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Mastering mid-life career change
A new career When Darvish walked out the door at Darcars, she took a look at what she’d done for decades and thought creatively about how to translate that work to a new field.
SEPTEMBER 2015
I N S I D E …
PHOTO BY REY LOPEZ
By Barbara Ruben Cars have been a driving factor in almost all of Tammy Darvish’s adult life. As the daughter of Darcars founder John R. Darvish, Sr., she and her two stepbrothers were groomed to take over his Washington-area auto empire, consisting of more than 25 franchises. She majored in automotive management in college, then worked her way up from the salesroom floor to executive vice president, as she became the public face of the company. But in a very public split from Darcars last year, Darvish alleges in a lawsuit that her father went back on a promise that she would own part of Darcars when he retired. Instead, her stepbrothers became president and chief operating officers of the company and told her to clear out her office. So she walked away, bewildered and trying to find a toehold in the next chapter of her life. “It’s a place I never expected or wanted to be. I was very hurt, very surprised, very let down,” said Darvish, who is 51 and lives in Potomac, Md. She said she only speaks to her father now through her children, who are both students at the University of Southern California. In January, she filed a lawsuit in Montgomery County Circuit Court asking that she be given shares in Darcars equal to one-third of the value of the company. Darcars balked, filing a countersuit that was dismissed. The original suit continues to churn through legal channels. Today, Darvish still drives a Lexus SUV as she did during her Darcars days, but its license plate now reads PENFED — the credit union where she was hired as executive vice president of business development and government and community affairs in January. How Darvish switched gears, found a new career she says that has “for the first time made me completely happy,” and became a role model for others floundering at mid-life will be the topic of her keynote speech at the Beacon’s 50+Expo in Silver Spring, Md., on Oct. 18.
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LEISURE & TRAVEL
Why the Balkans, now at peace, are worth a visit; plus, unusual ways to enjoy fall foliage, and discounts on hotels, flights and more for older travelers page 55
ARTS & STYLE
The political musical The Fix has a great cast, but the story could use a little fixing; plus, Bob Levey on sculpting a new career after retirement Tammy Darvish was able to translate the skills she honed during her long career at family-owned car company Darcars to a new position as a vice president at the credit union PenFed in January. In the process, she says she found happiness in her career for the first time. She will share advice on how to make a career transition later in life at the Beacon’s 50+Expo on Oct. 18 in Silver Spring, Md.
“The past year has been one of great adjustment,” Darvish said. “When you spend 30 years at a company, you never think about a different career, never think about taking skills from one industry and being able to apply them in a completely different industry and be successful. “For me, I’m fortunate. [Changing industries] was a risk that has seemingly paid off.” Not everyone thinks about career change that way. “If you look at [automotive] sales consultants or sales managers or service advisers, when they leave a dealership, they typically just pop back up at another dealership,” Darvish noted. But it doesn’t have to be like that. “I think it’s interesting that they have skills
that many other industries need that the automotive industry really does a great job in developing in people — like customer service, communicating, messaging. “Beyond customer service is the ability to sell. Not just sell a car, but you could sell a product, you could sell a service, you could sell software.” Darvish extends this advice to job seekers over 50 as well, whether they are exploring a new career direction by choice or because they have lost their job. “Rather than focus on the industry, focus on your talents,” she advised. Darvish, who served as the first female chair of the Washington Area New Auto See DARVISH, page 27
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The key to new drugs I would like to share with you some for all cancer patients in the U.S. in 2011 at things I learned at a recent program about $88.7 billion. Furthermore, Alzheimer’s Alzheimer’s disease and efis currently the 6th leading forts to increase federal recause of death in this counsearch funding for it. try, and is the only leading You will see that you can cause of death for which we play a part in helping bring have no means of prevention, about much-needed improvedelay or treatment. ment in this effort. Given the scope of the First, some basic facts. problem, you might wonder, Speaking in round numbers, how much are we currently about 5 million Americans, 95 investing in terms of basic repercent of them over 65, cursearch to learn how to delay, rently suffer from Alzheimer’s. FROM THE if not prevent, Alzheimer’s This number is expected to PUBLISHER By Stuart P. Rosenthal and the explosive growth in triple by 2050 if current trends costs it is sure to require? continue. Federal investment in Alzheimer’s reQuite apart from the lost productivity of Alzheimer’s patients and their 15 million search has been about $400 million per caregivers, the Alzheimer’s Association es- year. timates that the direct medical costs to Compare that to the $3 billion per year American society of Alzheimer’s will total we still invest in HIV/AIDS research $226 billion this year, with half of those (which has made tremendous strides in the past two decades, transforming it from a costs borne by Medicare. That means nearly one of every five certainly fatal condition into a manageable Medicare dollars is spent to care for those chronic disease), and to the $5.4 billion per with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. By year we invest in basic cancer research 2050, costs are projected to exceed $1.1 through the National Cancer Institute. Pending appropriations bills in Contrillion, which will include one of every gress would increase Alzheimer’s funding three Medicare dollars. For comparison purposes, note that the by an additional $300 million per year. But federal Agency for Healthcare Research first these bills need to be passed. And and Quality estimated the total cost of care even if we do increase research to $700
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The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Washington DC area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Greater Baltimore, Howard County, Md. and Greater Palm Springs, Calif. Readership exceeds 400,000. Subscriptions are available via first-class mail ($36) or third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. D.C. and Maryland residents: add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. • Publisher/Editor ....................Stuart P. Rosenthal • Associate Publisher..............Judith K. Rosenthal • Vice President of Operations ....Gordon Hasenei • Director of Sales ................................Alan Spiegel • Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben • Art Director ........................................Kyle Gregory • Assistant Operations Manager ..........Roger King • Advertising Representatives ........Doug Hallock, Dan Kelly, Kelly Koch, Rena Pensky, Cheryl Watts • Editorial Assistant ........................Rebekah Sewell
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million a year, scientists have estimated we need to be spending $2 billion annually to make the kind of progress we need. What about the private sector? The Alzheimer’s Association — which says it is the third largest funder of basic Alzheimer’s research in the world (after the U.S. and Chinese governments) — awarded grants worth nearly $14 million last year. It’s invested over $335 million since 1982. Important, but insufficient. In addition, the major pharmaceutical companies have probably spent billions of dollars developing and testing potential new drugs for decades. To date, unfortunately, most of their efforts have been disappointing. Only five Alzheimer’s-related drugs have been approved by the FDA since 1996, and while they help somewhat with symptoms in many patients, none constitutes a real treatment that would delay or prevent its progression. However, new areas of research are showing more promise. We have learned much in the last few years about the amyloid plaque deposits and neurofibrillary tangles called “tau” that take over the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. Using the latest imaging techniques — including the Advanced Photon Source developed by federal researchers and made available to private drug companies at the Argonne National Laboratory — researchers can, for the first time, see how drug treatments directly affect the brains of volunteers. At the program I attended, Senator Dick Durban (D-IL), who introduced the Senate bill to boost Alzheimer’s research funds, noted repeatedly how much basic federal research contributes to the overall development of new drugs and treatments by private drug companies (which he referred to collectively as Pharma). The federal investment includes not only the nearly $30 billion spent each year on research conducted or supported by the Na-
tional Institutes of Health, but also billions more spent by the Department of Defense and the Office of Science in the U.S. Department of Energy (which funds Argonne). It was, for example, basic research (much of it funded by U.S. taxpayers) that helped develop the molecule recently patented by Gilead Sciences as a new cure for Hepatitis C. Gilead sells the treatment for $1,000 per pill ($84,000 per course of treatment). Meanwhile, in India, where Gilead’s patent wasn’t approved, a generic drug company sells the same treatment for $10 per pill. I asked the senator, why doesn’t Congress require the drug companies that benefit so greatly from taxpayer-financed research to pay more significant licensing fees for the blockbuster drugs that result, or at least offer substantial discounts to Medicare and Medicaid when they acquire these medications to treat U.S. taxpayers? He conceded, “There’s no reason why Pharma shouldn’t pay more.” And added that, while taxpayers “will ultimately benefit from the research, usually Pharma will benefit first.” That was not entirely the answer I wanted. I wanted him to say he will introduce legislation to require a more equitable arrangement — before Pharma finds the blockbuster cure for Alzheimer’s and starts charging Medicare tens of thousands of dollars per year per patient. Please join me in contacting Senator Durbin and others in Congress — both to support increased funding for basic research into Alzheimer’s, and to encourage them to require drug companies to more fairly share profits from commercially successful drugs developed with the aid of federally funded research, and/or to offer such drugs to U.S. taxpayers at a discount reflecting our contributions.
Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or email to barbara@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Dear Editor: The most practical way to deter violence on trains (From the Publisher, August) is to have armed unknown responsible riders aboard. To expect ordinary citizens to take on a knife-wielding attacker physically is unrealistic and naive. At least start with laws allowing active and retired police and military people with gun experience to carry handguns; others also, with restrictions. Added training on using firearms in a crowd without injuring innocent people would help. Probabilities of one or more such persons riding with you are increased. Em-
ploying armed guards on each rail car would be prohibitively expensive and wasteful most often. I understand the fear of guns some people have would make them nervous about my proposed solution. But what better realistic answer is there? Gerald Schneider Kensington, Md. Dear Editor: I am writing this in response to Stuart Rosenthal’s column (“What could we have done?, August) about the stabbing on the Metro. There are only two ways in life to See LETTERS TO EDITOR, page 69
WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
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Innovations Many options for alleviating chronic pain By Gina Roberts-Grey Lenore Beetar of Woodbridge, Va., 89, wasn’t ready to slow down. The former Rockette high-kicked her way to an extremely active life raising her children, interacting with friends, and rarely resting in the same place for very long. But in December 2014, a tumble down the stairs she described as “a beautiful somersault” resulted in a fracture in her neck. The subsequent pain threatened the otherwise vibrant and vital woman’s mobility and independent lifestyle. A high threshold for pain, and the pride of not wanting others to worry about her, caused Beetar to try to hide her discomfort. But family members noticed a change
in her activity levels and pressed her for information. When they learned of her accident, they took action, seeking medical attention from an orthopedic surgeon. The recommended therapy was surgery; however, her age made that a difficult option for repairing the fracture. So instead of becoming one of the 100 million Americans living with chronic pain, she opted for kyphoplasty — an innovative treatment that essentially “glued” her fractured spine back together. Dr. Dan Kendall., a pain management specialist at National Spine & Pain Centers in McLean, Va., made a small incision in Beetar’s back to realign her vertebrae and inject a medical-grade cement-like material
that fuses the bones back together. Within 36 hours, Beetar resumed her normal hobbies and activities.
Multiple pain treatment options Pain management specialists are trained to evaluate, diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of pain, including acute, chronic, degenerative, even arthritic, musculoskeletal and joint pain. In addition to being on the leading edge of managing complex pain medication regimes, they partner with patients, their primary care providers and orthopedic surgeons to explore non-surgical or minimally invasive techniques for lasting pain relief. That partnership was the difference be-
tween Barbara Johnson, 66, being isolated in her house due to pain and living an active life. “I have four herniated discs; three bulging and lying on a nerve in a pocket below the spine,” she said. Pain that started in her back and radiated down her legs left Johnson unable to walk without a cane or by holding onto furniture around the house. “I was trapped in my house. I was a prisoner to my pain, and that was horrible,” she said. Unable to perform basic tasks — like shopping for groceries, let alone enjoying a lunch out with friends or travel as she once did — Johnson grew desperate for
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home” or “Become a secret shopper.” It’s likely most of these are scams. But there are some legitimate companies that pay people to work in their pajamas in their living room or evaluate grocery store shelves as a mystery shopper. How do you find them? The website the Penny Hoarder has done the research and helps people find real ways to make a little extra cash, as well as save money on cell phone service, credit cards and more. www.thepennyhoarder.com
Put a smile on your face According to the website HooplaHa, its mission is, “to make people smile as much as possible.” The site shares good news and inspirational stories, cute pictures and touching music. It also includes series of short web videos, including “The Wonderful World of Darla,” about a 77-year-old who says she’s proud to be called an eccentric. She plays in a kazoo and steel drum band, attends a belly dance class, and teaches Alzheimer’s awareness to middle school students. In her latest episode, she shares tips on accessorizing your wardrobe. http://hooplaha.com Sample Darla video: bit.ly/world_of_darla
Personally tailored health assistance When Michael Arbitman lost his eyesight to a rare disease, his first question was “Now what do I do”? His family and friends looked online for answers to this question. Millions of results came up, some of them relevant, but most of them were for window blinds. It took him years to find out such useful facts as that Walmart and his local supermarket would give him a personal shopper to help him, or to discover sites that would help him find doctors, restaurants, software, cell phones and more. So Arbitman and a partner created Imuneek.com (pronounced “I’m unique”) to help connect people, organizations, doctors and support groups with news, events, hash tags and articles specific to particular medical conditions or disabilities, physical or mental. Users create accounts and sign in to connect with others who have the same condition and to locate assistance. Because the site is a start-up, he is soliciting donations on the site, but it is available to use for free. www.imuneek.com
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Having access to and knowledge about a diverse number of treatment options sets pain management specialists apart from primary care physicians. “Those physicians do a great job, but be-
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relief. “I slept in a recliner for six months because I couldn’t lie down in my bed,” she said. Intense bouts of blinding pain had Johnson taking several trips to the emergency department in search of relief. Her orthopedic surgeon also prescribed several combinations of pain killers and tried to dull the pain with steroid injections. “I didn’t like the drugged feeling pain pills caused,” Johnson said. She also wasn’t ready to have the back surgery her doctor recommended. “I have some health issues that could complicate surgery, and I was also concerned about spending a week in the hospital and several more in rehab.” A friend suggested Johnson consult Dr. Beverly Whittenberg, a Washington, D.C. pain management specialist. After a detailed consultation and history, Johnson received radiofrequency neurotomy — an outpatient procedure that delivers special radiofrequency needles along inflamed nerves responsible for chronic pain, with thermal energy applied to the nerve until it is deadened. “The good news is, treatment of pain can be precise and specialized,” said Whittenberg. “As a pain management specialist, I routinely use an array of innovative treatments to successfully treat pain and return people to their lives. And, these procedures are often covered by insurance and Medicare.” “I’m back to traveling and going to lunch. I’m a functioning human being again,” Johnson said.
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cause pain is all we treat, we’re able to prevent acute pain from an injury from becoming lifelong chronic pain. We can pinpoint a diagnosis beyond ‘back pain’ to use options like radiofrequency neurotomy or spinal cord stimulation to treat the problem, instead of only masking or dulling it with steroid injections and pain killers,” Whittenberg said. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) utilizes a small implanted device that transmits mild electrical impulses to the spinal cord to disrupt nerves’ ability to send pain signals through your body. Based on their pain levels and tolerance, patients can easily control the intensity and frequency of the impulses with a remote control. Among the most innovative advancements in pain management is the use of regenerative medicine therapies that stimulate your body’s own natural healing mechanisms using your own platelets and growth factors. In spite of these procedures being considered experimental and not covered by insurance, many patients consider these procedures essential to their pain relief and healing. Perhaps that is the reason these therapies are on the rise among professional athletes, but also increasingly considered by the average pain patient, too. And these pain treatments aren’t just for injuries. Whittenberg said pain caused by “getting older” or “tired joints” shouldn’t be brushed aside. “Along with various treatments, pain management can help people with arthritis discover new and different forms of joint-friendly activity that promotes fitness and enjoyment without pain.” Before beginning any new pain treatment, consult your regular physician and get a second opinion to get a fuller picture of what options might be best for you, and to consider any drawbacks to the procedure.
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Stay on top of your own health. At Holy Cross Germantown Hospital, we offer a broad array of classes and events to keep our community healthy. “ASK THE DOCTORS” SERIES Navigating Gynecologic Health Issues FREE Oct. 6 or Dec. 8, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Hear from a panel of women’s health experts about issues that may be impacting your quality of life, such as incontinence, excessive bleeding, fibroids and other gynecologic concerns. Bring your questions or submit them online when you register in advance. Speakers include: • Ellen Goldmark, MD, urology • Ebony Hoskins, MD, gynecologic oncology • Kathleen Sterling, MD, urology Overcoming Joint and Back Pain FREE Nov. 5 or Dec. 16, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. If you’re experiencing pain in your back or joints, engage with our expert orthopedic surgeons for an overview of strategies for managing and treating your discomfort, including temporary relief, or surgery as a long-term solution. Bring your questions or submit them online when you register in advance. Speakers include: • Douglas Murphy, MD, orthopedics • Gabriel Petruccelli, MD, orthopedics • Jay Rhee, MD, neurosurgery • Samuel Sanders, MD, orthopedics • Navinder Sethi, MD, orthopedics CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION & MANAGEMENT Introduction to Diabetes Prevention FREE Sept. 24, Oct. 22 or Nov. 12, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Attend this introductory session to learn how the 22-session Diabetes Prevention program can help you make lifestyle changes. Each session covers an overview of the program, eligibility requirements and how to register, exercise, nutrition support and other resources. Diabetes Prevention FREE Saturdays, starting Sept. 26, 10 a.m. to Noon This 22-session lifestyle modification program offers nutritional guidance, exercise sessions and support to help prevent or delay diabetes onset. You may be eligible to attend if your body mass index (BMI) is 24 or higher (22 if Asian), a blood test within the last year indicated pre-diabetes or you have a history of diabetes.
Your very own.
SPECIAL EVENTS Cooking for One 101 FREE Sept. 22, 7 to 8 p.m. & Sept. 29, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. In this two-part series, a nutrition specialist and chef teaches the nutritional aspects of cooking, how to pare down recipes and how to use fresh ingredients without having them go bad. Enjoy samples of everything made. Celebrating Women’s Health Series FREE Each lecture addresses a women’s health topic followed by a question and answer session. 6:30 to 8 p.m. • Oct. 13: Fibroid Management • Oct. 20: Know Your Breast Health • Oct. 27: How to Cope with Menopause Holiday Health Survival Series FREE The holidays are a time of celebration, but also can be a time of stress and weight gain. Our three-part series will help you get ready for a healthy 2016. 6:30 to 8 p.m. • Nov. 5: Keep the Holiday Pounds Away • Nov. 12: Healthy Holiday Cooking Tips • Nov. 19: Beating the Holiday Blues E D U C AT I O N F O R S E N I O R S Memory Academy Tuesdays, Oct. 20 through Nov. 17, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; $20 This five-week program developed by the UCLA Center on Aging teaches practical techniques for enhancing memory ability. It is designed for people with age-related memory concerns and is not intended for those with Alzheimer’s disease. Medication Review FREE Sept. 25, Oct. 30, Nov. 20, Dec. 18 and daily during Pharmacy Week (Oct. 19-23), 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring your medications and consult a pharmacist about drug interactions, proper dosing and side effects.
All classes and events listed are held at: Holy Cross Germantown Hospital 19801 Observation Dr. Germantown, MD 20876 To register, learn more or access a full list of events at locations throughout the area, visit HolyCrossHealth.org or call 301-754-8800.
Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations
WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
Asbury Methodist Village 409 Russell Ave, Gaithersburg, MD
301-987-6291
COMPUTER BASICS WITH WINDOWS® 7
Prerequisite: Windows 7 or Vista PC Fee: $85 6 sessions Limit: 10 # 389 Fri Sept. 4 — Oct. 9 9:30am-11:30am # 390 Tues Nov. 3 — Dec.8 9:30am-11:30am This course is for students who want to refresh or expand their computer skills. It covers the start menu and taskbar, files and folders, the World Wide Web, and use of applications such as the word processor.
COOL, INTERESTING & FUN WEBSITES
Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 10 # 391 Mon Oct. 19 9:30am-11:30am Do you always visit the same old websites? Learn about sites you probably didn’t know existed and how the World Wide Web can open up new experiences.
THE “CLOUD” & YOUR COMPUTER
Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent and access to the Internet Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 10 # 392 Tues Oct. 20 9:30am-11:30am You probably have heard of the cloud. This course shows you what you can do with Microsoft’s OneDrive® cloud service. MOVING UP TO
WINDOWS® 10
Prerequisite: Windows 7 or Vista PC 6 sessions Limit: 10 Fee: $85 # 393 Mon Nov. 2 — Dec. 7 9:30am-11:30am # 394 Fri Nov. 6 — Dec. 18 9:30am-11:30am If you have upgraded to Windows 10, this course will show you what is familiar, how to take advantage of new features, and how Windows 10 can improve your computing experience.
ASSISTED PRACTICE
FREE sessions: an integral part of your learning. You must be registered for at least one class to participate. No Fee Wed Sept. 9 — Oct. 14 9:30am-1:30pm Wed Nov. 4 — Dec. 16 9:30am-1:30pm
JCA Bronfman Center 12320 Parklawn Dr, Rockville, MD
240-395-0916
COMPUTER BASICS WITH WINDOWS® 7
Prerequisite: Windows 7 or Vista PC Fee: $85 6 sessions Limit: 8 # 395 Thurs Sept. 10 — Oct. 15 1:00pm-3:00pm # 396 Thurs Nov.5 — Dec. 17 10:00am-12:00pm This course is for students who want to refresh or expand their computer skills. It covers the start menu and taskbar, files and folders, the World Wide Web, and use of applications such as the word processor.
DO MORE WITH WINDOWS® 7
Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent 6 sessions Limit: 8 Fee: $85 # 397 Thurs Oct. 29 — Dec. 10 1:00pm–3:00pm This is the perfect class for Windows 7 users who have mastered the basics and want to explore further topics. Topics include managing files and folders, understanding and customizing the start menu, Aero Display functions, control panel, user accounts, disk utilities, operating system updates, backups and more!
MICROSOFT WORD: PART 1, THE BEGINNING
Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent 2 sessions Limit: 8 Fee: $35 # 398 Mon Oct. 19 — Oct. 2610:00am-12:00pm Learn basic word-processing skills using Microsoft Word, including hands-on experience creating documents of varying levels of complexity.
MICROSOFT WORD: PART 2, THE NEXT LEVEL
Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent 2 sessions Limit: 8 Fee: $35 # 399 Mon Nov. 9 — Nov. 16 10:00am-12:00pm Learn advanced word-processing skills, such as illustrating documents with graphics, using templates, creating tables and advanced formatting.
TECHNOLOGY TERMS FOR THE IPAD® BEGINNER
Prerequisite: iPad needs to be updated to IOS 7 and have an Apple ID and password Bring fully charged iPad to class 1 sessions Limit: 8 Fee: $ 20 # 400 Thurs Sept. 24 10:00am-12:00pm What is an app? What is the home button? This course is designed for the beginner iPad user. Terms and vocabulary will be explored to allow more proficient use of the iPad. This session would be helpful to anyone planning to take another iPad class.
YOUR IPAD® AND YOU
Prerequisite: iPad needs to be updated to IOS 7 and have an Apple® ID and password Bring fully charged iPad to class 4 sessions Limit: 8 Fee: $65 # 401 Thurs Oct. 8 — Oct. 29 10:00am-12:00pm Learn the basics about what you can do with your iPad and how using a tablet is different from using a desktop or laptop computer. Topics include basic navigation, apps and where you get them, how to set up your email account, managing your contact list, taking and sharing pictures, listening to music, how to keep your iPad safe and running efficiently, and how to back up data.
10 AMAZINGLY USEFUL WEBSITES YOU NEVER KNEW EXISTED
Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent 1 session Limit: 8 Fee: $20 # 402 Tues Oct. 13 1:00pm-3:00pm # 403 Tues Dec. 8 1:00pm-3:00pm Learn about a wide range of useful websites. Tired of waiting for a company’s help desk to answer? There’s a website that gets them to call you! Print web pages without all the ads, find a manual for that appliance that needs repair, get great recipes and nutritional information, FREE coupons, FREE books and more! IPHONE®,
AN INTRODUCTION PART 1
Prerequisite: Bring fully charged iPhone to class 1 session Limit: 8 Fee: $20 # 404 Fri Oct. 16 10:00am-12:00pm Take the first steps to learn about navigating your iPhone, receiving and making phone calls, and using the Safari® browser.
IPHONE®,
AN INTRODUCTION PART 2
IPHONE®,
PHOTOGRAPHY
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Prerequisite: Bring fully charged iPhone to class 1 session Limit: 8 Fee: $20 # 405 Fri Oct. 23 10:00am-12:00pm Learn about mail, settings (including privacy and security settings), iCloud find my iPhone, and organizing favorite apps. Prerequisite: Bring fully charged iPhone to class 1 session Limit: 8 Fee: $20 # 406 Fri Nov. 13 10:00-12:00pm Learn how to use your iPhone to take, edit and share great photos.
SMART PHONES AND TABLETS USING THE ANDROID OPERATING SYSTEM WORKSHOP
Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent 1 session Limit: 8 Fee: $ 20 # 407 Wed Oct. 7 10:00am-12:00pm Learn what the Android operating system is and how to work with its direct manipulation interface and see demonstrations of popular applications (apps) that run on Android.
MEET THE TECHNOLOGY GURUS! BRING US YOUR PROBLEMS!
Fee: $30 per individual session Limit: 8 Have a 1:1 lesson with our Tech Gurus. Experts are available to help individuals with hardware or software issues. Topics: iPhone®/iPad®, backing up the cloud, laptop/desktop Issues, photos/videos, PowerPoint® and more. Your session will last 2 hours. After you register, you will be contacted to select a date and time for your session and to discuss the questions or issues you will be working on with one of our Tech Gurus. # 408 Date and time to be determined by Tech Guru
NEW NEW NEW
TECH TUESDAY
PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS ON HOT TOPICS IN TECHNOLOGY CUTTING THE CABLE – TV WITHOUT THE PRICE OF CABLE 1 session Limit: 25 Fee: $20 # 409 Tues Oct.13 1:30am-3:30pm With the availability of high-speed broadband internet, it is possible to enjoy television without the high price of cable TV. Learn about programs that are available online and how to watch on a standard HDTV set. BUYING YOUR NEXT COMPUTER OR SMART DEVICE 1 session Limit: 25 Fee: $20 # 410 Tues Oct. 27 10:00am-12:00pm Not long ago buying your next computer usually meant deciding between a desktop and laptop. Today we have additional options such as tablets, smartphones and smartwatches. In this overview, you will learn about the pros and cons of these options and some of the popular software available on various devices.
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Technology & Innovations | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com
Bronfman Center continued
USING THE INTERNET TO PLAN AND BOOK TRAVEL Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 25 # 411 Tues Nov. 3 10:00am-12:00pm Get started on the road to being your own travel agent! In this class, you will learn about user-friendly tools to locate and book travel services such as airline and train tickets, hotel rooms, tours, tickets to attractions and more. INTRODUCTION TO THE CLOUD 1 session Limit: 25 Fee: $20 # 412 Tues Nov. 17 1:30pm-3:30pm There has been a lot of talk about “the cloud” recently. Learn what the cloud is and how to use it for storage, backup and sharing of files, pictures and music. ORGANIZING, ENHANCING AND SHARING YOUR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHS 1 session Limit: 25 Fee: $20 # 413 Tues Dec. 8 10:00am-12:00pm Learn about the tools available on your computer and the Internet that can be used to increase the enjoyment you obtain from digital pictures. Using free software tools available on the Web, the instructor will show you how to organize and manage and enhance photos, and how to share them by creating web albums, photo books and more.
Crystal City
1750 Crystal Dr Shops, Suite 1638B Crystal Square Arcade, Arlington, VA
703-941-1007
COMPUTER BASICS: INTRODUCTION TO THE PERSONAL COMPUTER USING WINDOWS® 7
Prerequisite: Bring a flash drive to class Fee: $85 6 sessions Limit: 8 # 414 Tues Sept. 1 — Oct.27* 10:00am-12:00pm # 415 Tues Nov. 3 — Dec. 8 10:00am-12:00pm This course is for persons seeking to refresh or expand computer skills. It covers the start menu and taskbar, files and folders, the World Wide Web, and use of applications such as the word processor. *The Sept/Oct class will meet 6 sessions (6/1, 6/8, 6/22,10/13,10/17, 10/27). It is extended due to holidays when the training center is closed).
INTERMEDIATE PC, WINDOWS® 7 AND WINDOWS®8.1
Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent 6 sessions Limit: 8 Fee: $85 #416 Wed Sept. 2 — Oct. 14 10:00am-12:00pm #417 Wed Nov. 4 — Dec.16 10:00am-12:00pm This course continues the exploration of Microsoft Windows 7 begun in Computer Basics. It will also deal with how Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 work together. Learn to set up computer features (folders, shortcuts, etc.) responsive to personal needs and preferences.
TOURING THE INTERNET
Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent 6 sessions Limit: 8 Fee: $85 # 418 Mon Nov. 2 — Dec. 7 1:00pm-3:00pm Learn about important Internet tools and resources,
DISCOUNT! STUDENTS RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT WHEN BILL IS PAID IN FULL 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE START OF CLASS. If you have questions, call 240-395-0916
or email seniortech@accessjca.org
including sending and receiving email with and without attachments, using address books, browsers, Internet and email security, search, shopping, travel, entertainment, and Web-based government resources.
GUIDE TO BUYING A PERSONAL COMPUTER (WORKSHOP)
Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 8 # 419 Thurs Dec. 3 1:00pm-3:00pm Learn about important issues to consider and features to look for when purchasing your next personal computer.
