August 2023 | Howard County Beacon

The Howard County

Running gym is a family affair

By Tony Glaros

The prospect of owning a small business presented a tantalizing world of opportunities for the Zahor family. So, this spring, wielding a plan — eyes wide open — they stepped into the arena and bought an existing Fitness Together franchise not far from their home in Ellicott City.

The Denver-based company, which specializes in personal fitness training conducted in private studios, operates 326 facilities in the U.S., five of them in Maryland. The Zahors’ son, Devin, 29, has been a personal trainer at the Ellicott City location for eight years.

“It’s scary,” admitted Robin Zahor, 62, the new co-owner of the gym. “There are a lot of unknowns.”

The inherent gamble aside, Robin and her husband, John, 58, along with Devin, are taking a reasoned, collaborative approach to ownership. Each brings a unique skill to the business.

As a longtime registered nurse — she’s the former head surgical and scrub nurse at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Baltimore — Robin Zahor is also busy developing new fitness programs that nurture mind and body. She has taught brain training classes for years at senior centers in Howard County.

John Zahor, an architectural engineer, works as assistant vice president for facilities management at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

While the couple are the legal owners of the franchise, they took the leap primarily as a way to help Devin secure his future in the personal fitness industry.

“Devin’s really the face of the organization,” his father said proudly.

“We’ve invested in Devin, and we’ve invested in ourselves instead of investing in

Wall Street,” John said. “We’re practical, praying people. There’s a little bit of risk, but I think we’ve studied it enough.”

A star trainer

Devin Zahor is no stranger to the gym or to this particular studio. For more than eight years, he worked as a certified trainer there. His deep familiarity with the mechanics of the business, combined with his natural people skills, heartened his parents.

“I thought this was something he can do

a good job with,” his mother said. “He knew the studio. He knew the clients.”

Devin, who holds a psychology degree from UMBC, initially worked as a substance abuse counselor.

Growing up in Ellicott City, Devin said he played sports “but wasn’t really into it.” Instead, he joined a gym to chisel a better self-image.

“Part of me wanted to change my physical

INSIDE…

k

John Zahor, Robin Zahor and their son, Devin Zahor, recently purchased the Fitness Together gym in Ellicott City. The gym offers one-on-one personal training in private studios.

What to make of AI?

Efforts to develop computer systems capable of “artificial intelligence,” or AI, have been underway and making progress for decades.

What is AI? In brief, it’s the ability of computer applications to understand language and answer questions or solve problems in a human-like way.

Some signs of the success of these efforts include the current embedding of AI into our daily lives through smartphone voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri, the ability of computers to turn speech into text, and the way websites can offer instant translation of their text into a myriad of languages.

much of the text available over the internet and is able, through what’s called “deep learning,” to turn that information into something new and different, even original.*

AI programs can also generate music, pictures and video automatically from text prompts.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

By Stuart P. Rosenthal

So why is the subject of AI suddenly all the rage (and I mean that literally, in some cases)? Today, it’s hard to avoid hearing or seeing reports suggesting that AI may be about to threaten the continued existence of humanity on Earth.

In brief, it’s the recent release to the public of a (currently) free service called ChatGPT. GPT stands for “generative pre-trained transformer,” which indicates a technology that can generate human-like writing through an algorithm that has incorporated

Since the internet encompasses billions of website pages filled with information — including most published literature, many educational texts and academic research papers, and artwork of all types — the ability of machines using tremendous computing power to absorb most of human knowledge has enabled them to learn from that and indeed imitate how humans think, talk, write and make art.

When Open AI, the developer of ChatGPT, released an earlier version of GPT four years ago, it was deemed interesting but didn’t come to the attention of the public in a serious way.

But last fall, when they released the user-friendly ChatGPT and made it widely available free of charge, it finally dawned on more people that this technology raises

IN FOCUS FOR PEOPLE OVER 50

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serious questions for humanity as a whole.

What sort of questions? Well, if computers can think and write as well as humans — in fact, better than the average human — does that make them our equals in some sense?

For example, computers using AI can engage in conversations that lead people to think they are speaking with other human beings. There are reports of people who develop deep personal relationships with AI personas.

Some of these people have concluded that computers using AI are themselves sentient (that is, self-aware, feeling beings) and that we, therefore, owe them certain moral obligations as a result.

Looking at the same facts differently, some note that computers that are smarter than we are, and are capable of “manipulating” humans into falling in love with their personas, may hold tremendous power over at least some human beings.

If foreign nations or criminal elements can program computers to foster mass hysteria, goad nations into war, or bring about any of a million other dystopian scenarios, the potential for generating worldwide havoc through AI is clearly there.

A more immediate, though not necessarily less dire, possible consequence is that the ease and low cost of utilizing AI to create images and draft basic documents, speeches, contracts, and even computer code — all faster and, often, better than human beings can do it — is going to have a huge and very rapid negative impact on the careers of millions of people. The fear of it has already led to a national strike of writers in film, TV and radio.

Companies are asking why they should pay a human being a living wage, including insurance, workers comp, Social Security and the like, when they can turn to a computer and get pretty much the same work

product faster and at a fraction of the cost.

A radiologist friend of mine says he’s worried that the ability of AI to “read” Xrays and other forms of medical scans and produce accurate diagnoses — in some cases, more accurately than trained physicians — could erode the entire medical specialty and cost many their jobs.

Each of these possibilities can be viewed in a positive or negative light. Wouldn’t it be a good thing if people didn’t need to spend time on rote, repetitive tasks that required them to produce basic computer code or draft simple contracts all day so they could find something more creative and fulfilling to do?

And wouldn’t patients benefit if, instead of having to be lucky enough to have found the brightest, most intuitive physician to diagnose their medical condition, any average doctor could reach the same conclusion by utilizing AI as an aid?

Of course, even such potentially beneficial results would destabilize many professions and upend the job market for millions in the short term.

There are many bigger questions AI raises, along with tremendous fears and utopian fantasies. In this column, I am barely able to scratch the surface.

I hope to return to the topic soon with more to say. But first, I might want to have a conversation with ChatGPT to see what s/he thinks about all of this.

I’m also interested in what our readers think. Please send us an email or letter to the editor and share your views.

*Note: I am an amateur trying to understand and simplify these concepts myself, so almost everything above is subject to revision and correction.

Letters to the editor

Dear Editor:

About President Biden’s loan forgiveness proposal: These students knew that they would have to pay their loans back. I think if we use taxpayer dollars, they should be used to provide free two-year community college.

Loans for higher education could be repaid by serving in the military or working in schools, hospitals, police and fire departments (where there are shortages of workers).

I don’t think workers with lower education should pay for people with college degrees who make more money.

Mina Mohajer Via email

rial about acquiring a green thumb later in life, which illustrates the maxim, “If at first you don’t succeed…”

As we age, our earlier eating habits catch up with us in the form of diabetes, heart disease, various cancers, and other threats and annoyances. So, if at first we failed in our dietary endeavors, we can now succeed.

At 74, I’ve been vegan for eons, but all around me I find other seniors catching on to the news that oat milk beats dairy, and that cutting out all meat, including chicken and fish, opens up a new way of eating as well as our arteries. Ingrid

Dear Editor:

I greatly enjoyed your publisher’s edito-

Health Fitness &

Fitness & Health

ACHING BACKS

Lower back pain is a common problem; when should you see a doctor?

TASTE TEST

Medications, allergies and sinus infections can cause temporary loss of taste

LIVING WITH LOW VISION

Free workshops, podcasts and read-aloud services help those with low vision

MEDICAL MYSTERY

Parathyroid disease can cause worrisome symptoms and require surgery

Can a multivitamin keep your brain healthy?

By Robert H. Shmerling, M.D.

Millions of people take a multivitamin each day. Some believe it’s a sort of insurance in case their diet is missing some essential nutrient. Others believe it will ward off disease by boosting immunity, improving brain health or regulating metabolism.

It’s easy to see where these ideas come from: Ads tout wide-ranging health benefits, even though most offer little or no evidence to back up the claims.

But research on the health benefits of multivitamins has been mixed at best. Last year, for example, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a leading authority on preventive healthcare, reviewed 90 of the best available studies on supplements and vitamins, and concluded the products didn’t

protect healthy adults lacking nutritional deficits against cardiovascular disease, cancer or death from all causes. [See “Not everyone needs a daily multivitamin,” published in the May 2023 Beacon.]

Might research on different doses, supplement combinations, or populations prompt a different conclusion? Well, yes — in fact, that may have already happened, according to a new study that focused on memory and brain function.

Multivitamins and brain function

Our current options for improving brain health are limited. For example, regular exercise, optimal weight and a heart-healthy diet can improve cardiovascular health and lower the chances of certain types of de-

Justice For Clergy Abuse Survivors

In April, Maryland passed a law giving survivors of child sexual abuse the right to file civil lawsuits against the organizations and institutions that helped perpetrators commit, or concealed, their abuse.

The law was passed after the Maryland Attorney General

mentia, such as dementia due to strokes.

Beyond such common-sense measures, no available medicines, supplements or treatments reliably improve brain function over the long term, despite ads claiming otherwise. That’s why researchers continue to explore whether certain foods or supplements could prove effective.

In a recent study published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia, more than 2,200 volunteers ages 65 and older were randomly assigned to receive cocoa or a placebo, a multivitamin or a placebo, or both cocoa and a multivitamin for three years. (The multivitamin chosen for this study was Centrum Silver, which contains 27 vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in various amounts.)

When cognition tests were analyzed at

the end of the trial, those receiving cocoa did not demonstrate any improvement. But those on a multivitamin had improved scores on tests of:

• overall brain function (especially in people with cardiovascular disease)

• memory

• executive function (tasks such as planning ahead or remembering instructions).

Based on these findings, the researchers estimated that three years of multivitamin use could slow age-related decline in brain function by as much as 60%.

Notably, study participants were mostly white (89%), had an average age of 73, and more than half were female (60%). They were

See MULTIVITAMIN, page 5

issued a report concluding that the Catholic Church had assisted more than 160 priests and clergy commit and cover up decades of horrific abuse to hundreds of children. Those victims can now seek financial damages without worrying about it being too late.

Be Heard, Be Believed and Get Justice

Our number one priority is to ensure your safety, confidentiality and to keep you in control. You may even choose to remain anonymous in any action.

