September 2018 | Howard County Beacon by The Beacon Newspapers

The Howard County

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Celebrating Area Artists

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From limestone sculptures and stained glass, to photos from as far away as the Galapagos, to paintings that detail faces old and young, to poems that evoke love and loss, more than 900 paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs and poems poured into the Beacon’s Celebration of the Arts — our art competition for amateurs over 50. Not only was the number of entries impressive; the quality of the works was also outstanding. A selection of entries appears below. To see the winning

entries and read about their creators, as well as our panel of judges, look inside this issue for a special Celebration of the Arts pull-out section. You will also have an opportunity to see the artworks in person at gallery exhibitions later this year. Details are inside. Don’t forget to keep this special section and share it with your friends. We hope to see your artistic skills in the next competition!

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Winning photographers’ unique worldview Whether they’re exploring the world at large or right outside their window, the award-winning photographers of the Beacon’s Celebration of the Arts see the world through a different lens — both literally and figuratively. Whether you’re inspired, entertained, enchanted or awe-struck, you will be sure to be touched by what they have seen and chosen to show us. The following winners were selected from among 208 entries.

First Place Vella Kendall, Monkton, Md. A retired nurse who worked for many years at the Johns Hopkins Hospital’s dedicated HIV unit, Kendall’s development as a photographer was sparked one day when she was asked to take photos of her colleagues on the night shift. Since then, the 71-yearold has taken photography classes through the Community College of Baltimore County and Johns Hopkins’ Odyssey Program. But she says she is largely selftaught, “with help from my husband, who would have to change my lenses because I was afraid to!” “I found photography was a great stress reliever from my job. I would come home after my shift, and photograph flowers that my husband would plant for me,” Kendall said. “Then I noticed the little bugs on the flowers, and became fascinated with them, especially after enlarging [their images] on the computer.” When her husband put up bird feeders and Kendall bought a telephoto lens to pho-

tograph the birds from a distance, she found she fell in love with wildlife photography. She continues to hone her technique, using as subjects her dog, backyard birds, flowers and local wildlife at Conowingo Dam and the national wildlife refuges. Now, Kendall and her husband have a small trailer in which they travel around the country, photographing landscapes, birds and wildlife, as well as traveling abroad for culture and photographic opportunities. Kendall has traveled to Africa three times, and that’s where she took the image that won her first place in the Celebration. She was visiting a small, rather primitive village in the countryside that had no running water or electricity. The family would trek to the local well for water to wash clothes and to cook with on the open-fire outdoor stove. The woman whose face Kendall photographed was one of the family’s elders. “I felt [she] proudly showed her life on her face, and the depth of her soul in her eyes,” Kendall said. Kendall’s photography has won many other awards, including First Place in Photography at the 2015 Baltimore County Baby Boomer/Senior Expo Art Show and Second Place in the Open Category at the 2018 Maryland Photographic Alliance Show. Kendall belongs to the Baltimore Camera Club (which is part of the Maryland Photographic Alliance) and to the Photographic Society of America.

Second Place Rich Isaacman, Edgewater, Md. Rich Isaacman, 65, spent most of his career at NASA as an astronomer which, he said, feeds directly into two other loves: travel and photography. “Astronomy, of course, is famous for its spectacular imagery. And astronomers

also tend to travel a lot, since observatories tend to be located in remote places,” he said. “Of course, now we have many [observatories] in orbit as well, but we don’t get to travel to them!” Isaacman attended graduate school in the Netherlands. After he earned his doctorate there in astrophysics, he spent three years doing a post doc in Hawaii. There he worked at an observatory at 13,800 feet atop Mauna Kea on the Big Island. “Living in that spectacular place really sparked my interest in photography, and it became an integral part of my travels,” Isaacman said. He began to become serious about photography in 2011, when a family event in Bangladesh made him especially appreciate the colors, people and rituals of such faraway places. Since his time in Hawaii, Isaacman has traveled to more than 50

countries. “I try to capture the landscapes, ‘humanscapes,’ and street scenes that make such places exotic and special, and which often form our most crystalline memories of a trip,” he said. “In short, exotic travel and photography are very deeply intertwined for me.” In the past six months, Isaacman has become interested in augmenting his usual travel photos with drone photography.

When circumstances allow, he now shoots aerial landscapes in addition to his street scenes and ground-based landscapes. Isaacman also writes a monthly travel column, accompanied by his photos, for a local magazine, South River Living, as well as a travel blog featuring his travel journal and photos, at https://richandalice.wordpress.com. His blog has 500 followers in more than a dozen countries. He sells his photos at various local art exhibitions and online at https://rich-isaacman.pixels.com.

Third Place R i c h a r d We i b linger, Laurel, Md. R i c h a r d We i b linger, 70, has enjoyed a lengthy career in the sciences. A biologist, who also pursued graduate work at Johns Hopkins in public health, he has worked for decades at several government agencies in the area. He says he “will probably retire soon” and devote more time to his photography. Never having taken an art or photography course, Weiblinger picked up a cheap

camera about six years ago and starting shooting images of wildlife. See PHOTOGRAPHY page B3

CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS WINNERS following page 16

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

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FITNESS & HEALTH 4 k Lower your risk of dementia k Do you have a food sensitivity?

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A lack of trust (fund) Two questions arise from a recent artiOne might object, and point out that this cle from the Associated Press that begins: additional $418 billion is actually coming out “An unexpected weakening of the Social Security and in the finances of Social SeMedicare “trust funds.” Those curity and Medicare...” are the funds that have been First, what’s unexpected “collecting” the Social Security about it? (Answer: it’s only and Medicare payroll taxes that unexpected if you haven’t have exceeded the annual costs been paying attention.) of the programs since the payAnd second, has this reroll rates were revised back durported “weakening” become ing the Reagan administration. such a common alarm from A trust fund sounds reassurthe annual report of the Soing, at first blush. If you or I cial Security and Medicare FROM THE were lucky enough to have one, Trustees that it seems like PUBLISHER we’d know we could draw on By Stuart P. Rosenthal the assets they contained and they are crying wolf? You tell me. I’ve written spend away. about the inevitable and growing problems But the government’s so-called trust with the programs frequently over the last funds are simply Treasury Bills owed to 15 years or so. But I still don’t see any ac- one branch of the government by another tion from Congress, or even hear any com- branch of the same government. plaints from members of the public. As I’ve explained in a number of prior Why should anyone complain? columns over the years, the excess payroll For one thing, according to this year’s taxes collected in those boom years were Trustee report, in 2018, Social Security and actually fully spent at the time, just as if Medicare — which were designed to be they were part of the government’s generpay-as-you-go programs, bringing in annual al taxpayer revenues. revenues sufficient to cover annual costs That’s because our government doesn’t — will require an additional $416 billion have a way to “put money aside” for a rainy from taxpayers or other government bor- day other than to issue promissory notes rowing. For comparison, last year’s entire that are IOUs to itself. federal budget deficit was $668 billion. Each year with a surplus, the govern-

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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 Richmond, Va. (Fifty Plus). 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 • Vice President, Sales & Marketing ....Alan Spiegel • Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben • Art Director ........................................Kyle Gregory • Director of Operations ........................Roger King • Advertising Representatives .................................. ................................Barbara Koscielski, Steve Levin • Assistant Editor ..........................Rebekah Alcalde • Editorial Intern ................................................Erin Yu

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ment effectively said, “I’ll take this extra taxpayer money and use it to fund other programs (or to reduce this particular year’s deficit), and will promise myself to cover any shortfalls in future years to the extent I borrowed the money now.” Furthermore, since the surplus is held in the form of special Treasury bonds, they “earn interest,” meaning the government agrees to pay itself interest each year on what it owes to itself. Isn’t that nice? It not only obligates future generations to pay back the money spent in earlier years, but adds interest to the obligation. Of course, we fully expect the government to make good on these promises, and it no doubt will. But the only way to do so, as the Trustees’ June report says, is “through some combination of increased taxation, reductions in other government spending, or additional borrowing from the public.” Let’s think about that for a moment. This year, it means we need either to raise taxes (which of course Congress has just done the opposite of, lowering taxes through last year’s tax bill), reduce other government spending (also a joke, given the increases in defense and other spending that the administration and Congress have been calling for), or increase the fed-

eral debt by an additional $416 billion. Higher debt levels will most likely also be the outcome in each of the coming years that the trust funds are “tapped.” You might ask, how much money are we talking about? The four separate funds that constitute the Social Security and Medicare trust funds currently total $3.18 trillion. These obligations — and they are obligations — will be putting extreme pressure on annual budgets and future deficits for years and years to come. And even when those trust fund obligations are paid off, Social Security and Medicare will still not be in a position to pay all the benefits promised to future retirees. The Trustee’s report notes that Medicare’s “projected insolvency” will occur in 2026 (just 8 years away), and Social Security’s in 2034 (16 years). This all raises at least two more questions: Was this situation inevitable? (no) and What can or should we do about it now? Stay tuned. I’ll address these in my column next month. Please let your anger percolate in the meantime!

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 (“A complex subject,” From the Publisher, August) calls for legislation “pausing” the tariffs NORPAC won at the ITC by showing Canada engaged in unfair trade practices because these tariffs have caused newsprint prices to increase 25%. Nobody “pauses” plant shutdowns when U.S. workers lose their jobs to unfair foreign competition. Free trade agreements are about balancing interests. Nobody gets everything they want in these agreements, so in exchange for allowing publishers access to foreign newsprint, protections for U.S. companies and their workers are built in, and have to be allowed to work without outside meddling, to keep the system fair. Otherwise, more people will see “free trade” as “rigged” and end it, as Pres. Trump flipped several industrial states by promising. What would happen, instead, if publications that use a lot of newsprint decided to express their ire at NORPAC by refusing to buy newsprint from it, even though they’d have to pay the tariff when buying Canadian newsprint. And, as word spread and more stopped buying newsprint from this company,

maybe it would think twice before insisting on asserting its legal rights at the ITC? Maybe affected parties and governments would come together and reach a settlement where the Canadian government which improperly subsidized Canadian paper manufacturers would compensate adversely impacted U.S. paper manufacturers such as NORPAC in exchange for “pausing” the tariff. Dino Drudi via email Dear Editor: There is a marketplace solution to the problem of below-market prices for newsprint from Canada. Subsidies the Canadian government gives to newsprint producers to make up for the true costs must be paid for by Canadian taxpayers in general. That punishes all Canadians for the benefit of the few newsprint producers. What American newsprint producers should do is to buy all the Canadian newsprint they can at below the prices they can produce it, and focus on reselling it at a profit through their presence in America. That will send a message to both the Canadian government and its citizens that subsidies do not pay in the long run. Gerald Schneider Kensington, Md.

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FREE CHECK-INS Maryland is the first state to offer a free daily service to call older residents

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MORE THAN BRAIN GAMES Staying engaged and maintaining good health reduce risk of memory loss WHAT ALOE CAN ALLEVIATE Aloe vera can help with dry skin, burns, bug bites, eczema and more SECOND TIME AROUND Answering questions from readers considering a second marriage

Lower blood pressure may prevent dementia By Marilynn Marchione Lowering blood pressure more than usually recommended not only helps prevent heart problems, it also cuts the risk of mental decline that often leads to Alzheimer’s disease, a major study finds. It’s the first time a single step has been clearly shown to help prevent a dreaded condition that has had people trying crossword puzzles, diet supplements, and a host of other things in hope of keeping their mind sharp. In the study, people treated to lower their top blood pressure reading to 120 instead of 140 were 19 percent less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment. They also had fewer signs of damage on brain scans, and there was a possible trend toward fewer cases of dementia.

“This is a big breakthrough,” said Dr. Jeff Williamson of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in North Carolina. “It’s more important than ever to work with your physician to ensure that you have good blood pressure control.” He led the study and gave results in late July at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Chicago. They’re considered preliminary until published, expected later this year.

The brain-blood pressure link About 50 million people worldwide have dementia, and Alzheimer’s is the most common type. There is no cure — current medicines such as Aricept and Namenda just

ease symptoms — so prevention is key. Roughly half of adults in the United States have high blood pressure under guidelines adopted last year that define it as a top number of 130 or more, rather than 140. Normal is under 120. High pressure can damage blood vessels and has long been linked to a higher risk for dementia. But it’s not been known if lowering pressure would reduce that risk or by how much. The federally funded study was designed to test this in the most rigorous way. The study involved more than 9,300 people with high pressure. Half got two medicines, on average, to get their top reading below 140. The rest got three drugs, on average, and aimed for 120. During the study, the

top pressure averaged 121 in the intensivetreatment group and 135 in the other group. The study was stopped in 2015, nearly two years early, when it became clear that lower pressure helped prevent heart problems and deaths. But tests of thinking skills continued for two more years, and these new results were revealed recently. Researchers saw a 19 percent lower risk of mild cognitive impairment, or MCI, in the intensive-treatment group — 285 cases versus 348 in the higher pressure group. About half of people with MCI develop dementia over the next five years. “It’s really more important to prevent See BLOOD PRESSURE, page 6

PARKINSON’S POINTERS “Parkinson’s and Hospitalization” A free, livestream event followed by a question-and-answer session

Presented by Stephen Grill, MD, PhD, co-founder, Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Center of Maryland

wednesday, SEPTEMBER 26 • 6:30-8 p.m. check-in & Hor d’oeuvres • 6 p.m. Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center 18131 Slade School Road • Sandy Spring, MD 20860

Hospitalization can be a significant challenge for Parkinson’s patients, medical professionals and caregivers. Learn how you can decrease the likelihood of complications during a planned or unexpected hospitalization by adequately preparing in advance.

www.bgf.org For more information or to register, contact Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org by September 24.

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How to know if you have food sensitivities

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Leadership Howard County presents Dr. Redonda Miller, president of Johns Hopkins Hospital, at its general membership breakfast on Friday, Sept. 7 at 7:30 a.m. at The Meeting House, 5885 Robert Oliver Pl., Columbia. Dr. Miller will share milestones and memorable moments from her 30year tenure with Johns Hopkins as well as the need for all healthcare institutions to “think outside the box” in the twenty-first century. Tickets for the breakfast may be purchased at $30 for active members of Leadership Howard County and $60 for inactive members. To learn more and to register, visit leadershiphc.org or call (410)730-4474.

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A food intolerance can be difficult to diagnose because small amounts of the food may not cause adverse symptoms, and there are very few clinical tests that diagnose food intolerances. A popular test on the Internet and among naturopaths is serum immunoglobulin E (igE), which measures the amount of antibodies in the blood as a reaction to a specific food substance. However, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) recommends against this test, as it has a high falsepositive rate, and dietary modification is not necessary if there are no signs or symptoms. The NIAID also recommends against basophil histamine release/activation, lymphocyte stimulation, hair analysis, allergen-specific IgG, cytotoxicity assays, electro-dermal test (Vega), and mediator release assay (LEAP diet) food sensitivity testing, because they lack scientific evidence. The best way to determine a food intolerance is to keep a food diary, tracking all foods eaten, portion sizes, and a list of symptoms that occur afterwards. After two to four weeks, determine any patterns or connections between foods, portion sizes

natives to replace banished foods. Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC. 800-829-5384. www.EnvironmentalNutrition.com. © 2018 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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There is no commonly accepted definition for food sensitivity. It’s often used interchangeably with food intolerance, which occurs when a food or ingredient is poorly absorbed in the digestive tract and results in an adverse reaction, such as bloating, diarrhea, skin rashes or hives. Occasionally, food intolerances can be caused by an enzyme deficiency, which can become more common with age. Food intolerances usually depend on the portion, meaning the risky food can typically be tolerated in small quantities. Although symptoms can be like those of a food allergy, the two are not the same. A food allergy is the result of an immune response: the body recognizes the food as a threat, which results in a range of symptoms, from mild ones like hives or itchy mouth, to serious ones like difficulty

Pinpointing a food intolerance

and symptoms. Then, eliminate all distrusted foods for a week and re-introduce them one at a time to examine your reaction. Consult a registered dietitian to guide the elimination process, ensure all nutrient needs are met, and assist in finding alter-

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Food sensitivities defined

breathing or even death.

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By Esther L. Ellis., R.D. Food intolerances are on the rise. Today more than nine million adults suffer from food allergies. The Internet is rife with ads for “food sensitivity” testing kits, and some healthcare providers offer quick testing to find the foods that ail you. However, many tests can give false results, which may do more harm than good.