KEEPING YOUR COMPUTER SECURE
Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 8 # 420 Mon Oct. 19 1:00pm-3:00pm Learn about important security issues, including how hackers choose computers, phishing, spam email, website drive-by, botnets, passwords, administrative accounts, keeping applications updated, keeping the operating system updated, and malware protection.
WORKSHOP: SMARTPHONES AND TABLETS USING THE ANDROID OPERATING SYSTEM (OS)
Fee: $20 1 session Limit: None #421 Wed Sept. 30 1:00–3:00pm This informational tutorial will explain the Android operating system and how to work with Android’s direct manipulation interface, plus offer demonstrations of popular applications (apps) that run on Android.
TAMING WORD (WORKSHOP)
Prerequisite: Basic computer knowledge and mouse skills 2 sessions Limit: 8 Fee: $35 # 422 Tues Dec.15 – 22 10:00am-12:00pm Learn how to make Microsoft Word your personal tool for word processing.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR APPLE IPAD® (WORKSHOP)
Prerequisite: Bring a fully charged Apple iPad to class Fee: $50 3 sessions Limit: 8 # 423 Thurs Sept. 10 – Sept.24 1:00pm-3:00pm # 424 Thurs Oct. 29 – Nov. 12 1:00pm-3:00pm This course demystifies the iPad, starting with the hand gestures used to operate the device and the purpose of external buttons and switches, and progressing to hands-on use of a variety of standard iPad applications.
USING YOUR APPLE IPHONE® (WORKSHOP)
Prerequisite: Bring fully charged iPhone to class 1 session Limit: 8 Fee: $20 # 425 Mon Oct. 26 1:00pm-3:00pm # 426 Mon Dec. 14 1:00pm-3:00pm Learn how to use your iPhone to surf the Internet, take and share photos, play games, read books – and much more.
USING SKYPE® TO MAKE VIDEO OR AUDIO CALLS (WORKSHOP)
Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 8 # 427 Wed Oct. 28 10:00am-12:00pm # 428 Thurs Dec. 3 10:00am-12:00pm Learn how to use the free Skype application to communicate with relatives and friends.
VIEWING MOVIES ON YOUR PC (WORKSHOP)
Prerequisite: Basic computer skills 1 session Limit: 8 Fee: $20 # 429 Thurs Oct. 1 1:00pm-3:00pm # 430 Thurs Nov. 19 1:00pm-3:00pm This is your chance to find out how to view movies in your home without contracting with cable companies – and pay little or nothing for viewing.
WINDOWS® 8.1 DEMONSTRATION
Prerequisite: None, but you may bring your own laptop with Windows 8.1 1 session Limit: 8 Fee: $20 # 431 Thurs Oct. 29 10:00am-12:00pm # 432 Thurs Dec. 10 10:00am-12:00pm This workshop will highlight the major new features of the Microsoft Windows 8.1 operating system, concen-
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
trating on its “Tile” mode of operation. Student computers at the training center have Windows 7, so bring your own Windows 8.1 laptop, or come and see Windows 8.1 demonstrated by the instructor.
GRAPHICS EXPLORERS
Prerequisite: Knowledge of Photoshop® Elements software Elements 10 or 11 software ongoing sessions Limit: 8 Fee: $35 # 433 Mon Sept. 21 – Oct.26 10:00am-12:00pm # 434 Mon Nov. 2 – Dec. 21 10:00am-12:00pm Graphics Explorers is a series of meetings with no fixed agenda or syllabus. There is no instructor. Students use Photoshop Elements 10 or 11 to enhance photographs, using several workbooks. Students provide their own copies of Photoshop Elements and workbooks. EXCEL BASICS Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent 6 sessions Student Limit: 8 Fee: $85 #441 Fri Sept 18-Oct 23 10:00am–12:00pm Develop a basic spreadsheet, learning how to enter and format text and numbers, adjust column width to accommodate data, add or delete rows and columns, and align data within and across columns.
FACEBOOK IS EASY Prerequisite: Bring a picture of yourself and a picture you’d like to share in digital form (jpg). 1 session Student Limit: 8 Fee: $20 #442 Thur Oct 8 10:00am–12:00pm Find out how set up a Facebook account and keep it as private or public as you want. Share pictures, thoughts, or quotations with chosen friends.
ASSISTED PRACTICE
No Fee Limit: 8 FREE sessions: an integral part of your learning. You must be registered for at least one class to participate. When no classes are being offered, volunteers are available to help registered students practice what they learn in classes and workshops. Speak with your instructor for details.
Microsoft at Westfield Montgomery Mall
7101 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD
301-765-3080
All classes at Tysons Corner are taught on the Surface Tablet (Microsoft) or you may bring a laptop computer. No Apple® products.
WINDOWS® 10, AN INTRODUCTION Fee: $35 # 435 Thurs
2 session Limit: 6 Nov. 12 – Nov. 19 10:00am-12:00pm
Microsoft at Tysons Corner 1961 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA
703-336-8480
All classes at Tysons Corner are taught on the Surface Tablet (Microsoft) or you may bring a laptop computer. No Apple® products.
MICROSOFT EXCEL®
Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent 3 sessions Limit: 6 Fee: $50 # 436 Wed Sept. 30 — Oct. 14 10:00am-12:00pm In this introduction to Excel, you will learn how to develop and use simple spreadsheets. Knowledge of Windows is required.
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Microsoft at Tysons continued
POWERPOINT® PRESENTATIONS
Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent 1 session Limit: 6 Fee: $20 # 437 Wed Oct. 28 — Nov. 4 10:00am-12:00pm In this introduction to PowerPoint presentation software, you will learn how to develop and use simple presentations. Knowledge of Windows is required.
LINKEDIN®, AN INTRODUCTION
Prerequisite: Solid computer skills and an active email account 1 session Limit: 6 Fee: $20 # 438 Wed Nov. 18 10:00am-12:00pm Introduction to LinkedIn: what it’s for and how to develop a profile. You must have an email address.
INTRODUCTION TO WINDOWS® 10
Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 6 # 439 Wed Dec. 2 10:00am-12:00pm Overview of the latest Microsoft operating system. Knowledge of a previous version of Windows required.
OVERVIEW OF MICROSOFT OFFICE WORD, EXCEL®, POWERPOINT®
Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent 1 session Limit: 6 Fee: $20 # 440 Wed Dec. 9 10:00am-12:00pm In this high-level introduction to Microsoft Office programs, you will learn about the commonalities among the programs, with a brief look at how to use each one. Knowledge of Windows required
ATTENTION:
Instruction, course materials and all computer language settings are in English. Courses are taught with Windows computers.
DESCRIPTION AND GUIDELINES
SeniorTech
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY Each JCA SeniorTech center follows the weather-related decisions of the public school system in its jurisdiction, except that if a school system is closed for even part of the day, the center will be closed the entire day. As soon as possible, your instructor will arrange to make up any classes cancelled due to inclement weather.
REFUND POLICY:
Students who wish to withdraw and receive a full refund must notify JCA at least 48 hours before the first class begins. A 50% refund is given after the first class.
For more information, call 240-395-0916.
✃
SENIORTECH REGISTRATION FORM COMPUTER TRAINING
BY PHONE: Call 240-395-0916 with your credit card information
WAYS TO REGISTER: BY MAIL:
Include your payment with form to JCA SeniorTech 12320 Parklawn Drive Rockville, MD 20852-1726
NOTE: ALL REGISTRATIONS ARE DUE 7 DAYS PRIOR TO START OF CLASS. Name: ___________________________________________________________ Age: _____________ Address: ____________________________________________________________________________ City: _________________________________________ State: _______ Zip Code: _______________ Phone#: __________________________ Email: ____________________________________________ I have taken a JCA SeniorTech class before: ____ Yes ____ No Student ID (Office use only)_______
I WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER FOR: Class #
Class Title
Location
Start Date
Start Time
Fee
#
$
#
$
#
$
#
$
#
$
#
$
10% DISCOUNT WHEN BILL IS PAID IN FULL 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE START OF CLASS
-
TOTAL $ ________
PAYMENT METHOD:
❒ Master Card ❒ VISA ❒ American Express ❒ Check (Make Checks payable to JCA SeniorTech.) Name as it appears on card: ____________________________________________________
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Card Number
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__________ __________ __________ ___________
Exp. Date
______ /______
Sec. Code
WB9/15
The Microsoft operating systems vary by site and include Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1. Classes are designed to help older adults, 50+, refresh or advance their computer skills and learn to use social media. Courses are taught by volunteer instructors and coaches. Courses are almost always “hands on,” in which students practice skills and techniques on a computer during class.
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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations
WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
__________
OFFICE USE ONLY Course #____ Paid____ Registration #_____ Date_______
Course #____ Paid____ Registration #_____ Date_______
Course #____ Paid____ Registration #_____ Date_______
Course #____ Paid____ Registration #_____ Date_______
Course #____ Paid____ Registration #_____ Date_______
Course #____ Paid____ Registration #_____ Date_______
NOTICE: WITHIN THE LIMITS OF ITS RESOURCES, JCA SERVES PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS AND FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. INDEED, WE TRY TO BE AS INCLUSIVE AS POSSIBLE IN ALL THAT WE DO. SOMETIMES, HOWEVER, JCA MAY DENY A PERSON OR GROUP THE OPTION TO ENROLL OR TO CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN ALL OR PARTICULAR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DO SO, AT OUR SOLE DISCRETION, SHOULD WE BELIEVE THAT OUR ACTION IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE INDIVIDUAL OR PROGRAM OR FOR ANY OTHER REASON NOT PRECLUDED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
Each contribution or remittance of payment by check is considered authorization to convert that particular check into an electronic fund transfer. If your check is unable to be converted, it may be processed as a Check Replacement Document drawn against your account. When we use information from your check to make an electronic fund transfer, funds may be withdrawn from your account as soon as the same day you make your payment, and you will not receive your check back from your financial institution. You have the right to opt out of Electronic Conversion. If you choose to exercise this right, write the words ‘Opt Out’ in the memo field of your check and JCA will process it as a draft against your account.
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More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
TAILORED CARDIAC CARE Find a doctor who specializes in the specific kind of heart care you need
Health Fitness &
NEW BRAIN FINDING Recently discovered lymphatic system in the brain inspires new thinking BACK TO SCHOOL Our middle school columnist compares her school days with her grandma’s STOP SHINGLES PAIN ASAP Pain followed by rash? Don’t delay: see a doctor about shingles treatment
Better sleep may lower Alzheimer’s risk By Lauran Neergaard To sleep, perchance to... ward off Alzheimer’s? New research suggests poor sleep may increase people’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease by spurring a brain-clogging gunk that, in turn, further interrupts shut-eye. Disrupted sleep may be one of the missing pieces in explaining how a hallmark of Alzheimer’s — a sticky protein called betaamyloid — starts its damage long before people have trouble with memory, researchers reported at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference recently. “It’s very clear that sleep disruption is an underappreciated factor,” said Dr. Matthew Walker of the University of California, Berkeley, who presented data linking amy-
loid levels with people’s sleep and memory performance. “It’s a new player on the scene that increases risk of Alzheimer’s disease.” Sleep problems are treatable. A key next question is whether improving sleep can make a difference in protecting seniors’ brains. “Sleep is a modifiable factor. It’s a new treatment target,” Walker said. Enough sleep is important for good health generally — seven to eight hours a night are recommended for adults. When it comes to the brain, scientists have long known that people who don’t get enough sleep have trouble learning and focusing. And anyone who’s cared for someone with dementia knows the nightly wandering and other sleep disturbances that pa-
tients often suffer, long thought to be a consequence of the dying brain cells.
Preventing memories The new research suggests that sleep problems actually interact with some of the disease processes involved in Alzheimer’s, and that those toxic proteins in turn affect the deep sleep that’s so important for memory formation. “It may be a vicious cycle,” said Dr. Miroslaw Mackiewicz of the National Institute on Aging, who wasn’t part of the new work. Walker’s team gave PET scans to 26 cognitively healthy volunteers in their 70s to measure build-up of that gunky amyloid.
They were given words to memorize, and their brain waves were measured as they slept overnight. The more amyloid people harbored in a particular brain region, the less deep sleep they got — and the more they forgot overnight, Walker said. Their memories weren’t transferred properly from the brain’s short-term memory bank into longer-term storage. What’s the risk over time? Two sleep studies tracked nearly 6,000 people over five years, and found those who had poor sleep quality — they tossed and turned and had a hard time falling asleep — were more likely See BETTER SLEEP, page 14
We Can Help You Be Weather-Ready for Storms. WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW
HOW TO STAY CONNECTED
#! !Update Your Contact Information
Use these resources to stay connected to information should an outage occur.
Call 202-833-7500 to ensure that your current phone number is displayed on your account. That way we can accurately identify you if you call to report an outage.
#! !Assemble an Emergency Storm Kit
!
"!
! se our mobile app on your smartphone or tablet to get the U latest news, report an outage or a streetlight problem, access outage maps of your area, call us directly and get estimates for when power will be restored – it’s free and available from your app store or at pepco.com/mobileapp.
"!
!
Take a few minutes to gather important items to keep handy in the event of a storm. Your kit should contain bottled water, non-perishable foods, blankets, flashlights and extra batteries, a first-aid kit and prescription medications, special medical supplies, hand tools and other essential items.
#! !Make a Plan in Case of Extended Power Outages
Know where you will go in the event of a power outage lasting multiple days. Most communities have a designated location with back-up power, or you can plan to stay with a relative, friend or neighbor. Important: If you have a generator, never run it indoors or inside a garage or carport – only operate it outdoors in a well-ventilated area, following all safety guidelines.
#! !Register for the Emergency Medical Equipment Notification Program This program is important for customers who rely on electricity to power life-support equipment in their homes. Call 202-833-7500 and ask for a Customer Care representative or visit pepco.com/EMENP to learn more.
pepco.com/storm
/PepcoConnect
Call 1-877-PEPCO-62 (1-877-737-2662) to report outages and downed wires, and please request a call back so we can verify if individual or small groups of outages still exist.
"!
Go online to pepco.com, click “Outage Center” and enter your account information to get the latest news, report an outage, access outage maps of your area, get important contact information and estimates for when power will be restored – from anywhere you can access the Internet.
Severe weather is a fact of life in a changing world and restoring power safely takes time. Take steps to be weather-ready today.
@PepcoConnect
/PepcoTV
Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health
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Chronic fatigue isn’t only in your head Researchers at the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health have identified distinct immune changes in patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome — known medically as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) or systemic exertion intolerance disease. The findings could help improve diagnosis and identify treatment options for the disabling disorder, in which symptoms range from extreme fatigue and difficulty concentrating to headaches and muscle pain. These immune signatures represent the first robust physical evidence that ME/CFS is a biological illness as opposed to a psychological disorder, as well as the first evidence that the disease has distinct stages. Results appear online in the new journal from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Science Advances. With funding to support studies of immune and infectious mechanisms of disease from the Chronic Fatigue Initiative of the Hutchins Family Foundation, the researchers used immunoassay testing methods to determine the levels of 51 immune biomarkers in blood plasma samples collected through two multicenter studies. They represented a total of 298 ME/CFS patients and 348 healthy controls. They found specific patterns in patients who’d had the disease for three years or less that were not present in controls or in patients who’d had CFS for more than three years. Short-duration patients had increased amounts of many different types of immune molecules called cytokines.
Associated with viral illnesses The association was unusually strong with a cytokine called interferon gamma that’s been linked to the fatigue that fol-
lows infection with many viruses, including the Epstein-Barr virus (the cause of infectious mononucleosis). Cytokine levels were not explained by symptom severity. “We now have evidence confirming what millions of people with this disease already know — that ME/CFS isn’t psychological,” said lead author Mady Hornig, M.D., director of translational research at the Center for Infection and Immunity and associate professor of epidemiology at Columbia’s Mailman School. “Our results should accelerate the process of establishing the diagnosis after individuals first fall ill, as well as discovery of new treatment strategies focusing on these early blood markers.” There are already human monoclonal antibodies on the market that can dampen levels of a cytokine called interleukin-17A, which is among those the study shows were elevated in early-stage patients. Before any drugs can be tested in a clinical trial, Dr. Hornig and colleagues hope to replicate the current, cross-sectional results in a longitudinal study that follows patients for a year to see how cytokine levels, including interleukin-17A, differ within individual patients over time, depending on how long they have had the disease.
Immune response won’t stop The study supports the idea that ME/CFS may reflect an infectious “hit-and-run” event. Patients often report getting sick, sometimes from something as common as infectious mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus), and never fully recovering. The current research suggests that these infections throw a wrench in the immune system’s ability to quiet itself after the acute infection. People don’t return to a homeostatic balance; their immune response becomes
like a car stuck in high gear. “It appears that ME/CFS patients are flush with cytokines until around the three-year mark, at which point the im-
mune system shows evidence of exhaustion and cytokine levels drop,” said Dr. See CHRONIC FATIGUE, page 14
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Better sleep From page 12 to develop mild cognitive impairment: early memory problems that sometimes lead to Alzheimer’s, said Dr. Kristine Yaffe of the University of California, San Francisco.
Sleep apnea doubles risk Sleep apnea — brief interruptions of breathing that repeatedly awaken people without them realizing — caused a nearly two-fold increase in that risk, Yaffe said. She recommended that people at risk of Alzheimer’s be screened for sleep disor-
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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
ders, especially apnea, for which there are effective treatments. “There’s a lot of evidence that we need to pay more attention” to sleep in seniors, she said. Animal studies give clues to the biology behind these changes. Dr. David Holtzman of Washington University in St. Louis reported a series of mice experiments that found amyloid production is highest during waking hours and lowest during deep sleep. Depriving mice of sleep spurred toxic amyloid build-up and, intriguingly, once those deposits began, the mice stayed awake longer on their own. Holtzman also checked Alzheimer’s other bad actor — the protein tau that forms tangles in the brain — and found the same effect on deep sleep. Another hint came a few years ago, when University of Rochester scientists reported that the brain uses sleep to flush out toxic debris. They injected mice brains with amyloid and watched it clear faster while they slept. The work comes as researchers hunt ways to prevent a coming wave of Alzheimer’s as the population ages, driven by the baby
boomer generation that begins turning 70 next year. More than 5 million Americans already have Alzheimer’s, a number expected to more than double by 2050. Changes that lead to Alzheimer’s can begin 20 years before memory lapses, and scientists are studying drugs in people at high risk in hopes of finding preventive treatment. But so far, lifestyle changes are the main recommendation, and starting early seems important. Yaffe also reported that younger adults who get little physical activity have worse cognitive functioning by middle age. In Sweden, Karolinska Institute researchers tracked down seniors’ long-ago report cards to find that school performance at age 9 or 10 predicted who was already building a better “cognitive reserve” to guard against later-in-life decline. “There are lots of risk factors we might be able to change. Sleep is one,” said Alzheimer’s Association chief science officer Maria Carrillo. Together, she said, the new research emphasizes how “sleep is critical as we age.” — AP
Chronic fatigue
location where the samples were taken, as well as age, gender and ethnicity/race. “This study delivers what has eluded us for so long: unequivocal evidence of immunological dysfunction in ME/CFS and diagnostic biomarkers for the disease,” said Dr. Lipkin, senior author of the current study and the John Snow Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia’s Mailman School. “The question we are trying to address in a parallel microbiome project is what triggers this dysfunction.” WhatDoctorsKnow is a magazine devoted to up-to-the minute information on health issues from physicians, major hospitals and clinics, universities and health care agencies across the U.S. Online at www.whatdoctorsknow.com. © 2015 Whatdoctorsknow.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
From page 13 Hornig. “Early diagnosis may provide unique opportunities for treatment that likely differ from those that would be appropriate in later phases of the illness.” The investigators went to great lengths to carefully screen participants to make sure they had the disease. The researchers also recruited greater numbers of patients whose diagnosis was of relatively recent onset. Patients’ stress levels were standardized as well. Before each blood draw, patients were asked to complete standardized paperwork, in part to engender fatigue. The scientists also controlled for factors known to affect the immune system, including the time of day, season and geographic
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Specialists offer tailored cardiac care When you or a loved one is in need of heart care, the prospect may feel overwhelming. You know you need to see a heart specialist, but which one? Having heart disease can lead you in a number of directions. Many people go to a cardiologist because they want a specialist, but even in the world of cardiology there are “super-specialists” — doctors highly specialized in a specific area of cardiology. “These ‘super-specialists’ are involved with research, education and practice using the most up-to-date information, guidelines, diagnostic testing and modes of treatment,” said Dr. Benico Barzilai, section head of clinical cardiology at Cleveland Clinic. “In many cases, the super specialists work together to solve complex patient problems.” For example, Barzilai said, a patient may visit an electrophysiologist due to atrial fibrillation and find out that they also have heart valve disease. Or a patient with heart failure may find that they require a special pacemaker to make sure that both sides of the heart pump in synchrony. In these cases, a team approach may provide the best care available.
A who’s who of specialists • Electrophysiologists are the “electricians” of the heart and most often care for
patients with heart rhythm — or pacing — problems such as arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation, tachycardia or bradycardia. They also care for heart blocks, or disruptions in the electrical pathway of the heart. When we talk about heart disease, we also need to keep in mind the vascular system. It is the vascular physicians who specialize in the blood vessels, which circulate blood throughout the body. They often treat peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the legs, coronary artery disease (CAD), fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) (poor formation of arteries that leads to their narrowing and chance of stroke), and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). • Heart failure physicians provide specialized care for patients with progressive heart failure. They ensure that patients are on the right medications and are making the correct lifestyle changes. And they can advise on the need for surgery or a device to improve heart function. • Inter ventional physicians use catheters to do less invasive procedures to treat the heart and arteries and close congenital heart problems. • Imaging physicians focus on structural problems of the heart. They look at the heart’s structures and function using MRI, Echo or CT technology, and they handle problems of the heart valves (valve
specialists), the septum, the heart chambers and the pericardium, the sac in which the heart sits. • Preventive cardiologists are the ones to see when you want to stay ahead of heart disease, or don’t want your heart disease to get worse. Patients who see preventive cardiologists include those who have heart risk factors, people who’ve had a heart attack, and others who want more aggressive management of their heart health or risk factors. • Cardiovascular surgeons can perform all heart surgeries, but will often have a special interest in certain malfunctions of the heart. A thoracic (or cardiothoracic surgeon) is a medical doctor who performs operations in the organs of the chest, in-
cluding the heart, lungs and esophagus. • Vascular surgeons specialize in diseases of the vascular system, or arteries and veins, and they provide medical therapy, minimally-invasive catheter procedures and surgical reconstruction. • Other heart super specialists include cardio-oncologists (for patients with heart issues as a result of cancer treatments), adult congenital doctors, and specialists in certain heart diseases such as Marfan syndrome. When facing surgery, finding a surgeon with a lot of experience performing the procedure you need helps assure a better outcome. © 2015 Whatdoctorsknow.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Health Shorts Lymphatic system found in the brain Finnish researchers report a surprising finding that challenges current anatomy textbook knowledge: Linings of the brain have a lymphatic vessel network that has direct connections to the systemic lymphatic network elsewhere in the body. Lymphatic circulation forms a network that covers almost the whole body and is especially important to the clearance of fluids from tissues as well as for immune defense mechanisms. Until now, the central nervous system was considered not to be part of the
lymphatic system. “We were stunned to find such an extensive network in connection to the brain. This incredible finding completely changes our understanding of how to brain is cleared of excess fluid, and gives a chance to look at brain diseases from a completely new angle,” said Aleksanteri Aspelund, a researcher at the Wihuri Research Institute and the University of Helsinki. The findings were published in The Journal of Experimental Medicine. Researchers say that lymphatic clearance of the brain is important in many neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. How did the lymphatic vessels manage to escape notice until now? “Lymphatic vessels are collapsed structures, and if one does not know how to look for them, they cannot be found. Although we
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had already found the vessels, it took some time to develop good imaging methods to visualize these vessels, said medical student Salli Antila, who has also been working with the project. — University of Helsinki
New Mont. Co. Medicare website Maryland's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) has launched www.medicareabcd.org — an easy-to-navigate website with key information for Montgomery County residents on Medicare and Medicare Savings Programs. The new website includes downloadable forms for completing Part D drug plan analysis during open season (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7), applications for Medicare Savings Programs, and links to Medicare publications. “With more than 1,000 county residents turning 65 each month and becoming Medicare-eligible, SHIP’s new website provides an easy-to-navigate resource for Medicare beneficiaries and adult caregivers,” said SHIP Program Director Leta Blank. SHIP provides educational programs, seminars and training for community organizations, faith-based groups, clubs, neighborhood associations and members of the county aging network. It also updates and supplies printed information, comparison charts and tables outlining health options that are sup-
ported through the new website. SHIP also provides one-on-one counseling to Medicare beneficiaries, the disabled, their families and caregivers, providing objective information, helping solve individual insurance problems, assisting with insurance claims, and acting as advocates in making appeals. To contact SHIP, visit www.medicareabcd.org or call (301) 590-2819.
Stomach-filling balloon for weight loss Federal health regulators have approved an inflatable medical balloon that aids weight loss by filling up space in the stomach. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared Reshape Medical's balloon as another option for millions of obese Americans who have been unable to lose weight via more traditional methods. The balloon is inserted into the stomach using an endoscope and then filled with saline solution. Patients are sedated during the procedure, which takes less than 30 minutes, according to an FDA release. The FDA previously approved another balloon device for weight loss, but it was withdrawn in 1992 due to a safety issue. “The new device aims to address the design failings of See HEALTH SHORTS, page 18
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September 2015
UPCOMING SEMINARS & EVENTS at Brooke Grove retirement village
As an expert in senior care and memory support, Brooke Grove Retirement Village is pleased to offer seminars and events that promote physical, spiritual and mental well-being. All seminars and events will be held at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, located at 18131 Slade School Road on the Brooke Grove Retirement Village Campus. Please register with Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org. Alzheimer’s support group September 16, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association, this group provides support, understanding and helpful information for caregivers and those touched by this disease. FREE. Register by September 15.
Falls Prevention Seminar and Balance Screenings September 22, 2-5 p.m.
Living Well Seminar: Mat ters of the Heart Healthy Cooking Demo September 16, 6:30-8 p.m. Discover how easy it is to commit to a healthier lifestyle. Light complimentary dinner at 6:30 p.m. Seminar begins at 7 p.m. Presented in partnership with Warman Home Care. FREE. Register by September 14. Support for the Caregiver Seminar: Managing caregiver stress September 22, 2-3 p.m.
Seminar 3-4 p.m. • Balance screenings 2 and 4 p.m. Experts from MedStar Montgomery Medical Center will provide individual balance assessments and discuss the causes of falls, ways to prevent them and how to “safety-proof” your home. FREE. Register by September 20.
Learn to identify and manage your stressors as a caregiver to someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia. FREE. Register by September 20.
18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 301-260-2320 www.bgf.org
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Health shorts From page 16 the earlier device,” said FDA spokeswoman Deborah Kotz, in an emailed statement. The balloon is approved for obese adults with a BMI between 30 and 40 who have at least one complicating condition and have been unable to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. In company trials, patients treated with the balloon lost about 7 percent of their total body weight over six months, compared with 3.3 percent weight loss in patients who didn't get the balloon. But six
months after the devices' removal, patients in the balloon group regained about onethird of the weight they had lost. The effect seen with the balloon is smaller than that associated with gastric banding — a stomach-shrinking technique that limits food intake, but can cause esophagus irritation, infection and vomiting, in some cases. Patients can lose as much as 17 percent of their total body weight with banding devices, such as the LAP-Band, although about 20 percent of patients regain nearly all the weight within three years. More effective is gastric bypass surgery, a permanent procedure in which a small pouch
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
is stapled off from the rest of the stomach and connected to the small intestine. Studies of that technique show patients typically lose about 30 percent of their weight. [For more on this topic, see "Counseling for weight-loss surgery can help" on page 22.] — AP
Stronger warnings for pain relievers Federal health regulators are bolstering warning labels for popular pain relievers, adding information about the risk of heart attack and stroke in the short term. The changes apply to prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammator y drugs, or NSAIDs, including arthritis treatments like Celebrex. The agency said it plans similar changes to over-the-counter drugs in the same class, such as Advil and Motrin. Language on the pills currently warns that they can increase the risk of heart-related problems if used long term. However, the FDA's new warning states that heart attacks and strokes can occur in the first few weeks of taking the drugs. The agency also warns that the risks increase with higher doses of the drugs. The updates
are based on an FDA review of recent studies and recommendations by outside advisers. “In general, patients with heart disease or risk factors for it have a greater likelihood of heart attack or stroke,” the agency noted in the announcement. The labeling change is the latest step in the FDA's ongoing safety review of the drugs, which stretches back to 2004. That's when Merck & Co Inc. pulled its blockbuster pain reliever Vioxx off the market because of links to heart attack and stroke. In 2005, the agency added boxed warnings to all prescription NSAIDS, including Pfizer's Celebrex and high-dose versions of ibuprofen and naproxen. Celebrex is the only drug from the same class as Vioxx that remains on the market. Prescription NSAIDs are generally used for long-term chronic pain conditions like arthritis. The agency also added similar warnings to lower-dose, over-the-counter NSAIDs like Aleve and Advil. Those drugs currently warn patients to take the lowest dose possible for as short a period as possible. They are not intended to be used for pain longer than 10 days, according to their labels. [For more on this topic, see our Dear Pharmacist column, "Natural joint pain relief, without ibuprofen," on page 29.] — AP
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Back to school time: what has changed? It’s September, which can only mean one Today, we have much more homework thing: school is back in session! and standardized testing than my grandAfter some talks with my mother did. She said that she amazing grandmother about never felt overwhelmed by what school was like in her day, homework or tests until high I’ve learned that, while much is school. My grandma took only the same as in the past, a lot the national standardized Iowa about school has changed over Tests in the 1950s. the years. But in middle school today, One thing that has not we spend a number of days on changed much is the range of an alphabet soup of tests, insubjects taught. As when my cluding the MAP-R/M (Meagrandmother went to school, sures of Academic Progressthe majority of today’s schools GENERATIONS Reading/Math) and the PARCC TOGETHER teach English, math, science, (Partnership for Readiness for By Alexis Bentz history, physical education/ College and Careers) tests. health, foreign language, and an These tests take so much elective. (Of course, the actual material cov- time away from classroom instruction that ered, especially in science and history, has there is a local and national debate about changed significantly!) whether we have too much standardized Somewhat more different is the way stu- testing. There is also a debate on the indents are evaluated and grouped by ability. creasing amount of homework students Today, we are placed in classes based on our deal with each day. ability to succeed in each subject. Safety procedures in schools have also In contrast, when my grandma was in changed dramatically, both because of the school, students were “tracked,” meaning all development of technology and because of their classes were either below grade level, the violent attacks in schools in recent years, on grade level or advanced. such as at Sandy Hook Elementary.
