. [Ed. note: It’s delicious served hot or cold. We tried it!] Mee McCormick was raised in Northern Appalachia. She owns a farm and restaurant in rural Tennessee called Pinewood Kitchen and Mercantile. This recipe is from her second book, My Pinewood Kitchen: A Southern Culinary Cure. It’s available on Amazon, where it has a 5-star rating, for around $20.

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GET A FREE COVID KIT The FH Faunteroy Community Enrichment Center is distributing

free coronavirus kits that include washable masks, hand sanitizer, gloves and mask filters in D.C. Wards 5, 7 and 8. To learn more about the initiative and sign up for free supplies, visit thefaunteroycenter.org or call (202) 397-5454.

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 2 0

The many health benefits of chamomile About a million cups of chamomile tea are served every single day. The antioxidant compounds in chamomile, including apigenin, have been proven useful for a variety of issues that might concern you. Here are some of the unexpected benefits of chamomile that you may not know of:

Arthritis relief

Chamomile is known to induce drowsiness.

Blood thinning Having thick or “sticky” blood is bad for you. Doctors seek to thin the blood in order to prevent strokes and heart attacks. Warfarin is the most popular prescribed anti-coagulant. There are many plant-derived supplements that work similarly to warfarin, as well as foods with anti-platelet activity. But chamomile wouldn’t normally be something you think of for blood health. Yet, it has unexpected blood-thinning

You might have heard about benefits from essential DEAR oil of frankincense for knee PHARMACIST pain or other “itis” issues be- By Suzy Cohen cause the anti-inflammatory herb has been long associated with strong evidence of helping reduce properties. joint inflammation caused by osteoarthritis For that reason, I advise caution or avoidand rheumatoid arthritis. ance of this herb if you are already taking But it’s rather unexpected to see essen- warfarin (or other thinners) because there tial oil of chamomile studied for knee pain. will be an exacerbation of the blood-thinIn a randomized controlled clinical trial ning. Gum bleeding might be the first sign published in Complimentary Therapies in of additive anti-platelet activity in your body. Clinical Practice, researchers applied Easy bruising is another sign. chamomile oil topically to the knee. Patients who applied chamomile needed Mouth pain lower doses of their pain medicine. Have you ever burned your tongue or You could try adding drops to massage oil mouth on hot coffee or a super-hot pizza? or some other pain-relieving cream or gel. Fortunately, if you burn your mouth it Chamomile supplements and teas are heals right away, within a week or so. available as well for oral consumption. But if you are receiving chemotherapy,

there is a type of mouth pain that is unbearable. It can occur with high dose local radiation in the mouth. The term for the pain is oral mucositis (OM). Chamomile can help with these oral lesions. Sometimes a person isn’t able to speak after a chemo treatment, and they cannot tell you of this pain. I worked in nursing home settings and saw this at times. So, if you’re a caregiver, nurse or family member, please be mindful of non-verbal cues, so you can determine if someone is dealing with OM. Of the herbal and medicinal oral rinses tested in a recent study, researchers concluded that certain ones were the most ef-

fective. Chamomile, honey, curcumin or Benzydamine-containing mouthwashes were found to be the most effective. You can make your own soothing mouth rinse using the above ingredients, gargle with a tea, or simply dab the essential oil on the sores. This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To contact her, visit suzycohen.com.

Enjoy puzzles and crossword? See page 44.

Exciting Things are Happening

at Chevy Chase House Assisted Living! State-of-the-Art Gym Under Construction

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VOLUME XXXII, ISSUE 8

A newsletter for D.C. Seniors

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE By Laura Newland, Director D.C. Department of Aging and Community Living I hope everyone is keeping cool and staying safe. So much has changed for all of us over the past several months, but no matter what, the Department of Aging and Community Living is still here for you! DACL continues to provide critical resources, programs and activities to keep our community healthy, safe, and engaged.

Stay Active We’re social distancing, but that doesn’t mean you need to be socially distant. This month, fill up your calendar with activities you can join from the comfort of your own living room. Check out our virtual events site at daclvirtualevents.splashthat.com. Wherever you are, you can join aerobics class live on Zoom, trade gardening tips with friends on a conference call, learn to paint, or join the DC Public Library for their weekly Lunchtime Literature program.

Stay Cool During the hottest month of the year it’s so important to be proactive and take precautions to avoid illness from exposure to excessive heat and humidity. We want to make sure you can StayCool at home while you’re enjoying these virtual activities. So, we’ve joined the Department of Energy and Environment to launch our Seniors StayCool Air Conditioning Pilot Program this month! Income-eligible residents, age 60 and older, may qualify to have your window air conditioning unit or HVAC unit repaired or replaced at no cost to them. To learn more about this new program, give us a call at 202-236-2657. Remember to also keep these tips in mind: Drink plenty of liquids, such as water or fruit or vegetable juices. Stay away from drinks containing alcohol or caffeine. If your doctor has told you to limit your liquids, ask what you should do when it is very hot. If you live in a home or apartment without fans or air conditioning, try to keep your house as cool as possible. Limit your

use of the oven. Keep your shades, blinds, or curtains closed during the hottest part of the day. Open your windows at night. If your house is hot, try to spend time during mid-day some place that has air conditioning—the District provides several cooling centers where you can seek relief from the heat and where strict social distancing measures are in place—don’t forget your mask! To locate a cooling center near you, dial 311. Dress for the weather. Some people find natural fabrics, such as cotton, to be cooler than synthetic fibers. Don’t try to exercise or do a lot of activities outdoors when it’s hot.

Keep Our Community Safe Even through the Public Health Emergency, our hotlines are operating around the clock! If you or someone you know has been the victim of any kind of abuse, please reach out to us. We’re here for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We can make our community safer for everyone. If you suspect the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adults, call DACL’s Adult Protective Services team at 202-541-3950. Keep children safe during the public health emergency by reporting suspected child abuse and neglect to the Child and Family Services Agency at 202-671- SAFE (7233). Contact the DC Victim Hotline at (844) 4-HELP-DC (844-443-5732) or online chat at www.dcvictim.org for free confidential, around-the-clock information and referrals for victims of ALL CRIME in the District of Columbia. It’s true that DC doesn’t look exactly the way it did six months ago, and our programs look a little different, but our commitment to you is stronger than ever. These are unprecedented times, and we’ve all been challenged in different ways, but as the Mayor says, we’re in this together, and we’ll get through this together. I hope to see or hear you at one (or several!) of our virtual events. Stay active, stay cool, and stay safe!

August 2020

Mayor Bowser Extends the Public Health Emergency

On Thursday, June 18, Director Laura Newland joined AARP DC’s State President, Rev. Kendrick Curry, to discuss Mayor Bowser’s FY 2021 Budget. As Director Newland shared, “while the financial impact of

COVID-19 requires us all to make sacrifices, the Mayor’s priority is to maintain the critical services our residents expect.” To watch the full interview, head to AARP DC’s Facebook Page, https://www.facebook.com/ aarpdc/.

Wear a mask. Save lives. Stop the spread.

Under the new Mayor’s Order on masks, people must wear a mask when they leave their homes if they are likely to come into contact with another person for more than a fleeting moment. Exceptions are listed in the Mayor’s Order, and common exceptions include: children under the age of three; a person who is in an en-

closed office that no one else is allowed to enter; a person who is actively eating or drinking; and a person who is engaged in vigorous outdoor exercise and is maintaining social distance of at least six feet from other people. The full Mayor’s Order on masks can be found at coronavirus.dc.gov/ maskorder.

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

Spotlight on Aging

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Need a Test? Get a test: Updated Testing Schedule

For the rest of the summer, the Anacostia, UDC-CC Bertie Backus campus, and Judiciary Square testing sites will operate from 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday. (If the heat index hits 100 degrees, these sites will close.) Firehouse testing sites will continue to operate from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Residents are reminded: If you do not feel

well or believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, you should call your healthcare provider, get tested, and, then stay home while you wait for your results to come back. Staying home while you wait for your results protects our community and will help stop the spread of the virus. Testing should not be used as a replacement for staying home. Find a schedule of public testing sites at https://coronavirus.dc.gov/testing.

Don’t Delay Care Initiative

Don’t press pause on your health. The District of Columbia Hospital Association encourages you to receive the care you need when you need it. Their hospitals have implemented a number of precautions to ensure a safe environment. Continue to obtain emergency care in

person when medical attention is needed, especially if you have pre-existing or chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other medical conditions that make putting off emergency care especially risky. To learn more, visit dcha.org/dontdelaycare.

Director Laura Newland

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

Darlene Nowlin

Photographer Richard Williams 500 K St. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002 (202) 724-5626 | www.dcoa.dc.gov

Help Keep Everyone Safe in Our Community While our city continues to work together to stop the spread of COVID-19, DACL wants to remind you of critical resources. Even during the public health emergency, our hotlines are answered around the clock.

The safety of our seniors and their families is one of our top priorities. If you or someone you know has been a victim of any kind of abuse, please contact us at 202-541-3950. Remember, we are all in this together, and we will get through this together.

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Money Law &

UPSIDES OF A DOWN MARKET Some ways to take financial advantage of the recent stock market disruptions PROBATE ON PROBATION There are many reasons to avoid probate and several ways to do it BOND-LIKE STOCKS Worried about stock market volatility? Take a look at preferred stocks, whose dividends generally offer a slow but steady income stream

How to make better financial decisions By Jamie Letcher As the coronavirus pandemic continues to challenge every aspect of our lives — work, family, health and money — it is imperative we all take a gut check on any of our portfolio exposed to the wild rides of the financial markets. A recap is important: According to JP Morgan’s Q2 2020 Guide to the Markets, the S&P 500 index hit its last historical high on Feb. 19, 2020. It then promptly plummeted over the next four weeks, dropping 34%. That epic plunge ended the longest bull-run in stock market history on March 12, a few days after its 11th anniversary. Since March 23, the S&P 500 index has had a furious, if uneven, rally, recovering nearly all of its 2020 losses. Some might suggest we are now out of the woods, but I would say, “Not by a long shot.” I encourage all investors to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Remember, the S&P 500 index dropped 49% from 2000 to 2002 and 57% from 2007 to 2009. Will the economic challenges created by this crisis be less? That history is yet to be written. As an investor, I’ve now lived through everything from the crash of 1987 to today. As an adviser for 14 years, I’ve helped

clients navigate through both the Great Recession and today’s pandemic crisis. What I have seen and felt is the emotional tug our investments have on our decision-making and stress levels. Some people handle it better than others. Luckily, there is an entire school of academic thought — Behavioral Finance — that equips us with observations to ease our anxiety and help us make better decisions during difficult times. Using the thinking behind Behavioral Finance, here are some lessons investors could take away right about now:

It is only a loss if you sell it. The urge to sell everything during panic moments is real — something I’ve seen firsthand with my own clients during the 2008 downturn. Now consider the following scenario: A couple lives in a $500,000 house, and they have a $500,000 retirement portfolio. A recession hits, and the values of their home and their portfolio fall to $350,000 each. Someone knocks on the door and makes an offer to buy the couple’s house for $350,000. It’s not necessarily an unreasonable offer in the current market, but the couple find it easy to turn down the offer.