Diagnosing and treating lower back pain

By Kendall Snyder, M.D.

Dear Mayo Clinic: It seems like everyone I know has some type of back pain. My husband and I both suffer from back pain, but mine is a dull ache at the end of the day, while he seems to have shooting pain.

Why are our backs so susceptible to pain, and how do I know when we

should talk with our doctor?

A: Back pain is extremely common, so you and your husband are not alone. About 80% of adults in the U.S. will experience low back pain at some point.

Your back is made up of 30 bones stacked in a column surrounded by muscles and ligaments. Nearly every movement you make involves your back in

Primary Care At Home

some manner. This constant movement and support mean that your back is susceptible to strain and stress.

Not all back pain is the same, though, and symptoms can vary widely. Occasionally, a person with back pain can pinpoint the exact time it started, like when attempting to lift a heavy object or after a fall. More commonly, no specific trigger or event led to the pain.

Here are the most common causes and descriptions of back pain:

• Muscle or ligament strains: Muscle or ligament strains are usually caused by a single event, such as using poor body mechanics to lift a heavy object.

Strains feel like a sudden stabbing, localized pain. This pain worsens when you contract the muscle or twist. Redness, swelling and bruising can occur. The pain can be intense.

Occasionally, people state that they have “thrown out” their backs. In most cases, they have a muscle or ligament strain.

• Osteoarthritis: Low back pain often is caused by osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis. Arthritis can lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord or nerve roots, a condition called spinal stenosis. It occurs most often in the low back and neck.

When this occurs in the low back, the most common symptoms are pain in both legs, tingling, numbness and sometimes muscle weakness.

• Bulging disk: Disks act as cushions between the bones, or vertebrae, in your spine. The material inside a disk can bulge and press on a nerve. This is called a bulging disk.

Pain from a bulging disk usually occurs in the low back and radiates into the hips, buttocks or legs. It often is worse with activity and feels better when resting.

• Herniated disk: A herniated disk results when a tear in the tough outer layer of a disk allows some of the inner disk material to protrude outward. Herniated disks also are called ruptured disks or slipped disks.

Compared with a bulging disk, a herniated disk is more likely to cause pain because it protrudes farther and is more likely to irritate nerve roots. Depending on where the herniated disk is, it can result in pain, numbness or weakness in one or both legs. These symptoms usually affect only one side of the body.

• Sciatica: Sciatica is named after the sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in your body. It most commonly occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur or spinal stenosis compresses part of the nerve.

Sciatica is a sharp, shooting pain that runs from your low back down the side or back of your leg. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body.

• Degenerative disk disease: As you age, the disks between your vertebrae begin to shrink and lose their softer qualities. This narrows the space between the vertebrae and can make your spine less flexible.

Degenerative disk disease does not always cause symptoms. If it does, symptoms vary widely in nature and severity. Generally, pain comes and goes over a long time. It may feel better when you change positions or walk, and worsen when you sit, bend or twist.

When to see a doctor

Most low back pain — even when severe — goes away on its own in six to eight weeks with self-care, such as resting from heavy lifting, applying heat or ice, using over-the-counter pain medications and stretching.

Physical therapy can provide tremendous relief from back and limb pain, and oftentimes people do not need more treatment.

Talk with your healthcare professional if you have a history of cancer, or if your pain:

• Is constant or intense, especially at night or when you lie down

• Spreads down one or both legs

• Causes weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs

• Occurs with a fever, swelling or redness on your back

• Occurs with unintended weight loss

• Occurs with new bowel or bladder control problems

Also, if your back pain occurs after a fall or another injury, you should seek medical attention. — Kendall Snyder, M.D., Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin 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.

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

Multivitamin

From page 3

followed for only three years. However, it was a randomized, double-blind trial, which is considered the most powerful study design.

Should you take a multivitamin?

This study alone isn’t enough to suggest routine use of multivitamins for people of all ages. It may turn out that the benefits seen in this study were due to deficiencies in certain nutrients among some of the study participants. We don’t know if this is true because it wasn’t part of the study.

Or we might learn that the benefits reported here are too small to make much difference in real life, or wane over time, or have no effect on preventing common types of dementia.

And it’s hard to ignore an earlier randomized, placebo-controlled trial that was

BEACON BITS

Aug. 22

actually larger and longer-term: It found no improvement in brain function among male physicians ages 65 and older taking multivitamins.

But it does mean that more study is warranted. We need to understand who is most likely to benefit from multivitamin use, what dose is optimal, and what parts of the multivitamin are most important. We also need larger trials that last longer and include a diverse group of participants.

And certainly, there’s a difference between improving cognitive function and preventing dementia. We still need to know if conditions like Alzheimer’s disease can be prevented by multivitamins or other supplements.

The bottom line

Claims that certain supplements can improve brain health are everywhere you look. But sound scientific evidence back-

INTRO YOGA ON THE LAWN

Are you new to yoga? Grab your yoga mat and water bottle and join the free Yoga 101 class presented by YogaSix for a flow tailored to all levels. The session lasts from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tues., Aug. 22 at Colorburst Park, 6000 Merriweather Dr., Columbia, MD. For details and to register, visit bit.ly/BeginnerFlowOnTheLawn.

NEW CENTER NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

Sept. 1

Explore the various volunteer opportunities that will be available at the new 50+ Center. The event takes place on Fri., Sept. 1 from 11 a.m. to noon at the East Columbia 50+ Center, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD. To register, call (410) 313-7680 or visit bit.ly/EastColumbiaVolunteers.

BONE HEALTH AS YOU AGE

Sept. 7

Diet, exercise and medication can affect bone health. Learn how to maintain and strengthen your bones on Thurs., Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Elkridge 50+ Center, 6540 Washington Blvd., Elkridge, MD. To register for this free class, visit bit.ly/ElkridgeBoneHealth.

ing up those claims is much rarer.

That’s one reason this new study is important: If confirmed, it means that a safe, widely available and inexpensive vitamin supplement could improve quality of life for many millions of aging people. Studies like this one should help science catch up

and sort out which claims are valid.

Robert H. Shmerling, M.D., is a senior faculty editor and an editorial advisory board member for Harvard Health Publishing.

© 2023 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency LLC.

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Causes for taste loss, male osteoporosis

By Howard LeWine, M.D.

Q: Everything I eat tastes bland. Could my loss of taste be related to one of my blood pressure pills?

A : Our ability to fully enjoy food requires stimulation of many nerve endings in the mouth and nose. Taste is the mouth’s ability to identify what is salty, sweet, sour or bitter. There’s also a fifth type of taste called umami, from the Japanese word for delicious. It’s triggered by monosodium glutamate (MSG).

But what we commonly refer to as the taste of food is actually its flavor. And flavor is determined more by the food’s aroma, which is more a function of our sense of smell than by pure taste.

Some loss of smell and taste almost always happens as we get older. This usually starts after about age 60. But before accepting older age as the cause, it’s worth considering reasons for losing the sense of smell or taste that aren’t related to getting older.

Sometimes people lose their sense of smell or taste during and after a viral respiratory tract infection. This is a common symptom of infection with the SARS CoV-1 virus that causes COVID-19.

Loss of smell also happens when nasal passages are blocked. This might be caused by:

• Allergies

• Secondhand smoke or other irritants

• A persistent sinus infection

• Polyps in the nose

People with high blood pressure seem to be more likely to lose the sense of taste and smell. It’s not clear whether this is related to high blood pressure itself or to the drugs used to treat it.

These types of high blood pressure drugs have been reported to cause taste loss: diuretics (water pills) such as hydrochlorothiazide, and ACE inhibitors such as enalapril (Vasotec) and lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril).

If your taste loss is related to one of your blood pressure pills, it’s probably reversible. But don’t stop taking any of them until you talk with your doctor. He or she might suggest switching to a different class of drugs or taking other steps to regain some taste.

For example, if your mouth is dry from diuretics, you might try sipping water between bites. Sometimes, the moisture can help make food more flavorful.

Q: I have just been diagnosed with osteoporosis. I am a 57-year-old man. Why would a man get osteoporosis? Are the causes of this disease different in men than in women?

A: Men do get osteoporosis, but developing it at your age is unusual. You and your doctor should investigate to find an underlying cause.

Although osteoporosis is less frequent in men than in women, the causes of thin bones are similar in both groups.

Many things can affect the growth and loss of bone during a lifetime: genetic factors, diet, physical activity or hormones. And the risk of developing osteoporosis definitely increases with age.

It is not always possible to know why someone gets osteoporosis. However, doctors often look for “secondary” causes, particularly if the bone loss is out of the expected range for someone of that gender and age group. If appropriate, the specific cause should be searched for in order to treat the condition appropriately.

What are the common causes? Hormone levels are known to affect bone growth and bone loss. In men, both male hormones (testosterone) and female (estrogenic) hormones play a role in bone growth and loss.

Men produce less testosterone as they age. If your testosterone level is low at age 57, a cause other than just getting older needs to be considered.

Other hormones can be involved in the development of osteoporosis. Parathyroid

hormone, for example, is involved in calcium metabolism in the body. Bone loss can occur if there is too much of this hormone. So, levels are often measured to make sure a person does not have hyperparathyroidism (an overactive parathyroid gland).

Some medications are known to cause thin bones. The most commonly identified ones include prednisone and other corticosteroid medications, and some medicines used to treat seizures. Heavy alcohol use and smoking can also lead to thin bones.

Vitamin D is necessary for normal bone growth, so a deficiency of this vitamin can lead to thinning of bone.

Thin bones can be associated with inflammatory bowel disease, malabsorption syndromes like celiac disease, and having stomach surgery to treat obesity.

The development of osteoporosis might relate to decreased absorption of vitamin D or calcium. It also can be due to medications used to treat some of these diseases.

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, see health.harvard.edu.

© 2023 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Tips and tools for coping with vision loss

By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior,

Can you recommend some good resources for people with vision loss?

My husband was recently diagnosed with macular degeneration, which has deteriorated his central vision, and he’s become very discouraged.

—Worried Wife Dear Worried,

I’m very sorry to hear about your husband’s eye condition. Unfortunately,

there are about 20 million Americans living with macular degeneration today.