Of course, there were serious fears of warfare in my grandmother's day. “I was in school after WWII and during the Cold War,” she said. “Because of the fear of a nuclear
bombing, we had to do a duck and cover drill. We would crouch down underneath our See BACK TO SCHOOL, page 20
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HEARING LOSS SEMINAR The Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of
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Back to school From page 19 desks and cover our heads. “Another drill I remember was in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. This one was where we had to line up in the hallway facing our lockers with our backs to a wall of windows. We were all thinking: why are we lining up next to glass windows that will shatter if they are hit by a missile? We also had an assortment of weather and fire drills,” she added. Today, many schools have drills regarding what to do in the event of gunfire. An example of this is the lockdown drill, where the doors are locked, the shades drawn, and students are moved out of sight and told to be silent. This creates the illusion that there is no one there, to discourage an attacker from
entering the room. Another way to prevent guns and knives from entering the building is by having all schools require staff, parents and outsiders to check in to the office. This is different from when my grandmother was in school. “Back then, you could just walk in the building,” she said. Today, there are also security cameras, metal detectors, and, if a teacher or student is suspicious of a person for being in possession of a weapon, the staff has the right to search their locker and backpack. We also continue to have weather and fire drills, of course. Another new development in schools is that there are now people called crisis counselors. This is a team of counselors, nurses, teachers and psychologists that are available to help students cope after a traumatic event — such as the death of a teacher, parent or
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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
student, thoughts about suicide, parents getting divorced, etc. Another big change from the past: Schools were segregated during my grandma’s time there. The famous case, Brown vs. Board of Education, decided that having separate public schools for black and white students was unconstitutional. Technology for teaching has also changed dramatically. Chalk boards were replaced by white boards (which could be written on with colored markers), which now have given way to high-tech Promethean boards. These are interactive screens that allow the teacher to project information from a computer to the front of the room, and permit students to write answers, comments or questions on the projections with special electronic pens. And my grandmother noted that her
school had hand-cranked ditto machines instead of Xerox machines and other copiers, and that instead of computers and tablets, reports were written on paper with a pencil or pen. Now that we’ve discussed a few similarities and differences between schools today and those of the past, why don't you bring up this topic with a younger relative or younger buddy? You can discuss whether you think today’s methods are better, or if you think things were better before. Maybe you can even chat about other possible ways to do things in schools that have not been thought of yet. Whatever you decide to discuss, just be thankful that you no longer have finals to study for…because I do, and it is not fun! Alexis Bentz is an 8th grader at Robert Frost Middle School in Rockville, Md.
BEACON BITS
Sept. 20
5K RUN AND VISION HEALTH FAIR The Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington
presents a 5K Run or fun run and vision health fair on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 9 a.m. at Westfield Montgomery Mall, located at 7101 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, Md. The fair features vision screenings, glaucoma screenings, and information about eye health. Running guides are available for participants with low vision. Day-of registration costs $60. For more information or to register, visit
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EVERYONE CAN HELP SAVE
MONEY AND ENERGY. Receive a credit off your bill when you save energy on Peak Savings Days. Saving money this summer with the Peak Energy Savings Credit is as easy as reducing your energy use on Peak Savings Days. Making small changes to lower your energy use can make a difference on your monthly bill. First, we’ll notify you the day before a Peak Savings Day with the hours to reduce your energy below your baseline, or average energy use. Then, take actions to lower your energy use and encourage others to help.
For more energy-saving tips, visit pepco.com/peak or call 1-855-730-PEAK.
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Turn off lights when you leave a room
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Unplug video game consoles and electronics when you are not using them
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Plan to use large appliances, like dishwashers and clothes dryers, before or after designated Peak Savings Day hours
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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
Counseling for weight-loss surgery can help By Karen Grothe Dear Mayo Clinic: I decided to have bariatric surgery, but was told that I first need to go through counseling. What will those sessions involve, and would counseling really improve my chances of the surgery being successful? Answer: Before you have weight-loss surgery, it’s important to understand what to expect and to prepare yourself, physically and mentally, for what’s ahead. Working with a counselor for several months prior to the procedure can help set you up for long-term success following surgery. “Bariatric surgery” is a broad term used to describe all types of weight-loss surgery — including gastric bypass, gastric sleeve,
placement of an adjustable gastric band, and a procedure known as a duodenal switch, among others. Although the techniques used in each vary, all are considered major procedures that carry serious risks and have side effects. Going through counseling beforehand can help determine if having such surgery is the best choice for you. Weight-loss surgery changes the body’s anatomy and biology in a way that helps people lose weight. In many ways, however, the long-term outcome of any bariatric surgery depends less on those changes than it does on changes in a person’s behaviors and lifestyle.
Counseling before surgery
OP E 20 NIN 16 G
In preparation for surgery, you’ll work with a counselor who specializes in helping people prepare for weight-loss surgery. He or she can identify and assess risk factors that could make it hard for you to make the lifestyle changes you need to in order to lose weight and keep it off long-term. In most cases, the sessions before surgery include a weight-loss component. In fact, many insurance companies now require a medical weight-loss program before they’ll approve payment for bariatric surgery. For many people, difficulty managing their weight is the result of problematic eating or activity habits — like skipping meals or evening snacking. Working with a counselor can help you change such habits, decrease emotional eating, self-monitor your eating and activity patterns, and find ways to stay motivated for healthy lifestyle changes. Counseling sessions before surgery also can help improve mood, manage substance use, and teach stress management
techniques so you’re better equipped to handle the surgery and maintain a healthy lifestyle afterward. Counseling sessions before bariatric surgery may be conducted one-on-one, or you may be part of a group preparing for surgery together. Many people find group sessions quite useful, giving them an opportunity to connect with others facing similar circumstances and share ideas.
Follow-up support Some healthcare organizations, including Mayo Clinic, offer follow-up counseling sessions to help keep people on track after bariatric surgery, as well as to catch any problems or complications that arise. These sessions would also provide an opportunity for you to learn more about support services and healthy living resources in your community. See WEIGHT LOSS, page 24
BEACON BITS
Sept. 26
HEALTH FAIR Prince George’s
County Council District 8 presents a community health fair hosted by Council member Obie Patterson on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Southern Regional Technology and Recreational Complex. There will be medical,
Exercise your body and your mind at Waltonwood
HIV/STD, dental and vision screen-
September is National Healthy Aging Month and we would love for you to participate in the events we have planned!
farmers market and free produce,
Thursday, September 3rd from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Smoothie Demonstrations
Thursday, September 10th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. INOVA Blood Pressure Checks
Thursday, September 17th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Smoothie Demonstrations
Thursday, September 24th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. INOVA Cholesterol Screenings
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RSVP for our upcoming Healthy Aging events or schedule a personal tour and enter to win a Fitbit!*
(571) 982-6318 44144 Russell Branch Pkwy., Ashburn *One Fitbit drawing each week in September. One win per person.
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ings, free flu shots, hospital representatives and vendors, fitness activities for seniors, families and children, door prizes and more. Registration begins at 9 a.m. The complex is located at 7007 Bock Rd., Fort Washington, Md. For more information, call (301) 952-3860.
Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health
WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
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Best-selling author at annual 50+Expo The Beacon’s 50+Expos — free annual events featuring expert speakers, health screenings, informative resources, technology education, and entertainment for older adults and their families — will return this fall at the same locations as last year: on Sunday, October 18, from noon to 4 p.m., at the Silver Spring Civic Center in downtown Silver Spring, Md., and on Sunday, October 25, from noon to 4 p.m., on the third level of Ballston Mall in Arlington, Va. The keynote speaker in Silver Spring will be Tammy Darvish, vice president of PenFed, the country’s third-largest federal credit union. Darvish was formerly executive vice president of Darcars, one of the largest auto dealership groups in the country. She will be speaking about mid-life career change — something she has recently experienced herself. In Arlington, the keynote speaker will be Gail Sheehy, journalist, lecturer and best-selling author of 17 books, including Passages, named by the Library of Congress as one of the ten most influential books of our times. Sheehy will be speaking about her latest book, a memoir called Daring: My Passages. She will also speak about her new
Daring Project, for which she is interviewing women from around the country about their most daring moments and where they led. In addition to these speakers, there will be free technology seminars at both locations courtesy of JCA’s SeniorTech, free health screenings, including blood pressure, osteoporosis, balance, vascular and glaucoma screenings (though not all at each location), and flu vaccines, free with a Medicare card. More than 100 exhibitors — including government agencies, nonprofits and local businesses — will offer information and answer questions about housing options, home remodeling, financial planning, legal matters, healthcare, travel, fitness, agingin-place services and more. Giveaways and door prizes will be plentiful. The 50+Expos are presented every fall as a community service by The Beacon Newspapers. Sponsors include CVS pharmacy, Comcast, AARP, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Horizon Vascular and Holy Cross Hospital, among others. For more information, or to exhibit, sponsor or volunteer, call (301) 949-9766 or visit www.theBeaconNewspapers.com.
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BEACON BITS
Sept. 19
LIFE COACH WORKSHOP
Dr. Cyd Charrow, positive life-change specialist, certified life coach and psychotherapist, presents a free life coaching workshop on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Walter Reed Senior Center, located at 2909 S. 16th St., Arlington, Va. Charrow minimizes attention on problems and focuses on positive personal growth strategies. Registration is required. For more information, call (703) 228-0955.
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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
Weight loss From page 22 Research shows that about 70 to 80 percent of people who have bariatric surgery are successful at losing weight and keeping it off for five years after gastric bypass surgery. However, the stress and busyness of life can sometimes make long-term weight loss difficult. Over time, you may notice that you’re slipping back into eating and lifestyle habits that are not healthy. Staying in touch with your healthcare providers after surgery, or seeking help if you start to notice that you’re reverting to old habits, can help refocus your efforts
and keep you healthy. For many people, working with a counselor before and after bariatric surgery is extremely helpful. Talk to your healthcare provider about counseling options. Going through this process can be an excellent way to set the stage for weight-loss success. — Karen Grothe, Ph.D., Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. E-mail a question to MayoClinicQ&A @mayo.edu. For more information, visit www.mayoclinic.org. © 2015 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
BEACON BITS
Sept. 11
WEIGHT LOSS LECTURE Doctors Community Hospital presents a free talk on bariatric sur-
gery and weight loss by Dr. Hitesh Amin on Friday, Sept. 11 at 9 a.m. In addition to general information about weight management and behavior modification, Amin educates people about advanced surgical procedures that are covered by most insurance plans. The talk will take place in Suite 210 of the Professional Office Building, located at 8116 Good Luck Rd., Lanham, Md. Registration is required. For more information, visit www.DCHweightloss.org or call (301) 324-4968.
Educate Yourself about today’s retirement living options
Brought to you by Erickson
Living and the Tribune
Se nio r Liv ing
SPECIAL REPORT Celebrating the CCRC
pes about Smashing the stereoty America’s best—and most ment living option. misunderstood—retire to senior rental rom Active 55 communities villages, today’s senior properties to retirement when it comes to has a wide range of choices retirement. One of the most where they will live after options is the continuing commonly misunderstood (CCRC). People often care retirement community nursing homes or assisted categorize CCRCs with them with a loss of living facilities and associate this is far from freedom and personal identity—but
F This arrangement is ideal from seniors who want to live an
active, independent lifestyle today, ce peace with added pe of mind that vels off higher levels high lyy ily dily dil adily a adil eead ea re readily ree rreadil a are re ar arre a are cca care
available, should they needed. eve ever be need
an accurate picture. fiction, here is the truth To help sort facts from care myths about continuing behind some common retirement communities:
of older people will be boring Myth 2: Living with a bunch and depressing. sit in rocking chairs If you think CCRC residents again! Communities like playing Bingo all day—think list LOCATOR have a long COMMUNITY NAME in clubs, including resident-run activities to choose from, and dozens of volunteer continuing education classes, campus. Visit the COMMUopportunities on and off and you’ll likely see seniors NITY NAME clubhouse in the fitness center, swimtaking yoga, working out or heading to the pub or ming, playing Wii bowling, café for a meal with friends.
nursing homes. Myth 1: CCRCs are just fancy ptions iin ng options living senior livi of senio CCRCs offer a full range n ly iin nttlly den de dentl d nd n pen p nd ndependen nde iind independently vvee in ive lliv live nttss li ents den dent de d ide essiid rresidents osstt re os Most Mo n. M on on. ttio occcaation location. nee lloc n one on o he th the njjoyy th n njoy d eenjoy nd n aand mees an mes m om homes ho hom ntt h n men ment m rtm rtm artmen partm apartment ee ap reee fr free cce--fr nce n nc enan een i tteena int aint maintenance-free maint m nd ervice and de rrangee of services ing a wide having havi nce off h convenience conv resources right on campus. living apartments, In addition to independent in a re in rrsing care nursing nd nu ngg and n ing in ivvin lliving t d livi iste CCRCs also offer assisted on d on ocaated lo oo llocated o ho rh rh o orh or bo eig bor neighborhood ree n care nui g car inuin o tiin continuin continuing ed e con tted d caate dedicated dedi ded n iiss nt meeen em nggem ran ra rr rrra aarrangement is ar is This ityy Th nity. un u o ccommunity. hee comm h the off tth dss o nd un und und o ou rou ro rroun ggro grounds he gr he tthe th dendende n ee,, iindeve, tivve cti active, an aacti ivvve an li live o lliv ntt to n aan want who w orrss w io nior ni n enio seniors m sse om o rro from a ffr deal d de id iide ideal hat ha that th d tha nd min mind off m cee o eaace peace p d pe ed ded d de dded d dd aadded th add ith iit with d yy, w oday, oday od o le ttoday, yle essttyl ffes ife lifestyle n lli dent den de nden n nd enden end pend pe p pendent they readily available, should higher levels of care are d. needed. ev ever be nee
as residents are free to be Much like a college campus, are lots of opportunities active as they choose. There solitary well as places to enjoy for social interaction as Bingo, you’ll be able to s, if you like Bingo pursuits. And yyes, e! e! me! me m am ggame! nd a ga nd find fi fin C. RC R CR C CC CCRC. to move to a C M Myth 3: You have too be rich illl often will RC w CR C C CCRC er, living at a CC homeowner, If you’re a homeown se. Regular use u ou o ho house. ur h u your n you he same as staying in the b o t about cost meals elect meal sselect d se nd n xess,, aand taxes, ie property taxe ties, utilities, expenses like utili same ayys the sam stays haatt ssta n le monthly fee tthat ingle single are covered by a si urprise ssurprise h su itth with dw dened won’t be burdened u won You n You ng yeaar long. aall year and ncccee inside an n naaan nten int Maintenance osts either. Main pk pkeeeeep ccosts p upkee upk u upkeep orr up rs o aiirs paai ep ep re repa rrep repairs ded in the ud u ncclu included l o iin partment home iss also pa ur aapartment ou our o your d yyo siide utsi u out ou o outside eeee. fee. ly ffe ly hly hl nh ont onth on ont mo m monthly ictable edicta p pred pr predictable o pre on to d io dit addition In addi
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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health
WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
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Health Studies Page
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS
Studying a drug to curtail shingles pain By Barbara Ruben As most people who have had shingles know, the searing pain is often worse than the unsightly crusted blisters that form on their skin. “Acute shingles pain is nerve pain. That is typically a burning, electrical, sharp, ice pick pain,” said Dr. Stephen Minton, who
is leading a study on shingles pain at Alexandria Clinical Research. Usually, shingles — caused by the chicken pox virus, which can lie dormant in the body for decades — lasts about a month. For an unlucky 10 to 15 percent of those who have had shingles, however, the pain persists for much longer, and possibly for
the rest of their lives. The older patients are when they get shingles, the more likely they will have chronic pain — called post-herpetic neuralgia. Minton and other researchers across the country are now studying an investigational drug dubbed FV-100 to see if it might prevent or limit the duration of pain in shingles patients when it is taken soon after the shingles rash appears. “We know 85 percent of people are going to do fine. They just need to get through this one-month period. But if we had something we could give people and say, ‘this is going to reduce the chance you’ll be cursed with the complications of shingles for the rest of your life,’ that’s going to become first line treatment,” Minton said. “I don’t think anyone has ever really tried to reduce this post-herpetic neuralgia problem. I think [the study] is unique, and if it turns out it’s successful, it’s going to be a real winner.”
Get to the doctor right away There is a very small window of time to begin taking FV-100 to have a chance of reducing long-term shingles pain, however. Patients must start taking the antiviral drug within 72 hours of the first appearance of shingles blisters. That means potential study volunteers have to act fast — at the first sign of shingles — in order to be eligible for the study. “I think the key thing is, if folks realize they have unexplained pain followed by a rash, that’s the unique sequence of events [indicating shingles]. The rash initially is
not very spectacular. It’s only days into the rash, beyond the 72 hours, that the rash gets horribly crusty and awful looking.” The current antiviral medication given to shingles patients, valacyclovir, must also be taken within 72 hours of getting the rash. While it has been shown to reduce the duration of shingles, it has not been evaluated in reducing post-shingles pain.
All participants get meds In the study, FV-100 will be compared with valacyclovir. All patients in the study will be getting one of these two drugs. The study will compare taking FV-100 once a day or twice a day and valacyclovir three times a day. Neither the patients nor the researchers will know who is in which group. Those in the study will take their assigned medication for one week and will make follow-up visits to Alexandria Clinical Research in Virginia for four months to be monitored for shingles pain. Patients will make up to 12 visits in all to the clinic, and will be compensated for each visit. In addition to having the shingles rash for 72 hours or less, to take part in the study, patients must be age 50 or older and have shingles-related pain. They cannot have shingles on their face, their eyes or mouth. They also cannot have received the shingles vaccine. For more information, call Alexandria Clinical Research at (571) 286-8083 or visit www.gotshingles.com to find additional sites. Keep this information handy, in case you develop shingles in the future and want to participate in this study.
Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health
WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
Darvish From page 1 Dealers Association and on the executive committee of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, noted that, “At the end of the day, you have to be happy. “I’m fortunate because for the first time in my life I’m doing what makes me happy. I’m serving myself. But it’s risky. I can see where a lot of people would be very afraid [of making such a change],” she said.
Doing well by doing good What appealed to Darvish about PenFed is its nonprofit nature and mission to help customers become more financially savvy. She and others said the skills she honed at Darcars translate well to her job at PenFed. “Bringing her aboard was based on much more than the respect for her business success in the automobile industry,” said James R. Schenck, PenFed’s CEO and president. “Tammy’s commitment to the greater Washington community is without equal. “Her demonstrated track record of helping others, and her community outreach, is in lockstep with the cultural values of PenFed, PenFed’s employees, and the spirit of the credit union movement of people helping people,” Schenck added. Darvish also recently stepped in as the director of PenFed’s foundation, which helps members of the military, veterans and their families with programs on financial education, credit-building, home ownership and short-term assistance. “There’s a very fine line in life between those who need help and those who can help. And you never really know what side
of that line you’re going to be on,” Darvish said. “I found myself on the other side of the line, [needing help] unexpectedly. But I saw how to move forward,” she said. Darvish says she thrives on helping other people understand credit scores, mortgages and other financial information that often doesn’t get taught in school. “I have a deep passion for financial readiness training. I call it financial readiness versus financial literacy. I think the tone of the word ‘literate’ implies that you’re not,” she said. “When it comes to preparing for your financial future, you have to be ready. I think I’m a walking example. You have to be ready for anything.” Darvish’s work in financial readiness helped her earn the William Donald Schaefer Helping People Award in April. The award “honors the legacy of public service exemplified” by Schaefer, former governor of Maryland, comptroller and Baltimore mayor. Current Maryland comptroller Peter Franchot created the award four years ago, and called Darvish “a dedicated philanthropist, a champion for financial readiness, and exceptional citizen to our region and our state.”
she champions hit close to home. “You can become a victim to it, or you can get mad and understand the only way to solve this problem is research. You can’t find a cure without research. You can’t complete research without funding,” she said. But Darvish doesn’t just want to write a check, she wants to use her business acumen to help fundraise more efficiently so that more of the money raised can be used by the charities. Darvish helps nonprofits leverage inkind donations for fundraising galas to help trim costs for flowers, food and graphic design. She helps them negotiate for better rates on things like the band. For a wine tasting fundraiser, for example, she had attendees bring their own wine to share. Once, a group asked for her help, but when Darvish heard their address was near
27
the White House she turned them down, thinking that the organization should not be paying top dollar for a great address, and that the money should instead be used to support its services rather than overhead. And Darvish encourages people to give to charity no matter how small their donation. “A lot of people want to give, but they just don’t feel like they have value if they can’t write a check for $500. “What I think I’ve always been very good at is raising a whole lot of little money — $25 here, $50 there, $100 here, $1,000 there. You’ve still got to sometimes get those big checks, but a lot of little donations make a big difference,” she said. Darvish also places value in helping other women succeed. Through her work, she See DARVISH, page 29
Fundraising acumen Darvish has long been involved in helping nonprofits raise money for their causes. She was named Philanthropist of the Year for Montgomery County last year, and works to raise money for organizations that work with the homeless, as well as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Parkinson’s Foundation. She lost a cousin to cancer, and her father has Parkinson’s, so often the causes
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INDEPENDENT LIVING OPEN HOUSE
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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
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Tuesday, September 15, 2015 11 A.M. – 2 p.m. Westbrooke Clubhouse • 18310 Slade School Road • Sandy Spring, MD 20860
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An optional, free seminar presented by the Bob Lucido Team of Keller-Williams Learn how to price, stage and market your home competitively and strategically and understand the negotiating process for your most successful experience. xper cee Sessions will be presented at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Please register with Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org by September 14.
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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health
29
Natural joint pain relief, without ibuprofen Many people have aches and pains that require ibuprofen, and no one would begrudge you for taking this pill for an acute migraine or severe pre-menstrual cramps. I’ve been asked if I believe in ibuprofen and I do, but only for occasional use. I’ve even recommended a 200 mg. tablet of ibuprofen be taken along with a cup of coffee (to enhance effect). But that’s only for a select type of headache pain, or for mild post-operative pain. Sounds crazy but combining caffeine with ibuprofen can provide pain relief better than the ibuprofen alone. A recent article discussing this was just published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (July 2015).
But I definitely don’t recommend chron- happen without warning symptoms, and ic, daily intake of ibuprofen bemay cause death. cause a) it masks the pain, and “The risk may be higher for b) it can be harmful long term. people who take NSAIDs for a It’s better to find the underlylong time, are older in age, ing cause of pain, and even if have poor health, or who you can’t, I still recommend drink three or more alcoholic natural inflammation fighters drinks per day while taking over NSAIDS (nonsteroidal ibuprofen. anti-inflammatory drugs) like “If you experience any of ibuprofen. the following symptoms, stop According to Medline Plus, taking ibuprofen and call “NSAIDs such as ibuprofen DEAR your doctor: stomach pain, PHARMACIST may cause ulcers, bleeding or hear tbur n, vomit that is By Suzy Cohen holes in the stomach or intesbloody or looks like coffee tine. These problems may degrounds, blood in the stool, or velop at any time during treatment, may black and tarry stools.”
Darvish
fighting for all of us. You’re going to make a difference for all of us,’” she recalled. Darvish relishes the fact that she can be seen that way because it’s a role she never foresaw. “Twenty years ago, ten years ago, even two years ago I could never have envisioned myself doing what I’m doing,” she said. “A lot of it has to do with confidence, not allowing other people to dictate to you what your value is. “Your value has to be self reflected. You determine your value. That’s one thing I think I have 100 percent control over.”
From page 27 has seen women who are divorced, raising children alone, and drowning in debt. Some have been in abusive relationships, but are afraid to break free because they have no idea how they will support themselves. And since her high-profile split from her famous family, more have come to see her as a role model. Recently on an airplane flight, some women recognized her. “They came over and started hugging me and saying, ‘Please don’t give up. You’re
Safer alternatives exist NSAIDs reduce inflammation by suppressing an enzyme in your body called cyclooxygenase-2 or COX-2. But they also inadvertently block COX-1 enzyme, which is needed for a healthy stomach lining. This is why NSAIDs like ibuprofen, naproxen and others can cause gastritis, and even a bleeding ulcer. Here are two safer choices for you: Boswella: It’s also known as frankincense, and it’s a 5-LOX (5-lipoxygenase) inhibitor. This reduces leukotrienes which are involved in inflammation, asthma and allergies. Another compound in boswellia, called inSee DEAR PHARMACIST, page 31
Dealing with Dementia Three-part series for caregivers I II III
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 5-6:30 p.m. Dementia Caregiving 101: What to Expect & How to Make It Easier
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 5-6:30 p.m. Coping with the Diagnosis of Dementia or Alzheimer's Disease
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 5-6:30 p.m. Setting Limits in Caregiving: Avoiding the Martyr Syndrome
FREE TO THE PUBLIC THE VILLAGE AT ROCKVILLE, LANG HALL 9701 Veirs Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 All events 5-6:30 p.m. | Check-in begins at 4:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. Space is limited.
Register | www.thevillageatrockville.org/events Contact | Sharon Flowers-Williams 301-424-9560 ext. 18804 sflowerswilliams@thevillageatrockville.org
9701 Veirs Drive | Rockville, MD 20850 | 301-424-9560 | www.thevillageatrockville.org Celebrating
ears, The Village at Rockville is sponsored by National Lutheran Communities & Services, a faith-based, not-for-profit ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, serving people of all beliefs.
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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
Don’t be fooled by foods with ‘halos’ Q: I’ve heard some that some foods have “health halos.” What does that mean? A: A food said to have a “health halo” is a food that sounds healthful, or has one nutritious quality, so it seems healthful in all ways — including being low in calories, when many times it is not. Sometimes a food gets a “health halo” just by being associated with a restaurant, brand or celebrity that we think of as a source of healthful food. Some foods with “health halos” may have a healthy-sounding claim on the package — such as “natural,” “low fat” or “fat-free.” But those terms don’t necessarily mean the food is low in sugar or calories or that it has any health benefits.
Even if foods contain some healthful ingredients, it can be easy to overlook those foods’ high calorie contents. Cookies made with whole-grain flour, muffins that contain grated carrots or fruit, and snack bars that include dried fruit and nuts all contain ingredients with health value, but they also typically contain large amounts of fat, sugars or both that increase calories. Create eating habits that support a healthy weight and overall good health by making foods rich in nutrients and relatively low in calories — vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans — the centerpiece of each meal and snack. Don’t let label claims distract you from checking nutrient and calorie content on foods’ Nutrition Facts panel, including the
Keep Living Tribute at Heritage Village in Gainesville is Assisted Living Like You’ve Never Seen Before!TM Have you ever thought of assisted living as a place for seniors to grow? A place for them to enjoy pursuing passions and improving their wellness? We do, and that's why Tribute at Heritage Village is not like ordinary assisted living and memory care communites. It’s a safe place of detailed care where seniors can be social, stay physically and mentally active, and aspire to new goals. Here, residents can have CONNECTED, ACTIVE, and PURPOSEFUL lives while enjoying the accurate and accountable care of senior care professionals.
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shows no difference between aerobic and portion size that those figures represent. Complete your “eat smart” strategy with strength-training exercise to reduce all of these health risks, and some a mindset in which you base research shows aerobic exerthe amount you eat on physicise slightly more effective. cal hunger, rather than misHowever, an analysis of 14 leading cues like how “healthstudies shows that the combiful” the food is or seems to be. nation of both aerobic and Q: Do strength-training strength-training exercise is exercises provide the same the most effective. kind of protection against Even when exercise does not chronic disease as aerobic lead to weight loss, it can proexercises like walking? mote health directly through all A: Each of these types of these beneficial effects, so don’t exercise provide benefits, but NUTRITION let the scale be your judge of we get the most health bene- WISE how physical activity is “workfits by making sure to get both By Karen Collins, strength-training (resistance MS, RD, CDM ing” for you. Find ways to inexercise) and aerobic exerclude aerobic physical activity cise (such as walking, swimevery day and strength-training ming and gardening). two to three days each week. Both seem to help your body use insulin The American Institute for Cancer Rebetter, which helps control blood sugar and search offers a Nutrition Hotline, 1-800reduces risk of type 2 diabetes. This affects 843-8114, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday other aspects of health, too, because the through Friday. This free service allows you body doesn’t need to produce the high lev- to ask questions about diet, nutrition and els of insulin that seem to promote growth cancer. A registered dietitian will return of some cancers and raise blood levels of your call, usually within three business days. Courtesy of the American Institute for triglycerides linked to risk of heart disease. A lot of exercise research focuses on peo- Cancer Research. Questions for this column ple with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, be- may be sent to “Nutrition Wise,” 1759 R St., cause they are likely to have inflammation in NW, Washington, DC 20009. Collins cannot addition to insulin resistance. Some research respond to questions personally.