Why? Because they trust that eventually the value will return. Yet that same couple may at the same moment panic and put all of their retirement account into a cash equivalent. How do we reconcile these two decisions? It is the emotions of the market. I suggest to you to look at your retirement nest egg as your house. It is only a loss if you sell it. Markets go up and down, but over the long run, they have always gone up.

Stocks are on sale right now. Another method for quelling your anxiety due to a volatile market is asking yourself, “When is the best time to buy a house, or anything we may value (e.g., shares of stocks)?” We all know intuitively: when it’s on sale. But I have seldom seen investors who put this common-sense approach to practice in the investing world. I suggest to investors during times of panic, in buying into the falling market, you are taking advantage of things being on sale. Investors can, if they choose to, go further and shift funds from bonds to stocks during down markets. This increases risk, and it has to be carefully considered before doing so, but it is a compelling way of taking advantage of

a crisis. A financial professional can help you decide if this is the right step for you. These are the times that test our patience. Recoveries can be entirely unpredictable and uneven, and trying to time a low point (or a high point) is a fool’s errand. History has shown us that the markets will eventually rebound; cyclicality is a feature of the markets, not a bug. But if it turns out that you don’t have the stomach for the uncertainty — and that’s okay — rather than pulling out of the markets altogether, consider investing in principal-protected instruments like annuities, which are less susceptible to the volatile swings. At the end of the day, though money and emotions may always be intertwined, you always have control over how you react. Letcher, CRPC, is a financial adviser at CUNA Brokerage Services. The opinions expressed are his and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Kiplinger, CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. or its management. This article is provided for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as investment advice. © 2020 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Where to find financial help in hard times By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any financial assistance programs you can refer me to? The coronavirus pandemic has cost me my parttime retirement job and has shrunk my measly IRA account. Needy Retiree Dear Needy, Absolutely! In addition to the $1,200 federal coronavirus stimulus check that was distributed in April and May, there are many other financial-assistance programs (both public and private) that can help struggling retirees, as well as give relief to family members who help provide financial support for their loved ones. To find out what types of assistance you may be eligible for, just go to BenefitsCheckUp.org — a free, confidential web tool designed for adults 55 and older and their families. It will help you locate

federal, state and private benefits programs that can assist with paying for food, medications, utilities, healthcare, housing and other needs. This site, created by the National Council on Aging, contains more than 2,500 programs across the country. To identify benefits, you’ll first need to fill out an online questionnaire that asks a series of questions like your date of birth, ZIP code, expenses, income, assets, veteran status, the medications you take and a few other factors. It takes about 15 minutes. Once completed, you’ll get a report detailing all the programs and services you may qualify for, along with detailed information on how to apply. Some programs can be applied for online, some have downloadable application forms that you can print and mail, and some require that you contact the pro-

gram’s administrative office directly (they provide the necessary contact information). If you don’t have internet access, you can also get help in-person at any of the 84 Benefit Enrollment Centers located throughout the U.S. Call 888-268-6706 or visit NCOA.org/centerforbenefits/becs to locate a center near you. [Ed. Note: There are numerous centers throughout the Washington/Baltimore area.] Some centers also offer assistance over the phone.

Types of benefits Depending on your income level and where you live, here are some benefits you may be eligible for: Food assistance: Programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can help pay for groceries. The average SNAP benefit for 60-and-older households is around $125 per month.

Other programs that may be available include the Emergency Food Assistance Program, Commodity Supplemental Food Program and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Healthcare: Medicaid and Medicare savings programs can help or completely pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs. And there are special Medicaid waiver programs that provide in-home care and assistance too. Prescription drugs: There are hundreds of programs offered through pharmaceutical companies, government agencies and charitable organizations that help lower or eliminate prescription drug costs, including the federal low-income subsidy known as “Extra Help” that pays premiums, deductibles and prescription copayments for Medicare Part D beneficiaries. See FINANCIAL HELP, page 27

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

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

A big chance to change spending habits By Josh Monroe In conversations with clients, colleagues and friends, there’s one habit many seem to struggle with: spending money. No matter how much we earn, the amount we spend often impacts more of a person’s future financial success than their income, savings or investment returns. Try as we might, cutting back our spending is never easy. Until now. The current pandemic has impacted all of us. For more than 40 million Americans, it’s meant the loss of a job and a steady income. For those fortunate enough to have their health and their jobs, nearly everyone I’ve spoken with is spending much less

money than they were three months ago. We know there eventually will be pentup demand for travel, dining out and other activities. My family is already dreaming about the vacations we will take. However, this forced spending reduction may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to re-evaluate our spending habits, invest more and reshuffle the financial deck. The question now is: Can we sustain a modified spending level once we solve the COVID-19 puzzle and return to a more normal life? Here are some recommendations on how to make at least some of these spending cuts permanent and bolster your finances:

Financial help

$783 per month for a single person and up to $1,175 for couples. In addition to these programs, there are numerous other benefits your nearest Benefits Enrollment Center can help you locate, such as HUD housing, home weatherization assistance, tax relief, veteran’s benefits, senior transportation, respite care, free legal assistance, job training and employment and debt counseling. Send questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

From page 26 Utility assistance: There’s the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), as well as local utility companies and charitable organizations that provide assistance in lowering home heating and cooling costs. Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Administered by the Social Security Administration, SSI provides monthly payments to very low-income persons 65 and older, as well as to those who are blind or disabled. For 2020, SSI is paying up to

Determine a new monthly budget Many people are likely saving $200 month or more from less car maintenance, lower gasoline prices, no parking fees or dry cleaning, and less dining out at restaurants. Even eliminating a daily visit to Starbucks or another drive-through restaurant can save $5 to $10 daily. Since working from home the past few months, I’ve been sweeping over to savings the money I would have ordinarily spent buying lunch a few days a week and

getting gas to drive to my office. You may also consider paying down your mortgage or other debts with this surplus each month. If you are currently retired and spending less, this is a great opportunity to build up your cash reserves. Take a few minutes to determine how much less you are spending now, and see if there are opportunities to convert any See SPENDING HABITS, page 28

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Spending habits From page 27 short-term spending reductions into longterm gains. Even a $100 monthly reduction in expenses means an extra $1,200 in your bank each year.

Use a short-term cash surplus wisely Even if some savings are temporary, it’s the perfect time to sweep extra cash over to a savings account, fund a Health Savings Account, an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), Roth IRA or a 529 college education savings plan for your children or grandchildren. It can also be used to contribute to food banks and other charitable organizations to meet the needs of those most directly impacted by coronavirus. On the other hand, you can start some positive habits now and carry them into the future, such as increasing the contribution rate into your 401(k) plan. For example, someone earning $100,000 annually who has been contributing 8% of their income to a 401(k) may be able to bump up that contribution to 10%. The extra $2,000 annual contribution, growing over several years, will likely provide you with a significant increase in your retirement account.

Turn that canceled vacation into an investment If you have a pile of cash tucked away for a major trip that’s been canceled, consider the benefits of investing that money. For example, if a couple had planned to spend $5,000 or more on a romantic getaway to Europe or a family trip to a theme

park, they may now be choosing a less costly vacation that makes it easier to adhere to health and safety guidelines. Others may be canceling these trips and staying at home until new infections in their state or county continue to recede. If you have money that you now won’t be spending for at least three years, consider investing it in a balanced portfolio in a brokerage account. If you’ll need the money sooner, consider opening a highyield savings account with an online bank.

Think twice about a new car Some people who had planned to buy a new car may be re-evaluating the need to drive as much once the economy recovers. If working from home is now a permanent option for one or more persons in the household, it may make more sense to buy a used car and save thousands of dollars, or hold off on a purchase for a few more years. Less mileage on your car now means it could run a lot longer.

Keep those good habits going Everyone needs to save for something. Now we all have the opportunity to create a “new normal” and form new spending and savings habits. A few thoughtful moves now can make a big impact for years to come. Take advantage of the forced broken habits and decide for yourself which habits you’ll take with you into the future. Josh Monroe, CFP®, is a Chartered Financial Consultant and Financial Planner at Brightworth. © 2020 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Ongoing

FREE ESTATE PLANNING The Maryland Department of Housing and Community

Development is offering low-income residents a free online program for homeowners who want help with estate planning. To access, visit myhomemydeed.org.

Aug. 11

LEVERAGING LIFE INSURANCE The D.C. Mayor’s Office on African American affairs is hosting a virtual workshop on growing generational wealth through life

insurance. The free webinar will be held on Tues., Aug. 11 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. To register, visit https://bit.ly/LifeInsuranceVirtual.

Aug. 11

REDUCE YOUR UTILITY BILLS With many of us spending more time at home, utility bill costs could be increasing. On Tuesday, Aug. 11, from 6 to 7 p.m., get

tips on reducing water and energy consumption from the Energy Masters program of the Virginia Cooperative Extension and EcoAction Arlington. To register, go to https://bit.ly/LowUtilityBills.

Aug. 20

YOUR INTERVIEW SKILLS In a webinar, the D.C. Department of Human Resources will provide tips on writing effective resumes and conducting interviews,

including avoiding common errors, formulating thoughtful questions and answering questions well. The free virtual session will be held on Thurs., Aug. 20 at 1 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/InterviewsOnline.