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Health Shorts Free daily calls offered to seniors Maryland is the first state in the country to start a free service to check on older residents by telephone. Those who request the service will receive a call every day at a regularly scheduled time pre-selected by the participant. If the participant does not answer their

first call, their number will be tried two more times. If those calls also go unanswered, calls will be made to notify an alternative person who is selected by the participant during program enrollment. This could be a relative, neighbor or friend. The alternate will then be encouraged to check on the participant who did not respond to the day’s calls. Any Maryland resident who is 65 or older may participate using a land line or cell phone. They must choose a preferred time to be called, either between 8 and 10 a.m. or 2 and 4 p.m.

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To register to be part of the Senior Call Check Program, go to http://bit.ly/ CallCheck or call 1-800-243-3425.

FDA approves drug derived from marijuana U.S. health regulators recently approved the first prescription drug made from marijuana, a milestone that could spur more research into a drug that remains illegal under federal law, despite growing legalization for recreational and medical use. The Food and Drug Administration approved the medication, called Epidiolex, to treat two rare forms of epilepsy in patients 2 years and older. But it’s not quite medical marijuana. The strawberry-flavored syrup is a purified form of a chemical ingredient found in the cannabis plant — but not the one that

gets users high. FDA officials said the drug reduced seizures when combined with older epilepsy drugs. It’s not yet clear why the ingredient, called cannabidiol, or CBD, reduces seizures in some people with epilepsy. British drugmaker GW Pharmaceuticals studied the drug in more than 500 children and adults with hard-to-treat seizures, overcoming numerous legal hurdles that have long stymied research into cannabis. FDA chief Scott Gottlieb said his agency had supported research on cannabis-derived products “for many years.” “This approval serves as a reminder that sound development programs that properly evaluate active ingredients contained in marijuana can lead to important medical therapies,” Gottlieb told reporters. The FDA has previously approved synthetic versions of another cannabis ingredient for medical use, including severe weight loss in patients with HIV. —AP

Blood pressure

Institute on Aging.

From page 4

How low to go?

MCI than dementia in some ways. It’s like preventing high cholesterol rather than a heart attack,” Williamson said. There also were fewer dementia cases in the intensive-treatment group, but there were too few to say lower blood pressure was the reason. Dementia takes longer to develop than mild impairment does, so doctors think the difference may widen over time. MRI scans on 454 participants showed that those in the lower pressure group had less white matter lesions — areas of scarring or damage from injury, such as inadequate blood supply. “It matches” the other results on thinking skills, and bolsters the evidence that lowering blood pressure helps, said Laurie Ryan, a dementia scientist at the National

This study’s previous results led to last fall’s guidelines change, setting high pressure at 130. Some doctors have criticized that as too aggressive. But the new results, showing benefits to the brain, “support and maybe even extend the guidelines,” Williamson said. “The goal of below 130 is extremely important.” The study did not test specific blood pressure drugs. Instead, each participant’s doctor chose which ones to use from the more than a dozen available. Getting to the lower level meant using one more medicine, and “90 percent of these are generic and cost less than a dollar a day,” Williamson said. “For a modest cost, this has a tremendously important health benefit for people.” — AP

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Can brain games lower dementia risk? Dear Mayo Clinic: Do puzzles and other activities or apps that claim to lower one’s risk of developing dementia actually work? Are there other things people can do to decrease the risk? Answer: Doing activities that stimulate your brain may reduce your risk of developing dementia. But it’s more complex than taking up puzzles or computer games at age 65. Research suggests that the value of cognitively stimulating activities builds up over a lifetime. That means: acquiring a good education, working in a job that is mentally stimulating, and engaging in pastimes, hobbies and social activities that are mentally engaging are all part of reducing your risk for developing dementia. This appears to be because people who spend more time engaged in learning across their lifetimes tend to develop more robust networks of nerve cells and connections between those nerve cells within their brains. Those networks are better equipped to handle the cell damage that can happen as a result of brain disorders that may lead to dementia.

What causes dementia? Before continuing, it would be wise to define “dementia.” Dementia describes symptoms that affect a person’s memory, thinking and social abilities to the point that it’s

difficult to perform normal daily activities. Dementia is caused by brain disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, and one of the most well-known. Diseases that affect the blood vessels — the same diseases that cause heart attacks and stroke — are the second most common cause of dementia. So, in addition to participating in activities that are mentally engaging, avoiding conditions that increase heart attacks and strokes also reduces your risk of dementia. Maintaining healthy levels of cholesterol and blood pressure, avoiding diabetes, not smoking, staying at a healthy weight, and exercising regularly all have been shown to improve cognitive health later in life. Again, however, it’s best if you make them components of a healthy lifestyle in your younger years and sustain them as you get older. That’s because all of them affect the health of the blood vessels in your brain. If your brain blood vessels stay in good condition throughout your young adulthood and midlife, they are more likely to be able to remain healthy as you age. If the health of those blood vessels deteriorates when you are younger, it’s difficult to mend the damage later. And damage to the brain’s blood vessels can be a factor in dementia.

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It’s never too late to start This is not to say that incorporating healthy choices into your lifestyle if you are older won’t make any difference. They can positively affect your cognitive and physical health. But to gain the most benefit for your brain, it’s best to have them in place as soon as possible. Social interaction is an area where anyone can make a change at any time, and it will likely have positive cognitive benefits. Regularly interacting with others — fami-

ly, friends, neighbors, co-workers, community members — can lift your mood, improve your outlook and engage your brain. All of these positively affect your cognitive abilities, and being socially engaged has been shown to ease symptoms of dementia. — David Knopman, M.D., Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. © 2018 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Creative shoe lacing helps ease foot pain Q: I just bought my third pair of gym shoes, and none of them seem to be comfortable. Could I be tying them wrong? A: Today’s mass-produced shoes often don’t accommodate the quirks of individual feet, which may be wide or narrow, or have arches that are high or low. Retying your shoes can make adjustments for those differences, and in some cases, ease your pain. Foot pain might stem from any of a vari-

ety of issues, such as bunions, hammertoes, corns, calluses, ingrown nails, pinched nerves or neuromas, and heel pain from plantar fasciitis. Many of these problems can be aggravated by improperly — or even properly — fitted footwear. Women who opt for narrow shoes and high heels are more likely to develop foot pain. Depending on the source of the pain, taking a few minutes to adjust the laces of your gym shoes could be a good first step to help alleviate soreness. It is certainly

worth a try to see if this would decrease any pain or discomfort during walking or any athletic activities. While there is no evidence-based medical research to validate that varying your lacing method can bring pain relief, there’s little reason not to give it a shot. Adjusting your shoelace placement is easy to do by repositioning the laces in the eyelets, which are the small holes that run on either side of the tongue of your shoe through which you thread the laces. You can target your specific foot problem by changing which eyelets the laces pass through. If your feet are wide, try lacing your shoes horizontally instead of using an overlapping X pattern. If your shoes feel too tight in spots, try skipping a few eyelets at intervals to ease pressure at those points. If you’re having pain in your heels, be sure to tie your laces tightest in the spot

closest to your heel and loosen them in the front, toward your toes. Anchor the laces at the top by making a loop at the last eyelet before you tie it closed. While some achy feet may be helped by a quick shoelace adjustment, in other instances pain may signal something more significant that warrants a doctor’s attention. Depending on the issue or problem, you should see your doctor about foot pain if it doesn’t get better despite wearing different shoes and changing how you tie them. Pay particular attention to symptoms that may signal an urgent problem, such as a foot or toe that is hot, red or swollen. These symptoms may indicate a stress fracture, infection, arthritis or gout. — Howard LeWine, M.D. © 2018 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Sept. 13

CPR TRAINING Learn life-saving skills to help when someone is choking or having

trouble breathing in an evening course on Thursday, Sept. 13 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Wellness Center at Howard County General Hospital, 10710 Charter Dr., Columbia. The class costs $45. For more information or to register, visit hcgh.org or call (410) 740-7601.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Aloe vera plant has many impressive uses Aloe vera made a couple of headlines resign up to receive my free health newsletter cently. The first was when the actress Drew at suzycohen.com. Barrymore dabbed some on a Right now, here are 10 things facial sore and it instantly took you can use your aloe plant for: out the redness. The second 1. Moisturize yourself was when Prop 65 regulations Mix some into your favorite in California called out a known lotion and put on your face or carcinogen in aloe vera called arms. “aloin.” 2. Heal bug bites But don’t worry, aloe will Dab aloe gel directly onto never get banned! painful or itchy bug bites, or Not to be morbid from the first combine the aloe in the get-go, but extracted compalm of your hand with some DEAR pounds from this spiky succuhydrocortisone cream. PHARMACIST lent plant were used in the 3. Cool off burns By Suzy Cohen Middle East during ancient Squeeze a dab of aloe vera times to clean dead bodies and into traditional burn ointment prepare them for burial. and use on superficial burns. Plants of aloe give us two very different 4. Soothe eczema itch substances: one is called “gel” and the other You can buy any salt or sugar scrub that is called “latex.” Both have medicinal value. feels good to you and just mix in aloe vera The gel is the clear part that comes gel. from the center of the leaf. You know it 5. Ease dandruff well. It looks like jelly, and it’s what you put Find a selenium sulfide-based shampoo on your skin for cuts and minor burns. and add some aloe vera gel to the shamThe aloe latex is visible just beneath the poo, then massage into your scalp. plant’s outer skin, and it’s yellow in color. 6. Fix gingivitis This has a laxative effect on the body. Squeeze some aloe vera gel onto your Aloe is very useful for psoriasis, food sen- toothbrush and brush like normal. sitivities, diabetes, gastritis and gingivitis. If 7. Shave your legs these topics interest you, I have a longer verInstead of using expensive, perfumed shavsion of this article that I’ll email to you if you ing cream on your legs, use aloe vera gel.

8. Get moving There are commercially prepared products, marketed as dietary supplements, which might help with constipation. Some people like this; others react poorly. 9. Succulent facial Do you want softer skin and more radiance without spending a fortune on fancy creams? Apply the gel to your cheeks and forehead and rest for 15 minutes. Rinse. 10. Soothe a sunburn Snap off a stalk from your aloe plant and

apply the clear gel onto the sunburned area for a natural cooling balm. It helps with redness and inflammation. These uses sound great, and they are for most people. Occasionally with aloe, you hear of unexpected problems such as diarrhea, skin or eye irritation, and possibly dehydration from the laxative effect. 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.

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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Some challenges of second marriages Dear Solutions: I’m about to marry a widower (I’m divorced) who has a very large beautiful house. My fiancé lived there with his wife and children all through the years and even has an office there. He wants me to move into the house, but I’m very nervous about it. I want him to sell it, and we’re beginning to argue about it. His wife’s furnishings are everywhere, and I feel her in every room. His sons definitely feel like it’s “their” house. He insists that it’s practical to live there, and jokingly calls it his “Cozy Cottage.” It’s tempting because it’s very

beautiful, but I don’t know if I should give in. What do you think? — Second Time Around Dear Second: Be careful. Sounds like his “Cozy Cottage” could become your “Haunted House”! A house is not a home unless you can make it yours. I believe strongly that when two people are starting a new life together they should start it in a new place that will be theirs. Not only do you feel like a stranger in that house, but even if you refurnish, his sons, who lived there with their mother, may look at you as an intruder and resent your presence. Make it an exciting adventure to start

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out together in a new environment. A new who is constantly doing what I suppose is considerate. marriage deserves a new home. He runs to my side of Dear Solutions: the car to open the door I’m in a second marriage. for me. He takes my arm My husband, who’s retired, when we’re about to cross goes to visit his children a street. He holds my and grandchildren almost elbow when I’m walking every Sunday because they down the stairs and so on. live nearby. I go with him All of this just annoys once in a while, but mostly I me, and I don’t know why. don’t because I love to have My husband never did any that day to myself. of those things, and I alHe doesn’t object, but SOLUTIONS ways wanted him to. So why other people say it’s not By Helen Oxenberg, am I angry at a man who right, and that I’m showing MSW, ACSW does it all? disrespect by not going with — Jane him. So now I feel guilty every time Sunday comes around. I guess people think Dear Jane: Because he’s not the man that you wantI’m cold. ed to have those things done by — your — Amy ex-husband! You’re displacing your anger Dear Amy: Wrapping yourself in the guilt quilt will at your ex onto this poor man who’s trying not make you feel warm. The only person so hard to please you. At the same time, this kind of attention you should concern yourself with is your or “help” crossing streets or walking down husband, and he doesn’t object. I’ll bet he likes to have that day to him- stairs may be making you feel dependent self also. Don’t worry about what other and old just when you’re trying to become people say. Just smile and say “that’s our more independent as a divorced woman. Try telling him that you appreciate his cararrangement,” or say nothing. Some people, of course, love to feel ing, but you want to feel more independent guilty, so if you’re one of those, here and need to do things under your own power. If that doesn’t work, please publicize his comes Sunday — run for cover! number for all the women reading this Dear Solutions: I know this probably sounds stupid, while their mouths water! but I can’t help my reactions. I’m di- © Helen Oxenberg, 2018. To inquire about vorced, and I’m going out with a man reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684.

BEACON BITS A T RADITION OF E XCELLENCE ~ A L IFETIME OF S ERVICE

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LEARN ABOUT TIME BANKING

The Columbia Community Exchange provides an opportunity for neighbors to help neighbors through the mutual exchange of everyday services through a program called time banking — a way to share skills. Whether you are lending a hand or getting help, this form of giving and receiving builds strong support networks throughout the community. This program is free and open to all who live, work and play in Columbia and greater Howard County. For more information, visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/TimeBanks or call (410) 884-6121.

Sept. 15

KOREAN CULTURE FESTIVAL

The Korean Festival of Maryland will feature authentic food, dancing, entertainment and games on Saturday, Sept. 15 at the Howard County Fairgrounds, 2210 Fairgrounds Rd., West Friendship. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit koreanmd.org or call (410) 736-2158.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Health Studies Page

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Helping COPD patients take their medicine By Carol Sorgen Over 24 million people in the U.S. have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It is the third-leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability. COPD is a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe. It can cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and other symptoms. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Most people who have COPD smoke or used to smoke. However, up to 25 percent of people with COPD never smoked. Long-term exposure to other lung irritants — such as air pollution, chemical fumes or dusts — also may contribute to COPD. COPD symptoms can lead to worse quality of life, more doctor visits, hospitalizations, and increased symptoms of depression and anxiety. There are many approved new medicines to help people with COPD manage their symptoms. Despite this, many patients still have a difficult time breathing or have frequent exacerbations. One possible explanation for this is that people may not be taking their medicines as prescribed.

Resisting medication Research studies show that only 25 percent of COPD patients take most of their prescribed medicines, while pharmacy data shows that COPD patients get refills of their medicines at lower rates than patients with other chronic illnesses such as

BEACON BITS

Sept. 15

OLD-FASHIONED FAMILY PICNIC

The Wilde Lake Community Association is sponsoring an old-fashioned family picnic on Saturday, Sept. 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. near the boathouse at Wilde Lake Park, 10026 Hyde Brook Rd., Columbia. Activities include a moon bounce, watermelon eating contest, and marching, guitar and reggae bands, as well as food and ice cream trucks. For more information, visit wildelake.org or call (410) 730-3987.

Sept. 24+

ACTIVE AGING IN ELLICOTT CITY

To celebrate Active Aging Week, Ellicott City 50+ Center will hold an open house featuring its programs and facilities from Monday, Sept. 24 through Friday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The center is located at 9401 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. For more information, call the center at (410) 313-1400.

high blood pressure and diabetes. Not taking medicine for COPD as prescribed can lead to negative health outcomes in the long run for patients. There has been very little research looking at how patients take their COPD medicines. In order to create interventions to help patients, doctors need to know how COPD patients manage their symptoms on a day-to-day basis. Different COPD patients may need different interventions due to their disease, beliefs about illness, treatment plans, and presence of multiple chronic medical conditions. A new study has been designed to identify potential ideas for behavioral interventions in COPD. Known as the Medication

Adherence Research in COPD study (MARC), it will be the first to look at the effect of medication adherence on COPD progression in a diverse group. This study is sponsored by the National Institutes for Health and is led Johns Hopkins doctors.