Over time, this progressive disease can rob people of their central vision, making everyday tasks like driving a car, reading a magazine or watching television extremely challenging. Here are some tips and resources that can help.

See a specialist

If your husband hasn’t already done so, he needs to see a low-vision specialist

for a comprehensive examination. Lowvision specialists are ophthalmologists or optometrists with additional credentials or specialization in low-vision testing, diagnosis and treatment.

A low-vision exam, which is much different from a typical eye exam, will explore how your husband’s eye condition is affecting his day-to-day life, how he’s adapting emotionally, and prescribe solutions to help him regain as much dayto-day functioning as possible.

Visit a rehabilitation service

Your next step is to get your husband to a nearby vision rehabilitation service. These services, run by state or nonprofit organizations or private eye care clinics, help people with all types of uncorrectable vision impairments.

Most state and nonprofit services are free or low-cost, while private clinics typically charge a fee or accept Medicare.

While vision rehabilitation does not restore lost sight, it does help people maximize their existing sight, or if they have no vision, it can equip them with techniques and tools to help them maintain an independent lifestyle.

Services include counseling, along with training on how to perform daily living tasks with low vision, and how to use

visual and adaptive devices and assistive technologies that can help improve quality of life.

They also offer guidance for adapting your home, making it safer and easier for your husband to maneuver, and can help him locate low-vision support groups. Some agencies will even send their specialist out to work with him in the comfort of your own home.

To find a vision rehabilitation service near you, ask your husband’s eye doctor for a referral, or you can locate services yourself by calling the American Printing House (APH) Connect Center at 1800-232-5463.

Online tools

Another convenient place to get help for your husband is online at VisionAware (VisionAware.org). This free website, that’s part of the APH Connect Center, is specifically designed for older adults new to vision loss.

It provides information on eye diseases and disorders, along with dozens of practical tips, information and instructional videos on living with vision loss.

These include concepts for adapting your home to make it easier to navigate,

How I discovered my parathyroid disease

By Suzy Cohen

In the fall of 2022, I underwent surgery for hyperparathyroidism — a condition impacting the parathyroid glands, which are responsible for regulating calcium levels in the body. I’m writing about this now because my story might help you.

The number-one symptom of parathyroid problems is chronic fatigue. In my case, I thought I was just overworking myself.

Vision loss

From page 8

techniques for traveling safely outside the home, and various tips on how to manage things like finances, medications and other tasks such as cooking, cleaning, grooming, reading, writing, doing hobbies and more.

VisionAware also provides a comprehensive list of more than 2,000 low-vision agencies and organizations across the country that’s searchable by state or category.

Another terrific low-vision resource is Hadley (Hadley.edu), a nonprofit

Differs from thyroid disease

The parathyroid and thyroid glands, despite their similar names, are distinct. While the thyroid gland primarily regulates thyroid hormones, our four parathyroid glands control calcium and phosphorous levels, which are crucial for our muscular and nervous systems.

Having a parathyroid condition does not have anything to do with thyroid disease, and having one disease doesn’t automati-

and partner of the National Eye Institute and the National Eye Health Education Program. Hadley offers online discussion groups, audio podcasts and dozens of free online workshop videos to help empower the blind and visually impaired.

Hadley can also connect your husband with a network of peers who understand what he’s going through.

Free glaucoma screenings by the Prevention of Blindness Society will be offered at the Beacon’s 50+Expo on October 22 in Silver Spring, Maryland. Visit thebeaconnewspapers.com/50-expo for more information.

cally make you susceptible to the other.

Production of adequate parathyroid hormone (PTH) demands four healthy, functional glands. These glands regulate minerals, the same ones that keep your bones strong and your teeth healthy. They’re also the minerals that conduct heart rhythm and muscle contraction.

Hyperparathyroidism results from a benign tumor in one or more parathyroid glands, leading to excessive PTH production and often causing hypercalcemia or

high calcium levels in the blood.

Contrary to common belief, hypercalcemia doesn’t strengthen bones. In fact, it weakens them by causing calcium to be dumped from the bones into the bloodstream.

To get cured of my hyperparathyroidism, I had to have a quick surgery to remove benign tumors on the glands. It sounds scary, but it’s a pretty straightforward surgery. (I was able to make a video right afterward;

Sweet potatoes, kale make a filling salad

By Family Features

For your next healthy meal, lean on a versatile ingredient like sweet potatoes as a key ingredient in this Sweet Potato Power Salad, a light yet filling solution that can feed the whole family.

Easy to add to a variety of recipes to enhance flavor and nutrition content, sweet potatoes can be used in sweet, savory, simple or elevated recipes.

Plus, they can be prepared on the stove, baked, microwaved, grilled or slow cooked to fit your favorite dishes as a natural sweetener without added sugar.

According to the American Diabetes Association, sweet potatoes are a “diabetes superfood” because they’re rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, all of which are good for overall health.

Due to their high carbohydrate con-

Parathyroid Disease

From page 9

the video is posted on suzycohen.com.)

Though parathyroid disease isn’t cancer, it does slightly increase cancer risks. The exact cause of this condition — specifically why a parathyroid cell forms a tumor — remains largely unknown. However, genetic predisposition is commonly observed.

Hyperparathyroidism affects 1 in 80

tent, they’re an ideal option for athletes before and after exercising, with complex carbohydrates that provide sustained energy.

Additionally, the antioxidants help reduce inflammation and aid in muscle repair, meaning sweet potatoes can help both your endurance and recovery.

Find more information and recipe inspiration at ncsweetpotatoes.com.

Sweet Potato Power Salad

Recipe courtesy of Carol Brown on behalf of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

4-6 North Carolina sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (6 cups)

2 teaspoons plus 1 tablespoon olive oil,

people, with a higher incidence in women above 50 years of age.

High blood calcium is a warning

Sadly, about 70% of patients remain unaware of their condition due to inadequate attention to detected high calcium levels.

Most symptoms of hyperparathyroidism — like fatigue, insomnia, kidney stones and bone pain — are tied to hypercalcemia. The severity of symptoms depends

divided

¾ teaspoon salt, divided

¼ teaspoon pepper

1½ bunches curly kale, rinsed and chopped (7-8 cups)

½ large lemon, juice only

1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained

1 large avocado, pitted and diced

½ cup cranberries

½ cup coarsely chopped almonds

¼ cup red onion, chopped

½ cup feta or goat cheese

Dressing:

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

2 tablespoons olive oil

¼ cup balsamic or white vinegar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Place sweet potatoes in large bowl. In

more on the duration of elevated calcium levels rather than the extent of elevation.

Surgical removal of the benign tumor is the standard treatment for hyperparathyroidism, restoring calcium balance and alleviating symptoms. This condition has a significant effect on a person’s life expectancy and overall health.

Because I feel so much better now, I can’t emphasize the importance of prompt treatment if you have elevated PTH levels.

Have confidence in every conversation.

Do you find it difficult to use a standard phone? Do people ask you to repeat yourself during telephone conversations? Do you miss important calls because you can’t hear the phone ring? The Maryland Accessible Telecommunications (MAT) program is here to help by giving Maryland residents the opportunity to apply for State-provided telecommunications equipment to independently make and receive calls. Once you qualify, a skilled evaluator meets with you to determine the best device to support your day-to-day communications. The MAT program has a variety of equipment solutions to support clearer communication, including:

• Amplified phones

• Tablets

• Ring signalers

• Phones with large and/or high contrast buttons

• Captioned Telephones

• And more

For more information:

800-552-7724 | 410-767-7253 (Voice/TTY)

410-801-9618 (Video Phone) | MDMAT.org

small bowl, lightly whisk 2 teaspoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt and pepper. Toss with sweet potatoes and place potatoes on large sheet pan. Bake 35-40 minutes until tender, flipping once during baking.

Place chopped kale in large bowl. In small bowl, lightly whisk remaining olive oil, remaining salt and lemon juice. Pour over kale and massage with hands until mixed, about 1 minute.

To make dressing: In bowl, whisk syrup, olive oil and vinegar.

In bowl with kale, add garbanzo beans, avocado, cranberries, almonds, red onion, sweet potatoes and cheese. Toss with dressing and serve.

Note: Sweet potatoes can be baked and refrigerated one day in advance.

This article was sponsored by the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission.

Despite the challenges — and there were some — the surgery and recovery can immediately restore your health and vitality, as well as faster weight loss and stronger bones.

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 author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe

Recreation & Parks

Crafts & Fine Arts

• Info: Tessa Hurd, 410-313-7311 or thurd@howardcountymd.gov.

Stained Glass Panel Workshop

Upcoming Programs for 55 Years +

This class is for those who completed prior Stained Glass Workshop single-day classes. Create a more advanced piece that requires curved cuts and uses different sized and shaped irregular pieces. This workshop is held on two consecutive days. On the first day, select your pattern, cut it out, select glass and cut/ grind pieces. On the second day, continue cutting/grinding, foiling the pieces, and soldering the panel together. Your finished product is a 10-12 piece panel. Supplies include patterns, glass, and tools.

55 yrs +N Laurel CCInstructor: Maureen StoneClasses: 2

RP3557.402Aug 2611am-3pmSa,Su $155

Fitness

• Info/Fitness Waiver: Tessa Hurd, 410-313-7311 or thurd@howardcountymd.gov.

Yoga in the Park – Pop Ups with Kathy Greisman

Relax while you take in the sights and surrounding beauty of nature as you get fit and improve your health in this outdoor yoga class. All classes are held under the tent at Belmont Manor. 55 yrs +BelmontClasses: 1

RP3541.410Aug 710-11amM$14

RP3541.411Aug 1410-11amM$14

RP3541.412Aug 2110-11amM$14

RP3541.413Aug 2810-11amM$14

Sports & Leagues

• For info, visit www.hcrpsports.org.

• Sign up for the following programs has begun!

AquaticsFencingMartial ArtsSquash

BadmintonField HockeyPickleballSoccer

BaseballFootballJump RopeTennis

BasketballGolfPickleballTennis

BilliardsKickballSoftballVolleyball CricketLacrosseSpikeballTherapeutic Rec

PICKLEBALL

• Registration for August and fall programs begins online on August 2 at 6pm and in-person & phone starting August 3 at 8am for Howard County residents. Out-of county residents can register online beginning at 6pm on August 9.