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

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

Finding the upside of a downside market By Kevin Barlow The year so far has presented a challenging time for investors. However, periods of market dislocation also can provide opportunities on the financial planning side to create a better long-term position. Here are five things you can do right now to prepare for the future financially and take advantage of lower equity prices:

Create a personal balance sheet and income statement Many of us are still spending much of our time at home and have already watched everything new that Netflix has to offer. Now may be a good time to take advantage of the lack of travel or social engagements to get your financial house in order. Start by completing a financial plan with a personal balance sheet and income statement. Just like with a business balance sheet, a personal balance sheet breaks down assets, income and liabilities, such as debt and financial commitments. A budget then helps forecast where spending is expected, savings can be gained, and goals have been met. According to a 2018 study by the Certified Financial Plan Board of Standards, “Consumers who have a budget feel more in control (62%), more confident (55%) and more secure (52%).”

Review your asset allocations, and rebalance your portfolio The coronavirus and its economic fallout have caused some assets to move significantly in both directions. A study from the CFA Institute states that rebalancing a portfolio of 60% stocks, 30% Treasuries and 10% commodities quarterly led to a 21% improvement in the risk to reward ratio, with both higher returns and lower volatility. Market dislocations like the one we are

experiencing allow for rebalancing of portfolios to match risk tolerance in a more tax-efficient manner. The market volatility can also reveal your risk tolerance. For instance, do you experience a tremendous amount of stress when a stock tumbles, or do you know that this is part of the ups and downs of daily trading? Based on your response to the recent market volatility, you can now adjust your portfolio accordingly. The current environment can give the ability to sell appreciated assets and get risk tolerance in line with long-term goals.

Harvest losses in taxable accounts Compared to 2019, equity investors now have a higher likelihood of having losses in certain securities that can be used to offset capital gains on a tax bill. By “realizing” a loss on a security that dramatically dropped in value and buying a similar equivalent security with the proceeds, you still maintain an overall investment allocation but can greatly benefit the timing of your tax payments and reduce your tax bill due next April.

Convert traditional IRAs to Roths to tap into tax-free growth The decline in your portfolio equates to a similar level of income tax savings when converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA at depressed levels. You must pay taxes on the amount you convert, but if your stock values are down, the tax bill on the transaction will be lower as well. Then, when the market bounces back, the gains will appear in the Roth IRA and will be permanently tax-free. This could be a particularly good strategy for clients with longer time horizons or

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Aug. 14

JOB HUNT DURING COVID

If you’re searching for a job during the pandemic, learn about ways to boost your candidacy with the help of the University of Maryland Career Center. The Zoom workshop will be held on Fri., Aug. 14 from 2 to 3 p.m. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/JobHuntCovid.

those who expect their 2020 income to be lower than future years. Consult a tax professional to ensure there are no other effects on your tax situation.

Gift or transfer depressed assets outside your estate The short-term mispricing of assets can provide significant tax benefits to gift or sell them out of an estate at a big discount. This means that assets can be transferred to a family member with lower taxes due to its “bargain” prices that are expected to appreciate during a market recovery. Funding 529 college savings plans now and allocating into stocks at potentially short-term depressed levels is also a good idea. This is essentially investing in sav-

ings plans and stocks that are at lowerthan-expected prices but may see increased value after the economic recovery. While no one likes seeing the value of their investment accounts drop, there are some benefits to lower balances from a tax, estate and investment strategy point of view. Sometimes you must fight the urge to freeze, and take action when times are bad to take advantage of the best opportunities. Kevin Barlow, CFA®, is managing director of Miracle Mile Advisors. This article was written by him and presents his views, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. Check adviser records with the SEC or FINRA. © 2020 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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

Probate workarounds may aid your heirs By Liz Weston A reader recently reached out after his elderly mother died, asking how soon he could distribute the $10,000 she had earmarked in her will for each of her two grandchildren. Because she lived in California, I had to break the bad news: He won’t be able to hand over the money any time soon. Probate is the court process to distribute someone’s estate after their death, even if there is a will, and it is notoriously slow in California. A typical probate takes nine to 12 months, and court shutdowns related to COVID-19 mean the wait could be longer. Probate is also expensive in California: By law, an attorney could charge $11,000 in fees to handle the woman’s $400,000 estate. Probate tends to be less onerous in most other states, but the process still costs money and delays when beneficiaries can receive their inheritance. Avoiding probate, however, also requires time or money and sometimes both. If you’re trying to decide whether to make the investment to spare your heirs the expense and hassle of probate, here’s what to

Some probate alternatives

keep in mind:

When probate makes sense If you die with a lot of debt, probate can help by limiting the amount of time creditors have to make claims against your estate, said attorney Betsy Simmons Hannibal, a writer and editor at self-help legal website Nolo. If there isn’t enough to pay all your creditors, the probate court decides how much each creditor gets. Without probate, creditors may surface after your assets have been distributed and sue your heirs or the person who divided up your estate, she said. Probate also provides court supervision, which can be helpful if you worry your wishes won’t be carried out. Your will and the details of your estate are made public, which is bad for the publicity-shy but may prevent greedy or contentious heirs from otherwise disregarding your will. All the assets, debts and costs paid by the estate have to be disclosed, and the court has to approve the distributions to beneficiaries. “There’s going to be much more oversight, which can be useful in some situations,” Hannibal said.

States have simplified probate for smaller estates, which can reduce how long probate takes and its cost. What’s considered “small,” though, varies by state. In Washington, D.C., it’s estates of $40,000 or less. In Virginia, it’s estates worth no more than $50,000. In Maryland, it’s estates worth $50,000 or less, or — if the surviving spouse is the only beneficiary — $100,000 or less. Those limits don’t include assets that can go directly to heirs, such as jointly held property and accounts that have a beneficiary. Retirement funds and life insurance usually require you to name a beneficiary, and you can also name beneficiaries for bank and brokerage accounts. You need to name specific people or organizations, however. If you name your estate as your beneficiary, the assets typically must go through probate. Many states, including Maryland, Virginia and D.C., have “transfer on death” deeds for real estate, and some allow people to register their cars with a form that names a beneficiary. Both methods allow a property transfer without probate.

The other way to avoid probate

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You may not be able to divide your estate the way you want to simply by using beneficiary designations and “transfer on death”

forms. Or you may want a more comprehensive solution, especially if you have a lot of assets or complicated finances. Living trusts are the other way to avoid probate. Living trusts are legal documents, like wills, that allow you to detail how you want your property divided and who should care for any minor children. Unlike wills, living trusts take effect while you’re still alive. Once a living trust is created, you must transfer ownership of your property to the trust, which requires changing titles and deeds, to avoid probate. These trusts are revocable — you can change them at any time. You will be the trustee, so you continue to have control over your property, and you’ll name a successor trustee or trustees to take over if you become incapacitated or die. Living trusts typically aren’t cheap to create, however. Lawyers usually charge $1,000 to $2,500, Hannibal noted. You can create a living trust without an attorney using software or do-it-yourself legal sites, but consult one if you have a large estate, or foresee problems such as spendthrift heirs or people who might challenge your estate plan. “If that’s your situation, your best bet is to go to a lawyer and say, ‘I anticipate trouble. How can you help me?’” Hannibal said. —AP/NerdWallet

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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 2 0

Preferred stocks are worth a closer look Many investors don’t fully understand currently the largest preferred stock ETF, the advantages and disadvantages of buy- iShares Preferred and Income Securities ing preferred stocks. Preferred stock is re- ETF (PFF), has a trailing 12-month yield of ally a hybrid security more similar to a 5.61% and an expense ration of 0.46%. bond than to a common stock. Regarding capital growth, The primary advantage is even if a company increases its consistent high income with earnings dramatically, it will not less downside risk than comhave a significant effect on the mon stocks. The primary disadnet asset value of a preferred vantage is that when interest stock fund unless the preferred rates increase significantly, the is convertible. Investors who value of preferred stocks deare interested in capital growth crease. should be primarily investing in Preferred shareholders have common stock equities, not priority over common stockpreferred stock. holders when it comes to divi- THE SAVINGS For investors who have esdends, which generate a higher GAME tablished a specific allocation yield than common stock divi- By Elliot Raphaelson to fixed income, and are interdends. Most preferred stocks ested in high income, they can have a fixed rate, although consider preferred stock for some are variable, in which the rate is based part of that allocation. on a benchmark such as LIBOR. Dividends can be paid monthly or quar- Recommended funds terly. Generally, dividends on common My recommendation would be an investstock can’t be paid until dividends are paid ment in one of the large diversified popular to the shareholders of preferred stock. If a ETF’s such as PFF, First Trust Preferred Sepreferred stock is “cumulative,” then pre- curities and Income (FPE), or VanEck Vecferred stockholders would receive their tors Preferred Securities ex Financials dividends in arrears before any dividends (PFXF). Yields are stable, currently over 5%, can be paid to common stockholders. and you can re-invest the dividend income Preferred stock generally has no specific back into the funds. You can compare other end date, unlike all bond issues. However, preferred ETFs at Morningstar. preferred stock generally does have According to the Wall Street Journal, “callable” provisions, which allows the board over the last 10 years, preferred stocks unof directors of the company to purchase out- derperformed the S&P 500 index and standing preferred stock at par value after a long-term bonds (S&P: 13.52%; preferred set date. However, this provision would only stock: 7.29%; long-term bonds: 7.7%). Howbe an option if interest rates decrease after ever, preferred stocks were much less the initial issue of the stock. volatile than common stocks and longIn the case of liquidation, a preferred term bonds over that 10-year period. stockholder’s claim is greater than comIn general, both preferred stocks and mon stockholders but subordinate to long-term bonds have a low correlation to bondholders. the stock market indexes. It’s likely that, Some preferred stock is convertible to a specific number of shares of common stock under certain circumstances. Naturally, this feature is attractive when the common stock price increases. However, most issues are not convertible. The Housing Authority of the City of College Park invites interested and For income more than growth qualified attorneys/law firms to submit In general, investors should look at preproposals to act as Legal Counsel ferred stock with the objective of high infor the Authority and to represent come, not capital growth. For example, it in legal matters which may arise in connection with the business and management of the Authority’s BEACON BITS housing programs.

