September 2017 | Baltimore Beacon

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Climbers reach for new heights

Many health benefits As she indicated, indoor rock climbing is not only enjoyable, but also a workout that offers a number of health benefits.

A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reported that indoor rock climbing is a good activity to increase cardio-respiratory fitness and muscular endurance.

Another study in the Journal of Undergraduate Kinesiology Research reported that climbing meets the American College of Sports Medicine guidelines for heart rate and energy expenditure.

Climbing may be beneficial to your health, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful, especially as you get older.

“Climbing is a very safe activity and the risks in gym climbing are very low,” said REI Sales Lead Michiko Kobayashi. “It’s important, though, to ‘climb smart.’

“That means learning how to climb — from moving across rock to climbing tech-

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK KOCHTE

By Carol Sorgen Whether it’s flying, scuba diving or hiking, Carol Christian likes to be on the move.

So when she first moved to Baltimore and friends invited her to join them in rock climbing, she didn’t hesitate. Now, more than 15 years later, she’s still a regular at the Earth Treks indoor climbing gym in Timonium.

Christian, who lives in Baltimore City and is an astronomer with the Space Telescope Science Institute, had some prior experience with climbing when she lived in Arizona, but then gave it up when she moved to Hawaii. (“Lava is too brittle for good climbing,” she explained.)

Even though there are ample nearby opportunities for outdoor climbing — such as Rocks State Park in Harford County, the Carderock Recreation area overlooking the Maryland bank of the Potomac River, and the cliffs over the Potomac River at Great Falls Park in Virginia — Christian, who admits to being “over 60,” has found that she prefers indoor climbing for its marked routes, controlled temperatures (and absence of wind, rain and snow!), less anxiety, and more time actually spent climbing.

“I’m a scientist,” Christian laughed, adding that she has a pretty structured schedule she needs to adhere to. “I like to get in, do my workout, and get out!”

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

Stand in awe of Yosemite’s natural wonders; plus, where to park near the airport for less, and some travel Q & As page 22

Although initially reluctant to try rock climbing, today Mark “Indy” Kochte enthusiastically scrambles up cliffs indoors and out. He even wrote a guidebook, Climb Maryland! A Guide to Climbing in Central Maryland. The sport’s physical, mental and technical challenges appeal to people in a range of ages, whether they climb outdoors or indoors at a climbing gym.

nique — and making sure you warm up and cool down sufficiently so that you don’t end up tearing a tendon or twisting a knee or an ankle. “You don’t heal as quickly when you’re older,” said Kobayashi.

Some basics Indoor climbing has been popular for decades, both as training for outdoor climbs and as a sport unto itself.

In top-rope climbing, ropes are secured to overhead anchors, with the climber attached to one end via a harness. A partner on the ground, called the belayer, manages the supporting ropes.

The system works to keep the climber from falling to the ground if she loses her footing or grip. (There also are auto-belayers for those without climbing partners.)

There are other types of climbing, including sport competitions which may include lead, bouldering and speed challenges.

A lead climber still uses a belayer, but also clips into a series of pre-set quickdraws attached to bolts in the wall. Climbers who slip or miss a quickdraw could fall back to the previous clipped-in spot.

Gyms also typically have a bouldering wall, with thick mats below, to simulate climbs close to the ground. There, climbers don’t use ropes, just strength and balance.

There are also speed climbing competitions, which work pretty much the way you’d think. Bouldering competitions judge climbers on the number of challenges they complete.

See ROCK CLIMBING, page 11

ARTS & STYLE

Find your inner Picasso and de-stress at DIY art studios; plus, where to take non-credit classes, from painting to politics; and new memoirs that enlighten and inform page 26

TECHNOLOGY k Protect yourself online

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FITNESS & HEALTH 6 k When to worry about forgetfulness k Solutions for joint pain LAW & MONEY 17 k Don’t retire those credit cards k Why widows need an attorney ADVERTISER DIRECTORY

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Free press survival I think it’s fair to say that America’s seminate it to readers, and even to retrieve bedrock commitment to a free press has and recycle the waste. never been under heavier asThe more we get used to sault than it is today. getting our news in the quickDo we have a sound, indeest, easiest, cheapest way, the pendent, even fierce press less that news will be worth corps that digs out the truth at reading. any cost and spares no one?

Present company exceptOr are we surrounded by faux ed, that is. news outlets, “bot” reporters, After all, you now have in and marketing pieces masyour hand, or on your screen, querading as legitimate rea free publication. At the Beaviews? con, we do our best to proDo we look to the press to FROM THE vide vetted, timely, trustworinform us and enlighten us? PUBLISHER thy information without waBy Stuart P. Rosenthal Or do we read only those outtering it down or aiming lets that confirm our preconabove everyone’s head. ceived notions?

We comb through hundreds of stories These questions go to the heart of our each month from a wide variety of repdemocracy, and truly should be asked by utable news sources and bring you what every American, of whatever political we feel is the best and most pertinent, alstripe or belief. ways keeping in mind our mission: to inAnd asked not only of those producing form, educate and entertain people over the news sources we choose to read, but the age of 50. also of ourselves: We need to look in the And yet, we are free. Literally. You can mirror and decide what we truly want, and not only read everything we publish (and what we’re willing to pay for. have published) online at any time without For a free press is certainly never free. charge, but you can pick up a real newspaIt takes money to hire and train reporters, per, usually within a short distance of to cover their expenses, to produce and where you live or work, at no cost. edit a paper, to print and distribute or disNo cost to you, that is. But maintaining a

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The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Baltimore area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Howard County, Md., Greater Washington DC and Greater Palm Springs, Calif.

Subscriptions are available via third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. 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, Operations........Gordon Hasenei • Director of Sales ................................Alan Spiegel • Assistant Operations Manager ..........Roger King • Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben • Contributing Editor ..........................Carol Sorgen • Art Director ........................................Kyle Gregory • Advertising Representatives..............Steve Levin • Assistant Editor ..........................Rebekah Alcalde • Interns ..........................Sununu Bah, Alexis Bentz

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staff of 15 professionals, printing more than 220,000 copies of four monthly publications, mailing copies to our subscribers and distributing the rest to more than 2,750 free distribution sites over an area exceeding 4,000 square miles — these things cost real money.

That’s where advertisers enter the picture. Since Benjamin Franklin bought the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1729, America’s community newspapers have relied on the revenue provided by advertisers to keep the paper’s cost low, or free, to readers.

The model worked well for about 275 years. Since about 2005, however, the growing world of digital communications and Internet advertising have steadily eaten into the revenues of newspapers of all types and sizes.

Daily newspapers have been most affected: draconian staff cuts, fewer pages of news, reduced readership, and rapidly declining revenues have decimated many dailies.

Yet so-called niche publications — those targeting particular readers or markets, whether by neighborhood, culture, religion, nationality or other characteristic (such as being over 50) — have continued to survive and, in some cases, thrive.

In our case, we benefit from the fact that there are still enough publications like ours to support well-run and legitimate wire services — such as the Associated Press, Tribune News Service, and the like

— enabling them to continue to hire and support top-notch journalists producing stories printed by dozens or even hundreds of papers. Through such syndication services we are also able to bring you pertinent articles from reliable sources such as Kiplinger’s, Harvard Medical School and the Mayo Clinic.

We purchase stories we feel will be of most interest and use to our readers. And we supplement these with our own writing, including local human interest stories, theatre and art reviews, and announcements about local events and programs.

Our sales team, for its part, scours the local business community for potential advertisers who provide services or products particularly needed by our readers, as well as government agencies and nonprofits who need to provide important information to our readers.

Why am I telling you all this, you ask?

Because it’s important that you know how essential this engine of ad revenue is to the survival of the Beacon and other free papers you may read. When you visit or call on Beacon advertisers that interest you, you can have a direct effect on our ability to continue publishing.

But this will only be true if you take a moment to mention — at some point in the process — that you saw their ad in the Beacon. That’s the only way our See FROM THE PUBLISHER, page 8

Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day.

Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or e-mail to barbara@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification.

Dear Editor: Your August editorial, (“Can you relate?”) truly touched me. I can relate.

Charlie Gard is the illustration you use, but you go on to draw so many observations about how we, as human beings, respond to tragedy and need.

Perhaps there is no one way for us to hear all the cries for help — all around us — nor one way for us to answer those cries. Your piece helped me to understand that, and also to reconfirm in my own life that we just have to do whatever we can — what is humanly possible for us, to alleviate suffering. There will always be limitations, but we must never grow deaf to the cries.

I have lived for my entire life with mental illness. A local hospital, which was a source of healing for me, often solicits donations. They will target people who may be able to donate large amounts of money.

My idea has always been, why not ask people with mental illnesses, people who are in the throes of recovering, to donate?

Our donations may be smaller, but no less significant.

There’s where we can all transcend our seeming inability, but be a part of healing.

We each — we all — can make a difference, and we must.

Leslie Robin Kassal Baltimore Dear Editor: I admire your newspaper for helpful articles and topics related to senior living. However, I am disturbed at your recent editorial regarding British infant, Charlie Gard.

Mother Teresa famously said that we cannot save everyone, but we can save one person at a time. Of course, there are many desperate and helpless people in the world, and we should reach out to as many as we can. However, in the case of Charlie Gard, many factors are red flags. For one thing, parental rights are at a risk. He is a helpless infant who is at the mercy of the courts, the government, doctors, etc.

We can and must speak up for persons such as him because, like the case of Terri Schiavo in 2005, who was starved to death See LETTERS TO EDITOR, page 21

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2017

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Technology &

Innovations If online, beware: fraudsters proliferate

How to protect yourself First, lock down your log in, Kaiser said. Create strong authentications for all your accounts, which adds an extra layer of security. That way, someone can’t just guess a password to get into your accounts.

Sign up for two-factor authentication, which sends a unique code to your smartphone or other mobile device, and consider adding a fingerprint swipe to access your smartphone. Go to www.lockdownyourlogin.org and click on a site or account you use for specifics on how to add authentication.

Start with your crown jewel accounts. “Your email is really your life,” according to Kaiser. If it gets hacked, your other accounts are vulnerable.

Move next to your financial accounts, followed by social media accounts. Check your social media settings; you may not realize your Facebook profile defaults to “public,” for example. Use privacy settings to manage what others will see online.

Keep up with updates. Don’t skip soft-

ware updates or let them pile up, said Daniel Whitehouse, a technology law attorney in Orlando, Fla. Install anti-virus software. And don’t forget your smartphone; keep its software updated and delete unused apps.

Ask a family member to review your soft-

ware if you need help. And keep a backup of crucial files: Print out important documents, or store them on an external hard drive.

Never use the same password for all your accounts. If you can’t remember them all, try a password manager, recom-

mended Justin Cappos, a professor at New York University’s engineering school.

Services such as Last Pass and Dashlane create and store passwords for you, and orSee FRAUDSTERS, page 4

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By Mary Kane During a recent stay in a San Diego rehabilitation facility to recover from surgery, Eva Velasquez’s mother used social media to keep her spirits up. “She was all over Facebook,” Velasquez said.

For some seniors, going online links them to a larger community for support. But there’s a downside as well, according to Velasquez, who is also president of the Identity Theft Resource Center — a nonprofit that educates consumers about online fraud. Fake emails and other scams abound in the virtual world.

Take the recent WannaCry malware attack. Hundreds of thousands of users globally clicked on a link or attachment and got a message saying, “Oops, your important files are encrypted,” along with a ransom demand.

Scams are on the rise, from fake Google Doc attachments to spoof Dropbox e-mails and fraudulent bank notices. The scammers “are hitting us hard,” Velasquez said.

Even so, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. They include mastering computer security basics before spending time online. “You’ve got to do the commonsense things that are in your control,” said Michael Kaiser, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance, a nonprofit that promotes online safety awareness.

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Fraudsters From page 3 ganize them under one master password.

“You’re much less likely to have problems using one of these than if you write all your passwords down on sticky notes you may or may not lose,” Cappos said.

Some services are free; others charge pre-

SEPTEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

miums for additional features.

Be mindful at the computer. You probably didn’t win a foreign lottery (especially one you didn’t enter!), and your grandchildren don’t need you to wire them money, said Rebecca Morgan, a Stetson University College of Law professor. And ignore that friend request from a “friend” already in your social network, one of the latest scams.

“Don’t take things at face value or for granted anymore,” Morgan said. Your trusting nature may be admirable, but it won’t keep you safe online.

If you get an email that appears to be from your bank or another institution asking for your account information, go directly to its website or call the institution and confirm whether someone really was

How savvy are you when online?

Home Instead Senior Care offers a simple quiz, called “Protect Seniors Online,” which illustrates how to spot an online scam and what to do if you have suspicions.

Here are two sample questions and answers. Visit www.protectseniorsonline com/quiz/ for more.

Question: You purchase a birthday gift for a friend from a small online boutique. The seller sends you a message that says your order didn’t go through due to technical difficulties with the site. She requests that you send your billing information to her via email, and she promises quicker, two-day shipping in return for the hassle. Should you email her your billing information?

Answer: You should NOT send your

credit card information through email.

Red flags: • A reputable seller should not ask you to share billing information over email.