Taking part in the study Johns Hopkins is now recruiting 360 COPD patients for the study, who will be compensated for their time. Patients may be considered for the MARC study if they are: • over the age of 40, • have been diagnosed with COPD, • and are currently prescribed a long term/daily medication for COPD.

Potential participants will first visit Johns Hopkins Bayview campus for lung function testing to determine if they are eligible for the study. If eligible, patients will participate in the study for two years, visiting Johns Hopkins Bayview every six months to measure their lung function and other health indicators. Everyone in the study will be given electronic devices that dispense and monitor medication taken. In addition, participants will get telephone calls to talk to researchers about their health and medication adherence. To learn more or to volunteer, call (410) 550-1505 or (410) 550-1032.

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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Say you saw it in the Beacon

A Publication from the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence

Volume 8, No. 9 • September 2018

Older Adults Gain Momentum for Healthy Aging September is National Senior Center Month

his month, the National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC) is celebrating and highlighting how centers are “Building Momentum” with older adults throughout the United States. With so many opportunities for growing, learning, giving, and connecting, centers are showcasing the future of aging as vibrant and exciting. Their variety of programs reflect innovation and creative opportunities for engagement, and have become a strong aging resource in the community. In Howard County, WELLNESS AND FITNESS OPPORTUNITIES that support healthy aging are gaining momentum in all six of the Office on Aging and Independence (OAI)’s 50+ Centers. “These increasing participation trends are fueled by the popularity of our fully-equipped fitness centers and the many exercise options we offer,” says Barbara Scher, manager of OAI’s 50+ Center Division. “The GO50+ package for adults age 50 and over offers access to five fitness centers, including the newest location which recently opened at the Elkridge 50+ Center.” Each center offers a variety of EXERCISE CLASS OPTIONS for all fitness levels. The Ellicott City 50+ Fitness Center offers a group exercise pass for its members, which provides access to any or all of the center’s 17 weekly classes. Rates vary from $5 for a single drop-in class to $125 for an unlimited three-month pass. Members can choose from a wide array of classes that range from Gentle Yoga to Zumba Gold and Strength Training to Cardio Kickboxing. All class instructors demonstrate high and low energy options, but teach to mid-level intensity. “A GROUP CLASS PASS works well physically and financially for those who do not want to commit to a full session of classes, as well as for those who like to work out daily or want to participate

in more than one class a day,” says Ellicott City 50+ Center Director Cindy Saathoff. “This program draws in the younger, more active individuals who previously might never have envisioned themselves at a 50+ Center, but now cannot imagine life without it.” Free fitness room orientations are scheduled to provide each member an overview of the equipment available and how to safely and effectively use each piece. Consider PERSONAL TRAINING to help get you started on the right track and ensure your safety, or try something new like pickle ball — offered at the Glenwood 50+ Center — to change up your routine. Be sure to stop by the Glenwood and Ellicott City 50+ Centers during Active Aging Week, September 24 – 28 for inspirational wellness activities. Howard County’s 50+ Centers welcome older adults who are new to exercise, as well as those who want to return to a more active lifestyle. Popular ALTERNATIVE EXERCISE modalities such as Qi Gong, Tai Chi and yoga pair the benefits of movement with breath control and mental focus. These practices, offered at East Columbia 50+ Center and other locations, help participants manage stress while gaining strength, mobility and balance. Other group exercise classes, which focus specifically on improving balance, can help prevent falls and improve confidence to keep people moving. NUTRITION is another important element to wellness, and can affect physical strength and balance as well. Carmen Roberts, LDN, is available for individual consultations at 50+ centers by appointment; each center also has a nutrition program specialist who offers educational programs to demonstrate how diet plays an integral role in one’s overall health. continued on page 18

Ellicott City 50+ Center Group Exercise Program

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The 50+ Connection

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Don’t Fall Prey to Disaster Recovery Scams By Rebecca Bowman, Administrator, Howard County Office of Consumer Protection

Natural disasters often leave homes in need of extensive cleaning and repair. Insurance settlements and disaster relief benefits help homeowners weather the financial storm but they can also attract con artists. While you can’t disaster-proof your home, you can protect your wallet from con artists out to take your money.

Look Out for Phony Disaster “Officials” Ask for identification from any “official” who comes to your home to guard against imposters. Government agencies, including FEMA, do not charge application or processing fees; never pay money to someone claiming to be with a government office. Also, be wary of “safety inspectors” or utility repair workers who say that immediate work is needed and then recommend specific companies to do the work.

Door-to-Door Repair or Clean-Up Offers Beware of strangers who come to your home to offer assistance. Solicitors operating in Howard County are required to be registered and carry an ID card issued by the Office of Consumer Protection (OCP). Don’t do business with solicitors who can’t produce it. Report unlicensed solicitors to OCP (410-313-6420) or to the Howard County Police (410-313-2929).

Choosing a Contractor Get recommendations from friends, family, insurance agents or claims adjusters and ask your neighbors what they are paying for similar work. Get at least three estimates and steer clear of contractors who urge you to spend money on temporary repairs; offer “special deals” in exchange for personal information; or offer a loan that requires you to pay a fee in advance. Always ask for a written guarantee, and verify that your contractor is licensed by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission by calling 410-230-6309 or visiting www.dllr.state.md.us/license/mhic.

CONSUMER PROTECTION QUESTIONS? DISPUTES? IDENTITY THEFT • LANDLORD/TENANT • FINANCIAL ABUSE • FRAUD SCAMS • SECURITY DEPOSITS • PRODUCTS • SERVICES

We’ve got YOU covered.

Read Your Contract Read the contract carefully – it should include a detailed description of the work to be performed, materials to be used, completion date, prices, and contact information for the contractor. Don’t agree to obtain construction permits yourself – the contractor should obtain all required permits. Make sure to get a copy for your records. You have five days to cancel and receive a full refund if you change your mind about any home improvement goods or services sold to you at home (seven days if you are over 65). The seller must inform you about your right to cancel, include a cancellation clause in the contract and give you a cancellation form.

Paying Your Contractor Never pay in cash. If you pay by credit card, you may be able to recover your money if something goes wrong. Don’t agree to a deposit of more than one-third of the total price and don’t make your final payment until after the job is completed. Never sign your insurance check over to a contractor. Instead, arrange for your bank to pay the contractor as each stage of the job is completed, with your approval. If you get a loan to pay for the work, be cautious about using your home as security. If you don’t pay as agreed, you could lose your home. Consider asking an attorney to review the loan documents.

For information on this or other consumer topics, or to obtain this article in an alternative format, call OCP at 410-313-6420 (voice/relay), email consumer@howardcountymd.gov or visit www.howardcountymd.gov/consumer.

Take advantage of US before someone takes advantage of YOU! The 50+ Connection is published monthly by the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence.

9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046 PHONE EMAIL

410-313-6420 (VOICE/RELAY) consumer@howardcountymd.gov

www.howardcountymd.gov/consumer

This publication is available in alternate formats upon request. To join our subscriber list, email kahenry@howardcountymd.gov 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046 410-313-6410 (VOICE/RELAY) • www.howardcountymd.gov/aging Find us on

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Kim Higdon Henry, Editor • Email: kahenry@howardcountymd.gov Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the Office on Aging and Independence or by the publisher.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

The 50+ Connection

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Be Ready in a Flash: Create a Survival Flash Drive September is National Emergency Preparedness Month If a fire, flood, or other disaster destroyed your home, would you be able to access your important documents such as birth certificates, passports, deeds, licenses, and permits? To prepare for an emergency, protect yourself by scanning all your important documents and storing them on a “Survival Flash Drive.” Purchase a USB flash drive (also called memory sticks or thumb drives due to their small size) and use a permanent marker, sticker, or label to put the word “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) on it. Scan your important documents using a scanner, and save and store the files on the survival flash drive. (You can also take pictures with your mobile device then save the files to the cloud or flash drive).

What to Save to a Survival Flash Drive Government-issued IDs, Licenses, Permits and Certifications for each family member, including: • Driver’s License / ID • Work Permits/Licenses • Passport • Social Security Card • Veteran Discharge Papers • Immigration Papers • Birth Certificate • Bank Account • Marriage Certificate Information

Quality of Life Services for Older Adults, their Families, Caregivers, and Adults with Disabilities

Important Non-Government Documents, including: • Medical Records • Credit Card Accounts • Health Plan Information • Contracts • Insurance (Home/Auto) • Vaccination Records • Advance Directives • Wills • Real Estate / Mortgage • Powers of Attorney • Divorce / Custody Papers • Business Records • Rental Agreement • Restraining Orders Other Important Information to Consider Adding • Important Family Pictures • Current Photos of Each Family Member and Pets • Emergency Contact List of Addresses and Phone Numbers

Howard County

Keep It Up To Date

YOUR L IN K TO H E ALTH & SU P P OR T SE R V IC ES

Remember to keep the information on your Survival Flash Drive current by updating it regularly.

AS EASY AS

1-2-3-4! 410-313-1234 Contact us for information, assistance and referral on: • Social Day Programs • Caregiver Support • Volunteer Opportunities • Long Term Supports Planning • Wellness Programs • Guardianship/Ombudsman and more! • Aging in Place Resources • Medicare Counseling • 50+ Centers

410.313.1234 VOICE/RELAY • 844.627.5465 TOLL FREE map@howardcountymd.gov

www.howardcountymd.gov/aging

Password Protect or Encrypt the Information For an added level of security, you can password-protect the files or encrypt the flash drive using software like TrueCrypt. Keep in mind that emergency workers may not be able to open protected files.

Store In a Safe Location Store your Survival Flash Drive in a sealed plastic bag or in a fireand waterproof safe to prevent damage from the elements; put it in a drawer at work, or in the glove compartment of your vehicle. Keep a copy on your key chain, in your purse, or wherever you think it will be safe and available in an emergency away from your house (in case of fire or flood).

Document Medical Conditions Create a document on your computer that includes any information medical personnel may need to know in an emergency, including your medical conditions and current medications. Name the document ICE (again, for “In Case of Emergency”) and save a copy on your Survival Flash Drive.

For more information, contact Maryland Access Point of Howard County by email at map@howardcountymd.gov or by calling 410-313-1234 (voice/relay).

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The 50+ Connection

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Mindfully Map Out Your Future at the 50+EXPO

ould you like to be as independent, healthy, socially engaged, and financially secure as possible as you age? Of course you would! But have you taken the necessary steps to ensure you actually will be? Planning ahead is the key. Learn how to create a purposeful and conscious plan to maximize your future independence by attending “Mindfully Map Out Your Future,” the keynote address at the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence’s 20th annual 50+EXPO on Friday, October 19 featuring Amy Goyer, AARP’s Family and Caregiving expert. Goyer, the author of “Juggling Life, Work, and Caregiving” and a nationally known expert on aging and families, will discuss what steps are necessary to create a successful plan, including having important family discussions, forming your own team of advisors and potential caregivers should you need them, getting legal and financial affairs in order, finding and using community-based supports, and being practical about ways to care for yourself as you age. Get organized now so you can be prepared for the future! “I have been a caregiver my entire adult life,” says Goyer, “Like so many other family caregivers, I’ve often placed my own care on the back burner because I’m focused on the immediate needs of those I was caring for. But I’m aging too, and I know I need to build support for and care for myself too. We all need to plan for our own future.” Recognizing that we all may be tomorrow’s recipients of care, it’s clear that having a plan in place to address future needs is crucial to staying independent for as long as possible. Here are some key practical matters Goyer will discuss:

Family Discussions – How to Approach these Conversations and How Often to Have Them To have a successful conversation about planning for your future needs, you must first identify who needs to be included in the discussion, which depends on where you are along the aging journey. Goyer recommends having these discussions early and often.

Prepare Your Team – No One Can Deal with Everything Alone The process of aging is often accompanied by increasing social isolation, so it’s especially important to build support for yourself early on. Asking yourself questions like do your children get along can help you determine who your go-to team members will be.

Make A Plan – Have a Plan and Revise It as Life Happens While it’s important to make a plan to address your future needs, recognize that a sudden illness or injury can drastically change the level of care you may need. Revise your plan as needed.

Build Support Beyond Family and Friends – Identify Resources and Community-Based Services Don’t wait until you are in a crisis to find support services in your area. Making decisions when you are in emotional turmoil (and likely sleep deprived) is never a good idea.

50+EXPO keynote speaker, Amy Goyer, has been a caregiver most of her adult life, most recently for her dad, Robert, pictured with her above.

BE a FRIEND of the 50+EXPO! Receive Your FRIEND OF THE EXPO Gift Package!

DEADLINE: Payment and form MUST be received by Friday, October 5, 2018 MAIL COMPLETED FORM WITH CASH/CHECK PAYMENT TO: Howard County Office on Aging and Independence Attention: Jeanne White-Davis 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046

FRIEND of the 50+EXPO! * Make checks payable to:

Director of Finance Howard County I want to be a Friend of the 50+EXPO and have enclosed my cash/check* for _____ FRIENDS @ $25/ea. = $ ___________ For your convenience, you can pay by credit card. Call Jeanne White-Davis at 410-313-5824 (VOICE/RELAY). TOTAL NUMBER of TICKETS: __________

Caring For Yourself – It is Important to Know How No one wants to be a burden on their family and friends. There are things you can and should do now to maximize your health and wellness and maintain your independence. People don’t realize how even a little bit of effort can make a big difference in the long run. Act now to prevent future problems. Goyer’s keynote address will be full of practical tips to help you plan a healthier, happier future. Plus, all attendees will be entered into a drawing for a $300 gift card (you must be present to win).

Don’t miss “Map Out Your Future” at the 50+EXPO on Friday, October 19 at 11:00 a.m. in the James Rouse Theatre at Wilde Lake High School in Columbia. The presentation is free; registration is requested at mapoutyourfuture.eventbrite.com.

One ADMISSION ticket to the 50+EXPO One RESERVED seat for Keynote Presentation (11 AM) One RESERVED seat for “The Capitol Steps” (2 PM) One CHANCE to win an Eyre bus trip for two to New York City A “Friends” RECOGNITION ribbon to wear to EXPO!

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Winning photographers’ unique worldview By Carol Sorgen Whether they’re exploring the world at large or right outside their window, the award-winning photographers of the Beacon’s Celebration of the Arts see the world through a different lens — both literally and figuratively. Whether you’re inspired, entertained, enchanted or awe-struck, you will be sure to be touched by what they have seen and chosen to show us. The following winners were selected from among 208 entries.

First Place Vella Kendall, Monkton, Md. A r etir ed nurse who worked for many years at the Johns Hopkins Hospital’s dedicated HIV unit, Kendall’s development as a photographer was sparked one day when she was asked to take photos of her colleagues on the night shift. Since then, the 71-yearold has taken photography classes through the Community College of Baltimore County and Johns Hopkins’ Odyssey Program. But she says she is largely selftaught, “with help from my husband, who would have to change my lenses because I was afraid to!” “I found photography was a great stress reliever from my job. I would come home after my shift and photograph flowers that my husband would plant for me,” Kendall said. “Then I noticed the little bugs on the flowers, and became fascinated with them, especially after enlarging [their images] on the computer.” When her husband put up bird feeders and Kendall bought a telephoto lens to pho-

tograph the birds from a distance, she found she fell in love with wildlife photography. She continues to hone her technique, using as subjects her dog, backyard birds, flowers and local wildlife at Conowingo Dam and the national wildlife refuges. Now, Kendall and her husband have a small trailer in which they travel around the country, photographing landscapes, birds and wildlife, as well as traveling abroad for culture and photographic opportunities. Kendall has traveled to Africa three times, and that’s where she took the image that won her first place in the Celebration. She was visiting a small, rather primitive village in the countryside that had no running water or electricity. The family would trek to the local well for water to wash clothes and to cook with on the open-fire outdoor stove. The woman whose face Kendall photographed was one of the family’s elders. “I felt [she] proudly showed her life on her face, and the depth of her soul in her eyes,” Kendall said. Kendall’s photography has won many other awards, including First Place in Photography at the 2015 Baltimore County Baby Boomer/Senior Expo Art Show and Second Place in the Open Category at the 2018 Maryland Photog r a p h i c A l l i a n c e S h o w. Kendall belongs to the Baltimore Camera Club (which is part of the Maryland Photographic Alliance) and to the Photographic Society of America.

tend to travel a lot, since observatories tend to be located in remote places,” he said. “Of course, now we have many [observatories] in orbit as well, but we don’t get to travel to them!” Isaacman attended graduate school in the Netherlands. After he earned his doctorate there in astrophysics, he spent three years doing a post doc in Hawaii. There he worked at an observatory at 13,800 feet atop Mauna Kea on the Big Island. “Living in that spectacular place really sparked my interest in photography, and it became an integral part of my travels,” Isaacman said. He began to become serious about photography in 2011, when a family event in Bangladesh made him especially appreciate the colors, people and rituals of such faraway places. Since his time in Hawaii, Isaacman has traveled to more than 50 countries.