Request for Proposals for Legal Services

Ongoing

D.C. SCAVENGER HUNT

Spend some time outdoors exploring your city with the D.C. Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt, hosted by the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. Find landmarks and take pic-

Copies of the Request for Proposals will be available on July 31,2020 by request. Interested parties may contact the Housing Authority by email at mcjohnson@collegeparkmd.gov, to obtain a copy of the RFP. Deadline for submission of proposal is 4:00 p.m. on August 31, 2020.

as long as major banks remain stable financially, a moderate investment in preferred stock ETFs will provide some stability in your portfolio.

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YOU CAN’T HUG HER

BUT YOU CAN

SALUTE HER Every day of this pandemic, US healthcare workers—from doctors and nurses to hospital housekeepers—are putting themselves at risk to care for the rest of us. Which is why all of them deserve our thanks and support. Join us in honoring those serving on the front lines of COVID-19. Visit UniteInGratitude.com to get your Gratitude Flag or apparel with its design. Proceeds from all purchases support the CDC Foundation’s Coronavirus Emergency Response Fund.

in support of the

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PHOTO BY CYNTHIA PYUN

Travel Leisure &

The French side of the French-Dutch island of St. Martin is known for having some of the best cuisine in the Caribbean. See story on page 34.

Drawn to Monterey’s heritage, sea life mate and a mix of outdoor recreation, seafood restaurants and rich history. For centuries, the Rumsien Native Americans lived on the Pacific Coast, where they fished for sardines, anchovies and rockfish, crafted abalone-decorated baskets, and thrived on local plants and wildlife. That is, until the Spanish arrived with livestock and new diseases. By 1770, Franciscan Father Junipero Serra established the Mission de San Carlos Borromeo de Monterey, the second mission in the Spanish colonial province called Alta California. For a quarter century, Monterey was the region’s capital. By the mid-1800s, the town was California’s main port. That’s when an entrepreneur named David Jack sold some cheese that some say he stole from area Franciscan friars. At some point, it became known as Monterey Jack cheese, another bragging point.

PHOTO BY SEEMONTEREY.COM

By Glenda C. Booth [Editor’s Note: Given the worldwide reach of the coronavirus and the fact that COVID19 cases in California and elsewhere are still rising, this is not the time to travel there (or possibly anywhere) for enjoyment. Statewide, many parks and beaches are temporarily closed or have very limited access. Please enjoy this article as armchair entertainment and for planning your future travel in healthier times.] For Monterey, California, a tiny silver fish has brought both fame and infamy. In the first half of the 20th century, the pungent scent of sardines wafted from the town’s booming canneries and powered its economy, prompting town leaders to trumpet Monterey as “the sardine capital of the world.” Nobel Prize-winning fiction writer John Steinbeck made Monterey’s booming fish canneries famous in his 1945 novella Cannery Row, and the town of olfactory renown lured all kinds of characters to cannery jobs — and dicey diversions. Today, Cannery Row has been repurposed with trendy shops, restaurants and one of the country’s finest aquariums. Located on the southern edge of Monterey Bay on California’s central coast, Monterey has a balmy Mediterranean cli-

Cannery Row, above, got its name from John Steinbeck’s 1945 novel, not the other way around. Many of its former fish processing plants have been converted to restaurants, shops and wine bars.

Spanish-Mexican heritage Today the town’s Spanish-Mexican heritage is preserved in 21 historic adobes. Nineteenth-century author Richard Dana wrote that the adobe buildings sparkled in the sun because of their ground-up abalone shells. Monterey State Historic Park preserves PHOTO © PETER SVEC/DREAMSTIME

Steven Whyte’s Cannery Row monument in effect honors its important fish in bronze as well as the rowdy characters of Monterey’s fish-packing heyday. Steinbeck is immortalized, too, surrounded by eight others, including the prosperous “Madam” Flora Woods, who ran the Lone Star Café and house of ill repute in the sardine-canning days. The monument also honors Chinese fishermen and four entrepreneurs who revived Cannery Row.

and interprets 12 such buildings, including the Custom House, the oldest government building in California. Starting at the park’s headquarters in the Pacific House Museum, visitors can amble along a marked two-mile trail and see a whalebone sidewalk, historic gardens and adobes. At the Cooper-Molera Adobe, built in 1827, visitors learn that early locals made sun-dried adobe bricks from clay soil, straw, crushed seashells and horse manure. Its garden has a working, beehiveshaped oven, called an horno, which originated in Spain. The Joseph Boston Store in the Casa del Oro, built in 1845, was the first general store in Monterey; it now sells 1850sthemed merchandise, such as artisan soaps, elderberry syrups and balsamic vinegars. At the Custom House in 1846, Commodore John Drake Sloat raised the American flag and claimed more than 600,000 square miles of territory for the United States, ending Mexican rule without firing a shot. Exhibits explain that Boston seafaring merchants brought iron tools, bear traps and metal buckets to locals. They paid $1 each for cattle hides, which they sold to

belt-makers for $10 each in Boston in the 1800s. The Russians came for the region’s otter pelts, and Chinese traders brought goods like firecrackers and dishes. The free Museum of Monterey explores the town’s connection to the sea, with exhibits on the cannery workers, nautical memorabilia, boat types, a Fresnel lighthouse lens from Point Sur, and a tutorial on sardine fishing, processing and packing. At the industry’s height, there were 19 canneries and reduction plants employing hundreds of workers. (Reduction plants convert fish into feed meal, oil and other consumer products.) During World War I, the canneries shipped 1.4 million cases of sardines to troops. They had another boom in World War II.

Underwater forests The sea is both indoors and out at the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, where 100 exhibits highlight the beach, ocean and wetland habitats of a full range of marine life, including sea slugs, jellyfish, sea turtles, limpets and anemones. In an underwater kelp forest, “the redwoods of the sea,” divers plunge into the See MONTEREY, page 35

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Caribbean island has unique dual culture By Victor Block The tiny Caribbean island of French St. Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten offers tourists a chance for a traditional sun-andsand getaway, but its unique dual culture keeps vacationers coming back year after year. The 36-square-mile island is the smallest land mass in the world that’s shared by two nationalities. Approximately 60% of the land is part of the French Republic, while the rest belongs to the Netherlands — a division that dates back to 1648. In a display of togetherness that can inspire the rest of the world, these two enclaves coexist in harmony. Just one example: No passport or border-checks are required to pass from one side of the island to the other. The only indications that you’ve entered another nation’s domain are small roadside welcome signs.

However, the atmosphere and ambience do undergo a dramatic change. Differences in lifestyle, language, cuisine and customs provide contrasting settings and experiences. One resident described the ambiance as a blend of Dutch conservatism and French joie de vivre.

French vs. Dutch In French St. Martin, for instance, sidewalk cafes tempt passersby with mouthwatering pâtisseries and other hard-to-resist sweets. Its capital, Marigot (population 5,700), resembles towns of similar size throughout France, with the added attraction of palm trees. Food plays a prominent role in Marigot, especially on market days. That’s when island ladies wearing colorful dresses and big-brimmed straw hats offer fresh-fromthe-sea fish, baked goods and spices at outdoor stalls.

Fort Louis has looked out over Marigot Bay since 1789. The mighty fortress was built to protect warehouses that stored salt, sugarcane, rum and other goods from British and French pirates. Sugar was a major crop on the island during the 18th century, and the ruins of sugar houses are scattered about the countryside. On the Dutch side of the island, casinos offer games of chance and skill, as well as nighttime entertainment. Sint Maarten is said to have more gaming machines per resident than any other country in the world. Some casinos are hotspots for live entertainment, dancing and other leisure-time pursuits, including live sporting events beamed from around the world on bigscreen televisions. So much for the “Dutch conservatism” described by my acquaintance.

ENTERPRISE RESIDENTIAL MOST COMMUNITIES ARE 62 AND BETTER ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

BALTIMORE COUNTY (CONT.)

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

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

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BALTIMORE COUNTY Cove Point Apartments I: 410-288-2344 Cove Point Apartments II: 410-288-1660 Evergreen Senior Apartments: 410-780-4888 The Greens at English Consul: 410-789-3000 The Greens at Liberty Road: 410-655-1100 The Greens at Logan Field: 410-288-2000 The Greens at Rolling Road: 410-744-9988 Park View at Catonsville: 410-719-9464 Park View at Dundalk: 410-288-5483 • 55 & Better Park View at Fullerton: 410-663-0665 Park View at Miramar Landing: 410-391-8375 Park View at Randallstown: 410-655-5673

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

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

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Philipsburg, the Dutch capital of the island, is bisected by two main streets, aptly though unimaginatively named Front Street and Back Street. They’re connected by a network of narrow alleyways with Dutch names reminiscent of Amsterdam. The town’s restaurants and shops can be crowded, especially if one or more cruise ships has docked. The duty-free stores in Sint Maarten have long served as a magnet for people seeking discounts of 50% and even more on items ranging from jewelry, crystal and perfume to alcoholic beverages and cigars.

Beyond the capitals In addition to spending time in the two most sizeable towns, visitors should explore other island attractions by rental car, taxi or the mini-buses that link most points at very reasonable fares. It’s possible to drive around the entire island in about an hour, depending upon the traffic and stops to take in the scenery. As it traverses the coastline of St. Martin and Sint Maarten, the main road ascends tree-blanketed hills and offers views of nearby neighboring islands. It leads to tiny towns like Colombier, a village of Creole huts in a verdant valley, and French Cul de Sac, a cluster of redroofed houses clinging to a hillside. When it comes to dining, even many residents of Dutch Sint Maarten admit that the best food and restaurants are located in “la partie Française.” Gourmets often rank the island’s cuisine among the very best in the Caribbean. Part of its appeal is based upon the combination of French flair with Dutch touches, augmented by traces of West Indian and Creole cooking. Marigot on its own boasts enough restaurants to provide a different dining experience for weeks on end. Then there’s the little town of Grand Case, which, despite its name, is anything but grand. The village consists of little more than a single road, but that street is lined with inviting places to eat, many of which have an inviting outdoor terrace overlooking the sea. Visitors may dine al fresco in a setting that in ways resembles Paris with palm trees.