• A reputable seller would offer you the option to cancel your order and receive a full refund if they are not able to fulfill your order as requested.

What to do: • You could try asking the seller when the site will be working again and if there is a safer way to re-submit your information.

• You could contact your credit card company and ask them to put a watch on your account for any fraudulent activity.

• You could contact the Better Business Bureau to report the issue.

Question: You receive a Facebook message from an acquaintance you

haven’t talked to in a long time. The message simply says, “Hey, this is so funny.

Check it out: http://bit.ly.aU6L12wm.”

You remember this person had a good sense of humor. Do you click the link?

Answer: You should NOT click the link without more information.

Red flags: • You can’t tell where the link goes.

• You received the message out of the blue without a personal note.

What to do: • You can contact your friend to ask if he sent you a link on Facebook recently.

If not, his account was probably hacked, so he should change his Facebook account password immediately. It’s likely that other people he is friends with on Facebook received the scam message too.

trying to reach you.

You can test your ability to spot scams by taking the quiz at www.protectseniorsonline.com. [See box below for some sample questions.] © 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors All contents copyright 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Aug. 30

INSIDE AN AMAZON ACCOUNT

Ateaze Senior Center Director Beckie Ebert will host an information session about different types of Amazon accounts, including Amazon, Amazon Prime, Amazon Prime Now, Amazon Pantry and more. The free class is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Aug. 30, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Ateaze Senior Center, 7401 Holabird Ave. in Dundalk in Room 206. For more information, call the center at (410) 887-7233.

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❏ COPD Study (see ad on page 12) ❏ Depression Study (see ad on page 13) ❏ Exercise Research Study (see ad on page 12) ❏ Former Smoker Study (see ad on page 12) ❏ Healthy But Overweight Resveratrol Study (see article on page 12)

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Check the boxes you’re interested in and return this form to: or fax to (410) 248-9102.

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Want to learn how to text, Facetime or use LinkedIn? Techboomers.com is a free educational website that teaches older adults and inexperienced Internet users

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

During each two-week period, a total of 87 hours of live and/or recorded programming is prepared and presented. The format is public domain old-time radio shows all day, with a live Broadcast each night at 10:30 p.m. Twenty-four of the 87 hours are created by a staff of over 25 dedicated volunteers.

Yesterday USA can be live streamed for free on your computer at www.yesterdayusa.com and is also available in the Apple app store. For Android, try the Old Time Radio & Shows app, free at Google Play.

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

For free materials on housing communities and health studies, just complete and clip this coupon and mail or fax it to the Beacon.

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Recycle outdated electronics

Are you a bookworm? Goodreads allows you to share the names of books that you have a read and your thoughts about them.

You rate your books and explain your choices.

Other users, such as friends that you have added from your list of contacts or Facebook, can see your interests and opinions. You can also view other readers’ histories and get suggestions for your next trip to the library.

Goodreads, free in the Apple App and Google Play stores.

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Learn about all 400+ national parks and monuments on the National Park Service’s website. To get started, choose the state you wish to visit and the site displays all the parks available, with links for more information.

The site also lists events, travel tips, accessibility for those with disabilities, and volunteer opportunities. For those who like to save money, the site lists days the parks are free of charge. Coming up are Aug. 25, the National Park Service’s birthday, and Sept. 30, National Public Lands Day. www.nps.gov

Have your questions regarding cell phones, computers and tablets answered on Thursday, Aug. 24 starting at 10 a.m. at the Edgemere Senior Center, 6600 North Point Rd., Sparrows Point. Sign up for the program at the front desk. Call the center at (410) 887-7530 with any questions.

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Aug. 24

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Links

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By Sununu Bah and Barbara Ruben

who have basic computer skills about websites, applications and social media.

The site provides free video and article tutorials in easy-to-understand language.

Learn how to use Netflix, Paypal, Dropbox, eBay, Uber and much more. Articles suggest the best apps for chatting, and ones to find the best hotel rooms. There is also a blog that gives you tips and tricks for your gadgets, sites and apps. https://techboomers.com

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SEPTEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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Health Fitness &

IS IT RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS? Sometimes joint pain is caused by this body-wide progressive disease HEART HEALTH STUDY Join a study looking at benefits of a compound found in red grapes PATIENT-FRIENDLY TRIALS Pharmaceutical companies are working to treat patients better during studies ENERGY WITHOUT COFFEE Try B vitamins, licorice root and other herbs to boost your energy level

No heart attack or your money back?

By Linda A. Johnson Warranties and money-back guarantees, long used to entice buyers of products like hand tools and kitchen gadgets, are now being used to sell something more crucial: pricey new-generation drugs for diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.

Deals being negotiated between drug-

makers and the insurers who buy medicines now sometimes include extra rebates — or even full refunds — if drugs don’t help patients as expected.

It’s part of an effort driven by insurers and government health programs to align the cost of care with the quality of care, and slow the relentless growth of prescription drug costs.

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“We’re spending less money on drugs that are less effective,” said Dr. Michael Sherman, chief medical officer for the notfor-profit insurer Harvard Pilgrim, which has several of these deals and is negotiating more. Sherman says one-fourth of every dollar it spends on patient care goes to prescription drugs.

For the patient, it doesn’t mean a check in the mail if cancer comes back after a round of treatment. But it does mean patients could get a drug that an insurer might otherwise be unwilling to pay for and that might help them.

And insurers, who now can track how patients fare through electronic medical records, will be reducing wasteful spending and making at least a dent in overall healthcare costs.

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

year or course of treatment, even though their benefits are unclear or only marginally better than cheaper, older drugs.

Buyers of those new drugs, usually insurance companies, are hesitant to pay without assurance the drugs will help patients. Not only is lack of benefit bad for patients, it makes insurers spend even more on complications and hospital stays if the drugs don’t work.

As a result, insurers often restrict access to expensive new drugs. Sometimes that’s achieved by making patients pay more out of their own pockets, or making doctors wade through red tape to get authorization for a patient’s medicine.

Sometimes patients have to try cheaper drugs first, and only when they fail — and the patients’ health has deteriorated — are they allowed to get the pricey new drug.

Pharmaceutical companies have an incentive here, too: These deals may help them sell more of the new drug they’ve spent hundreds of millions of dollars or more developing.

For example, a new generation of inject-

A way to justify pricey drugs Many new drugs now top $100,000 per

See DRUG GUARANTEES, page 9

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2017

When memory lapses call for doctor visit Dear Mayo Clinic: My father, who is 79 years old and in good health, has become quite forgetful.

He seems to recognize that it’s happening, but laughs it off and chalks it up to old age.

I know memory problems are common as people get older, but I’m worried. Should I encourage him to see his doctor?

Answer: Although memory lapses are a normal part of aging, they can be a sign of an underlying medical problem. In older adults, memory problems are of concern when they affect information that is particularly important or familiar, when the lapses become more frequent, or when difficulty with memory interferes with daily activities. If your father’s situation falls into any of these categories, it would be a good idea for him to see his doctor.

As we grow older, our brains undergo numerous aging-related changes that can make it harder to learn new things or remember familiar words. Older adults may have difficulty coming up with names of acquaintances, for example, or they may have trouble finding reading glasses or car keys. In most cases, these memory lapses do not signal a problem.

When to worry The type of forgetfulness that is worrisome involves forgetting information that a person formerly would always have remembered. For example, a favorite social event gets missed, like a tee time for a weekly golf game. Or, a calendar item that an individual would usually make a priority, such as a doctor’s appointment, goes unnoticed.

If this happens once in a while, it proba-

BEACON BITS

Sept. 16

FLEA MARKET AND HEALTH FAIR

Health screenings and food will be provided at a flea market on Saturday, Sept. 16 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Woodlawn Senior Center, 2120 Gwynn Oak Ave., Gwynn Oak. Flea market spaces are available for $25 ($15 if you bring your own table). Call (410) 8873101 for more information and to register for the flea market.

Aug.26

bly isn’t a problem. If a person starts to have trouble making these connections regularly, then it’s time to see a doctor.

A medical evaluation also is in order if memory lapses lead to problems in a person’s day-to-day life, or if someone begins to have trouble with mental tasks.

Examples include becoming overwhelmed or confused when faced with decisions, having a hard time driving, getting irritated or upset when mental concentration is required to complete a task, getting lost on the way to a familiar location, or having trouble following step-by-step instructions.

how they have changed over time.

The purpose of this evaluation would be to screen for signs and symptoms of dementia. The doctor also will rule out reversible causes of memory loss.

See MEMORY LAPSES, page 8

What evaluations entail If your father goes to his doctor, an evaluation likely would include a review of his medical history and a physical exam. In addition, tests that measure cognitive function — attention, memory, language and spatial skills,

™

A WHOLE NEW STYLE OF LIFE EXPANSION PLANS UNDER WAY WITH 52 NEW APARTMENT HOMES

EXCITING CHANGES IN THE WORKS

Broadmead isn’t your stereotypical retirement community. When residents aren’t busy in the woodworking shop, taking on-site art or wellness classes, or hiking the trails in Broadmead’s expansive 94-acre campus, they are out in the world, taking in the culture of downtown Baltimore, enjoying an overseas vacation, or keeping busy with their careers.

To meet the increasing demand for independent living options from this active group, Broadmead is adding 52 brand new, spacious apartment homes – called Hillside Homes – to its campus.

Ranging in size from 1,065 to 1,555 square feet, each Hillside Home will include modern finishes such as granite, tile, crown moldings, the convenience of secure underground parking, and a large balcony or patio, perfect for outdoor entertaining. With 5 floorplans, from one-bedroom plus den to two-bedroom plus den options, the benefits of living at Broadmead have never been better.

EXPANDED AMENITIES ALONG WITH NEW HOMES As part of the expansion, Broadmead will also: expand dining venues to include a new bistro café, create an expansive health and wellness center, reconfigure higher levels of care to support distinct, household style neighborhoods dedicated to dementia care, assisted living memory support, rehabilitation and traditional comprehensive care, create a new aquatics center with a heated indoor pool, and enlarge and improve the existing auditorium.

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Nestled in the picturesque rolling hills of Hunt Valley is where you’ll find Broadmead, a continuing care retirement community long known for its beauty, convenience, and Quaker-inspired values — where a lifestyle of integrity, inclusion and simplicity serves a diverse group of residents.

4TH ANNUAL VEGAN SOULFEST

Baltimore City Community College, located at 2901 Liberty Heights Ave., is hosting the 4th annual Vegan SoulFest on Saturday, Aug. 26 from noon to 7 p.m. Presented by Well Fed World, the festival will feature local vegan retail vendors along with guest speakers and demonstrators. Free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.vegansoulfest.com or call (443) 863-8652.

among others — may be part of the assessment. In some cases, a neurological evaluation and brain scans also may be useful.

The doctor may want to talk with you or other family members about your perspective on your father’s cognitive skills, functional abilities and daily behaviors, and

1/2 BATH

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RES. OPTION

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“The Sherman”, one of five new Hillside Homes options currently in development.

While the expansion is still under development, Kristy Krueger, Broadmead’s VP of Sales and Marketing, urges those interested in making Broadmead their home in the next few years to start making plans now due to high demand. “Broadmead offers private appointments for those interested in learning about our wonderful community, and we also have a program that essentially ‘saves your place in line’ for those wishing to move to Broadmead within the next few years,” says Krueger.

*Renovations are pending approval by the Maryland Department of Aging.

Artist’s conceptual renderings depict proposed Hillside Homes development.

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To learn more about Hillside Homes please contact Broadmead at 443-330-2113, email Kristy Krueger at kkrueger@broadmead.org, or visit www.broadmead.org.

8

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Memory lapses From page 7 Keep in mind that dementia isn’t a specific disease; it’s a clinical syndrome. That means it’s a term used to describe a group of symptoms — such as memory loss, difficulty reasoning, inability to learn or remember new information, personality changes or inappropriate behavior — that affect a person’s intellectual and social abilities enough

From the publisher From page 2 advertisers really know that their Beacon ad is successful.

And what if you see an ad in the Beacon and then visit their website to learn more or to make a purchase? Unfortunately for us, that’s basically impossible for advertis-

SEPTEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

to make it hard to perform daily activities.

Dementia has a variety of possible causes, including progressive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.

Other conditions also can mimic the symptoms of dementia, such as depression, thyroid abnormalities, infections, immune disorders and nutritional deficiencies, among many others.

Prompt evaluation of a symptom such as

persistent forgetfulness that could point to dementia is important for early diagnosis and identifying management strategies.

It is possible, too, that your father’s memory lapses may be just what he thinks they are: a normal part of aging. If they seem to be problematic, though, encourage him to see his doctor. A thorough assessment should be able to identify if there is a need for concern.

— Ericka Tung, M.D., M.P.H., Primary

Care Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. E-mail a question to MayoClinic Q&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit www.mayoclinic.org. © 2017 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

ers to track unless you make a point of mentioning the Beacon in some fashion during the transaction.

This is difficult, I grant you, when there’s no human contact. But perhaps you can say something in a comment box, or write a review of the transaction, or even send an email to customer service: anything to let the seller know that you

learned of them through the Beacon.