“I try to capture the landscapes, ‘humanscapes,’ and street scenes that make such places exotic and special, and which often form our most crystalline memories of a trip,” he said. “In short, exotic travel and photography are very deeply intertwined for me.” In the past six months, Isaacman has become interested in augmenting his usual travel photos with drone photography. When circumstances allow, he now shoots

aerial landscapes in addition to his street scenes and ground-based landscapes. Isaacman also writes a monthly travel column, accompanied by his photos, for a local magazine, South River Living, as well as a travel blog featuring his travel journal and photos, at https://richandalice.wordpress.com. His blog has 500 followers in more than a dozen countries. He sells his photos at various local art exhibitions and online at https://rich-isaacman.pixels.com.

Third Place Richard Weiblinger, Laurel, Md. Richard Weiblinger, 70, has enjoyed a lengthy career in the sciences. A biologist, who also pursued graduate work at Johns Hopkins in public health, he has worked for decades at several government agencies in the area. He says he “will probably retire soon” and devote more time to his photography. Never having taken an art or photography course, Weiblinger picked up a cheap camera about six years ago and starting shooting images of wildlife.

After “playing with that for several years,” he purchased additional equipment See PHOTOGRAPHY page B3

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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The first place, second place, third place and honorable mention winners in the Celebration of the Arts competition will be receiving their awards at the Beacon’s 50+Expos, which will take place in Springfield, Va., from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30, and in Silver Spring, Md., from noon

to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14. All readers are invited to meet the winners at these free Expos, which will also feature health screenings, flu shots, entertainment, and informative resources and exhibits from government agencies, nonprofits and a wide variety of businesses.

For an opportunity to view many of the winning artworks in person, mark your calendar to visit the Celebration of the Arts winners’ exhibit at the Edward A. Myerberg Center, 3101 Falstaff Rd., in Baltimore, Md. from Oct. 24 through Nov. 15, 2018. Hours: Mon-Thurs., 8 a.m. to

3 p.m. Fridays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. A larger exhibit of all winning entries will take place at the Pepco E Street Gallery, 702 8th St. NW, in Washington, D.C. from Nov. 28 through Dec. 19, 2018. The gallery is open from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

TAKE ON

EXPRESSING YOURSELF HOWEVER

YOU WANT TO

TODAY

Today is yours to own. Or paint. Or write. Because AARP believes that possibilities only expand as you age. That’s why we’re helping artists of all ages pursue their passions, so you can Take on Today and every day.

Learn more at aarp.org

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Members of the Celebration advisory board In addition to the jurors who are profiled on page B8, a panel of advisors from a spectrum of organizations and companies helped shape and support the Celebration of the Arts. Members are: • Rosie AllenHerring, president and CEO of the United Way of the National Capital Area. Formerly, she was the Managing Director of the Community Investment and Engagement Division at Fannie Mae. AllenHerring holds key leadership roles with several business and civic organizations, including serving on the board of directors

for the Greater Washington Board of Trade, MedStar Health, Inc., District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Washington Area Women’s Foundation, and the Girl Scouts Council of the Nation’s Capital. • Yumi Hogan, who also judged the painting and drawing category of the competition. Hogan served as honorary chair of the board. Her bio can be found on page B8. • Linda Mathes, chief executive officer of American Red Cross of the National Capital Area. Mathes was recently named one of

Washingtonian magazine’s “100 Most Power ful Women.” She is also a member of the Emergency Preparedness Council of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and a board member of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. • Jonathan Stevens, senior vice president for thought leadership

at AARP. He works on identifying, aggregating and elevating global leaders who are focusing on issues that concern the 50+ community. Working with both internal and external stakeholders, his team includes specialists in financial resilience, health and wellness, economics and international affairs. Previously, Stevens was the chief innovations officer for Family Matters of Greater Washington. • Joann Vaughan, executive director of Maryland Federation of Art, the artists’ organization that coordinated and hosted the entries in the competition. Vaughan has worked with the federation for the last 10 years. Previously, she created and ran the Annapolis Book Festival and was director of education and training for Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity.

Photography

ence rooms and hotels throughout the country. Weiblinger said the process of photography allows him to transform everyday objects and images into art. “I use creative lighting to not only illuminate my subjects but also to give them a dream-like, surreal quality.” His images have included colorful flowers, unique still lifes, maritime images and landscapes, both as individual photos and themed series. “When people see my

work, I would like them to find a new appreciation of the world around them,” Weiblinger said. “My current goal is to build on my prior experience and to challenge myself by refining my personal artistic style and creative qualities...Each person will view my images a little differently, and that is as it should be.”

were awarded honorable mention: Beth Altman, Washington, D.C. Brad Balfour, Potomac, Md. Margaret Ann Chambers, Upper Marlboro, Md. Judith Ann Guenther, Springfield, Va. David Allen Harris, Washington, D.C. James Francis Hollan, Arnold, Md. Philip Kanter, Pikesville, Md. Addison Newton Likins, La Plata, Md. Rodney Errol Mathis, Oxon Hill, Md. Nan Thompson, Nottingham, Md.

From page B1 and moved into landscape and fine art images. “I’m totally self-taught, all seat-of-thepants learning,” he said. He’s traveled all over the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and maintains a website where he posts many of his favorite images. (See www.weiblingerphotography.smugmug.co m.). A number of his images have been purchased, and are hanging in offices, confer-

Honorable mentions Photographs from the following artists

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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Multi-dimensional artists show their skill By Robert Friedman Sculpture, jewelry, pottery, mixedmedia and more comprised the 172 entries in the Sculpture/Jewelry/Pottery/Mixed Media category of the Beacon’s Celebration of the Arts. Here’s a look at the three top winners.

First place Nathalie Pouliquen, Bethesda, Md. “I intend to pay tribute to the reality of the world, to its beauty — apparent or hidden,” said painter-sculptor Nathalie Pouliquen, who won not just first place for one of her sculptures and an honorable mention for another, but whose oil-on-canvas won third place in the painting and drawing category. “All media interests me — watercolor, pastel, acrylic or oil in painting, and working with clay, wood or stone in sculpture,” said the 59-year-old, a onetime urban planner. Her first prize-winning sculpture, “The Embrace,” is a 10” x 21” x 7” limestone and wood statue of a couple entwined in each other’s arms. The work was “the result of a long creative process combining the taking into account of the physical constraints

of the material and my desire to celebrate the beauty of creation, the advent of life,” said the artist. Pouliquen said that she had no formal training before she began in 2003 “to translate my surroundings into two and three dimensions.” Since 2015, after some 30 years, she has gone back to school, studying Fine Arts at Montgomery College in Rockville, Md. “My first academic goal is to get an associate’s degree in fine arts, then, perhaps, to get a bachelor’s degree,” she said. Her long-term goal is “to work in the arts conservation field.” All this studying, she indicated, would not interfere with her creativity. “Gratitude at being alive is the purpose of my art work,” she said. “Life must be the expression of freedom in a continuous flow of exploring, learning, sharing.” Born in Provence, France — birthplace and adopted home of many great 19th and 20th century artists, such as Cezanne, Van Gogh and Picasso — Pouliquen is a gradu-

ate of the Sorbonne in Paris. Her degree was in geography. For the past 20 years, she has been an “expatriate,” living in Slovakia, the United Kingdom, China and, for the last six years, in the D.C. area. She currently lives in Bethesda. She is the mother of three. Despite her very evident talent, Pouliquen has not yet had a gallery or museum exhibition. “I have only managed to sell my artworks as an amateur, through shows organized with friends, at the French Embassy, the International Monetary Fund, World Bank or in private locations,” she said. Perhaps the publishing of her Celebration of the Arts wins, coupled with the display of three of her works at the Pepco Edison Street Gallery this fall, will help launch her career.

Second place Michael Smith, Columbia, Md. When he is not working on new ways to predict floods and droughts at the National Weather Service, Michael Smith is spending time at home on his hobby as an arts and crafts metalsmith. Among other things, the 59-yearold research hydrologist crafts lamps, such as the “hand-wrought copper lamp with 4panel mica shade and four sockets” that earned him the second place prize in the contest. The desk-sized lamp is both sturdy in its brass base and stylish in its mica shade. Smith said he turned to metalworking “as a hobby” 17 years ago. Among other things, his goal was to work as the artisans did in the early 20th century when, as a reaction to ordinary machine-made objects, they began an Arts and Crafts movement that revived the guild crafts of earlier times. He recalled that, one day in the 1990s, his wife, Megan, who was working in interior design, brought home an issue of Architectural Digest. It featured a home decorated in the Arts and Crafts movement style. “As soon as I saw this article, I said to

myself: ‘This is me!’ The simplicity appealed to my pragmatic and functional nature,” he said. He took lessons through a woodworking club in Laurel, where the couple was living at the time, and made several pieces of furniture. “Along the way, I began to notice the copper work of the Arts and Crafts period,” Smith said. “I was attracted to the beauty of aged copper, and the way the metal smiths left the final series of hammer marks in the decoration. “I was especially attracted to the lighting from this period, which featured copper-framed shades with mica panels. The soft amber glow of the mica is reminiscent of the gas lights from the early 1900s.” Thus, his prize-winning lamp, and Smith’s dedication to metal-working. “It is deeply satisfying to make lamps and other items for our home and for gifts,” Smith said. “There is something very special about hand-made items.”

Third place Victor Peter Dyni, Washington, D.C. Dyni, 84, was chief music librarian for the D.C. Public Libraries until he retired in 1996, and also performed as a “professionalamateur” pianist for 75 years. He now channels his creativity into stained glass, the medium that won him third place in the Celebration of the Arts. “Lady in Glass,” his 11” x 33” creation featuring a tall, slender woman in a long, multicolored dress, is based on “no one in particular — just a figment of my imagination,” he said. The female figure came from a line drawing he made some months ago, “and I just thought this drawing would be good for stained glass,” he said. The piece was created in about 10 to 12 hours of work over several days, he said. “I just try the colors piece-by-piece, and I decide whether they go together or not. I work mostly in patterns, geometric designs. You could say my finished creation is by accident.” Dyni noted that stained glass designs “have attracted me all my life,” and he began working in the medium “as a hobby” some 20 years ago, after he was fully retired from his library service. “I saw a sign in a store window in Kensington that said they give lessons in stained glass, and I enrolled in the classes,” he recalled. While you could say, as Dyni did, that he is “not into religion,” he still greatly admires the stained glass windows in many churches. “The National Cathedral has a number of beautiful windows,” he said He tries to work at his stained See 3D ART, page B7

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Painters pick up a palette after long careers By Carol Sorgen The winners of the Painting and Drawing division of the Beacon’s Celebration of the Arts competition prove the adage “it’s never too late.” Three winners and 12 honorable mentions were selected from among 418 entries in the competition. Most of these talented painters had long, fulfilling careers in other fields. Only after retirement did our top winners take up the art form as a pleasurable pursuit. For them, winning awards is just the icing on the cake.

First Place Clara Herner, Silver Spring, Md. Clara Herner is 86 and the mother of three “wonder ful” children and six grandchildren, who now call her Grandma Moses. For the last two years, Herner has taken art classes from Steve Hanks at the Holiday Park Senior Center. Her winning piece was created for a class project. “I always wanted to try my hand at art, but waited until I retired,” said Herner, who grew up in North Carolina, graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and went to graduate school at Florida State University, where she met her husband. During her professional life, she worked as a social worker, pre-school director for the Montgomery County Chapter of the YWCA, and internal auditor for Montgomery College for 22 years. Herner, an avid gardener, enjoys painting flowers and landscapes, and uses her kitchen table as her studio. She is partial to watercolors. “I love the freedom to see how the paint can change by using various techniques, and the way the water moves with color.” But for her winning piece, she utilized materials and an approach that was entirely new to her. She etched several different photographs of her face into linoleum blocks and printed images from these using different colors of

acrylic paint. She then glued the images to a board “and pulled the whole picture together with acrylic paint.” It took her about six weeks of class time. Herner loves learning new techniques. “I want to explore as many different methods as I can,” she said. She’s taking drawing classes this summer and is working with pastels for the first time, and has been teaching herself encaustic painting (also called hot wax painting) through online videos. When she’s not painting, Herner loves to read, sing in her church choir, swim, attend Bible study and concerts, and get together with friends for lunch and conversation. When Holiday Park art classes resume in the fall, Herner will be back in school. “I don’t know enough about art. I’ve just started learning,” she said.

Capestany’s artwork is inspired primarily by the natural world. “The land, wildlife and objects that surround me at home, or that I come across in my travels, are a source of joy and curiosity,” she said. Like Clara Herner, Capestany is partial to watercoloring, which she calls the “most spontaneous medium.” It allows her to paint everyday scenes in a dreamy way if she chooses, but also to “capture the texture and patterns found in nature in a realistic and deliberate way.” Capestany is a member of the Potomac Valley Watercolorists Society, a juried organization of watercolor painters, and has exhibited at various venues. She is also a member of the Art League Gallery in Alexandria, Virginia, where she shows her work, and where she recently received an “Honorable Mention” for her miniature painting, “Squirrel Study.”

Second Place

Third Place

Cecilia Capestany, Alexandria, Va. Although Cecilia Capestany, 64, attended painting classes when she was a youngster, and took a number of art history classes in college, she ultimately decided to pursue graduate studies in

Nathalie Pouliquen, Bethesda, Md. Nathalie Pouliquen, the third place winner in Painting and Drawing, was also the first place winner in the Sculpture/Jewelry/Pottery/Mixed Media division. You can read about her in our article about that division’s winners, “Multi-dimensional artists show their skill,” on page B4.

literature and foreign languages. She then went on to enjoy a long career in international affairs. It was only after she retired from the federal government in 2015 that she thought again about the possibility of painting. “I found in the Art League of Alexandria a number of excellent instructors, and decided to take my chances with watercolor as an intellectual challenge,” she said.

Honorable mentions

Works from the following artists were awarded honorable mention: John Anderson, Beltsville, Md. Brenda Claiborne, Fort Washington, Md. Virginia Gordon, Cockeysville, Md. Roselyn Harding, Baltimore, Md. Benjamin A. Jackson, Silver Spring, Md. Karla Kombrink, Alexandria, Va. Loretta Lechlider, Silver Spring, Md. Mary Jane McKee, Potomac, Md. Perry Dale Skaggs, Mechanicsville, Va. Diana Ulanowicz, Elliott City, Md. Steven Marshall Waugh, Fallston, Md. Martha Weiss, Washington, D.C.

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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Wide variety of creative poetry submitted By Rebekah Alcalde From children’s poems to narrativestyle storytelling, the poetry category of the Beacon’s Celebration of the Arts saw many submissions from all types of poets, each with their unique style and themes. There were no restrictions on the genre of poetry, and poets did not disappoint with their creativity. The 124 entries were judged by Wendy R. Kaplan, poet laureate of the City of Alexandria, Va., who selected the following first, second and third place winners, as well as 12 honorable mentions.