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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health
WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
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Sweet, savory roasted butternut squash
Dear Pharmacist From page 29 censole acetate, blocks NF-Kappa B, which would otherwise pour out tons of pain-causing cytokines. This compound acts like an anti-anxiety and antidepressant pill. Boswellia also reduces interferon gamma (IFN-g), another pro-inflammatory cytokine. Honestly, boswellia is kind of awesome! Ginger: We know this helps with nausea and vomiting, but it’s also a strong antiinflammatory herb, capable of reducing pain-causing compounds such as TNF , COX 2 (just like Celebrex), and 5-LOX. As an added benefit, compounds in ginger target and kill H. pylori, the bug most
Roasted Butternut Squash with Shiitake Mushrooms and Fresh Sage (Serves 4) 3 cups butternut squash, in 1/2-inch cubes (1 lb.) 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, divided 4 oz. package fresh shiitake mushfamous for stomach ulcers, but also involved in rheumatoid arthritis. Hyaluronic acid: I am not referring to injectable Restylane or Juvederm for wrinkles! I’m referring to natural supplements of this, which can “lube” your joints. Arthritic joints are often extremely deficient in hyaluronic acid, which makes the cartilage less squishy. Supplements may help. This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To contact her, visit www.SuzyCohen.com.
rooms, sliced 2 cloves garlic, minced Salt 4 fresh sage leaves, coarsely chopped Freshly ground black pepper 1 Tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan cheese Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In medium size bowl, toss squash with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Arrange butternut squash on baking pan. Roast until fork tender, about 25-30 minutes. Set aside.
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before preparing, use a damp cloth or pastry brush to wipe them clean. Shiitake mushrooms supply selenium, which is important for the immune system. Studies suggest that various phytochemicals such as beta-glucans in shiitake mushrooms are beneficial for human health. Fresh sage cinches the sweet butternut and savory shiitake flavors in this dish. Prized for its health-promoting qualities, this aromatic herb with its oils, flavonoids and phenolic acids, such as rosmarinic acid, has a slight woody taste. Select fresh sage that is grayish green, and store wrapped in the refrigerator. The sage is added toward the end of cooking to retain its aromatic essence.
In large skillet, heat remaining oil over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, garlic and pinch of salt and sauté 4 minutes. Add sage leaves and continue sautéing 2 minutes. Mix in squash. Continue to sauté another minute. Season to taste with pepper, and serve warm garnished with cheese. Per serving: 121 calories, 7 g. total fat (1 g. saturated fat), 14 g. carbohydrate, 2.5 g. protein, 2.5 g. dietary fiber, 25 mg. sodium. — Courtesy of the American Institute for Cancer Research
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Roasting cut up butternut squash brings out its deliciously sweet, nutty taste and creates bites that are crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Fresh cubes ready to cook are available in most grocery stores. To prepare the pieces yourself, buy a whole butternut squash, selecting one that is heavy for its size. Peel the skin with a vegetable peeler, cut squash in half lengthwise, then scoop out the seeds and cut into cubes. Butternut squash is among AICR’s Foods That Fight Cancer (see www.aicr.org/foodsthat-fight-cancer/squash.html) because of its carotenoids, which are antioxidants that protect against cancer. When butternut squash is paired with shiitake mushrooms, the result is magical. Shiitake mushrooms have a slightly chewy texture and smoky, umami flavor. If fresh shiitake mushrooms are not available, then use dried; the flavor is even more intense when reconstituted with water. Fresh shiitake mushrooms should be firm, not moist or wrinkled. Refrigerate them in a paper bag for up to a week. Right
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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
Insulted by computerized greeting cards Dear Solutions: I am in a second marriage, and so is my husband. I am divorced. He’s a widower. I have tried to be warm and friendly to my husband’s former family since he wants to remain in touch with them, but I don’t feel it returned. Each time there’s an occasion to send a greeting of any kind to us, his former in-laws send me a computer card. It’s all very cute and even pretty, but there is no personal message. All it says is that if I want to reply I should push a button, and the company behind all this will send one from me. I don’t even have to sign it. Well, I don’t want to send one of
these, and I feel a little insulted by the impersonal feeling from this. My husband says I’m out of touch with this modern world, and he wants me to push the right buttons and respond to them. Is he right? Am I wrong to feel this way? — Lila Dear Lila: Feelings are neither right nor wrong. But they are honest — and this sure is pushing the wrong buttons in you. If you want to answer these messages in a way that is comfortable for you, write a personal answer in your own handwriting and mail it. Yes, as your husband points out, this is
General and Cosmetic Dentistry • Senior Citizen Discount Available • We use ‘Low Radiation Digital X-Rays’ • Aesthetic Crowns, Implants, Bridges • Natural-looking Dentures, Partials, no adhesives needed
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the world of the computer now, but it’s up he was never really charming till he died! Dear Solutions: to you how far you want to step into it. This involves my mothIt’s also up to you to think er-in-law, and I’m hoping about why you find this insultfor your advice. I’m a fairly ing, and to deal with those new bride, and we just finfeelings. Lots of things were ished furnishing our “nicer” in the old days, but home. I invited my moththat’s another story. er-in-law over to see everySo, get ready, Lila, the rothing and to finally visit bots are coming! Oh, are they “officially.” already here? She came in and slowly Dear Solutions: walked through each room My friend was living with SOLUTIONS without saying a word. a man for the last three By Helen Oxenberg, Then finally she turned to years. She was always arguMSW, ACSW me and said, “Oh, you like ing with him, complaining about him, and trying to get modern.” That was all she him to move out. said about anything. Now he suddenly died, and she I’m so angry and hurt, but I didn’t say keeps talking about how charming and anything, and I don’t know if I should. caring he was and so on. — Puzzled Should I say something to her? Peo- Dear Puzzled: ple who know her scoff at this. It’s reI don’t like mother-in-law jokes, but this ally amazing. sounds like one. So try to just laugh at the — Nan whole thing — with your husband, if possiDear Nan: ble. What’s really amazing is how much peo© Helen Oxenberg, 2015. Questions to be considered for this column may be sent to: ple improve after death! Say nothing. She’s helping herself deal The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, with her guilt, and protecting her new sta- MD 20915. You may also email the author at helox72@comcast.net. To inquire about tus as grieving “widow.” Besides, for her, it’s probably true that reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684.
60% of people living with Alzheimer’s wander. Safeguard the Ones You Love Against Wandering
Don’t be caught in a situation where you realize that your loved one has wandered off and you don’t have any idea where they are. Arden Courts can help keep your loved one safe and provide you the peace-of-mind you deserve. n Secured community designed specifically to meet the special needs of our dementia residents n Outdoor landscaped walking paths that promote exercise in a safe and secure environment n Success-oriented activities scheduled throughout the day to maximize self-esteem and sense of purpose
Convene Re-imagine Your New Central Library Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library Modernization Learn more at dclibrary.org/mlkfuture.
Source: Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.
Call 301-637-7215 to receive your free wandering kit and to discover how Arden Courts can keep your loved one safe.
Memory Care Community
Annandale • Fair Oaks • Kensington Potomac • Silver Spring
WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICE ON AGING
Spotlight On Aging VOLUME XXVI, ISSUE 9
A newsletter for D.C. Seniors
September 2015
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
By Brenda Donald Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Interim Director, D.C. Office on Aging
As the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services and the Interim Director of the Office on Aging, I am learning more about all of the programs, services, and resources available to District residents age 60 and older, persons living with disabilities age 18 and older, and their caregivers. September is a prime time for District residents to consider taking advantage of the great programs and services provided through the DCOA’s Senior Service Network. Did you know that September is National Senior Center Month? This year’s theme, “Celebrate LIFE at your Senior Center!,” takes each letter of the word “life” and breaks it down into sub-themes to demonstrate how participation can enhance your life: Learning — Where you can expand your knowledge. Independence — Live on your terms. Friends — Enjoy life. Energy — Discover health and vitality. The District has a variety of centers citywide where you can learn new things, find your independence, meet new friends and rediscover your energy. Residents age 60 and older are encouraged to begin regular activities at a senior center or join one or more of the six senior wellness centers available citywide, where you can experience
“LIFE” and more for free. Begin celebrating life today through a more active lifestyle! Visit our website at www.dcoa.dc.gov or call DCOA at 202-724-5626 to learn more about senior centers and senior wellness centers designed to keep you engaged. Thomas Benefield (above), and Patricia Morton (right).
Falls Prevention Awareness Day According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), each year millions of adults aged 65 and older fall while at home. Falls can cause moderate to severe injuries, such as hip fractures and head traumas, and can increase the risk of early death. Fortunately, falls are a public health problem that is largely preventable. DCOA is partnering with the District’s Falls Free Coalition to provide FREE Falls Prevention Risk Assessments to D.C. residents citywide as part of Falls Prevention Awareness Day on Sept. 23. Find out where you can go to get your assessment, in this issue of “Spotlight on Aging,” on page 39. Be Prepared September is also National Preparedness Month, and the D.C. Office on Aging is teaming up with the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency and the Office of Unified Communications to ensure
Back to School After a summer filled with working with special events, street crossing assistance and busy Metro stations, our DDOT Safety Technicians are back to duty keeping the school children safe. Patricia Morton and Thomas Benefield were interviewed
that seniors are prepared for emergencies. Smart911 is a web-based program that allows users to include vital information about themselves and occupants of the home that will help first responders when responding to an emergency after 9-1-1 is called. Once a profile has been set up, when a call is placed from a registered phone number, dispatchers will be able to provide first responders with names, ages, and important medical information to assist personnel responding to an
by Maria Anderson through the DCOA Older Worker Employment and Training Program. District seniors age 55 years of age and older can call 202-724-5626 for employment assistance from Maria Anderson or Ronald Kelly.
emergency. Register for Smart911 online at www.smart911.com or call 202-724-5626 to get assistance. Help your church group, organization, or residential building prepare by scheduling a group presentation. In addition to signing up for Smart911, take the following steps to prepare for emergencies: 1. Make a plan. 2. Make an emergency kit. 3. Be informed. To learn more about preparing for emergencies, visit www.hsema.dc.gov or call 311.
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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
D.C. OFFICE
ON
AGING NEWSLETTER
Genesis: A Community for Seniors Interested in Making a Difference Resident Recruitment for Intergenerational Housing Nears Completion Only a small number of units remain available at a unique new affordable housing option for area seniors and families that will open this fall in DC. Genesis, scheduled to open Nov. 1, will be an intergenerational community and the first such development in DC to be based on the award-winning Generations of Hope model (see http://ghdc.generationsofhope.org). Genesis will bring together serviceminded seniors and families who mutually commit to being good neighbors. Seniors will provide the foundation for Genesis. They’ll be asked to share their skills and wisdom with younger families, some of whom will be led by mothers transitioning from DC’s foster care system. But expectations are mutual — all adult residents will be required to spend a certain number of hours each quarter supporting their neighbors and the community. The D.C. Office on Aging is part of a team of District agencies, led by DC’s Child and Family Services
Agency, which helped plan and develop Genesis. Mi Casa, Inc, an established developer of affordable housing in the District, developed Genesis and will operate it. Residents have already been selected for 19 of Genesis’s 27 rental apartments. The eight remaining units are for seniors (55 and above), and families with or without seniors. Applicants must meet specific income criteria to apply for Genesis and undergo a detailed application process, including interviews and background checks. An open house for prospective applicants will be held on Sept. 17 at Genesis, which is located at 6925 Georgia Avenue, directly across from the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Visitors will be able to tour the newly constructed 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments, and common spaces designed for community activities and events. For information about Genesis, including details on the application process, rent and income and service re-
quirements, visit www.genesisdc.org or call us at 202-749-1911. RSVPs are re-
quired for the Sept. 17 open house and should be sent to RSVP@genesisdc.org.
Lifespan Respite Caregiver Conference on Sept. 18 The D.C. Office on Aging will host the 2015 Lifespan Respite Caregiver Conference entitled “Strengthening and Educating the 21st Century Caregiver” on Friday, Sept. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at One Judiciary Square, 441 Fourth St. NW, Room 1114 The conference focuses on addressing the specific concerns and training needs of the 21st century caregiver, such as intergenerational families, older adults and people living with disabilities across the lifespan Workshop topics: • Behavioral Symptom Management Training
• The Working Caregiver • Falls Prevention and Home Safety Discussion • Training the Family Caregiver • Grandparents Raising Grandchildren In addition, there will be a panel discussion: “Caregiving for Various Populations: People with Physical and Intellectual/ Developmental Disabilities, Veterans, and Mental Health Needs” *Stipends will be provided to caregivers who qualify* For more information, please call Linda Irizarry at 202-535-1442, or email Linda.Irizarry@dc.gov.
Senior Centers API Senior Center 417 G Pl. NW, D.C. 20001 202-842-4376 Deaf and Hard of Hearing Senior Center 896 Southern Ave. SE, D.C. 20032 202-562-1363 First Baptist Senior Center 715 Randolph St. NW D.C. 20011 202-723-2313 OASIS Senior Center for the Homeless 1226 Vermont Avenue NW, D.C. 20005 202-265-2017
Seabury Ward 5 Aging Services Senior Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired 2900 Newton St. NE, D.C. 20018 202-529-8701 SOME Senior Center 1667 Good Hope Rd., SE, D.C. 20020 202-797-8806 Vida Senior Center 1842 Calvert Street NW, D.C. 20009 202-483-1508 Zion/Genevieve N. Johnson Senior Program 4817 Blagden Ave. NW, D.C. 20011 202-723-8537
Phillip T. Johnson Senior Center East River Family Strengthening Collaborative 3441 Minnesota Ave. SE, D.C. 20020 202-584-4431
Spotlight On Aging continues on page 39, following the Seabury Resources Newsletter at the right Please pull out and keep the Newsletter. You may also pull out and keep Spotlight on Aging.
WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
Seabury Resources for Aging: Your Trusted Community Leader in Aging Services
Say you saw it in the Beacon
Seabury Resources for Aging's mission is to provide personalized, affordable services and housing options to help older adults in the greater Washington, DC area live with independence and dignity.
For more than 91 years, Seabury Resources for Aging has been a leader in aging services in the Washington area. More than 15,000 older adults and family caregivers depend on Seabury for essential services: food, housing, and transportation. But more than that, Seabury offers assistance so that older adults may age with purpose, dignity and independence. Seabury is proud to make this impact through our dedicated board and staff and the more than 3,600 volunteers who choose to positively affect the lives of older adults and family caregivers through Seabury’s programs and services. Learn more about how Seabury is here for you by visiting www.seaburyresources.org or contacting us at 202-289-5690.
Appreciating the Work of Age-In-Place® Seabury’s volunteers are a significant reason for the impact it has had in the Greater Washington area. The Age-In-Place® program seeks volunteers to continue to positively affect the lives of its clients. One client, Mrs. T, is appreciative of Age-In-Place® and its volunteers for stepping in when the challenges of yard upkeep were too great for her and her husband. “I have never had to ask anybody for anything. But I had to ask for help. I’ve been depending on Age-In-Place® to help me take care of my yard,” says Mrs. T. The volunteers also helped restore the beauty and pride she feels for her home and neighborhood. “I’m so appreciative of Age-In-Place. I wish I could pay them [for the work] but I can’t.”
Finding Direction in Ward 6 When Sherie Gage’s mom started suffering from dementia, balance and falling issues, Gage knew she had to take immediate action to protect her mother from harm.“I didn’t know where to turn or go,” says Gage. During a trip to a senior care facility, a social worker referred Gage to the Seabury Ward 6 Aging Services office, where Gage found the clarity and direction she was seeking. “I spoke with Mr. Geoff Barron, and he held my hand through the process of placing my mother in a safe, retirement community,” Gage reports. Barron, a Seabury Ward 6 social worker, helped Gage learn about options available to her mother and the laws to protect her mother’s best interest. “He explained the process of getting Medicaid for my mom, the types of questions to ask potential living communities and where to go to get background information on services, programs and elder care laws,” Gage says. Barron even recommended a facility within a half-hour from Gage’s home and job, which was perfect for their needs. “I love him,” Gage says. “He was patient and helped me the entire time. He helped me feel like a pro,” she says of Barron.
Estate Planning Workshops with Phil Fish Join Philip W.S. Fish, CFP®, Estate Planning Specialist of Sandy Spring Trust, as he shares his 25 years of estate planning, financial and trust experience. In this 3 hour open discussion he will provide you the know-how to grow and transfer your wealth. Plus, he will discuss key strategies of the estate planning process, including preparing your estate plans, handling incapacity, settling an estate, creating trusts after death, as well as selecting, preparing, and supporting your estate decision makers. The first workshop will be held on Tuesday, November 3rd from 10 am - 1 pm and the second on Tuesday, November 10th from 12 pm - 3 pm. Both sessions will be held at Seabury at Springvale Terrace Retirement Community, 8505 Springvale Rd., Silver Spring, MD. Registration is free and lunch is included. For more information contact Vitasta Shah at 202-414-6318 or via email at vshah@seaburyresources.org.
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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
Caregiver Challenges in the Blended Family Q & A with Monica Micklos, Care Manager Monica Micklos is the Director of Seabury’s Care Management program.
What is a Blended Family? A blended family is any family that includes the children from any previous relationships. This may be a spouse whose primary support and family caregivers are either half siblings or step siblings who grew up together, a couple who married later in life after their children were grown following a divorce or loss of a spouse, or anything in between.
What Unique Challenges Does a Blended Family Face? Blended families can be very important and loving support networks but, as with all families, navigating the family dynamic is often one of the biggest hurdles. In blended families often the dynamic is much more complicated because family members bring positive and negative experiences from previous marriages and relationships. If the current marriage occurred when the children were young and there are associated feelings of divided loyalties between parents, anger or jealousy that were not dealt with earlier may resurface at a later date. If a blended family was created when the children were adults, such as after the death of a one parent, the children may feel emotions ranging from joy that their parent found love again to resentment that their deceased parent has been replaced. This mix of emotions will affect how they will react to a step parent in need. Many adult children in blended families wonder what the expectations will be for them to care for their step parents. Communication and decision making among family members can become strained making caregiving issues that much more stressful.
What Can Seabury’s Care Managers Do to Assist? Care Managers are trusted, licensed social workers experienced with dementia, chronic illness and disabilities. A care manager spends time assessing and getting to know a client and their family. This may mean setting up time to speak with family members both individually and as a group to understand their concerns, their willingness and ability to help, and to ensure everyone is on the same page. The care manager acts as a neutral party and creates a safe space to bring open and honest communication. Working with a care manager can help blended families remove communication issues and other common barriers so as to enable families the highest possible quality life.
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Care Management may be just what you need. Contact us today to learn more about the resources we offer at 202-364-0020 or visit www.seaburyresources.org
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1965-2015
E F S ERVIC
Senior Living,in the Heart of it All
Find yourself living on a tree-lined neighborhood street near vibrant downtown Silver Spring. Find yourself at Springvale Terrace. And find Enhanced Living.
An affordable care alternative, our Enhanced Living program provides personal care services in an active senior living community close to restaurants, shopping, the Red Line Metro Station and more. Independent living as well as other support services are also available. Join us as we celebrate 50 years of quality care and service for seniors and their families. Call us today to schedule your personal visit and embrace living in the heart of it all!
residential living • enhanced living • assisted living
301-587-0190 (TRS 711) SpringvaleTerrace.com 1-800-552-7724 MD RELAY SERVICE 8505 Springvale Road Silver Spring, MD 20910
WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
Say you saw it in the Beacon
Call Us,We Can Help Seabury Resources Programs and Services
Comffort, and a Conven nien nce
SENIOR LIVING Seabury at Friendship Terrace offers retirement living for active, independent older adults in the Tenleytown area of Washington, DC. Phone: (202) 244-7400 Seabury at Springvale Terrace offers affordable personal care and assisted iving in a community located near downtown Silver Spring. Phone: (301) 587-0190 Home First Residences* provides a sharedliving home and support for older adults needing assistance with personal care and medication management. Phone: (202) 635-9384
Find it all at Seabury at Springvale Terrace. Our care options include Independent Living, g Enh g, Enhanced hanced Living, and Assisted Living services, all undder onee roof and just a heartbeat away from downtown Silverr Spring ng and the Red Line Metro Station.
Call 301-587-0190 (TRS 711) to schedule your visit v .
Programs & Services, continued on page 38 Senior Livvin ng,in the Heart of it All
8505 Springvale Road Silver Spring, MD 20190 1-800-552-7724 MD RELAAY SERVICE Springv p g aleT Terrace.com
in
celeb br rat tion
of
45
years
serv ving seniors
Mary Sharp has called Seabury at Friendship T Ter erraace her home ffo or 28 years, making her the community’s lo ongest-tenured resident and, as many might say, one of the happiest. Her secret? “Get out everyday. Walk everyday. Read books and the daily newspaper. Take part in the acctivities that Friendship off ffer ers. It’s all here fo for you.” Embrace the convenient, aff ffo ordable, and acctive liffes estyle that has benefitted W Waashin ngton DC seniors fo for 45 years and counting.
Call 202-244-74000 (TRS 711) today to scheedule your personal vis isit. Friendship Te errace rrace—Re Redefining Retirement
202-244-7400 00 (TRS 711) FriendshipT pTerrace.com a 1-800-643-3769 DC RELAAY SERVICE 1-800-643-3768 TTY 4201 Butterworrth Place, NW Washington, DC 20016
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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
Programs & Services from page 37
WASHINGTON, DC Services & Programs
Age-In-Place® coordinates volunteers to provide yard work and house cleaning service to older adults living in Washington’s Wards 4, 5 and 6. Phone: (202) 635-9384, ext. 105
Aging and Disability Resource Centers* services include home-delivered meals and group meal sites, nutrition counseling and education, case management and support for caregivers, and wellness activities. Ward 5: Phone: (202) 529-8701 Ward 6: Phone: (202) 397-1726
Senior Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired* enhances the quality of life and independence of older adults who have lost or are losing their vision. Phone: (202) 529-8701
Fac aces ces of Friendship h $
Seabury Connector* provides referrals and information on transportation options as well as transportation services to medical and public benefit appointments for DC seniors 60 and over at no charge. Phone: (202) 727-7771
$ Life$ $is M$ore Exciting with h these Fa a aces
Activ ities at Friendship Ter Terrace make life more exciting! From enter tainment to education, there is someth hing fo for everr yone $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ to en njo jooy. Will you join us?
*A part of the Senior Services Network supported by the DC Office on Aging
These events are ffrree and open to the public. Read to Me Me Grandparen nts Day Celebration Sunday, September 13
Tawanda Jackson Activities Director $ $
$
A Day on the Farm with live animals ffrrom “Zoo to Y Yo ou” • W Weednesdayy, September 16 A Multi-Media Wo World T To our of Memorab ble Museums u with “A “Activities T To o Go!” • W Weednesday, September 30
Calll 202-244-7400 (TRS 711) today to RSVP ffo or an upcoming event or to schedule your personall tourr.
FriendshipT Terrace.com
METRO AREA SERVICES Information and Referral Line (202) 364-0020 Call for free information, assistance and referral to the appropriate Seabury or other community program. Care Management provides professional guidance and support for older adults and their families. Phone: (202) 364-0020 Congregational Resources provides guidance for Episcopal and United Church of Christ congregations as they develop programs, services, and share resources. Phone: (202) 414-6316
1-800-643-3769 DC RELAAY SERVICE • 1-800-643--3768 TTY 4201 Butterworth Place NW, Washington, DC 20016
Please return this coupon with your gift today.
Yes, I want to make a difference in the lives of older adults and their families with my gift of:
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!!Check enclosed (payable to Seabury). !!Credit card information included. !!I will make a gift online at seaburyresources.org !!Please send me more information on your programs (specify: ) !!I have designated Seabury in my will or estate plans. !!This is my first gift to Seabury Resources for Aging.
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Please mail to: Seabury Resources for Aging, 6031 Kansas Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011
WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
Say you saw it in the Beacon
D.C. OFFICE
ON
3 39
AGING NEWSLETTER
Spotlight On Aging, continued Continued from page 34, preceding the Seabury Resources Newsletter at the left. Please pull out and keep the newsletter. You may also pull out and keep Spotlight on Aging.
8th Annual Tenant and Tenant Association Summit The Office of the Tenant Advocate will hold the 8th Annual Tenant and Tenant Association Summit on Sept. 26 at the Kellogg Conference Center, located on the campus of Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Ave. NE. This year’s theme is “Tenant Rights Matter.” The summit serves as a forum to bring together tenants, tenant associations, housing attorneys and advocates, policy experts, community leaders, and District officials to discuss matters of concern to the District’s tenant community. The day’s events will include a plenary session as well as workshops covering the status of federal funding for subsidized housing, renters’ rights, rent control, developing a public safety strategy and subsidized housing issues. The summit will include special presentations in honor of two tenants’ rights advocates the tenant community lost this
Adult Day Care Adult day care programs provide specialized care for dependent individuals at-risk of going into an institution. Services may include medical, social, therapeutic and recreational support in a supervised setting. Meals and transportation are provided. There is no fee for service. However, donations are encouraged. Downtown Cluster’s Day Care Center Asbury Methodist Church 926 11th Street NW, D.C. 20002 202-347-7527 Genevieve N. Johnson Senior Day Care Program 4817 Blagden Ave. NW, D.C. 20011 202- 723-8537 Isabella Breckinridge Center 4125 Albemarle St. NW, D.C. 20016 202-895-0238
year — David Cohn and Karen Perry. The legal clinic will provide attendees with an opportunity to meet one-on-one with an attorney to discuss their housing issues. Older adults and persons with disabilities will be able to register their status to qualify for lower rent increases under rent control. Numerous exhibitors will be present to share information. Lunch will be provided, and parking is free. There will be a shuttle bus to and from the NOMA – Gallaudet U Metro Station (Red Line). Request for accom-
modations must be received by Sept. 21. Attendees can pick up their materials beginning at 8 a.m. The program starts at 9 a.m. Advanced registration required. There will be no on-site registration. There are three ways to register: • Online — OTA’s webpage at http://ota.dc.gov. The direct link is https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dcof fice-of-the-tenant-advocate-8thannual-tenant-tenant-associationsummit-2015-registration-17764072820
• Telephone — 202-719-6560 In-person — Office of the Tenant Advocate, The Reeves Center, 2000 14th Street NW, Suite 300-North Persons and organizations interested in being an exhibitor can register at the following link: https://www.eventbrite .com/e/dc-office-of-the-tenant-advocate8th-annual-tenant-tenant-associationsummit-2015-registration-17959606667 For additional information contact the Office of the Tenant Advocate at 202-719-6560.
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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
D.C. OFFICE
ON
AGING NEWSLETTER
Community Calendar Sept. Events
for Aging. Meet at 950 Independence Ave. SW. For more information, call Thelma Hines at 202-529-8701, ext. 222.
1st • 10 a.m. to noon Take a tour of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on National Mall with Seabury Resources for Aging. For more information, call Thelma Hines at 202-529-8701, ext. 222.
Sept. 2 to Oct. 7 • 10:30 a.m. to noon A six-part class for individuals with diabetes or pre-diabetes, “Everyone with Diabetes Counts,” will be presented by the Delmarva Foundation. The class will be held at North Capitol at Plymouth, 5233 N. Capitol St. NE in the Community/Dining Room. For more information, call Thelma Hines at 202-529-8701, ext. 222.
11th • 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The D.C. Office on Aging will sponsor a Community Health, Wellness & Informational Fair at Ft. Stanton Park Recreation Center, 1812 Erie St. SE. To learn more, contact Louis Jones at 202-671-1040.
15th • 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A flu vaccination clinic will be offered by MedStar at Gettysburg (Fort Lincoln 1) 2855 Bladensburg Rd. NE. The shot is free for Medicare recipients and $35 for all others. For more information, call Thelma Hines at 202-529-8701, ext. 222.
15th • 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Take a highlights tour of the Museum of African Art with Seabury Resources
17th • 10 a.m. to noon Verizon and Hayes Senior Wellness Center invite you to a free Senior Technology Demonstration Fair. The event brings together community and government leaders, service providers, seniors, area residents and others for a day of helpful information, giveaways, food and fun. The Hayes Senior Wellness Center is located at 500 K St. NE. To RSVP or for more information, contact Andre Lane at Andre.lane@howard.edu or 202727-0357.
19th • 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Washington Highland’s Community Fun Day takes placed at Oxon Run Park, 4th Street and Livingston Road, SE. For more information, contact Karlene K. Armstead at 202-236-7196.