Some readers find it easier to simply write or email us at the Beacon now and then with a quick testimonial: telling us how an article, insert or even advertisement saved them money, improved their health, taught their doctor something, or just made their day.

Any or all of these efforts can help us retain our advertisers, who truly keep the Beacon free. Or almost free, for it turns out that

I am asking something in return from you and from every other reader of our paper.

Patronize those advertisers who have something to offer you. And please take a moment to mention the Beacon when you do. It can make all the difference.

We thank you.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

Growing Our Passion for Care.

We’ve added 8 New Facilities to our team!

“We are so grateful for the care you gave to my husband while he was at your facility. We especially would like to thank all the nurses and aides who helped care for him. They were all wonderful and couldn’t do enough for him.

Thank you all!”

– Pat, wife of former patient Specializing in Skilled Nursing & Subacute Rehabilitation MARYLAND LOCATIONS Anchorage Healthcare Center 105 Times Square Salisbury, MD Bel Pre Health & Rehab Center 2601 Bel Pre Rd. Silver Spring, MD Blue Point Healthcare Center 2525 West Belvedere Baltimore, MD BridgePark Healthcare Center 4017 Liberty Heights Ave. Baltimore, MD Clinton Healthcare Center 9211 Stuart Lane Clinton, MD Ellicott City Healthcare Center 3000 N. Ridge Rd. Ellicott City, MD

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

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MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNICARE FAMILY OF COMPANIES

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

From Tuesday, Sept. 12 through Tuesday, Dec. 12, the Valley Presbyterian Church is hosting a free nondenominational grief support program. The group is scheduled to meet Tuesdays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Each session will cover a different topic; participants are welcome to join the group at any time. The church is located at 2200 West Joppa Rd. in Lutherville. For more information, call (410) 828-6234, or email jhenley@valleypca.org. Registration is preferable but not necessary.

Sept. 17

GET FIT RUN/WALK

The 11th Annual 2017 “Get Ready! Get Set! Get Fit!” 5K RunWalk and 1 Mile Walk to support older adult health and fitness will be held on the campus of CCBC Essex, at 7201 Rossville Boulevard. The walk will take place on Sunday, Sept. 17, from 8 a.m. with registration starting at 6:30 a.m. and health and fitness screenings starting at 7:30 a.m. Entry is $20 for those 60+; $35 for others. For more information or to register, visit www.getreadygetsetgetfit5k.com or call either (410) 887-2040 or (410) 308-1870.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2017

Drug guarantees

hind it,” said James Borneman, Sanofi’s head of strategic pricing.

From page 6 ed cholesterol drugs does an impressive job of reducing so-called bad cholesterol.

But the drugs, Amgen’s Repatha and Sanofi’s Praluent, cost $14,000 a year, while cheap generic pills do a good job of lowering cholesterol for most people for $300 a year or less.

Predictably, insurers often reject prescriptions for these drugs. So Amgen, trying to boost disappointing sales for a drug expected to be a huge seller, is offering full refunds to insurers if patients have a heart attack or stroke while taking its drug.

Recently, Amgen announced its first deal to do so, with Harvard Pilgrim. Sanofi has a contract with insurer Cigna to pay extra rebates if patient cholesterol doesn’t fall as much as expected.

“It demonstrates the fact that we are standing behind the value the product has, and we’re willing to put some money be-

Insurers expect proven benefit Some insurers are now demanding these deals, which are expected to become standard for some drugs: super-expensive medicines for cancer and rare diseases, and others that are used widely enough to cost insurers millions.

In addition, the drugs must have a benefit that’s easy to measure, such as keeping kids with asthma out of the emergency room or preventing growth of cancerous tumors for a certain period.

Cigna has been pursuing more of these types of deals after finding that some of its earlier efforts “met or exceeded expectations in terms of benefit to our customers, patients,” said Chris Bradbury, who heads Cigna’s prescription benefit program.

One of its early deals, with drugmaker Merck for its diabetes pills Januvia and Janumet, dates to 2009, with rebates pegged

to how much patients lower blood sugar.

“We keep re-signing that agreement, so I think they’re pretty satisfied,” said Bob McMahon, head of U.S. marketing at Merck, which also has such contracts with insurers and hospital systems covering an asthma medicine and is negotiating contracts for an infection drug.

Other companies with such deals for one or more medicines include drugmakers Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Novo Nordisk and Roche’s Genentech unit; insurers Aetna and Priority Health, and prescription benefit manager Express Scripts.

On their own, these deals are unlikely to reverse the persistent rise in medical spending, experts say. But they improve the chance that the money will at least go to treatments that work best — by making sure insurers and drug companies have something at stake along with the patient.

“There’s a risk on both sides with these contracts,” said Dr. Mark Fendrick, director of the University of Michigan’s Center for Value-Based Insurance Design. “Both want to make sure they’ll get the outcome they want.”

— AP

Share your opinion. Send a letter to the editor. See page 2.

BEACON BITS

Sept. 6+

WEIGHT LOSS SEMINAR

The University of Maryland Medical Center for Weight Management and Wellness is offering a free seminar to learn about surgical and medical approaches to weight loss. One seminar will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 6 at the UM St. Joseph Center Canticle Room, 7601 Osler Drive in Towson. To register for this or other times, or to view the seminar online at your convenience, call 1-800-492-5538 or visit www.umm.edu/4weightloss.

We Help Elders Remain in Their Homes MedStar Total Elder Care Medical House Call Program provides compassionate and personal health care to elders in the comfort of their homes at no additional cost.

Our team of doctors, nurse practitioners and social workers provide patientcentered care. For more information, please call

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SEPTEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Is that joint pain rheumatoid arthritis?

When your joints ache, you may chalk it up to an old injury or to osteoarthritis. But for two million people in the United States, aching joints are caused by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) — when their immune system mistakenly attacks the tissues lining the joints.

Unlike osteoarthritis — which is limited to the joints and can often be treated with mild pain relievers or exercise, or resolved with joint replacement — RA is a progressive disease that can affect the whole body,

including the heart, lungs and eyes. It may damage the joints, tendons and bones.

Diagnosis and treatment “The biggest tip-off to RA is the presence of persistent swelling in multiple joints,” said Robert Shmerling, M.D., a rheumatologist at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. “That does not occur with most other causes of joint pain.”

Other classic RA symptoms include joint pain that is worse in the morning or better

with movement, and persistent fatigue.

Diagnosis typically involves symptom assessment, physical examination findings, blood test results, as well as X-rays.

“In confusing cases, ultrasound or MRI can be helpful,” he said.

In most cases, the first-line treatment is the medication methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall).

Shmerling said it’s important to begin treating RA as soon as possible, because drug treatment may prevent RA from progressing and causing more damage to the body. Medications, however, do not reverse damage or improve dexterity, strength, balance or stamina.

Other therapies include exercise, splinting, weight loss and smoking cessation.

Types of medication Most RA drugs fall into one of three classes: Nonbiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall), have a broad effect on immune system function, which can help slow the disease process and protect the joints from damage. They also help relieve symptoms.

These are generally offered as soon as the RA diagnosis is established, but they may take up to 12 weeks to work. Side effects vary

from one drug to another, and range from fatigue to liver problems. Screening and monitoring can prevent many side effects.

Biologic DMARDs, such as etanercept (Enbrel) and infliximab (Remicade), help relieve symptoms and prevent joint damage. They have a more targeted effect on immune system function than nonbiologic DMARDs, and are considered the most effective drugs for RA. However, they are expensive and can be given only by injection.

These are usually reserved for people who do not improve enough with methotrexate or other medications. Because these drugs suppress parts of the immune system, people who take them are at increased risk for infections, especially tuberculosis.

Janus kinase inhibitors, such as tofacitinib (Xeljanz), help relieve symptoms and prevent joint damage by interrupting inflammatory signals as they enter cells.

Possible side effects include shingles, allergic reactions, diarrhea, headache, runny or stuffy nose, and sore throat.

An advantage of these drugs, in comparison to biologic DMARDs, is that they are pills, not shots or medicines infused into your veins.

Both Janus kinase inhibitors and biologic DMARDs have price tags of about See JOINT PAIN, page 11

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2017

Rock climbing From page 1 In 2020, sport climbing will make its debut in the Olympics.

Earth Treks Timonium features walls up to 50 feet high, with varied terrain from vertical to overhanging, and marked routes that are set daily. It also features an expansive bouldering area.

In 2018, Earth Treks will be opening a 20,000 square foot climbing gym in Hampden. It will be the company’s first bouldering-only facility, with 10,000 square feet of climbing terrain, as well as a yoga studio, functional fitness and cardio zones, training areas, and a retail pro-shop. Earth Treks also has climbing gyms in Columbia and Rockville, Md.

Moving on out While indoor climbing offers the opportunity to practice the sport year-round, some climbers would rather have a shorter season but enjoy the natural surroundings.

Kobayashi finds the outdoor environ-

Joint pain From page 10 $20,000 or more per year. Insurance plans often pay only some of the costs.

Until the above medications take effect, doctors may recommend low doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),

ment more tranquil and “meditative.” And then there’s the view. “I’d rather look down at a river than a sea of blue mats!”

Mark “Indy” Kochte is also an outdoor climbing enthusiast. But that wasn’t always the case.

Kochte was “dragged” into climbing when he was in college. At the time, “I had no interest or desire. The feet-off-theground thing was not for me!”

It took Kochte six months to try climbing again. Then he wound up taking a climbing course in college. “It just took off from there,” he said.

Now 54 years old, the Marriottsville resident, who works as a missions specialist at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, enjoys being able to move over the rocks and see them from different perspectives.

Kochte finds that every place he hikes offers a different climbing experience.

Maryland, for example, doesn’t have a lot of big cliffs like you’ll find in more mountainous states, but there is still “good quality rock” nearby.

In fact, Kochte wrote a guidebook, Climb Maryland! A Guide to Climbing in Central Maryland. The book is currently out of print, but he is working on the next edition.

Learning the ropes Local climbing centers offer numerous basic skills classes for beginners. The classes teach participants how to put on a harness, tie into the rope, and belay for a partner. While that prepares neophyte climbers to start up the wall, they cannot belay for others until they pass a test on those skills.

Earth Treks (www.earthtreksclimbing.com) has five centers; the closest are in Timonium, (410) 560-5665, and Columbia, (410) 872-0060.

Some local recreation and fitness centers also have smaller climbing walls, such as the YMCA at Stadium Place, http://ymaryland.org, (410) 837-9622, or Peregrine’s Nest Climbing Gym at Towson University, www.towson.edu/campusrec/ap-climbingwall.html, (410) 704-5628.

Stores such as REI (www.rei.com; (410) 252-5920), which sells gear and apparel for a variety of activities, also offers classes and rock climbing trips.

such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or corticosteroids, such as prednisone. But these medications do not protect the joints from damage, and long-term use is linked to dangerous side effects. © 2017 President and Fellows Of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Lunch and Learn at CCBC! $64 lets you feed your body and your brain.

Start with a lecture session…end with good food at one of several of the area’s finest dining spots.

We Have Alterative Treatments To Relieve Your Pain!

The Carle Center for Pain Management in Towson has been providing our patients with alternative solutions to relieve and manage their acute and chronic pain. We provide MLS Laser Therapy and PRP Regenerative Therapy treatments.

Both of these treatments are safe, FDA-approved, and require NO SURGERY OR ADDICTIVE MEDICATIONS. If you are suffering with Arthritic Hand, Knee, Lower Back, Hip, Neck, Shoulder or Foot Pain, call us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kenneth Carle, Board Certified in Pain Medicine & Anesthesiology.

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Health Studies Page

SEPTEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

NIA studying resveratrol for heart health

By Carol Sorgen Resveratrol is a compound found in the leaves and skin of grapes, as well as in peanuts and in the roots of the plant Japanese knotweed.

Although resveratrol has long been used in Indian Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, it became popularly known in the 1990s when researchers began to sus-

pect that resveratrol may be the major reason for the positive effect of wine on cardiovascular health.

Since then, studies have found that resveratrol has a number of biological effects on blood vessels, cancer, blood clotting, blood sugar control, muscle activity and inflammation.

Studies are also being conducted to ex-

BEACON BITS

Sept. 22+

22ND BALTIMORE BOOK FESTIVAL The 22nd annual Baltimore Book Festival returns to the Inner

Harbor, from Friday, Sept. 22 to Sunday, Sept. 24. Featuring local, regional and national authors, the festival will take place along the Inner Harbor Promenade from the Inner Harbor Amphitheater to Rash Field from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. In addition to the hundreds of author appearances and book signings, the free festival will feature readings, cooking demonstrations and samplings by renowned chefs, poetry readings, workshops and live music. For more information, call (410) 752-8632 or visit www.promotionandarts.org.

Supervised Exercise Research Healthy men & women 50-80 years old needed to participate in an exercise research study at the University of Maryland / Baltimore VA Medical Center. Work with Doctors and Exercise Physiologists to safely start exercising. Participation involves tests to measure your fitness and function. You will receive medical and fitness evaluations

Parking and compensation for your time will be provided.

Call 410-605-7179.