Snorkeling, fishing, golf and more In addition, there’s a lengthy list of other to-do’s on the island, including sailing, parasailing, windsurfing and scuba diving. As an avid snorkeler, I enjoyed swimming over multi-colored reefs and through teeming schools of colorful fish. The warm, multihued waters of the Caribbean Sea that surround the island are home to a prolific variety of marine animals. There’s outstanding close-in angling off the beaches, along rocky stretches of shoreline and in saltwater grass beds, and deep-sea fishermen may rent charter boats to seek larger prey. See ST. MARTIN, page 37

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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 2 0

Monterey From page 33 glass tanks to feed the fish and talk to visitors from underwater. Visitors can also watch sea otters and penguins eat and play. An aviary has shorebirds and two species of penguins, tufted and horned. There’s plenty of life outside the building, too — tidal pool critters darting around, common murres skimming the surface, kingfishers and cormorants diving, and brown pelicans flapping or perching on the rocks. With museum scopes, tourists can scan the ocean for whales, seals and sea otters. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is known as the “Serengeti of the Sea” for its rich wildlife diversity. It’s the site of North America’s biggest and deepest underwater canyon, plunging more than two miles deep, and one of the largest kelp forests in the U.S. In this 6,100-square-mile sanctuary, there are 334 known species of marine mammals, more than 180 species of sea and shorebirds and at least 525 species of fish. Several operators offer boat tours to see humpback, blue, gray and killer whales, as

well as seals, dolphins, sea lions, otters, sea turtles and seabirds.

Here, if you look really hard, you might spot a sardine shimmering in the water.

The nearby outdoors

If you go

Multiple parks and preserves near Monterey offer breathtaking views and stunning nature. Pinnacles National Park near Soledad has talus caves, rolling chaparral, and dramatic rock spires and crags formed by volcanic action 23 million years ago. Lucky visitors may see an endangered California condor. Big Sur is well known for its dramatic coastal scenery, wave-sculpted blowholes, sea stacks, ancient coastal redwood trees, beaches and hiking trails. In the 19th century Point Sur Light Station, situated on a large volcanic rock promontory 316 feet above the ocean, docents tell tales of lighthouse keepers, and explain the importance of lighthouses to seafaring vessels. For wetland explorers, the Elkhorn Slough is a tidal salt marsh stretching seven miles inland from Monterey Bay, home to oak woodlands, maritime chaparral, sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions and over 340 species of birds.

In pre-pandemic times, the Monterey Regional Airport typically offered more than 40 daily flights. The San Jose International Airport is one hour north, and San Francisco’s airport is two hours north. Currently, one-stop flights from D.C. to Monterey in September start at $240 round trip on American Airlines. Check cdc.gov for current travel recommendations. To plan your trip, visit seemonterey.com or Monterey.org. There are many guided tours available to explore the region’s history, food, wine, movies, gardens and whale watching.

ELDER ABUSE DURING COVID-19 The coronavirus pandemic has made older adults even more vul-

nerable to abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. Learn about the warning signs and community resources in a Zoom workshop on Mon., Aug. 10 from 11 a.m. to noon with the Montgomery County Public Libraries. To register, visit https://bit.ly/CovidElderAbuse.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

SELF-GUIDED WALKING TOUR Find and learn more about the important landmarks in Southeast

and Northeast D.C. with a self-guided walking tour presented by the Capitol Hill Restoration Society. Each landmark has a picture, description and address online at https://bit.ly/NEandSETour.

Aug. 11

RACE TALK WITH GRANDKIDS Learn how to have a difficult conversation with your grandchildren about race and racism with social worker Melissa Patrick. The

free webinar will be held on Tues., Aug. 11 from 7 to 8 p.m. To register, visit https://bit.ly/KidRaceTalk.

Upon arrival, start at the Visitors Center, 401 Camino El Estero, or call them at 1-888-221-1010. Monterey’s cuisine highlights local artichokes, mushrooms and wine from Salinas and Carmel Valley farms, located less than an hour away. Several tour companies offer food, wine and agriculture tours to “California’s Salad Bowl.” If you can’t travel now, get a glimpse of Monterey Bay’s spectacular wildlife from home. At montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams, viewers can explore kelp forest life, “swim” with sharks and sea turtles, and watch moon jellies open and close like fancy, upside-down parasols. At elkhornslough.org/ottercam, you can watch otters, including playful pups, at Elkhorn Slough.

BEACON BITS

Aug. 10

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From page 34 While golf is confined to the course at the Mullet Bay resort, that layout alone offers plenty for both duffers and low-handicap players to enjoy. Palm-tree lined fairways loop around a lovely lagoon, and unusually small greens challenge even the most practiced putters. Tourists head for the broad beaches near the resort hotels, while locals trek to small, crescent-shaped beaches off the beaten track. A few adventurous souls who find those lesser-known gems take advantage of their isolation by losing their inhibitions, and their swimsuit, as they seek a full-body tan. A personal favorite during my visit to the 36-square-mile island was Cupecoy, three itty-bitty beaches that hug a low cliff. These isolated beaches couldn’t accommodate a large crowd even if more people sought them out. Adding to the island color at Cupecoy is Dany’s Beach Bar, a nondescript, open-air affair where owner Dany’s mother occasionally hangs out looking for someone to play dominoes. If she challenges you to a game for money or drinks, be forewarned that the innocent-looking older woman plays a killer game. Your money would be better spent on an ample portion of barbecued ribs or chicken.

If you go The island’s airport reopened in July, and round-trip flights from D.C. start at $584. Accommodations on St. Martin/Sint Maarten range from modest B&Bs to upscale hotels. When I visited last year, I opted for a best-of-both-worlds option at the Sapphire Beach Club. It’s a timeshare and rental resort that has a restaurant, swimming pool and a full menu of activities like Caribbean barbecues, wine and cheese parties, and fitness classes. Rates for suites with a full kitchen, sitting area and outside deck begin at $136/night. For more information, visit sapphire-beach-club-resort-cupecoy.booked.net. The island’s vast and varied array of restaurants include casual beachside cafes, white-tablecloth gourmet eateries and everything in between. One caveat to keep in mind is that because many ingredients, other than fresh fish and some other local fare, must be imported, restaurant prices can be a bit higher than encountered on some other Caribbean islands. The Rendez-vous at Porto Cupecoy, St. Maarten, has a pleasant courtyard environment. Appetizers include duck or lobster ravioli ($15). After enjoying both grilled red snapper with creole sauce and poached salmon ($22 with sides), I couldn’t decide which was my favorite seafood entrée. For more information, visit

St. Martin

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A Boeing 787’s low approach to Sint Maarten’s airport thrills tourists on Malo Beach, located on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island.

rdvlounge.com or call (721) 545-3070. A less formal setting greets a mix of locals and visitors at the lunch-only Lazy Lizard Beach Bar in Philipsburg. Specialties include oxtail, conch and curry goat, served with sides for $18. Less adventur-

ous eaters may prefer a fresh grouper sandwich with fries (also $18). Check lazylizardsxm.com or call (721) 520-4653. For more information about the island, call 1-721-545-2179 or visit st-martin.org or vacationstmaarten.com.

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Old-time radio aficionados tune in to a local club. See story on page 40.

Author brings history to life with tours from home and not having to commute. While many of us have experienced this in recent months, Peck has been working this way since 2002. “It essentially allows me to have a 26-hour day,” he said. “There are fewer distractions.” In the last 11 years, Peck has published eight books, including his most recent one in June called A Decade of Disruption: America in the New Millennium. It’s an analysis of the first decade of the 21st century, from the dotcom meltdown to the Great Recession. Of his prolific output, he said, “You finish one project; you just keep going…I’ve got a list of books [to write].”

ed to move to a different part of the country.” (As for attending a military college, he acknowledged in hindsight, “That’s not much rebelling.”) He graduated in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in history and German, and was one of the first students there to earn a minor in international relations. Peck then worked in the U.S. Army as a liaison to a German army unit from 1990 to 1994. In 1996, he received a master’s degree in international affairs from George Washington University and started working in telecommunications.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GARRETT PECK

By Ivey Noojin Normally at this time of year, author and historian Garrett Peck of Arlington, Virginia, would be leading his popular walking tours throughout the greater Washington area, and having a drink with the participants afterward. Now, due to the pandemic, he’s had to go virtual. Peck, 52, established his walking tour business in 2006, exploring Prohibition-related sites in Washington, D.C. A few years later, he published a book on the topic, Prohibition in Washington, D.C.: How Dry We Weren’t. Since then, he has written a number of books on historical topics, each time adding a walking tour on the subject to his repertoire. In addition to researching for his books and tours and lecturing on those topics at the Smithsonian, the National Archives and the Library of Congress, Peck also holds down a day job. He was an analyst at Verizon until 2016, and now works for the Charities Aid Foundation of America, a nonprofit that facilitates international philanthropy. He credits his ability to accomplish everything on his to-do list on working

Growing up fascinated Long before he started writing books, Peck was fascinated by history. At 16, he decided to leave his hometown of Sacramento, California, to spend a year studying in Germany. His grandparents are from there, and he wanted to become more familiar with his family’s heritage. After high school, Peck chose to attend the Virginia Military Institute, partly because of its proximity to many Civil War landmarks. Plus, he said, “Being a teenage rebel, I want-

The history of drinking Peck got the idea for his first book around Christmas Day in 2003, when he brought his grandmother a bottle of wine. “My grandmother pointed to the red wine and said, ‘I don’t drink; you should know that by now,’” Peck said. See TOUR GUIDE, page 41

Author and licensed tour guide Garrett Peck had to put his historical walking tours of the D.C. area on hold due to the pandemic, but has started offering virtual ones instead. His most recent book, A Decade of Disruption: America in the New Millennium, was published in June.