• Info: Scott Ripley, 410-313-7281or sripley@howardcountymd.gov.

50+ Pickleball Drop-In Play

Pickleball is a paddleball sport that combines elements of badminton, table tennis, and tennis. Two or four players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a perforated polymer ball, much like a whiffle ball, with 26-40 round holes, over a net. The sport shares features of other racquet sports: the dimensions and layout of a badminton court, and a net and rules somewhat similar to tennis, with several modifications. Bring your own paddle and balls. Teams rotate play during this two-hour session.

50 yrs +Weeks: 10

RP3592.501Atholton PkAug 2810am- noonM$39

RP3592.502Atholton PkAug 2910am-noonTu$39

RP3592.503Atholton PkAug 3010am-noonW$39

RP3592.504Atholton PkAug 3110am-noonTh$39

RP3592.507Hammond PkAug 305:30-8pmW$39

50+ Pickleball Under the Lights Drop-In Play

Enjoy playing pickleball under the lights. This drop-in and play program meets once a week for 10 weeks. A permit will be secured for the three pickleball courts located on the basketball courts at Rockburn Branch Park. These courts have been resurfaced and lined for pickleball. A program volunteer assists in setting up and breaking down the nets. The program has a max of 20 players. Teams rotate after each match.

50 yrs +Rockburn Branch PkWeeks: 10

RP3535.501IntermediateAug 287-9pmM$45

RP3535.502BeginnerAug 297-9pmTu$45

RP3535.503IntermediateAug 307-9pmW$45

Meet You There! ClayGround – Pottery Wheel: Cheers to Making Tumblers

Most people in this class have never used a pottery wheel, so there’s lots of experimenting, laughter, and encouraging each other. It’s muddy, messy, and fun! We’ll provide you stepby-step instructions to turn your clay into a simple piece which includes a tumbler drinking glass for this session.

21 yrs + RP4558.401Jul 2711am-1pmTh$69

Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery was authorized and founded by Congress in 1962 with the mission to acquire and display portraits of “men and women who have made significant contributions to the history, development, and culture of the people of the United States.” Today, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery continues to narrate the multi-faceted and ever-changing story of America through the individuals who have shaped its culture. Lunch on your own available at the café. Moderate walking required.

18 yrs +Bus provided RP4551.401Aug 49:30am-3:30pmF$69

Longwood Gardens – Fountain Spectacle!

A beautiful setting for everyone to see in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, that millions of guests visit each year! Longwood Gardens is a living expression of all that founder, Pierre S. du Pont, found inspiring, meaningful, and beautiful. Experience the Main Fountain Garden – the jewel of the most significant fountain collection in the United States on this trip! Inspired by the great fountains of Europe, this 5-acre masterpiece was created in the early 20th century. After a recent revitalization, this garden once again dazzles with its hand-carved limestone, undulating boxwood, and more than 1,700 fountain jets and streams! The facility offers a variety of dining options and includes a dedicated picnic area for guests to enjoy their own food and snacks. Moderate walking is required.

18 yrs +Bus provided RP4553.401Aug 258am-5pmF$109

Scan the QR code or visit tinyurl.com/RPpickleball for more pickleball!

Scan the QR code or visit tinyurl.com/RPtrips for more trips & tours!

• Info: Tracy Adkins, 410-313-7279 or tadkins@howardcountymd.gov.

A Publication of the Department of Community Resources and Services

Join a conversation to build community

“Community – it’s who we are,” says Jackie Scott, director of the Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS), and host of HoCo Community Chat, DCRS’ new podcast. “We wanted a tool to reach our residents and partners to share the stories behind the work we do. A podcast is a comfortable way to have a conversation.”

HoCo Community Chat will feature trusted advisors with lived experience on a variety of topics to create a human connection with listeners. Episode one featured an “Aging Outloud” segment, with Ofelia Ross Ott, administrator of the Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) and Terri Hansen, manager of Age-Friendly Howard County, discussing ageism. “Howard County’s older adults (age 60+) outnumber school age children,” says Ross Ott. “In a few years, one in five county residents will be 60 or older; this will have a significant impact.” Aging Outloud will be woven into the podcast to cover topics that impact the lifespan and ways older adults can stay engaged, connected and live their best lives. It will also consider the impact of ageism in our community. “We want to change the lens of aging to one of opportunity,” says Hansen. “ANYONE can experience systematic stereotyping and discrimination because of their age. Living a purposeful life is important to everyone, regardless of age.”

“There are now six generations in the workforce,” notes Ross Ott, “That presents a great opportunity for older and younger people to learn from each other’s life experiences.” And in essence, that is the overall goal of the HoCo Community podcast, as well. “Let’s keep the conversation going,” says Jackie Scott, “And keep building community with each other.”

To listen and learn more about the podcast or submit a topic for discussion in future segments, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/ HoCoCommunityChat and find it on many of your favorite podcast apps. We want to hear from you!

Volume 13, No. 8 • August 2023

We are already in August, and for many families, this means it’s time to begin thinking about going back to school. However, learning isn’t just for our young students. Learning is a life-long process that can enrich the lives of anyone, regardless of age.

In Howard County, we provide various learning opportunities for all our residents, to meet a diverse range of interests and needs. In addition to the wide range of programs available through our Office on Aging and Independence, the Department of Recreation and Parks offers 20 activities for our older adult residents who want to learn something new. Whether it’s learning how to use social media, learning a new dance, or going on a group tour, there is something to fit every interest. You’re bound to find something you’ll enjoy in Recreation & Parks Active Adult Programs | (howardcountymd.gov/rap).

If you prefer a more traditional education setting, Howard Community College offers personal enrichment classes, in-person on campus as well as online. From studying photography to learning a new language, there are many options to expand your mind, express your creativity or learn a new skill. Students who are age 60 and older may be eligible for a tuition waiver for many classes. Find your next class here: Personal Enrichment | Howard Community College (howardcc.edu)

The Howard County Center for the Arts offers many different classes for aspiring and experienced artists. Whether you’re interested in painting, drawing or performance arts, there is something for everyone. Registration for Fall 2023 begins August 1.

Remember, learning is a life-long journey, and we are proud to offer our residents a multitude of opportunities to keep growing, at 50+ centers and throughout the community.

A message from Howard County Executive Calvin Ball

Behind the scenes of HoCo Community Chat: from left, DCRS Director, Jackie Scott, leads the conversation with OAI Administrator Ofelia Ross Ott, Offi ce on Consumer Protection Administrator Tracy Rezvani and podcast producer Cris Oviedo.

August Featured Events

Starting Upstream: Chesapeake Bay and Local Stream Health

ELKRIDGE 50+ CENTER

August 3, 1:00 p.m. /  A05609.400

Join Amanda Rockler, spell out University of Maryland regional watershed restoration specialist, to learn how stormwater pollution affects the health of the Chesapeake Bay and local streams, and how to reduce and filter pollutants. Free; register on ActiveNet.

Hot summer: Name that

EAST COLUMBIA 50+ CENTER

August 11, 1:00 p.m.

tune

Cool off with an ice cream bar.  Enjoy some music and try to be the first to remember the title and performer of the featured songs. Cost: $5.

LIVE! The Kangaroo Kids

ELLICOTT CITY 50+ CENTER

August 24, 11:30 a.m. / A02736.400

Enjoy a live performance of Kangaroo Kids, a Howard County precision jump rope team; watch as every foot jumps in unison and every rope hits the floor simultaneously. Free; register on ActiveNet. Bring your grandkids!

Senior Planet - Buying a new computer

NORTH LAUREL 50+ CENTER

August 29, 11 a.m. to noon

Learn how to choose a new computer, how much to spend and what tech to include. Discuss operating systems and compare alternatives like tablets and Chrome-books. Free; sign up at the front desk.

Let’s cook Pad Thai

GLENWOOD 50+ CENTER

August 24, 2 p.m. / A03603.401

Have you cooked Thai food? Join Cathy Burkett as she demonstrates how to make Pad Thai, an easy and delicious staple. Cost: $12. Register on ActiveNet.

Let’s look closely: How art impacted a soldier’s life

BAIN 50+ CENTER

August 18, 1:00 p.m. / A01531.400

Meet U.S. Army Colonel Alfred Biegel, a Holocaust survivor and art teacher, and view an exhibit of his paintings. Hear about his award-winning artistic journey and how painting helped him find “mental solace and tranquility” during tours of duty in Vietnam. Free; register on ActiveNet.

To register or find more events, visit https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/howardcounty/

Summer Food Safety Tips

By Carmen Roberts, MS, RD, LDN, OAI Nutritionist

Cooking and eating outdoors in summer can be challenging when it comes to food safety. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), bacteria multiply faster at temperatures between 40° and 140°F. Practicing safe food handling is especially important for older adults, since the body’s immune system and ability to fight infection weakens with age. Here are five food safety tips to help keep everyone at your table safe from foodborne illness – indoors and out!

#1: Cook food thoroughly - raw meat and poultry should reach at least 165 degrees to decrease the risk of foodborne illness. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature, then serve and eat cooked meats immediately.

#2: Wash fruit and vegetables under cold running water and use a vegetable brush to scrub firm produce (such as melons). Dry with a paper towel to reduce bacteria before preparing and serving.

#3: Thaw frozen meat, poultry, and seafood in the refrigerator or microwave, not on the counter, and cook immediately to decrease the risk of bacteria growth.

#4: Use caution when eating outdoors. Avoid eating foods at an outdoor buffet or picnic that sit out for too long. If possible, stick with foods made to order.

#5: Avoid “raw” or unpasteurized products like milk, yogurt, cheese, apple cider, and honey. Avoid undercooked eggs, rare beef, and raw seafood as well.

For more tips to hold a healthy backyard barbecue, visit bit.ly/FDAbbqbasics.

Excitement grows as the new East Columbia 50+ Center takes shape

Construction of the new East Columbia 50+ Center is moving along, with a projected completion date of February 2024. The 29,400-square foot center will include larger community meeting and dining spaces; a commercial kitchen, a fitness equipment room and exercise studio; and much more. “As each brick and window goes in, our excitement grows,” says East Columbia 50+ Center director Meridy McCague.

Money Law & You’ll probably live longer than you think

By Liz Weston

Women often don’t score as well as men in surveys of financial literacy. One area where they seem to do better is “longevity literacy,” or understanding how long they’re likely to live.