Mention code: EPC-DM.

plore whether resveratrol, through its action on a molecule in the body called sirtuin, may produce some of the same beneficial effects as decreased food intake, which may slow the aging process and improve longevity.

Study in humans needed Though resveratrol has been extensively studied in test tubes, cells and animals, it is only now being explored fully in people. The National Institute of Aging is currently conducting a study at Baltimore’s Harbor Hospital to test the effects of different dose levels of resVida (a commercially available resveratrol supplement) on heart and blood vessel health.

In a prior animal study conducted by NIA in monkeys, there was a reduction in the stiffness of blood vessels over several weeks.

Earlier studies in healthy human volunteers and in patients with type II diabetes mellitus have also begun to identify possible roles for resveratrol as a nutritional supplement. The compound appears to have no harmful effects at doses up to 5 grams per day.

Volunteers 50+ are sought For the current study, researchers are seeking healthy but overweight nonsmoking volunteers, who are at least 50 years old.

This 12-month study of resVida will involve a screening visit and four study visits, some of which will require overnight inpatient stays.

Participants will undergo a screening that includes a physical exam, medical his-

tory, and blood and urine samples. They will also be given a list of foods to avoid eating while on the study.

Those taking part in the study will be separated into three groups. Two groups will take different dose levels of the study drug. The third group will take a placebo.

At the first study visit, participants will stay in the clinical center overnight for two days of tests. They will provide blood and urine samples and undergo body scans to measure fat and muscle mass. They will also have exercise tests and a muscle biopsy.

At this visit, they will receive their dose of the study drug. They will continue to take this dose for as long as they are in the study.

The second visit will take place 16 weeks later. This will take only two hours, during which most of the tests from the screening visit will be repeated.

The third visit will take place 16 weeks later, and will involve an overnight stay.

The fourth and final visit will take place in another 16 weeks and will also involve an overnight stay. Most of the tests from the initial study visit (including the scans and the exercise tests) will be repeated.

Harbor Hospital is located at 3001 Hanover St. in Baltimore.

Participants will be compensated for their time: $30 for the screening visit, $250 for each of the next three study visits, and $500 for the fifth and final visit (a total of $1,280 if all visits are completed).

For more information, contact Denise L Melvin, R.N. at (410) 350-3924 or dm381j@nih.gov, or Luigi Ferrucci, M.D. at (410) 558-8110 or ferruccilu@grc.nia.nih.gov.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2017

13

Drug studies start to put patients first

By Linda A. Johnson Drugmakers are finding they can improve how drug testing is conducted — and help their own bottom lines — by giving patients a voice before testing even begins.

Pharmaceutical companies sometimes spend more than a decade trying to win approval for a new medicine, including running multiple rounds of tests on hundreds and even thousands of people.

Now they are realizing that treating study participants better, and listening to their concerns and insights, can make the complicated process cheaper, produce results that are more accurate, and help get drugs to market faster.

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

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

It also helps drugmakers find the right patients for studies, which can be particularly difficult when testing complex drugs for rare diseases and specific subtypes of cancer.

The industry has coined a phrase for this new focus — “patient centricity” — and British drugmaker AstraZeneca recently published the first definition of it in

a medical journal.

The company’s drug studies now include “patient-reported outcomes” — information on how participants feel and function while taking a drug, details that regulators increasingly want to see. AstraZeneca’s also continuing to give study participants the experimental drug between the time research ends and it’s approved for sale, if they lack other treatment options.

Guy Yeoman, the company’s VP of patient centricity, recently talked with the Associated Press about the trend and his company’s efforts. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: Why do this?

A: Healthcare’s been paternalistic. Patients now increasingly want a voice and they want more knowledge.

Q: What was wrong with the standard way of conducting studies of experimental drugs?

A: We struggle to get enough patients enrolled in studies. A big proportion drop out, and many don’t comply with the study protocol. Previously, we added more patients and (study locations) to compensate.

We didn’t work with patients to understand the problems.

A couple years ago, we wanted to see what patient centricity meant to patients.

So we met with European patients and caregivers and North American patients in certain disease areas. Then we engaged with online patient groups.

They told us in no uncertain terms to stop focusing on what we deliver and start focusing on how we deliver. They want a relationship that is open and sustained.

They want respect and compassion.

They said, ‘We are not a commodity to be picked up and dropped.’ They wanted

to ensure the patient and family got the experience and outcome they wanted.

Q: AstraZeneca ran a pilot program to get patient insights before finalizing the design of a study of a lupus drug you’re now testing. What did you do and what was the result?

A: We got the patient perspective on what was reasonable and what wasn’t.

That produced 24 recommendations from patients, and 16 were adopted.

We reduced the number of blood draws

to be done during the study, to be less onerous. We reduced the time they would have to wait at the clinic after each infusion of the drug in case they have a bad reaction, because we agreed it could be safely reduced.

That study is actually running ahead of schedule. It’s not rocket science. It’s really basic, simple stuff.

Q: What other changes have you made for people participating in drug See DRUG STUDIES, page 14

GO. EXPLORE. DISCOVER. CONSIDER JOINING OUR

DEPRESSION STUDY.

All eligible study participants may receive at no cost: CONSULTATION WITH STUDY DOCTOR STUDY DRUGS STUDY-RELATED CARE AND VISITS

Have you tried different depression medications and not received adequate symptom relief? Then take yourself to our investigational study. We're developing an investigational drug designed to work with antidepressants to see if it can help address unresolved symptoms. As long as you’re 18 years of age or older, you may be eligible for the study whether or not you are currently taking an antidepressant.

14

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SEPTEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Ways to boost your energy without coffee We all experience fatigue or low energy cause of fatigue. B Complex is profoundly at some point in our lives. Sometimes it is useful to make neurotransmitters and gentemporary — like after an allerate ATP energy production nighter, or a bout with the via the Krebs cycle. You need flu.

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also boosts thyroid hormone. One cup of licorice root tea per day might be all you need.

But proceed with caution: using it for too long or taking too much may induce headaches and hypertension.

Ashwagandha Also known as Indian ginseng, over just a few weeks of use this herb activates T4 to T3 thyroid conversion (good!), which improves energy and fat-burning capabilities.

But ashwagandha should be taken at night, at least at first, because it causes drowsiness in many people.

Tyrosine Your body uses tyrosine, an amino acid, to make thyroid hormones that improve brain power and energy. Tyrosine is in many popular energy drinks and thyroid supplements.

Dosage varies greatly from person to person. Start with 75 to 100 mg. once or twice during daytime hours, or it can cause insomnia. You can always increase from there. You’ll know you’re getting too much

Drug studies From page 13 studies?

A: The consent forms were long legalese. We translated that into a simple booklet with pictures and diagrams about what happens to patients during the study.

We recently launched a site with a clear two-page summary of results for patients.

All future studies will have that.

Q: How will these changes benefit your company?

A: We can do studies faster and more ef-

if you feel shaky or get a racing heartbeat (similar to excessive caffeine).

Oat straw (Avena sativa) Known best as an effective tonic for hemorrhoids, oat straw may gently support thyroid function, which in turn provides energy and fat-burning compounds.

It has a lot of natural calcium, which helps your muscles and bones. In animal studies, oat straw triggered release of luteinizing hormone (LH), which increases testosterone and impacts ovulation.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine This amino acid makes acetylcholine, a memory compound. It invigorates you at a cellular level. Optimal effects may be seen in six to eight weeks.

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

Salads and greens See DEAR PHARMACIST, page 16

ficiently, through quicker patient registration. The patients better understand the purpose of studies, and the study goal is meaningful for patients.

They want to know how will they feel; will they be able to do more. That leads to better adherence to medication schedules.

In many disease areas, patients stop taking their medicine within 12 months, so they don’t get the medicine’s benefit.

Q: Will this reduce drug prices?

A: We need to ensure there’s sufficient return on investment. I’m not promising any impact on prices.

— AP

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2017

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

15

Does 94-year-old mom still like sis better?

Dear Solutions: faculties, and she is driving me crazy.

My mother, 94 years old, is still How can I stop her? driving me crazy. She has — Lilly always favored my younger Dear Lilly: sister. When I was widYour mother is 94 years owed and my sister was old. She doesn’t have a drivstill married, Mom never er’s license anymore. It’s you asked her to include me in who’s driving you crazy, tryoutings with her husband, ing forever to get her apand she never did. proval.

Now my sister is widChange your thinking. owed, and I have a man I’m Does it occur to you that she seeing a lot. So now every thinks of you as the more catime I tell Mom we’re going SOLUTIONS pable, stronger person — and somewhere, she insists I By Helen Oxenberg, your sister as a needy one, unshould take my sister along. MSW, ACSW able to take care of herself? If If I say my friend doesn’t you think of it that way, you’ll want anyone along, she says he’s no start seeing yourself through your mothgood, and I should get rid of him. er’s eyes in a different way.

I don’t want to be nasty to her when Finally, you’ll become that stronger pershe’s so old, but she still has all her son, and you’ll be able to say no. That will

still put you in the driver’s seat, but then you’ll be in charge of where you go and who you go with.

Dear Solutions: My granddaughter, whom we brought up for various reasons, is in her third year at an out-of-town college. Since she’s there, she’s been dating a fellow student.

We’re planning a family vacation during her school vacation. Now she says she wants to spend time with her boyfriend, and asked if he could come along with us. She says this is important to her.

I’ve been looking forward to just my husband, my younger grandson, my granddaughter and me spending time together. So I’m unsure. Should we in-

vite him? And if we do, should he pay for himself?

Anyway, shouldn’t there be a time when just immediate family still counts?

— Rose Dear Rose: Yes there should be, and there was.

That time was before any of your grandchildren left home for any reason.

Once they go and do what grown-ups do — make new relationships — the door opens, vacations are shared, holidays split, tables extended.

Your granddaughter is in a relationship that is important to her. So if you want a happy camper, invite him. He is then a guest of See SOLUTIONS, page 16

BEACON BITS

Sept. 12+

FOSTER PARENTS NEEDED

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Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Dear pharmacist From page 14 Eating steamed or sautéed greens is perfect and, of course, a salad a day keeps the doctor away! The green color of romaine lettuce, chard and collards comes from natural chlorophyll.

There are also supplements and pow-

dered drink formulas that contain seaweeds or cereal grasses that also contain chlorophyll. This rapidly cleans your cells and creates energy.

Other alternatives Still want more energy? There are coffee alternatives — such as teas (black or green), coffeeberry fruit extract, yerba

SEPTEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

mate shots and guayusa (gwhy-you-sa) drinks and teas — which all are stimulating, like coffee, but are a bit milder.

These are extra nice because each comes with its own specific set of herbal health benefits as well.

So give one or more of these alternatives a try, and soon you’ll be on your way to an energized day without relying on a $6

coffee drink to get you there!

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.

Solutions

found it and then gets the same thing!

She did this with a dress I love, with a unique coffee table I bought, and other things. She seems to want to take everything I have.

My husband says she’s just insecure, and I should be flattered.

Should I put a stop to it?

— L. Dear L: Yes. When she asks you where you found your husband, put a stop to it! © Helen Oxenberg, 2017. Questions to be considered for this column may be sent to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915. You may also email the author at helox72@comcast.net. To inquire about reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

LOAN YOUR COUCH TO A DOG/CAT

ARF’s German Shepherd Rescue is partnering with Doobert.com, the leading online forum for animal rescues, to help get more foster homes for rescue animals. Volunteers can pick the type and the duration of the foster. The reward? Plenty of doggy and kitty kisses as well as many thankyous. For more information or to register, visit www.Doobert.com or call (262) 456-3344.

Ongoing

WORK AT THE MARYLAND SCIENCE CENTER

The Maryland Science Center, located at 601 Light St., is looking for ticket agents to greet guests, sell and process tickets, and respond to guest questions. The requirements? Be friendly and courteous with the public! Shifts are available Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information or to access application forms, visit www.marylandsciencecenter.org or call (410) 685-5225.

Sept. 14

MEDICARE EDUCATION

The Ateaze Senior Center is hosting a class about Medicare plans and how to register for them on Thursday, Sept. 14, from 12:30 until 1:30 p.m. The free class will be in room 119 of the center, located at 7401 Holabird Ave. in Dundalk. For more information, call (410) 887-7233.

From page 15 yours, and if you can afford it, you pay. If not, speak to your granddaughter about the two of them possibly sharing some of the cost.

Whatever you do — enjoy. The future is here.

Dear Solutions: A ver y attractive woman recently moved next door to me, and I’ve tried to be friendly with her. She’s divorced and keeps telling me how lucky I am to have such a nice husband.

She likes to see new things I’ve gotten and says it will help her to know where to shop in this new area. But whatever I get, she asks me where I

Place a classified ad.

They work! See p. 31.

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2017

Say you saw it in the Beacon

17

TO YOUR CREDIT Whether you need them or not, use a few credit cards for small purchases to keep them active and maintain a good credit score

Money Law &

WIDOW WORRIES After losing a spouse, you may well need a lawyer to help protect your interests from those who would take advantage “IRS CALLING” SCAM The IRS now uses private debt collectors to recoup back taxes, but they will always send a letter first and not call

Nervous investors look to dividend stocks

By Michael Andersen While most investors are publicly celebrating this record-setting bull market, many tell me in private that they’re nervous about the possibility of a downturn.