First Place Liliana Dossola, McLean, Va. Since she was a little girl, Liliana Dossola has loved poetry. She gives credit to her mom, who often read to her poems by her favorite writers Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, Federico García Lorca and Gabriela Mistral. She also recalls her Aunt Ophelia reciting poetry in theaters. The presence of poetry in her home inspired a deep love and respect for the art form — so much so that she often writes them in her head while doing daily tasks,

like driving or walking. In fact, her first place winning poem, “The Nest,” was composed recently based on her experience with a bird in her garage. The anecdotal poem follows her initial annoyance at finding a bird and her nest in the garage — it flies inside, making her duck for cover, and is noisy — and her eventual sadness when it is accidentally killed by her cat. As in “The Nest,” Dossola usually writes her poems directly from experience. “I lived it. I had feelings for it [the bird]. I was so sad that I wrote the poem,” she said. She makes particular use of imagery to evoke the range of feelings she experienced, and chose this one to submit based on the good reaction she’s received from friends and family. “It brings emotion, so I thought it would be a good one to send,” she explained. Though she’s had her poems published on several occasions, and even regularly performs at a poetry open mic every month, this is her first time to enter a poem in a competition. Interestingly, Dossola, now 76, who was born in Argentina, said that she prefers to write poetry in English, rather than her native Spanish, because English has the “exact words to say what I need to say.” She finds it’s especially helpful to have

HC0918

those words to evoke certain emotions and convey sounds. Over the years, she estimates she’s written over 150 poems, both in English and in Spanish, and she has no intention of stopping. “There are some days I’m completely inspired; I just want to sit down and things flow so easily. Other days, no,” she laughed. Her favorite poets are Edna Vincent Millay and Pablo Naruda, who have influenced her own poetry on nature and love. For early drafts, she insists on handwriting her work. She only types them into a computer when she’s satisfied with the finished product.

Second Place Kathleen F. Powers, Springfield, Va. Kathleen Powers grew up in Pittsburgh, Pa., during the collapse of the U.S steel industry as it faced incr easing pressure from foreign competition. She noticed how the spouses at home suffered so much as the steel mills closed and their husbands could no longer find work. Their quiet strength and solidarity inspired her so much that she wrote a poem called “The Women Were Alone: A Poem About Pittsburgh,” which placed second in the competition. When notified of her selection, she could hardly believe it. “I’m so excited!” she exclaimed. “Honestly, I don’t even consider myself a writer, so I’m just so stunned.” The demise of the steel mills plunged western Pennsylvania into “deep depression,” Powers said. “I really wrote it out of

memory of my mothers and aunts, growing up handling this situation.” After the mills closed, other businesses began to fail as well, and the community felt the harsh economic effects. Though the poem’s tone is somber, Powers hopes readers find a sense of “hope” at the end. The women may have felt like they were alone through it all, silently taking it all in and doing their best. But they really had each other to lean on. “We women should stick together. Our strength can get us through very dark days,” she said. Powers’ career working as a school librarian fed her love for “all forms of literature and reading.” She retired in 2016. She especially enjoys reading works by naturalist author and poet Diane Ackerman. “I like how she deals with the natural world — a blend of literature, science and nature.” This intertwining of nature and writing has inspired her own work. Shortly after retiring, Powers joined a writing group, where she gained the courage to read from her own poems — and to enter this competition. “I belong to a poetry appreciation group at the Lifetime Learning Institute of Northern Virginia,” she explained. “I read the poem to them, and they encouraged me to submit it.” Now 62, Powers lives in Springfield, Va. with her husband and German shepherds, and enjoys reading voraciously. She wants to tell others that having no experience shouldn’t keep you from writing, seeing as she’s never written before and just won second place. “When I worked, I had a long commute and would think about things and write See POETRY, page B7

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Poetry From page B6 them down later,” she said. “You should just start writing down things. See where it goes.”

Third Place Thoma Stephens Corbit, Olney, Md. Thomas Stephens Corbit may have worked on a ballistic missile submarine in the past, but he showcases his sensitive side by writing poetry. He placed third for his children’s poem “Roarus Sing Saurus.” Corbit cites Dr. Seuss as an inspiration for this particular work, which he hopes appeals to both children and adults — with a “whimsical message to it.” Corbit, who is one-third Cherokee, grew up in Oklahoma and Wisconsin before joining the Navy. He served for six years before being honorably discharged in

Say you saw it in the Beacon

1976. Eventually, he moved to Montgomery County and has since settled in Olney, Md., where he draws, paints, makes jewelry and writes poetry. He credits his mother’s position as a teacher with his early instruction to poetry, but thinks it was always inside him, “an inherent feeling,” he added. “I’ve always done it amateur, off and on when it strikes me, from an early age,” he said. Though Corbit has never entered a competition before, he regularly shares his work with others. “I get a lot of satisfaction out of [sharing my poems]. It really motivates me,” he said. As with most of his poetry, “Roarus Sing Saurus” is a rhyming poem, similar to that of Dr. Seuss or the rhyming works of Shel Silverstein. Corbit also appreciates classic works, such as “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and the lyric poetry of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. He said he chose to enter the Beacon’s

3D art

Honorable mentions Works from the following artists were awarded honorable mention: Lorraine Arden, Washington, D.C. Donna J. Battle, Washington, D.C. Jennifer L. Blake, Columbia, Md. Norman Frederick Estrin, Silver Spring, Md. Addison Newton Likins, La Plata, Md. Nathalie Pouliquen, Bethesda, Md. Sarah Lee Province, Silver Spring, Md. Christopher Ruch, Ebony, Va. Richard Starr, Crofton, Md. Sharon Lee Weinstein, Ellicott City, Md. Edward C. Wlodarczak, N. Potomac, Md. John J. Yeager, Perry Hall, Md.

ing his options open. “They say everybody has a book [in mind], but I haven’t written it yet,” he said.

Honorable mentions Poems from the following artists were awarded honorable mention: Rita Alston, Washington, D.C. Sidney Louise Brown, Alexandria, Va. Jack Calman, Silver Spring, Md. Henry E. Crawford, Silver Spring, Md. Karen Whitney Curry, Washington, D.C. Margarita Magdalena Dilone, Washington, D.C. Eugene C. Harter, Salisbury, Va. Addison Newton Likin, La Plata, Md. Kathleen Loverde, Baltimore, Md. Stephen G. Smith, Odenton, Md. Martha Wessells Steger, Midlothian, Va. Douglas C. Taylor, Silver Spring, Md.

We Turn Addresses

From page B4 glass projects for “an hour or two” each day in the basement studio of his Washington, D.C. home, where he designs, cuts and solders together the glass pieces. He said he often finds himself “getting lost” in his work. “I’m working down there for what I think is about five minutes, then I look at my watch and see I’ve been at it for one or two hours.” Dyni also keeps busy practicing piano every day and giving piano recitals once a month at retirement homes in the area. Over the years, he has participated three times at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Texas, and at amateur piano festivals in Paris, Berlin and Vienna.

competition after finding out it was aimed at older adults. “I liked the fact that it was appealing to seniors, for their ability and their capabilities, wanting to showcase what seniors can do.” Now 66, he encourages other older adults to try writing poetry. “Just sit down and start writing. Write how you feel — what strikes your mood,” he suggested. Corbit also submitted some of his other artworks in the Sculpture/jewelry/pottery/mixed media category of the competition, including handmade sterling silver jewelry with gemstones. “I take a lot of inspiration from the Southwest — what the Navajo and plains Indians used to do. My goal is to fabricate and do that type of jewelry, using the same tools they used to use.” In the meantime, he’s very pleased he placed third in poetry, especially since he only has about nine completed poems to his name. He has no plans yet on dabbling with other writing genres, but he’s keep-

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

HOWARD COUNTY Park View at Colonial Landing: 410-796-4399 Park View at Columbia: 410-381-1118 Park View at Ellicott City: 410-203-9501 Park View at Ellicott City: II 410-203-2096 Park View at Emerson: 301-483-3322 Park View at Snowden River: 410-290-0384

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

Call the community nearest you to inquire about eligibility requirements and to arrange a personal tour. www.rhomecommunities.com MOST COMMUNITIES ARE PET-FRIENDLY

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PULL OUT & KEEP

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

A tough job faced the Celebration’s jurors By Barbara Ruben With more than 900 paintings, drawings, photos, sculptures, poems and other works of art submitted to the Beacon’s Celebration of the Arts, the four jurors had their work cut out for them. “It’s refreshing to see unique perspectives of how people view and document the world,” said Noe Todorovich, executive director of Exposed DC, who judged the more than 200 entries in the Photography category of the competition. The judges selected first, second and third place winners, as well as honorable mentions. The names and locations of the artists were not provided to the jurors. Entries in the Painting and Drawing division were judged by painter Yumi Hogan, whose photo is on page B3. Her artwork, created on traditional Hanji paper with Sumi ink and mixed media, has been featured in art shows and museums in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, South Korea and more, including an exhibit at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. In addition to her work as an artist, Hogan has juried numerous art exhibitions, including statewide and national competitions for the Maryland Federation of Art. Hogan is also First Lady of Maryland,

married to Gov. Larry Hogan. As First Lady, Hogan has made it a priority to share her love of the arts with Marylanders of all ages through arts education. Since November 2015, she has served as the Honorary Chair of the Council for Arts and Culture at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, working with the University and Baltimore City to promote the arts. Following Gov. Hogan’s diagnosis with Stage 3 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2015, she has taught art classes to patients with cancer and people with disabilities, becoming a strong proponent of art therapy. Entries in the Sculpture/ Jewelry/Pottery/Mixed Media division were judged by Jereme Scott, who has served as Mixed-Media Resident Artist at the Howard County Arts Council since 2009. In 2014, Scott opened a small boutique/gallery called Cotton Duck Art & Apparel in Historic Ellicott City, where he showcases his artwork as well as his original graphics on clothing. His artwork is contemporary, and dramatic, with much of his work focusing on the use of everyday symbols arranged to

create dynamic, underlying narratives. By using bits of humor, social commentary, and dramatic lighting, his artworks tend to challenge the viewers’ sensibilities as well as hold their attention. His artwork has been displayed regionally and nationally, and his clothing designs have been featured at the Baltimore Museum of Art. Scott also teaches several arts courses at Howard Community College.

Photography Exposed DC, the nonprofit run by photography juror Todorovich, connects photographers of all levels with networking, mentoring and exhibition opportunities throughout the Washington, D.C. area. Todorovich is also a freelance photographer whose work has been featured in the Washington Post, Washington Life, Northern Virginia Magazine, Huffington Post and Capitol Romance. “In jurying the contest, I was looking for images with a strong composition, demonstration of skill in the art form, as well as images that capture or evoke emotion,” Todorovich said. “Photographs that grab and keep your at-

tention go beyond the technical aspects of photography, using the art form to also speak to us emotionally. I was seeking that sort of depth in the photos as well,” she added. The Poetry division winners were selected by Wendi R. Kaplan, poet laureate of the City of Alexandria, Va., who uses her post to bring poetry to people of all ages. [See “Making sense of the world,” the cover story of the April 2018 Greater Washington Beacon]. She enjoys teaching others to express themselves in writing, knowing that poetry gives people a voice, even when they feel they have none. Kaplan is also a clinical social worker and certified poetry therapist who has worked in community services. She has her own psychotherapy practice in the area. Kaplan also writes “Poetry Musings,” a quarterly column for the newsletter of the Greater Washington Society for Clinical Social Work. She has taught at American University and at George Washington University School of Medicine. “Poetry provides us perspective and possibility. It allows us to explore all of life from so many windows and doors, and opens us up to depth and breadth of life and living. It gives words so that voice can emerge and be heard,” she said.

The 50+ Connection

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Eat Well to Live Well

DID YOU KNOW? Two or more chronic conditions puts you at risk for malnutrition!

New this year at the 50+EXPO, the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence will collaborate with the University of Maryland Medical Center to provide nutrition education and conduct individual screenings to identify malnutrition. This program will be lead by Kaitlin Schotz, a Registered Dietitian at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), who specializes in outpatient nutrition services with a focus on malnutrition, oncology and wellness. Schotz will be assisted by interns from UMMC’s post-graduate dietetic training program. Participants will be asked to complete a brief nutrition questionnaire, which the team will use to detect possible nutrient deficiencies. The educational component includes: • detecting and reversing nutrient deficiencies in older adults; • nutrition for chronic conditions (heart health, diabetes, obesity); • making smart food choices for healthy aging; and • encouraging physical activity for older adults.

DISCOVER AND LEARN WHY muscle matters HOW nutrition affects falls HOW !" #$! $%"&#' ()"!$*% +%, -&*,. WHAT you can do to eat better and improve your health

• • • •

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Tuesday, Sept. 25 • 10:00 am to 12:30 pm The Village in Howard 6061 Stevens Forest Road, Columbia 21045 $5/person includes workshop and educational materials PRESENTED IN COLLABORATION WITH AND HOSTED BY

EAT WELL TO LIVE WELL will be offered adjacent to the Flu Shot area on Main Street at the 50+EXPO, October 19, 9 AM to 4 PM at Wilde Lake High School.

TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION

JEN LEE jlee@howardcountymd.gov 410-313-5940

For more information about the importance of proper nutrition for older adults, visit www.ncoa.org/healthy-aging/chronic-disease/ nutrition-chronic-conditions/

(VOICE/RELAY)

Help Us Celebrate Our 20 Anniversary! The 2018 Focus —

FUTURE PLANNING FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Wilde Lake High School

• 11 AM – AARP’s Caregiving Expert & Author: • 2 PM – The Capitol Steps

5460 Trumpeter Road Columbia, MD 21044

DON’T MISS THESE OTHER EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

• • • • • $

170+ Exhibitors Engaging Seminars Virtual Dementia Tours® Flu Shots and Health Screenings Resources for All Stages and Ages

Amy Goyer

1 ADMISSION benefits the Vivian Reid Community Fund

#HoCoEXPO18 facebook.com/HoCoCommunity

410-313-6410 (VOICE/RELAY) • www.howardcountymd.gov/aging

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

The 50+ Connection

Momentum for Healthy Aging continued from page 13 LIFELONG LEARNING is another component of how the county’s 50+

centers address the interests of its growing older adult population. The Bain 50+ Center offers a popular Foreign Film and Luncheon program each month; the Glenwood 50+ Center offers American and Civil War history programs and Ellicott City 50+ boasts an Opera House series entitled, “Opera Goes to Hell.” Opportunities for creative expression abound at all 50+ centers, including creative journaling, Chinese brush painting, ceramics, painting groups and more. Visit North Laurel 50+ Center where you can view the mosaic wall murals, which were created by Howard County older adults in partnership with the American Visionary Arts Museum. SPECIAL EVENTS, PERFORMANCES, FILMS, DANCES AND PRESENTATIONS

are also offered each month at every center. The Bain 50+ Center was recently recognized in June with a 2017 Program of Excellence Award for its “Bain’s Got Talent Program.” Join them for a drop-in jam session, which is held every Tuesday afternoon. BUILD YOUR OWN MOMENTUM at the Howard County 50+ Centers! Pursue your passion for the creative arts, music and culture; discover personal fitness options; and expand your social activities. The 50+ centers also offer benefits counseling, health screenings and more. Visit Maryland Access Point of Howard County at www.howardcountymd.gov/50pluscenters; call 410-313-1234 (voice/relay); or see list below to find a center near you.

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

MEDICARE EDUCATION FREE Information Presented by SHIP Medicare 101 and 102 September 5 and 17 • 7:00 – 8:30 PM A two-part introduction for those new to Medicare to learn about original Medicare (Parts A and B), Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D), Medicare Health Plans (Part C), and Medicare Supplemental Policies

Medicare Refresher September 24 • 2:00 – 3:30 PM For those already on Medicare, deepen your understanding of coverage options, information sources and how to avoid some common problems.