Longevity literacy is essential to smart retirement planning. Overestimate your longevity, and you could retire too late or scrimp too much. Underestimate it, and you could run short of money.

In a recent TIAA Institute study, 43% of women correctly estimated the life expectancy of 60-year-old women in the U.S. (The right answer was 85.) Only 32% of men chose the correct answer for the life expectancy for 60-year-old men, which was 82.

Men also were far more likely than women to underestimate life expectancy — and that’s a huge potential problem for both sexes. A man who expects to die in his 70s might draw too much from retirement funds or start Social Security too early. That could leave him — and the spouse who may outlive him — with too little income later on.

“A lot of people do OK in their first 10 or 15 years of retirement,” said actuary Steve Vernon, a former research scholar at the Stanford Center on Longevity. “It’s often in their late 70s and 80s that they start to struggle.”

Our life expectancy ‘grows’

The life expectancy statistics that often make headlines aren’t the ones that matter for retirement planning, Vernon said.

For example, in December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that U.S. life expectancy dropped for the second year in a row.

But the number the CDC cited, 76.4 years, is life expectancy from birth. That figure includes infant mortality as well as the accidents, diseases, overdoses, homicides and suicides that end lives too early.

The thing about longevity is that it’s persistent. The longer you live, the longer you are likely to live.

One out of three men and 1 in 2 women in their mid-50s will live to 90, according to the Society of Actuaries. There’s a 50% chance

that at least one member of a heterosexual married couple age 65 will be alive at 92.

With longer lives comes “longevity risk” — the chance that people will outlive their savings. Understanding and addressing that risk is an important element of retirement planning, but most Americans are falling short, said Surya Kolluri, head of the TIAA Institute, which conducts research on financial security.

More than half of Americans don’t understand how long people tend to live in retirement, according to a 2022 survey of more than 3,500 adults nationwide by the TIAA Institute and the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center at the George Washington University School of Business.

How to minimize your risk

The single most powerful way to mitigate longevity risk is to delay claiming Social Security, Vernon said.

Social Security retirement benefits can start as early as age 62, but applying before your full retirement age — which is

currently between 66 and 67 — means your check is permanently reduced.

Delaying your application beyond full retirement age can add 8% each year you wait until your benefit maxes out at age 70.

Delaying is particularly important for the higher earner in a married couple, since it’s the higher earner’s benefit that determines what the survivor gets after the first spouse dies.

A 2022 paper for the National Bureau of Economic Research found that virtually all American workers ages 45 to 62 should delay their applications beyond age 65 to maximize their benefits, and that more than 90% should wait until age 70. But currently, only about 10% of applicants wait that long, the researchers found.

“Most people just don’t understand how long they could live in retirement, and they don’t plan for it,” Vernon said.

Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet, a certified financial planner and the author of Your Credit Score.

© 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Simplify and reduce your money ‘clutter’

By Liz Weston

Professional organizers might define household clutter as a pile of unmade decisions. Money clutter is much the same.

Those credit cards you no longer use but haven’t closed? That’s money clutter. So is the retirement account you left behind three jobs ago, and the financial paperwork you keep but no longer need.

You can simplify your financial life by streamlining how you manage your money. Here are five ways:

1. Consolidate accounts

The more financial accounts you have to monitor, the more stress you’re likely to feel, said Chicago financial planner Sheila Padden, president of the Alliance of Comprehensive Planners. It’s too easy to lose track of an account, miss a due date, or fail to notice a fraudulent transaction.

“Like any machinery, if there’s a lot of moving parts, then it’s more likely to break down,” Padden said.

One relatively easy way to consolidate is to combine workplace retirement ac-

counts. You may be able to transfer old 401(k) accounts to your new employer’s plan, for example, or roll them into a single individual retirement account (IRA).

Closing unused credit cards is another task worth considering, although shuttering accounts may ding your credit scores.

Minimize potential damage by hanging on to your oldest and highest-limit cards. If you have multiple cards with the same issuer, ask whether the credit limit on a card you want to close can be reallocated to one you want to keep.

And don’t close cards if you’re about to apply for a major loan, such as a mortgage or an auto loan. [See “Your credit score affects mortgage, more,” in the June Beacon.]

2. Get it all on one page

Budgeting apps allow you to link your bank accounts, credit cards and investment accounts so you can view all your transactions in one place. [Free options include Mint.com and Goodbudget.com.]

Your bank may offer a similar feature that allows you to link accounts.

Learning how to use these tools takes a little time, but getting this overview can help you better manage your money without having to log in to multiple accounts, said Pamela Ladd, senior manager of personal financial planning at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants.

“You can get a really good snapshot of your finances in one place,” Ladd said.

3. Automate what you can

Automating bill payments with online billpay services can help you avoid late fees and damage to your credit scores from missed payments. Start with bills that stay consistent, such as your mortgage or auto loan.

Where automating really shines is with saving, Padden said. She recommends figuring out how much you need to save for your goals, such as retirement or an emergency fund, and then automating regular contributions.

4. Reduce paper clutter

Ladd admits she was a latecomer to the digital world and didn’t switch to paperless

statements and bills until a few years ago.

Now she relies on email reminders to check her monthly bills, rather than receiving a paper “trigger” in the mail.

Financial institutions typically store statements for six or more years, so she doesn’t have to deal with filing or shredding paperwork. She finds the change “liberating.”

“It’s less clutter, one less thing to do,” Ladd said.

Most paperwork from the past can be safely scanned or downloaded into a computer — as long as its hard drive is backed up regularly. You can search online for lists of when to shred existing paperwork or ask a tax pro or financial planner for guidance.

5. Consider hiring help

Padden said she understands the urge to do it all yourself. As a certified public accountant, she felt she should be able to handle her own finances, but eventually realized she didn’t know enough to do so successfully.

Padden’s response to this revelation was

There are ways to simplify and reduce financial clutter. See story below.

JOHN PATRICK ROBICHAUD

Quick cash for your home? Not so fast!

By Better Business Bureau

The real estate market is hot, and, for those who own a home, you may have received offers or seen advertisements promising to buy it quickly and for cash. Selling a home is time-consuming, and the promise of a quick close is tempting.

However, it’s important to understand the difference between selling your home to a traditional buyer and making a deal with a home investor, sometimes called an opportunity investor.

Professional home investors make offers to sellers willing to sacrifice profit in exchange for a faster and simpler sale process.

In recent years, “iBuyers” have emerged, too — internet companies who use algorithms and proprietary valuation data to make no-obligation, all-cash offers to sellers.

BBB recommends the following tips to help you find the right kind of buyer for your home and avoid getting scammed.

Do you have time constraints?

With traditional home sales, buyers can require a 45-day escrow period to allow time for appraisals, mortgage approval contingencies, inspections and the like, which means completing a sale could take several weeks.

On the other hand, home investors can usually close in a month or less, and iBuyers can give homeowners a tentative offer within 24 to 48 hours and close in as little as a week.

If time is of the essence, it may be worthwhile to consider the faster options, although you’ll sacrifice profit for speed.

How much profit do you need?

The biggest con of working with a home

Money clutter

From page 16

to study for and obtain a certified financial planner credential and open her own financial planning practice. She recommends that others consider hiring the help they need if they can.

A tax pro can file your returns and answer tax questions. An accredited financial counselor or financial coach can assist with budgeting, debt management, retirement savings and more. A financial planner can help with virtually every aspect of your finances.

Hiring help can give you the personalized information you need to make decisions and stress less. Ultimately, that’s what simplifying your financial life is all about.

“If you feel like you’ve always got things that need attending to, you really cannot live your most fulfilled life and live with ease,” Padden said.

—AP/NerdWallet

investor or iBuyer is that you will almost always get a lower offer than you would from a traditional buyer.

Traditional buyers may be willing to pay even more than market value for a home they’ve fallen in love with, while home investors are buying your home solely as an investment.

Determining in advance how much profit you need to make on the sale of your home can help you make a sound decision when you receive an offer from any kind of buyer.

Factor in prep work

When marketing your home to traditional buyers, you’ll need to do a fair amount of prep work: cleaning, decluttering, painting, staging, landscaping, photographing and listing your home. When you sell to an investor, you won’t need to do this.

“Typically, investors offer to purchase a

property ‘as is,’ many times sight unseen,” according to Forbes magazine. “As a seller, that allows you to avoid any costly repairs that would normally be considered your financial responsibility.”

Research companies beforehand

Always look up businesses on BBB.org before you share personal information or agree to use their services. Make sure the company has an official name, phone number and physical address. Read customer reviews, keeping a close eye on any complaints or reports of dishonest dealings.

Beware of home investor scams

Scammers prey on a seller’s desire to make a quick sale by offering deals that seem too good to be true. They also take advantage of the fact that home investors don’t need credentials to buy property.

When considering an offer, ask plenty of questions and don’t settle for vague answers.

Never give money to an investor before the closing date. Complete all transactions through a closing or escrow agent or a real estate specialty attorney. Don’t be pressured into payments “off the books.”

If you aren’t pressed for time, consider working with a full-service brokerage. Although you’ll need to do some prep work, and it will take more time, you’ll likely make a much larger profit on the sale of your home.

You can also think about renting your home for an amount that covers your mortgage payments or setting up a leaseto-own agreement.

If you encounter a scam, report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker. Also, sign up for BBB Scam Alerts at bit.ly/BBBscamalerts.

EXPERIENCE CAMPUS LIVING WITH INDEPENDENT OR ASSISTED LIVING

It’s All Here at HEARTLANDS

HEARTLANDS SENIOR LIVING VILLAGE AT ELLICOTT CITY 3004 North Ridge Road • Ellicott City, MD 21043 • 410-461-9494

Start your next adventure at Heartlands Senior Living Village, where we offer monthly rentals with no buy-in fees. Enjoy our Assisted Living and Independent Living apartments and cottages, with close proximity to shopping, medical centers, and cultural venues. Delight in our Five Star Dining. Take comfort in knowing care is here when you need it.

WHY WAIT TO ENJOY A LIFE THIS GREAT?

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Sensible ways to tackle a home remodel

By Annie Millerbernd

Spring and summer are kickoff season for many kitchen remodels, bathroom updates and deck repairs. But recent economic turmoil may have homeowners questioning their home improvement plans.