19th • 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The D.C. Office on Aging will be an exhibitor at the 2015 H Street NE Festival. For more information, contact Alice A. Thompson at 202 535-1321.
19th • noon to 1:30 Iona and Brighton Gardens of Friendship Heights are partnering to provide a forum for adult children and other caregivers to understand the challenges of aging, particularly memory loss, and how best to support aging parents and other relatives while practicing good self-care.
SPOTLIGHT ON AGING Spotlight On Aging is published by the Information Office of the D.C. Office on Aging for D.C. senior residents. Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the D.C. Office on Aging or by the publisher.
500 K St., N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002 202-724-5622 • www.dcoa.dc.gov Interim Director Brenda Donald Editor Darlene Nowlin Photographer Selma Dillard The D.C. Office on Aging does not discriminate against anyone based on actu-
al or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, source of income, and place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subjected to disciplinary action.
The Office on Aging is in partnership with the District of Columbia Recycling Program.
There will be three free seminars in the series, one each month in September, October and November held at Brighton Gardens of Friendship Heights, 5555 Friendship Blvd., Chevy Chase, Md. The series is free. The Sept. 19 seminar is titled “Stay or Move: How to Find and Pay for the Best Living Arrangement” Social worker Deb Rubenstein will discuss how to know if moving is the right choice, and how to have family conversation about moving. She will also review the best way to find community resources and the right senior living community, as well as how to pay for care and services. To register, email: registration@iona.org or call 202-895-9409.
20th • 1:30 to 3 p.m. Learn about the differences between ophthalmologists, optometrists and opticians in a program called “Who’s Who in Eye Care” sponsored by the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington. It will be held in the Sibley Medical Building, Conference Room 2, 5215 Loughboro Rd. NW. To register, call the Sibley Senior Association at 202364-7602.
21st • 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Dept. Consumer & Regulatory Affairs presents the Small Business Resource Center’s Third Annual Entrée DC Food & Drink event at the Walter E.
Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt. Vernon Pl. NW. For more information, contact Claudia Herrera at 202-442-8055.
22nd • 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Shop healthy with Seabury Resources for Aging on a trip to FRESHFARM Market at CityCenterDC, 1908 New York Ave. NW. For more information, call Thelma Hines at 202-529-8701, ext. 222.
22nd • 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Guy Mason Senior Program presents a Community Health, Wellness & Informational Fair at the Guy Mason Recreation Center, 3600 Calvert St. NW. Contact Ralph Wright at 202-727-7703 for more information.
26th • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 8th Annual Tenant & Tenant Association Summit brings together tenants, tenant associations, housing attorneys and advocates, policy experts, community leaders, and District officials to discuss matters of concern to tenants in the District of Columbia. Admission and lunch are free. The summit will be held at the Kellogg Conference Center at Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Ave. NE. For more information, see the website of the Office of the Tenant Advocate at www.ota.dc.gov.
Wellness Programs Each of these programs includes a health education component covering topics such as the safe use of medication, blood pressure screening, and the benefits of exercise. Classes are conducted by appropriately trained and certified instructors and encourage participants to exercise at their own fitness level. Bernice Fonteneau Senior Wellness Center 3531 Georgia Ave. NW, D.C. 20010 202-727-0338 Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center 3500 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE, D.C. 20032 202-563-7225
Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center 324 Kennedy St. NW D.C. 20011 202-291-6170 Hayes Senior Wellness Center 500 K St. NE, D.C. 20002 202-563-7225 Model Cities Senior Wellness Center 1901 Evarts St. NE, D.C. 20018 202-635-1900 UDC - Institute of Gerontology – BODYWISE Program 4200 Connecticut Ave. NW Building 32, Room 203, D.C. 20008 202-274-6651 Washington Seniors Wellness Center 3001 Alabama Ave. SE, D.C. 20020 202-581-9355
WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
Say you saw it in the Beacon
Money Law &
41
MEDICARE PREMIUM SPIKE? Nearly a third of beneficiaries may be paying 52 percent more for Medicare Part B next year COLLECT YOUR OWN LIFE INSURANCE You may be able to pocket part of the pay-out from your life insurance while you’re still alive, but watch out for costs AVOIDING PROBATE Brokerage accounts typically pass through your will when you die, but there are ways to avoid probate
Earn dividends every month of the year By Jeffrey R. Kosnett A regular paycheck isn’t the only way to ensure a steady flow of income. Whether you are already retired or simply planning ahead for retirement, by carefully selecting stocks that pay dividends on the right schedule, you can build a portfolio that guarantees you cash every month. Here are a dozen great stocks that do just that. January: Occidental Petroleum Yield: 4.1 percent 52-week high: $104.48, 52-week low: $67.30; 5-year dividend growth rate: 16.9 percent Last dividend increases: 12.5 percent in February 2014 and 4.2 percent in October 2014 Also pays in: April, July, October Occidental Petroleum (OXY) is primarily a domestic oil and gas producer, with much of its exploration in California and in shale formations in Texas and North Dakota. It differs from some other large oil companies in that it doesn’t have a lowprofit refining and marketing business. It also said, emphatically, in its investor presentations that increasing its dividend is a higher priority than making acquisitions,
buying back stock or piling up reserves. February: Realty Income Yield: 4.7 percent 52-week high: $55.54, 52-week low: $40.56; 5-year dividend growth rate: 5.7 percent Last dividend increase: 0.3 percent in March 2015 Also pays in: Every month This real estate investment trust pioneered the strategy of buying or building free-standing drugstores, restaurants, cinemas, fitness centers and similar buildings and leasing them to familiar chains, which pay the rent, maintenance and taxes. Realty Income (O) pays dividends every month and raises the rate several times a year, though slowly and usually by small amounts. The REIT is safe and consistent, with more than 500 consecutive monthly dividends to its credit. March: Intel Yield 2.9 percent 52-week high: $37.90; 52-week low: $25.74; 5-year dividend growth rate: 8.8 percent Last dividend increase: 6.7 percent in January 2015 Also pays in: June, September, December
Intel (INTC), which makes semiconductors and processors, is one of tech’s most committed dividend-payers. Intel is fighting slowing growth in sales of desktop and laptop computers — its largest sources of sales and profits — and as it makes inroads into smartphones and tablets, its cash flow will grow and higher dividends should follow. April: McCormick Yield 2.1 percent 52-week high: $78.70; 52-week low: $64.92; 5-year dividend growth rate: 9.0 percent Last dividend increase: 8.1 percent in November 2014 Also pays in: January, October, December The world’s leading maker of spices and flavorings, McCormick (MKC) grows steadily in part by taking over competitors’ brands and introducing American favorites to the rest of the world. Its profit margin is more than twice that of the meatpackers whose steaks and chops star in McCormick’s recipes. Plus, the company has little debt. May: Procter & Gamble Yield 3.2 percent 52-week high: $93.89; 52-week low: $77.29;
5-year dividend growth rate: 6.6 percent Last dividend increase: 3.0 percent in April 2015 Also pays in: August, November, February Procter & Gamble (PG) is the archetypal solid, predictable, low-stress growth stock. It is so huge that a single-digit dividend growth rate may be all you can expect — but that’s good enough considering that it usually yields more than 3 percent. June: WisdomTree MidCap ETF Yield 2.3 percent 52-week high: $87.34; 52-week low: $73.63; 5-year dividend growth rate: 26.6 percent Last dividend increase: 17.3 percent in March 2015 Also pays in: Every month Smaller and mid-sized companies have joined the rush to pay higher dividends, and WisdomTree MidCap ETF (DON) is a convenient way to sample 400 of them — spanning the economy from utilities to REITs to energy to retail. The fund pays dividends each month, joining Realty InSee STOCKS, page 42
Life Income You Can Count On! Sample Charitable Gift Annuity
Age: 75
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Call today! Rita S. Corwin 301-565-8524
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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
Medicare premiums may spike for some By Martha Lynn Craver Retirees, adjust your budget: Doubledigit price hikes for Medicare Part B premiums are likely coming next year. The actual rates for Part B (which covers the costs of doctor visits and outpatient care) will be announced in October and take effect Jan. 1. The boost may be 15 percent for all participants, or a whopping 52
percent for some, depending on whether Social Security recipients see a cost-of-living raise for 2016. The trustees of Social Security recently projected there will be no cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) at the end of this year. It would mark only the third year without an increase since automatic adjustments were adopted in 1975.
Things could change before the end of the year. Program economists are constantly crunching numbers to track fluctuating prices. But if there’s no adjustment for 2016, some people will face dramatically higher Medicare Part B premiums. Why is that? For about 70 percent of beneficiaries, premium increases cannot
exceed the dollar amount of their Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. Because no COLA is currently expected for 2016, increased costs of outpatient coverage would have to be spread among the remaining 30 percent of beneficiaries, who include:
Stocks
Also pays in: October, January, April The maker of Kleenex, Huggies and Scott paper products resembles Procter & Gamble in that it makes familiar household products and sells them in more than 100 countries. Kimberly-Clark (KMB) has raised dividends every year since the early 1970s, and aims to maintain a higher dividend yield than most other industrial and consumer-product companies. August: Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Yield 4.7 percent
52-week high: $38.58; 52-week low: $31.39 5-year dividend growth rate: 30.6 percent; Last dividend increase: 8.6 percent in January 2015 Also pays in: November, February, May Potash is fertilizer, and this Canadian firm could be spreading it on its dividends to produce bigger and higher checks for investors’ pockets. Five years ago Potash (POT) paid 1 cent a quarter. Now the dividend is 38 cents, four times a year. The world doesn’t have many sources of this essential resource, and while the price can swing like any mineral, the dividend is secure. September: Johnson & Johnson Yield 3.0 percent 52-week high: $109.49; 52-week low: $95.10; 5-year dividend growth rate: 6.8 percent Last dividend increase: 7.1 percent in April 2015 Also pays in: December, March, June A blue-chip cash machine with a great group of global health businesses, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) grows just enough to raise dividends between 5 and 10 percent a year, while the shares almost never misbehave. This is the way the stock market is supposed to work for patient, loyal investors. October: Automatic Data Processing Yield 2.3 percent 52-week high: $90.23; 52-week low: $67.12; 5-year dividend growth rate: 7.6 percent Last dividend increase: 2.1 percent in April 2014 Also pays in: January, April, July Automatic Data Processing (ADP) is a giant payroll processor and also administers employee-benefits programs. It also
profits by investing money it holds for employers before paychecks are cashed and deposited, so even a small rise in interest rates would make it richer. ADP is a financial fortress with $2 billion of its own cash and little debt. November: General Dynamics Yield 2.0 percent 52-week high: $146.13; 52-week low: $111.08; 5-year dividend growth rate: 10.4 percent Last dividend increase: 11.2 percent in March 2015 Also pays in: February, May, August A defense industry powerhouse, General Dynamics (GD) also makes private jet planes and offers information-technology management services. Cuts in the military budget (whether rumored or actual) haven’t stopped it from raising dividends briskly every year. December: American Electric Power Yield 3.7 percent 52-week high: $65.38 ; 52-week low: $49.06; 5-year dividend growth rate: 4.8 percent Last dividend increase: 6.0 percent in October 2014 Also pays in: March, June, September American Electric Power (AEP) is one of the safest traditional regulated utility stocks because the chain operates in 11 states, which spreads the risk from storms and other controversies. AEP also pays a reasonable 59 percent of its earnings as dividends, which gives it scope to raise the payment even in slow years and makes the chance of cuts extremely low. All contents © 2015 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
From page 41 come as 12-time payers in this model portfolio. July: Kimberly-Clark Yield 3.2 percent 52-week high: $119.01; 52-week low: $99.23; 5-year dividend growth rate: 5.9 percent Last dividend increase: 4.8 percent in February 2015
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See MEDICARE SPIKE, page 43
Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money
WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
43
Should you sell your life insurance policy? By Eleanor Laise A growing number of seniors are looking to sell their life insurance policies to investors. But there is significant risk for older people getting involved in these “life settlement” transactions — whether they are selling their policy or investing in those of others. In a life settlement, a policyholder sells his policy in exchange for a lump-sum cash payment. The buyer makes all the future premium payments and gets the death benefit when the insured person dies. For seniors who find their policy is no longer needed or affordable, a life settlement can be a better option than letting the policy lapse. But a life settlement will bring the seller
just a small fraction of his policy’s face value. All too often, insurance experts say, seniors agree to life settlements without exploring alternatives that could bring far greater value to themselves or their beneficiaries. Life settlements are also a gamble for investors. If the insured lives much longer than expected, the investor’s return will plunge. Lawsuits filed in recent months by the Securities and Exchange Commission accuse some investment firms of misleading investors about life settlements’ risks. In one case, a firm allegedly told customers that life settlements were “guaranteed” and as safe as certificates of deposit, while in fact life settlements offer no guarantees. Although life settlements can make sense in certain situations, for both sellers
Medicare spike
bles,” Part B premiums are paid by the state where they live. Medicare beneficiaries in all these groups would see their premium bills jump to $159.30 a month — an increase of about 52 percent — unless the Obama administration takes steps to lessen the pain. That’s possible, but not certain. © 2015 the Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. With additional reporting from AP.
From page 42 • those who enroll in Part B in 2016, • people who don’t have their premiums deducted from Social Security payments, • individuals with annual incomes above $85,000, • and people eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. For the last group, known as “dual eligi-
and investors, “there are so many ways of being taken advantage of,” said Glenn Daily, a fee-only insurance adviser in New York City. The life-settlement industry said it’s providing a better alternative to seniors who often let policies lapse or continue paying premiums they can’t afford. [It also allows a policy holder to obtain cash from an asset they otherwise cannot access while alive, except by borrowing against it.]
Costs of sale add up If you are over 65 and have a life insurance policy with a death benefit of more than $100,000, you may be a candidate for a life settlement. You can go to a life-settle-
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ment broker, who will solicit bids from multiple buyers. Or you can go to a life-settlement “provider” — a company that buys policies either for its own investment purposes or to sell to third-party investors. The provider will review your medical records and get life-expectancy estimates before making a bid. You can find licensed brokers and providers at www.lisa.org. But before selling a policy, you should understand the costs and complexities of life settlements. The amount of cash you can receive depends on your remaining life expectancy, your policy’s annual premi-
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Life settlements From page 43 ums and death benefit, the rate of return the buyer demands, and other factors. Sellers typically receive more than the policy’s cash surrender value but far less
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
than the death benefit. The gross purchase price — before deducting taxes, commissions and other transaction costs — is often 10 percent to 25 percent of the death benefit. And transaction costs can consume a big chunk of the gross purchase price —
often 10 percent to 20 percent, Daily said. The broker’s commission can be as much as 4 to 6 percent of the policy’s face value. The provider also collects a fee, which is generally not disclosed to the seller. What’s more, with a life settlement, “there’s a tremendous loss of tax advantage,” said Scott Witt, a fee-only insurance adviser in New Berlin, Wis. If you hold on to the policy, your beneficiaries get the death benefit tax-free. In a life settlement, the seller must pay tax on at least a portion of the amount he receives, and the buyer also owes tax on the death benefit — another factor that pushes the offer price lower. Still, life settlements can make sense for some seniors. One of Daily’s clients, a 74year-old woman, has a policy with a face value of about $500,000. Because of her relatively short life expectancy of about five years, Daily estimates that the gross price she can receive in a life settlement is unusually high — about $250,000. After deducting transaction costs and taxes, she might pocket roughly $180,000. Since the client needs money now, a life settlement makes sense for her, Daily said. To determine whether a life settlement is a good option for you, ask a fee-only insurance adviser to help value your policy (find links to nine advisers at www.glenndaily.com).
Other options to consider
The Career Gateway! features small classes, 30 hours of intensive training over two weeks, a long-term mentor, and valuable take-home materials
If your policy has become unaffordable, ask your beneficiaries to take over the premium payments, said John Skar, an actuary who works with Daily. A whole life insurance policy is “a valuable family estate asset that you’re getting rid of [through a life settlement] for pennies on the dollar.” Ask if you can borrow against your poli-
cy, or if the policy can be revised so that no future premiums are owed and the death benefit is reduced. People with short remaining life expectancies may be eligible for accelerated death benefits. If you no longer need the policy, some community foundations and large charitable organizations may be willing to accept donations of life insurance. Also, keep an eye on a new charitable alternative that aims to smooth the process of donating an insurance policy. Insuring a Better World Fund (www.iabwf.org), launched last year, pools all donated policies and pays the premiums. As death benefits roll in, it makes pro rata distributions to the charities named by the donors. The donor receives a tax deduction for the fair market value of the policy.
Investing can be risky For older investors who are pitched life settlements as investments, the best policy is to stay away. In some cases, a person invests in a single policy. More often policies are pooled into life-settlement funds. Investors’ returns depend on the accuracy of life-expectancy estimates, and “it doesn’t take very many [people] who dramatically outlive life expectancy to really put a crimp in your returns,” Witt said. In addition, insurers may refuse to pay death benefits if they suspect that a policy was initiated by an investor, rather than the insured person. In these “stranger-originated life insurance” arrangements, investors pay seniors to buy life insurance and then turn the policies over to investors. Without examining every policy in a fund, it can be hard for investors to be sure they’re avoiding such situations. All contents © 2015 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
BEACON BITS
Sept. 28
MEDICARE SEMINAR Fairfax County offers a free Medicare 101 presentation on Mon-
This hands-on, five day course will help you: • turbocharge your resume • hone your interviewing skills • learn how to network
WHEN:
day, Sept. 28 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Centreville Baptist Church, located at
• discover the hidden job market • develop personal job search plans...and more
Courses offered monthly for computer-savvy seniors Coming up: September 8, October 12, November 9, 2015, and January 20, February 22, 2016
WHERE: 12320 Parklawn Dr., Rockville, MD 20852 FEE: $75 FOR MORE INFORMATION
Call (301) 255-4215 or e-mail JCAUniversity@AccessJCA.org Funded By Montgomery County Aging & Disability Services; e Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation and the Jewish Council for the Aging®
®
Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA)® www.AccessJCA.org
15100 Lee Hwy., Centreville, Va. To register, call Thomas Blair at (703) 830-2150, TTY 711. For more information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/vicap.htm.
Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money
WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
Downsizing 4,,&5 /' /'22!678997:997:69;!+,!$<=><)+!1,>$! FREE!%>#3<!,$!3,?&2,'3!#+!'+! @$#A4+<?'$+B$,>C7A,D Get practical advice on: ! The best time to sell and get top dollar ! How to de-clutter and organize your stuff !How to interview a Realtor
RightSizing Guide Strategies For Saving What’s Important & Meaningful For Your Smaller Home By Eric Stewart
…and much more! As a senior real estate specialist with over 27 years of experience, Eri Eric’s focus is on helping seniors 55+ downsize from a larger home to a smaller residence across the metro area. !!"#$%#&#'!! !!(')*#&%+,&-!./!! !!0'$12'&3
WIDOWED? With the support of Widow Care’s network, we provide: ! "#$$%&'(#$!)#($'*!+#,!-(.#-*!/$.!-(.#-%,*!'#!01(2.!+,(%$.*3()*!/$.!*1))#,'!#$%!/$#'3%, ! 4.1&/'(#$/2!*%5($/,*!,/$6($6!+,#5!/&3(%7($6!+($/$&(/2!+('$%**!'#!.#-$*(8($6 ! 9%*#1,&%*!+#,!',1*'%.!&#$',/&'#,*
To learn about membership, volunteer opportunities, and resources call 301.917.4741 or visit WidowCare.org you care…we care…Widow Care.
SM
Widow Care is a 501(C)3 nonprofit
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Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
Bypass probate for brokerage accounts By Kimberly Lankford Q: I need to designate a beneficiary for my brokerage account. Is a transferon-death account a better option than adding a joint owner to my account or including the account in my will? A: Life insurance, IRAs, 401(k) plans and other retirement accounts pass directly to the beneficiaries you designate outside of your will. Brokerage accounts, on the other hand, generally pass to your beneficiaries through your will and must go through probate first, which can be time-consuming, public and expensive in some states. A transfer on death (TOD) registration is a way to designate beneficiaries for your
brokerage account so the money will pass directly to them and avoid probate. If you add a joint owner, that person will inherit the account outside of probate but can also change the investments and access the money while you’re alive. Joint accounts are also subject to the claims of both owners’ creditors. With a TOD, you maintain total control over the account and can change the beneficiary designation at any time.
TODs trump wills A TOD makes it very clear who inherits the account, rather than the account becoming one of many assets passed through your will. “It can avoid disputes,” said Gerri
Walsh, senior vice president of investor education for Finra (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority), an independent regulator for securities firms. “If you have the account set up with a designated beneficiary, that trumps whatever is in the will.” However, if you want to split your estate among several beneficiaries, you may want to transfer the account through your will instead. Say you have three children and want to leave them equal shares of your estate. You could make one the TOD beneficiary of your brokerage account and leave comparable amounts of money to the other children. But if the brokerage account increases or decreases in value before you die, that child could end up inheriting a very different amount than the siblings. With a will, on the other hand, you can split up the total assets equally.
When to use trusts If you have more complicated wishes — such as if you want your heirs to use the money for a particular purpose or not to
receive the funds until a certain time — you may want to set up a trust instead, said Eleanor Blayney, a certified financial planner and consumer advocate for the CFP Board. Contact your brokerage firm if you’d like to set up a TOD designation for your account. Most states have similar TOD rules (Louisiana and Texas do not offer this option). If you move to another state, ask your brokerage firm if you need to make any changes. For more information about TOD designations and other ways to transfer your brokerage account to your beneficiaries, see Finra’s investor alert Plan for “Transition: What You Should Know About the Transfer of Brokerage Account Assets on Death” at http://bit.ly/brokerage_transfer. For more information about estate planning options, see “8 Smart Estate Planning Steps to Die the Right Way” at http://bit.ly/ estate_planning_steps. All contents © 2015 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
BEACON BITS
Ongoing
RESOLVING NURSING HOME PROBLEMS Justice in Aging, a national nonprofit organization committed to
fighting senior poverty, has published “20 Common Nursing Home Problems and How to Resolve Them.” This 37-page guide addresses the protections outlined in the federal Nursing Home Reform Law and how to use the law to protect yourself or your loved ones. To download a free copy of the guide, visit www.justiceinag-
Did you know?
You may qualify for assistance in paying your home phone bill. Discounts for basic telephone service are available to eligible District of Columbia low-income residents.
Verizon Washington, D.C. Lifeline Plans: Verizon Washington, D.C.’s Lifeline service, known as “Economy II,” offers reduced rates on Verizon’s monthly telephone bill and one-time discounts on the cost of installing phone service. Additionally, toll blocking is available to Economy II customers at no charge. Economy II Service*: $3.00 per month for unlimited local calling. Value-added services are not included (e.g., Call Waiting, Caller ID). No connection charges apply. Also, customers will not be charged for the federal subscriber line charge. Economy II customers who are 65 years of age or older can have this service at a further reduced rate of $1.00 per month. • Full terms and rates for these services, including terms of eligibility, are as set forth in federal and in Verizon’s tariffs on file with the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia. All rates, terms and conditions included in this notice are subject to change and are current at the time of printing. Contact Washington, DC Lifeline Program at 1-800-253-0846 to apply To learn more about the Lifeline program, visit www.lifelinesupport.org.
Economy II is a Lifeline supported service. Lifeline is a government assistance program. Only eligible consumers may enroll. You may qualify for Lifeline service if you can show proof that you participate in certain government assistance programs or your annual income (gross and from all sources) is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guideline. If you qualify based on income, you will be required to provide income verification. Proof of participation in a government assistance program requires your current or prior year’s statement of benefits from a qualifying state or federal program; a notice letter or other official document indicating your participation in such a program; and/or another program participation document (for example, benefit card). Proof of income requires your prior year’s state or federal tax return; current income statement from an employer or paycheck stub; a statement of Social Security, Veterans Administration, retirement, pension, or Unemployment or Workmen’s Compensation benefits; a federal notice letter of participation in General Assistance; a divorce decree; a child support award; and/or another official document containing income information. At least three months of data is necessary when showing proof of income. In addition, the Lifeline program is limited to one discount per household, consisting of either wireline or wireless service. You are required to certify and agree that no other member of the household is receiving Lifeline service from Verizon or another communications provider. Lifeline service is a non-transferable benefit. Lifeline customers may not subscribe to certain other services, including other local telephone service. Consumers who willfully make false statements in order to obtain the Lifeline benefit can be punished by fine or imprisonment, or can be barred from the program.
ing.org/20-common-nursing-home-problems.
Sept. 19
INVESTMENT CLUB MEETING The Washington Metro Investment Club (WMIC) is having an open house meeting at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19 at the McCourt
Bldg., located at 1 County Complex Ct. in Woodbridge, Va. This small group of novice investors meets monthly to discuss current trends and investments in the stock market. Investing directly with companies and participating in their respective Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRIPs), club members hope to reap a steady and respectable return while learning about financial planning for the future. For more information, call Ken Wright at (703) 801-1465.
WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
Say you saw it in the Beacon
A Special Supplement to The Beacon newspaper
47
Shanah Tovah!
With warmest wishes for a sweet New Year from your friends at Charles E. Smith Life Communities
September 2015/No. 38 March 2015/No. 36
My Rehab Care = A+
Photo by Richard Greenhouse
Retired science teacher Gary Miller, 70, successfully recovered not once but twice in the Post-Acute Care Center at the Hebrew Home. Mr. Miller shared that his first stay was in 2014 following a stroke; the second, from this past April to July occurred after a sudden fall. Speaking to us by phone a few weeks after discharge, Mr. Miller, a winner of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and Science during the Clinton administration, asserted that his medical and therapeutic care was “absolutely amazing, A+.” The professionals in the Elsie & Marvin Dekelboum Therapy Center were all “top-notch.” Upon his most recent arrival, Mr. Miller says he required assistance for all activities of daily living.Thanks to three months of intensive therapy, he was back on his feet. Ann Matesi, executive director, Campus Therapy Services, oversaw the therapists who worked with him to resume his independent lifestyle and return home.
Outstanding outcomes, high satisfaction rates, low hospital readmission rates, the full conversion to electronic medical records, and a full-time, onsite staff of physicians dedicated to senior care make the Post-Acute Care Center a recommended choice for rehabilitation and recovery. The Hebrew Home of Greater Washington has a five-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a recognized measure of the quality of care provided. Under Ann Matesi’s guidance, the center’s staff has swelled to 35 specialists providing one-on-one treatment sessions in occupational, physical, and speech therapies. “We utilize functional outcome measures to determine patient progress,” she explains, noting that progress is often dramatic due to skilled clinicians coupled with cutting-edge therapeutic equipment. Last year, the Post-Acute Care Center served 1,075 individuals. The center specializes in treating: orthopedic conditions; medically-complex diagnoses; cardiopulmonary conditions; neurological changes; nysphasia; pain, featuring healing approaches that include acupressure, manual therapy, electrotherapy, postural alignment, and strengthening exercises. “We do it all with heart, ” states Matesi. “My staff genuinely cares about bettering the lives of individuals affected by illness.” Watch an informative video about the Post-Acute Care Center at www.smithlifecommunities.org. n Photo by Richard Greenhouse
Gary Miller regained strength and skills to return home in the Post-Acute Care Center’s life skills apartment. Towana Jackson was one of his therapists.
Inside this issue
3
Landow House residents married 75 years
4
An evening with cartoonist and author Roz Chast
6
Check out campus enhancements
HEBREW HOME • SMITH-KOGOD & WASSERMAN RESIDENCES • COHEN-ROSEN HOUSE ELDERSAFE CENTER • HIRSH HEALTH CENTER • LANDOW HOUSE • REVITZ HOUSE • RING HOUSE
7
People in the news
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More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com
Please take a moment to cast your vote for Charles E. Smith Life Communities in the “Best of Bethesda” Readers’ Poll.
• F ind the link on our website, www.smithlifecommunities.org or visit www.bethesdamagazine.com • O ur category is Senior Living Community in the Health & Fitness section • Voting ends September 21
First person
Quality services
The value of values For the current issue of our staff newsletter, I wrote about lessons I learned in earlier jobs that have shaped my approach to management here. One of these lessons, learned in a Catholicsponsored healthcare system mid-way in my professional journey, was how important it is to connect everything to the organization’s core values and mission. Our values, drawn from Jewish tradition, are accessible to all, and this issue of LifeTimes illustrates the many ways we live these values every day. Stories describing our five-star quality rating and how we help hundreds of people recover in our Post-Acute Care Center illustrate how we accomplish Derech Eretz, the value which we translate as fulfilling our mission. Our core values also include Limud, learning; Tzedek, justice; and Tikkun Olam, repairing the world. The informative programs we share with the community (read about them on page 4-5) and the educational opportunities we provide for staff and their children (see page 7) describe Limud. The renovations of Revitz House are one way we repair our world in a very concrete sense (page 6), and the contributions of individuals whose varied roles are described throughout this newspaper bring justice, generosity, dignity, ethical practices, and kindness to our community. I extend a personal invitation for you to join us at one of the upcoming programs in our calendar of events, and I wish Shanah Tovah to each of the donors, volunteers, lay leaders, and dedicated staff who continue to make our values and mission the heart of what we do every day,
What does a five-star rating mean? The five-star overall quality rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services places the Hebrew Home in the top echelon of nursing homes in Maryland, and recognizes achievements in: Health inspection — This rating is based on an annual onsite health inspection and on any complaint surveys. The health inspection rating contains information from the last three years. Quality measures — This rating is based on data in nine different areas, including pressure ulcers, falls with serious injury, and use of anti-psychotic medications. Staffing — Our rating is based on the average number of nursing care hours per resident per day, including the amount of care that was provided by a registered nurse. n
Warren R. Slavin President/CEO, Charles E. Smith Life Communities
In our mailbox Dear Mr. Slavin,
t her last four years at the SmithMy late mother Carmen Core-Rosa spen of our experience at Hebrew Home Kogod Residence and I want to inform you during those years. and loving care to her. Our family Your employees provided conscientious your employees showed us as we will never forget the kindness and patience to them. Your staff set our minds at suddenly had to entrust her delicate care d that she was comfortable, healthy, ease and kept us informed and reassure arture at the age of 102. Even remained active and content until her dep also feel very fortunate for receiving though we will forever miss Carmen, we your support. Sincerely, Alan Santana
Page 2 | September 2015
Engaged, vibrant, friends, speller, victory – these seven-letter words would all earn bonuses in Scrabble. Ring residents Edith Stein, Pearl Krepchin, Doris Hurwitz, and Marcia Phillips, are engrossed in their game.