Using Medicare’s Plan Finder September 25 • 7:00 – 8:30 PM

Howard County 50+ Centers BAIN 50+ CENTER 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia 410-313-7213 • bain50@howardcountymd.gov

EAST COLUMBIA 50+ CENTER 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia 410-313-7680 • eastcolumbia50@howardcountymd.gov

ELKRIDGE 50+ CENTER 6540 Washington Blvd., Elkridge 410-313-5192 • elkridge50@howardcountymd.gov

Learn how to use the Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov to compare and review Medicare prescription drug plans available to you. PRESENTATIONS TO BE HOSTED AT THE

Howard County General Hospital Wellness Center 10710 Charter Drive, Suite #100, Columbia 21044

hcgh.org • 410-740-7601

ELLICOTT CITY 50+ CENTER 9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City 410-313-1400 • ellicottcity50@howardcountymd.gov

GLENWOOD 50+ CENTER 2400 Route 97, Cooksville 410-313-5440 • glenwood50@howardcountymd.gov

LONGWOOD 50+ CENTER (Nutrition Site) 6150 Foreland Garth, Columbia 410-313-7217

NORTH LAUREL 50+ CENTER 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel 410-313-0380 • northlaurel50@howardcountymd.gov

www.howardcountymd.gov/50pluscenters

For additional assistance with your Medicare questions and concerns, contact the Howard County State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

410-313-7392 (VOICE/RELAY) FOR OTHER UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS, VISIT

www.howardcountymd.gov/SHIP

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

The 50+ Connection

ReadyRosie Builds School Readiness Skills Are your grandchildren ready for a new school year? Howard County Government provides free access to ReadyRosie, an innovative educational service for parents, grandparents and caregivers which features instructional videos to build school readiness skills. Delivered by email or text, ReadyRosie demonstrates how you can turn every day activities into teachable moments. Activities shown in the videos are simple, take only a few minutes to complete and are available in English and Spanish. To access ReadyRosie, all you need is a Howard County zip code. Visit www.ReadyRosie. com/register to enter some basic information, including name, language preference and delivery preference (text or email). Once your account is created, you will receive a welcome video in your selected language, have access to the entire video library and start getting the weekly playlists sent out by the ReadyRosie team. For more information, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/children or email children@howardcountymd.gov. For more information about the resources and services available to families in Howard County contact the CARELINE at 410-313-CARE.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Low Vision Group hosts

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) Tuesday, Sept. 11 • 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Bain 50+ Center in the Meeting Room 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia 21044 Guest presenters from BISM will provide a program on smart phones for people with low vision. Participants are asked to bring their devices fully charged.

Call Elaine Widom at 410-313-7353 (voice/relay) to register by September 6.

Positive Thinking... A Path to Happiness Tuesday, Oct. 2 • 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Ellicott City 50+ Center

START LIVING WELL TODAY! Living Well with

HYPERTENSION Good health is imperative to your quality of life. If you want to know more about managing hypertension/ high blood pressure, join us for this interactive 2.5 hour workshop.

Howard County Library System Glenwood Branch 2350 Route 97, Cooksville 21723 Monday, September 17 1:00 – 3:30 PM TOPICS INCLUDE: • High Blood Pressure Risk Factors • Nutrition and Food Label Guidance • Sodium Content in Common Foods • Medication Management To register or for more information, contact:

JEN LEE jlee@howardcountymd.gov 410-313-5940 (VOICE/RELAY)

www.howardcountymd.gov/livingwell

9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City 21042 Join us for an interactive presentation that looks at techniques that work, ideas for changing our attitudes and actions, and understanding the benefits of positive thinking on overall health. FREE

Register at the Ellicott City 50+ Center front desk or contact Karen Hull at khull@howardcountymd.gov or 410-313-7466 (voice/relay).

Think Positive! Mondays, Sept. 24 thru Nov. 12 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Elkridge 50+ Center 6540 Washington Boulevard, Elkridge 21075 This 8-week group will meet weekly to discuss ways to make positive thinking a daily practice and to support each other on the journey. Facilitated group.

For additional information, contact Karen Hull at khull@howardcountymd.gov or 410-313-7466 (voice/relay).

www.howardcountymd.gov/sentog

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

The 50+ Connection

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Remember the 70s? The participants at the Connections Social Day Program at North Laurel sure do. And they made GROOVY t-shirts to celebrate the memories!

P4C Pet Evaluations Bain 50+ Center 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia 21044

If you are interested in volunteering, or wish to receive a FREE evaluation for your pet, contact:

Ingrid Gleysteen PROGRAM COORDINATOR

igleysteen@howardcountymd.gov 410-313-7461 (voice/relay)

Sept 6 • Oct 4 • Nov 1 • Dec 6 7:00 TO 9:00 PM

SOCIAL CLUB A Program for People Diagnosed with Early Stage Memory Loss

Providing socialization, companionship, support, education, and a sense of purpose in a safe and nurturing environment.

KINDRED SPIRITS AT GLENWOOD 2400 Route 97, Cooksville 21723 410-313-5441 • Judy Miller, DIRECTOR x5441

This specialized program for adults 18 and over and is designed to maintain independence, enhance memory and improve the overall health of participants.

CONNECTIONS AT ELLICOTT CITY 9401 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City 21042 410-313-1425 • Felicia Stein, DIRECTOR x1425

CONNECTIONS AT GLENWOOD 2400 Route 97, Cooksville 21723 410-313-5442 • Judy Miller, DIRECTOR x5441

CONNECTIONS AT NORTH LAUREL KINDRED SPIRITS AT NORTH LAUREL 9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd., Laurel 20723

410-313-7691 • Nancy Riley, DIRECTOR x7691

9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd., Laurel 20723 410-313-7218 • Nancy Riley, DIRECTOR x7691 A daily fee covers all program costs, trips, snacks and lunch; a sliding fee scale is available to Howard County residents. Transportation is the responsibility of family/caregiver.

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HoCoCommunity Stay connected to the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services. Like us today!

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Money Law &

MAXIMIZE YOUR CASH There are ways to ensure your significant cash holdings get the best interest rates while remaining insured by the FDIC FAMILY TIES Are you legally obligated to support your parents? It depends where you live — and whether you view it as a moral obligation

Some of the best things you can get for free By Sarah Smith Only one thing beats getting a good price on something, and that’s getting it for free. Our list of freebies is packed with something-for-nothing deals. We don’t allow any useless junk on our list — only quality goods and services that you would happily pay good money for (perhaps you’re already doing so). Go ahead. Put away your wallet. We insist!

Free podcasts Whether you are a fan of true-crime, comedy or technology podcasts, there are apps and websites that help you avoid subscription and download fees so you can tune in to your favorite episodes while you’re at work, in the library, or tackling a home repair project on the weekend. Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Spotify let you listen to unlimited podcast episodes without paying. You can listen online, or install their free apps to listen on-the-go.

Free music lessons Have you always wanted to learn an instrument, or are you itching to revisit your

glory days of playing the drums in your best friend’s garage? Those dreams can become a reality with free websites and apps that help you beat the often steep prices of private music lessons and recording and editing software. Violin Lab, Hoffman Academy and Drum Ambition offer free tutorials and practice sheet music to beginning learners. MusicTheory.net offers free lessons on music theory for those looking for a more advanced understanding, and MuseScore is a free, open source site for composing and notating sheet music.

Free smoke detectors Free counseling Sometimes you just need somebody to talk to. The website 7 Cups provides free counseling and listening services to those in need. The site (and its corresponding app) is based around an instant messaging model where you can either volunteer as a listener or message confidentially with a volunteer. The site does have a premium version where you can chat with licensed therapists, but it’s designed to be an initial step for those seeking help.

Frank, Frank & Scherr, LLC

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Experts in Elder Law, Estate and Special Needs Planning

Jason A. Frank, Esq.

Similar to 7 Cups, Blah Therapy offers a premium version where you pay a monthly subscription fee to message a licensed therapist. However, it also has a completely free version that connects you with a trained listener who most likely has also been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Reachout, while not designed to take the place of in-person therapy, is a network of people diagnosed with chronic illnesses who provide peer counseling to each other.

Laurie S. Frank, Esq.

Kandace L. Scherr, Esq.

Medical Assistance Eligibility Planning and Asset Protection Disability Planning / Special Needs Trusts / Veterans Benefits Healthcare Directives / Living Wills Trusts / Estate Planning and Administration Wills / Powers of Attorney / Guardianship

410.337.8900 | www.frankelderlaw.com | 1.888.338.0400 Towson | Columbia | Easton

According to the National Fire Protection Association, three out of five home fire deaths occur in houses that don’t have properly working smoke detectors. In January 2018, Maryland passed a law requiring all residents to have a working smoke detector installed, and Virginia lawmakers have now made it legal for localities to implement similar policies. Several local fire departments offer free smoke detectors, and will even come to your house to install them. For example, residents of Baltimore City and Washing-

ton, D.C., can call their fire department’s non-emergency number to request a free smoke detector. Howard County offers free installation of smoke detectors bought by residents.

Free resources for income investors You can find millions of pages of free information online, but how many of them enable you to reap a tangible benefit? Consider our favorite free sources for reasoned discussion and hard-to-find financial data for income investors. For example, the Closed-End Fund Association has a tool for sorting and screening more than 600 closed-end funds. InvestingInBonds.com offers real-time market data on bond trading action and prices. Screen the tax-free bond universe for top yields with the Electronic Municipal Market Access (EMMA) system (www.msrb.org) And get monthly updates by sector (such as the High Yield and Mortgage Market updates) from www.tcw.com.

See FREE THINGS, page 22

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Ways to maximize returns on your cash By Eleanor Laise Savers with high cash balances face a conundrum: How can they earn competitive yields without sacrificing federal deposit insurance coverage? As the Federal Reserve raises interest rates, the question takes on greater urgency. Some banks are now offering yields north of 2 percent, which is the Fed’s inflation target, “so for the first time in more than a decade, savers are in a position where they can have a positive after-inflation return without giving up federal deposit insurance protection,” said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst for Bankrate.com. The issue for savers with sizable cash balances — including many retirees — is that federal deposit insurance typically covers only $250,000 for each account type that you hold at a single bank. So keeping all of your cash in the highest-yielding account you can find may not be a safe option. There are ways to earn decent yields while maintaining full insurance coverage — including titling accounts in different ways at a single bank, opening accounts at multiple banks, and taking advantage of online services that will spread your money among several banks while optimizing your yield. For someone with a substantial cash hoard, “a difference of a quarter percentage point makes a big difference in interest in-

come and could well justify doing a little additional legwork,” McBride said. Despite the low rates of recent years, wealthy savers clearly don’t see cash as trash. In 2017, the average high net worth individual stashed about 21 percent of assets in cash and cash equivalents, according to the Capgemini World Wealth Report. But those who aren’t hunting for the best yields may pay a hefty price. Although some online banks have offered more-generous yields as the Fed raises rates, many brick-and-mortar banks have been slow to pass on higher rates to depositors. One of the best ways to earn juicy yields at the bank — a rewards checking account — does little to help high-balance savers. These accounts are offering yields of up to 5 percent, but those generous rates apply only up to a certain balance — often $10,000 or $15,000. What’s more, savers who want to earn the highest yields in these accounts typically must jump through some hoops, such as completing 15 debit card transactions per month. So maintaining multiple accounts may be too much work.

Spread the wealth around Simpler: Consider an online service that will spread your cash among high-yield accounts at multiple online banks.

MaxMyInterest, launched in 2014, allocates customers’ money among online savings accounts offered by Barclays, Ally Bank, American Express, Goldman Sachs and UFB Direct. The service, which has no minimum balance requirement, keeps the amount in each account under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. limit, and it allows an individual saver using all five banks to easily insure up to $1.25 million. At least once a month, or as often as the customer requests, MaxMyInterest reallocates the cash to take advantage of the highest rates. To get started, customers link a checking account to MaxMyInterest and indicate how much they’d like to keep in the checking account. The service optimizes the yield on the excess amount by spreading it among the online savings accounts. The average customer is earning a yield of more than 1.6 percent, said chief executive officer Gary Zimmerman. But the service is not free: Annual fees total 0.08 percent of the amount optimized. High-balance savers willing to do their own homework can avoid the fees — but getting a decent yield requires some effort. Websites such as Bankrate.com and DepositAccounts.com can help you find banks offering the best rates.

Boost FDIC coverage at one bank If you want to keep all your cash under one roof, you can boost your FDIC coverage at a single bank by maintaining multiple accounts that are titled differently. For example, a married couple could have a joint account insured up to $500,000, two individual accounts each insured up to $250,000, and two retirement accounts each covered up to $250,000, bringing their total FDIC coverage to $1.5 million at a single bank. Another approach: Set up a “payable on death” account — one that will transfer funds to your named beneficiaries upon your death — and designate multiple beneficiaries. Generally, deposits in such accounts are insured up to $250,000 for each beneficiary. You can name up to five beneficiaries and get up to $1.25 million in coverage on the one account. Note that “each of the five beneficiaries doesn’t have to receive an equal amount of the deposit,” said Ken Tumin, editor of DepositAccounts.com. “You could have the vast majority going to one beneficiary,” and the FDIC still provides up to $1.25 million in coverage, he said. (If you have more than five beneficiaries, the rules get more complicated.) See MAXIMIZE CASH, page 23

Free things

Free E-Books

From page 21

Free ETF Trades The less you pay in investing fees, the more you will have left to actually invest and see grow with the magic of compounding. So it really pays to focus on trading commission-free exchange-traded funds. Most online brokers offer a host of commission-free ETFs. Vanguard offers the most, with roughly 1,800 funds, including names from iShares and State Street. Fidelity currently offers 95 commissionfree ETFs, while Charles Schwab offers more than 200 ETFs with no commission. TD Ameritrade, meanwhile, offers more than 300 ETFs without a commission.

At Gutenberg.org or the University of Pennsylvania’s Online Books Page (onlinebooks.librar y.upenn.edu), you won’t pay a cent to legally download thousands of books that have expired copyrights, including War and Peace, Moby Dick and Little Women. You can also search for free e-books at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and iTunes.com. If you have a Kindle or the free Kindle reading app, you can swap e-books with your friends for as long as 14 days per book. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

Are you obligated to support your parents? By Knight Kiplinger Question: My retired parents are having a hard time paying for their modest living expenses in Florida, and they might be facing home healthcare or nursing home costs soon. I think my siblings and I should all chip in, but my brother is balking. He says we have no moral obligation to help our parents, and that’s what government assistance is for. What do you think? Answer: I’m with you on this. I think filial responsibility is part of a social contract that’s a well-established tradition in many societies, such as China and India, but less so in western nations like the U.S.

Assuming that your parents fulfilled their obligation as good parents — spending a lot of effort and money to get you to adulthood and launching you in life — you and your siblings owe them similar support in their old age (if they truly need it and you’re all able to afford a share). This assistance could mean inviting them to live with you and your siblings’ families in rotation (a common tradition in many societies, as well as in America’s past), helping to pay for assistance in their home, or sharing their nursing home costs. If some siblings have more wherewithal than others, some can pay more and some can provide more care. This can be negotiated among the siblings, but no one should

Maximize cash

you purchase these CDs at a premium, the amount above par won’t be covered. Avoid callable CDs, which allow the bank to terminate the CD early. And only buy brokered CDs when you’re certain you’re going to hold them to maturity. If you try to sell early in a rising-rate environment, “you could take a bath,” McBride said. As rates rise, savers should also look at options beyond the bank. Yields on Treasury bills and notes have climbed substantially and “are very competitive with CD rates and Internet banks,” Tumin said — and they’re backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. The six-month Treasury bill, for example, yielded 2.21 percent in mid-August, compared with 1.75 percent for the topyielding six-month CD listed on Bankrate.com. You can buy Treasury bills directly from the federal government. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

From page 22 To calculate how much FDIC coverage you might get with different account types, use the FDIC’s electronic deposit insurance estimator.

Consider brokered CDs While keeping all your cash in one place is convenient, “it very likely means you’re not getting the best yield,” McBride said. Some savers aim to boost their yield — and their FDIC coverage — by buying brokered certificates of deposit issued by various banks. These CDs, available through brokerage firms such as Vanguard and Fidelity, are traded on a secondary market and may respond more quickly than direct CDs to interest-rate changes, giving savers higher yields as rates rise. But they come with several caveats. FDIC coverage on secondary-market brokered CDs applies only to the par value. If

shirk the obligation to help in some way. A family heart-to-heart talk is called for — among the siblings first, then with Mom and Dad. I’m talking here about a moral obligation, not a legal mandate. On the other hand, 30 states — including California, Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania, but not New York, the District of Columbia, or your parents’ home state, Florida — have “filial responsibility” laws that require the support of indigent

parents by children who can afford some degree of help. These laws are rarely enforced, but that could change as our population rapidly ages and retirement costs accelerate. Have a money-and-ethics question you’d like answered in this column? Write to editor in chief Knight Kiplinger at ethics@kiplinger.com. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

PLATINUM MEMBERS: The Beacon Newspapers, Vantage House GOLD MEMBER Howard County Oﬃce on Aging & Independence SILVER MEMBERS Brightview Rolling Hills, Brooke Grove Retirement Village, Ellicott City Healthcare Center, Kindred At Home Right At Home In-home Care & Assistance, The Bob Lucido Team of Keller Williams Integrity BRONZE MEMBERS Arden Courts Memory Care Community, ComForCare Home Care of Howard County, Homewatch Caregivers, Let's Move, LLC., Stress Free Solutions PATRON MEMBERS Alzheimer's Association - Greater MD Chapter, Angels of Elder Care Planning, LLC, Assisting Hands Home Care, Country Gardens Assisted Living, Freedom Mobility, Genesis SelectCare, Home Instead Senior Care, Home With You Senior Care, HomeCentris Personal Care, Integrace Copper Ridge, Integrace Fairhaven, Miracle-Ear of Columbia, New Life Assisted Living, Inc., Professional Care Pharmacy, Shangri-la Senior Living, Sunrise of Columbia, Visiting Angels

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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Travel Leisure &

“No-fee” ATMs at many airports can offer terrible exchange rates. See more useful travel tips, and scams to avoid, on the facing page.