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Old-time radio buffs celebrate its heyday

Radio’s role in history From comedies to dramas, radio shows

were “instrumental in bringing our nation through a Depression and at least two wars,” Hayde added. “During the Depression, even in the poorest areas, people still bought radios, usually on an installment plan, so that they could have some form of escape from harsh reality.” Throughout World War II, when the federal government required rationing and restricted people’s travel, free radio shows brought relief from life’s troubles. The airwaves were filled with news, dramas, quiz shows, mystery serials, variety shows, talent shows, live music, situation comedies and more. Programs like “The Lone Ranger,” “The Jack Benny Program,” “Our Miss Brooks” and “The Kraft Music Hall” captivated listeners for hours as families gathered around the radio. Such radio programming also spawned many future television stars, including Lucille Ball, Groucho Marx, Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Arthur Godfrey and Bing Crosby. President Franklin D. Roosevelt is credited as the first U.S. president to capitalize on the full potential of radio, communicating directly to the people without the filter of an editor or reporter. In his “fireside chats,” aired from the White House between 1933 and 1944, he used a calm voice and down-to-earth vo-

PHOTO BY WMOTRC

By Glenda C. Booth “Enter the theater of your own imagination,” beckons Murray Horwitz every Sunday evening. Listeners tune into shows like “Gunsmoke,” “Superman” and “Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar” on WAMU/88.5 FM’s “The Big Broadcast.” Rapt listeners can ride along in a patrol car with detective Joe Friday as he tracks down a murder suspect on “Dragnet,” or follow U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon’s confrontation with a stagecoach robber in Dodge City, Kansas, on “Gunsmoke.” “All you need are ears, and your mind will conjure up the locations, the faces and the situations exactly as you think they should be,” said Michael Hayde, president of the Metropolitan Washington Old Time Radio Club. The 120 members of the club are perhaps the most ardent devotees of the local station’s longest-running program. The club was founded in 1984 to collect, preserve, promote and exchange radio-related materials from the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s — radio’s Golden Age. “[Radio] brought us entertainers that remained vital well into the television era, and the best of their radio work can still entertain,” Hayde said.

Members of the Washington Metropolitan Old Time Radio Club channel the stars of the 1940s during a live recreation of a radio program from that time.

cabulary to comfort and inform Americans right in their living rooms. In 1958, 96% of American homes had radios — more than those with cars, telephones or bathtubs, according to the World Book Encyclopedia that year. At the same time, from the mid-50s on, television gradually displaced radio as the dominant

broadcasting medium in homes, thus ending the Golden Age of Broadcasting.

Recreations and performances Today, Metropolitan Washington Old Time Radio Club members, whose average See OLD-TIME RADIO, page 41

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Old-time radio From page 40 age is in the mid-60s, pay $20 in annual dues. They meet monthly in Arlington, Virginia (during coronavirus times, they meet online via Zoom), to listen to talks about vintage shows, performers and related topics, such as the history of radio in automobiles or the personal lives of favorite actors. At some meetings, they do live recreations, acting out old scripts or using new dramas that members write based on old shows. They are adept at finding original scripts in various archives, for example, from the NBC Network collection now at the Library of Congress. Some members have closets full of sound effects equipment, such as blocks to simulate footsteps and a portable door that creaks when opened. Until the recent pandemic, they would

Tour guide From page 39 His grandmother was born in 1913, six years before the ratification of the 18th Amendment, which prohibited the manufacture, transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages in the United States starting in 1920. “Her generation was taught to be ashamed of drinking,” Peck said. Three years later, after his grandmother died, “Of course we found her liquor cupboard,” Peck said. Prohibition didn’t stop people from drinking; it just made consumption private. Peck began to think about how much alcohol consumption had changed in three to four generations. “My mother and I were never passed on that [secretive drinking] ethic,” he said. So, he decided he wanted to write a book on the topic. But how was a first-time author to find a willing publisher? In 2006, to prove to publishing companies that he was qualified to write such a book, Peck began offering a three-hour walking tour of Prohibition-related sites in the District. Three years later, he successfully published his first book. He found he loved the part-time job as a tour guide, and since then has offered a personal tour to explore the history of each of the books he has written. “It’s actually hard selling books. But if you offer a tour, they’ll pay good money,” Peck said. “People like experiences.” Before the pandemic, Peck offered 13 different tours, including of Alexandria’s historic breweries, George Washington’s Alexandria, the Seneca Quarry, the C&O Canal and Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Those in-person tours are on hold for now, but one tour, “Jazzy Nights in Washing-

perform at retirement centers and other venues, including the Library of Congress’s National Audio-Visual Center in Culpeper, Virginia, which has a 205-seat theater that resembles a 1930s movie house, with ornate chandeliers, cloth wall covers and red velvet curtains. The club maintains a lending library for members with more than 2,000 audio tapes, CDs, CD-ROMS, books, periodicals and scripts, all housed in a member’s Alexandria home. As hobbyists, members collect vintage radio shows, which is relatively easy today with the Internet, Hayde said. At archive.org, for instance, they can download some old shows for free. For the best sound quality, Hayde recommends Radio Spirits, a company he calls “the pre-eminent dealer of ‘old time’ on compact disc.” The club publishes a bimonthly journal titled Radio Recall, which carries articles like

ton,” went digital last month. Peck prerecorded a narrative about each site, provided pictures, and gave a live lecture on Zoom. The first one, available online through Smithsonian Associates, quickly sold out.

Analyzing retirement In his most recent book, A Decade of Disruption, Peck dedicates a chapter to the changed circumstances facing today’s retirees. On one hand, developments in technology and medicine have led to healthier and longer lives. On the other, our steadily increasing longevity is putting financial pressure on governmental programs like Social Security and Medicare. “Our society is getting grayer,” Peck said. “Now you might have 20 to 30 years of retirement.” Peck watched his mother change her mind about retiring in 2000 after the dotcom bubble burst and high-flying stocks plummeted. Instead, she decided to continue her career in mental health therapy, but worked part-time. She enjoyed it so much that she continued to work for another decade. “It’s actually a good model,” Peck noted. “Find something you enjoy doing,” and keep at it. Fortunately for him, Peck has already found his passion: being a tour guide. As soon as it’s safe, he plans to restart his walking tours. “I want to continue to do it until my 90s.” In the meantime, with the success of his first virtual tour last month and another one coming in September, he should be able to do that from home, too. A Decade of Disruption: America in the New Millennium, published in June, is available on Amazon for $28. For more information, visit garrettpeck.com.

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“The Day Lou Costello Cried on the Radio” (his son had drowned in a swimming pool) or juicy news about a former radio star. The club also sends out a newsletter, “Gather ’round the Radio,” vie email. It always begins with “Hello, fine listeners” and reports on miscellaneous trivia. One example: “Scriptwriter Howard Koch… was given six days to complete the adaptation of the H.G. Wells story ‘War of the Worlds’ for the Oct. 30, 1938 broadcast.”

Members are regulars at the annual Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention in Hunt Valley, Maryland, which will be a virtual event this year on Sept. 25 and 26. The event will have videos of celebrities from past conventions and live interviews with some notables, not yet finalized. Their passion may be “old time radio,” but to Metropolitan Washington Old Time Radio Club members, it never gets old. For more information, visit mwotrc.com.

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Aug. 21

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

Did you enjoy Jane Austen’s book Pride and Prejudice? Join George Washington University professor Tara Wallace in a discussion about the book, feminism and romanticism. The free webinar will be held on Fri., Aug. 21 from 2 to 3 p.m. To register, visit https://bit.ly/PrideandPrejudiceVirtual.

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Suspenseful fiction for summer reading This summer, relax and enjoy these sistant Erik Nykvist. The clash of personalitales of crime detection, spycraft and mur- ties in a confined workspace; an office infatuder as conjured by talented ation between a divorced man older authors. and a married woman; and the The Department of Senstruggle to make progress as a sitive Crimes: A Detective team despite a bombastic, Varg Novel, by Alexander know-it-all coworker are McCall Smith, 240 pages, themes that resonate beyond Anchor paperback, 2020 the borders of this ScandinaFollow Detective Ulf Varg vian city. Office banter and sly reof the Malmo, Sweden, Crimimarks between colleagues nal Investigation Authority as are described knowingly, as is he solves quirky cases asTHE the need to avoid comments signed to his Department of BIBLIOPHILE that can be construed as inSensitive Crimes. Suspected By Dinah Rokach sensitive. criminal cases that require inOffbeat crimes and minor characters convestigative discretion are referred to this tribute to the entertaining tableau. One pospecial plainclothes unit. Working with Ulf are his colleagues Anna lice officer has a knack for identifying subBengsdotter, Carl Holgersson and clerical as- jects. Also adding charming touches to the

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Aug. 18

HOOD FEMINISM BOOK DISCUSSION Discuss Mikki Kendall’s book, Hood Feminism: Notes from the

Women that a Movement Forgot, along with Gordon Park’s portrait of Malcom X. The free virtual event hosted by the D.C. Public Library takes place on Tues., Aug. 18 at 5:30 p.m. To register, go to https://bit.ly/HoodFeminismVirtual.

novel are a compassionate therapist, a widowed neighbor and pet dog Martin who reads lips. Older readers will especially enjoy Detective Varg’s take on contemporary behavior. Although in his late 30s, the detective pines for the days when gentlemen adhered to a strict code of conduct. That’s no mystery: Varg’s creator is a septuagenarian. Scottish writer Alexander McCall Smith has written more than 100 novels. He brings a wry sensibility to this beguiling mystery, the first of a series about Detective Varg. There are no murders, no corpses, no guns in this whodunit. The Department of Sensitive Crimes has been labeled, with tongue firmly in cheek, Scandi Blanc — a new genre of fiction. Agent Running in the Field: A Novel, by John le Carré, 288 pages, Viking hardcover, 2019 Octogenarian author John le Carré has written a nuanced, dramatic, well drawn portrait of a 47-year-old British spy, home from his overseas postings. Those experiences were dramatic, important and dangerous compared to his current, staid London grind. Agent Nat is anchored by the love and forbearance of his wife, Prue, a radical attorney. He hearkens to his early years as a spy during the Cold War when right and wrong were in stark contrast. He is dis-

mayed by the contemporary state of affairs. (Aren’t we all?) Nat’s experience at spycraft holds him in good stead as he must navigate a crisis in his career. The tale is briskly told without undue complications. The excellent plotline of Agent Running in the Field is entertaining and full of surprises as readers get a glimpse into the secret world of undercover operatives. The story’s events are neither far-fetched nor overly dramatized. Better still is le Carré’s wise insight into human relationships — complicated by factors such as betrayal and diverse philosophies — that stands the test of time. The elegance, courtesy, stiff-upper-lip mentality and understatement, which permeate the behavior of the older British generation, contrasts with the outspoken, harsh histrionics of the book’s younger characters. Older readers will be enchanted. One Good Deed, by David Baldacci, 464 pages, Grand Central Publishing paperback, 2020 Richmond, Virginia, native and Fairfax County resident David Baldacci takes us back to small town, post-World War II America in this exciting thriller. Army veteran Aloysius Archer, in his first days as a See BIBLIOPHILE, page 45