Online now at www.smithlifecommunities.org: • Sign up for the Home Run Race • Register for community engagement events • Learn more about senior services and programs
WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
Say you saw it in the Beacon
49
Thelma Wacks’ Amazing Chocolate Bars Mix & beat for 1 minute: 1 ½ sticks soft margarine or butter (3/4 C) 1 box light brown sugar (2 ¼ C) 2 T white Karo syrup 2 tsp vanilla Blend in 3 unbeaten eggs.
Combine in sifter: 2 C unsifted flour 1/8 tsp baking soda 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt Add flour mixture all at once, blend well.
Special menschen
Stir in with spoon: 12 oz chocolate chips 4 oz chopped walnuts (optional) Place in 10”x15” baking pan. Bake in preheated oven at 350° for 25-30 minutes. ENJOY!
Focus on life
Julie Levy-Gallo discovers a safe home for her family’s Torah
Happily ever after Photo by Julie Levy-Gallo’s 11-year-old daughter, Jessica Gallo
Through a fortuitous stroke of serendipity, Julie Levy-Gallo’s quest to find the right home for a treasured family Torah led her to Charles E. Smith Life Communities. Newly elected to the combined Housing Boards (overseeing Cohen-Rosen House, Landow House, Revitz House, and Ring House), Gallo, 39, shared details about the Torah’s significance. The scroll was purchased by her great-grandparents, used by an Illinois conservative synagogue, and enjoyed Julie Levy-Gallo will serve on the Housing during many family celebrations. Gallo Boards and Board of Directors. brought the scroll with her to Maryland when she and husband Sam Gallo, chief investment officer for the University System of Maryland Foundation, settled here with their young children. Rabbi Michael Safra of B’nai Israel Congregation, where the Gallos are members, helped Gallo explore where the Torah might be most needed. He introduced her to Rabbi James Michaels, director of Pastoral Care on our campus, who assured her that we would be honored to receive the Torah on loan, and would ensure its safekeeping and continued use throughout the Jewish calendar year. The offer was joyfully accepted. Gallo has a master’s degree in speech-language pathology and worked with people with moderate-severe disabilities. Gallo reads avidly (she’s midway into Henry Kissinger’s World Order) and is developing expertise in trading options. We welcome the fresh vision she will bring to our campus. n
Landow House residents Jack and Shirley Serber and Thelma and David Wacks are two beautiful couples with some enviable accomplishments: they’ve lived lengthy, fruitful lives, are surrounded by adoring families, and are as committed to one another today as they were on their wedding days more than seven decades ago. “I fell in love with her at first sight,” muses Jack Serber, recalling how he met Shirley when they were college students working as camp counselors in 1937. “I’ve loved every minute with her since.” “As for me,” says Shirley, “it was just a summer romance.” How things changed! On August 18, the Serbers, both 96, celebrated their 75th anniversary. Thelma and David Wacks, 96 and 98 respectively, tied the knot June 14, 1942. “It is a miracle that you and Dad have been married for 73 years. The love you share sparkles down on whomever you meet,” wrote their daughter Diane Wacks in a Mother’s Day card. The Serbers and the Wacks share more than longevity and strong marriages. They moved to Landow House in 2015 for similar health, safety-related, and practical concerns, and they acknowledge the need for a level of care and support that only an assisted-living residence like Landow House can provide. As the couples settle into their comfortable environment, they can now resume the pursuit of lifelong interests — and enjoy each new day side by side. To learn more about assisted-living services, call Admissions Coordinator Sandy Levin at 301.816.5050 and try Thelma’s tempting recipe above. n
Jack and Shirley Serber, married August 18, 1940
‘‘ ’’
I fell in love with her at — Jack Serber first sight.
‘‘
When my husband and I first toured Hebrew Home with Rabbi Michaels,” says Gallo, “we were touched not only by the quality and comprehensiveness of rehabilitation and ongoing care, but also by the added warmth and compassion embodied within Jewish values. We are excited with our connection to the Hebrew Home, and I am looking forward to working with the board to continue the heartfelt — Julie Levy-Gallo mission of care and community.
’’
Thelma and David Wacks, married June 14, 1942
‘‘
The love you share sparkles down on whomever you meet. — Diane Wacks
’’
LifeTimes | Page 3
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More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com
For every 1 case reported 23 are not. The ElderSAFE Center is here to help. Referrals from community agencies are accepted at 301.816.5099 *Source: Under the Radar: New York State Elder Abuse Prevalence Study (2011)
Special events
Join us
Sunday, October 4, 2015 Rockville, MD
Sunday, October 18, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.
Bagel Brunch
at the Hebrew Home
Planning for Later Years: A Focus on Long-term Care Insurance
Sponsored by
This free event is for supporters and friends of
10K, 5K, 1 Mile, and Fun Run
For registration and information www.smithlifecommunities.org Race proceeds benefit Charles E. Smith Life Communities, serving Washington area seniors for more than 105 years.
Bagel Brunch at the Hebrew Home – Oct. 18 Join us at 9:30 a.m. for a brunch and panel discussion on long-term care insurance moderated by Senior VP/COO Bruce Lederman. The program for this complimentary event begins at 10:00 a.m. in the Hebrew Home’s Wasserman Residence. Panelists: Lizabeth Wagger, agent and financial planner, First Financial Group; Edward Hutman, CLTC, LTCP, managing partner, Baygroup Insurance; and Ann Jakabcin, Esq., principal and co-chair of the Estates & Trusts Practice Group, Stein Sperling Bennett De Jong Driscoll PC. n
Clergy Seminar and Luncheon – Oct. 29 Clergy of all faiths will learn how to recognize the signs of elder abuse and keep seniors safe. Encourage your religious leaders to attend Faith and Safety: Partnering with Faith Leaders to Support Older Victims of Abuse, Elder SAFE featuring Rev. Dr. Anne Marie Hunter, director of Safe Charles E. Smith Havens Interfaith Partnership Against Domestic Violence. Life Communities The complimentary event is a part of the Charles E. Smith Life Communities Clergy Outreach Program in partnership with the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Wasserman Residence. n Roz Chast
An evening with Roz Chast – Oct. 15 New Yorker cartoonist and award-winning author Roz Chast will share insights about communicating with aging parents and sign copies of her candid memoir, Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? Using handwritten text, drawings, and photographs, Chast addresses the realities of aging with tenderness, candor, and wit. Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? is a New York Times 2014 Best Book of the Year, 2014 National Book Award Finalist, winner of the 2014 Kirkus Prize, and a winner of the National Book Critics Award for autobiography. The evening begins at 7:30 p.m. at VisArts, Rockville Town Center. Registration, $36 per person, includes the presentation and dessert reception. Chast’s book is available for an additional $18 when you make your reservation. n
RSVP to Roz Chast, the Bagel Brunch, and Clergy Seminar at www.smithlifecommunities.org or call 301.770.8329.
LifeTimes is published quarterly by the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington, Inc., dba Charles E. Smith Life Communities. The Hebrew Home is a registered charity in Maryland and Virginia. A copy of the Home’s financial statement is available from the Maryland Secretary of State or the Virginia State Office of Consumer Affairs. We are an equal opportunity employer and we provide access to community programs without regard to race, age, national origin, familial status, religion, sex, or disability. Our services and programs are open to all in E. the community. Charles Smith
Elder SAFE
Joseph B. Hoffman, Chair Warren R. Slavin, President/CEO Abbey S. Fagin, V P, Development and Public Affairs Marilyn Feldman, Director, Communication Hannah Buchdahl, Assoc. Director, Communication Emily L. Tipermas, Communication Specialist © 2015 by Hebrew Home of Greater Washington 6121 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD 20852 301.881.0300 www.smithlifecommunities.org
Life Communities
Support us through a gift to United Way
Page 4 | September 2015
3 check 8111 or CFC n 3 check 49705. n
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September is Falls Prevention Month Take advantage of these free programs open to the community.
Tuesday, Sept 22: Learn about safety mechanics, devices, fall recovery, home safety recommendations, and more from a physical therapist. 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., Ring House meeting room | 1801 East Jefferson Street, Rockville Thursday, Sept. 24: Learn how you can reduce your fall risk from an occupational therapist. 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., Revitz House activity center | 6111 Montrose Road, Rockville RSVP to Falls Prevention programs. Call Wellness Coordinator Crystal Key, 301. 816.5048
Remember This:
Two free seminars addressing crucial topics in dementia and memory care
Updates on Alzheimer’s treatments – Oct. 29 Our free Remember This lecture series for professional and family caregivers opens this fall with Updates on Alzheimer’s Treatments, presented by neurologist Paul Dash, MD, of Johns Hopkins Community Physicians and Johns Hopkins Medical School. Dr. Dash will review medications, the potential of nutraceuticals (foods with health benefits) and other non-pharmacological treatments, and anticipated therapies.
Dr. Paul Dash
Spiritual approaches to memory care – Nov. 12
Michael Wilbon
The Remember This series continues in November with a panel discussion to offer support and guidance for caregivers moderated by Rabbi James Michaels. Panelists include:
An evening with Michael Wilbon – Nov. 11
Rabbi Steve Glazer, principal, Glazer Consulting As a congregational rabbi for more than 40 years, Rabbi Glazer has had extensive experience counseling individuals caring for aging family members and those with dementia.
Join us Wednesday, November 11, at Woodmont Country Club to meet and hear one of today’s most popular sports commentators, Michael Wilbon.
The Rev.Wayne H. Larson, senior director, Spiritual Life, Integrace/Copper Ridge As an Episcopal priest, a good part of his ministry has been devoted to serving individuals with dementia in residential communities and in the parish.
Wilbon co-hosts ESPN’s award-winning show Pardon the Interruption, is a contributor to ESPN’s and ABC’s coverage of the NBA, and is a columnist for ESPN.com. He also appears weekly on ESPN Radio 1000 in Chicago and ESPN Radio 980 in Washington, DC, with Tony Kornheiser. Wilbon began his career as a reporter at The Washington Post in 1980. From 1990 to 2010, he was the paper’s sports columnist, commenting both on the issues of the day as they related to sports and on what transpired on the fields or courts. He left the Post to assume an expanded role with ESPN and ABC. The event, including cocktails, dinner, and networking, begins at 6:30 p.m. Registration is $125 per person. Register at www.smithlifecommunities.org or call 301.770.8329. n
Sister Kathleen Weber, C.S.C., coordinator, Holy Cross Caregiver Resource Center Sister Kathy Weber, has been providing caregiver support services in Montgomery County for 20 years. She provides support to caregivers and senior care professionals about 400 times each month. The Remember This lecture series is sponsored by the Hurwitz Lecture Fund, and offers continuing education credit. Both lectures take place at Landow House: 5:30 p.m., complimentary supper; 6:00 p.m., lecture. n
RSVP to Remember This seminars call Marketing Director Jill Berkman, 301.816.5052.
Like us
watch us
follow us
As part of our ongoing effort to keep residents, family, friends, and staff informed, engaged, and yes — sometimes even entertained! — Charles E. Smith Life Communities invites you to stay connected to us 24/7 through our website, www.smithlifecommunities.org, and through social media. Here’s how to connect: Facebook (www.facebook.com/ceslc) – “Like” our page and give us some feedback. YouTube (youtube.com/c/hebrew-homeorg) – See highlights from recent events. Twitter (@ceslchhgw) – Find the latest senior-related news. We welcome your comments. Send us a message through facebook or email us at info@ceslc.org. n
Anachnu M’vorachim.We are blessed. Popular Jewish rock singer Rick Recht performed for children from the Jewish Community Center preschool and residents at Charles E. Smith Life Communities as cameras captured the engaging spirit of this intergenerational moment. Watch for our newest video, We are Blessed, at our November and December events.
LifeTimes | Page 5
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More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com
A bit more assistance | A big difference in life
“You created a setting that is incomparable in every respect.” Discover why memory care at Cohen-Rosen House and assisted living at Landow House are so special. Call 301.816.5050.
Campus enhancements Phased construction offers advantages and a new look to Revitz House
Your Home. Your Life. Your Community.
Wide-ranging support services, kosher dining, diverse opportunities for recreation and personal growth, transportation, robust fitness and wellness programs — Revitz House offers all of this and more in an affordable setting. Seniors who choose this Charles E. Smith Life Communities residence appreciate the advantages of a warm, welcoming, and convenient home that exemplifies our mission. Now, this affordable independent-living residence is celebrating many new enhancements that are coming into place as part of a multi-year construction project. The next construction phase will focus on an extensive remodeling and redecorating of the entire first floor. To learn about these initiatives and to arrange a personalized tour, contact Marketing Coordinator Mary Sweeney, 301.770.8450. n
A soaring front-door canopy improves access for emergency vehicles and provides enhanced shelter for residents entering or leaving the building in inclement Joseph Shipper, 99, with President/CEO Warren weather. Slavin’s assistance, cuts the ribbon for the stunning new Revitz House front-door canopy. Mr. Shipper has lived at Revitz House for 30 years and was delighted with the honor.
Photos by Richard Greenhouse
A 2015 Top Vote Getter
A surprising opportunity at Ring House
At Ring House, your choices shape your day. With spacious studios now available, you can be located in the hear t of Rockville. Take advantage of all of the amenities and services of a gracious community, all at a surprisingly affordable price. From $1,417 monthly to income-eligible residents. Your new lifestyle choice just became easier. Call us today to schedule a private tour at 301.816.5012. 1801 East Jefferson Street | Rockville, MD 20852
Malka Finkel boosts her strength and endurance in the new Rehabilitation and Wellness Center at Revitz House.
Page 6 | September 2015
Friendly conversation and the convenience of new laundry rooms on each floor brighten wash day. Shirley Klavan, left, and Mary Keltner enjoy the new amenities.
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“We’ve made Charles E. Smith Life
Communities a beneficiary in our wills so that others can get the same great care our mother got.” — Ken and Marsha Braunstein To learn how you can do the same, contact Elana Lippa at 301.770.8342 or lippa@ceslc.org.
www.smithlifecommunities.org
People in the news After 32 years of exemplary service and dedication to our mission at Charles E. Smith Life Communities, nursing assistant Mary Belmo on 4 South celebrated her retirement at a warm farewell party. “She has always shown kindness and respect to all, recognized the individuality of our residents, and ensured their dignity,” said assistant director of Nursing Olivia Kitcher-Yamikeh. Larry Salkin inspected the power of this hefty Civil War cannon when Revitz House residents toured the Gettysburg battlefield and went on to lunch at General Pickett’s Inn. Residents like Larry are constantly on the go, taking advantage of a rich schedule of outings to malls and historic, cultural, and entertainment sites.
Staff spotlight Keith Colbert, director of Environmental Services, with his daughter Monica, who is one of 52 children of staff who have been awarded Judge Milton Korman Scholarships through Charles E. Smith Life Communities. Monica received her scholarship in 2008; she graduated from Syracuse University with degrees in math and secondary math education and teaches algebra at Forest Oak Middle School in Gaithersburg.
Rose Grossman shows off the results of her horticulture class taught by Montgomery County Master Gardeners at Ring House. Watch the class at work on YouTube.
Continuing the family tradition of generously sponsoring delightful luncheons for residents each year, Sylvia Greenberg, joined by her son Ken, hosted a July luncheon at Woodmont Country Club. The elegant setting, delicious menu choices, and live music were a much-appreciated treat for 92 residents from across the campus.
Volunteer spotlight Christiana Nakhla, a student at Montgomery College, escorted Hebrew Home resident Paula Wolff to Hebrew classes at the nearby Jewish Community Center. Christiana enjoyed her time with “Mrs. Paula,” and even learned some Hebrew along the way.
What makes art specifically Jewish? Moment Magazine Senior Editor Eileen Lavine led a spirited discussion of this question at Ring House. As residents, including sculptor Marilyn Simon, pictured above, offered opinions about traditional Jewish symbols, artists, or subjects, other seniors added observations about contemporary art and photography.
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Our calendar SEPTEMBER
NOVEMBER
13
4
Shanah Tovah 5776 Our best wishes for a new year filled with good health and blessings to residents, families, staff, volunteers, and the community we serve. Call 301.881.0300 to learn about holiday services on our campus. Rosh Hashanah begins sundown Sept. 13 Yom Kippur begins sundown Sept. 23 | Sukkot begins sundown Sept. 27
OCTOBER
4
Home Run 10K, 5K, 1 Mile, and Fun Run Federal Plaza, Rockville | Early bird rates end Sept. 20 Register to run/volunteer: www.smithlifecommunities.org
House at Ring House 13 Open 1:00-3:00 p.m. Open to the community; tour our independent living residence, enjoy refreshments, and learn about surprisingly affordable options. RSVP: 301.816.5052
15
An Evening with Roz Chast Cartoonist and author of Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? 7:30 p.m., VisArts, Rockville Town Center Event, $36 | Event plus book, $54 RSVP: www.smithlifecommunities.org
Mah Jongg and Bridge for Fun at Ring House 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., $5 includes lunch | RSVP: 301.816.5052
Spend the day with
Dragons&Hearts
12 Remember This free lecture series
Spiritual Approaches to Memory Care, a panel discussion 5:30 p.m. supper, 6:00 p.m. lecture, Landow House RSVP: 301.816.5052
Evening with Michael Wilbon 13 An ESPN commentator and former Washington Post sports columnist. 6:30 p.m., cocktails, dinner; Woodmont Country Club | $125 RSVP: www.smithlifecommunities.org or 301.770.8329
DECEMBER
10
18
Bagel Brunch Senior VP/COO Bruce Lederman moderates a panel on long-term care insurance. 9:30 a.m., Wasserman Residence | Complimentary event RSVP: www.smithlifecommunities.org or 301.770.8329
27
President’s Circle Dinner 7:00 p.m., National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC | A complimentary event for 2015 donors of $6,000+ Details: 301.770.8329
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Seminar and Luncheon for Clergy Faith and Safety: Partnering with Faith Leaders to Support Older Victims of Abuse; Rev. Dr. Anne Marie Hunter, Safe Havens Interfaith Partnership against Domestic Violence 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Wasserman Residence | Complimentary event RSVP: 301.770.8409 Remember This free lecture series Update on Alzheimer’s Treatments Dr. Paul Dash Johns Hopkins Medical School 5:30 p.m. supper, 6:00 p.m. lecture Landow House RSVP: 301.816.5052
Celebrate! at AMP by Strathmore Featuring a performance by comic mind reader Eric Dittelman 6:30 p.m. at AMP by Strathmore, a dazzling new venue at Pike & Rose Complimentary event for 2015 donors of $500+ RSVP opens online in mid-October.
Eric Dittelman, comic mind reader
OTHER EVENTS 1st Sunday of the month – Jewish War Veterans Meeting Ring House | 10:00 a.m. | Veterans and interested persons welcome. 2nd Monday of the month – Family Caregiver Support Group Presented jointly by Ring House and JSSA Senior Services. Ring House | noon – 1:30 p.m. | Free, open to the community. Call 301.816.2635
How to Reach Us n Cohen-Rosen House n ElderSAFE Center n H irsh Health ebrew Home n H 301.816.5050 301.816.5099 Center Post-Acute Care www.cohen-rosen.org www.eldersafe.org 301.816.5004 Center and long-term care n L andow House n R evitz House n Ring House 301.770.8476 301.816.5050 301.770.8450 301.816.5012 www.hebrew-home.org www.landowhouse.org www.revitzhouse.org www.ringhouse.org Page 8 | September 2015
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Leisure &
View fall foliage from a new vantage point, such as a balloon, river raft or covered wagon. See story on page 57.
Balkans, now at peace, are worth a visit They also served as reminders that, not long ago, bitter warfare raged in the region. But the only shooting we did was with our cameras, and taking pictures of scenery as dramatic as that which surrounded us, the results had to be outstanding. Forest-clad countryside lies in the shadow of craggy mountain peaks. Ancient walled cities and tiny hillside towns are rich with life and allure. Mother Nature displays her handiwork in scenic gems that include inviting beaches, stunning coastal scenery, and cascading waterfalls that compete in beauty if not size with Niagara. The pre-departure Information I received referred to the trip as “Crossroads of the Adriatic,” and to the four compact countries on the itinerary — Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Slovenia – as “multicultural lands of forgotten beauty.” We did not visit Serbia and Macedonia, which were also once part of Yugoslavia. The tiny sizes of our destinations — the four together have a total area about equal to New York State – made traveling between them convenient. At the same time that similarities became evident, so did differences based in part upon divergent ethnicities and cultures.
Tiny but diverse lands
Dubrovnik and Zagreb
Border checkpoints through which my trip group passed reminded us that we were traveling between independent nations.
Major cities, as well as charming towns and villages, are among the attractions. Dubrovnik, which clings to a narrow
PHOTO BY VICTOR BLOCK
By Victor Block As I strolled along ancient ramparts that encircled the small medieval city, the view changed with each twist and turn. On one side was a labyrinth of narrow streets lined by tile-roofed stone buildings. In the other direction were stunning views of the Adriatic Sea. Not very far away, the setting was very different. In an area about the size of Connecticut, I traveled through a varied terrain of rugged mountains, deep canyons and inviting beaches. And mountain villages, rolling meadows, and a city that ranks high on many a traveler’s favorites list greet visitors to an adjacent country that shares a history with its neighbors. Few trips I have enjoyed anywhere included as much diversity and diversion as my “Crossroads of the Adriatic” tour with Overseas Adventure Travel. Crisscrossing four miniscule countries that once were part of Yugoslavia, I delved into intriguing chapters of history, cultures and religions, oohed and aahed at a kaleidoscope of magnificent scenery, and checked out local life in both tiny towns and magnificent cities.
PHOTO BY VICTOR BLOCK
The Old Bridge in Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina was originally built in the mid-16th century. After it was destroyed in the Bosnian War 20 years ago, this exact replica of the historic bridge was built.
Ban Jelacic Square in Croatia’s capital of Zagreb is a gathering spot for locals. Zagreb’s history dates to Roman times, and today the city has a population of about 800,000.
stretch of land at the southern tip of Croatia, is one of the most prominent tourist resorts of the Mediterranean. It doesn’t take long to understand why. Its Old Town neighborhood exudes a Middle Ages atmosphere from when it rivaled Venice in wealth and power. A number of palaces and other prominent landmarks date back to that golden era. The main feature is ancient fortified walls that encircle the city, set off by a series of turrets and towers. Walking along the top of the fortification provides dramatic views of the architectural treasures in the Old Town, and an understanding why Dubrovnik is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Zagreb, the capital of independent Croatia since 1991, has been a cultural center since the Middle Ages and boasts an inviting array of museums. A number of them are perched in the hilly, historical Upper Town, which visitors may reach on foot or by a 55-second ride in what’s said to be the shortest funicular in the world. The pedestrian-friendly Lower Town has inviting squares and parks. The center of action is Ban Jelacic Square, where locals gather to stroll, socialize and sip refreshments at outdoor cafes. Despite the appeals of Croatia’s major
cities, it was the capital of tiny Slovenia that became the new favorite European metropolis of many in my tour group. Ljubljana (pronounced Loo-blee-AH-na) is a bustling urban center with broad promenades and inviting pedestrian walkways. A section of stone wall, statues and mosaics are among reminders that this was the site of a Roman town dating to the year 14 C.E. Overlooking the setting from a hilltop is Ljubljana Castle, which dates back to the early 12th century and was reconstructed following an earthquake in 1511.
Visiting villages Small in size but no less interesting are towns and villages scattered about the Balkans. While many have attractions worth exploring, several stand out in my mind. Karanac, a village of about 1,000 people in Croatia, exemplifies rural charm. It’s located in what’s known as the Bread Basket of Croatia. Grapes have been grown on the surrounding hills since Roman times. Another claim to fame is its multi-ethnic population of Croats, Serbs, Hungarians and Germans who live together in harmony. Tiny Hum is little more than a dot on See BALKANS, page 56
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Balkans From page 55 maps. A 2001 census counted 17 residents, but I was told that a mini-population explosion has increased the number to 25. Documents date the settlement to the early 12th century, and some houses are built into defensive walls that were constructed to protect the town. Mostar follows a stretch of the Neretva River in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and has a history as one of the most ethnically diverse towns in the region. Its attractions range from graceful 16th and 17th century mosques to crowded shop-lined streets. The Old Bridge over the river is one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks. Originally built by the Ottomans in the mid-16th century, the graceful stone span stood for more than 400 years before
being destroyed during the Bosnian War. Visitors today see an exact replica. If any city may be said to share both a happy and tragic past, it is Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina. For several hundred years, it was a cultural and religious haven where Serbs, Croats, Turks, Muslims, Jews and others lived in harmony. That peaceful picture came to an end during the fierce ethnic fighting that followed the death of Marshal Tito and only ended in the 1990s. Visitors to Sarajevo receive stark reminders of the bitter warfare that took place when the city was surrounded and its mostly Bosnian population came under constant attack by Serbian forces. The most dramatic introduction is in the Tunnel of Life, a mile-long underground passage that residents began building in 1992. By the end of the siege, nearly four
MEMORY CARE QUESTIONS?
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FINDING THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE: Fall Open House Saturday, September 26 • 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Tour our specially designed community, meet our team, and discover the right perspective on memory care
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years later, men, women and even children had made more than five million trips through the low tunnel carrying food, medical supplies and small weapons.
Beautiful beaches and lakes Very different and much happier settings are encountered at water-related attractions in the Balkan countries. For those seeking a sun-and-sand respite, Croatia has beautiful beaches along its southern Dalmatian Coast. More than 120 beaches line the short shoreline of Montenegro. More dramatic scenery awaits visitors to Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia. Water that fills a line of 16 lakes separated by natural dams spills down hillsides in a series of cascades toward a river at the bottom. Adding to the portrait-like setting are the colors of the water — sky blue, emerald green, rock gray — that reflect the surroundings. Equally magnificent in a different way is Lake Bled in Slovenia. Overlooking the lake from a steep cliff is Bled Castle, which dates back to the early 12th century. On a small island in the lake, which may be reached in a pletna boat (the local version of a gondola), is a small but graceful 17th-century church. The little house of worship is a popular wedding venue, and a good luck tradition calls for the groom to carry his bride-to-be up the 98 stone steps to the building, and for the couple to make a wish and ring the bell so it will come true. By the time I pulled the bell rope, my wish had already come true. I was experiencing four intriguing countries that are small in size but large in terms of attractions and appeal.
If you go Overseas Adventure Travel lives up to its motto of “Learning and Discovery.” In addition to the must-see attractions of a destination, its itineraries include lesservisited but equally inviting places. In addition, guides have flexibility to alter plans in order to take advantage of unexpected opportunities that crop up. On my trip, these included stopping at a tiny 18th-century church whose parish priest served blueberry strudel he had made, and accompanying a truffle hunter and his dog on a search for that prized fungus. For information about OAT trips throughout the world, call (800) 955-1925 or log onto oattravel.com. With learning and discovery, both accommodations and food become part of an OAT trip. We spent one night in a traditional century-old farm house in Karanac, meeting the resident livestock and enjoying a hearty homemade breakfast. We also stayed in a city hotel built adjacent to the remains of a 16th-century inn that once provided overnight shelter to caravan drivers. Our food discoveries focused on the specialties of wherever we happened to be. We became used to hearing our guide, Ivana, insist, “You can’t leave (name of town or area) without sampling the (gastronomic specialty).” Among treats for our taste buds were truffles that aficionados rate among the best in the world, Slovenian sausage, dietbusting Croatian custard cake and heartshaped gingerbread cookies, and locally made brandies just about everywhere.
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New ways to encounter, enjoy fall foliage By Victor Block As they gently sail above the treetops, Jill and Bill Kelly enjoy the scenery passing below their hot air balloon. The ride is very different for Mark and Marylee Sutherland as they help steer a rubber raft through a stretch of rock-strewn river and over a 12-foot-high waterfall. Meanwhile, Nancy and Victor Goodman travel at a much slower pace, in a horsedrawn covered wagon rolling along a high ridge that early explorers called the “top of the world.” These disparate experiences seem to have little in common, but all three couples share a common goal. They sought, and have found, new ways — and places — to enjoy the annual fall foliage show that is among Mother Nature’s most magnificent handiworks.
“Leaf peepers” seeking to enjoy the annual Technicolor display have many more choices than a drive along a traffic-clogged road or a hike through the woods. They also can find surprising places around the country to take in the multihued spectacle, and imaginative ways of doing so.