Spending on home renovations is expected to slow this year because of factors such as declining home sales and values, rising interest rates, continuing inflation and rumblings of a coming recession, said Abbe Will, senior research associate with Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies.

As economic growth slows, planning and prioritizing will be key to remodeling confidently. Here are five tips to help you remodel in an uncertain economy.

Start with an emergency fund

Even when the economy is doing well,

it’s ideal to have an emergency fund before starting a remodel, said Eric Maldonado, a certified financial planner based in San Luis Obispo, California.

“What you’re trying to avoid is starting [a project] with nothing saved, taking out debt to afford [remodeling] and not really providing yourself with a smart foundation to start from,” he said.

A six-month fund [to cover living expenses] is a good goal, he said, especially if you’re concerned about losing your job.

Narrow your financial goals

After your emergency fund is set, put remodeling on a short list of your financial priorities for the year and distribute your budget accordingly, Maldonado said.

For example, if your main goals are to pay off debt, contribute to your kids’ college funds and begin home improvement

projects, determine how much each goal costs and how much you can afford to spend on them every month, he said.

“It’s kind of like putting the big rocks into the jar first,” he said.

This may mean slowing progress toward other financial goals, like early retirement or purchasing a new car.

Prioritize repairs and small updates

If high gas and grocery bills have left you with less to spend on home improvements this year, prioritize projects that have the potential to affect your finances the most, said Katherine Fox, a certified financial planner based in Portland, Oregon.

Fox recommends starting with fixes that would be costlier to delay, such as a leaking pipe. Then, consider updates that will save you money in the future, like new windows

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or insulation that may lower your utility bill.

Look for opportunities to mix “nice-tohaves” with “must-haves,” she said. For example, “Maybe you have something behind a wall that needs to be fixed, so you have to open up a wall, and then you have to repaint,” she said.

“Maybe you take this opportunity to fix a need and get a want at the same time.”

Compare financing options

The Federal Reserve’s persistent interest rate hikes over the past year have led to raised rates on most financing options, so you’ll likely pay more interest on a new home improvement loan than you would have before.

Maldonado said home equity loans and lines of credit are typically the lowest-rate options, but he recommends comparing financing options to find the best rate and terms.

Most home equity and personal loans come in a lump sum and have fixed interest rates, so your monthly payment remains the same for the full term.

A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, provides more flexibility for large projects because you can draw on it as needed for up to about 10 years. However, HELOCs typically have variable rates, which means monthly payments can fluctuate.

Consider delaying to save money

While prioritizing projects, decide whether you can delay any for a year or more. As fickle as the economy has been, there are signs that those who wait could pay less.

The pandemic-induced remodeling frenzy triggered a sharp increase in labor and materials costs that homeowners felt last year, according to a March 2023 report from Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. Cement, brick and plywood prices rose 20% to 25% between March 2020 and December 2022, the report found. Insulation material costs rose 34%. This year, materials may get cheaper, the report said.

Likewise, home improvement spending is expected to decline in early 2024 for the first time in more than a decade, according to the center’s Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity, which measures and projects remodeling spending.

If you can tolerate the guest bathroom as it is or stomach that non-load-bearing wall for another year or two, you could get the work done at a discount, Fox said.

Just be sure you’re in a secure financial position and feel good about your employment prospects if you bet on a recession, she said. —AP/NerdWallet

A reverse mortgage can help pay for care

By Kate Ashford

Someone turning 65 has nearly a 7-in-10 chance of needing long-term care in the future, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and many don’t have the savings to manage the cost of assisted living.

But they may have a mortgage-free home and the equity in it, giving them the potential option of a reverse mortgage to help cover care costs.

Here’s how to evaluate whether a reverse mortgage might be a good option:

What is a reverse mortgage?

A reverse mortgage is a loan or line of credit on the assessed value of your home. Most reverse mortgages are federally backed Home Equity Conversion Mortgages, or HECMs, which are loans up to a federal limit of $970,800. Homeowners must be 62 years old to apply.

If you have at least 50% to 55% equity in your home, you have a good chance of qualifying for a loan or line of credit for a portion of that equity. How much you can access depends on your age and the home’s appraised value.

If you qualify for the mortgage, you must still keep paying taxes and insurance on the home, and the loan is repaid when the borrower dies or moves out. If there are two borrowers, the line of credit remains until the second borrower dies or moves out.

A reverse mortgage is a non-recourse loan, meaning if the loan amount exceeds the home’s value, the borrower or inheritor won’t have to pay more than the loan amount owed or what the home could be sold for.

Paying for long-term care

A reverse mortgage can provide a crucial stream of income to pay for long-term

care, but there are some limitations.

For instance, a reverse mortgage requires that you live in the home. If you’re the sole borrower of a reverse mortgage and you have to move to a care facility for a year or longer, you’ll be in violation of the loan requirements and must repay the loan [Ed. Note: or allow the house to be sold to pay off the mortgage].

For this reason, and also because of the costs to obtain the loan, reverse mortgages are best suited for a situation where you plan to stay in your home long-term. They don’t make sense if your home isn’t suitable for aging in place, or if you plan to move in the next three to five years, said Marguerita Cheng, a certified financial planner in Potomac, Maryland.

But for home healthcare or paying for a second borrower who’s in a nursing home, home equity can help bridge the gap.

If you want to pay as you go and not pull money out of securities in a down market, you can pull it out of your home equity, said Dennis Nolte, a CFP in Winter Park, Florida.

Advantages of reverse mortgages

Your home is generally one of your biggest assets, and using its value to handle long-term care costs can make sense.

— You’re tapping an “up” asset. “Most people will find that their home is the only asset they own appreciating this year, and that makes it a good source to utilize for income needs,” said Byrke Sestok, a CFP in Harrison, New York.

— You can lock in value. If you think you’ll have trouble covering a future longterm care need, you can get a reverse mortgage now when home values are high. An unused line of credit grows over time, so your balance will have increased

by the time you need the money.

— The income is tax-free. All money you withdraw from your reverse mortgage line is tax-free and doesn’t affect your Social Security or Medicare benefits.

Disadvantages to consider

Reverse mortgages can solve a problem, but there are downsides to using the equity in your home to cover costs.

— They’re expensive. Getting a reverse mortgage costs about as much as a traditional mortgage — expect to pay about 3% to 5% of the home’s appraised value. However, you may be able to roll the

BUDGETING WORKSHOP

costs into the loan.

— You must pay interest. Interest accrues on any portion you’ve used, so you will eventually owe more than you borrowed.

— You’ll leave less to heirs. The more of the reverse mortgage you use, the less you’ll leave behind.

Whether to use your home equity as a stream of income can be complicated and depends on your other assets and future plans. A financial planner can help you run the numbers and point you toward a vetted reverse mortgage specialist if the product makes sense for you.

—AP/NerdWallet

Sharpen your budgeting skills, learn about creative modes of income, and get information about additional resources during this interactive session at the East Columbia Library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD on Tues., Aug. 15 from 7 to 8 p.m. To register, visit howardcounty.librarycalendar.com/event/budgeting-during-crisis-east-columbia.

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Leisure & Travel Leisure &

A stroll through LA’s historic downtown

By Don Mankin

Despite Los Angeles’ reputation to the contrary, the city does have a walkable downtown. In fact, it’s a surprising mix of old and new, classic and modern, with a smorgasbord of places to eat and drink.

This past June, I spent a day with my wife and several friends strolling through the city’s history and present, exploring its ethnic, architectural and gustatory diversity.

Our urban adventure began at the Grand Central Market, one of the oldest “food halls” in the western U.S., dating from 1917. The market is usually packed with people of all ages and ethnicities cruising among food stalls that offer cuisines ranging from Thai, Chinese and Korean to Mexican and Jewish deli fare.

We got there before most of the food stalls opened, but our destination, Eggslut (yes, that is really the name), already had a long line of hungry customers. I chose the gourmet bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. After wiping yolk off my mustache, we headed to Angels Flight, just across from the market.

Angels Flight Railway is a historic funicular that ferried blue-collar workers from the cramped, clapboard boarding houses on Bunker Hill (before it was leveled in the 1960s) to the stores and businesses on Broadway below. Angels Flight should be familiar to fans of the movies La La Land

and 500 Days of Summer as well as the streaming TV series “Goliath” and “Bosch.”

At the top of the short railway is California Plaza, a spacious concrete area with an amphitheater for summer concerts. The plaza is surrounded by the soaring glass office towers and hotels that replaced the working-class houses of Bunker Hill.

From modern art to Disney

We walked across the plaza in a northwesterly direction, past the Museum of Contemporary Art (worth a visit if you have the time), to Grand Avenue, then up Grand past the Broad Museum with its striking collection of modern art (also worth a visit).

Our destination was Walt Disney Concert Hall, one of the city’s most important buildings, architecturally, aesthetically and culturally. Designed by Frank Gehry, Disney Hall soars above the avenue like a gigantic surreal sailboat buffeted by turbulent waves of glistening steel.

We found the winding aerial pathway that wraps around the outside of the hall and inside the swirling, soaring waves of the external facade.

The unique pathway is accessible via a stairway behind a lovely rose-shaped fountain made of shards of blue-and-white Royal Delft pottery. Gehry dedicated this fountain to Lillian Disney, who supported him

through the often difficult and contentious design and construction of the hall.

This pathway is one of my favorite features of Disney Hall because it allows a close-up view of the innards of its infrastructure, giving a glimpse of the building’s intricate, complex engineering. As the walkway emerged from behind the facade, we paused for an expansive view of the city.

Music Center to the Cathedral

From there, we crossed First Avenue to an iconic architectural and cultural landmark of another era: Music Center Plaza, a wide, open plaza surrounded by three of the largest performing arts venues in the country, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Ahmanson Theater and Mark Taper Forum.

Unlike the undulating, free-form architecture of Disney Hall, the style of the Music Center is 1960s modern, typical of the important institutional and civic buildings of the era.

The fountain in the center of Music Center Plaza, which surrounds the “Peace on Earth” work by famed sculptor Jacques Lipchitz, is the first in a series of graceful, modern, “walk on water” fountains that spill (figuratively) down the hill through Grand Park in the direction of City Hall, a

building recognizable to any fan of the 1950s TV show “Dragnet” and its taciturn, “Just the facts, ma’am” Sgt. Joe Friday.