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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 2 0

Finding comfort in a sentimental journey Comfort food — bad for our bodies but was in my wheelhouse. good for our souls — seems to be all the I bought records. I bought tapes. I went rage during this pandemic. to live concerts. I would listen We are reverting to macathroughout the day. It was a roni and cheese, chocolate cavalcade, a fountain, a geyser chip cookies, gloppy pizza. of any and every sound that Yes, even to the granddaddy made me happy. of horrible, those peerless arAnd nothing made me happitery cloggers — French fries. er than to stack many records But in my cocoon, I’ve been on top of one another, and to reverting to another kind of load them all onto my phonocomfort. graph’s spindle. Comfort music. As each 33 or 78 finished, HOW I SEE IT Once upon a time, I would and the next one plopped down, By Bob Levey consume new sounds from I’d feel that rush of anticipation. many genres — mostly because I had the Would this next one be Beatles? B.B. time to do it. Top 40, folk, blues, country, King? Ezio Pinza? If I couldn’t remember lounge lizard crooners, show tunes…All of it the order in which I had stacked my plat-

ters, so much the better. But then life interceded — for decades. Career. Family. Travel. Community service. One day, about 10 years ago, I realized that I had never heard a single note played by 1980s idols like Bruce Springsteen and Dolly Parton. Entire rafts of modern music had passed me by. But as all of us have hunkered in our

bunkers these last few months, we have had the chance to make up for lost musical time. We could have sought out those groups and those genres that we missed. We could have sought out the Allman Brothers and the sound track from The Phantom of the Opera. At long last, we could have See BOB LEVEY, page 45

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

FROM PAGE 44

C A N O A R O L P O O D O K D A L A B T A T E A C E L E E L P O A M E N R E P E G N P U S E E A R

ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

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Aug. 15

WEST AFRICAN DANCE

Participate in a virtual West African Dance and drumming program hosted by the D.C. Public Library. The Coyaba Dance Theater performers will also talk about African history and culture. Watch on Facebook Live on Sat., Aug. 15 at 3 p.m. on facebook.com/dclibrary.

Ongoing

EXPLORE SANDY SPRING

The Sandy Spring Museum is opening with its first on-site exhibition since the lockdown: a completely outdoor juried sculpture garden. Within 10 miles of the museum, there are also four farm breweries, several hiking trails and Silo Falls. For more information about the exhibit, visit sandyspringmuseum.org.

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Crossword Puzzle

Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus Kennel Club 1

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Jumble answers on p. 43.

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Across 1. Deliverance transport 6. Chocolate source 11. “Hey; I can’t hear the movie” 14. On ___ (getting a lot of 7’s) 15. Prepare to receive the next correspondence 16. Gardener’s tool 17. Wardrobe item useful in a Grease revival 19. Measurement unit named for a German physicist 20. Green-lighted 21. Coniferous tree you may like 22. Prepare for the annual refresher test 24. Spend time inside a bourbon barrel 26. Lawyers’ org. 28. Doctrines 29. Glucose level, for example 34. First-stringers 35. Runs in neutral 36. Like many apples 39. Animation unit 40. Visual effects co. sold from George Lucas to Disney in 2012 42. Enzyme ending 43. Words spoken at the rehearsal dinner 44. Slithery swimmer 45. “___ say more?” 47. One of the Fab Four 49. iPad input tool 52. Last word of the bible 54. ___ few rounds 55. Legal Due Diligence, briefly, in briefs 56. Second-time broadcast 58. 23andMe data source 60. Afore “the land of the free” 63. Econ. value some find disgusting 64. One preparing for a bout 68. “Never let yesterday ___ up too much of today” (Will Rogers) 69. Black tea 70. Hollywood or Rose Bowl 71. Personal pencil holder

60 66

62 67

72. Stumbling blocks 73. Fancy tie Down 1. It displays the baseball team’s logo 2. End of buck- or kang3. Cozy spot 4. Obsolete information 5. Building wing 6. Open and shut ___ 7. Socially uncomfortable 8. Airport code for Egypt’s busiest airport 9. Where B-52’s are stationed 10. Germany’s von Bismarck 11. Tiny budget 12. Uninspired 13. Strong ropes 18. Stares at, suspiciously 23. Goals in a scoreless tie 25. One born on Memorial Day 27. Ritzy Los Angeles neighborhood 29. Slip someone a Mickey 30. Suit to ___ 31. Ingredient in Sizzling Steak Fajitas 32. At the stroke of 13, it is ___ get a new clock 33. Logon requirement 37. Crispiest brownie piece 38. It opens upwards on a DeLorean 41. Add inches 46. “Nobody kicks a ___” (Dale Carnegie) 48. “Tea to the English is really a picnic ___” (Alice Walker) 50. Last word before “Blastoff!” 51. The Death Star’s thermal exhaust port, for example 52. Try to influence the jury 53. Club for brainiacs 57. Egyptian cobras 59. Yesses and ___ 61. Member of the c-suite 62. The Biggest Little City in the World 65. Acronym on a wanted poster 66. Comment from a black sheep 67. Chef in Ratatouille

Answers on page 43.

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

Bob Levey From page 43 completed our musical educations. But instead, I’ve reverted to the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s. “One, two, three o’clock, four o’clock rock…” I can remember dancing with my best girl to this iconic opening verse from Bill Haley and the Comets. “When you find your sweetheart-t-t-t-t-t, in the arms of your best friend…” There will never be another Elvis. To re-hear Sinatra telling me that he saw a man who danced with his wife, well, wasn’t that a more innocent, more inviting time? And to have Pinza instruct me that, “Once you have found her, never let her go…,” yes, it still makes me soar. I don’t think this is just free-floating sentimentality. Close your eyes and silently tune into Bing Crosby’s phrasing on “White Christmas.” Grabs and never lets go. Or how about “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy from Company B?” It’s as if I were transported back to USO dances during World War II. I wasn’t there, but the song puts me there. You want effortless? Ella Fitzgerald was effortless. When she does Cole Porter, I can’t leave the room until the last note fades away. You want evocative? Let Nat King Cole invoke chestnuts roasting on an open fire, and Jack Frost nipping at your nose. You want simple and searing? Joan Baez doing “House of the Rising Sun” has seen me through many showers, and still makes me sing along with the final verse at the top of my lungs. I know it’s not all that useful to compare generations and genres. Tastes are tastes. Yours might not be mine. That doesn’t make mine better. But in times like these, when we need to hug and be hugged, I seriously doubt that heavy metal is going to do the job. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I hear Tony Bennett warming up. I believe he misplaced his heart.

Bibliophile From page 42 free man after his release from prison, encounters troubles that culminate in a trial for his very life. The book opens as Archer boards the bus from Carderock Prison to report to his parole officer in Paco City. Settling in and beginning life anew proves fraught with temptations and terror, murder and mayhem. Meet the colorful and complicated

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

In some city in California. Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist. townspeople who become his friends, antagonists, cohorts and nemeses. Appearances prove to be deceiving. Someone’s past can be readily misunderstood. Villains may be victims. As the action unfolds, characters are revealed to be more than skin-deep and their motivations ultimately understood in their proper context. Baldacci, a prolific author who has sold more than 130 million novels worldwide, joins the ranks of “older adults” when he celebrates his 60th birthday this month. Welcome to the club!

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

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CLASSIFIEDS The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on page 47. CAVEAT EMPTOR! The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibility for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment. EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS: We will not knowingly or intentionally accept advertising in violation of federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap in connection with employment or the sale or rental of real estate. Financial TAX RETURN PREPARATION. On extension? It’s never too late to file. Licensed CPA since 1986. All types of returns. Reasonable rates. Located in Gaithersburg MD. Diane Christen CPA. Call, text or email: 240-355-1135; dianechristen@aol.com.

For Sale

Health

Wanted

THE PINK ELEPHANT THRIFT SHOP, located at 6127 Backlick Road in Springfield will reopen on Tuesday, August 18th and will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM for consignments (no donations) from existing consignors and from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM for customers. CDC guidelines will be strictly followed with the wearing of masks and social distancing required. The Pink Elephant is a non-profit business owned and operated by the Woman’s Club of Springfield (GFWC).

MOBILEHELP, America’s Premier Mobile Medical Alert System. Whether You’re Home or Away. For Safety and Peace of Mind. No Long Term Contracts! Free Brochure! Call Today! 1240-650-9189

ALWAYS BUYING OLD STUFF! Old Silverware and Holloware (even some silverplate) Very Old books, Costume Jewelry, Pinup magazines before 1970, Metal purses, Comic Books, Old School Rings, Pinup magazines before 1970, Old Coins U.S. & Foreign, Antique Metal Pens & Pencils, Posters, Dental Gold( Yellow & White) ,Pocket & Wrist Watches, Old Toys, Broken Jewelry, Coins, other “old stuff”. What do you have? Call Now: Alex 571-426-5363 or send to: 8409 Lee Highway, Suite 825 Merrifield, VA 22116

CEMETERY LOTS FOR SALE in National Memorial Park cemetery in Falls Church, Va. Lots are located in Block I, Section 258, Sites 3 and 4. Current value if purchased through cemetery is $15,800. Asking $12,500, but willing to negotiate. Will pay ownership transfer fees. Call 703-989-6965. WESTHAMPTON MEMORIAL AND CREMATION PARK. 10000 Patterson Ave. Richmond VA. 2 side by side Cemetery plots. $ 3500 per plot. Negotiable. Section 2, Garden of Meditation. Will sell separately. Call or text Jeanne 804 297 6076. PUT ON YOUR TV EARS and hear TV with unmatched clarity. TV Ears Original were originally $129.95 - NOW WITH THIS SPECIAL OFFER are only $59.95 with code MCB59! Call 1-833-934-0843.