Ballooning over New England The ride that the Kellys enjoyed is operated by aptly named Balloons Over New England, located in Vermont. The flight has been likened to an aerial nature walk that skims over two river valleys and offers distant views of the Green Mountains. The treat for the eyes is followed by one for the taste buds, with a champagne, fruit and pastry repast. As with any excursion planned to view fall foliage, the peak period can change a bit PHOTO COURTESY OF BUENA VISTA SKI AREA
One unusual way to explore fall foliage is by covered wagon at the Buena Vista Ski Area in Minnesota.
from year to year. In Vermont, color usually begins in late September and lasts to mid-October. For more information, call Balloons Over New England at 1-800-788-5562 or log onto www.balloonsovernewengland.com. Rather than gliding gently over treetops, Mark and Marylee Sutherland alternated opportunities to enjoy vibrant color along river shorelines with frantic paddling as the raft in which they traveled shot through heart-stopping rapids. Trips offered by the Nantahala Outdoor
Center in North Carolina and Tennessee pass through steep gorges and mountain backdrops that are blanketed with trees that burst into color during September. Those who prefer to view the foliage in a more leisurely way have a choice of less challenging rivers. For more information, call (828) 785-5082 or log onto www.noc.com. As avowed landlubbers, the Goodmans found a covered wagon ride at the Buena See FALL FOLIAGE, page 58
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Fall foliage From page 57 Vista Ski Area in Minnesota to be the perfect way to enjoy the fall colors. They jounced over a route that was traveled by Native Americans, early explorers and pioneers. Activities at this year’s annual Fall Color Festival, Sept. 19 and 20, will include
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square dancing, blacksmith demonstrations and chainsaw carving. Wagon rides are available at any time with advance reservations. Call 1-800-777-7958 or log onto www.bvskiarea.com. A variety of other conveyances awaits those seeking a new and different way to view foliage. The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad offers
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a chance to view not only foliage, but bald eagles as well. The four-hour ride, which leaves from Romney, W.V., uses vintage locomotives from the 1950s, and includes several open-air cars for optimal eagle spotting as the train passes prime habitat. The railroad also offers special 1½-hour fall foliage trips from Petersburg, W.V., on selected dates in October. Trains depart twice daily on Saturdays in September and daily in October, with a number of departures on Saturdays and Sundays. To learn more, call (304) 4240736 or see http://www.potomaceagle.info. Or how about a thrilling flight in a World War II-era open cockpit airplane that can carry two passengers? Training planes and fighter aircraft fly low over rolling hills and California vineyards. Those who are adventurous and brave enough may ask the pilot to take them through aerobatic maneuvers. The color of grape vines at ground level don’t pack quite the visual wallop of a tree canopy, but the red and yellow leaves against
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a backdrop of green have a beauty all their own. For more information, call (707) 9382444 or log onto www.vintageaircaft.com.
Zip lines and ski resorts It’s true that zip lines don’t go as high or fast as airplanes, but zipping though and above treetops clad in a coat of many colors can be just as rewarding. One place among many to enjoy this experience is the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, which has the largest stand of old-growth forest east of the Mississippi River. The kaleidoscope of autumn colors there lasts for several weeks, beginning in September at the highest elevations and moving down mountainsides into November. The diversity of trees adds to the spectrum of vibrant hues. Information is available from the Tennessee tourism office at 1-800-462-8366 and www.tnvacation.com. While a number of ski resorts throughout the country operate their lifts during the foliage season, Snowmass in Colorado does most of them one better — and then some. There’s a reason the town it’s in is called Aspen. The trees of that name turn the 2.3 million acres of surrounding national forest a brilliant shade of gold. It’s no wonder that Travel + Leisure last year ranked it among America’s Best Towns for Fall Colors. More than 50 miles of hiking trails pass through groves of golden aspens. Jeep and horseback tours are available for those who would rather ride than walk, and a gondola carries bikers to a high perch from which they follow downhill or cross country trails to the bottom. Those who take the chair lift to its 11,000-foot top are rewarded with a panoramic view of the rugged Elk Mountain range. For more information, call 1-800-6793151 or log onto www.gosnowmass.com. If, after considering the alternatives, you still prefer the tried and true ways of enjoying the changing leaves, you still might find some surprises. For example, how many people are aware that leaves of dogwood, maple and red alder trees in Oregon display a rainbow spectrum of color? An autumn hike in the Rogue River National Forest passes through old growth trees that provide a variety of fall shades, and the Santiam Pass Scenic Byway leads past waterfalls and a volcanic landscape set off by vibrant colors. For more information, call 1-800-5477842 or log onto www.traveloregon.com. When planning a leaf peeping driving getaway, would you be likely to head for Arkansas? Yet that state experiences a color extravaganza that begins in October in the northern Ozarks, moves slowly south and peaks in late October and early November. A favorite route is the Boston Mountains Scenic Loop (yes, in Arizona), which traverses nearly undeveloped mountain areas and tree-covered canyons. The Talimena National Scenic Byway, which winds along forested mountain tops in one of the highest ranges between the Appalachians and Rockies, offers a series of breathtaking panoramas. For more information, call (501) 6827777 or log onto www.arkansas.com.
Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel
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Your age can save you money on travel By Ed Perkins If you’re at least 60 years old, depending on where you are, you may qualify for a senior discount on many travel services. And AARP members age 50 or over can also get in on some of the deals.
Air and train travel Over the last two decades, seniors have lost out almost completely in scoring good airline deals. Only two serious deals are still offered: Although Southwest’s fares for those 65 and older are higher than its lowest “Wanna Get Away” advance-purchase fares, they’re about half the price of the “Anytime” fares that are the only ones left after the cheapest disappear. British Airways offers discounted tickets to AARP members of $65 in economy, $130 in premium economy, and $400 in business class. Seniors can do pretty well on some train tickets: Amtrak offers 15 percent discounts on coach tickets, system wide, to those age 62 or over, excluding most tickets on the high-speed Acela trains. VIA Rail Canada routinely offers 10 percent system-wide discounts to people age 60 or over, in both coach and sleeper accommodations. But VIA Rail offers much
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bigger discounts every week on “Discount Tuesday” to travelers of any age. Eurostar “Chunnel” trains offer varying discounts if you’re 60 or over. BritRail, France, and several other railpasses also offer senior options. Those 60 or over enjoy discounts on individual train tickets in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Some other European countries offer discounts up to 50 percent to holders of rail-issued senior cards. Other countries limit senior discounts to local pensioners. And Japan does not offer senior discounts on either tickets or passes.
Public transit Many U.S. transit agencies offer senior discounts, typically around 50 percent, to riders age 65 or over. Some accept a Medicare card as ID to buy senior tickets; others require that you first obtain an ID from the transit agency. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia offer the best deals: Local transit and suburban rail are free at all times, and regional rail in Eastern Pennsylvania costs only $1 per ride. Just show your Medicare card. Seniors don’t do as well outside the U.S. The big Canadian systems don’t seem to offer senior deals, nor do most of the big European and Asian transit systems.
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Hotels and rental cars Many U.S. hotels offer discounts to customers, usually 5 to 15 percent off regular rates, starting at age 50 for AARP members, and at varying ages for non-members. Anyage members of AAA and other organizations get similar discounts. But short-term promotional deals and “opaque” rates for travelers of any age often beat these modest senior discounts. Senior hotel discounts are rare in Asia and Europe, other than some from the big
55+ Inderjeet Jumani REALTOR® Senior Real Estate Specialist 703.472.8804 ijumani@LNF.com www.IJumani.com Alexandria / Old Town Historic District 400 King Street ~ Alexandria, Virginia 22314
worldwide chains. One other problem: As far as I can tell, the big metasearch engines and OTAs do not find senior deals, so you have to book directly with the hotel chain’s website. The Avis/Budget/Payless group offers AARP members reductions of 5 to 25 percent on car rentals, plus reduced prices on some ancillary services and some insurance benefits. © 2015 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
ALEXANDRIA (703) 671-5600 • 1462 Beauregard Street ALEXANDRIA (703) 683-4433 • 415 Monroe Avenue ALEXANDRIA (703) 823-3584 • 3130 Duke Street ALEXANDRIA (703) 548-8357 • 503 King Street ALEXANDRIA (703) 823-7430 • 5101 Duke Street ARLINGTON (703) 671-2331 • 5017 Columbia Pike ARLINGTON (703) 522-0260 • 3133 Lee Highway ARLINGTON (703) 522-1202 • 256 North Glebe Road ARLINGTON (703) 243-4239 • 2121 15th St. N. ARLINGTON (703) 418-0813 • 2400 Jefferson Davis Highway
WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
Say you saw it in the Beacon
Style
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Arts &
The musical The Fix includes costumed song and dance numbers.
Political musical needs a little fixing up and predictable. Until the end, anyway. We fans of Signature Theatre know we’re not going to see a truly bad musical at the Shirlington complex. Director Eric Schaeffer is a genius, and his deft touch shows here. He has taken trite material and whipped it into something more than palatable. The grumbling from some theater patrons exiting the Max showroom centered on the sketchy story and the too many songs stretching out the running time. Not on the performances or the production values: Those are first rate.
PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER MUELLER
By Michael Toscano Don’t believe the advertising that says The Fix, now onstage at Signature Theatre, is a rock musical. It’s not. The music does range rather fluidly through a variety of 1960s-accented, middle-of-the-road pop genres, though, with some nice stops along the way at a couple of smoky blues numbers, lite jazz, some march-able anthems, and even some show-bizzy, tapdancing music hall tunes. The music is great, if sounding a bit dated at times. Fortunately for me, I don’t mind something dated if it’s good vintage, which much of this is. Also don’t believe the promotional material that suggests this is some kind of revealing expose of modern political machinations and dynastic dynamics. It’s not. It is a re-working of material that has been explored ad nauseum in books, film, TV and on the stage for about six decades now. Actually, the material about dynastic power plays goes all the way back to Macbeth. The characters are familiar cardboard cut-outs, propped up only by the prodigious talents of the powerful cast. So here is what you should believe: You will probably enjoy the first act quite a bit. The music, the dancing, and the over-thetop performances blend into a pretty entertaining hour and ten minutes. By the middle of the second act, however, you will begin checking your watch as the songs and story line grow less distinct, and the plot becomes increasingly shallow
Presidential heir apparent The Fix opens with a leading presidential candidate expiring in the throes of lust with a mistress. So, who in the family is next in line for the White House? The dead man’s cruelly calculating widow doesn’t want to waste the years she has been clawing her way to the top, so she hits her inner re-set button. Being the mother of a president rather than the wife of a president will have to do. Enter the slacker prince to the dynastic throne, a lethargic but charming stoner, who suddenly finds himself pressed into service. Keeping things all in the family, it is left to the prince’s uncle, brother to his late father, to make his rise to the top happen. He is, after all, the political genius who has actually been pulling all the right levers over the years. If you’re a Republican, you can enjoy thinking this is all a dig at the Kennedys. Or maybe the Clintons. (The show was original-
Grahame Chandler (played by Stephen Gregory Smith) plots with sister-in-law Violet (played by Christine Sherrill) to get his nephew (her son) nominated for president in Signature Theatre’s production of the musical The Fix.
ly staged in 1998, during the Republican impeachment fever over President Bill Clinton.) If you’re a Democrat, you can easily envision the Bush dynasty, with a version of George W as the hapless prince. All while enjoying a swinging little orchestra and great dancing and singing. So there’s something for everyone. Well, maybe not Trumpers.
Mired in the past The conceit of the show is that we’re supposed to think we’re being shown shocking new things — like dynastic politics, candidates reading speeches off TelePrompters, or consultants hammering See THE FIX, page 62
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Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com
The Fix From page 61 campaign talking points into a candidate’s head. Or that politicians are people, with the problems people have. It’s only when the show lampoons and
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
celebrates — wallows actually — in those things with a sense of tongue-in-cheek fun that any of that is interesting. Writers John Dempsey and Dana P. Rowe, whose The Witches of Eastwick some years back was extremely enjoyable at Signature, are supposed to have worked
with Schaeffer to modernize the show. I did not see the original version, so I can’t recognize the new elements, other to note that whatever they did, the show still seems quite anachronistic. Especially so as Hunter Kaczorowski’s costumes and Misha Kachman’s set design blur time and place. I think it’s supposed to be the 1960s, though, because everybody smokes, and when the heir to the political throne is sent off to war to beef up his resume, he ends up in a jungle rather than a desert.
Energetic, tuneful cast In the supporting role of dead Senator Reed Chandler, irrepressible Bobby Smith luckily keeps popping up to visit with his son Cal, played by fresh-faced and sixpacking Mark Evans. Smith, in fact, gets the show’s most pithy line when he counsels a reluctant Cal to accept his political birthright, saying, “Life isn’t about who you are. Life is about who you’re See THE FIX, page 63
BEACON BITS
Oct. 3
WOUNDED WARRIORS 5K RUN
The annual McLean 5K Run will take place on Saturday, Oct. 3 in McLean Square, located at 6631 Old Dominion Dr., McLean, Va. This year’s run will benefit Wounded Warrior Transitional Housing at Vinson Hall Retirement Community, which is home to retired military and federal government officers. Their transitional housing offers a home for young and wounded veterans who need special care. For more information, visit www.mclean5k.com.
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Sept. 25+
SHARING WWII VET STORIES
The Library of Congress has launched a campaign to preserve the stories of WWII veterans residing in the Washington area, and seeks volunteers to be a part of this project by interviewing veteran relatives or friends. Choose a free two-hour training session: Friday, Sept. 25 at noon, the same day at 5:30 p.m., or Saturday, Sept. 26 at 10:30 a.m. All sessions will be at Whittall Pavilion in the Thomas Jefferson building of the Library, located at 101 Independence Ave. SE, Washington, D.C. The lives of deceased veterans can be memorialized by photographs, original letters and military documents. For more information about the program, visit http://www.loc.gov/vets or call 1-888-371-5848.
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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style
WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
The Fix From page 62 meant to be. That’s how you get there.” Smith injects energy into every scene he’s in, never more so than when he teams up with the always dependable Lawrence Redmond for a colorfully-costumed, tap-dancing song right out of Tin Pan Alley, called “Two Guys at Harvard” to push off Act Two. Here, Matthew Gardiner’s appropriately showy and energetic choreography is delightfully creative. Redmond, after all, is playing the polio-stricken family fixer, the brother and Uncle Grahame Chandler. And Gardiner works his crutches into the beats. Look for a couple of bright cameo spots from fan fave Tracy Lynn Olivera as a political vocal coach, and Will Gartshore, who we haven’t seen enough of the last few years, playing against type as a redneck convict with a stake in this game. The show ultimately belongs to Christine Sherrill, however, as the combination Lady MacBeth/Joe Kennedy character of momma Violet Chandler. It will be hard to overlook this performance come the next Helen Hayes Awards. If Redmond subtlety layers his Grahame with strains of shame and hidden desires, Sherrill goes into full Cruella de Vil mode. She’s deliciously manipulative, not evil as much as she is a creature of pure cunning. And she can sing. She grabs the audience by our collective throats with her torchy
number “Spin” and well, just this: wow! When son Cal gets a medal, she beholds it with awe. “A Purple Heart,” she exclaims. “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful. I’m going to redo the entire living room in yellow so it pops.” And we buy that. Sherrill fills the theatre with force of personality, a blend of arrogance and vulnerability that keeps us from hating her. This is, after all, the story of her ambition. And the story ends in a spot it might better have picked up with near the top of Act One. To say more would be a spoiler, but the story might then have been much more interesting, and in this particular election cycle, much more relevant.
to availability. At sold-out performances, rush rates will only be applicable for obstructed view seats. Members of the military and veterans can get a 20 percent discount off all tickets. The theater is accessible for people with disabilities, though it is recommended that
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special seating needs be mentioned when tickets are purchased. Free listening devices are available. Free parking is available in nearby public garages. For general information, contact Signature at (703) 820-9771 or visit www.signature-theatre.org.
BEACON BITS
Sept. 10
SPELLING BEE CONTEST Comfort Keepers is hosting its fourth annual Senior Spell-Off, a
spelling bee featuring competitors from senior centers, communities and nursing homes all over Loudoun County, which will benefit the Leesburg Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). The event runs from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Sept. 10 at Falcon’s Landing, located at 20522 Falcon’s Landing Circle, Potomac Falls, Va.
If you go The Fix continues through Sept. 20 at Signature Theatre’s MAX Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., in Arlington. Performance schedule: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. An open captioned performance will be held Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $40 to $96 and may be purchased online at www.signaturetheatre.org, by calling Ticketmaster at 703573-SEAT, or by visiting the Box Office during business hours, weekdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and weekends from noon to 6 p.m. “Rush” tickets cost $30 at the Box Office beginning one hour prior to show, subject
For more information, email reston@comfortkeepers.com.
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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
Now is always the time to sculpt a future When you turn the corner into your 70s, you don’t expect your career to soar. At that age, most careers wind down, willingly or not. It’s time to accept that you aren’t the 18-hour-a-day wonder that you once were. It’s time for golf, grandchildren or tiddledywinks. It’s very rarely time to forge a whole new path. But well-worn paths haven’t met my pal Jay. We grew up together. We grew old together. He has been my friend for more than 69 years. We met as babies in strollers, when his mother sauntered up to mine in a playground and decided that the two women — and their little boys — should be friends. Like so many of us, Jay has had several
employment incarnations over the years — some successful, some not. He worked on board a schooner-for-hire in the Caribbean. He taught mathematics. He did behind-the-scenes tech work in movies. He helped run a T-shirt business. But as his 70s approached, he decided to scratch an itch that had been forming for most of his life. He decided that it was time to become a sculptor. The idea wasn’t to make a commercial go of it. Very few sculptors do. The idea was to dabble for the sheer psychic satisfaction it would bring. If he never sold a single piece, well, that’s how most artistic cookies crumble. Except that Jay has sold hundreds of pieces.
He will probably sell hundreds more, as his most popular pieces now being sold all soon as he gets back from the foundry in over the world. Jay’s subjects range from Thailand, where they turn his mothers and children, to brainstorms into actual, finpets, to simulations of ished art. storms, to flocks of birds. His My guy is bidding to besculptures are very airy — if come a latter-day Grandma a hunk of metal can be airy. Moses. He’s making wall hangThey seem about to lift off ings, mobiles, and the occainto space. sional mock elephant that can They are…. yes, artful. sit in your back yard. And he’s As for the artist… well, banking a lot of checks in the you’d never know his occupaprocess. HOW I SEE IT tion to look at him. He never Jay’s success is a great By Bob Levey wears anything except khakis cause for celebration whenever we get together. It’s also a great way to and oxford shirts. He is bald. He is fit and say nanny-nanny-boo-boo to those who trim. He looks like a retired librarian. think that boldness and new directions are But under that relaxed exterior beats the for those in their 30s. motor of purpose. “I can’t wait to get into the “If I had decided to make a commercial studio,” he tells me every time I see him. success of all this, it probably wouldn’t “It’s always a pleasure. If it felt like have happened,” Jay told me a couple of work, I wouldn’t do it.” months ago. “The coolest part about this is Jay is lucky in so many ways, and he that it all just kind of happened. One thing knows it. His health is good. His wife is led to another.” better. His stamina is excellent. He has What he means is that one sculpture enough money saved that he will not be brought some oohs and aahs from a eating out of cans if he is suddenly unable woman in New York. Which led to a com- to sell any of his art. His attitude is best of all. He isn’t trying mission from another woman in New Jersey. Which led to a commission to do a to “become a brand,” as so many younger piece for the lobby of a New York City office building. Which has led to copies of See BOB LEVEY, page 67
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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style
WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
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BEACON BITS
Sept. 8+
FIND A JOB
The Jewish Council for the Aging’s (JCA) Career Gateway Program can help seniors looking to enter or re-enter the workplace. The program will help participants hone resumes, polish networking and interviewing skills, use Internet job search, and turn age and experience to their advantage. Each session features 30 hours of small-group classroom instruction over five days, comprehensive take-home materials, practical exercises, and a long-term mentor. The next session, takes place in September on Tuesday, Sept. 8; Thursday, Sept. 10; Friday, Sept. 11; Wednesday, Sept. 16; and Thursday, Sept. 17. The cost is $75. Sessions run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call Ellen Greenberg at (301) 255-4215 or email egreenberg@AccessJCA.org.
Ongoing
MOCO LIBRARY E-BOOKS
Montgomery County Public Libraries lends free e-books, just like regular library books. Books can be read on a computer, laptop or tablet. Borrow up to 6 items at a time. There are never fines because the titles return themselves. Members must have a library card and PIN. Don’t have an ereader? Borrow one from the Gaithersburg, Long Branch or Olney branch libraries. For more information, visit http://montgomerycountymd.libguides.com/elibrary or call (240) 777-0001.
Oct. 30
Affordable Senior Communities Discover how great senior living is at one of our affordable apartment communities. Many of our communities feature 24-hour emergency maintenance, full activities programs, spacious floor plans, affordable rents, caring and dedicated staff, and much more. We are conveniently located near shopping, including grocery stores and pharmacies. Let us help you live life to the fullest. Call or visit our web site to view these communities:
FREDERICK COUNTY BRIDGES
Montgomery County presents a van tour of the many bridges of Frederick County, including kissing bridges, haunted bridges and covered bridges. Learn about their architectural features, the legends surrounding them, and the special role they played in American transportation. Bring money for a buffet lunch after the tour. The group will meet at the Brookside Nature Center, located at 1400 Glenallan Ave., Silver Spring, Md. The cost is $30. The van will depart at 9:30 a.m. and return at 2:30. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/BridgesFrederickCountyTour.
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FALLS PREVENTION PROGRAMS through GROWS SEPTEMBER 1 • 2-3 pm BRAINS DON’T BOUNCE: What You Should Know about Falls and Memory Arden Courts Potomac 10718 Potomac Tennis Lane, Potomac, MD 20854 RSVP (301) 980-2656 or Potomac@arden-court.com Speaker: Susan I. Wranik, MS, MA, CCC-SLP LSVT Certified Susan I. Wranik Associates, L.L.C. www.speakskill.com
SEPTEMBER 8 • 11:30 am-12:30 pm BATHROOM SAFETY FOR FALLS PREVENTION Charter House 1316 Fenwick Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301) 495-1600 Speaker: Ashok Kapur DHC Medical Supply www.dhcmedical.com
SEPTEMBER 9 • 1:30-2:30 pm BRAINS DON’T BOUNCE: What You Should Know about Falls and Memory Brighton Gardens – Friendship Heights 5555 Friendship Boulevard, Chevy Chase, MD RSVP (301) 656-1900 - Theater Room Speaker: Susan I. Wranik, MS, MA, CCC-SLP LSVT Certified Susan I. Wranik Associates, L.L.C. www.speakskill.com
SEPTEMBER 9 • 1-2:30 pm MINIMIZE YOUR FALL RISK Rockville Senior Center 1150 Carnation Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 240-314-8812 Speaker: Deborah Werner, DPT ProAction Physical Therapy www.proactionpt.com September 10 • 2-3:00 pm FALL RISK ASSESSMENTS Victory Court Senior Apartments 209 Monroe Street, Rockville, MD 20850 (301) 294-1111 In partnership with Asbury Methodist Home Care www.victorycourt.com September 11 •1-2:30 pm BATHROOM SAFETY FOR FALLS PREVENTION Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center 1000 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring, MD 20901 (240) 777-8085 Speaker: Ashok Kapur DHC Medical Supply www.dhcmedicalsupply.com September 14 • 12:30-1:30 pm HOW MEDICATIONS AFFECT BALANCE Elizabeth House 1400 Fenwick Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301) 587-7838 Speaker: Fariborz Zarfeshan, RPH ALFA Specialty Pharmacy www.alfapharmacy.com September 15 • 11 am-Noon HOME MODIFICATIONS FOR GREATER SAFETY & INDEPENDENCE Benjamin Gaither Center 80 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 (301) 258-6380 Speaker: Steve Hage Strategies for Living www.strategiesforindependentliving.com September 15 • 6:30-7:30 pm DECLUTTER YOUR WAY TO SAFETY: PREVENT TRIPS AND FALLS! Sunrise Senior Living at Montgomery Village 19310 Club House Road, Montgomery Village, MD 20886 (301) 921-0445 Speaker: Pam Holland Mindful Decluttering & Organizing www.clutterfree.now
September 15 • Noon-1 pm BRAINS DON’T BOUNCE: What You Should Know about Falls and Memory TASS (Taiwanese American Senior Society) Taiwanese Presbyterian Church of Washington 7410 Needwood Road, Derwood, MD 20855 Speaker: Susan I. Wranik, MS, MA, CCC-SLP LSVT Certified Wranik Associates, L.L.C. www.speakskill.com September 15 • 2:30-3:30 pm BATHROOM SAFETY FOR FALLS PREVENTION Town Center Apartments 90 Monroe Street, Rockville, MD 20850 (301) 424-5450 Speaker: Ashok Kapur DHC Medical Supply www.dhcmedicalsupply.com September 16 • 2-3:00 pm WHO WILL CATCH YOU WHEN YOU FALL? Holly Hall Apartments 10110 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20903 (301) 495-1600 Speaker: Nelson LeRoy Push Button Emergency Help www.pbehelp.com September 17 • 10 am-Noon BRAINS DON’T BOUNCE: What You Should Know about Falls and Memory Asbury Methodist Village – Wilson Health Care Center 301 Russell Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 (301) 216-4001 Speaker: Susan I. Wranik, MS, MA, CCC-SLP LSVT Certified Susan I. Wranik Associates, L.L.C. www.speakskill.com September 17 • 12:30-2 pm GET HIP! DON’T SPLIT! Sunrise on Connecticut Avenue 5111 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC RSVP requested (202) 966-8020 Lunch included! Genesis Rehabilitation Services www.sunriseseniorliving.com September 18 • 3-4 pm YOGA FOR BALANCE AND CLARITY: Build Strength to Reduce Fall Risk Waverly House Apartments 4521 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814 (301) 986-0052 Speaker: Jane Stelboum SARASVATE - Yoga for the Brain www.sarasvate.com September 21 • 2:30-3:30 pm FALL RISK ASSESSMENTS Moskowitz Social Hall Homecrest House 14508 Homecrest Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20906 RSVP Nancy Wolford (301) 244-3576 nwolford@homecresthouse.org in partnership with Asbury Methodist Home Care www.homecresthouse.org September 21 • 3:30-4:30 pm FALL RISK ASSESSMENTS Edwards Social Hall 14508 Homecrest Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20906 RSVP Nancy Wolford (301) 244-3576 nwolford@homecresthouse.org in partnership with Asbury Methodist Home Care www.homecresthouse.org September 22 • 2-3 pm BALANCE SCREENINGS Brooke Grove Retirement Village 18100 Slade School Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860 (301) 924-2811 in partnership with MedStar Montgomery Medical Center www.bgf.org
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
This notice sponsored by September 22 • 3-4 pm FALL PREVENTION: Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Falling Brooke Grove Retirement Village 18100 Slade School Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860 (301) 924-2811 in partnership with MedStar Montgomery Medical Center www.bgf.org September 22 • 4-5 pm BALANCE SCREENINGS Brooke Grove Retirement Village 18100 Slade School Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860 (301) 924-2811 in partnership with MedStar Montgomery Medical Center www.bgf.org September 22 • 2-3:00 pm WHO WILL CATCH YOU WHEN YOU FALL Forest Oak Towers 101 Odendhal Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 (301) 258-1040 Speaker: Nelson LeRoy Push Button Emergency Help www.pbehelp.com September 22 • 1-2 pm DECLUTTER YOUR WAY TO SAFETY: PREVENT TRIPS AND FALLS! Holiday Park 3950 Ferrara Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20906 (240) 777-4999 Speaker: Pam Holland Mindful Decluttering & Organizing www.clutterfree.now September 22 • 11:15 am BALANCE COUNTS Kentlands Manor 221 Booth Street, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 (888) 614-8244 RSVP 301-740-8870 or email Tom@CarePlusInc.com Speaker: Priti Prahbu, PT, MPT Mobility and More, LLC www.mobilitynmore.com September 22 • 1-2 pm FALLS FREE Ring House – Meeting Room 1801 E Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 816-5000 Speaker: Kathy Aiken, PT RehabCare www.ringhouse.org September 23 • 10-11 am REDUCING THE RISK OF FALLS FOR PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA White Oak Community Recreation Center 1700 April Lane, Silver Spring, MD (240) 777-694 Speaker: Lindsey Vajpeyi, BA, ADC/MC Alzheimer’s Association, Nat’l Capital Area www.alz.org September 24 • 2-3:00 pm STAY SAFE Revitz House – New Activity Center Room 6111 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 881-7400 Speaker: Kristen Brown, OT RehabCare www.revitzhouse.org September 24 • 3:30-4:30 pm FALLS PREVENTION Kensington Park Senior Living The Highlands 3620 Littledale Road, Kensington, MD (301) 946-7700 www.kensingtonparkseniorliving.com Speaker: Angela Onyekanne, DPT and Geriatric Master Clinician Genesis Rehabilitation Services
September 24 • 2-3:00 pm BRAINS DON’T BOUNCE: What You Should Know about Falls and Memory St. John’s Episcopal Church, Norwood Parish 6701 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda-Chevy Chase, MD 20815 (301) 654-7767 Speaker: Susan I. Wranik, MS, MA, CCC-SLP LSVT Certified Susan I. Wranik Associates, L.L.C. www.speakskill.com September 25 • 2-3:00 pm BUILDING BETTER BALANCE Arcola Towers 1135 University Blvd W, Silver Spring, MD 20902 (301) 649-3590 Speaker: Aubrey Reinmiller, PTA, CPT and Peter Francis, CSCS GOLDEN YEARS PERSONAL TRAINING www.goldenyearspt.com September 25 • 1-2 pm BRAINS DON’T BOUNCE: What You Should Know about Falls and Memory Friendship Heights Village Center 4433 S Park Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 (301) 656-2797 Speaker: Susan I. Wranik, MS, MA, CCC-SLP LSVT Certified www.speakskill.com September 27 • 12:30-2 pm FEET FIRST: BALANCE AND STABILITY River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation Aging Well 6301 River Road, Bethesda, MD 20817 (301) 229-0400 Speaker: Dr. LaVergne Andre, DPM Home Feet Cares www.homefeetcares.com September 29 • 8-9 pm BRAINS DON’T BOUNCE: What You Should Know about Falls and Memory Maplewood Park Place 9707 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814 (301) 530-0500 Speaker: Susan I. Wranik, MS, MA, CCC-SLP LSVT Certified Susan I. Wranik Associates, L.L.C. www.speakskill.com September 29 • 2-3 pm STRATEGIES FOR FALLS PREVENTION AND SAFETY Five Star Premier Residences of Chevy Chase 8100 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 (301) 907-9894 Speaker: Kathleen Andreone, PT, DPT Director of Rehabilitation, Five Star Rehab and Wellness www.fivevestarseniorliving.com September 30 • Noon-2 pm BRAINS DON’T BOUNCE: What You Should Know about Falls and Memory Asheir Manor, Assisted Living 19230 Mateny Hill Road, Germantown, MD 20874 RSVP (301) 250-6660 or pam@asheirmanor.com Lunch and Open House Speaker: Susan I. Wranik, MS, MA, CCC-SLP LSVT Certified Susan I. Wranik Associates, L.L.C. www.speakskill.com September 30 • 10:30-11:30 am FEET FIRST: BALANCE AND STABILITY Ingleside at King Farm 701 King Farm Blvd, Rockville, MD 20850 (240) 499-9015 Speaker: Dr. LaVergne Andre, DPM Home Feet Cares www.homefeetcares.com
Bob Levey From page 64 people would if big success floated up to their docks. “I honestly don’t care if I never sell another piece,” he told me recently. “I do this for me.” But as of last spring, he did it for me, too. A major wedding anniversary approached. Jay stopped by to visit. I suddenly realized that I had bought my spouse nothing to mark The Big Day. Jay and I lumbered out to his truck. In the back was a small-scale model of his best-known piece — a figure of a mother holding her baby up to the heavens. I bought it on the spot. And the spot is
what it hit when the mother of my children took one look at it. So here’s to the guy who saved me from the cliché of forgetting my wedding anniversary. Here’s to the guy who refused — and refuses — to slow down. Here’s to the guy who has galleries calling him to arrange shows. Here’s to my favorite latein-life success story. And here’s to the fuse he has lit. Once upon a time, you see, there was this book I was going to write. I put it aside. It fell to the very bottom of the to-do stack. That was decades ago. Last week, I dusted it off and started typing... Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.