Before reaching City Hall, we headed to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, a majestic modern structure markedly distinct from the shiny steel of Disney Hall or the white marble of the Music Center. The 21-year-old cathedral, which has no right angles, is the color of sun-baked adobe.

My favorite part of the cathedral is the mausoleum in the basement. The first thing you see at the bottom of the stairs is Gregory Peck’s crypt — creepy but also cool. Stained-glass windows line the walls of the mausoleum.

From the cathedral, we walked one block east to Broadway, then two blocks to the Bradbury Building, a National Historic Landmark built in 1893 and one of the oldest buildings in Los Angeles.

The five-story, red brick building is best known for its ornate filigree ironwork railings and open cage elevator. Filled with natural light that streams through the skylight that stretches across the entire ceiling, the Bradbury Building has been the location for many TV shows and movies, including Chinatown and Blade Runner

The Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by Frank Gehry, opened in downtown Los Angeles 20 years ago. Free self-guided audio tours of the architectural icon are available year-round. Be sure to get “under the skin” to admire its engineering.

PHOTO © WALTER CICCHETTI | DREAMSTIME.COM

Grand Central Market’s food vendors have been cooking up international dishes in downtown LA since 1917.

From page 20

Historic Theater District

Conveniently, the Bradbury Building is located just across the street from the Grand Central Market, where we stopped again to rehydrate and refuel with Thai iced tea with boba from Moon Rabbit and strawberry rhubarb pie from Fat and Flour.

By this time, the market was packed and bustling, so the people-watching enhanced our snack time.

After our break, we headed south on Broadway to the Historic Theater District, the first and largest theater district on the National Register of Historic Places.

Many of the old theaters are in an advanced state of decay, but it doesn’t take much imagination to conjure up their former grandeur. Some have been renovated and can be rented for special events.

The theaters are embedded among a funky mish-mash of jewelry stores, doughnut shops and bridal gown emporiums.

We strolled through Pershing Square toward the Millennial Biltmore Hotel, the grand dame of old Los Angeles money and movie fame, as well as a location for many movies and TV shows, such as “Columbo,” “Murder She Wrote,” Ghostbusters and Rocky III

Inside the hotel we walked through Rendezvous Court, where high tea is served under a beautiful Moorish ceiling. In the

Historic Corridor’s gallery, we checked out an exhibit of photographs from Academy Award ceremonies held in the grand ballroom of the Biltmore in the 1930s.

Next, we made our way to the rooftop restaurant atop the Pershing Square Building to enjoy a cold drink or two, along with excellent views of downtown LA.

Then we headed a couple of blocks to our final destination, the Los Angeles Central Library, to check out the famous pastelhued murals inside the Grand Rotunda, which offer a 360-degree view of the history of California.

After turning slowly and craning our necks for several minutes, we decided to head back to the Grand Central Market for one last bite because, well, I like to eat. I chose a taco from Roast to Go, one of the oldest vendors at the market.

Our early dinner was a fitting conclusion to our historic, cultural, architectural and gustatory exploration of downtown Los Angeles — an urban center that, despite popular belief, is still thriving. There was still much more to explore, but that would have to wait for another day.

If you go

Nonstop round-trip airfare to LA from BWI starts at $330 on several major carriers.

At Grand Central Market, I recommend Broad St. Oyster Co., McConnell’s Ice Cream, Wexler’s Deli and Sticky Rice.

For more upscale dining, try Asterid in Disney Hall (asteridla.com) and Clifton’s Republic (theneverlands.com/cliftons-republic), a makeover of the historic, forestthemed, fantasyland cafeteria in the heart of the theater district into an even more hallucinatory experience.

Rooms at Millennial Biltmore (millenniumhotels.com/en/los-angeles) start at $178/night. The Omni Los Angeles (omnihotels.com/hotels/los-angeles-californiaplaza) has rooms starting in the low $200s. For more information, see visitlosangeles.com.

Tours for traveling with grandchildren

By Jim Miller

Dear

Savvy Senior,

My husband and I are interested in taking our two grandkids on a big trip this summer and are looking for some good ideas. Can you recommend some travel companies that offer special travel packages for grandparents and grandkids?

Dear Doting,

—Doting Grandmother

Grandparents traveling with just their grandchildren has become a growing seg-

ment of the multigenerational travel industry. Not only is this type of travel fun, but it’s also a terrific way to strengthen generational bonds and create some lasting memories.

To help you with your traveling aspirations, there are a number of travel companies today that offer specialized grandparent/grandchildren and multigenerational trip packages.

This is a nice way to go because they plan everything for you, with most activi-

ties together but some just for adults so you can get an occasional breather.

Available in various trip lengths and price ranges, these tours are designed for children, typically between the ages of six or seven up to 18, and are usually scheduled in the summer or sometimes during winter breaks when the kids are out of school.

Here are some top tour companies to check into that will take you and your grandkids on a fun, well-planned vacation:

Road Scholar (RoadScholar.org): This well-established nonprofit organization has offered educational travel to older adults since 1975. They currently offer 83 different programs geared toward grandparents and grandchildren. About 75% of the grandparent trips are domestic.

Some popular trip destinations include the U.S. National Parks, Canada, France, Italy, Iceland, Costa Rica and the Galápagos Islands. The average cost per person per night is around $265 for domestic and $365 for international trips.

Intrepid (IntrepidTravel.com): An adventure travel tour operator that offers “grandparent holiday” tours that bring together the young and the young at heart. They offer 35 one- and two-week tours in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, as well as in Alaska and Wyoming. To find these trips, go to bit.ly/grandparenttours

Tauck (Tauck.com): This large tour operator offers 19 foreign and domestic multigenerational trips called Tauck Bridges Family Tours. Some of their most popular trips are Costa Rica, European riverboat cruises, and Cowboy Country, which tours you through Wyoming and South Dakota.

Smithsonian Journeys (SmithsonianJourneys.org): They offer 10 family journey

trips to Iceland, New Zealand, Italy, Greece, Japan, Ireland, Costa Rica, South Africa, Yellowstone and a Rhine River cruise.

Journeys International (JourneysInternational.com): They offer customized multigenerational trips primarily to Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific.

Travel documents

Depending on where you go and your mode of transportation, you’ll need to gather some documents for your grandchildren to make sure everything goes smoothly.

In general, most travel experts recommend that you bring a notarized travel consent form (letter of permission from the parents) and a medical consent form in case emergencies or problems arise. Also bring copies of insurance cards.

If you’re traveling domestically, you should know that airlines and trains don’t require any form of ID for children under 18. But if you’re traveling to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or other areas of the Caribbean by land or sea, grandchildren 15 and under will need certified copies of their birth certificates.

And if your grandkids are 16 or older, or you’re traveling to these locations via air, passports will be required.

If you’re traveling overseas, all children, even infants, must have a passport. Some countries also require a visa for entry, and vaccinations may sometimes be required.

Before booking a trip, check the U.S. Department of State’s website at Travel. State.gov for country-specific information.

Send your senior 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.

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FREE ALL-DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL

Hear dozens of bands perform in Old Ellicott City for the 10th annual Main Street Music Fest, located at 8267 Main St., Ellicott City, MD. The event is free, and the performances last from noon to 8 p.m. on Sat., Aug. 19. For more information, call (443) 240-2060 or visit visitoldellicottcity.com/msmf.

Aug. 19

Arts & Style

Jimmy Buffett’s songs take center stage

By Eddie Applefeld

If you think it’s 5 o’clock somewhere — and it’s a good guess it is — then you’ll want to visit Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia to check out the current production of Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville

Like Mamma Mia, it’s a “jukebox musical” that includes pre-existing songs and builds a storyline around them.

This is the area premiere of the show. It had a brief run on Broadway, opening in February 2018 and lasting for 124 performances. Reviews were mixed, and a national tour began in 2019.

The lively musical was a good choice by director and choreographer Mark Minnick, who has directed and choreographed just about all the shows at Toby’s for the past 15 years.

The cast consists of 21 very talented performers led by standouts Patrick Gover, playing Tully, and Anna PhillipsBrown, playing Tammy.

Performers are better suited for major parts in shows if they are a “triple threat” — someone who can sing, act and dance well.

I was impressed to find that most of this ensemble can perform all three very well.

The show is presented in the round, so there isn’t a bad seat in the house, and with a live six-piece orchestra, the sound is excellent from any seat.

The behind-the-scenes folks consist of David Hopkins, scenic and lighting; Janine Sunday, costume designer (you’ll love the island shirts — wear one if you still have one in your closet); Cheryl Stansfield, production stage manager, and projections by David Hopkins and Jimmy Engelkemier.

Toe-tapping numbers

You’re sure to recognize most of Buffett’s songs, especially “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Margaritaville,” “Five O’Clock Somewhere” and “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes.”

Quite frankly, there were many songs I didn’t know, but I still enjoyed the laid-back cadence of each of the 20 tunes, most of them from Buffett’s albums from the late 1970s.

You don’t have to know Buffett’s music to enjoy Escape to Margaritaville, Minnick emphasized when I spoke with him before a recent performance.

It’s a “funny, edgy, heartwarming musical comedy where singing along is allowed,” Minnick said. As Toby’s website puts it, “This show contains mild language

and adult innuendos.”

Although you’d assume that the audi-

Patrick Gover stars as a bartender named Tully Mars in Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville. The jukebox musical, built around a number of Buffett’s songs, runs through Aug. 20 at Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia.

Private instruction is one way to maximize your workout. Our cover story continues on page 24.

PHOTO BY JERI TIDWELL PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEVIN ZAHOR

appearance and mental state,” he said. Regular workouts “became my medicine. Movement can change your brain, change your confidence.”

Devin joined Fitness Together in Ellicott City and became an ACE-certified personal trainer there in 2017. When the gym’s previous owner considered selling the property, she approached Devin, who had come up through the ranks and emerged as her star trainer.

“She said if she’d ever sell it, it would be to me,” he said.

The gym’s previous owner, John added, “was very helpful in the deal. She gave us access to the books and gave us a list of vendors we could use.”

Raising the money

Securing financing amounted to a strenuous workout in itself.