Health DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-844366-1003 www.dental50plus.com/320 #6258. LIFE ALERT. One press of a button sends help FAST, 24/7! At home and on the go. Mobile Pendant with GPS. FREE First Aid Kit (with subscription.) CALL 240-847-6732 FREE Brochure. PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-851-0949.

Home/Handyman Services SLOWING DOWN AFTER 38 YEARS of contracting. Small to medium jobs, mainly residential. $42.50 an hour from arrival on job. Andy 703-906-5429. THE BATHROOM OF YOUR DREAMS for as little as $149/month! BCI Bath & Shower. Many options available. Quality materials & professional installation. Senior & Military Discounts Available. Limited Time Offer - FREE virtual in-home consultation now and SAVE 15%! Call Today! 1-855-653-0087. STAY IN YOUR HOME LONGER with an American Standard Walk-In Bathtub. Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-877-240-2061 or visit www.walkintubquote.com/beacon ELIMINATE GUTTER CLEANING FOREVER! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-844359-6933.

Legal Services APPLYING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY or Appealing a Denied Claim? Call Bill Gordon & Assoc. Our case managers simplify the process & work hard to help with your case. Call 1-866-970-0779 FREE Consultation. Local Attorneys Nationwide [Mail: 2420 N St NW, Washington DC. Office: Broward Co. FL (TX/NM Bar.)]

Personal Services HAVE CAR - WILL TRAVEL Flat rates to all airports. $45 to and from Dulles - BWI - Reagan National. Also flat rates to and from Union Station, doctors appointments, work, etc. Call John Westmoreland (301-536-5801).

TV/Cable DIRECTV - Switch and Save! $39.99/month. Select All-Included Package. 155 Channels. 1000s of Shows/Movies On Demand. FREE Genie HD DVR Upgrade. Premium movie channels, FREE for 3 mos! Call 1-888-572-4953. DISH NETWORK. $59.99 for 190 Channels! Blazing Fast Internet, $19.99/mo. (where available.) Switch & Get a FREE $100 Visa Gift Card. FREE Voice Remote. FREE HD DVR. FREE Streaming on ALL Devices. Call today! 1844-560-5837.

Wanted CASH FOR JEWELRY: Buying jewelry, diamonds, gold, platinum, silver, watches, coins, flatware, etc. Ask for Tom. Call anytime, 301654-8678 (Reg. 883).

TOP PRICES PAID FOR FINE ANTIQUES, artwork and decorative objects including decorated crocks and jugs, unusual antique clocks, music boxes and mechanical things, coin operated devices, furniture, rare antique dolls and toys etc. I am 67 years old, well educated, financially capable, and have over 40 years in this business. Why pay outlandish auction house, estate agent or consignment store commissions when you can get a fair upfront price for your pieces with no hassle? If you have something interesting or unusual, rare and valuable and are prepared to sell it I would like to speak with you. Please call Jake Lenihan, 301 279 8834. No calls after 7 pm please. PAYING CASH merchandise pre 1980. Old toys, silver, records, books, photographs, smoking pipes and lighters, fountain pens, florsheim shoes. If you have old stuff to sell call Carl 312316-7553. Sorry no furniture or glassware. Located Silver Spring MD. WANTED: OLDER VIOLINS, GUITARS, BANJOS, MANDOLINS, UKULELES, ETC. Musician/collector will pay cash for older string instruments. Jack (301) 279-2158. BOOK COLLECTIONS WANTED. Moving? Downsizing? Estate? Together the Bonafide Book Buyers have over 85 years experience as professional buyers & sellers of quality books in the D. C. area. Best prices paid for good books. Examples: Easton Press, Folio Society, First Edition Science Fiction & Mysteries, Military, History, Scholarly & Academic Press publications. Call Nelson at 240-472-4615 for an appointment at your house. Also will consider DVDs & CDs. Curbside pickup possible, phone for details. USED & RARE BOOKS WANTED. Quality books in all subjects. We also buy old maps, menus, post cards, advertising & travel brochures, posters, road maps, old magazines. Contact Dale 301-4952732. Experienced seller since 1977 WILL BUY MILITARY, WWII, WWI, Civil War memorabilia items. Uniforms, weapons, helmets, photos, war souvenirs, medals, photos or any other items associated with U.S., German, Japanese or other military history. Call Dave (240-4640958) or email (david.obal63@gmail.com). CASH FOR ESTATES, moving etc; I buy a wide range of items. Buy out/clean up. www.atticllc.com Gary Roman; 301-520-0755. CASH FOR JEWELRY; I buy a wide range of jewelry; gold, silver, costume, watches, turquoise, coins, school rings, etc. Gary Roman; 301-520-0755. LADY WHO LIKES CHINA and other pretty things would like to buy yours. Favorites include Coalport, Herend, Meissen, Royal Copenhagen, Shelley and Villeroy & Boch. Some Lenox and Johnson Brothers. I love English bone china cups and saucers. Paintings and pottery. I’ve collected antique Christmas and Halloween for thirty years and am always looking to add to my collection. Sterling and jewelry. MD license no. 2753. Call, 301-785-1129.

BEACON BITS

Aug. 13

ALEXANDRIA RACE RELATIONS

As a member of the Human Rights Commission for nearly 20 years, Matt Harris will discuss his observations on race relations in Alexandria, along with suggestions on reparative action within the community. The free webinar will be held on Thurs., Aug. 13 from 7 to 8 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/MattHarrisRace.

Aug. 18+

VIRTUAL GARDEN TALKS

Get garden advice from the University of Minnesota master gardeners with virtual lectures. On Tues., Aug. 18 they will discuss growing night-scented and night-blooming plants, and the lecture on Tues., Aug. 25 will be about gardening to attract birds. To register for one or both of the webinars, visit https://bit.ly/GardenTalkTuesdays.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

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

Letters to editor From page 2 in the “new normal,” I instead now search for virtual events that are available to readers. In the July issue, in the “Beacon Bits” box on page B-13, I was interested in the virtual event about the art heist at the Isabella Stewar t Gardner Museum in Boston. The good news is that with the aid of several Google searches, I eventually found the website where I could listen to the audio presentation. The bad news is that the name of the museum in the “Beacon Bits” listing was misspelled, and there was no such website. I offer this observation not as criticism. However, could/should entries be

proofread by a second person before publication? Ann Gaines Via email Dear Editor: Why now? Why are we enduring masks, distancing, CDC, government bailout, loss of income, unforgiving weather and now protests with riots, cults, “defunded” police and death? The storm gives birth to commitment: a choice! The Bible says, “Repent and turn to Me, and I will heal the land and the people.” There is no cost to prayer and no downside. Little prayer, some power. Much prayer, much power. Gary Fitzgerald Via website

Please tell our advertisers, “I saw you in the Beacon!”

HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD All classified ads must be submitted and paid for online, via our website, www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds Deadlines and Payments: To appear in the next issue, your ad text and payment must be entered by the 5th of the preceding month (for Baltimore and Howard County editions); by the 20th (for Washington and Richmond editions). Cost will be based on the number of characters and spaces in your ad: • $25 for 1-250 • $35 for 251-500. • $50 for 501-750 (maximum length). The website will calculate this amount for you. Note: Maryland contractors must provide a valid MHIC number. • Each real estate listing qualifies as one ad. • All ads are subject to publisher’s discretion. Payment will be refunded if unacceptable for any reason.

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

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Studies Alzheimer’s Prevention Study .................................21 Memory Disorders Study.....20 Stroke Rehabilitation Study .................................20

Computer/ Technology TheBeaconNewspapers.com ..36

Events Beacon 50+Virtual Expo ..............................3, 30

Funeral Services Demaine Funeral Home .......19 Going Home Cremation.......41 Murphy Funeral Home ........19 National Funeral Home........19

Government Services DC Office on Aging .......24-25 Montgomery County Aging and Disability Services.............................20 MCDOT ...............................22 MoCo COVID......................18

Home Health Care/Companion Services Best Senior Care . . . . . . . . .14 DMV Home Therapy . . . . .15 Options for Senior America.............................16

Housing Abrams Hall Senior Apts. ....48 AlfredHouse...........................5 Ashby Ponds ....................1, 13 Brooke Grove Retirement Village ...............................10 Chesterbrook Residences.......4 Chevy Chase House .............23 Churchill Senior Living .........4 Enterprise Residential..........34 Falcons Landing ....................8 Five Star Premier Residences 8 Friendship Terrace................15 Greenspring......................1, 13 Homecrest House.................35 Homewood at Frederick.......23 Knollwood............................11 Quantum Property Mgmt .......12 Park View Apartments ............34 Pointe View at Aspen Hill.........6 Riderwood ...........................1, 13

Shenandoah Senior Living...15 Sommerset ...........................17 Springvale Terrace .........11, 16

Legal Services College Park Housing Authority ............31 Farr Law Firm ......................29 Law Offices of Lee Holdmann ..............31 Law Offices of Nancy Feldman .................27 Law Offices of Paul Riekhof .....................29

Medical/Health Acumedicine Health ..............8 Covid-19 Testing ..................18 I Hate Knee Pain ....................9 Judy Oh, DDS ........................6 Medical Eye Center .............16 Omnicom Health Group ......32 Steven Freidman, DDS ........39 Voice Your Choice................11

Real Estate Long & Foster/ Eric Stewart.................28, 42

Retail/Auction Cherry Blossom CBD..........13 NuImages Hair Salon.............6 Oakridge Auction Gallery....27 Perfect Sleep Chair ..............40 Upbed...................................38 Wonder Book .......................41 Zoomer Chair.......................37

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Manor Care Health Services ..17

Subscriptions Beacon Newspaper ..............45

Theatre/ Entertainment F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre ...39 Senior Zone..........................43

Miscellaneous

Tour & Travel

City of Rockville Mansion...35 JCA Senior Helpline ............14

Martinsburg West Virginia ...35

Volunteers & Careers Career Gateway....................31

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

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