Save on airfare, lodging and more in London

Go low (season) London’s high season is late spring and summer, and it’s also popular in December. Prices and crowds drop outside those months. I chose March and had typically damp and chilly weather with a few sunny afternoons. Right now, when all your friends are complaining about how much they’re spending on summer trips to Europe, is the time to book your trip for autumn. U.S.-U.K. tourism is up, in part due to the proliferation of cheap flights to Europe. I flew Norwegian nonstop from Oakland, California. For about $445 (that included an extra $45 to book a window seat), I had a seat, but not much else. I took my own blanket, pillow, water and snack, and slept pretty much straight through to Gatwick Airport. From there, you can ride the Gatwick Express to Victoria station for about $24.

While Norwegian Air doesn’t fly from Washington-area airports, flights in September start at just $164 each way from New York to London. Primera Air Scandinavia flies non-stop from Dulles to London Stansted Airport, about 42 miles north of the city, starting at just $149 each way in September. That fare is limited to one piece of small hand luggage, with a maximum weight of about 22 pounds. To get checked luggage and priority seating, you’ll pay $70 more each way, but that’s still a roundtrip ticket for $418. The farther out you go from the heart of London, the cheaper the lodging. Just make sure you’re within an easy walk from the subway (known here as the underground or tube) and build a little extra time into your itinerary for your commute into town. I chose an Airbnb in suburban Hammersmith, which came to about $80 a night.

PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK

By Michelle Locke The sun-kissed scenes from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s storybook wedding at Windsor may have put you in the mood to visit the Old Country. But what if you’re just looking to feel like a prince (or princess), not spend like one? Here are a few tips on enjoying London on a budget. (Just don’t count on the sunshine that blessed the royal wedding in a place where, on average, it rains about one out of every three days.)

London's Sky Garden and restaurant offer 360-degree views of the city from the 34th floor of an office building. Visiting the garden is free, but tickets must be obtained online in advance.

Take a pass Since I knew I was going to be visiting a lot of paid attractions, I bought a London Pass, a multi-venue card. The drawback to this kind of option is one can feel pressured to rush around to get maximum value. My goal was to avoid ticket lines and not lose money. I paid about $200 for a six-day pass that came with an Oyster transit card preloaded with about $50. I visited all the places I wanted, including Windsor Castle (train fare is PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK|S-F

Travel in the off-season to find lower airplane fares and hotel rates for a visit to London’s iconic sights, such as Westminster Abbey and Big Ben from a double-decker red bus.

included in the pass) and rode a hop-on, hop-off bus for a day. I didn’t max out the pass but did come out about $125 ahead. If you’d rather take a more curated approach, look online for pay-in-advance discounts and combination specials, such as the two-for-one ticket to the Queen’s Gallery and Royal Mews. West End shows are another area where you can easily drop a bundle. But if you’re flexible on times and shows, discount tickets and last-minute bargains are available inperson at the TKTS office in Leicester Square. You can also book in advance online at https://officiallondontheatre.com/theatre-tickets/.

See, stroll, sip Most museums in London are free (special exhibitions may cost extra). A good, cheap, expedition is to head for the South Bank and the Tate Modern. Afterward, walk along the river path (past Shakespeare’s Globe) to Borough Market Hall (2-4 Bedale St., closed Sundays), a trendy spot where you can try specialties like the cheese toastie at Kappacasein. Keep walking to reach London Bridge and, if you’re thirsty, stay on the south side of the river and check out the 17th-century George Inn (77 Borough High St.). Or, retrace your steps to the Tate and cross the pedestrian Millennium Bridge to St. Paul’s. If it’s close to 5 p.m. you’ll catch

evensong at the cathedral, which is free. There are plenty of lavish teas to be had in London, including the swank spread at gourmet grocer Fortnum & Mason that comes to about $75. Harrods, too, has an excellent option if you are in the mood to splurge. Or you can stop by F&M’s more casual restaurant, The Parlour, where for about $15 I enjoyed excellent scones, free Wi-Fi and, quite simply, the best cup of tea of my life. If the weather’s fine, consider an al fresco repast, picking up some snacks at Harrods famous food hall and enjoying them in nearby Hyde Park. A relatively new, and free, thing to do in London is visit the Sky Garden, a green space with a bar and restaurants at the top of the 34-story building known as the Walkie Talkie because of its bulging top (20 Fenchurch St.). It’s hard to walk in for a look without a ticket, but timed tickets are free, though sunset hours go fast: http://skygarden.london/booking. You’re not obligated to buy anything at the bar, but if you do, the drinks, not surprisingly, come at a premium. Sometimes, of course, one simply must splash out. For my visit, I paid 15 pounds ($20) for a glass of Champagne, sat back, savored the view, and slowly sipped, enjoying every last, overpriced bubble. Cheers, indeed. — AP

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Be on the lookout for these travel scams Travel scams will again be plentiful this be your “guide.” Of course, other than summer, say the folks at Experian. Fraud speaking in English, you have no idea increased by 16 percent in whether this person has any 2017, and there’s no reason to useful knowledge of the variexpect that trend will reverse ous attractions in the vicinity. any time soon. And you will likely be dragged Experian released its list of into a nearby store that offers six scams, but the list inthe “best” prices on local spevolves some double-counting, cialties. and it also does not cover all Verification call. If you’ve the possibilities. So here’s my just checked into a hotel and list of nine to watch out for. you get a call on the room Free vacation or cruise. phone from the front desk to The pitch usually starts out by TRAVEL TIPS “verify” your credit card desaying, “You’ve been select- By Ed Perkins tails, hang up. That “front ed...” Yes, you’ve been selected all right; selected for a fleecing. Whether it’s extra fees, upgrades, substitutions, unavailability, or a seemingly endless highpressure timeshare promotion, don’t buy. There’s no such thing as a “free” vacation, so just fuhgeddaboudit. Buy immediately. “If you don’t buy right now, you’ll lose the deal.” In most pitches such as that, losing the deal is your best outcome. Legitimate offers seldom go away in minutes after they’re offered. Pay by cash or wire transfer. By now you should know that when you pay by cash or wire transfer you have zero chances of getting a refund if the deal goes south. Use a debit card if you must. But your best protection is to use a credit card — a payment system that leaves a trail and also offers some buyer protections that other systems do not. Street buying. When you buy an item from a street vendor, a locally produced handiwork might well be genuine or it might be made in Bangladesh, but either way, you probably aren’t out much money. When it comes to high-priced items like a “genuine” Rolex watch, however, walk away from the vendor. And if you can’t tell a genuine emerald from a piece of a broken wine bottle, don’t buy emeralds. Airport ATM thieves. That ATM you see when you arrive at a foreign airport may truthfully say “no fees,” but what it fails to add is “lousy exchange rate.” More and more foreign airports have succumbed to the lure of fat profits from awarding exclusive ATM location rights to retail exchange agencies. These guys can gouge you by as much as 10 to 15 percent on the exchange rate. Yes, your best way to get local cash is by using an ATM, but only if it’s operated by a legitimate bank and not by an exchange agency. Fake guides. You’ve probably had this happen: You’re walking near an important visitor center and someone approaches you and offers, usually in pretty-good English, to

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

desk” caller is likely in a boiler room somewhere recording your credit card details to run up a big bill. If you’re uncertain, go down to the desk yourself and see if there really is a problem. © 2018 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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FROM PAGE 30 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

H A R D O V E R T I D A V O W L A T E C A P I E X I T C E D E M P I N L E T T A S E A T E R M E L S E

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ANSWERS TO JUMBLE Jumbles: BOSSY UNITY RODENT RUNNER Answer: Camping during the thunderstorm was -"IN-TENTS"

Wonder Fall

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Mention this Beacon ad when booking for a special welcome gift! For Reservations & Information Call 1-800-523-2888 or Visit DunesManor.com

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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

What’s going on in HoCo? Basic Defensive Tactics 55 yrs + Classes: 5 $72 RP3517.101 Bain 50+ Ctr RP3517.104 Bain 50+ Ctr RP3517.102 Roger Carter Comm Ctr RP3517.103 Roger Carter Comm Ctr

Sep 12 Nov 7 Sep 12 Oct 31

1-2pm 1-2pm 10-11am 10-11am

W W W W

NEW! Beginner Mat Pilates Improve flexibility and strengthen your core. 55 yrs + Classes: 8 $68 RP3514.101 Roger Carter Comm Ctr RP3514.102 Roger Carter Comm Ctr RP3514.104 Roger Carter Comm Ctr

Sep 11 8am-9am Oct 16 8am-9am Sep 15 8:30-9:30am

Tu & Th Tu & Th Sa

Cardio Dance and Tone with Margaret Wolf Encore Explorations These one-day workshops are designed to let you try something new without committing to a full class session. Info: Ruth Coleman, 410-313-7311 or rucoleman@howardcountymd.gov.

Perform cardio with dance aerobic moves using weights or bands. 10% off two or more people. First two classes are free. 55 yrs + Gary J Arthur Comm Ctr Classes: 18 RP3505.101 Sep 12 2:30-3:30pm W, F $80

Exercise with Ease with Debbie Flynn

55 yrs + Broadway Dance Cedar Lane Rec Ctr RP3511.106 Sep 21 9:30-10:30am F $10 55 yrs + Zentangles Elkridge 50+ Center RP3511.107 Oct 2 10-11am Tu $10

Try low-impact aerobics, stretching, strengthening, and more.

NEW! Encore Adventures

Enjoy easy-to-follow aerobics, weight and cardio training class.

Fish and learn to rig a pole, tie knots and identify fish. Equipment provided. Join our hike to observe birds in their habitat. Info: Dawn Thomas, 410-313-1754 or dthomas@howardcountymd.gov.

55 yrs + Classes: 24 $144 RP8666.101 N Laurel Comm Ctr RP8666.102 Gary J Arthur Comm Ctr RP8666.103 Roger Carter Comm Ctr 55 yrs + Classes: 12 $72 RP8666.104 Roger Carter Comm Ctr

55 yrs + E. Columbia 50+ Ctr Classes: 24 RP8060.101 Sep 11 8:50-9:50am Tu, Th

Fitness for Life with Lori Nowicki, ACE, AFPA

55 yrs + 10% off two or more people Centennial Pk RP9171.105 Bird Hike Sep 20 6:30-8pm Th $25

Get Active with Fall Programs! Enjoy classes specifically designed for active adults. Info: Curtis Gore 410-313-7281 or cgore@howardcountymd.gov

NEW! Fundamentals of Modern Table Tennis with Jeff Smart Learn to execute the forehand (FH), backhand (BH) topspin drive, FH & BH underspin push, basic footwork, serves, and returns. 55 yrs + Howard County Table Tennis Center Classes: 10 RP3530.101 Beginner Sep 13 10:30am-noon Th $160 RP3530.102 Intermediate Sep 13 1-2:30pm Th $160

Co-Rec Volleyball 55 yrs + Meadowbrook Ath Comp RP5592.101 Sep 4 10:30am-12:30pm Tu & F

$72

$19

Sep 12 12:35-1:50pm M, W Sep 11 10:30-11:45am Tu, Th Sep 11 12:15-1:30pm Tu, Th Sep 14 10-11am

NEW! Functional Training For the Active Adult with Lori Nowicki, ACE, AFPA Use BOSU stability ball, light weights and resistance bands. 55 yrs + Cedar Lane Rec Ctr Classes: 16 RP3516.101 Sep 12 10:45-11:30am M, W

$139

Gentle Yoga Relax with a slower-paced class that is great for beginners. 55 yrs + Classes: 6 $42 RP3515.103 Bain 50+ Ctr RP3515.104 Bain 50+ Ctr

Sep 13 Oct 25

5-6pm 5-6pm

Th Th

Walking with Ease 55 yrs + 10% off two or more people Classes: 18 $64 RP3512.101 Cedar Lane Rec Ctr Sep 11 10:30-11:30am Tu, Th RP3512.102 Gary J Arthur Comm Ctr Sep 12 10-11am W, F

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

November Franklin Institute: Vikings – Beyond the Legend Explore more than 600 authentic archaeological relics that reveal the story of the Viking warriors who set sail from Scandinavia a thousand years ago in search of new lands. 16 yrs +

$100

RP4521.101

Nov 8

8am-4pm Th

Star Spangled Banner Flag House 16 yrs + $35 RP4541.101 Nov 7

9am-2pm W

The National Museum of the Marine Corps Situated on a 135-acre site adjacent to the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia, the museum’s design evokes the image of the flag-raisers of Iwo Jima and beckons visitors to this 120,000-square-foot structure. World-class interactive exhibits use innovative technology. 16 yrs + $60, individual; 10% off two or more people RP4522.101 Nov 13 9am-5pm Tu

October Maryland Fleet Week & Lunch Cruise

Monticello: Tour and Holiday Wreath Workshop

Enjoy a delightful cruise on the Spirit of Baltimore with a fabulous lunch as we celebrate Fleet Week! Nearly a dozen vessels from the US, Canadian and British Navy and Coast Guard will be on display in Baltimore’s beautiful Inner Harbor. View these exceptional and historic ships during a lunch cruise on the Spirit of Baltimore!