People have different reactions when the market does so well for so long. Some are sure they should get out, but greed won’t let them pull the plug. Others are eager to get in on the action, but fear won’t let them pull the trigger.

I tell clients to base their decisions on their long-term plan, not what’s happening day to day. Staying on a steady course is always key in investing, but especially in uncertain times.

One of my favorite ways to add some stability to a portfolio is with a thoughtful dividend strategy — especially if you can reinvest those dividends instead of taking them as income.

What’s the payoff for patience? Let’s hypothetically say you had put $10,000 in an investment that perfectly matched the S&P 500 at the end of 1960. If you had taken the dividends as cash and not reinvested them, at the end of 2015, your $10,000 would have grown to $351,000.

Not bad. But if you’d reinvested those dividends, you’d have just shy of $1.9 million. Jaw-dropping, right?

Now, you may not be able to wait 55 years, but even 10, 20 or 30 years could bring you some pleasing results.

And the thing is that most folks, if they’re still working and earning a paycheck, don’t need that dividend income.

Oh, it might pay for a vacation every couple of years or so. But if you can keep your hands off and reinvest it, there’s a good chance you’ll see exponential growth. It’s one of the easiest and least expensive ways to increase your holdings over time.

And even after you retire, you may choose to continue growing those investments as you pull from other income streams.

Reinvesting strategies There are various way to handle reinvesting: • You can enroll in a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP).

• You can buy a low-cost fund that automatically reinvests distributions for you.

• Or you can stockpile the cash until you decide to make a purchase on your own. (I’d

avoid this third option unless you are both market savvy and extremely disciplined.)

Keep in mind that, no matter which method you choose, this is a slow process.

You’re not looking for the next big thing, and you want to stay far away from the big thing that’s almost over.

Don’t make the mistake of simply choosing stocks that offer the highest yields possible. Over time, those stocks have not performed as well as those that pay high, but not the very highest, levels of dividends.

Why? Sometimes a company will declare dividends to grab investor interest and boost share price, but then it can’t sustain those payments. And if there’s a dividend cut, the market might read that as a sign of weakness.

Look instead for stable, well-run companies that pay constant or rising dividends — companies that are going to be here for a while. For example, iconic American brands, even though they may be in ma-

ture industries, can be terrific investments. I’m pretty confident we’ll be eating at our favorite fast-food restaurants, drinking popular soft drinks, and using those brand-name laundry detergents for years to come.

But do your homework, because even consistent dividend payers can develop problems. Also talk to your financial professional about how dividend stocks might work in your portfolio. Be sure to ask about tax consequences (good and bad) and how your strategy might affect your overall retirement plan.

Most important: Know thyself. If you are a patient, careful investor, dividend stocks may be just the thing to help take your market anxiety down a notch.

Kim Franke-Folstad contributed to this article. © 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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SEPTEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Use credit cards to maintain credit rating

By Melissa Lambarena When her car trouble began, Beverly Dobratz, 70, assumed that years of responsible credit usage would qualify her for a new car loan with a low interest rate.

Then the salesman checked her credit and learned that she hadn’t made any purchases with it in 10 years; she preferred to pay with cash or her debit card. That had hurt her credit scores, preventing her from getting a deal that worked for her.

“It was quite a shock. I had a huge down payment for him, but it didn’t make any difference,” Dobratz said. “I didn’t get the car.”

About one-third (34 percent) of American baby boomers risk damaging their credit scores in retirement by reducing or eliminating their use of credit cards, ac-

cording to a survey by TransUnion, one of the three major credit bureaus that gather information used to calculate the scores.

The bureau’s consumer data show that 20 percent of people ages 51 to 70 have subprime credit, or a score of less than 600. (TransUnion is a NerdWallet business partner.)

Using credit cards for small purchases keeps your credit active, said Heather Battison, a vice president at TransUnion. That can help ensure you’ll have available credit — or good credit scores — when it counts.

Keeping credit cards active doesn’t mean running up debt. Think of them as tools for maintaining credit, not a temporary loan.

Why you might need them You can plan for retirement, but it’s impos-

sible to predict exactly what will happen in your 80s or 90s. The average 65-year-old today will live until his or her mid-80s, according to the Social Security Administration.

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

• Co-signing a loan. You’ll need good credit to help a child or grandchild qualify for a loan or credit card by co-signing. [But before you do, see “Student loan debt hobbling more older adults,” June Beacon.]

• Refinancing your home. If you still have a mortgage, refinancing can lower your interest rate and monthly payments, which might be attractive after retirement.

• Receiving a home equity line of credit. You can use this type of credit to finance repairs and upgrades that will make your home more accessible, said certified

financial planner Delia Fernandez. For example, you might widen doorways to accommodate a wheelchair or walker.

“It’s an example of things we don’t think about because we’re not 80. But how much better to prepare the house before we turn 80,” Fernandez said.

Keep cards active Recently, Battison’s dad moved to an independent living facility. “All of the furniture that he had in his home was too big, and we all of a sudden needed to completely furnish this apartment,” she recalled.

“Because he didn’t use his credit card often, we ran into some issues there.”

Your retirement plan might appear bulletproof, but circumstances easily change — and if they do, it’s nice to know you can lean on your credit.

“You never know when you’re going to need something,” Dobratz says. “Hang on to that credit. Otherwise, they’re going to charge you high interest on your loan.”

This article was provided to the Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Email staff writer Melissa Lambarena: mlambarena@nerdwallet.com.

BEACON BITS

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If you would be excited to call and meet with potential advertisers throughout the Metro area, send your resume and cover letter to Alan Spiegel, Director of Sales, at: Alan@theBeaconNewspapers.com.

Sept. 13+

LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP TRAINING

The University of Maryland’s Legacy Leadership Institute on Public Policy, in partnership with the state of Maryland, is looking for volunteers age 50+ to serve as volunteer legislative leaders during the 20172018 session of the Maryland General Assembly. Classroom training begins Wednesday, Sept. 13 and spans 10 weeks, two days per week, at the campus located in College Park, Md. — with site visits to the state complex in Annapolis. The volunteer assignment will be for a minimum of two days per week, starting in Jan. 2018 in the Annapolis offices of various senators and delegates.

For more information, or for an application, contact Wesley Queen at wqueen@umd.edu or call (301) 405-2529.

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2017

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

19

Widows need an attorney to protect assets

By Renée Henning Recently widowed women and their children are vulnerable. After losing a spouse, many women are treated poorly. They need a champion with expertise in estates, contracts, competency, and other legal subjects.

As explained below, this area of law is effectively a “wronged widow” practice.

For centuries, numerous people have profited from the death of a colleague, friend or relative at the expense of the decedent’s wife. Many of the horror stories involve a partnership. One partner tried to cheat the widow by closing the company, making her half interest virtually worthless. The next day, he opened another company at the same address, with the same employees and for the same clientele — but under his sole ownership.

In a less formal commercial arrangement, a young lawyer referred a matter to another attorney to handle in court. They were buddies from law school days. Their arrangement to share the attorney’s fee was not their customary split, because the first lawyer had devoted so much work to the case.

Days later he died suddenly, leaving a wife and two little sons. Seizing the chance to earn more at the widow’s expense, the law school chum tried to revise the deal.

Frequently the stories involve greedy relatives. In one case a dying man was the

chief stockholder in a family funeral business. Millions of dollars were at stake.

For several years after his death, his brothers delayed settling with the widow to force her to accept a pittance for his share.

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

on the insurance policy. Thus, I was shocked after his death at his employer’s claiming the proceeds.

I requested a meeting. It never oc-

curred, leaving all communications in writing. For several months, the two partners See WIDOWHOOD, page 20

My story A recent example of the treatment of women acting alone concerns a life insurance policy with a death benefit of about $200,000. In 2004, my husband, Richard Henning, Jr., bought the key-man policy from his law firm during his transition from partner to “of counsel.” Battling cancer, he wanted this additional insurance to help protect our minor children and me.

In 2010, my dear husband died while still working for the law firm. He had been a partner and friend for years with the people with whom I later dealt, Joe and another attorney. My spouse and Joe had been pals for 35 years. In 1976, Joe was in our wedding party. In the 1980s the two men co-founded the firm, and the two families jointly purchased a vacation apartment.

My children called him “Uncle Joe.” My husband said I was the beneficiary

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Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Widowhood From page 19 avoided telling me if they would keep the money. They were supposedly unable to decide anything concerning the proceeds.

I suggested they give me the money, as my husband wanted, for the good of our family. They did not reply.

After further work on my part, they announced their decision. According to the e-mail, I was not designated as the beneficiary of the policy “whether by design, mistake or error.” They ruled out sharing because of a mistake by anyone else, in-

SEPTEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

cluding my husband and the insurance company, despite serious questions about that company’s reliability. In short, both men decided to keep every penny.

Get a lawyer I made a blunder by pursuing justice for my children, now college students, and me without hiring a lawyer. Sadly, many people make this mistake.

No wise woman lets her divorcing spouse decide how to split their assets, since the less she gets, the more he keeps.

For the same reason, and because business is business, a widow should not let

her husband’s colleagues determine the equitable division of money or property.

She may think she cannot afford an attorney. However, a lawyer can represent her on a contingent fee basis. He would receive a specified percentage of what he recovers for his client. She should collect significantly more money with an attorney than without one, even after deducting the legal fee.

Unfortunately, the widow’s adversaries have many ways to cast themselves as the injured party and her as the wrongdoer in their dispute. For example, they may lie or may declare themselves insulted when no insult was intended.

A woman representing herself should expect the other side to take offense regardless of whether she presents her case in writing, orally or even silently. As to written communications, “Uncle Joe” and his partner objected to my “tone.” As to

oral communications, the opposing side may accuse the widow of yelling, misunderstanding business, or much worse.

As to the silent vigil discussed above, the surviving partners objected to the very sight of the woman, even seeking an order barring her from the premises.

Therefore, the widow should adopt a fourth approach, i.e., pursuing justice through an attorney.

Many students entered law school wanting to help those in trouble. They can realize their goal — and make money — by aiding bereaved women and their children.

In fact, the mere presence of an attorney can make a difference. It serves as a warning to people hoping to take advantage of a grieving wife — they picked the wrong wronged widow!

Renée Henning is a retired antitrust attorney and a writer in Arlington, Va.

BEACON BITS

Sept. 16+

-

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11TH MARYLAND LIGHTHOUSE CHALLENGE

The Chesapeake Chapter of the United States Lighthouse Society is hosting its 11th annual lighthouse challenge on the weekend of Sept. 16 and 17. While all participants will receive complimentary souvenirs from each lighthouse they visit, those who score a perfect ten by visiting all ten mandatory stops will receive an additional souvenir to take home! The free challenge will run from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. on both days. To find out where the lighthouses are located or for more information, visit www.cheslights.org or call the challenge coordinator at (410) 437-0741.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2017

Money Shorts Watch out for phony IRS agents This summer, consumers should be especially wary of callers claiming to represent the IRS. An IRS program to use private debt collectors to recoup back taxes on some accounts has attracted scammers looking to cash in. The IRS began turning over some 140,000 seriously delinquent accounts to collectors in April.

Phone scams are among the most common forms of tax fraud, taking the number-two spot (behind e-mail and website scams that seek to steal personal data) on the IRS’s “Dirty Dozen” list for 2017.

The IRS’s first contact with taxpayers is never a phone call, and the same goes for collectors employed by the IRS. The

Letter to editor From page 2 for two weeks, euthanasia is an evil and must be fought. She did not have a “death with dignity.” It was horrifying to watch her die, as one witness recalled. Pulling the plug on Charlie is making a decision to end his life.

“Quality of life” is a favorite buzzword today. Only God can decide whose life has “quality.” Every human being, however small or helpless, has purpose, even if we don’t see it yet.

Anne Frank never lost faith in people or God. We knew there had to be a reason for what happened, even if she herself didn’t know it yet. Cases like Charlie are when we can do something, even if all around us

agency and the assigned debt collector must each send a letter informing you of an account transfer before the debt collector may contact you by phone.

Currently, the IRS has contracts with only four collection agencies: CBE Group, ConServe, Performant and Pioneer Credit Recovery. If you haven’t received a letter, a call is a red flag.

Ask which company the caller represents, and get a name and contact number so you can follow up with the IRS before divulging any information. Hang up if you’re badgered about paying on the spot.

Also note that payments are never made to the debt collector, but rather to the U.S. Treasury, by check or electronically on the IRS website.

— Rivan V. Stinson

Know this before paying bills online Using your bank’s bill-payment service

is cruelty and evil.

Norah Holic Edgemere Dear Editor: I really enjoyed the most recent “From the Publisher” editorial, regarding helping one another as best we can… and I would add, “of course within our financial, physical and geographic limitations.”

All seven billion of we Homo sapiens are on this small planet together, and we should cooperate, not compete, in order to live as long as we can with the best quality of life and procreate — our biological imperative.

After all, the last person standing will be there all alone. Or maybe with some sneaky robot needing an oil change!