BEACON BITS
Ongoing
THE COMPUTER DOCTOR
The Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center is home to the Computer Doctor, a program where volunteers help members with their personal computers or devices at the center for free. The “doctor” is in on the second Tuesday and Thursday of each month from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Preregistration is required. The center is located at 1000 Forest Glen Rd., Silver Spring, Md. For more information, call the center at (240) 777-1269.
Onoing
ONE-ON-ONE TECH TRAINING
Arlington County Public Library offers free one-on-one tech training by appointment in half-hour sessions. Tech assistants can help you with basic computer tasks, programs like Microsoft Word or Excel, troubleshoot problems with your personal device, download ebooks or audiobooks, create email accounts and more. Bring account passwords, devices or other relevant tech. For more information or to register, visit http://arlingtonva.libcal.com/booking/techhelp.
BEACON BITS
Oct. 6
MANSION AND MUSEUM DAYTRIP
home and gardens that overlook the Brandywine River and learn about the gun powder works that made the DuPont fortune. Then the group will tour the Nemours Mansion and Gardens. The motor coach departs from Green Spring Gardens, located at 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria, Va., at 7:30 a.m. and returns at 6:30 p.m. For more information or to register, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/getaways.htm or call (703) 642-5173.
ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD
FROM PAGE 68
Green Spring Gardens presents a daytrip to visit the Hagley Museum and Nemours Mansion in Wilmington, Del. Tour the original DuPont
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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
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2. Mimic 3. Fish, sold at a 32 Across 4. Acted like a weed 5. You and I 6. Campus military grp. 7. Bandit 8. More tubby 9. Berry often used in health supplements 10. French art style that sounds like it got caught in an echo chamber 11. Ground force weapon 13. Member of the “Geek Squad” 16. Cricket matches 21. Reed instrument 22. Daytime dramas 26. Letters on a dentist’s diploma 27. Topic of the 1st Amendment 28. Brewpub offering 29. Golden Girl Rose or Blanche (but not Dorothy) 30. Goal for Indiana Jones 31. Columbus’ fastest ship 36. Kama ___ 38. Extremely loyal 40. Last Star Wars episode directed by Lucas 41. Daniel in the lions’ ___ 42. Mothers and fathers have them; aunts do not 44. Home run king 46. Shrinking Asian sea 48. Avoid the question 49. ___ to go (enthusiastic) 50. Lawrence’s location 51. Drew out 52. “Don’t ___ on Me!” 57. Takes a vow 58. Pump up one’s resume 59. Spills the beans 60. Part of a choir 61. Holder of a Learner’s Permit, most likely 62. Jekyll : good :: ___ : evil
Answers on page 67.
Answer: Important to do in trying times -- KEEP TRYING Jumbles: PUDGY KETCH PRAYER NINETY
WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
Letters to editor From page 4 react to any situation — fight or flight — and I think everyone on that train car should be ashamed of themselves. I’m a 47-year-old man who weighs 140 pounds; the attacker was 240 and solid muscle. I had just lost over 50 pounds in a month, and one week after the incident I was diagnosed with stage three esophageal cancer. I am currently going through chemo and radiation, so I have a chance to live through this. I really believe we should go back to the mentality of the 1800s, where everyone had a gun on their hip. Then and only then will all this senseless victimizing stop. People have become brazen in committing these crimes, but if everyone had a gun, these idiots wouldn’t be doing this. All I ever learned the one time in my life I got locked up was how to read law books, [and I did that] so if I decided to stay on the wrong path I would know about the loopholes. Fortunately, I went the other way and gave 31 years to becoming an accomplished chef. I don’t start trouble, but would kill or die without hesitation for those I love and care about. Herbert E Ritter, Jr. Baltimore Dear Editor: I do not know if it is financially advantageous to invest in Correction Corp. of American and GEO Group as Kathy Kristof suggests in “Crime may not pay, but fighting it does” (August). I do know I will not invest in them because what they do is not in line with my values. The U.S. prison population (a quarter of the world’s prison population) is disproportionately black — 37 percent of males and 22 percent of females in 2013 according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice. With the passage of mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes in the 1980’s, the prison population increased from 24,000 to more than 210,000 today. Many of those serving are for nonviolent offenses. The monetary cost to us as taxpayers just for incarceration has gone from $540 million in 1980 to almost $6.9 billion today. This does not include the social cost and the resulting social service costs. Corrections Corp. of America (CCA) and GEO Group (GEO), both founded in the 1980s, make their money from this ever increasing prison population. Combined, CCA and GEO can house over 150,000 people. Is this what you want your hard earned dollars supporting? Would investing in these corporations be in line with your values? Ruth Noel Silver Spring, Md. Dear Editor: I got a real kick out of Bob Levey’s August column on driving a stick shift. Both my kids were taught to drive on my little stick shift Toyota years ago, since their mom (me) still refuses to get a car with automatic transmission. My father, who owned an auto accessory store in Brooklyn, taught me that, “I
Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style
ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie
drive my car, my car does not drive me.” I still can hear his voice whenever I am tempted to get a car with automatic. I had a similar experience to Levey’s when, on a recent weekend, our tennis club had a large overflow, and a young man told me that he would park my car. I asked him if he could drive a stick, and of course, blushing, he asked to me to park it myself since he did not know how. I admire Bob Levey for going the extra mile and actually teaching the 20-something how to drive his car. Maybe next time? Lynda Sussman Pikesville, Md. Dear Editor: Your column “What could we have done?” (August) was what we all need to hear and do if this horrible crime is ever repeated and we are there. It is unfathomable that no one helped that young man. Your example of what many could have done is spot on. Peace to the victim and his family. Mary Anna Vineyard Washington Grove, Md.
WB 9/15
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CLASSIFIEDS The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on page 71. CAVEAT EMPTOR! The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibility for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment. EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS: We will not knowingly or intentionally accept advertising in violation of federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap in connection with employment or the sale or rental of real estate.
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N
For Sale/Rent: Real Estate
For Sale/Rent: Real Estate
Personals
LEISURE WORLD® – $235,000. 2BR 2FB “K” in Villa Cortese, table space kitchen, huge enclosed balcony, treetop view, 1353 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463.
LOW RENT – NE DEANWOOD AREA, senior citizen seeks assistance in home maintenance and driving in exchange for bedroom, semi-private bath, utilities and cable. No overnight guests. Background check and clearance request. Middle age and clearance request. Middle age or senior male preferred. 202460-4040.
HUSBAND OF BRAIN-INJURED WOMAN seeks Long-Term Relation with Marriage in Mind. In my late 60s, DC area, active and fit, gentleman. Wife in accident 2 years ago with major brain injury, mental and physical abilities poor, no communication or companionship. Relation reduced to caregiver. No immediate divorce now, but want relation with good lady. Marriage likely. Race irrelevant. Please contact Paul at saver7777@aol.com.
LEISURE WORLD® – $259,000. 2BR 2FB “EE” model in “Vantage Point West.” Open floor plan, upgraded kitchen, separate dining room. Spacious enclosed balcony. 1260 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® – $269,900. 2BR 2FB “FF” model in “Vantage Point East.” Open tablespace kitchen, separate dining room, enclosed balcony. 1305 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® – $300,000. 3BR 2FB “L” in Greens. Rarely available, with garage + 2 storage rooms, spacious living and dining rooms, enclosed balcony with 2-tiered verticals, close to elevator. 1610 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® – $289,900. 3BR 2FB Cabot patio home, 1-car garage, part of garage converted to breakfast room, fireplace in living room, new carpet. Utilities included in condo fee. 1193 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463.
Caregivers
LEISURE WORLD® – $175,000. 2BR 2FB “J” model in “Greens.” Golf-course view from enclosed balcony, new paint and carpet. 1317 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463.
CHEVY CHASE HOME CARE – reliable certified caregivers at time of illness, infirmity, loneliness. Personal assistance, ALL AGES, 4- to 24-hour shifts, homes, hospitals, nursing homes. MD, DC, No. VA. Tel.: 202-374-1240. www.ChChHomecare.com.
LEISURE WORLD® – $269,000. 2BR + Den 2FB “K” in “Greens.” Table space kitchen with large pantry/storage, balcony open to living room and both bedrooms. 1480 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463.
COMPASSIONATE CERTIFIED CAREGIVER – Home Care Companion available to care for senior or adult with disabilities. Reliable, devoted, experienced, own car and excellent references. CPR, first aid, hospice, mental aid certified. I can provide respite care, concierge, plus more services for your loved one. Please call 301263-5695, kindly leave a message.
LEISURE WORLD® – $128,500. 2BR 2FB “E” in “Fairways.” Move-in ready, new paint and carpet, close to the elevator, across from the exit to the grassy area. 980 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463.
LICENSED NURSING ASSISTANT – 25 years experience. Honest, reliable, available day or night. Please call Babeth at 240-351-7295. HOME AIDE NEEDED PT – Near Silver Spring Metro (young woman with slight disability). Help with shopping, meals, housekeeping, outings, good pay, flexible hours. Call Dee at 301-328-7614. HOME NURSE CERTIFIED by the American Red Cross, over twenty years of experience. If you need a home caregiver that is reliable, companionate, devoted, patient and kind, call me. 202-549-4058. “A” HOME HEALTH CARE – Experienced nurses, CNA, GNA are available 24/7. Cooking, companionship, personal care, housekeeping, driving. Full/Part-time or live-in. Flat rate for live-in care. 15 years experience. 240-533-6599. HYGIENE CARE, MEAL PREPARATION, Housekeeping, Errands, Appointments, Medication reminders, Companionship. I’m a loving, experienced, trusted caregiver available for FT/PT or Live-In care for a flat rate. Call 301-490-1146. ELDERLY CARE – FEMALE care provider, English speaking, with car. I cook, clean and take to all appointments. I’m experienced in caring for people with MS, Alzheimer’s and other health problems. Excellent references. 301-275-7283. I WILL CARE FOR YOUR LOVED ONES night/day. Own transportation. Good references. Lots of experience. 301-502-2258.
Computer Services PROBLEM WITH YOUR PC/MAC OR NETWORK? Computer Systems Engineer will come to you with help. Call: David G at 301-642-4526.
Entertainment SCHEDULED BUS SERVICE TO HORSESHOE CASINO Baltimore & the Maryland Live! Casino from Northern Virginia. Contact D u l l e s To u r s a t 7 0 3 - 5 9 2 - 9 9 0 5 o r v i s i t www.dullestours.com. PICKLEBALL: IDEAL GAME FOR SENIORS. Courts can be set up in 30’x 50’ space and/or tennis courts can be lined. For fee lessons and/or equipment, go to www.pickelballcraze.com or call (703) 281-2899.
LEISURE WORLD® – $72,000. 1 BR 1FB “Raleigh” coop. Spacious living and dining rooms, glass enclosed balcony, new paint and carpet, utilities included in monthly fee. 990 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-9283463. LEISURE WORLD® – $285,000. 3BR 2FB “Sherwood” patio home. Updated kitchen and baths, new appliances, garage conversion to great room. 1665 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® – $184,900. 2 BR 2FB “G” in Fairways. Garage parking, updated tablespace kitchen, hardwood floors throughout, treetop view. 1195 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. NORTH POT. VILLAGE – $295,900. Sundrenched, rear corner 2BR 2FB apt. in small enclave of mid-rise elevator building and villas. Updated kit. Appliances, carpeting. 2 walk-in closets, balcony. Garage parking. Handicap accessible. Conveniently located across from Kentlands. 62 y.o. + independ. living alternative at its best! Michael Greenberg, Weichert, Realtors. 301-674-7928. GOLDEN GIRLS HOUSE SHARE for 2 separate single women (45-75 y.o.) will be available sometime this winter or spring 2016, in charming Takoma Park, MD. Beautiful 3-story, 3-person “gingerbread” house overlooking woods with stream. Gracious open space middle floor with table-space kitchen, fireplace, deck/hot tub. Choose: sunny, walk-out efficiency with wide porch ($995) or top-floor bedroom ($595). Both: private full bathrooms, unfinished, newly painted/carpeted, utilities extra. One limited rent barter possible. Especially seeking outgoing, very kindhearted, interpersonally-mature, welleducated, fun, politically liberal, broad-mindedGod-believing, night-owl, non-smokers with integrity. Join similar welcoming (energy/pain-disabled) homeowner for (minimum 2-year) peaceful camaraderie and friendships (sorry, no pets). Email: CircleWoodsHome@gmail.com. RENTAL IN LEISURE WORLD. Furnished room in lovely townhome. Female- 55+, nonsmoker. Utilities included. Available 10/1/15. Call 301-598-4433. $850 per month. LOOKING FOR A QUIET AND FRIENDLY WOMAN between the ages of 55-70 to share my lovely home in a quiet area of Silver Spring, MD. Must be a strict vegetarian, non-smoker and non-drinker. The rent is $600/month including utilities. Call Carol at 301-754-1289 between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
LOOKING TO TAKE THE LEAP? I’ll take you on a tour of the community, show you floor plans, discuss campus amenities, & offer how to best coordinate your move. I will preview units & contact you with a match. I also offer exceptional service selling your home. I’m a Seniors Specialist, Buyer Broker, Top 1% of Agents Nationwide, and a Leisure World resident! You can see my current listings on page 64. Contact me: 301-580-5556, SueHeyman@aol.com, www.SueHeyman.com, Weichert, Realtors.
For Sale GOLF CLUBS, GLASSWARE, TABLE RADIO, bill collection, portable radio, bike helmet and basket, Rookwood tiles, silverware boxes, knitting items, rotary phones, old platters, cigar boxes, table sewing machine, pottery, cookie cutters, brass items, fur hat and muff, records, opera programs, doctor’s office scale. Call between 9 AM and 11 AM, 202-265-0882. TWIN BED NEW (NEVER USED), orthopedic pillow top + all linens, paid $459 with taxes, sell $185 cash. 703-591-6321. NATIONAL MEMORIAL CEMETERY, FALLS CHURCH. 2 Plots, Section F.F. near Lords’ Supper Memorial, value $7,100 each. Sell for $3,000 each. Good investment. Call Jack, 703-356-8853. KING DAVID CEMETERY PLOTS – 4 available. Lots 161 and 162. $2,500 each. Much cheaper than purchasing from source. Call Mike, 301-977-0969. 2 SALVADOR DALI woodblock prints from Dante’s Divine Comedy. Signed and framed. Asking $900 for the pair. Can email pictures if desired. Call Steve, 410-913-1653. BOOKCASES, RECORDS, CHINAWARE crystal. Copper items, books, knitting and sewing items, sheet music. Call between 9AM to 11AM. 202-265-0882.
Health PAID RESEARCH STUDY: Participants needed for NIH-funded hearing experiments conducted at the University of Maryland, College Park. Seeking people ages 35-80 with hearing loss who use hearing aids. English must be your first language. The study evaluates the benefits of a computerized training program for hearing aid users. Participation time: ~40 hours, scheduled in visits of 1.5-2 hours; $10/hr. Total compensation for completing the study is $500. Contact the Hearing Research Lab (301-405-7454; hearingresearch@umd.edu).
Miscellaneous THE GOLDEN NETWORK offers Jewish seniors and retirees a variety of engaging programs, including lectures, classes, one-on-one learning in person and by phone, concerts, sing-alongs and more! For more information and details about upcoming events, call 301-732-1773, email info@goldennetwork.org, or see goldennetwork.org.
Personals VERY ACTIVE (75 YEARS) WIDOW LADY. Educated, history buff, enjoy reading, long walks, watching old films and college football on TV, some travel. I am 5ft. 3in. without shoes. 112 pounds. Others can decide if I’m pretty. I can state that I am not homely. Seeking an educated, Caucasian (7580) gentle man companion (preferably a widower in the DC area) who enjoys life, has a good sense of humor and who is financially secure. Sarahblanche4321@gmail.com. AFRICAN AMERICAN IVY PROFESSIONAL in his late 60s. Tall, attractive, fit, medium weight, active, humorous, laidback, man often mistaken for early 50s, regular gym exercise, financially upscale, semi-retired; enjoys, among other activities, dancing, fine dining, travel, ballet, sports, cooking, museums and concerts; seeks attractive, intelligent, communicative 47-plus year old woman of any race. jovialpundit@gmail.com.
Personal Services READY TO DE-CLUTTER? Sort, donate, discard. Reasonable rates. Call Jan, 301-933-7570. VIRGINIA PARIS SHUTTLE – PICK UP & DELIVERY service. If you need boxes, small furniture, appliances, packages or other items delivered to you or to another location, call Mr. Penn, 703-896-2545. “Spring Cleaning Time.” HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE looking to clean your house. Good reference and experience. Please call Vio, 301-706-6317. CHERYL’S ORGANIZING CONCEPTS LLC – Professional Organizing Services. Help with all aspects of home organizing. Experienced – References – Member NAPO. All work confidential. Licensed – Bonded. $25 discount on initial appointment. www.CherylsOrganizing.com. 301-916-9022. WILL TYPE YOUR MEMOIRS, manuscripts, etc. For info and rates, call 703-671-1854. NEED TO SEND A LETTER to Pepco, the MVA or your landlord? For rates to compose it, prepare it, and send it, call Beverley at 301-8900235.
Wanted WE BUY JEWELRY, SILVER, GOLD, AND COSTUME. Coins, Paper Money Too. Watches, Clocks, Military Badges and Patches Old and New. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. OLD AND NEW, WE BUY STERLING SILVER FLATWARE, Tea Sets, Single Pieces of Silver, Large pieces of Silver Plate. Attic, Basement or Garage. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. You have something to SELL, we are looking to BUY. CASH FOR RECORDS & CDs. BEST PRICE GUARANTEED. Free appraisals. All types of music, 33, 45, 78 & CDs. Call Steve 301646-5403. Will make house calls. OLD PHOTOS, 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURY. Stereo views (double photos on cards). Daguerreotypes. Photos in brown cases. Other photos on cards. I can’t drive. I’m in a big downtown Silver Spring apt bldg, early parking. I pay fairly! Call Bruce, 301-767-5249 or montgomerymath@yahoo.com. BUYING MILITARY MEMORABILIA WW2, WW1, Civil War uniforms, weapons, photos and items associated with US, German, Japanese or items of other Military History. DAVE, 240-4640958. HIGHEST CASH PAID FOR ANTIQUES, JEWELRY, ESTATES. I have been advertising in the Beacon for 20 years. Montgomery County resident – will travel to D.C., MD, VA. Buying following items: Furniture, art, jewelry, gold, sterling silver, old coins, vintage pocket and wrist watches, old tools, books, camera, military items – guns, rifles, knives, pocket knives, swords etc. Also buying: old toys, dolls, trains, comic books, photographs, autographs, musical instruments, guitars, violins, etc. Also old sports memorabilia and equipment – baseball, golf, football, fishing etc. Please call Tom at 240-476-3441. MILITARY ITEMS WANTED: Collector seeks to purchase military uniforms; flight jackets, patches, insignia, medals, etc. from the Civil War through Vietnam. Especially seeking U.S. Army Air Corps, USMC, Airborne, and German/Japanese/Italian items from WWII. ALSO BUYING old Boy Scout, Airline Items, Toys, Lighters. Call Dan, 202-841-3062. CASH FOR JEWELRY: Buying jewelry, diamonds, gold, platinum, silver, watches, coins, flatware, etc. We make house calls. Ask for Tom. Call anytime 301-654-8678 or 301-654-0838. STAMP COLLECTIONS, AUTOGRAPHS purchased/appraised – U.S., worldwide, covers, paper memorabilia. Stamps are my specialty – highest price paid! Appraisals. Phone Alex, 301309-3622. Stampex1@gmail.com.
WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
Say you saw it in the Beacon
Classifieds continued from page 70
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CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES
Wanted
Wanted
FINE ANTIQUES, PAINTINGS AND QUALITY VINTAGE FURNISHINGS wanted by a serious, capable buyer. I am very well educated [law degree], knowledgeable [over 40 years in the antique business] and have the finances and wherewithal to handle virtually any situation. If you have a special item, collection or important estate, I would like to hear from you. I pay great prices for great things in all categories from Oriental rugs to Tiffany objects, from rare clocks to firearms, from silver and gold to classic cars. If it is wonderful, I am interested. No phony promises or messy consignments. References gladly furnished. Please call Jake Lenihan, 301-279-8834. Thank you.
COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, weapons, rifles, shot guns, knives, swords, bayonets, web gear, uniforms, etc. from all wars and countries. Large quantities are okay. Will pay top prices for my personal collection. Discreet consultations. Call Fred, 301-910-0783.
Deadlines and Payments: Ad text and payment is due by the 20th of each month. Note: Only ads received and prepaid by the deadline will be included in the next month’s issue. Please type or print your ad carefully. Include a number where you can be reached in the event of a question. Payment is due with ad. We do not accept ads by phone or fax, nor do we accept credit cards.
VINYL RECORDS WANTED from 1950 through 1985. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or 78s, Larger collections of at least 100 items wanted. Please call John, 301-596-6201.
Private Party Text Ads: For individuals seeking to buy or sell particular items, or place a personal ad. Each ad is $15 for 25 words, 25 cents for each additional word.
LADY WHO LOVES DISHES and figurines wants to buy yours. Especially Royal Copenhagen, Deco Noritake, Limoges, Herend and English bone china. Do you have a collection of cup and saucers, dog and cat figurines, Royal Doulton ladies or salt and pepper shakers? Also mid-century Scandinavian ceramics and glass, Asian items, silver, paintings and costume jewelry. Anything else old and interesting, please call me. 301-785-1129.
WE PAY CASH for antique furniture, quality used furniture, early American art, pottery, silver, glassware, paintings, etc. Single items to entire estates. Call Reggie or Phyllis at DC 202-726-4427, MD 301-332-4697. CASH FOR ESTATE BUYOUTS, estate cleanouts, jewelry to furniture, one item or whole state. Free Estimate, Will Travel. 301-520-0755.
Thanks for reading!
Business Text Ads: For parties engaged in an ongoing business enterprise. Each ad is $35 for 25 words, 50 cents for each additional word. Note: Each real estate listing counts as one business text ad. Send your classified ad with check or money order, payable to the Beacon, to:
The Beacon, D.C. Classified Dept. P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 For information about display advertising, or to request a media kit, call (301) 949-9766.
ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Research Studies
Diabetes Clinical Study ................26 High Cholesterol Studies ..............26 IDEAL Healthy Aging Study..........27 Shingles Pain Study.........................26
Montgomery County Information & Services/311...........................27 Montgomery County Senior Nutrition Line .............................14
Hearing Services
Computer Classes
JCA SeniorTech .........................9-11
Advanced Hearing Health Care ....13 Auditory Services, Inc ..................16 Beltone ............................................6 Family Hearing Services...............18
Dental Services
Home Health Care
Alpine Dental..................................6 Friedman, Stephen, DDS ..............31 Oh, Judy DDS ...............................32
Employment/ Volunteers
Career Gateway.............................44 Interages........................................62
Events
Beacon 50+Expo .........................2-3 GROWS ..................................14, 66
Financial Services
Children’s National Hospital ........41 Jefferson Mortgage Group, LLC ..44 Mortgage Center of America, Inc .42 Retirement Life Funding...............43
Funeral Services
Fram Monuments..........................44 Going Home Cremation................63
Government Services
DC Office on Aging .....33-34, 39-40 Martin Luther King, Jr. Library ....32 Montgomery County Aging and Disability Services .....................19
Best Senior Care ...........................23 Elder Caring..................................29 Hallmark Home Care ....................15 Holy Cross Home Care .................20 Liv Home ......................................13 Options for Senior America ..........41 Seabury Resources for Aging ..35-38 Virginian Home Health Services. .72
Housing
Arbor Terrace of Herndon.............14 Arden Courts.................................32 Ashby Ponds/Erickson............24, 68 Brooke Grove Retirement Village ...............17, 28 Charles E. Smith Lifetimes......47-54 Charter House ...............................59 Chesterbrook Residences..............30 Churchill Senior Living ................13 Culpepper Garden .........................31 Friendship Terrace ...................37-38 Greenspring/Erickson.................24, 68 Homecrest House..........................42 Olney Assisted Living...................56 Park View......................................58 Potomac Place...............................43 Quantum Property Management....65 Riderwood/Erickson ................24, 68
Solana of Olney, The.....................31 Springvale Terrace...................36-37 Tribute at Heritage Village............30 Village at Rockville, The ..............18 Vinson Hall Retirement Community ................................19 Virginian, The ...............................72 Waltonwood ..................................22
Housing Referral Service Care Patrol....................................19
Legal Services
Eleff Law ......................................46 Law Firm of Evan Farr .................43 Law Offices of Paul Riekhof ........42 Legal Counsel for the Elderly.......16
Medical/Health
BrightLife Direct..........................22 Cologuard......................................25 Dupont Laser Institute ....................7 HealthQare Associates ..................20 Holy Cross Germantown Hospital........................................8 Horizon Vascular Specialists ........15 Medical Eye Center ......................23 Seven Corners Medical.................26 Stem Cell Arts.................................5
Weichert/Douglas Brasse ..............24 Weichert/Sue Heyman ..................64
Restaurants
Original Pancake House................58 Wrap2Go.......................................62
Retail/Pawn/Auction
Four Sales LTD .............................46 Quinn’s Auction Galleries.............57 SAS Shoes.....................................22
Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation
Communicare Health ......................6 Health South Rehab Hospital........27 Manor Care Health Services .........23 Village at Rockville ......................29
Subscriptions
Beacon Subscription .....................69 Washington Jewish Week..............62
Theatre/ Entertainment
Toby’s Dinner Theatre ..................61 US Army Band..............................65 US Army Spirit of America ..........63
Tour & Travel
CVS/pharmacy..............................60 Rite Aid .........................................64
Eyre Travel....................................56 Potomac Eagle ..............................57 Tripper Bus ...................................57 US Navy Memorial.......................61 Vamoose........................................59
Real Estate Services
Utilities
Pharmacies
Long & Foster/Eric Stewart..........45 Long & Foster/Inderjeet Jumani......59
Pepco.......................................12, 21 Verizon DC Lifeline Program .......46
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