18 yrs + $200 RP4523.101 Nov 29

15 yrs + $115 RP4510.101 Oct 4

December

10:30am-3pm Th

National Harbor Trip & MGM Casino 21 yrs + $40, individual; 10% off two or more people RP4517.101 Oct 12 9am-3pm F

National Cathedral Tea & Tour Enjoy the high afternoon tea in Washington, D.C.’s best tea room. The All Hallows Guild and the Cathedral’s Visitor Services Department present a tea & tour. Views from the tower are magnificent! Following a cathedral tour, enjoy Earl Grey tea and finger sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, and sweets. 18 yrs + $90 RP4518.101 Oct 17

11am-6pm W

Naylor Wine Cellars Naylor Wine Cellars in Pennsylvania was founded in 1978. Enjoy lunch on-site with a wine tasting, wine presentation, and tour! 21 yrs + $100 RP4519.101 Oct 19 9am-5pm

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Located in Greenbelt, Goddard Space Flight Center is home to the nation’s largest organization of scientists, engineers and technologists who study the Earth, the solar system, and our universe. 16 yrs + $40 RP4520.101 Oct 26 9am-2pm

Annapolis Maritime Museum 16 yrs + $35, individual; 10% off two or more people RP4540.101 Oct 30 9am-1pm Tu

Discover the home of our third President, Thomas Jefferson. Following the tour, enjoy a scenic lunch at the on-site café. Then make a beautiful, holiday wreath. Monticello staff lead you in a three-hour workshop. Materials included. Bring hand pruners. 6:30am-6pm Th

Mount Vernon Candlelight Tour and Dinner Enjoy a festive evening at Mount Vernon, home of President George Washington! Listen to the sounds of the season, take a lantern-lit tour of the historic area, and enjoy cookies while sipping warm cider. 21 yrs + $125 RP4524.101 Dec 1

White House Holiday Tour Visit the White House for the holidays with Howard County Recreation & Parks! 16 yrs + $75 RP4525.101 Dec 4 Tu

Holiday at Longwood Gardens Poinsettias, magnificent trees, and fragrant flowers transform this conservatory into a holiday wonderland. Outside, colorful fountains dance to festive music, strolling carolers herald the season with song, and a half-million twinkling lights await. 16 yrs + $80 RP4526.101 Dec 7

8am-5pm

REGISTRATION 410-313-7275, www.howardcountymd.gov/rap, or 7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia, MD 21046

INFORMATION Tracy Adkins, 410-313-7279 or tadkins@howardcountymd.gov

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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

INFORMATION 410-313-0200 | www.belmontmanormd.org

Meet the Friendly Ghosts of Belmont Manor Belmont Manor is home to a number of benign ghosts who have not crossed over. This talk will go over experiences and findings from the Inspired Ghost Tracking team and others during their investigations at Belmont Manor. 18 yrs + RP9908.101

Oct 23

7:30-9pm Tu

$15

Belmont Investigation & Ghost Tour Join the Inspired Ghost Tracking team as they guide you on a tour of the Manor, grounds, and cemetery (weather permitting). Participate in an actual paranormal investigation and visit areas where paranormal activity has been suspected. Investigators from IGT will use EMFs, sound recorders, cameras, and temperature sensors to search for paranormal activity. Bring your own equipment and flashlights to investigate. 18 yrs + RP9901.101

Nov 2

7:30-10:30pm

$25

How Mediumship Works and the Spirit Treasure Interested in how mediumship works and signs from those that have passed? This talk discusses how medium Rob Gutro was led on a journey that proves a man’s spirit was with each member of his family after his death and solves the mystery of his passing. 18 yrs + RP9914.101

Nov 13

7:30-9pm Tu

$15

Holiday Afternoon Tea There’s nothing quite like afternoon tea when Belmont Manor is decked out with holiday decor! Enjoy a bottomless pot of tea, a scone served with clotted cream and jam, tea savories and an assortment of desserts. After tea, take a self-guided tour. Preregistration required. 12 yrs + RP9900.101

Belmont

Dec 9

2-4:30pm

$40

Introduction to Ghost Investigating What is the difference between a ghost and a spirit? This lecture explores that complex question. Hear why spirits stay behind and are unable to move on, or how ghosts cross over into spirits. Discover how they’re detected using science and technology. 18 yrs + RP9902.101

Dec 11

7:30-9pm Tu

$15

Belmont Manor & Historic Park Open Houses Family Holiday Open House All ages Dec 2 1-5pm Holiday Open House 18 yrs + Dec 16 3-6pm

Free

!"# $%&' "()*+*,- &./",+01"2 $# %&/# 34&,,"56 Enjoy Fall Activities & Sports With Us! REGISTER NOW!

For a full list of Fall Adult classes go to www.howardcountymd.gov/adultprograms.

410-313-7275 | www.howardcountymd.gov/rap HoCoParks APP

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Our GO50+ membership packages are designed to enhance the quality of life for the 50+ adult population that lives, works and plays in Howard County. Live longer, healthier lives… join today!

CENTERS Membership includes access to Gary J. Arthur and N. Laurel Community Centers and all Howard County 50+ Centers.

Fitness Membership includes access to Gary J. Arthur, N. Laurel and Roger Carter Community Centers as well as all Howard County 50+ Centers.

• Game Room Areas • Gymnasiums

• All 50+ Center !"!#$%&

• Walking Tracks

• Fitness Rooms • Dance/Aerobics Studio*

• Wellness Programs

FREE

POOL

Resident: $75 per year Nonresident: $100 per year

Membership includes access to Gary J. Arthur, N. Laurel and Roger Carter Community Centers as well as all Howard County 50+ Centers.

• All 50+ Fitness !"!#$%& • Pool Access During Open Swim Hours

Resident: $175 per year Nonresident: $225 per year

* Dance/Aerobics Studio not available at Ellicott City 50+ Center. ELKRIDGE 50+ Fitness Center 6540 Washington Boulevard Elkridge, MD 21075 410-313-5192 www.howardcountymd.gov/aging 8:30 AM-4 PM, M-F

ELLICOTT CITY 50+ Fitness Center 9411 Frederick Road Ellicott City, 21042 Voice/relay: 410-313-0727 www.howardcountyaging.org 8:30 AM-8 PM, M-W; 8:30 AM-4:30 PM, Th-F

GARY J. ARTHUR Community Center 2400 Rte 97, Cooksville, 21723 Voice/relay: 410-313-4840 Status line: 410-313-4452 www.howardcountymd.gov/GJACC 7 AM-9 PM, M-Sa; 9 AM-6 PM, Su

NORTH LAUREL Community Center 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road Laurel, 20723 Voice/relay: 410-313-0390 Status line: 410-313-4452 www.howardcountymd.gov/NLCC 8 AM-9 PM, M-Sa; 9 AM-6 PM, Su

ROGER CARTER Community Center 3000 Milltowne Drive Ellicott City, 21043 Voice/relay: 410-313-2764 Status line: 410-313-4452 www.howardcountymd.gov/RCCC 6 AM-10 PM, M-F; 7 AM-10 PM, Sa; 7 AM-9 PM, Su

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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Crossword Puzzle Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus Put Into Words 1

ByStephen StephenSherr Sherr

24 29

28 34

31 35

48 51

36 39

47 50

38 42

Jumble answers on p. 25.

Scrabble answers on p. 25.

49 54

60 64

Across

Down

1. Feature of “mate”, but not “matte” 6. A Violate the Hippocratic Oath 10. Egyptian Christian 14. Out in the open 15. “Thanks ___!” 16. McFlurry flavor 17. ___ Basin (site of the Jefferson Memorial) 18. Subject of an insurance claim 19. Make a list of top colleges 20. I or E (or, E again) 23. Language spoken in Thailand 24. Spork feature 25. Most of a Pink Lady cocktail 26. Went to a smorgasbord 29. Org. featured in 1988 film Patty Hearst 31. Photographer Adams 33. I (as any Hawkeye could tell you) 37. Solve a mirror maze 38. Roman area code for those roamin’ through central KY 39. Ruckuses 42. In Total, 11 of them are 100 47. Resign from 48. Important info for the airport Hertz 49. Capitol Hill VIP 50. Attach a boutonniere to a tuxedo 51. Columbian currency 54. Letters before a criminal’s nickname 56. Alphabetically, the choices are A, L, and W 61. On a Navy mission 62. Iceland is the least populated of its 29 members 63. Basic baklava ingredient 65. ___ of endearment 66. One who imitates Jane Goodall 67. Winner of 1977 Tony for Best Musical 68. What ___ can go wrong? 69. Centerfielder Fred, who was both ROY and MVP in 1975 70. Tombstone data

1. Left-side sink knob 2. Israeli film, Not in Tel ___ 3. Result of a let serve in tennis 4. Talk like a Southerner 5. No less than 6. Angel’s identifier 7. Like Wilber Wright, for 59 seconds in 1903 8. Martini’s wine-making partner 9. Where Moses had his ups and downs 10. Center of the Earth 11. Sweetened citric drinks 12. SAT taker’s need 13. Monopoly persona 21. Copacabana showgirl 22. He won one Emmy for Outstanding Variety Series 26. Best card in War 27. Subject of the 16th amendment 28. Dangerous spots during earthquakes 30. Director of 32 episodes of M*A*S*H 32. Obtain DNA from a cheek 34. Collector’s ___ 35. Jiffy Lube supply 36. Punish, financially 40. Mineral or metal 41. Digits that simplify identify fraud 43. Ready to be picked 44. Nonstop 45. Birthplace of Marie Osmond and her eight brothers 46. Take best advantage of an opportunity, proverbially 47. Fuel pump option 50. Fundraising banquet donation unit 52. In the middle of the carwash 53. Word where the T is frequently unspoken 55. Like the last person on Earth 57. “A wild goose never laid a ___ egg” 58. Unable to select between ACL and MCL injuries 59. Palindromic princess in Disney’s Frozen 60. Grateful Dead founder Bob 64. Hoped-for proposal response

Answers on page 25.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

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 LONGFELLOW GARDEN CLUB — Do you have a passion for gardening? If yes, you are invited to come grow with the Longfellow Garden Club in Columbia, MD. Enjoy a plethora of guest speakers, share plants and ideas, learn more about gardening, socialize with like-minded, talented individuals and contribute to community service projects. Where: Hawthorne Center, 6175 Sunny Spring, Columbia, MD 21044. 12:30-3:30, second Thursday of each month (Sept-June). Contact Pat South at 410-964-9778 or threesunnyyowls@gmail.com, Fran Ward at 301-725-7166 or fdwcolumbia@aol.com. Visit us on Facebook at Longfellow Garden Club Columbia, MD.

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Health PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR — May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-851-0949. PAID RESEARCH STUDY: Participants needed for research study at the University of Maryland, College Park. Seeking healthy adults ages 40-80 with either (1) extensive meditation experience or (2) no prior meditation experience to study the link between bacteria in the gut and day-to-day behavior with biological samples (e.g., stool sample), MRI, and behavioral tests. If you qualify and enroll, you will earn $25/hour for 2 sessions of up to 1.5 and 2.5 hours, respectively. For eligibility info, contact us at 301-202-4834, BrainBodyStudy@gmail.com. STOP OVERPAYING for your prescriptions! SAVE! Call our licensed Canadian and International pharmacy, compare prices and get $25.00 OFF your first prescription! CALL 1-888-9817657 Promo Code CDC201725. DENTAL INSURANCE. Call Physicians Mutual Insurance Company for details. Not just a discount plan, real coverage for 350 procedures. 844366-1003 or http://www.dental50plus.com/320 Ad# 6118.

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DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT to Heritage for the Blind. Free 3-Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. CALL 1-844-855-7670. GOT AN OLDER CAR, VAN OR SUV? Do the humane thing. Donate it to the Humane Society. Call 1-844-230-2952.

For Sale 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.

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:

The Beacon, Baltimore Classified Dept. P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 TV/Cable

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CASH FOR ESTATES, PARTIAL ESTATES, DOWNSIZING. I buy a wide range of items. Buy-out/cleanup. Gary Roman, 301-520-0755.

WERE YOU AN INDUSTRIAL OR CONSTRUCTION TRADESMAN and recently diagnosed with lung cancer? You and your family may be entitled to a significant cash reward. Call 1-888-351-0312 for your risk free consultation.

DISH Network. 190+ CHANNELS. FREE Install. FREE Hopper HD-DVR. $49.99/month (24 months) Add High Speed Internet - $14.95 (where avail.) CALL Today & SAVE 25%! 1844-560-5837.

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY? Up to $2,671/mo. (Based on paid-in amount.) Free evaluation! Call Bill Gordon & Associates. 1866-970-0779. Mail: 2420 N St NW, Washington, D.C. Office: Broward Co. FL., member TX/NM Bar.

SPECTRUM TRIPLE PLAY! TV, Internet & Voice for $29.99 ea. 60 MB per second speed. No contract or commitment. More Channels. Faster Internet. Unlimited Voice. Call 1-888366-7573.

Miscellaneous

Financial

ENJOY 100% GUARANTEED, DELIVERED to-the-door Omaha Steaks! Save 75% plus get 4 more Burgers & 4 more Kielbasa FREE! Order The Family Gourmet Buffet — ONLY $49.99. Call 1-844-302-3754, mention code 51689JCT or visit www.omahasteaks.com.

Personals CUTE, ATTRACTIVE FEMALE, FIFTIES — Looking for single white male, fifties/early sixties, attractive, robust, medium/large build, reliable, warm-hearted, romantic. Enjoy dates, companionship, devoted relationship. If interested, call 240-418-4124, leave voice message/ph#.

Wanted ESTATE LIQUIDATION & COLLECTIBLES: One call solves it all when you hire us to handle your estate liquidation, down-sizing and/or home cleanout. We sell your treasures, take care of charitable donations and provide junk removal. We also purchase partial estate contents/collections. Always buying antiques, jewelry, fine art, vintage toys, collectibles, advertising, sports memorabilia, military items, rare books, MidCentury Modern furniture and more. Based in Silver Spring, we serve Montgomery County, Howard County, Baltimore County, Washington, D.C., NOVA and beyond. No home, barn or warehouse is too packed for us! Friendly, conscientious staff. Call Chris on cell, 202-731-9447. www.OrionsAttic.com.

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. 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. MILITARY ITEMS WANTED: Collector seeks to purchase military uniforms; flight jackets, patches, insignia, medals, etc. from the Civil War through Vietnam. Especially seeking U.S. Army Air Corps, USMC, Airborne, and German/Japanese/Italian items from WWII. ALSO BUYING old Boy Scout, Airline Items, Toys, Lighters. Call Dan, 202-841-3062. 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, comic books and records, 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.

Thanks for reading!

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Studies Healthy Living Diet Study . . .11

Events

HomeCentris Personal Care . . .6 Options for Senior America . . .8

Housing

Going Home Cremations . . . .22 Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home, Inc. . . . . . . . .9 Sol Levinson & Bros., Inc. . . .10

Brooke Grove . . . . . . . . . . .4, 32 Charlestown/Erickson Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Heartlands Senior Living . . . . .3 Homecrest House . . . . . . . . . . .6 Park View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-7 Shriner Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Somerford Place . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Sommerset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-3 Vantage House . . . . . . . . . . .B-3

Hearing Services

Legal Services

Chesapeake Hearing Centers . .5

Angels of Eldercare Planning .23 Frank, Frank & Scherr, LLC . .21 Lifson Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Beacon 50+Expo . . . . . . . . . . .12 COGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 GreekFest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Funeral Services

Home Health Care A-1 Action Nursing Care . . . .10

Medical/Health Herbiculture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Medical Eye Center . . . . . . . . . .7 Trilogy Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 VitaScript Optimal Health . . . .7

Howard County Recreation & Parks . . . . .26-29

Subscriptions Beacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-630

Real Estate Services

Technology

Long & Foster-Nellie Arrington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

BeaconSilver Pages . . . . . . . .B-8 TheBeaconNewspapers.com .B-8

Retail/Services

Theatre/ Entertainment

Antwerpen Hyundai . . . . . . . . .1 Attitudes on the Boulevard . . . .9 Columbia’s Village Centers . . . .8

Candlelight Concert Society .B-5 Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . .B-6

Senior Services

Tour & Travel

AARP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-2 Howard County Senior Connection . . . . .13-20

Dunes Manor Hotel . . . . . . . . .25 Eyre Tour & Travel . . . . . . . .B-4

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

SEPTEMBER 2018

UPCOMING SEMINARS & EVENTS at Brooke Grove retirement village

As experts in senior care and memory support, Brooke Grove Retirement Village is pleased to offer seminars and events that promote physical, spiritual and mental well-being. All seminars and events will be held at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, located at 18131 Slade School Road on the Brooke Grove Retirement Village campus, unless otherwise noted. Please register with Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org. Healthy Living Class: CHAIR YOGA September 17 through October 24

MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS 9:45-10:30 A.M. Chair yoga can improve mobility, increase energy, improve physical function and otherwise enrich your life! Take the road toward better health with this class that is ideal for seniors or those with stiffness or movement limitations. Six-week Session Fee: $30 Reservations are requested by September 14. Registration opens at 10:30 a.m. on September 17, and the class fee is due at that time.

Caregiver connection: “When the Caregiver Becomes the Decision Maker” TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 2-3 P.M. Are you a caregiver struggling with making the hard decisions for your parent or spouse? Do you feel guilty going against their wishes? During this seminar, you’ll learn about the stages of grief and loss of independence and discover strategies to cope with making decisions regarding caregiver duties, family feuds and financial issues.

Parkinson’s Support Group SECOND WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH • 2-3:15 P.M. PFNCA EXERCISE FOR PARKINSON’S CLASSES MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS ONGOING, 3:30-4:30 P.M. Improve posture, balance and circulation while also increasing strength, muscle control and mobility. FREE with a $30 annual Parkinson Foundation registration fee.

FREE. Register by September 16. living well seminar: “Gentle Yoga for Energy and Stress Relief” WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 1-2:15 P.M.

18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860

301-260-2320 · www.bgf.org

During this seminar, you’ll explore the latest research which shows that certain yoga poses can increase energy and reduce stress. You’ll also discover five easy-to-learn yoga poses that you can do at home to begin receiving these benefits right away. Preceded by complimentary lunch at 12:30 p.m. FREE. Register by September 17.

Independent living

assisted living

rehabilitation

long-term care

memory support