Al Muehlberger Rosedale

is convenient: Enter a payee into the system, and the bank transfers funds from your checking account electronically or mails a check. No stamps to buy, no envelopes to address and mail.

But the process isn’t a slam dunk.

First, be certain you understand the bank’s definition of the payment date so that your payment arrives on time. “Is it the date the bank is going to begin processing your transaction? Or is it the date your payment will be delivered?” asked Justin Jackson, a vice president at financial-technology company Fiserv.

Some banks ask you to select the date that the payment must reach the biller, and the system calculates when it needs to initiate the transaction. If the bank prompts you to choose a date to start processing the payment, it may indicate when the biller will receive it. If not, choose a date a week in advance of the due date so that the bank has ample time to send the payment.

Banks also have differing schedules for

21

when they remove money from your account to cover the bills. Wells Fargo, for example, withdraws funds the business day after the date you choose to initiate the payment, even if it is mailing a paper check. When Bank of America sends a check, however, the money doesn’t leave your account until the recipient deposits the check.

Monitor your balance closely to be sure you have enough in the account when the bank withdraws the money.

Finally, check that you are submitting the correct information. That may seem like a no-brainer, but user errors are common. Customers may, for example, enter their cell number rather than the account number when setting up payments for a smartphone bill. Pull up a recent statement to reference as you enter the details.

— Lisa Gerstner © 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

22

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SEPTEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Travel Leisure &

Half Dome is Yosemite’s most photographed feature and the park’s symbol.

Yosemite’s wonders of nature and light

Majestic nature Located in central California’s Sierra Nevada Mountain range, about 200 miles east of San Francisco and 110 miles north of Fresno, Yosemite’s glacier-carved formations, soaring cliffs, thundering waterfalls, vibrant meadows, alpine lakes and giant sequoias have wowed people for generations.

Glaciation, erosion and the uplifting of the earth’s crust formed the landscape. It is 1,170 square miles of spell-binding nature, at elevations ranging from 2,000 feet to over 13,000 feet, threaded with 800

miles of hiking trails. A UNESCO World Heritage site, 94 percent of the park is designated as wilderness.

The park’s varied elevations and their microclimates yield a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including 90 mammal species, 262 birds, 22 reptiles, 13 amphibians and over 1,000 plants. Lucky visitors might see mule deer, coyotes, mountain lions, black bears and golden eagles soaring above.

Giant sequoias, Douglas firs, incense cedars and lodgepole, sugar and Jeffrey pines stretch to the sky. Meadows are sprinkled with 1,450 species of wildflowers like monkeyflowers, shooting stars, Alpine columbines, spider lupines and pussy paws.

In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed the bill to protect the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove from development, and deeded the property to California — an act representing the first time the federal government set aside land for the public. It officially became a national park in 1890.

Glaciers sculpted imposing domeshaped rocks, towering cliffs and bold landscapes. The massive, sheer, rounded cliff called Half Dome, with its stark granite face, is the park’s symbol and most photographed feature, captured by Adams’s famous black and white photograph, “Moon and Half Dome.”

High-energy adventurers hike 16.4 miles to the dome’s summit, 8,842 feet from the valley floor. The more agile scale up the

PHOTO BY YONGYUT KUMSRI

By Glenda C. Booth The sunlight creeps across Half Dome’s mammoth granite face, easing from steel gray to grayish-white to dull yellow-orange to a luminescent blaze orange. Sunrises, sunsets, moonrises and moonlight provide an ever-changing light show on Half Dome and across the landscape.

The noon sun spotlights the purplish “throat” of the Sierra penstemon’s tube-like flower. Rainbows sparkle across misty waterfalls. Lakes glisten. Stars twinkle in the black firmament. This is Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite has long been a photographer’s mecca because of its stunning beauty, clear days, changing colors, and interplay of light on the granite boulders and crystal blue lakes. It inspired famed photographer Ansel Adams, and drew five million visitors in 2016. There is no “off-season.”

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

PHOTO BY SHAFERAPHOT

Yosemite has one of the largest concentrations of cascading waterfalls on Earth.

Some display rainbows when light bounces off them, including a rare lunar rainbow at times.

rocks. Half Dome’s ever-shifting reflection in the still waters of Mirror Lake is magical.

El Capitan is a single piece of granite soaring 3,245 feet, equal to 350 stories above the valley. It’s a favorite site for elite rock climbers from all over the world.

With binoculars, you may see human “specks” clinging and climbing.

“Here, the best of the Sierra Nevada range is a blanket of solid granite. Here is where you meet Mother Earth stark and undressed,” said David von Seggern, a hiker and Nevada Sierra Club activist.

Waterfalls tumble to the valley Native Americans called Yosemite Valley “Ahwahnee,” which is believed to mean “mouth” because they thought it resembled a bear’s gaping mouth. It is a tapestry of meadows brightened by wildflowers and flowering shrubs, oak woodlands, mixed conifer forests and wildlife. A focal point for services and a jumping-off place for other sites, the valley constitutes less than five percent of the total park.

Yosemite has many seasonal waterfalls that tumble into the valley, one of the best concentrations of cascades in the world. In years of heavy snowpack or rain, dozens of waterfalls can plunge over the cliffs, many of which are unnamed.

Yosemite Falls thunders down 2,425 feet

in three sections, the highest free-falling waterfall in North America. Bridal Veil Fall drops 620 feet. Native Americans called this area Pohono, “Spirit of the Puffing Wind,” probably because the wind swirls about and jerks the water side to side. The Nevada Fall plummets 594 feet. Vernal Fall, a watery, white curtain, descends 317 feet; viewing often requires a poncho in the spring.

Rainbows can emerge in the torrents in late afternoon. A lunar rainbow appears at times, one of three locations in the world where this occurs. John Muir described these “moonbows” as “one of the most impressive and most cheering of all the blessed mountain evangels.”

Yosemite has three groves of Sequoiadendron giganteum, giant sequoias — Mariposa, Tuolumne and Merced. These cinnamoncolored behemoths, some with a 40-foot diameter, grow from an oatmeal-flake-sized seed. The Mariposa Grove has around 500 giant sequoias spread over 250 acres, including the Grizzly Giant — 2,700 years old and perhaps Yosemite’s oldest living sequoia.

Yosemite’s High Country has fewer visitors than other parts and is less disturbed.

It is home to alpine lakes, meadows and jagged peaks. In some more barren areas, small plants peek out of rock crevices and See YOSEMITE, page 23

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2017

Yosemite From page 22 seem to struggle to survive under gnarled, wind-beaten trees.

Tuolumne Meadows, the park’s largest subalpine meadow, at 8,600 feet, is popular for hiking — it’s flat. The Tioga Pass, at 9,945 feet, is the highest pass in the Sierra Nevada range accessible by vehicle.

big horn sheep, Yosemite toad and the western pond turtle.

But the crowds also signify the allure of Yosemite and its natural wonders. Light — bright or soft, dim or lustrous — creeping across granite cliffs, illuminating a wildflower’s delicate pistil, glistening through waterfalls or electrifying the night, Yosemite is a constant interplay of land and light.

If you go Yosemite indoors Over 60 park properties are on the National Register of Historic Places, and some say the National Park Service’s rustic architectural style was born here.

Completed in 1927, designers wanted the Ahwahnee Hotel (now the Majestic Yosemite Hotel) to blend in with nature.

The Great Lounge has original oak tables and wrought-iron chandeliers.

The hotel’s famous dining room recalls an earlier era that hosted luminaries like Eleanor Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Steve Jobs and the United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, who booked every room in the hotel. The Big Trees Lodge, of Victorian-era resort design, is also a historic landmark and has served guests since the 1870s.

The Yosemite Museum showcases the history of the Miwok and Paiute people through clothing, projectile points, baskets and beadwork. The Ansel Adams Gallery features the famous photographer’s and other artists’ works, plus handcrafts and gifts. The Pioneer Yosemite History Center presents the park’s history.

Sixty to 70 tour buses and up to 8,000 cars can roll into the park on a summer day. Visitors left 15,000 tons of garbage in 2015, perhaps a signal that people are loving the park to death. As humans alter the landscape, park officials are working hard to preserve and restore native habitats and bring back critters like the Sierra Nevada

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

Summer provides a palette of wildflowers, active wildlife and open roads and facilities. But summer is also fire season, and as we went to press in late July, a wildfire that started about 10 miles outside the park had destroyed about 100 structures and threatened 1,500 more. The fire has not affected the park, and it is still currently open.

In the fall, big-leaf maples, black oaks, Pacific dogwoods and other deciduous trees become showy amid the evergreens’ backdrop. Crowds are smaller.

Winters can be cold, but a pristine blanket of white, crystallized foliage, frozen waterfalls and mesmerizing silence await.

Some parts of the park are not accessible.

Spring’s highlights are rushing creeks and tumbling waterfalls, blooming redbuds and dogwoods. Frogs and toads croak. Some snow patches linger.

Yosemite has four entrances and four visitor centers. Buses (VIA bus lines; 800369-PARK) are available year-round from Merced and Fresno. Amtrak trains connect in Merced with buses to the park.

The nearest major airport is in Fresno, 90 miles from Big Trees Lodge. American Airlines has the cheapest roundtrip flights from BWI to Fresno for $366 in mid-September.

Most visitors tour the park by driving or taking free shuttles or fee-based tours.

BEACON BITS

Aug. 29

INVESTING BASICS SEMINAR

Learn about stocks, bonds, money, and more at this seminar on Tuesday, Aug. 29 from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. at the Pikesville Senior Center, 1301 Reisterstown Rd., Pikesville. Contact the senior center at (410) 887-1245 for more information.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

Staffers offer many programs, guided walks and hikes, horseback riding and winter sports.

Spring and fall are the least crowded.

Veteran visitors recommend staying several days and arriving in the early morning or late afternoon.

23

For accommodations, there are lodges, cabins, canvas tents on platforms and campgrounds. Make reservations well in advance at www.travelyosemite.com or by calling (888) 413-8869. For more information from the National Park Service, call (209) 372-0200 or see www.nps.gov/yose.

24

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SEPTEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Help in navigating sticky travel situations

By Miriam Cross Question: Can I ask a passenger to switch places with me so I can sit next to my son on our flight?

Answer: You can ask, but the etiquette of such a request depends on what you give in return — and whether your son is old enough to be comfortable sitting away from you.

“Aisle seats are typically prime real estate,” said Karen Hickman, owner of Professional Courtesy, an etiquette consultancy in Fort Wayne, Ind. So asking a passenger to swap his or her aisle seat — and especially one in a roomy bulkhead or exit row — for

your middle seat might not go over well.

But if you sweeten the deal by offering a better (or equal) spot, your trade is more compelling. If the passenger said no, don’t press it. Rather, seek out a flight attendant for help if you need to sit next to a child (or an elderly parent).

Question: I like to work during long train rides. What are the rules for making phone calls from my seat?

Answer: Keep calls short and unobtrusive. Even better, try to find a more private place in the car to speak. One-sided gabfests on a cell phone can be irritating or distracting to fellow passengers in a way

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that person-to-person chatter is not.

Preferably, you should get as much work as possible done by text or e-mail, and leave phone calls as a last resort.

Before starting a conversation, alert the people nearby, according to Sue Fox, author of Etiquette for Dummies. Say, “I have some business calls to make. Would that bother you?” Above all, avoid private or heated discussions.

Question: When I overhear travelers discussing inappropriate subjects in confined spaces, I bristle silently. How can I amicably ask the offender to change topics?

Answer: Defining “inappropriate” is tricky because there is only so far we can go to control other people’s conversations, said Hickman. If contentious political or religious opinions are grating on your nerves, change seats or slip on some headphones.

If vulgar language or overly personal topics are bothering you — and likely, others within earshot — you can speak up.

However, to avoid provoking the offender, speak calmly and clearly, and lower your voice. Say “Do you mind speaking more softly? Your conversation is making me uncomfortable,” Fox suggested.

Question: How can I politely (and safely) redirect my taxi driver if my navigation app suggests he’s taking an indirect route?

Answer: Instead of accusing the driver of taking you for a ride, assume it could be an honest mistake (or your app’s mistake) — or that he knows a better route. First, ask if you’re on the quickest or most direct route, which leaves you an opening to point out the alternate route your GPS shows. © 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Sept. 9

9/11 REMEMBRANCE DAY OF SERVICE The Mission Continues, a nongovernmental organization empowering veterans who are adjusting to life at home, is looking for volun-

teers to assist with their Baltimore Sept. 11 Remembrance Project. Taking place at the Roots & Branches School, located at 1807 Harlem Ave., the remembrance project is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9. For more information or to register, visit www.missioncontinues.org or call (314) 588-8805.