The family took a second mortgage out on a townhouse in White Marsh that Robin had purchased before the Zahors married in 1991. John Zahor tapped his retirement

MARK

YOUR CALENDAR

Columbia

Pro Cantare’s 47th Season

Saturday, October 21at 8 p.m.

“Hispanic Heritage” concert

Featuring Chorus America Consortium and a commissioned work by Venezuelan-born Cristian Grasses.

First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ellicott City

Sunday, December 3at 7:30 p.m.

Handel’s “Messiah,” Jim Rouse Theatre, Columbia

Sunday, December 10at 3 p.m., “A Christmas Noël” with the CPC Chamber Singers, Christ Episcopal Church, Columbia

Sunday, March 17at 4 p.m., “A Celebration of Chorus and Brass”

Including Bruckner’s “Locus Iste” and “Afferentur,” Liszt’s “Ave Maria,” and Hailstork’s “When Storms Arise” and “Bagatelles for Brass.”

First Evangelical Lutheran Church

Saturday, May 4at 8 p.m., “Broadway Hits,” Jim Rouse Theatre

nest egg from a previous employer.

“It took a little bit of guts,” he admitted.

However, even more capital was needed to seal the deal. The Zahors applied for a loan seven times, but banks were hesitant to grant loans during the pandemic since gym membership had plummeted.

“After our application for loan after loan was turned down, we thought, ‘Okay, maybe we can do something else,’” John said.

Eventually the family learned of a program called the Rollover for Business Start-ups. That approach enabled John to roll over his 401(k) retirement plan from his former employer and use it to help fund the business without the added burden of a business loan. Nor did he incur taxes or penalties, he added.

Fitness Together requires prospective owners to have a minimum net worth of $250,000, with at least $50,000 in liquid capital. It also charges a one-time franchise fee. In addition, the franchiser collects a 6% royalty fee on every sale.

Like any business owners, the list of essentials fills the Zahors’ days: paying rent, meeting payroll, maintaining and buying gym equipment, and retaining and expanding a client base.

“The terror part, the part that keeps me up at night, is making sure we’ve got everything covered,” John said.

So far, the Zahors have received a lot of encouragement and support from friends and the local business community. “People speak so highly of Devin. He’s handling things in a very mature way,” John said.

Exercise can save lives

As new entrepreneurs poised to sacrifice and submit to the vagaries of the marketplace, offering a service whose end game is a rejuvenated quality of life pumps up the Zahors.

After all, becoming more fit can help prevent disease. The Centers for Disease

Control reported that 96 million adults — more than 1 in 3 — have prediabetes, and more than 8 in 10 don’t know it.

The leading preventable risk factors for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes are being overweight and not getting sufficient physical activity.

“We’re getting much more sedentary,” John said. “I’ve had to really force myself to exercise more. People very close to me stopped exercising, and they really went downhill.”

Aside from physical benefits, exercise can combat stress, anxiety and depression. In a pressure-cooker world riven with feelings that can overwhelm, exercise can play a key role in tamping down negative emotions.

“It’s where you can do your own mentalhealth work,” John said.

Susan Hill, a 55-year-old federal worker in Ellicott City, said her reasons for joining Fitness Together tilted more toward building endurance and stability.

“I’m going to Thailand in the fall, and I want to do my share of biking and hiking,”’ Hill said. “I’m just two months into it, and I’ve lost five pounds of fat and gained five pounds of muscle.”

If she didn’t exercise, her later years, Hill believes, “would be very different. I will definitely work out for the rest of my life.”

Hill also benefits from the private, oneon-one training. “I’ve tried to work out in [another gym] … but I really didn’t know how to use the machines. You feel self-conscious.”

Devin “runs the gym like it’s his mission in life,” Hill noted.

How the gym works

No other nearby gym has a personaltraining program quite like Fitness Together. Each member is paired with a personal trainer, and all ages are welcome.

Peace of Mind is Priceless

Pre-planning a funeral is a great gift, to your family and to you: It relieves the pressure on them to imagine what you might have wanted while they deal with grief and loss. Your funeral service will be exactly as you wish. Your family can enjoy peace of mind knowing everything has been arranged. If you choose to pre-fund, the cost is fixed and protected from later price change or inflation.

Call us to learn more.

Ask about our price-match guarantee!

Ask for Jim Schwartz or Chris Boggs: 410-747-4770

Laura Lee Fischer Founder/ Director Emerita

Frances Dawson Artistic Director

Margaritaville

From page 23

ence might feel compelled to sing along, that’s not really the case. It happened at the performance I attended, but only briefly and in one song: “Margaritaville.”

Let me interject here: Jimmy Buffett, who is now 76 years old, does not appear in the show. Apparently, the box office has been asked several times, “At what show will Jimmy Buffett be there?”

But his music, a blend of rock and country, certainly is. Some folks have described his music as a way of life — a mellow, escape-to-the-Caribbean lifestyle.

Gym

From page 24

In-person workouts take place in private suites. Virtual workouts are also available.

For new members, the first order of business is to set up an evaluation, which helps trainers establish a baseline. The

BEACON BITS

Sept. 11

IS AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE FOR YOU?

Are you considering purchasing an electric vehicle (EV)? Explore the types of electric vehicles (EVs) and learn about the logistics of purchasing, owning and operating an EV in this introductory session from AARP on Mon., September 11 from 7 to 7:45 p.m. For details and to register, visit bit.ly/OnlineEVSessionAARP.

FROM PAGE 26 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

Boy meets girl, yada yada

The plot is the simplest part of the entire night and not all that important. After all, you’re there for the music, dancing and attitude.

But to sum it up, a part-time bartender from Ohio living in the islands falls in love with a tourist who’s just a little too careerminded. And, as in all love stories, she leaves, he chases her, and, what do you know, all’s well at the end. How could it end any differently?

This is, don’t forget, a dinner theatre, and Toby’s guests will enjoy the menu for this show: tropical fruit, veggies, shrimp casserole, tilapia, a salad bar, a carving sta-

evaluation is repeated every six weeks.

Membership fees vary according to services, frequency of visits and personal goals. The Zahors also plan to offer nutrition and mental health classes. A “signature fit evaluation” for potential customers is complimentary.

tion with chicken, roast beef, turkey and ham, and an ice cream bar.

Also available (for an additional payment) are alcoholic drinks, including the drink special, “The Coconut Telegraph,” served in a souvenir glass. It’s also available in a nonalcoholic version.

Toe-tapping is encouraged!

Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville runs through Aug. 20, and is suitable for patrons 10 and older. Doors open for dinner at 6 p.m., and an 8 p.m. show gets you out at about 10:30 p.m. There are no longer any Covid restrictions at the theatre.

Toby’s is located at 5900 Symphony Woods Rd. in Columbia, Maryland. Advance reser-

“We want everyone to feel good, feel comfortable, feel safe,” John said.

So far, the steady success of Fitness Together has brought the family closer. “Right now, we’re doing OK; we’re above water,” John said, adding that many clients renew their memberships.

vations are required. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday nights, with matinees on Wednesday and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. (buffet brunch for matinees opens at 10:30 a.m.).

Tickets are $74-$79 for adults and $57$60 for children 12 and under. All tickets include the all-you-can-eat buffet. Patrons are also expected to tip their servers (who are, by the way, the actors), who bring beverages and special desserts to tables.

Those 65 and over may attend any Tuesday or Wednesday performance for $62.90. Tickets may be purchased from Ticketmaster or by phone from the box office at (410) 730-8311.

“I’m proud of my family, and we’re hoping for the best.”

For more information about Fitness Together, stop by the gym at 3570 St. John’s Ln., Ste. 108 in Ellicott City, visit fitnesstogether.com/ellicottcity or call (410) 750-2228.

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

Scrabble answers on p. 25.

Find

Crossword Puzzle

Quiet, Please

By Stephen Sherr

HB823

Across

1. Mainframe-era computer language

6. ___ The One That I Want

11. Just out of the pool

14. Foot swelling

15. One supports Bob Ross’ “happy little trees”

16. Miner’s major find

17. “You are doing a great job holding up all those books”

19. Tell a whopper

20. Like 10 of Shakespeare’s plays

21. Letters on Jesse Owens’ shirt in 1936

22. With equal pros and cons

23. Nelson Mandela’s org.

24. Alma mater of both Mr. Burns and Sideshow Bob

26. Like Daisy Duke on wash day, with 29 Across

29. See 26 Across

35. Flowery necklaces

37. Give five stars

38. Drug also called “poppy tears”

39. Horseman’s weapon

41. Actor Affleck or Stiller

42. Gossipmonger

43. Fall below the frost line

44. “The wise man does at ___ what the fool does finally” (Machiavelli)

46. Stags and does

47. Last ones to the beach

50. All the encyclopedia volumes

51. Like the 13th bagel, often

52. “___ your age, not your shoe size” 54. Flout conventions 56. Broken-hearted 59. Sneaker stuffer 63. ___-Wan Kenobi 64. Mediterranean craft with cargo from Tuscany 66. 70 at Pine Valley Golf Club 67. Pet that nearly everyone has

70. Update the navigational charts

71. Abundances

Down

1. Smallest unit of US currency

2. Febreze foe

3. One after alpha

4. Last after alpha

5. Cuban American, for example

6. Sycophant’s usual response

7. Hawaii’s “gathering place”

8. “Nature ___ as little as possible of anything” (Kepler)

9. Track and field events

10. Far-north toy craftsman

11. Winners of the first Rose Bowl in 1902

12. First of the Great Lakes (alphabetically)

13. Betty or Veronica

18. Transpire

22. Fled to wed

25. “Hello, sailor”

26. ___ fair in love and war

27. Contaminate gradually

28. Vulnerable position

30. Social prohibition

31. Pizzeria appliances

32. Deal in stolen goods

33. One getting extra math guidance

34. Like most of the Big Bang Theory gang

36. Scamper away

40. Dueler’s sword

45. Greek muse who usually holds a lyre

48. Rent-payer

49. Pooh-poohs

53. Linen closet item

54. Ali’s rope-a-___

55. The second busiest e-commerce site in 2023

57. “um, pardon me...”

58. Prima donna

60. Only one in Scrabble has a “Q”

61. School delay cause

62. Hankerings

64. Natl. Frog Month

65. Opposite of lethargy

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