Aug. 17

HEALTH CARE AND RETIREMENT COSTS The Seven Oaks Senior Center, located at 9210 Seven Courts Dr., is hosting a session discussing the potential impact of rising

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healthcare costs on retirement savings on Thursday, Aug. 17, at 10 a.m. The free program will include information about Medicare coverage and costs, long-term care costs, available options for supplemental healthcare and long-term care insurance. For more information, call (410) 887-5192 or visit www.SevenOaksSeniors.org.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2017

25

Parking your car near an airport for less If you have someone to drive you to the shuttle service to/from the airport. Most airport and pick you up, or if you live close also provide for parking beyond the nominal enough to take a taxi or shuttle limit for an extra daily charge. to the airport for your summer I know of three big online flight, you can forget about agencies that specialize in long-term airport parking. parking packages at airport But if you don’t have a drivhotels: er and aren’t close to your de• Park Sleep Fly (parksleepparture airport, driving and fly.com), the pioneer in the parking your car at the airport field, arranges hotel-park packwhile you’re away can be ages near almost 200 airports in cheaper than taking taxis. the U.S. and Canada. Park Although long-term airport Sleep Fly also arranges airport parking could expose you to TRAVEL TIPS parking without the hotel. grief in the form of high By Ed Perkins • Stay 123 (stay123.com) prices, overflowing airport and Hotel N Parking (hotellots or both, you have alternatives. Big and nparking.com), apparently the same outfit, medium-size airports attract adjacent inde- provide similar coverage. pendent parking operations, most of which • BuyReservations (buyreservations.com) offer reserved parking at rates lower than posts accommodation/parking packages at airport long-term rates. about half as many airports.

You find a lot of overlap among the three agencies, but not 100 percent. Check all three just in case any one agency doesn’t cover what you need.

Many airport-area hotels and motels independently offer similar packages. If you don’t find what you need on one of the nationwide sites, you can Google something like “airport hotel parking packages [city]” to find other choices. Also, your travel agent may have access to deals.

Although the agencies tout “free” parking, the parking-package room rate for one night is almost always higher than the hotel’s lowest available rate. But the difference in rates is much less than the cost of parking for a week in an airport-area parking lot. I’ve usually found the premium for a week or more of parking works out to only a few dollars a day, and much less than you’d pay at most big airports for just the parking.

The airport parking specialist agencies listed also say they offer similar deals at major cruise ports. But when you take a closer look, you find that most of the “cruise port” listings are actually for airport-area hotels with shuttles to/from the actual port area. And, in many cases, the “free” shuttle is one-way only: You pay for the return trip. Only a few hotels are actually located near the port.

A former intriguing option, Flightcar, folded last year. Its deal was to rent out your car at attractive rates to other travelers while you parked it “free” at the airport. I’ve heard about a new operation that seems to be re-trying the same model; more on that later.

Send e-mail to Ed Perkins at eperkins@ mind.net. Also, check out Ed’s new rail travel website at www.rail-guru.com. © 2017 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Finding cheaper lots If you don’t already have a favorite, several online agencies arrange airport parking in many big U.S. and Canadian airports: Airport Parking Reservations (airportparkingr eser vations.com), Park ‘N Fly (pnf.com/), Park Ride Fly USA (parkrideflyusa.com), and LongtermParking (longtermparking.com).

These agencies post rates and availability for a handful of local lots near an airport, with links to their reservation websites.

The Parking Spot (theparkingspot.com), as far as I can tell, operates its own dedicated lots at 18 U.S. airports.

Rates are typically at least a dollar per day less than the airport’s official long-term parking, but not always. Most independent lots offer, at a minimum, a guaranteed space and a free shuttle to/from the terminal.

Many offer a choice of covered, uncovered, and even indoor parking, and some offer valet service with your car rather than shuttle. A few offer minor maintenance services while your car is parked.

Hotels with free parking Another option is to book the night before departure or after arrival at an airportarea hotel. Hundreds of airport-area hotels offer packages that combine one night’s accommodation with “free” parking in the hotel’s parking area — typically one or two weeks’ worth, but sometimes more — plus

BEACON BITS

Sept. 9

AMERICAN MUSIC THEATER IN LANCASTER, PA.

The Reisterstown Senior Center, located at 12035 Reisterstown Rd., Reisterstown, is organizing a day trip on Saturday, Sept. 9, to Lancaster, Penn. For $80, participants will enjoy the Doo Wop Cavalcade at the American Music Theater. The trip is scheduled to last from 9 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. For more information, call (410) 687-5113.

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SEPTEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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Style Arts &

John le Carre’s book The Pigeon Tunnel is one of three recent memoirs reviewed on page 36.

Find your inner Picasso and de-stress apy Association, creating art can significantly reduce stress levels in adults. Drexel University assistant professor of creative arts therapies Girija Kaimal researched the effects of making art on stress-related hormones in your body.

Her article “Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants’ Responses Following Art Making,” reported that 45 minutes of creative activity significantly lessens stress in the body, regardless of your artistic experience and talent — or lack thereof.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRADY STARR

By Zita Petrahai Feeling stressed? Pick up a paintbrush and you might just feel lighter and happier.

Getting rid of stress was one reason Deborah Hoffman opened Paint and Sip in Owings Mills, a do-it-yourself (DIY) art studio that offers a “unique way to uncork your creativity,” with two-hour classes for painting and glass decoration.

Paint and Sip classes cost $40 per painter, which covers all the essential equipment for the classes. As its name implies, attendees can also sip their favorite beverage while painting by bringing their own bottle.

“In my past life, I was in advertising and sales, and then I became a Realtor,” Hoffman recalled. After almost 10 years in real estate, Hoffman, 53, decided she wanted to work for herself.

“I wanted a business that would be fun, because I know people can be so stressed and have so much anxiety these days,” Hoffman said. “I wanted something where people would leave my business feeling happy and having a smile on their face.”

Hoffman was on to something. According to a preliminary study published in Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Ther-

Burgeoning industry Like Hoffman’s studio, many wine and painting party studios are franchises, and the number of businesses has grown rapidly since 2007.

But there are also stand-alone businesses, like the Painted Palette in historic Mount Washington Village. Best friends Rebecca Hauser and Brooke Blumberg envisioned the studio during a trip to Chicago, where the pair were inspired by similar businesses.

“I always wanted to own my own business, but it was just one of those dreams on the backburner,” Hauser explained.

When the friends returned to Baltimore,

N OW ON STAG E

Pub & Paint hosts canvas-painting classes in local pubs and restaurants. DIY art studios are gaining popularity as a way to be creative and decompress after a stressful day.

they immediately started planning. Six months later, the Painted Palette was born.

Similar to the Paint and Sip franchise chain, Hauser’s studio hosts two-hour painting classes using acrylic (quick-drying) paints on canvas. Also like Paint and Sip, Hauser and Blumberg decided not to go with a liquor license; their studio is BYOB. Adult classes cost $35 per person. At family day and children’s birthday parties, the cost is less for children.

Creating stained glass Both Hoffman and Hauser say they have recently seen a significant increase in the demand for classes. The reason? In-

creased “stress in our lives,” said Diana Byers, class coordinator at Terraza Stained Glass, a BYOB stained glass studio in Baltimore City.

Like Paint and Sip, Terraza Stained Glass was not started by a professional artist. Rather, franchise founder Donna Terraza decided she wanted to make a stained-glass transom window for her doorway. When Terraza’s neighbors suddenly wanted transoms, too, Terraza realized she had a potential business on her hands.

Terraza Stained Glass now offers threehour beginner classes for $40, which includes all materials. During the class, parSee DIY ART, page 29

Cars, boats, furniture, antiques, tools, appliances Everything and anything is sold on AUGUST 31 - NOVEMBER 12

410-730-8311

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

BALTIMORE BEACON â&#x20AC;&#x201D; SEPTEMBER 2017

27

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back to school season for everyone culinary arts; and personal development.

For more information, call (410) 323-5501 or visit www.rpcs.org/compass.

Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) The School for Professional and Continuing Studies at this renowned art school offers a wide range of fine arts and design courses in the fields of photography, drawing, painting, ceramics and more. To learn more, call (410) 669-9200 or visit www.mica.edu.

Continuing Education at The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) Life enrichment classes for all ages run the gamut from arts to boating, fitness, outdoor activities, crafts, health and wellness, hobbies, languages and more. There is a separate division for older adults, with courses offered in such areas as the arts, computers, history/politics, and humanities and culture. For more information, call (443) 840-4700 or visit www.ccbcmd.edu.

Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Institute of Torah The Rebbetzin Frieda K. Hirmes Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Institute of Torah (WIT) provides continuing education courses and programs to the women of the Baltimore Jewish community. Courses and programs are designed to enhance personal knowledge and enrich oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jewish experience.

For more information, call (410)-358-2545 or visit www.witbaltimore.org.

Institute for Christian and Jewish Studies The Institute for Christian and Jewish Studies (ICJS) is a nonprofit organization that concentrates on disarming religious hatred and establishing models of interfaith understanding. Founded in 1987 by an interSee BACK TO SCHOOL, page 29

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICA

By Carol Sorgen If you miss school â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but not the homework or exams â&#x20AC;&#x201D; look into the many continuing education programs offered in town. From aerobics to zoology, there is sure to be something to pique your interest. Here are just a few: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Towson University The mission of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Towson University is to offer adults age 50 and older opportunities for continued learning, along with programs and activities for social and cultural enrichment in a congenial and supportive environment.

Courses are offered in such areas as the fine arts, movies, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, languages and current events. There are book clubs, special interest groups and day trips available as well. To learn more, call (410) 704-3535 or visit www.towson.edu//osher.

Renaissance Institute at Notre Dame of Maryland University The Renaissance Institute is an active group of more than 300 men and women over the age of 50 who are interested in pursuing lifelong learning and intellectual growth. Courses include public affairs, literature, writing, history, philosophy, music, art, languages, tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ai chi, film, science, computers, water aerobics, dance and acting, and more. For more information, call Linda Kuehn at (410) 532-5351 or visit www.ndm.edu.

Kaleidoscope Lifelong Learning at Roland Park Country School The goal of Kaleidoscope is to foster a lifelong love of learning within the entire RPCS and Baltimore communities. Programs include book talks; local, regional and international travel; creative pursuits; technology;

The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) offers pottery and a variety of other classes for students of all ages. It is among many institutions offering non-credit classes this fall.

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Lessons and classes available include piano, violin, cello, guitar, voice, chamber music, chorus, dance, and more.

REGISTER NOW! FALL SEMESTER BEGINS SEPTEMBER 6 peabody.jhu.edu/ace 667-208-6640 peabodyprep@jhu.edu

28

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SEPTEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

New memoirs that enlighten and inform

By Dinah Rokach Autobiographies that succeed shed light on an interesting life and tell fascinating stories. What a great way to spend a lazy summer’s day relaxing with a good book while accompanying someone else on their life’s journey. Three recent autobiographies are noteworthy.

Popular spy novelist John le Carré, the pseudonym of David Cornwell, reminisces about his life as a diplomat, spy, highly successful author, and son of a colorful con man in The Pigeon Tunnel: Stories From My Life.

Written with grace and charm, the octogenarian raconteur vividly recalls the formative episodes of his life. This master of prose re-tells his life in episodes rather than in traditional, sequential narrative form. This device suits him and his readers well.

Whether you’re a consummate consumer of his oeuvre or not, this autobiography stands on its own merit as a book that brings much pleasure and delight.

You’ll be amazed at the sheer amount of hard work involved in his writing of fiction.

His thrillers not only stem from a fertile imagination, but are grounded in meticulous research and fact finding. Le Carré has traveled to the far corners of the globe and to many of the world’s most danger-

ous locations ravaged by war and violence.

He is not an author ensconced in his study.

His memoir is therefore quite riveting and surprising.

The Pigeon Tunnel: Stories From My Life by John le Carré, 320 pages, Viking First Edition hardcover, Sept.

2016 Another well-written autobiography is The Word Detective by John Simpson, a highly accomplished lexicographer who edited the Oxford English Dictionary. His career spanned the decades that brought the venerable OED into the digital age.

The story of Simpson’s professional life is interwoven with poignant reflections of family life and the challenges of raising his beloved younger daughter.

Simpson writes about his working years among the academic stuffed shirts in Oxford with a wry sense of humor. The book’s self-effacing descriptions are quite charming. The clever device of pausing to delve into the origin, history and meaning of selected words in the text makes the book informative as well as entertaining. If you enjoyed William Safire’s “On Language” in the New York Times Sunday Magazine or read Ben Zimmer’s weekly Wall Street Journal column, John Simpson’s autobiography will enchant you.

The book sheds light on how technolog-

ical advances of the last few decades have reshaped the most traditional and hidebound endeavors. You’ll learn about a profession that — contrary to what you may have thought — can be a passion for some and a challenging, mind-expanding journey to many.

The Word Detective: Searching for the Meaning of It All at the Oxford English Dictionary by John Simpson, 384 pages, Basic Books hardcover, Oct. 2016 Coretta Scott King’s My Life, My Love, My Legacy is a bittersweet story.

The late Mrs. King started work on her autobiography during her lifetime; a collaborator completed the book. Setting the record straight, giving herself and other women of the civil rights movement their deserved recognition, is only one reason this book is important.

The life of an ambitious and talented young girl reared in the rural South transformed by her marriage to the great civil rights leader is a compelling story. Trying to keep her own ambition alive in a time and place where men dominated, living under the constant threat of violence to her family, maintaining her abiding faith — these are all elements of a multi-faceted woman whom history has kept in the shadows.

This memoir brings to the fore the turbulent times of protest and the remarkable changes during the lifetime of Mrs. King.

The book opens the curtain on the private life of a celebrated man and his wife. It reminds us that those who toil in the shadows of greatness are worthy of history’s attention as well.

Mrs. King died in 2006 at the age of 78.

She did not live to become a grandmother, nor did she witness the election of Barack Obama. Her oldest daughter Yolanda survived her by only one year.

Narrating one’s own life’s story affords the protagonist the opportunity to dispel rumors and counter criticisms. Mrs. King staunchly defends her husband from gossip about his infidelity.

In her lifetime, she was labelled the “Black Jackie” for what was perceived as her demanding and imperial demeanor.

This version of events tells her side of the story with warmth and humility. She earns our respect in this revealing account.

Coretta Scott King gains our compassion for her suffering and our admiration for her courage in the face of tragedy.

My Life, My Love, My Legacy by Coretta Scott King as told to the Rev. Dr. Barbara Reynolds, 368 pages, Henry Holt and Co. hardcover, Jan. 2017

DIY art From page 26 ticipants make their stained glass art from start to finish, including creating the design and cutting the glass.

All these DIY shop owners believe their studios have become successful because they allow people to unleash their creativity while experiencing new things in life.

“It’s all about fun! It’s not ‘fine art,’ it’s fun-art,” said Hoffman. She said that one customer told her that the experience was like “yoga for the mind.”

Some studios, like the Painted Palette, offer private classes or will host classes at a private venue. It even offers painting classes at the Maryland Zoo. At Pub & Paint, artist and owner Brady Starr offers canvas-painting classes in local

Back to school From page 27 faith coalition of laity and clergy, the ICJS offers a variety of educational programs that highlight the distinctiveness of the Christian and Jewish traditions, and confront the misunderstandings that have evolved in the communities. To learn more, call (410) 4947161, or visit www.icjs.org.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2017

pubs and restaurants, where participants can paint, eat and drink at the same time.

Starr, a former art teacher, used to host classes at friends’ pubs, before realizing he could build a business from the concept.

Now, restaurants reach out to him to offer their space. His classes cost $40 per person, which includes all necessary materials for the art. Food and drink is sold at the location.

DIY art is enjoyed by all ages. The Painted Palette, for example, recently hosted a birthday party for a 90-year old couple, while Paint and Sip just held a 97th birthday party.

“I just love that we’re making people happy…that people are getting a little escape from their everyday lives when they come into our studio,” said Hoffman. “It makes me happy that we’ve touched all these lives.”

Odyssey Non-Credit Liberal Arts Programs at The Johns Hopkins University Odyssey has a wide selection of courses, workshops and lecture series delivered by JHU faculty and community experts. Personal enrichment programs are offered in fields ranging from science to art, writing to photography. For more information, call (410) 516-4842 or visit www.odyssey.jhu.edu.

Tell them you saw it in the Beacon!

BEACON BITS

Sept. 9+

MARYLAND COLLECTS: JACOB LAWRENCE

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum will host the exhibit “Maryland Collects: Jacob Lawrence,” from Saturday, Sept. 9 through Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. The exhibition includes nearly 50 works on paper and two artist books by renowned 20th century African American artist Jacob Lawrence.

The exhibition schedule also features a Collector’s Panel on Saturday, Sept. 16 and a Family Day on Saturday, Oct. 7. The museum is located at 830 E. Pratt St. in Baltimore. Entry is free for all members and children under 6, $8 for adults, $6 for those 65+. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit www.lewismuseum.org or call (443) 263-1800.

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

FROM PAGE 30 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

L I C I T

L O O T S

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O S T E O

W W E A D R

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

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

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

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

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

I S U Z U

S T E T

H O N O R

O U T D O

O T H E R

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

Kaleidoscope Lifelong Learning Opportunities For The Community

Offerings: DAY TRIPS THEATRE HEALTH WELLNESS & DEVELOPMENT HISTORY & CULTURE CREATIVE PURSUITS And other highly popular programs Register online at: rpcs.org/compass 5204 Roland Avenue• Baltimore, Maryland 21210• 410.323.5501 BB917

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SEPTEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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

1. Culturally acceptable 2. Takes a five-finger discount 3. ___ to the Moon (Groundbreaking 1902 movie) 4. GQ and SI 5. Senseless 6. Mr. Claus, to pals 7. John Deere’s were made of steel 8. All senators take one 9. Pick up the tab 10. Skirt fold 11. Like last year’s styles 12. ___ fly (run-scoring out in baseball) 13. “Can you say that again?”

21. Prefix for -potent or -present 22. Item in a ballerina’s wardrobe 26. Culturally unacceptable 27. Japanese car maker 28. Fancy popcorn holders 29. Brief newspaper bio.

31. Proofer’s second thought 32. Pony Express delivery 33. Bone: Prefix 34. Gesture of peace 35. Uses needles and thread 36. Heavyweight champion during the US bicentennial 37. One of Hamlet’s options 42. Quiet down, please 43. Poppy products 44. Fitness centers 45. Select the bride and groom 50. “Dallas” family name 51. Blacken a marshmallow 52. Cousin to a weasel or badger 53. Present a Lifetime Achievement Award 54. Perform better than 55. None of the above 57. Top selling liquid laundry detergent 58. German beer 59. Walk down the aisle 60. ___ and Peace 61. Gold fund, reserved for one’s golden years

Answers on page 29.

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2017

CLASSIFIEDS The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on the right.

CAVEAT EMPTOR! The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibility for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment.

EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS: We will not knowingly or intentionally accept advertising in violation of federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap in connection with employment or the sale or rental of real estate.

Events AUTUMN FESTIVAL — St. John’s Lutheran Church, 8808 Harford Rd., Baltimore, MD 21234, Saturday, October 21, 2017 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring crafts, vendors, children’s activities, new and gently clothing, German food, entertainment. Crafters and vendors needed.

Contact the church office at 410-665-1234.

More information, www.stjohnsparkville.org.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

For Rent/Sale: Real Estate I AM HERE FOR YOU. “RITA BUG.” My mother called me that nickname. I took care of her the last two years before her passing. Now I’m here for others. If you can take care of yourself, showering and dressing, and in pretty good health, I have a great idea. We can live together. I would buy us a house.

You do not have to live sharing a room. I would take you and maybe two ladies/guys and buy a wonderful home. We would travel together, USA and the world.

Dinner out twice a week, bathroom dancing, entertainment in NYC and DC, art classes, daytrips, Vegas nights, shopping for others. We could start business together. I have tons of ideas. For those who are not seniors, I would offer the same beautiful homes, peace and quiet. Give me a call, and let’s make something happen. Let’s talk. Rita Davis, 443379-9064. P.S. Move in two to three weeks.

Wanted

RECLINING SOFA AND LOVESEAT — LZ Boy suede set in excellent condition. Wood queen bed, headboard and footboard like new. Best offers. Call David, 410-486-2136 after 10 a.m.

LAWN AND GARDEN — Lawn service, week trimming, edging, flowerbed maintenance, perennial planting, annual planting shrubbery, hedge trimming, rose bush pruning, mulching flowerbeds, spring and fall cleanup. Quality work. 443-653-9546.

MONEY, TIME TO SELL! Make the right choice. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. We buy jewelry, coins, silver, antiques, watches, gold, art, paper money, toys, bottles, etc. No middleman, no fees, no overhead means more money for your stuff. Give me a call, and let’s do business.717-658-7954.

TWO CEMETERY PLOTS at Lorraine Park Cemetery, 5608 Dogwood Road, Woodlawn, MD. Asking $3,755 each. Will sell for $5,400 total, or best offer. 410-357-9808, Audrey.

DEPARTMENT 56 HERITAGE DICKEN’S VILLAGE — 19 houses. Many retired, dated from 1985, plus numerous accessories. $500 total or $25 each. 410-661-8137.

SANFORD & SON JUNK REMOVAL. Trash + Junk removal, house & estate cleanouts, garage + basement cleanouts. Demolition – Shed, deck fence + pool removal. Licensed + insured. Free estimates over the phone. Call 7 days a week, 7 am to 7 pm. 410-746-5090.

LOVESEAT FOR SALE — Only $30. 410-6360389.

Personals

SELLING 3 ITEMS — 1 Duncan Phyfe sofa, 1 antique 6-chair dining room set, 1 marble coffee table plus antique China. 410-537-0395.

VERY ATTRACTIVE SWF, age 60, looks to meet SWM age 60-65. Call Patty, 443-845-7802.

ROOMS MONTPELIER/LAUREL: Female, non-smoker, no pets, upstairs, drug free and quiet. Kitchen (own refrigerator), laundry, patio. Full-time employed, own auto. Pool/tennis access. 1-301-676-3996.

COFFEE TABLE, 2 END TABLES. $100.

410-636-0389.

LAKEVIEW MEMORIAL PARK — 2 lots and 2 vaults. Value $8,100. Asking $7,600 for all.

Call 410-882-2926.

The Beacon, Baltimore Classified Dept.

P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 Home/Handyman Services

“PARAGON” ALUMINUM 2-STEP POOL LADDER. $45. Phone, 410-668-2134.

RETIRED MSW MOVING FROM OREGON in Mid-October to be close to family. Seeks house share in Frederick, Howard or Baltimore counties. Reply to oregontomaryland@gmail.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

For Sale

For Rent/Sale: Real Estate

MATURED FEMALE SEEKS 1-bedroom apartment in Pikesville or Pimlico area. Call 443-467-0847.

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.

FREE COIN CONSULTANT AND APPRAISER offering free lectures to senior citizen centers, senior clubs, and senior church groups, on the topic of valuating and liquidating coin collections. Contact Drage at 410-744-8139 or dragevukcevich@yahoo.com.

NICE LOOKING, SBM, age 54, looking for SF, age 30-60 for friendship, who’s nice, loving, down to earth, passionate with a good heart, nice personality and likes to cuddle. PO Box 33471, Baltimore, MD 21218.

Wanted CASH BUYER FOR OLD COSTUME JEWELRY — wrist and pocket watches (any condition). Also buying watchmaker tools and parts, coins, quilts, old toys, postcards, trains, guns, pocket and hunting knives, linens, fishing equipment and tackle boxes, fountain pens, Christmas garden items, crocks and jugs, lamps and lanterns, pottery, military items, sports memorabilia, advertising signs, paintings and contents of attics, basements and garages. Professional, no pressure individual with over forty years of experience. Lloyd D. Baker. 410-409-4965.

CASH FOR JEWELRY: gold, silver, costume, diamonds, watches, scrap gold, coins. Call Gary, 301-520-0755. www.atticllc.com.

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

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

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Research Studies COPD Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Depression Study . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Exercise Research Study . . . . . .12 Footprint Emphysema Study . . .12

Dental Services Denture Doctor . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Diamond Dental . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Mishpacha Dental . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Education CCBC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Johns Hopkins Peabody Prepatory 27 Roland Park Country School . .29

Employment Shoaib A. Hashmi, MD, PA . . . . .7

Events Beacon 50+ Expo . . . . . . . . . . .24

Financial Services First Maryland Disability Trust .21 JS Richardson Insurance . . . . . .19

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PENFED Credit Union . . . . . . .19 Senior Life Insurance . . . . . . . .18

Legal Services

Home Health Care

Angels of Elder Care Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Frank, Frank & Scherr Law Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Southard & Greenbaum, LLC . .18

Options for Senior America . . . .24

Medical/Health

Housing

Advanced Center for Plastic Surgery, The . . . . . . . .15 Blood Test for Lung Cancer . . .14 Carle Center for Pain Management, The . . . . . .11 Center for Vein Restoration . . . .16 Foot Centers of Maryland . . . . .13 Live Better Hearing . . . . . . . . . . .3 Maryland Vascular Specialists . .10 Medstar Total Eldercare . . . . . . .9 Rosenblatt Foot Care . . . . . . . . . .9 Skin Cancer EB . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Funeral Services Schimunek/Dignity . . . . . . . . . .20

Alta at Regency Crest . . . . . . . .13 Bayleigh Chase/Integrace . . . . .24 Broadmead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Buckingham’s Choice/Integrace 24 Charlestown/Erickson . . . . . . .15 Christ Church Harbor Apts. . . . .11 Fairhaven/Integrace . . . . . . . . . .24 Linden Park Apts. . . . . . . . . . . .16 Oak Crest/Erickson . . . . . . . . . .15 Park Heights Place . . . . . . . . . .20 Park View Apartments . . . . . . . .25 St. Marys Roland View Towers .20 Stumps Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Virginia Towers . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Walker Mews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Woodholme Gardens . . . . . . . . .24

Shopping CIRCA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Radio Flea Market . . . . . . . . . . .26

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation CommuniCare Health . . . . . . . . .8 Keswick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Manor Care Health Services . . .14

Subscriptions Beacon Subscription . . . . . . . . .29

Technology TechMedic4U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Theatres/ Entertainment Rockin Rob Revue . . . . . . . . . . .27 Song Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . .26

Travel Arizona & Las Vegas Trip . . . . .23 Eyre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Nexus Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Utilities BGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

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